ROBERT J. REESE

Robert J. Reese, 96, of Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford, and formerly of Morton, Pa., passed away on Jan. 10 at Jennersville Hospital-Tower Health in West Grove.

He was the husband of the late Helen Lombardi Reese. Born in Collingdale, he was the son of the late Joseph and Lillian Hartley Reese. Bob retired from Boeing in 1987. He enjoyed the Phillies and the Eagles. He enjoyed many activities at Ware Presbyterian Village, where he resided for the last ten years.

He is survived by his daughter, Susan Eshelman of Oxford; son, Robert D. Reese of Palm Coast, Fla.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Services are private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HAZEL DARONE SMITH

Hazel “Jiggs” Darone Smith, 88, of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 15 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of Paul E. Smith, Sr., who passed away in 1982. Born in Kennett Square in 1930, she was the daughter of the late David Darone and the late Lillian Bonsall Darone. She was raised in Unionville and attended the local school. She enjoyed flower gardening, traveling, spending time in the mountains, helping others, serving her faith, and being with her family and friends. She was known for her love of baking, and family and friends enjoyed her desserts. She worked many years as an assembler for Lasko, Harowe Servo Controls, and retired in 1991 from Hewlett Packard after 17 years of service.

She is survived by three daughters, Pamela Roten and her husband William of Williamstown, Pa., Karen Roark of Avondale, and Crystal Baker of West Grove; one son, Robert “Skip” Combs and his wife Judy of Troutdale, Va,; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and “Buddy,” her fur baby Lhasa Apso. Hazel was predeceased by two sons, Joseph L. Darone and Elwood Darone; one grandson, Jamie Roten; three brothers; and five sisters.

A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Kuzo Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her funeral will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemeter in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380; or to the Brandywine SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

WALTER Y. ROOT

Walter Young Root, 84, of Oxford, passed away on Jan. 18 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

He was born in 1934 in Barnsley, Pa., to the late Cameron Young Root and Mary Hazel Turner Root. Walter worked for many years in the family mushroom business before going to work for Spitz, Inc., from which he retired. He had a love for outdoor activities, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and meticulously worked in his flower garden. Walter was an avid bowler and enjoyed all sports. An active member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Walter participated in many of the church-sponsored activities and served on the Deacon Board.

He is survived by his sisters, June Sundheimer of Mocksville, N.C., and Mary Gage of Peoria, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Root and Jennie McQueen; and brothers, Cameron Root, George Root and Montgomery Root.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Chapel at Ware Presbyterian Village (7 E. Locust St., Oxford). Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution checks can be made to “Deacons Fund” at Bethany Presbyterian Church and sent in c/o R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911. To send an online condolence, visit www.rtfoard.com.

PATRICIA ANN ELICIER

It is with great sadness that the family of Patricia “Pat” Ann Elicier announces her passing on Jan. 16 at the age of 74. She peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family.

Born and raised in Oxford, she attended Oxford High School. She was the daughter of the late Harvey Granville Stephens and the late Maryon Elizabeth Stephens. She is survived by her two children, Alison M. Elicier of Delray Beach, Fla., and Marc M. Elicier and his wife Allison Elicier of West Grove; her companion of 30 years, William Thomas McClure; an identical twin sister, Crissa Jean Lehenky; and two grandsons. She was predeceased by her brother, Rick Stephens.

Pat was a devoted mother, grandmother and avid Philadelphia sports fan who loved watching the Eagles and Phillies. She enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially her grandsons. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family and all who knew her.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HAZEL ADELE BALDWIN

Hazel Adele Baldwin passed away peacefully in her home at Jenners Pond in West Grove on Jan. 13.

Known as Adele by her family and friends, she is survived by her children, Raymond Skinner, Paula Skinner, Erica Johnson and Peter Johnson; and her brother, Raymond Baldwin.

Adele was born in 1929. She was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School. She received a degree in accounting from Delaware Technical Community College. Adele belonged to the Religious Society of Friends, and was an active member in Newark Friends Meeting and then West Grove Friends Meeting. Throughout her life, she worked for peace and social justice and was a longtime supporter of Pacem in Terris, in Wilmington, Del. Adele loved art and supported many local artists. She loved to travel, which took her to Sweden, Russia and Nicaragua, where she and her late husband, Robert Johnson, supported a project to build a school.

