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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of Sept. 2

09/03/2019 01:59PM ● By J. Chambless

ARNOLD H. REEVES

Arnold H. Reeves, 80, of Kennett Square, died on Aug. 27 at Chester County Hospital. 

He was the husband of the late Helen Reeves, who died in 2011, and the longtime companion of Linda A. Haines. Born in Chatham, he was the son of the late Claude Reeves and the late Nora McMillan Reeves. 

Arnold served our country during peacetime in the Army. He was the proud owner of Reeves Service Center for many years, retiring in the early 1990s. There was virtually no engine he couldn’t fix. Since the mid-1970s, Arnold was instrumental in the KAU Little League and eventually became district 28 administrator. He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 491 in Kennett Square and was recently the Commander. He was a longtime member of the Kennett Optimist Club and a lifetime member of Kennett and Avondale Fire Companies. He loved hunting, especially in Tioga and Potter County, and in recent years he loved being an aide on Krapf school buses.

In addition to Linda, he is survived by one daughter, Beth Thomas (Chip); one son, David Reeves (Tammy); two stepsons, Michael Moore and Paul Moore; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Urecka Reeves and Rufus “Ted” Reeves; and two sisters, Dorothy Day and Clara Fox.

Arnold’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 5 at Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church (408 Bayard Rd., Kennett Square). His viewing will be from 9 to 11 a.m. before the service at the church. Interment with military honors will be at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to Good Neighbors Home Repair, 224 East Street Rd., Suite 2, Kennett Square, PA  19348 (www.goodneighborshomerepair.org); or the PA American Legion Baseball, 800 N. Front St., Wormleysburg, PA 17043. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

KENNETH L. ROSS

Kenneth L. Ross, 88, passed away in his sleep on Aug. 16 at ManorCare in Pike Creek, Del.

He was the husband of Barbara (Bailey) Ross, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. Born in 1931, he was the son of Priscilla (Ross) Seiz of Avondale. Kenny attended Avondale School and graduated from Williamson Trade School in Media, class of ‘49.

Kenny drove trucks for years with Chester County Beverage Company and, after retirement, drove for Eagle Limousine as well as the local Scoot bus before retiring permanently. He could be found camping -- something he loved to do with his wife and family -- and was the chief griller at family barbecues. He was loved by all who knew him and had kind words to say of most. He attended ball games, performances, and dance competitions for all grandchildren while loving every minute of it.

In addition to his wife, Kenny is survived by his daughter, Lisa Kalinowski (Dan) of Landenberg; his son, David Ross (Susan Eick) of Kennett Square; and Steven McClain (son-in-law) of Walkersville, Md. He has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Sandra Ross and Cheryl McClain of Walkersville, Md.

A funeral was held Aug. 22. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kenny may be made to  Landenberg United Methodist Church, 205 Penn Green Road, Landenberg, PA 19350.

 

ROBERT T. GARRETT

Robert Thomas Garrett was born Feb. 4, 1937 in Atlantic City, N.J., and died on Aug. 31 at his home in Unionville. He was 82 years old.

He was born to Charles and Julia (Stahl) Garrett and was the second youngest of four children.  His sister Loretta (Tuts) McCullough lives in New York, sister Nancy Pries (Bill) lives in Vermont, and younger brother Charles resides in Hawaii.

Everyone who knew Bob understood his love of Scouting. He gave his talents, time and training, becoming very active as a leader, counselor and commissioner. He was honored in 1988, receiving the Silver Beaver award from the Chester County Council.

Bob graduated from St James High School in Chester, Pa., class of 1955. He was a longtime member of Unionville Presbyterian Church as well as an active member of the Quaker community.  Bob was a member of the East Lynn Grange No. 1263 for 25-plus years, serving as officer and Master. He also volunteered many hours with The Alzheimer’s Association, Chester County Historical Society, Kennett Area Senior Center and the Oxford Area Senior Center. Bob retired from Hewlett Packard in 2001. Throughout his career, he was a quality control manager.  Before and after retiring, Bob enjoyed music and playing guitar, performing and touring locally with the Grateful Alive Band. He was an accomplished lyricist, writing hundreds of songs, of which many have been published.

Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sallie, in 2004. He is survived by his two sisters and brother. In addition he is survived by his children, Anna Marie Spear (Eric) of Durham, N.C., Bobby Garrett of Unionville, Thom Garrett (Myungok) of Potomac Falls, Va., Billy Garrett of Unionville; and his stepdaughter, Sue Bafile (John) of West Chester. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held with family and friends on Sept. 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Unionville Presbyterian Church (815 Wollaston Rd., Kennett Square). A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. Interment will be held privately. There will be a reception following at Northbrook Market Place (1805 Unionville Wawaset Rd., West Chester). In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Chester County Council B.S.A., 226 Exton Square Mall, Exton, PA19341; Kennett Area Senior Center, 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square, PA 19348; Oxford Area Senior Center, 12 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363; or Edward L. Collins Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine Street, Oxford, PA 19363 to help offset funeral expenses. 

PAUL M. JOHNSON

Paul Marvin Johnson, 90, of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 2 at Jennersville Hospital – Tower Health in West Grove.

He was the husband of the late Colleen Charlton Johnson, and first wife, the late Mabel Marie McCarty Johnson. Born in Stanley, N.D., he was the son of the late Peter and Matilda Johnson. He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1948 to 1951 in Cape May, N.J. Paul was a member of Oxford Church of the Nazarene. 

He was the youngest of eight children. Paul moved from the Dakota prairie in 1937 to the mountains in northern Idaho.  In 1950, he met Marie, and together gave their hearts to the Lord. They were married for 23 years and had a wonderful life together, raising four boys before going home to be with the Lord. Later, Paul was introduced to another of God’s jewels, Colleen. 

He is survived by four sons, Carl Johnson (Katie) of Rio Grande, N.J., Alvin Johnson (Jane) of Oxford, Paul Jonson (MaryRuth) of Oxford, and Mark Johnson of Nottingham; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Richard Davis of Newark, Del., and Michael Davis of Oxford; and one stepdaughter, Cindy Davis.

A funeral will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene (116 E. Locust St., Oxford), where family and friends may visit from 5 to 6 p.m. Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery in Cold Spring, N.J., on Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Erma Holiness Association, 470 Seashore Rd., Cape May, NJ 08204. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com