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 funeral was held July 31. 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 service was held Aug. 2. Interment was in New London Presbyterian Cemetery. 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.

 

DONNAN MARTIN

Donnan Martin, 86, passed away in his home in Kennett Square on July 30.

Donnan was born in Jacksonville, Fla., and was a graduate of Andover Academy, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Delaware (MBA). He led a full and interesting life. He was a Junior Lieutenant in the Navy, worked for the duPont Company for over 30 years, and ran a successful business into his eighties. He was married to his sweetheart, Hazel, for 55 years until her death in 2010. Donnan made lifelong friends during every phase of his life, often travelling for visits, hosting guests in his home, enjoying a meal, or just picking up the phone to keep in touch.

Donnan was predeceased by his loving wife, Hazel; and daughters Marilyn, Judy, and Nancy. He is survived by his daughter Suzanna (John) of Florence, N.J.; two grandsons; one granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to share memories of Donnan at The Kennett Square Inn at noon on Saturday Sept. 28.  Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (giving.tsalliance.org), 801 Roeder Road, Suite 750, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4487. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

MARILYN H. BENSON

Marilyn H. Benson, 86, of Chatham, died at Kendal at Longwood Community in Kennett         Square.

She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth, who she greatly missed after 51 years of marriage. Born in Phoenixville, she was the daughter of the late John Lynford Huzzard and the late Mary Stauffer Huzzard. Marilyn graduated from Friends Select High School in Philadelphia in 1951 and received her BS in chemistry from Gettysburg College in 1955. At Gettysburg, she was active in Chi Omega Sorority. Marilyn worked at the DuPont Experimental Station, where she met her husband Ken. They had two children, Carl L. Benson (wife Kimberly) of Crownsville, Md., and Kate Benson Ho (husband Troy) of Jenkintown. She adored her grandchildren Kallan and Reece Benson. She became a Girl Scout leader and volunteered at the Settlement House in Wilmington and later was active in the Avon Grove School District, London Grove Township, the United Way of Southern Chester County, and the Tick Tock Early Learning Center. She was a lifelong Phillies fan who also loved sailing and family vacations, especially to the Outer Banks.

Ken and Marilyn moved to Conniston community in 2008 from their 1840s home near Chatham. They moved to Kendal in 2012 and Marilyn moved into Westmoreland in 2016. Marilyn was always a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always wanted the best for her family. She will be greatly missed.

Her memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 10 in the Activities Center at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Friends Select School. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

RONALD L. SAXTON

Ronald L. Saxton, 92, has passed away in his home in West Grove.

Born in Granville Summit, Pa., Ron came of age during the Great Depression. His parents, Luther (1900-1988) and Florence Irene (1900-1984), taught school throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, then settled in Canton, Pa. Ron was raised on the family dairy farm. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class.

A prolific reader and lover of history, Ron started writing poetry in his teen years, but settled on chemical engineering as his major at Penn State University, graduating in 1950. He went on to receive his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1953. After graduate school, Ron worked for the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Del., from 1953 through his retirement in 1991. He helped develop several innovative methods for polymer (plastics) extrusion, two of which produced patents.

Ron and first wife, Patricia, settled in West Grove and raised nine children, two of whom were lovingly adopted. They were active with the Quaker communities at the Kennett and London Grove Friends Meetings, volunteering with the Friends’ Committee on Race Relations. They played significant roles in the establishment of the Tick Tock Early Learning Center. Ron also participated in Self-Help Housing, a project of the American Friends Service Committee. He learned carpentry and helped build affordable housing for low-income community members.

In 1981, Ron married Vera E. Kaminski Saxton and they raised three children. He built their home outside of Chatham, utilizing green building techniques long before the issue of climate change came to the fore. In retirement, Ron’s skill and artistry as a woodworker and whittler blossomed.

Of all of his accomplishments, Ron took the most pride in raising his 12 children. He is survived by his wife, Vera E. Kaminski Saxton; and their children Dvera, Elena, and Ron E.  He is also survived by his first wife, Patricia McMillin Wixom, and their children Bradley, Linda, Arnold, Laura, Bart, Walter, Elna, Cora, and Charles, as well as his younger sister, Nancy Saxton Schowalter; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of a memorial service, the Saxton family asks that those wishing to honor Ron’s life make a contribution to the Avon Grove Library (117 Rosehill Ave., West Grove, PA 19390, 610-869-2004); the Green Free Library of Canton (8 N. Center St., Canton, PA 17724, 570-673-5744); and/or plant a native tree species (or an acre, or two) in a location of their choice.

 

LAURA FRANCES HALL

Laura Frances Hall, 79, of Oxford, passed away on Aug. 2 at her daughter Sara’s home in Port Deposit, Md.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Everett N. and Mildred Tarbert Ross. Frances graduated from Oxford High School class of 1958. In December 1958 she married  Charles C. Hall, Sr. After his 22-year career in the U.S. Army and Air Force, they returned to Oxford. She was retired from the Oxford Area School District, where she was employed in Elk Ridge School as a custodian. Frances was a former member of the Pocahontas Council No. 212, Oxford. She enjoyed playing cards, dominos, sharing lunch with her classmates once a month, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by three children, Laura Lynn Moulton (Mark) of Noblesville, Ind., Charles C. Hall, Jr. (Jeff Ciarlo) of New Castle, Del., and Sara Marie Kirk (David) of Port Deposit, Md.; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Everett N. Ross of Bayville, N.J.; and her neighbors, whom she thought of as family.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Aug. 8 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.