LEONARD DAVIDSON

Leonard “Steve” Davidson, 90, of Unionville,passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 4, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in 1927 in Unionville, to the late James Davidson and Beulah Nunemaker Davidson. In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Paul “Lem” Davidson, James Davidson, and John “Jack” Davidson; and three sisters, Mitzi Cooper, Geraldine McLaughlin, and Mary O’Fiesh.

Upon his graduation from Unionville High School, class of 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard to serve in World War II. In 1950, he was reassigned and served in the Korean Conflict.

After time served, he began his career as a stone mason, which he continued into the 1970s. In 1958, Steve joined the United States Post Office and retired in 1993, after 35 years of service. Steve was a member of the Unionville Presbyterian Church for 50 years, and an active member of the East Marlborough Zoning Board for over 40 years. He and his wife volunteered for the Unionville Community Fair for over 20 years. One of Steve’s greatest joys was sharing in both his children's and grandchildren’s lives. He could be seen at their sports, music, and school events. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends, family trips to Top Sail, N.C., and rooting for Philadelphia sports teams.

He is survived by three sons, James E. Davidson of Landenberg, Robert S. Davidson and his wife Carol of Collegeville, and John P. Davidson and his wife Vicki of Avondale; daughter-in-law Carol Davidson of Avondale; one sister, Marion Guest of Kennett Square; and seven grandchildren, Ashley, Matthew, Olivia, Joseph, Samuel, Abby, and Jenna.

A funeral was held Oct. 11. Burial was in Unionville Cemetery. In memory of Steve, a contribution may be made to JDRF, 555 Croton Road, Suite 11, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (www.jdrf.org). To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

JANIE W. HUDLER

Janie W. Hudler, 84, of Avondale, passed away on Oct. 7 at the Pocopson Home.

She was the wife of Harold Hudler, who passed away in 2004, and with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. Born in Ashe County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Roy Wallace and the late Mary Lou Vannoy Wallace. Janie was a machine operator at NVF in Newark, Del., retiring after over 40 years of service. She was a member of the Kemblesville United Methodist Church. Janie enjoyed crocheting, gardening, shopping, going to church and being with her family.

She is survived by one son, Harold N. Hudler, Sr., and his wife Susan of Avondale; two daughters, Loretta Sturgis and her husband Jim, and Debbie Terry and her husband Louie, both of Landenberg; three grandchildren, Stephanie Folk and her husband Gary, Harold N. Hudler, Jr., and his wife Colleen, and Melissa Terry; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held Oct. 12. Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Janie, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

BETTY JANE HENNESSEY

Betty Hennessey, 88, a resident of Severna Park, Md., for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully following a long illness.

She grew up in Kennett Square. She graduated from Kennett High School in 1947 and subsequently completed a stenographic course at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Del. Following her marriage to Richard (Dick) Klein Hennessey in 1960, they relocated and settled in Severna Park, Md. They resided in Severna Forest and were charter members of the Severna Park United Methodist Church. Betty worked as a legal secretary and retired from Anne Arundel County Government in 1992. After the loss of her husband in 1995, she pursued many activities, including visiting family and friends, traveling and playing bridge. In addition, she was a member of the “Every Other Thursday” Ladies Duckpin League for over 15 years. In 2015, illness forced her to leave her much-loved home and move to Brightview Severna Park, where she lived until her death.

She is survived by numerous family members and friends around the country who loved her deeply and will miss her greatly.

A graveside service was held on Oct. 12 in Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena MD 21122. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.

EDITH L. FLESSNER

Edith L. Flessner, 93, of Oxford, formerly of Newark, died on Oct. 4 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of Donald Flessner, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Leslie A. and Edith M. Kessler Grand, and sister to her late brother, Leslie Grand. Edith received her BS and Master’s Degrees from Drexel University and attended the University of Minnesota for her Doctorate. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, and the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Always a volunteer, Edith served as a Lay Chaplain at Christiana Hospital for 15 years. She conducted several programs for the residents of Ingleside Retirement Home to help them through the long winter months. She was an active Girl Scout for over 80 years, including five decades with the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Donald Flessner (Kathleen) of Akron, Ohio, and Kenneth Flessner (Rehana) of Denville, N.J.; one daughter, Leslie Meredith (Gerald) of Tucson, Ariz.; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Oct. 16. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts, ATTN: Eileen Pelham, 225 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

GEORGE C. GUSS III

George C. “Sonny” Guss III, 75, of Oxford, passed away on Oct. 7 at Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville after a long illness.

