A. JEAN PIERCE

A. Jean Pierce, 88, of Oxford, passed away on June 30 at the home of her daughter.

Jean resided in the Oxford area most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Evan and Beatrice Webb Gill. She was the wife of the late P. David Pierce, who died in 1991. Jean attended and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Oxford.

Jean is survived by her eight children, Linda Letterman of Nottingham, Velma Riggins of Kennett Square, Barbara Chamberlain of Landenberg, Michael Pierce of Narvon, Dennis Pierce of Middletown, Del., Thomas Pierce of Oxford, Nancy McFadden of Oxford, and Charles Pierce of Christiana; two sisters, Louise Pierce of Wilmington, Del., and Joyce Rock of Honey Brook; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-granddaughters. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Salada; a great-grandson, Timothy Sheets II; three brothers; and two sisters.

A funeral service was held July 6. Interment was at Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, 552 Market St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JEAN CASTELLI

Jean (Cameron) Castelli passed away peacefully on June 29 at Reading Hospital in West Reading.

Jean was 70 years old, born on July 4 1947 in West Grove to the late George W. and Marie H. Cameron. She was a native of the Oxford area, graduated from Oxford Area High School in 1965, and attended Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, where she met and married her husband of 49 years, Nicholas V. Castelli.

Although Jean studied industrial design in college, her first job was a floral designer for Hecht Company in Baltimore, and thus started her love of flowers. In 1973, Jean and husband started their own floral business which eventually became The Family Tree Florist in Oxford. She was also an artist, and had her work featured in many magazines and several local businesses. Recently, Jean taught art to after-school students at Avon Grove, as well as art lessons at the Oxford Senior Center. One of Jean’s best unsung talents was photography. She could capture beauty in the simplest of things and find the most interesting shots in very unusual places.

Jean will be most remembered for her July 4 birthday – a firecracker personality, paintings, drawings, jewelry, kindness, big heart, and fun-loving craziness.

Jean is survived by her husband; her beloved daughter Karen, wife of Matthew Taylor of Landenberg, and her two adored grandchildren, Aidan and Isabelle, who were the center of her life. She is also survived by a sister, Nancy, wife of David Harpe of West Grove; nieces and nephews; and a multitude of lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Patti Cameron Becker of New Holland.

A service was held July 6. Interment was private.

PHILIP A. HAYES

Philip Acheson Hayes of Kirkwood, formerly Oxford, 84, passed away peacefully on June 30 at Hospice & Community Care in Mount Joy.
He was born in 1933 to the late Viola and Edgar Hayes. He was a 1952 graduate of Oxford High School, and Goldey-Beacom College in 1954. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rising Sun. Philip farmed all his life. He enjoyed operating farm equipment, camping, collecting farm toys, hauling the Amish, hunting, visiting friends in Mifflin County and riding his Harley.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Violette Ferguson Hayes; daughter Gayle Bugg (Ron) of Hinton W. Va.; two sons, Charles Hayes Kirkwood, and Raymond Hayes Fogelsville; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

A funeral was held July 7. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Philip may be made to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Online  condolences may be made at www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com.

SAMUEL B. MOSIER

Samuel Barclay Mosier, 41, of Oxford, passed away June 30 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

Born in Sarasota, Fla., he was the son of Daniel C. and Priscilla Townsend Mosier of Oxford. Samuel graduated from high school in 1999. He was baptized in 1993 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and was a much loved member of the Rising Sun, Md., congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

He is survived by his parents; five uncles, William B. Townsend (Ileen) of Conestoga, John H. Townsend (Donna) of Oxford, Charles M. Townsend (Sandy) of Oxford, Jeremy A. Townsend (Opal) of Oxford, and Andrew E. Townsend (Bobbi Sue) of Oxford; three aunts, Jane S. Fraze (Gary) of Newark, Del., Wendi Simons (Paul) of Bradenton, Fla., and Cindi Mooneyham (Kenneth) of Sumter, S.C.; and 21 cousins. He was preceded in death by one cousin, Derek Simons.

A memorial service was held July 7. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

FAYE L. WEIR

Faye L. Weir, 83, of Oxford, passed away on July at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun, Md.
She was the wife of the late John W. Weir, Sr. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Garvin W. and Hazel M. Fisher Hamm. Faye was a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Oxford for 35 years. She enjoyed horses, fox hunting, antique auctions, gardening, and traveling with the Pacesetters. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by one son, John W. Weir, Jr. (Patti) of Newark, Del.; one daughter, Deborah W. Sampson (Donald) of Oxford; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard G. Hamm of E. Petersburg, Pa.; and three sisters, Patricia McDowell of Yuma, Ariz., Joan Reisler of Oxford, and Barbara Turner of Lancaster.

A funeral was held July 6. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

SUSANNE R. LOPEZ

Susanne R. Lopez, 95, of Oxford, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on June 30 at Jennersville Hospital Tower Health in West Grove.

