ROBERT F. CARROLL

Robert F. Carroll, 68, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 27 at Twin Pines Nursing Home in West Grove.

He was the husband of Nancy Klara Carroll, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.

Born in Darby, Pa. he was the son of the late Francis and Annette Acree Carroll.

He enjoyed boating, fishing and crabbing on the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Andrew Carroll of Oxford; one daughter, Sandra Edinger (Matthew) of McKinney, TX; and twin granddaughters, Madelyn and Kathryn Edinger.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Carroll, Jr. and a brother, Timothy Carroll.

Services are private.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

RICHARD L. EBY

On Dec. 20, Richard Landis Eby, loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 61 at Pocopson Home in West Chester. 

Richard was born in Philadelphia on Oct. 30, 1958 to Landis and Marjorie (Seeds) Eby. He received his bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Denver in 1981. Richard served in the United States Marine Corps as a First Lieutenant from 1982 to 1985 and was honorably discharged.  He spent many years working in finance, and several years in the travel industry as well. In the summer of 1980, Richard met Beth Reeder while he was working as the waterfront director at a summer camp and Beth was a camp counselor, and six weeks later he proposed. On Aug. 29, 1981 they married, and during their 38 years of marriage they raised three children and welcomed three grandchildren.

Richard was known best for his warmth and generosity. His smile could light up a room, and everyone who met him remarked on his sense of humor, which often involved teasing the people he liked best. Richard loved cooking and was always trying new recipes. His steaks were cooked to perfection, and his pumpkin cheesecake had no rival. He taught his children how to steam and crack their own lobster, and how to achieve the perfect sear when cooking fresh sea scallops.

But even more than cooking, Richard loved to travel. He was always dreaming up new, exotic places to visit, and he loved nothing better than planning trips and exploring new places with Beth by his side. Together they traveled to places like Crater Lake, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, White Sands National Park, San Francisco and countless other places. He had a deep love of the beach as well, spending his childhood summers with family in Ship Bottom, NJ and then later taking his own family to Emerald Isle, NC every summer. You could always find him in a wide, straw-brimmed hat, sitting in his beach chair enjoying a good Tom Clancy book.

 

Richard, especially in his younger years, loved playing sports, including everything from soccer to tennis. He chose to attend the University of Denver so that he could spend most of his time skiing. He was an ardent Eagles fan, and loved watching football. In fact, he loved football so much that even when the regular season was over he could be found watching replays of old football games just so he could have the sounds of a football game on in the background. He loved ice hockey too, and on more than one occasion took his kids to cheer on the Broad Street Bullies.

What stands out the most, though, was Richard’s unconditional and immeasurable love he had for his family. Whether that meant surprising Beth on Christmas with more presents than she could count, or taking his daughter to an Eagles game, or tickling his grandchildren until they screamed, he loved his family with his whole heart. His family always knew, without any doubt, just how much he loved them and how much happiness they brought to him.

Richard was preceded in death by his father Landis, and his mother, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife Beth, his daughter Jenny (Ben) Cowan, his daughter Erin, and his son Michael. He is also survived by his sister Billie (Bain) Kramer, and Richard’s three grandchildren Abby, Joshua, and Caleb Cowan.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 10 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Christian Life Center at 125 Saginaw Road in New London Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in memory of Richard.

OSTEN D. BRYANT

Osten Durant Bryant, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away on Dec. 18. He was 94.

He spent the last two years living in Lincoln University, Pa. after selling the Delaware County bar he ran until he was 92. He purchased the establishment when he retired as an executive chef.

Osten is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and dozens of nieces and nephews.

There will be no funeral service, as per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, Osten’s family requests donations in his name to the Oxford Area Senior Center at 12 E Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363.

Online condolences can be made at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services.

TERESA B. MERRILL

Teresa B. Merrill, 80, of Philadelphia, passed away on Jan. 1, at Twin Pines Health Care Center, West Grove.

 

She was the wife of the late Edward George Merrill.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Patrick Edward and Helen Casey McAteer.

She was a member of St. Luke’s Church, Ocean City, Md. and active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Philadelphia. 

Teresa was active in girl scouts.

