SUZANNE HOWARD

Suzanne "Sue" Howard, daughter of the late Gus and Anna Vansice Hornberger, was born in Philadelphia in 1936. She entered eternal life on Jan. 30 at the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Ky., at the age of 81.

She married the late Robert "Bob" Howard, Sr., in 1953 in Prospect Park, Pa. They were the Letcher County representatives as missionaries at Camp Nathanael for many years. She was a member of the Mayking Baptist Church and an associate member of the Happy Bible Church in Happy, Ky. She was also a member of the Victorious Women Group. Suzanne enjoyed many things in life, such as traveling, cooking and baking, playing piano, crafts, shopping, teaching Bible lessons, and especially being the dining room hostess at Camp Nathanael. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her.
She is survived by two sons, Phillip (Barbie) Howard of West Grove, and Robert (Donna) Howard Jr. of Whitesburg, Ky.; one daughter, Elizabeth "Betty" Haupt (Richard) of Hagerstown, Md.; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her passing. She was preceded in death by two sons, David Howard and Matthew Howard; one brother, Charles Hornberger; and two sisters, Kay Jacobs and Margaret Humphreys.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Ky., or Camp Nathanel in Emmalena, Ky. Visit www.everidgefuneralhome.com.

ARMENIA GRACE OSBORNE

Armenia Grace Osborne, 90, of Rising Sun, Md., passed away on Feb. 6 at home.

She was the wife of the late Robert Osborne, and first husband Dale Miller. Born in 1927 in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Dewey and Corina Phillips Miller. Grace was a member of the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. She was employed as a secretary at Bainbridge N.T.C., The Budd Company in Newark, Del., and N.V.F. in Kennett Square. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, cooking for friends and church dinners, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by one son, Rickie Miller (Charlotte) of Rising Sun, Md.; five grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Jennifer McKinney; and two sisters, Ruby Scotton and Pearl Zablocky.

A funeral was held Feb. 9. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church, 303 W. Christine Rd., Nottingham, PA 19362. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

FRANCES RITA BURRITT

Frances Rita Burritt, 87, of Lincoln University, formerly of Drexel Hill, passed away on Feb. 6 at Riddle Memorial Hospital.

She was the wife of George Lewis Burritt, who passed away in 2014, and with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore Salvagno and the late Elizabeth Baselice Salvagno. She was as a bookkeeper at many different companies, retiring in 1985. Frances was a member of the Drexel Hill Senior Center. She enjoyed going on vacations with her family, especially on a cruise, dancing and going to the casinos. She also enjoyed reading and cooking. She was a good Italian cook. She would do anything for her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, George Burritt and his wife Linda of Lincoln University, and Salvatore Burritt and Teresa of Avondale; one sister, Betty Piccione and her husband Lou of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildrent. She was predeceased by one daughter, Jeanne Burritt; one grandson, Wes Burritt; two brothers and two sisters.

A funeral was held Feb. 10. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MARY C. WHARTON

Mary C. Wharton, 95, of Easton, Md., formerly of Ridgely, Md., died on Feb. 6.

Born in 1922 near Ridgely, she was the daughter of the late Harry G. and M. Amanda Zeigler Crouse. She was a graduate of Ridgely High School, Class of 1939. In 1939, she married Otis H. Wharton and they made their home in Ridgely until moving to New Jersey in 1959, later returning to retire in Ridgely and Easton, Md.

Mrs. Wharton was primarily a homemaker but excelled in anything she attempted to do, which included sewing, gardening, upholstering, knitting, canning, refinishing antiques and stenciling.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by all her siblings, sister Edna Shearer; brothers Glenn Crouse, Harry Crouse, Jr., Russell Crouse, Frank Crouse and Paul Crouse. She is survived by two sons, Herman Wharton (Ginny) and Wayne Wharton (Kay), all of Nottingham, Pa.; a daughter, Ruth Ann Smith of Easton, Md.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. A celebration of her life will be held at the Jensen’s Hyde Park Clubhouse in Easton, Md., on April 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Ridgely Historical Society, Ridgely, Md. She would love for each of you to do a random act of kindness for someone. Visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.

ROSETTA C. TOBIA

Rosetta C. Tobia, 75, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully at her residence, under the loving care of her husband and hospice nurse, on Feb. 8.

