John M. Shires, 78, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 11 at his home.

He was the husband of Rebecca L. Weaver Shires, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Born in Elkton, Md., he was the son of the late Rev. John and Ethel Gray Shires. John retired from Gore, Inc., in Elkton, Md., and Newark, Del. He attended Oxford United Methodist Church. John enjoyed playing golf with his wife, Becky, and family. He was an Eagles and Phillies fan.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Terry Shires Smyth (John) of Oxford, Sherry Shires Damico of Lancaster, and Jonna Shires Ryman of Oxford; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lois Haley (Donald) and Darlene Baluta (George), all of Pleasant Hill, Md.

A funeral was held Dec. 18. Interment was in Union Cemetery, Kirkwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St., Oxford, PA 19363. Oxford, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

Catherine M. Boyer, 93, of Kennett Square, passed away on Dec. 12, surrounded by her family, at the Chester County Hospital. 

She was the wife of William Horace Boyer, who passed away in 2011, and with who she shared 67 years of marriage. Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late John Angelo Winters and the late Pearl Johnson Winters. She loved her spring and summer trips with her husband. She worked at Pocopson Hone for 20 years as a nursing assistant.

She is survived by one brother, Kenneth R. Winters of Wilmington, Del.; one sister, Ruth DiSerafino of Springfield, Pa.; and a nephew/son, Richard Johnson, who was raised by Aunt Catty and Uncle Horace, and his wife Vicki, and grandchildren, of Avondale; and many nieces and nephews.

Her graveside service was held Dec. 18. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Michael (Mike) P. Brackin, Sr., 55, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 9 at his home.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Harold (Pete) Pyle Brackin, Sr., and Rita Lafferty Brackin. Mike enjoyed spending quality time with his children and grandson, as well as fishing, collecting knick-knacks, watching Western movies, helping others and working with his hands.

He is survived by his former wife, Marie Brackin; one son, Michael P. Brackin, Jr.; one daughter, Lauren M. Brackin (Hugo Herrera); one grandson, Daniel Brackin; one brother, Joseph L. Brackin; and four sisters, Mary Ann Bassett (Edward), Elizabeth L. Macbeth (J. Ross), Theresa M. Heckert (James) and Christine R. Mullen. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold P. Brackin and Lawrence E. Brackin.

A funeral was held Dec. 17. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.  

Harry Hess, 86, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 10 at Sunrise at Westtown. 

He was the husband of Anne Bartholomew Hess, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Edwin L. Hess and the late Alma Mattern Hess. Harry was a salesman at Urie & Blanton in Wilmington, Del., retiring in 1994. He was an avid fisherman, and he also enjoyed the shore and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Katherine Solomon and her husband David of West Grove; and one granddaughter. He was predeceased by one brother, Lewis Hess.

His service and burial were private. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.greicocares.com.

James S. Mackey, 89, of Landenberg, and Rehoboth Beach, Del., passed away on Dec. 7 at his residence. 

He was the husband of Fern Barber Mackey, who passed away in 2001, and with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Raymond S. Mackey and the late Nancy Thompson Mackey. He farmed the family farm until the mid-1960s, but he was always a farmer at heart. He was a carpenter, retiring in 1993 from PKF Mark III in Newtown. He was a member of Manor Presbyterian Church in Cochranville, and the New London Masonic Lodge No. 545. He enjoyed collecting antique tools, going to auctions, watching old movies on TV, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one son, Raymond J. Mackey and his wife Louise of West Grove; three daughters, LeAnne Pugliese and her husband John of West Grove, Joyce Mackey Holton and her husband James of Landenberg, and Gail Bridgham and her husband Russell of Isle of Palms, S.C.; one brother, David Mackey of Punta Gorda, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held Dec. 12. Burial was in the Faggs Manor Cemetery in Cochranville. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Vincenza Falletta, 93, of Patchogue, Long Island, N.Y., passed away on Dec. 15 at Twin Pines Nursing Home in Chatham.

She was the wife of the late Michael Falletta. Born in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Vito and Rosalia Angello Loberro. Vincenza was a retired seamstress. She enjoyed bingo and watching game shows on TV.

She is survived by two daughters, Josephine Bliss of Vero, Fla., and Rosalie Tiriro and her husband Joseph of West Grove; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A prayer service was held Dec. 11. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Alice E. Fling, 88, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 17 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Robert Joel Fling, Sr., with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas and Isabelle Culling Crossland. Alice was an active member of the Oxford United Methodist Church. She taught math at Unionville High School and Upland Country Day School. She was a substitute teacher at Kennett Middle School and Kennett High School. Alice was also employed as a registrar for the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records for almost 40 years. She volunteered for the Oxford Area Senior Center, the Democratic Party and her church. She enjoyed gardening and exercising at the YMCA. 

