BRUCE B. YELTON

Bruce B. Yelton, 69, passed away at his home in West Chester on July 7.

Born in Wilmington, Del., to Everett Brown Yelton II and Madelyn Baetz Yelton, Bruce grew up in Texas and West Chester. He graduated from Tower Hill School in Wilmington. He then studied at Trinity College and RPI, where he earned a master of mechanical engineering degree in 1972. After graduation, Bruce worked for the Edlon Corporation, a division of Pfaudler, in both Avondale and Long Island, N.Y., retiring in 1986. After his retirement, Bruce discovered his true passion and second career in community service and volunteerism. He served as Pocopson Township supervisor and auditor, Tower Hill alumni representative, and volunteered at Kennett Middle School’s After the Bell Program and The Barn at Spring Brook Farm. One of Bruce’s greatest joys was his informal nickname of Uncle Bruce. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with his nieces Andromeda Yelton and her husband, Grant Gould, of Somerville, Mass.; Allison Yelton and her husband, Brent Black, of Wallingford, Vt.; Jaime Manlove of Wilmington, Del.; nephew Jerett Yelton and wife Megan Yelton of Norwalk, Conn., and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bruce was passionate about genealogy, and spent many years working on family lineage, tracing some ancestors back to the early 1600s. His work took him to Salt Lake City and numerous county courthouses throughout the country in pursuit of family records. Bruce was a dedicated recycler, an advocate for open spaces and a quiet philanthropist. He enjoyed hiking and exploring the country by train and was always interested in a conversation about American history, antique cars and NFL football.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his older brother, Everett B. Yelton III. He will be dearly missed by his oldest brother, David Yelton and spouse Lillian Waugh of Morgantown, W.Va.; his younger sisters, Madelyn Yelton and partner Jeff Lyons of Elkton, Md.; Victoria Manlove and husband Joe Manlove of Wilmington, Del.; and sister-in-law Dianne Yelton of Londonderry, Vt.

As per Bruce’s expressed wishes, his body was cremated. No formal services will be held, but the family will host a celebration of Bruce’s life at his farm on Sept. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Longwood Fire Company, the Kennett Area Community Services, or a charity of your choosing. To view his online tribute, or to share a memory with his family, visit  www.griecocares.com.

JAMES D. GREER

James D. Greer, 86, of Oxford, passed away on Aug. 14 at home.

He was the husband of Esta Karr Greer, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Oxford, he was the son of the late J. Samuel and Elizabeth Jones Greer. He enjoyed NASCAR, wrestling, and his garden. He loved to tell jokes, and most of all, he loved his family.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Cindy L. Shuler of Conowingo, Md.; two grandsons, Scott Shuler of Buffalo, N.Y., and Brian Shuler (Corinne) of Oxford; five sisters, Ora Sturgill of Oxford, Betty Donnelly of Rising Sun, Md., Mabel Watcher of Santa Barbara, Calif., Dorothy Buckalew of Vandalia, Ill., and Margaret Ball of Nottingham.

A funeral was held Aug. 17. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association of Lancaster, 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.