She was the wife of Dr. Louis A. Tobia, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Naples, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Ernesto Carcaise and the late Rosalie Mocherino Carcaise. Rosetta emigrated to America with her mother in 1947. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. She was a receptionist /secretary at the Unionville Chadds Ford School District, retiring in 2008 after 28 years of service. Rosetta was all about family and friends, and will be deeply missed by all.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Sheri Ott and her husband Raymond of Dover, Del., and Kathleen Carmody and her husband Brian of Chadds Ford; five grandchildren; and one sister, Edda Jackson and her son Kevin Jackson of Clairton, Pa.

A visitation will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square). Burial will be held privately. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com. In memory of Rosetta, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

 

SUZANNE E. BURKE

Suzanne “Sue” E. Burke , 83, of Avondale, died on Feb. 10 at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was the wife of Raymond G. Burke, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Shamokin, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Cecilia (Koveleski) Brown. Suzanne enjoyed a long career working for the state government of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Lansdale and Coatesville. She helped manage the PA Unemployment office in both Lansdale and Coatesville, which gave her great joy in helping others. As a proud parent to five sons and one daughter, Suzanne enjoyed being a den mother for her son’s Cub Scouts. Raising her children was her ultimate pride and joy. She was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed sharing her talent with family and friends. Suzanne was also an avid hiker, swimmer, skier, ice skater and reader. The little spare time she did have, she spent doing crossword puzzles and sewing. Sue was a devout Catholic. During her retirement years in Avondale, she was a faithful member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband Ray, sons Raymond J. Burke (Maura) of Avondale, David M. Burke (Renee) of Goodrich Mich., Christopher J. Burke (Donna) of Rochester Hills Mich., daughter, Suzanne M. Burke (John) of Chadds Ford, and son Joseph N. Burke (Lisa) of Woodstock Ga.; two brothers, Bernie Brown (Joanna) of Dawsonville, Ga., and Casper Brown of Carlsbad, N.M.; along with many grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, George M. Burke in 1987; and brother, Marty Brown.

A visitation will be heldfrom 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb.15 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). A mass celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106; or to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

DORIS A. PERICLES

Doris A. Pericles, 91, of Media, passed away on Feb. 11 at Lima Estates.

She was the wife of James Pericles, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. Born in Atco, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Lawrence W. Pyle and the late Nellie Goodwin Pyle. Doris was a Registered Nurse, working for various area hospitals. She retired in 1980 after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Middletown Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and being with her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, James S. Pericles and his wife Joann of Bel Air, Md.; one daughter, Diane Poff and her husband Don of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Donn Pyle of Media, Pa.; one sister, June Kozak of Lima; and four grandchildren.

Her services and burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HOWARD F. RHODEWALT

Howard Frederick “Fred” Rhodewalt, 98, passed on in Paradise, Calif., on Feb. 4 after a short illness.

Fred was born in 1919 to Howard and Florence Rhodewalt in Cornog, Pa. He grew up and went to school in Oxford, Pa. During the late 1930s he worked for Bitunimous Paving Company of West Chester. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served aboard the U.S.S. Idaho during the bombardment of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, plus several bombardments in Gen. MacArthur’s troop landings from New Guinea to the final liberation of the Philippine Islands. Fred returned to the U.S. after the war in l946 to marry his beloved Lillian “Peggy” Cornell. He retired from the Navy after 20 years and accepted a job with the National Weather Service in San Francisco. He retired from the Weather Bureau in 1974 and he and Peggy moved to Paradise, Calif. They enjoyed their retirement years, fishing and traveling. He was also active in the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is srvived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Rhodewalt Hardy; nieces Cathy Rhodewalt Strubel, Elaine Rhodewalt, Karen Rhodewalt Olivieri, Judith (William) Henning, Patty Mengel and Barbara Radswillas; nephews Stephen (Lynne) Rhodewalt, Scott Rhodewalt and Donald Rhodewalt; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A private inurnment at Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, Calif., will be held.

JOHN W. DOWDELL, JR.

A visitation with the family and friends of John W. Dowdell, Jr., will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square following the service. 

John proudly served our nation during World War II as a part of operations to secure the Island of Leyte, which was the first and most decisive operation in recapturing the Philippines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in John’s memory to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.