MARY J. COOK

Mary Jane Cook, a resident of Holtwood, Pa., passed away on Feb. 17 at Jennersville Hospital in West Grove. She was 79.

She was the wife of Edwin J. Cook, Jr., with whom she shared 15 years of marriage.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Luther T., Sr. and Blanche Riddle Sammons.

Jane was a graduate of Bible school from Victory Fellowship Church in New Castle, Del.

She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Quarryville, Pa.   

Jane was a homemaker and evangelist and enjoyed reading the Bible.

She is survived by her husband; three children, Francis Robert Matherly of FL, Jane Harrell (Arden) of Greensboro, NC and Sharon Edwards (Ronald) of Rising Sun, Md.; six grandchildren, Brandi, Ryan Lee, Katie, Phillip, Collin and Ryan; four great-grandchildren; two brothers; and her beloved dog, Petey.

She was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 1011 Lancaster Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.

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

 

VANCE DARNELL

Vance Darnell passed away on Feb. 17 while surrounded by family and friends. He was 93.

Born in Ashe County, NC, Vance was the son of the late Thomas J. Darnell and the late Lura Darnell (nee Testerman). Vance was the beloved husband for 49 years to the late Mary V. Darnell (nee Sullins). He is survived by a daughter, Diane L. Darnell, and his brother, Carl Darnell (Joyce), as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Vance was also predeceased by his son, Carl E. Darnell, as well as by his siblings:  Dorothy Darnell, Guy Darnell, Grace Blevins Arms, Blanche Price, Maude Riale, Clarence Darnell, and Florence Russell.

During his working career, Vance worked on the Texas-Eastern Pipeline, was a farmer, and worked as a spreader truck and tractor trailer driver for Agway for many years.

During his retirement, he enjoyed "just piddling around the house," chewing lots of tobacco, watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy," and spending time with the family cats, who always kept him company and took many naps with him.

A viewing and funeral service were held at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home in Oxford on Feb. 22.

Burial will be in the Oxford Cemetery.

Vance's family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the TCU Unit at Ware Presbyterian Village for all of their wonderful care and concern shown during Vance's short stay, as well as to all the staff of Willow Tree Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Vance's memory be made to Castaway Cats, 4 Christina Ct., Bear, DE 19701 or PayPal to castawaycatsDE.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.

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

DOUGLAS R. PRANGE

Douglas R. Prange, 85, of Oxford, formerly of Avondale, passed away at the Jennersville Hospital on Feb. 13. He was the husband of Doris A. Kauffman Prange, with whom he would have celebrated 61 years of marriage in June. 

Douglas was born in Philadelphia to the late Robert O. and Mary Johnson Prange. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Wilmington, Del. In the past, he was a member of Jennersville Church of the Brethren and Grace Baptist Church.

Douglas achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Avon Grove High School in 1952.  

He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Army. In the past, he had worked for Penn Dairies and Leroy Lapp Painting. He retired from the maintenance department of the Red Clay School District.

Doug enjoyed mowing his grass, fixing things as a Jack-of-all-trades, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, playing games, family vacations, going on church missions trips and working with his church youth group.  

He is survived by his wife and six children: Brenda (wife of Matthew Farkas) of Bellows Falls, VT, Steven (husband of Cindy Tyson Prange) of Aston, Pa., Charles “Chuck” Prange (fiancé of Alyson Shaffer) of Crisfield, Md., James (husband of Amy Glodeck Prange) of Spout Spring, VA, David (husband of Susan Peters Prange) of Lancaster, Patricia “Trish” Dowd of Oxford; and 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Prange and Donald Prange. 

The funeral service was held at the Faith Baptist Church in Wilmington, Del. on Feb. 22. Interment was at the Glen Run Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Word of Life.

JOSEPH V. SANTUCCI, SR.

Joseph Vincent Santucci Sr., 65, of West Grove, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Feb. 20.

Joe was born in West Chester on Sept. 1, 1954. He graduated from Avon Grove High School as part of the class of 1972.  Joe was married to his high school sweetheart Debra (Debbie) Stewart for 41 years, and they have three children.

Joe worked most his life for his father’s businesses as a manager for Vince’s Sports Center, and a mushroom grower for Elite Mushrooms.  He enjoyed collecting World War II memorabilia, attending MAX shows, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and wrestling with all his grandchildren, as well as enjoyed the many friends and family who were a part of his life.  He enjoyed chasing the kids wearing scary masks, teaching them self-defense from bullies, and lived to make people laugh at his jokes.

Joe is survived by his wife Debbie; their children, daughter Angie (and her husband Juan Aldana), from West Grove, daughter Charlene (and husband Jamie Hall) from West Grove, and son Joseph (and wife Mandi Santucci) from Middletown, Del; their ten grandchildren; his four younger brothers, Vincent, David, Michael, Phil; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father, Frances and Vincent Santucci Sr., who he deeply loved and missed.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at New London Baptist Church 226 Pennock Bridge Road in West Grove, with a viewing from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be held privately at a later date. Pastor Mark Sawyer and Pastor Perry Stewart will be officiating.