She was the wife of the late Richard Lopez. Born in Troy, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late George Spicer and Gratia DeZouche Reynolds. Susanne was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Medical Corps as a physical therapist during World War II. She continued healing and caring for people as a physical therapist for another 45 years. She was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford. She was also a member of Stephens Ministry at Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, the Chimes Choir at Oxford Presbyterian Church, and served for several years as president of the Residents Council at Ware Presbyterian Village. She expressed steadfast devotion to her family and friends through faithfully sending greeting cards for many occasions, and through sharing her knowledge and life experiences. Lifelong interests included sewing -- especially clothes and costumes for her children and grandchildren -- reading, hiking and camping, and playing cards.
She is survived by two sons, Richard E. Lopez (Deborah) of Wilmington, Del., and Theodore M. Lopez (Martina) of Springfield, Va.; two daughters, Judith L. Smith (Gerald) of Bloomingdale, N.J., and Barbara L. Funk (David) of Lincoln University; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Louis David Richards Reynolds and Lansing Van Rensselaer Reynolds.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 14 at the Church of the Good Samaritan (212 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348; St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 116 Lancaster Pike, Oxford, PA 19363; or Church of the Good Samaritan, 212 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARGARET LAFFEY PHILLIPPE

Margaret Laffey Phillippe, 62, of Kennett Square, passed away on July 1 at the Chester County Hospital.

She was the wife of Mark B. Phillippe, with whom she shared 43 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late George Laffey and the late Gertrude Naulty Laffey. For almost 15 years, Margaret was owner of Magnolia Deli in Kennett Square. Most recently, she was the front-end manager for the Acme Market in Hockessin, Del., where she worked for more than 12 years.

She attended St. Patrick's Church in Kennett Square. Margaret enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, Makayla, Brayden, Ashlyn, and Mia; and helping and guiding the many to whom she was a "mom.”

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Stephen E. Phillippe and his fiancee Megan Shinn, and Timothy G. Phillippe and his wife Heather; three sisters, Gertrude Quill of Exton, Patricia Dunlap of Downingtown, and Jacqueline Donovan of Harrisonburg, Va.; and her four grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey M. Phillippe.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 13 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to charity in honor of Margaret. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MARY JANE WOOD OSBORNE

Mary Jane Wood Osborne, 73, of Taylors Valley, Va., went to be with her Lord, surrounded by her husband and family, on July 4 at her residence.

She was born in Coatesville in 1944, a daughter of the late Frank and Stella Wood of Oxford, where she grew up and spent most of her early life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Angela Dawn Osborne of Taylors Valley, Va. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry D. Osborne; her son, James Edward Osborne and his wife Allison of Bear, Del.; one sister, Betty Neyman of Abingdon, Va.; two brothers, Louis D. Wood II and his wife Norma, and Frank E. Wood Jr., both of Oxford; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary and her husband of 53 years, Jerry D. Osborne, raised their two children in Newark, Del. They both retired; Mary from Avon Products, and Jerry from DuPont, and moved back to Taylors Valley, where Jerry grew up. Mary loved doing crafts, working in the Taylors Valley Memorial Garden, and teaching Sunday school at Taylors Valley Church of Christ, where she was a devoted member for 20 years.

Mary and Jerry lived in Bristol, Va., for four years and were members of West Hills Christian Church. They moved back to Taylors Valley, where she lived the remainder of her life. Condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com.

MARY MARCHESE

Martha Marchese (nee Hoblitzell), 70, of Ardmore, passed away on July 1 at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community in West Grove.

Born in 1947 to Carl Hoblitzell and Susan Hill, she was the oldest of four children. She met her husband, Joseph Marchese, at the Naval Base in Philadelphia and they were married in 1967. They spent the next 45 years living in and around the Philadelphia area, building a family and church community. After they were married, Marty, as she was known to her friends and family, and her husband opened their hearts and home to children of their own, foster children and families in need of a place to stay. She was a deeply spiritual woman, being an active member of St. Martin de Porres in North Philadelphia for many years, and doing missionary work around the world, mostly in Africa and Haiti. Her ready smile, her willingness to pitch in, and her generosity of spirit touched all of the families that she met on these trips.

She was an avid seamstress – making clothes for her family in the early years, teaching her children how to sew and create crafts, and even, as part of the mission work, teaching women how to sew items to be sold.

Martha’s husband predeceased her in June of 2011. She is survived by their children Chris, Lisa, Michael, Scott, Stephen, and Tina Nguyen. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held July 9. Interment was in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Martin de Porres School, 2340 W. Lehigh Ave., Phila, PA. 19132. Online condolences may be made at www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com.

NORMAN E. ASTLE, SR.

Norman Eugene Astle, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on July 6 at Christiana Hospital. He was under hospice care.