A memorial service will be held on March 30 at 2 p.m. at West Grove Friends Meeting (153 E. Harmony Rd., West Grove). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pacem in Terris, 401 North West St., Wilmington, DE 19801; or the Newark Center for Creative Learning, 401 Phillips Ave., Newark, DE 19711. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

FRANCES JOSEPHINE BRYAN

Frances Josephine Bryan, of Lincoln University, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Jan. 21, with family and friends by her side. Frances was 91 years old.

She was born in 1927 in West Grove Hospital to parents Fred and Hattie Weaver and was the oldest of eight children. Frances was married to James C. Bryan until his death in 2011. They were married 61 years. A 1946 graduate of Oxford High School, Frances became a Licensed Practical Nurse and spent her much loved career working at Jennersville Hospital. Tending to her patients, she took the time to deliver impeccable care with great attention to detail. She cared for her family and friends with the same integrity. Throughout her life, Frances was a devoted member of the West Grove United Methodist Church and gave many hours to her church family. Frances volunteered for the Red Cross, YMCA, and was a West Grove Playground Mother. She enjoyed traveling, playing games with friends and family, dancing, and made sure to end every meal with something sweet!

Frances is survived by three children, Sharon Nesbitt of New London, James Bryan of West Grove and Linda Wilkinson (Glenn) of New London; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Mabel Dunfee, Thomas Weaver, Connie Garvin and Carol Wimer. Frances was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Terry Lane; grandson, Samuel Bryan; and great-grandsons, Carter and Dylan Wilkinson; siblings, Fred Weaver, Christine Shoop and William Weaver.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 26 at West Grove United Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove), where friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the West Grove United Methodist Church.

The family would like to acknowledge the superb care at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Home and Willow Tree Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.  

GARY W. CHAILLOU

Gary William Chaillou, 67, left this Earth surrounded by loved ones on Jan. 19 in his home in Landenberg.

He was born in 1951 in Baltimore City, Md., and was raised in Baltimore and Ellicott City, Md., by the late Wallace and Ethel Chaillou.  Gary graduated from Glenelg High School in 1969. He shared 15 years of marriage to Margaret (Meg) Hereth and their blended family of five children, Gary’s daughter Danielle; and his four stepsons, Jamie, Nick, Alex and Cody. Gary (“Grumpa”) was especially proud of his four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Wallace; sister Janis; and his extended family, neighbors in Quail Hill, Pa., and Friends.

Gary will be remembered as a hardworking and devoted man. He was always happiest serving others. He served in the U.S. Marines, as a Daytona Beach Police officer, and U.S. postal worker. He moved to Pennsylvania when he married Meg in 2003, where he worked at University of Delaware as a research assistant in the Poultry Division at the School of Agriculture until 2010. He finished working as a Security Officer for G4S in Wilmington, Del. His hobbies were shooting, gardening, riding his motorcycle, reading, and having long conversations about anything and everything. Gary was a skilled handyman and was often called on for help, which he willingly gave. People will never forget Gary’s wry humor, and his ability to make us laugh.  Gary loved all animals, especially his dog Pace, chickens and his tarantula “The Bug." Gary fought a two-year long battle with  cancer and is finally at peace.

His Celebration of Life will be held at The Farmhouse (514 McCue Rd., Loch Nairn Golf Club, Avondale) on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

JOHN L. COOPER

Dr. John L. Cooper died peacefully in his Lincoln University home on Jan. 21.

He leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Hiroko Takahashi Cooper. He is also survived by his daughters Sarah Foley (Rich) and Charity Pitcher-Cooper; son David Cooper (Cara); their mother, Susan Pitcher; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Roberta Fox (Michael); and a brother, Don Cooper (Lindsey Burroughs); and was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Marion Orr Cooper.

John, born in 1941, grew up in Pittston and Bethlehem, Pa. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1965 and received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Yale University in 1970. After graduation, Dr. Cooper was hired as chemist for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, and worked there until his retirement in 2001. He worked on many novel materials while at DuPont, including Kevlar and Tyvek, and holds several patents. He also worked for the joint venture Toray-DuPont and spent several years living and working in Japan.

He was an independent thinker and lifelong learner with many interests, including the history of the steam locomotive, photography, Jomon pottery, agricultural practices, art, family genealogy and the sciences. John was active in his community through the Jaycees and was a founding member of the Avon Grove Recreation Association, which provided sports and other opportunities to the youth of Avon Grove. He was committed to his family, loyal to his friends and provided unwavering support and opportunity for those he loved. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

A memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held Jan. 28 at the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), beginning at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Hickory Hill District Amish Poor Fund (c/o BB&T Bank) to support the local Amish community, are thankfully accepted. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.