She is survived by six children, Teresa Merrill, Edward Merrill, Joseph Merrill, Annemarie Love, Elizabeth Merrill and Rita Martinenza; fifteen grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons, James Merrill and Vincent Merrill and one sister, Mary Cosgrove.

A memorial mass was celebrated on Jan. 7, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church in Oxford.

Interment was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

VIRGINIA P. SIMON

Virginia P. Simon, formerly of Chadds Ford, passed away peacefully with her children at her side on Dec. 30 at Jenner's Pond in West Grove after a decade-long struggle with dementia. She was 89.

She was born on May 9, 1930 in Trenton, NJ.

Ginny was a graduate of Lycoming College of Williamsport, Pa., where she met her future husband, Dick, while he was a freshman farmed out from Penn State University.

Ginny and Dick honeymooned in Williamsburg, Va., which turned out to have a profound influence on their lives. After they were married, Ginny worked at a laboratory in State College, supporting Dick while he finished his studies after a stint in the Air Force. After Dick's graduation, they moved to Wilmington, Del. where Ginny worked for DuPont at the Experimental Station. Ginny focused on her family as she became a new mother, returning to the workforce later in life as her children were leaving high school, so she could cross off a bucket- list item: a Cadillac Sedan Deville with a red leather interior. 

Ginny and Dick built their first dream home in north Wilmington in the late 1960s. The home was a replica of the James Anderson House of Williamsburg they fell in love with during their honeymoon. They built it again in Chadds Ford near Karver Lake, where they lived for 33 years before moving to Jenner's Pond. Ginny and Dick were known for their elaborate annual Christmas parties, frequent big family dinners, and backyard cookouts.

Ginny spent her early retirement years travelling throughout the United Kingdom with Dick, visiting or staying overnight in every castle they could find, and sending everyone in the family a postcard every single day. Ginny also took up a virtual third career in counted cross-stitching which filled the time when she was not on the road. Every family member sports several framed pieces in their home and Ginny's own home looked like an art gallery. Even St. Cornelius Church in Chadds Ford has her work on display.

Ginny also loved reading Colin Dexter and Dick Francis novels, shopping at Talbots, watching football, and TV shows like “Dynasty, or “Murder She Wrote.” She especially loved doting on her grandkids and caring for Mark's Labrador, Luke, and her own Cocker Spaniel, Dudley. During her later years, Ginny spent her time building the most impossible puzzles imaginable. Some were 1500 piece monstrosities that would test the patience of a saint. Ginny loved nothing better than sitting there for hours, studying the pictures and setting a few pieces in place, eventually wearing a divot in the rug under her favorite seat.

She is survived by her son Mark (and Judy) Simon of West Chester and her daughter Alison (and Tom Kissel) Simon-Kissel of Ashburn, Va.  She is pre-deceased by Richard, her husband of 64 years, and her sister, Alice Stevens of Trenton, NJ. She had three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A visitation for family and friends will take place at Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W State Street, Kennett Square, on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Ewing Church Cemetery and Mausoleum, 100 Scotch Road, Ewing, New Jersey, on Friday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ginny’s name can be sent to the Humane Society of the United States (www.humanesociety.org) or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org).

JEAN C. PRICE

Jean C. Price, age 92, of Oxford, Pa., formerly of New Jersey, passed away on New Year’s morning at her home. She was the wife of the late Arthur Price, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in Fords, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Peter and Erica Christiansen. She was a member of the Avondale Presbyterian Church in Avondale.

A graduate of New Jersey College of Women, majoring in chemistry and German, Jean worked as a teacher prior to having her children. She then was a substitute teacher for several years after her children went to school. Her family was the most important aspect of her life. She enjoyed her dogs, and she was an excellent weaver and knitter.

 

She is survived by two sons, Brett R. Price of Marlboro, N.J., and Dirk A. Price, and his wife, Claire of Red Level, Ala., and one daughter Heidi Militana, and her husband Louis of Kemblesville, Pa. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tait Militana and his wife Cyrille of Washington, D.C., and Corinne Militana of Kemblesville, Pa.

A graveside service was held on Jan. 4. Contributions in Jean’s memory may be sent to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD, 21297-0495.

SLUG: Obituaries Jan. 8

Obit—Carroll

Obit-Eby

Obit-Bryant

Obit-Simon

Obit-Price