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 were 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.

A funeral was held July 26. Interment was 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 was held July 29. Interment was 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.

A funeral was held July 27. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to atTAck addiction, P.O. Box 36, Bear, DE 19701 (www.attackaddiction.org). To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

FLORENCE J. PROCOPIO

Florence J. Procopio, 95, of Kennett Square, passed away on July 23 at her residence.

She was the wife of Russell Procopio, who passed away in 1999, and with whom she shared 56 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Angelo Patitucci and the late Angelina Iouci Patitucci. She was a cashier at the Broad Street Diner for 30 years, retiring in 1993. She was a member of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Church in Philadelphia, where she was a soloist for 30 years. She used to sing at all the funerals and weddings. She enjoyed singing, cooking, baking, praying and traveling with her husband (they traveled to Italy 18 times), and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by two sons, Anthony D. Procopio and his wife Dianne of Kennett Square, and Russell A. Procopio and his wife Joanne of Glen Mills; one daughter-in-law, Carmen Procopio of Mullica Hill, N.J.; two brothers, John Patitucci of Florida and Raymond Patitucci of Swarthmore; one sister, Frances Capetola of Sewell, N.J.; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one son, Arthur “Caesar” Procopio; one sister, Elvira Tarasevich; and one brother, Anthony “Sonny” Patitucci.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. July 31 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church (160 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford). Her funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, 1600 South Sproul Road, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

RICHARD  G. LLOYD, SR.

Richard G. Lloyd, Sr., 92, of Chatham, passed away on July 26 at his residence.

He was the husband of Patsy Mattson Lloyd, with whom he shared 70 years of marriage. Born in Chatham, he was the son of the late Fred Lloyd and the late Anna Graham Lloyd. He was a farmer all of his life. He was a member of the Chatham United Methodist Church, and was a member of farm associations. He enjoyed farming, gardening, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Joyce Sexton of Avondale, and Kathy Maule and her husband Larry of Chatham; four sons, Rich Lloyd, Jr., and his wife Merrillee of Atglen, Robert Lloyd and his wife Sandy of Cochranville, Kenny Lloyd and his wife Sally of Modena, and Gary Lloyd of Chatham; two sisters, Mary Waddell of Chatham, and Doris Pugh of West Grove; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son, Rusty Lloyd; two brothers, Jack Lloyd and Fred Lloyd; and two sisters, Amy Lloyd and Janet Carlin.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon July 31 at the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). His funeral will follow at noon. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Chatham United Methodist Church, 3215 Gap Newport Pike, West Grove, PA 19390. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

DEREK J. STEM

Derek Joseph Stem, 28, of Lincoln University, died suddenly in a vehicle accident on July 26.

He was the son of the late Willard Ronald Stem, Jr., who died in 2014, and Carol DeFidelto Stem of Lincoln University. Derek was born in Chester, Pa., and graduated from Temple University with a B.S. in business marketing. Derek was in long term recovery, and having been clean and sober for 2.5 years, had dedicated his life to helping others on their journey to recovery. He was an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed riding with his friends, as this was Derek’s outlet to keep himself on his recovery path. He was an active member of the Providence Church in West Chester, where Sunday service with his mother was constant. For Derek, “Family was Everything.” Outside of his recovery path, Derek’s newfound and greatest joy in life was being an uncle to his niece and nephew. He had a servant’s heart and showed us how to play, laugh and love with all our souls. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his mother, Derek is survived by his maternal grandmother, Anna DeFidelto of Ridley Park; three brothers, Kyle and his wife Katie of Downingtown, Drew and his wife Sami of Lincoln University, and Keith of Lincoln University; his nephew, Hudson; and his niece, Sienna. He was predeceased by his father, Willard Ronald Stem, Jr.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 1 at Willowdale Chapel – Jennersville Campus (111 Vineyard Way, West Grove), and 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 2 at Willowdale Chapel – Kennett Square Campus (675 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square). A funeral service in celebration of his life will follow at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Derek will be laid to rest next to his father, Willard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the recovery ministry at Providence Church.  Give online at https://providencewc.org/give/ or mail donations to Providence Church, PO Box 663, West Chester, PA 19381.  Mention recovery ministry in the memo line. To view Derek’s online tribute, visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.