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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of July 22

07/23/2019 09:26AM ● By J. Chambless

MARIO EMILIO GUZMAN

Mario Emilio Guzman, 18, of Oxford, passed away on July 10 at home.

Born in Mexico, he was the son of Mario Guzman and Maria Hernandez of Oxford. Mario graduated from Oxford Area High School class of 2018 and Torchiana Automotive Training Institute in West Chester. He was employed as a mechanic with Jennings Auto Repair and Exhaust, Inc., in Oxford. Mario enjoyed working with cars, listening to 70s music, motorcycles and classic cars. He was a caring loving person who always had a smile on his face.

 He is survived by his parents; one sister, Mariela Guzman of Oxford; maternal grandparents, Emilio and Aurora Hernandez of Tennessee; and paternal grandmother, Delfina Diaz of Mexico.

A funeral was held July 13. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com

 

THEODORE B. CALDWELL

Theodore B. Caldwell, 78, of Landenberg, passed away on July 10 at home.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Basil and Irene Makovski Caldwell. Ted was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was employed with General Motors. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Avondale. He enjoyed welding, painting cars, gardening, and canning jellies and jam.

He is survived by two daughters, Tanya Stewart (Josh) of Oxford and Layle; one son, Christopher Caldwell (Christina) of Avondale; five grandchildren; two brothers, David Caldwell (Janet) of Avondale and Jerry Caldwell (Barbara) of Smyrna, Del.; one sister, Janet Warram (Joseph) of  Landenberg; nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Tramper. He was preceded in death by a son, Orren Caldwell.

A funeral was held July 17. Interment was in Auburn Regular Baptist Cemetery in Landenberg. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com

JEAN E. WEBSTER

Jean E. Webster (Mickey), 77, of Oxford, passed on July 17.

Born in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Clinton and Helen Webster. Jean graduated from Oxford Area High School, Class of 1960. She was employed with J.B. Swayne. Jean was an avid card player, and enjoyed trips to Delaware Park Casino. She especially enjoyed spending time with family.

She leaves her memories to be cherished by her daughter, Rochelle Gray and her husband Timmy of Oxford; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her twin, Eugene (Jo-Jo) Webster; one daughter, Vickie A. Tyre; grandson, Stephen G. Webster; four brothers, Robert (Preach) Henderson, William (Billy) P. Henderson, Samuel L. Henderson, Guy Thomas Webster; and one sister, Helen J. Lee.

A service was held July 22. Interment was in the Oxford Cemetery. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com

 

JAMES W. HEALY, SR.

James W. Healy, Sr., of Lincoln University, died on July 14 at the age of 75. 

Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of T. Edward Healy and Sarah Hollingsworth. Jim graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1961 and attended Goldey Beacom College, graduating with a degree in business. Jim began his career as an electrician in the family business, Turner & Healy. He also worked on the family dairy farm until the late 1950s, when they switched to raising registered polled Herefords. In the late 1980s, he retired from the electrical business and began custom hay farming. He enjoyed many years working on his farm, Grazing Acres.

Jim grew up riding in Fair Hill Pony Club and continued his love of riding and raising horses throughout his life. Over the years, Jim and his wife Peggy shared their love of horses and farming with many local families, providing riding lessons, camps, and horse shows at their farm. He was a Pennsylvania 4-H leader in Chester County for 30 years. Jim enjoyed working the fields in his tractor with his dog Tonka and his grandson, JW, riding along.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Margaret T. Healy, in 2011 after 42 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his parents, and one brother, John E. Healy. He is survived by his son, James W. Healy, Jr., and his wife Bethany of West Grove; one grandson; and many close family friends.

A funeral was held July 19. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial contribution be sent to Chester County 4-H Horse Program at Penn State Extension Chester County, 601 Westtown Road, Suite 370, West Chester, PA 19382. Make checks payable to: Penn State Extension and make a notation in the memo line: In Memory of Jim Healy. 

ROSE WALSH MILLS

Rose Walsh Mills, 80, of Jennersville, peacefully passed away on July 20 at the Pocopson Home in West Chester.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late John and Minnie Powell Walsh. She was raised by Howard and Nellie Johnson of Russellville, Pa. Rose was a county resident all her life and attended the Oxford High School, Class of 1957. Rose was passionate about her Christian faith. Her great joys in life were reading, especially her Bible, and gospel music, both playing the piano and organ as well as singing her favorite hymns. Spending time with her grandchildren and enjoying family events and holidays were special for her. She was very fond of her horses.  When she was younger, she enjoyed trail riding with her daughter. She was a member of the Beulah Baptist Church.