Alice is survived by one son, Robert Joel Fling, Jr., and his wife, Cheryl of Millsboro, Del.; and three daughters, Alexa Manley and her husband Kevin of Enterprise, Ala., Julie Irons and her husband Robert of Severna Park, Md., and Catherine Tennant and her husband Donald, Jr. of Kinzers, Pa.; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Joanne Crosson and Barbara Weer, both of West Grove.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alice’s memory may be made to the Lighthouse Youth Center (www.oxfordlighthouse.org) or the Salvation Army (give.salvationarmyusa.org/give). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Walter J. Cavanaugh, 86, of Glen Mills, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday night, after happily watching his beloved Philadelphia Eagles soundly defeat the LA Rams 30 to 23.

Walter was a graduate of John Bartram High School and Drexel University. After serving honorably in our armed forces, Walter put his chemical engineering skills to use at Publicker Printing and the Philadelphia Water Company. Freemasonry was an important part of Walter’s life and he spoke fondly of his fellow brothers at the Tacony Lodge. Reciting sports statistics, no matter the era, came with ease to Walt, and he was never seen walking the halls of Maris Grove Retirement Community without a political history book tucked carefully under his arm. One of Walter’s true passions was for telling “dad” jokes … many of which were pretty darn funny!

Walter is survived by his sister-in-law Esther; his nieces and nephew Esther, Helen and John, and their spouses Gregory, Raymond and Karen; as well as his grandnieces and nephews, Catherine, Raymond, Esther and David. Walter was predeceased by his father John; his mother Helen; his stepfather Carlton; his favorite aunt Marian; and his older brother John.

A visitation will be held Jan. 12 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Batton Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church (576 Concord Road, Glen Mills). His memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Autism Delaware, either by mail (924 Old Harmony Road Suite 201, Newark, DE 19713) or online (Memorial/Honor option at www.autismdelaware.org). To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Margaret Jane McMaster, 94, of Oxford, formerly of Philadelphia, passed into the arms of the Lord on Dec. 15.

She was the wife of the late George H. McMaster. Born in Williamsport, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Laura (Greene) and Ellis Updegraff. Margaret will be remembered for her warm and welcoming spirit.

She is survived by two sons, George H. McMaster (Maria) of Santa Paula, Calif., and Robert E. McMaster (Joanne) of Gainesville, Ga.; one daughter, Laura Linda Lewis (William) of Oxford; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joy Garber of Oxford. She was preceded in death by a brother, Pete Updegraff.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 5 at Bethany Presbyterian Church (2483 Baltimore Pike, Oxford). Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E Marshall St., West Chester PA, 19380; or Oxford Area Senior Center, 12 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

Michael Ray Thompson, 42, of Nottingham, passed away on Dec. 15 at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late James Smith and Martha Thompson. Michael enjoyed working on cars and riding on motorcycles, loved spending time with his four children, and loved all of his nieces and nephews, and having cookouts (at which you could always find him by the radio DJing with a Mason jar in hand). 

Michael was predeceased by his brother, Harry J. Thompson. He is survived by one son, Ronald Steven Poole III; and three daughters, Taylor Nicole Thompson, Tessa Nadine Thompson and Haley Dawn Fraver; one granddaughter; one brother, Ryan M. Thompson; and one sister, Julie Marie Thompson.

Services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BARBARA JEAN SATTERFIELD
Barbara Jean Satterfield, 59, of Virginia, formerly of Avondale and Kennett Square, died on Dec. 14 after a three-month battle with complications due to gastric bypass surgery.

Born in Kennett Square, she graduated from Kennett High School in 1977. She leaves behind two sons, Kyle Taylor and Jon Philip Satterfield, Jr. The youngest of nine children of her late parents, Edward and Julia Sedlak, she is also survived by her three older brothers (Richard, Ronald, and James Sedlak) and her four older sisters (Cheryl Ann Sedlak, Patricia Force, Jacqualynn Stout, and Margaret Nason); and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Jon Philip Satterfield; and her oldest brother, Edward Sedlak, both of whom loved her with all their hearts.
Barbara's love was contagious. She always had faith in God and in people. She was one of the most altruistic of people, and would give to anybody who was in need. She was truly one of a kind.
A funeral service will be held at St. Patrick Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square) on Dec. 28 at 1 p.m.