GARY E. PENNINGTON

Gary E. Pennington (“Poppie”), 68, of Oxford, passed away on June 16 while sleeping in his favorite chair. 

Even though he left this world too early, Gary left his loved ones well prepared to carry on in his absence. His wife Shirley will now guide the family forward with the help of their children Scott, Mandy, Brad, Tori, Melissa, and Kevin. His grandchildren will always love their Poppie.

Gary learned the value of a hard day’s work from an early age, and those values served him well throughout his life. He enjoyed a life full of family, friends, and fellowship. Gary was always willing to help others in their time of need, no matter the task at hand. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family.

A funeral was held June 21. Interment with full military honors was in the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church cemetery. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

KRISTOPHER DALE PEIRSON

Kristopher Dale Peirson, 28, of Havertown, passed away on June 18 at his residence.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of Barry Dale Peirson of Landenberg, and Muriel May of Oxford. He was a self-employed landscaper. Kristopher was an empathetic and loving brother and son. He enjoyed fishing, working in landscaping, music, meditation, the outdoors, meeting new people, and he was studying Buddhism.

In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by one brother, Barry Scott Peirson of West Grove. Services and burial were held privately. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Kacie’s Cause, PO Box 333, Kennett Square, PA 19348. (KaciesCause.org)

 

J FRED OSBORNE

J. Fred Osborne, 94, of Freedom Village at West Brandywine and formerly of Kennett Square, entered into God’s arms on June 20.

He was the husband of Josephine D. Sapp Osborne, who passed away in 2018. They had been married 73 years. He was born in 1924 in Ashe County, N.C., to the late Henry F. and Ora V. Jones Osborne. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Osborne, Paul Osborne, William Osborne; and sister, Esther Arnold.  

Fred was a World War II veteran who was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. When he was well enough to return to active duty, he was selected to be an armed guard to oversee Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg, Germany. Upon returning to the United States, he began his married life and started working for the CG Gawthrop Company, for which he worked for well over 50 years. He also became a member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square. He remained a member there for 69 years. While at First Baptist he was a trustee, a deacon and served on too many committees to count.

He is survived by his two sons, Dennis Osborne and his wife Geri of Christiana, Pa., and Mark Osborne of Glen Mills; former daughter-in-law, Gabriella Osborne; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. June 26 at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square (415 W. State St., Kennett Square). Friends and family may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,  PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

 

JAMES W. TRACY

James (Jim) William Tracy, born in 1943, passed away on June 20. His loving wife, Betsy, and daughter, Heather, were by his side.

After working for 38 years, Jim enjoyed retirement immensely. Everyone who knew Jim learned quickly how much he loved playing golf and spending time with friends at the nineteenth hole. He played at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club and with his friends from Traditions at Longwood. Jim loved his family fiercely, especially his grandson, Evan. He was a proud father of Heather, always encouraging her to work hard and be fair; and the proud father-in-law to Mark Petruzzini who would cook him the best meals in Texas. Most of all, he loved Betsy. Their courtship started many years ago and continued until the end. Their love and appreciation for each other was evident. He will be sorely missed by all.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. June 27 at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church (10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, Del.). A Mass of Celebration will be held at 10:30.  Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. To view Jim’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

GERALDINE PATTERSON 

Geraldine Patterson, 69, of Oxford, passed away on June 19 at Season’s Hospice in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of the late Thomas E. Patterson, Sr., with whom she shared 35 years of marriage. Born in Mountain City, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Ray Franklin, Sr., and Martha Emmaline Horne Pope. She was a member of New Life Fellowship Church in Elkton, Md., and a member of Ocklokonee Council No. 212 Degree of Pocahontas. She enjoyed bingo, church, and spending time with friends, family and her grandchildren.

She is survived by three sons, Donald Ray Guinn of Elkton, Md., Thomas E. Patterson, Jr., and his wife Heather of Wakefield, Samuel R. Patterson and his fiancee Kristine of Oxford; two daughters, Carla D. Rowe and her husband Eric of Nottingham, and Dana M. Patterson and her fiance Frank of Oxford; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray Franklin Pope, Jr., of North East, Md., and Roger Dale Pope of Oxford; and companion, Wells “Buddy” Stidoms of Oxford. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Gail Denise Guinn; and brother, Paul McCarther Pope.

 A funeral was held June 25. Interment was Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.