She is survived by three children -- Robert Mills, Jr. (Diane) of Cochranville, Randell Mills (Agueda) of Yardley, and Raeleen Mills (Jack) of Coatesville; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor McMullen (Bob) of Oxford. She was preceded in death by three siblings, Mae Forsyth, John Walsh and James Walsh.

Services will be private. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.

 

WILLIAM W. SHEPHERD

William Walter (Bill) Shepherd, 86, of Oxford, passed immediately into the arms of his Savior, the Lord Jesus, on July 19 at Jenner’s Pond in West Grove.

Bill was born in Newark, Del., in 1932, the son of the late Walter William and Marian Griffin Shepherd.  He graduated from Oxford Senior High School in 1950 and received his Associate’s Degree in Business from Goldey-Beacom College in 1952. Bill was a self-sustaining dairy farmer all his life who worked two farms, one with his father. He was the husband of the late June Kathleen (Kitty June) Stoops Shepherd, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Bill was a faithful and humble servant who loved the Lord with all of his heart.  He was a life-long, devoted member of Bethany Presbyterian Church serving in many ministries, including Sunday school teacher and superintendent, trustee and elder.  Bill was instrumental in the establishment of Bethany Christian School, serving as president of the School Board for over 30 years, where he devoted countless hours volunteering wherever needed and prayed ceaselessly for the students, staff and teachers.

Bill was on the East Nottingham Planning Commission for many years.  He loved playing baseball in high school, where he was an excellent pitcher and loved watching the Phillies. He also enjoyed bowling, gardening, taking care of animals, and traveling, which included camping across the country in their motorhome and by piloting his airplane.  However, his favorite hobby was spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen S. Book (Bruce) of Quarryville, and Suzanne S. Hamlin of Oxford; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Pauline Sumner (Robert) of Media, and Judith Mitchell (Daniel) of Morgantown. He was predeceased by his son, Robert S. Shepherd; and son-in-law, James H. Hamlin.

Friends and family may visit with Bill’s family at Bethany Presbyterian Church (2483 Baltimore Pk., Oxford), on July 25 from 6 to 8 p.m., or 10 to 10:45 a.m. on July 26, followed by an 11 a.m. service to celebrate his life. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Bethany Christian School, 1137 Shadyside Rd., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

  

BARBARA A. PLATZ

Barbara A. Platz, 79, of New London, passed away on July 9 at MM Ewing Continuing Care Center Nursing Home in Canandaigua, N.Y.

She was the wife of the late Charles F. Platz, Jr. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late Walter J. and Nellie B. Simmons Jorison. Barbara was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford.

She is survived by two grandsons, Philip J. Platz and Matthew Neisserr; and two granddaughters, Casey McGinnis and Kylie McGinnis.  

A Memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. July 29 at Sacred Heart Church (203 Church Rd., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com

 

CHRISTOPHER B. MILLER

Christopher Brooke Miller of West Chester lost his ongoing battle with addiction on July 20.

Chris was born in 1981 in Wilmington, Del., to Lolly and Brooke Miller. Chris will be forever missed and loved by all who knew him. He truly was one of a kind. Those close to Chris would agree that his personality was larger than life.  A longtime resident of Kennett Square, he had a laugh that was contagious, a smile that could light up any room and an infinite amount of love to give.  He was a sneaker connoisseur and had the style and taste of a hip-hop icon. He was an avid golfer, a Philadelphia sports phanatic and had a desire for the finer things in life. He spent his last few months living his best life by spending time with family and being the best uncle to his niece and nephews.  He took great pride in his work and the relationships that he built during his time at Brandywine Creek Construction.

He is survived by his father, Brooke Miller; his mother, Lolly Miller and her companion, Duke; his co-mom, Kacey Miller; his sister, Ashley Kennedy and her husband Michael Kennedy; his brother, Chase Miller; his sister, Cassidy Miller; his niece, Burgan Kennedy; and his two nephews, Ben and Miles Kennedy.

Visitation with the family will take place on July 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kuzo Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His memorial service will follow at noon. Burial will be private. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to atTAck addiction, P.O. Box 36, Bear, DE 19701. (www.attackaddiction.orgTo view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.