He was the husband of Louise D. Guss (nee Kearney) with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Bryn Mawr, he was the son of the late George C., Jr., and Kathleen McManus Guss. George graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School Class of 1959. He honorably served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959-1963. He was employed with the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the 1980s as a pipefitter, and went on to join the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers at the shipyard. George retired in 1995 and moved to Oxford with his family. He was employed with the Oxford Borough as the Building Inspector and Code Officer.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Michael Guss and Christian Guss (Monica); eight grandchildren, Michael Jack, Daniel, Megan, Luke, Gabriel, Vincent, Gerard and David; one sister, Bessie (Jack); niece Kathleen (Theo); and grandniece Julia.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Oct. 12. Interment was in St. Agnes Cemetery in West Chester. In lieu of flowers, request Mass Cards in his name or donations in his name may be made to St. Michaels World Apostolate, P.O. Box 514, Bayside, NY 11361. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JOSEPH A. MCMILLAN

Joseph A. McMillan of West Grove, formerly of New London and Kelton, passed away on Oct. 2 after a brief illness.

He will forever be remembered as a man of devout faith, a friend, husband, brother and father. He was born in 1946 in West Grove, and attended Avon Grove schools, graduating in 1963. Post graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1963 to 1967 aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga during the Vietnam War. Post military service, he attended Widener University and graduated with a B.S. in engineering and worked for E.I. DuPont for the majority of his professional career in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, and lived a brief time in Florida and Georgia. He was an expert in quality systems, quality assurance practices, ISO 9000 and ISO 9001; and taught at the University of Delaware, Lincoln University and Patrick Henry Community College.

He was a man of great faith, an ordained minister, and served as part of the clergy at the Full Gospel Lighthouse in West Grove and Jennersville, New London Baptist Church in New London, and at other ministries in Pennsylvania and Virginia, delivering sermons and performing many marriages, baptisms and providing comfort at funerals. He previously served on the parent or regional boards of the Full Gospel Lighthouse, New London Baptist Church and Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.

He was a founder of Southern Chester County’s first alcohol detoxification program at the Southern Chester County Medical Center (Jennersville Hospital) and was active in supporting drug and alcohol treatment programs locally and nationally. He was also a lover of nature and animals, having grown up surrounded by, and working on, dairy, corn, wheat and other crop farms, and was an avid nature and landscape photographer.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Emma Cecilia (Cel) McMillan (Harvey); his parents, Claude Allen McMillan and Ella Mae McMillan (Eggers); his sisters Alice A. Hearne and Gloria B. Lewis; and brother Charles (Chuck) E. McMillan. He is survived by his sister, Dora Ina Walraven; his four children, Michael C. McMillan (Jessica) of Jacksonville, Fla., Lawrence W. McMillan of Jacksonville, Fla., Ila Marie McMillan (Kirk Wiseman) of Landenberg, and Joseph Allen McMillan, Jr. (Jordan Charles-Henri Girard) of New York, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held Oct. 14. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Avon Grove Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 266, West Grove, PA 19390. The foundation supports students seeking to attend college or university post high school, with an emphasis on financial need.

IRENE MARIE GIULIANO

Irene Marie Giuliano, 74, of Cochranville, passed away on Oct. 7 in Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford.

She was the wife of Raymond A. Giuliano, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Ridley Park, she was the daughter of the late Julius and Nora Agnes Sheehan Levandowski. She graduated from Notre Dame Moylan, Pa., class of 1962. Irene was a member of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Parkesburg. She enjoyed cooking, baking and the beach.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Ray J. Giuliano and his wife Jody, and Kevin M. Giuliano; one granddaughter, Christina Giuliano; one step-granddaughter, Samantha Gizzi; and three brothers, John Levandowski, James Levandowski and Leo Levandowski.

A memorial mass of Christian burial was held Oct. 17. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Dr., Lancaster PA 17603. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HELEN LOUISE HAGERTY WARFEL

Helen Louise Hagerty Warfel, 99, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on Oct. 7 at Linden Hall of The Friends Home of Kennett Square.

Born in Hockessin, Del., in 1918, Helen was the daughter of Frank T. Hagerty and Maud Moore Hagerty. She was preceded in death by a brother, Harold F. Hagerty, of Wilmington. She was the wife of the late William D. Warfel, Jr. Both were 1936 graduates of Kennett High School and attended Goldey Business. They were married May 29, 1941. Helen became a bookkeeper and retired at the age of 70 from C&R Antonini’s. She was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square. She was also a lifetime member of the Kennett Grange and Kennett Senior Center. She enjoyed painting, reading, doing puzzles, and spending time at her cottage at White Crystal Beach in Maryland.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Patricia Warfel Hoffecker of Kennett Square, and Judith Warfel Hart and her husband James of Exton; three grandchildren, Kristin Hart Scatamacchia of Fleetwood, Pa., Keith W. Hart of Downingtown, and Helicia Hoffecker of Kennett Square. Helen was Nana to nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

A funeral was held Oct. 16. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Helen enjoyed living the last nine years of her life living, singing, playing and talking with friends in The Friend’s Home in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Friends Home in Kennett, 147 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19341. To view her online tribute, and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

TIMOTHY L. ROARK

Timothy L. Roark, 55, of Nottingham, passed away peacefully at his residence on Oct. 4, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in 1961 in West Chester, to Charlotte Ann (Hampton) Roark and the late Robert Glenn Roark.  He was a dedicated truck driver for 30 years. In his leisure time, he would often be found fishing or attending car shows and tractor pulls. Timmy enjoyed spending time with his family watching T.V., and junk yard hopping on Saturday with his son.

