KENNETH W. THOMAS

Kenneth W. Thomas, 77 of Chestertown, Md., passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 7 after an extended illness.

He and his wife, Marie, were married for 51 years and have four children and nine grandchildren. Ken cherished his family and was a devoted and much beloved husband, father and Pop Pop. 

He was born in 1941, son of the late Joseph D. and Margaret McCue Thomas. He was raised in Landenberg, and was a graduate of Kennett High and the Pennsylvania State University College of Agriculture. He was also a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran.

Ken was a tractor enthusiast and history buff and his love of tractors turned into a life-long career. He was employed by S.G. Lewis & Son, Jennersville, and J. Norman Pusey Hardware, Avondale.  In 1969, he opened Thomas Power Equipment in Avondale, and later worked for John Deere in Syracuse, N.Y.  In 1980, he and his family moved to Kent County, Md., where he worked as the lawn and garden sales manager for Hoober Equipment, Inc., in Middletown, Del., for over 25 years.  He enjoyed collecting tractors and farm equipment, telling a good joke and spending time with family.  Ken was a proud charter member of the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Ann Gooding Thomas; children, Amy Tasman of Glenside, Steven Thomas of Colorado Springs, Colo., Carrie Nuse (Jeff) of Chestertown, Md., and Scott Thomas (Anna) of East Greenville, Pa..; a sister Mary Ann Armstrong (Jim) of Lancaster, Pa.; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on March 21 at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown (905 Gateway Drive, Chestertown Md.). Friends may call after 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, 905 Gateway Dr. Chestertown, MD 21620; Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, 140 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown, MD 21620; or Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Association, PO Box 636, Easton, MD 21601.

 

KYLE W. BARKER

Kyle William Barker, 84, of Oxford, passed away on March 11 at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Doris Kennedy Barker, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. Born in Sullivan, W.Va., he was the son of the late Wiley J. and Gladys Howell Barker. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Kyle was employed with Chester Water Authority and retired in 2000, and was formerly employed with Jackson Marina, North East, Md. He was hard working and attended all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was known as Pop Pop to his grandchildren, friends and coaches. Kyle enjoyed his family and working in his garage.  He loved his best four-legged buddy, Fluffy.

He is survived by his wife; four daughters, Cindy (Mark) Moore of Vero Beach, Fla., Denise (Larry) Prewitt of Cochranville, Brenda (Rick) Walker of Lake Worth, Fla., and Lisa (Scott) Moran of Oxford; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and eight siblings, Paul Barker, Sandy Ham, Owen Barker, Jo Monroe, Shirley Campbell,  Pat McCoury, Alvin Barker, and Becky Miner. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Barker, Jim Barker and David Barker.

A funeral was held March 16. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Dr., PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

DAVID A. GRAHAM, SR.

David Allen Graham, Sr., 58, of Oxford, passed away on March 11 at home.

He was the husband of Mary Lyster Graham, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage and who knew him for 35 years. Born in Charlotte, N.C., he was the son of the late Samuel Bain and Helen Smith Graham. David was employed with Allied Security in Oxford, and formerly employed with NAPA. He was well known as NapaDave and CarQuestDave. He enjoyed collecting clocks, watching “Orange County Chopper” and his Mitsubishi Eclipse car.

He is survived by his wife; five sons, David Allen Graham, Jr., of California, Jason Graham of Oxford, Stephen Graham of Oxford, Charles Bruce of West Grove and Cyle Johnson, USMC of Oxford; four daughters, NaToshia Graham of Elkton, Md., Christina Graham of Folsom, Courtney Graham of Oxford and Zoey Graham of Oxford; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Stephen Graham of Barnsville, N.C., Michael Graham of Port Deposit, Md., Daniel Graham of Oxford and Brian Graham of Christiana; and one sister, Sheryl DiPilla of Oxford. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Graham; and two grandchildren.

A funeral was held March 15. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the funeral home to help offset funeral costs. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

RUTH M. HICKS

Ruth M. Hicks, 79, of West Grove, passed away on March 15 at the Twin Pines Health Care Center.

She was the wife of Dale B. Hicks, who passed away in 2001, and with whom she shared over 39 years of marriage. Born in Landenberg, she was the daughter of the late Paul Hatton and the late Margaret Mark Hatton. She was a bookkeeper, retiring from the Pocopson Home in West Chester. She was a member of the West Grove United Methodist Church for over 60 years and also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Octoraro Chapter No. 463, where she had served as a past Worthy Matron. She enjoyed gardening, and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by three sons, Gary Hicks of West Grove, Lary Hicks and his wife Geri of West Grove, and Bary Hicks and his wife Barbara of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Earl R. Hatton of West Grove; one grandson; two step-grandchildren; five great-step-grandchildren; and one great-great-step-granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. March 25 at the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). Her funeral and Eastern Star service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In memory of Mrs. Hicks, a contribution may be made to the West Grove Fire Company, P.O. Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390; or to the West Grove United Methodist Church, 300 N. Guernsey Road, West Grove, PA. 19390. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

ETHEL J. ORCUTT

Ethel J. (Trudy) Orcutt, 93, of Oxford, passed away on March 16, 2019 at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun, Md.

She was the wife of the late John W. Orcutt, Jr. Born in Dillwyn, Va., she was the daughter of the late L.B. and Evie Jamerson. Trudy was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy wife of Robert McCummings of Rising Sun, Md.; one son, John W. Orcutt, III of Oxford; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held March 21 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Oxford Library, 48 S. Second St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

MARTHA TODD KLINGLER

Martha Todd Klingler, 99, of Oxford, passed away on March 17 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Albert M. Klingler, and was preceded in death by her first husband, William R. Todd, Jr. Born in Wayne, she was the daughter of the late Arthur R. and Martha Alice Westgarth Danby. She was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church. Martha was employed with M. F. Williams Funeral Home in Clifton Heights. She started at the age of 15 and retired when she was 80 years of age.

She is survived by one granddaughter; one grandson; two great-grandchildren; and a God-daughter. She was preceded in death by her one son, William Robert Todd, III; and siblings, Stephen Danby Arthur “Tuck” Danby, William Danby, John Lionel Danby, Ralph Danby, Edward Danby, Edith Rineer and Margaret Stone.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. March 23 at the Glenwood Memorial Gardens (2321 West Chester Pike, Broomall, Pa.). In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

ETHEL L. BARKER

Ethel L. Barker, 95, of Oxford, passed away on March 14 at the Harrison House in Christiana, Pa.

She was the wife of the late Howard A. Barker. Born in Warrensville, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Frances Church Brooks. Ethel enjoyed gardening, fishing, canning, shopping and traveling. 

She is survived by one son, Bennie J. Barker (Kay) of Oxford; two daughters, Elaine Brandt (Carl) of Grassy Creek, N.C., and Sherri Pennington (Rodney) of Peach Bottom; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Wade Brooks of Deep Gap, N.C. She was preceded in death by a son, Tony Barker; a daughter, Trina Stanley; a grandson, Markus Ruff; and 15 siblings. 

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. March 23 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Holisticare Hospice, 685 Kromer Ave., Berwyn, PA 19312. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.