Norman was born in 1926 in Kemblesville, to the late Arthur A. Astle and late Eleanor J. Grubb. His wife, Helen L. Astle, died in 2015. The two shared 64 wonderful years together. Norman was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee for many years, and in other capacities. He was a dairy and grain farmer most of his life. Norman also enjoyed serving with the Cecil County Farm Museum, and was a member of the Cecil County Farm Bureau. He served as Institutional Representative for Hopewell Boy Scout Troop No. 143. Norman enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He will be missed by his six children, Eleanor DeLong (Kenneth), Alma DeLong (Gerald), Norman Astle, Jr. (Stephanie), H. Louise Batory (Robert), Richard Astle, Brenda Waddell (Randy); grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, beloved friends, and his beloved buddy, Boots. In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his brother, Otis A. Astle; and sister, Mary J. Witmer.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Hopewell United Methodist Church or the Cecil County Farm Museum in care of Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 766, Perryville, MD 21903-0766. Funeral services are scheduled for July 16 at 11 a.m. at Hopewell United Methodist Church of Port Deposit, Md. Visitation will be held July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home in Perryville, Md. A second visitation will be held July 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. Visit www.pattersonfuneralhomemd.com.

HELEN A. McGOVERN

Helen A. McGovern, 92, of Hockessin, Del., passed away on July 5 at her residence.

She was the wife of William P. McGovern, Sr., who passed away in 1957, and with whom she shared nine years of marriage. Born in Hockessin, she was the daughter of the late Irvin J. Gebhart and the late Margaret Dolan Gebhart. She was a bookkeeper for her son’s business, Wm. P. McGovern, Inc., in West Chester and Kennett Square for 44 years, just retiring a couple of months ago. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Hockessin, and also St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square. She enjoyed working in her son’s business, and spending time with friends and family. She was a Phillies and Eagles fan.

She is survived by one son, William P. McGovern and his wife Andrea of Kennett Square; two daughters, Nancy Pia and her husband Michael of Chadds Ford, and Rosemary McGovern of Hockessin; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Peggy Plunkett; three grandsons; and three brothers.

A funeral was held July 10. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

STEPHEN G. MYERS

Stephen G. Myers, 61, of Lincoln University, entered into rest on July 2 at his home.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Everton W. Sr. and Jessie Walker Myers. Stephen was employed for 25 years with Lenape Forge in West Chester as a crane operator. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, spending time with close friends, working on cars and delivering mushrooms.

He is survived by two daughters, Jessica Carr and Jaylynn Myers, both of Lincoln University; one son, Aaron Myers of Lincoln University; three brothers, J. Dwight Myers, Everton W. Myers both of Lincoln University and Levi Myers of West Chester; two nieces and one nephew; eight grandchildren; and many friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, Otis Myers; and his stepmother, Dorothy J. Smith.

Friends and family may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

DONALD R. MAXWELL, SR.

Donald R. Maxwell, Sr., 75, of Kennett Square, passed away on July 3 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Harry Lee Maxwell and Eva Mae Lee.Maxwell. Donald was a construction worker and had worked for various employers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding horses, all outdoor activities, and being with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by two sons, Donald Maxwell, Jr., of Coatesville, and Douglas Maxwell of Kennett Square; two daughters, Donna Maxwell and Denise Maxwell, both of Kennett Square; one brother, Frederick Maxwell of Kennett Square; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by six sisters and five brothers.

Donald requested that his service and burial be held privately. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

BARBARA ELINOR KNIPE

Barbara Elinor Knipe of West Grove passed away on July 4 at Seasons Hospice at Christiana Hospital.

She was the beloved wife of the late Harvey Knipe, who she cared for until his passing in 2007, and the daughter of William and Lena Krumm. She was born in 1929 in Hazelton and spent her early years there before moving to Philadelphia. She graduated from Bartram High School. She worked as a comptometer operator at Belmont Steel and Ryerson Steel, where she met Harvey. They married and moved to Lansdale, where she worked at Perkins Glue and started her long years of volunteer service. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and then volunteered at North Penn Hospital. Enjoying her time there, she volunteered at Jennersville Hospital after moving to Kennett. There, she met Neil Leech, who was her dear companion until his passing in 2016. While she was married to Harvey, they traveled the world. She always wanted to see China, which she and Harvey visited in 2006, their last trip together. She enjoyed baking, especially green apple pies, which she shared with her neighbors and friends, who she adored. In recent years, she was an active member of the West Grove Presbyterian Church and Avon Grove Seniors.
Surviving are her daughters, Wendy Bonanni (Victor) of Lansdale, and Cynthia Croft of Portland, Ore.; son Harvey Knipe, Jr. (Kim) of West Chester; and five grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Kenneth Knipe (Dori) of California. She was predeceased by her sisters, Phyllis Bailey (Gene), Janet Oberman (Tom) and Betty Oakley (Landon). 

A memorial service will be held on July 14 at 11 a.m. at West Grove Presbyterian Church in West Grove. A small luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Grove Presbyterian Church.