Timmy is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lisa Roark; daughter, Nicky Egolf; son, Matthew Roark; daughter, Samantha Roark; son, Timothy Roark, Jr.; brother, Robert Roark and his wife Vicky; brother, Matthew Roark; sister, Lori Roark; brother, Joshua Roark and his wife Dee; three grandsons, Christopher, Jacob, Liam Egolf; two granddaughters, Daisy Cole and Bobbie Roark; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life was held Oct. 14. To send an online condolence, visit www.rtfoard.com.

JEROLD S. PANATI

Jerold “Jerry” S. Panati, 81, of West Chester, passed away Oct. 9 at the Chester County Hospital.

Jerry was the husband of Nancy Ramey Panati, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, and growing up in Ardmore, Jerry was the son of the late Jerry and late Alta (Mitchell) Panati. Jerry was “Penn State Proud,” earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1958 from Penn State University, where he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After college, Jerry served in the Army as a Captain. After college and the Army, Jerry joined General Motors, where he worked for over 30 years as a quality engineer. His life’s passions were his family, dogs, cars (Corvettes) and golf. He traveled around the world with his wife after retirement, but for Jerry there was no place like home – swinging a golf club, looking for that perfect swing, watching his granddaughters grow up, having his dog next to him ... that is what made Jerry happy. Family was everything.

Jerry (husband, father and Pop-Pop) is survived by his wife Nancy; son-Bob Panati and his wife Tracy of West Chester; daughter Donna Lamberth and her husband Karl of Chadds Ford; his brother, Donald Panati and his wife Sandi of Dresden, Maine; and his three granddaughters, Amanda, Danielle and Jenna.

Services were private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville, Pike West Chester, PA 19380. Condolences may be made at www.griecocares.com.

MARY ELIZABETH MORRISON

Mary Elizabeth Morrison, 95, of Oxford, passed away on Oct. 11 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Lawrence J. Morrison. Born in Glen Roy, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Beulah Finney Reeves. Mary enjoyed word search puzzles and NASCAR racing.

She is survived by her five sons, Richard Morrison (Nancy) of Oxford, Lawrence Elwood Morrison (Elaine) of New Castle, Del., Kenneth Wayne Morrison (Gail) of West Grove, Barry Morrison (Elaine) of Kirkwood, and Robert Morrison of Oxford; one daughter, Mabel Elizabeth Brooks (Charles) of Homeville; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Hazel McMahan and Alma Shoemaker, both of Quarryville; daughter-in-law, Brenda Morrison of Oxford; and brother-in-law, Richard Landis. She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Morrison; two brothers, Elwood Reeves and Arnold Reeves; and two sisters, Anna Grace Landis and Jane Deibler.

A funeral was held Oct. 16. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

WILLIAM J. MARSDEN, JR.

William J. Marsden, Jr., of Avondale, 62, passed away on Oct. 14 following unexpected cardiac arrest.

A Wilmington attorney, he is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ellen Jones Marsden; his children, Benjamin (Britta), Margaret and Emma; as well as his sisters, Jo Ann Andren and Gloria Stavropoulos (Pete); and a devoted circle of extended family, colleagues and friends.

William was born to William John and Muriel Smith Marsden in Tenafly, N.J. He graduated from Haverford College in 1978 and then worked as an intern for the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, D.C., where he met Ellen. William graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1983 and began working with the firm of Potter, Anderson & Corroon focusing on intellectual property law.

In 1999, William opened Fish and Richardson’s Delaware office as its only attorney and one of three employees. In the 18 years that followed, William expanded the office to employ dozens of attorneys and staff. Integrity, judgment and good humor were his hallmarks. According to his colleagues, he was the personification of all that is best in an American lawyer.

William’s joy was landscaping his farm in New Garden Township. He was a devoted steward of the farm on which his children are the fifth generation. His volunteer responsibilities ranged from serving on Haverford College’s Board of Managers to chairing New Garden Township’s Zoning Hearing Board. Additionally, William enjoyed golf, was a curious and adventuresome traveler, and a lover of the arts, history and culture. His entire family depended on him, and his children and a host of nieces and nephews will lovingly remember him as the master of fun and games.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A Quaker memorial meeting for worship will be held on Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. in the London Grove Friends Meeting House (500 W. Street Rd., Kennett Square). In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to London Grove Friends Kindergarten (London Grove Monthly Meeting, 500 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348). To view William’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.