Jane Hannum Buffum

Jane Hannum Buffum, of Mendenhall, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on April 13. She was 72. She was a food writer for the Chester County Press, the Kennett Paper,  and the Daily Local News,  and was a former hostess of the Culinary Corner for WCHE 1520 AM.

A 1965 graduate of Kennett High School, she attended Wilson College, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, and received her degree as the very first woman to graduate from Widener University (PMC Colleges).

“Jane was a wonderful and bigger-than-life person,” said Randall Lieberman, the publisher of the Chester County Press. “She will be remembered fondly for all she did in her community.”

Buffum served as chairwoman of the Mushroom Festival Amateur Mushroom Cook-Off for many years. She was a member of Philadelphia Woman’s Culinary Guild, a founding sponsor for the Brandywine Valley SPCA Forget Me Not Gala, and she was most fond of her work with the Kennett Library at Bayard Taylor Commons  as a member of the special events committee. 

“Jane was such a character and a wonderful member of the Committee,”  said Wendy Lee Walker, who served on the Kennett Library Home and Garden Tour committee with Buffum. 

Jane is survived by beloved son Robert Stephan Buffum II (Amber), granddaughters Jesse, Isabella, Sabrina, and Ariel, and grandsons Oliver, Adrian, and Sebastian.  

Additionally, she is survived by her sister Sara Meadows (David) of East Marlborough Township, a brother Tom Hannum (Holly) of North East, Md., six nieces and nephews and their children.

A gathering in her memory is planned for a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Kennett Area Community Service  in her memory is requested. Condolences may be sent to R Buffum at P.O. Box 111 Mendenhall, PA 19357.

IRIS M. SOTO

Iris M. Soto, age 81, of Kennett Square, passed away on April 12 at The Friends Home in Kennett, Linden Hall, in Kennett Square.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Isidro Soto and the late Celia Gonzalez.  Iris grew up in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY, and lived there until 2010, with her sister Gloria Soto and her father, Isidro Soto, who passed in 2010 at the age of 103.  Before moving to Kennett Square, Iris lived in Cranford, NJ for nine years.

Iris began an artistic career with Norcross Greeting Cards in New York City, then worked for a British advertising agency, BBD&O in NYC, and finished her 45-year career as a commercial graphic artist with the J. Walter Thompson Agency, also in NYC, retiring in 2003.  While with

J. Walter Thompson, Iris worked on the promotional art for many significant movies, including the theater posters for the first “Star Wars” film in 1977.

Iris was a member of the Soroptimist International, a worldwide women’s organization dedicated to helping women improve their lives. She did volunteer work for  the Jewish Guild for the Blind in NYC, was a charter member supporter for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and volunteered and did artwork for the Society of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (U.S. Army).

She enjoyed many arts and crafts projects including knitting, making her own greeting cards, and designing clothing.  Over her entire life, Iris enjoyed Broadway theater productions, visiting and financially supporting museums, and traveling throughout the United States and overseas.   Iris loved sports, best of all professional soccer and her beloved New York Rangers hockey team, and she was a season ticket holder and officer in the Rangers Fan Club for many years.  After she retired, Iris made hundreds of colorful scarves that she’d donate during the holidays to children who were seriously ill in the hospital.  She was an ordained minister, a spiritual individual, frequently singing, and loved being with her family and friends. 

Iris is survived by three sisters, Gloria Soto of Kennett Square, Isabel Soto (and her husband Richard Ehrlichman) of Avondale, and Maria Pereira of Cranford, NJ; one niece, Beatrice Pereira of Westfield, NJ, and other loving relatives.  Her services will be held at a later date. 

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.  Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

CRAIG ZNOTENS

Craig Mikel Znotens, 49, of  Landenberg, passed away on April 9 at his residence. He was the husband of Kerri Snyder Znotens, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage.

Born in Pottstown, Pa., he was the son of Mikel and Barbara Stetler Znotens of Harleysville, Pa.

Craig was an accountant at BNY Mellon Bank in Wilmington, Del. 

He was a graduate of Souderton High School and Susquehanna University.

 

Craig was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, especially the Phillies and Eagles. He enjoyed brewing his own beer, eating German food and was an excellent cook. He also enjoyed collecting train sets and going to the beach.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Olivia Znotens and Sadie Znotens both of Landenberg; one sister, Lara Penny of Radnor, Pa.; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kathy and Bill Snyder of Ft. Myers, FL.

His Memorial service will be held at a later date.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.

Richard D. Prewitt, Sr.

Richard D. Prewitt, Sr., of Oxford, passed away at home on April 16. He was 81.

He and his wife Annabelle (Jones) Prewitt shared 58 years of marriage before her passing in 2019.

Born and raised in Oxford, he was the son of the late Ivory D. and Arvilla Lutman Prewitt.

Dick was the former president of Prewitt’s Garage, Inc., where he worked with his brother, Bob for decades, serving the Oxford community. He devoted all of those years to provide customers with high-quality automotive service and outstanding client satisfaction.

He was an honorary member of the Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford.

In his spare time, Dick enjoyed hunting, cutting and splitting wood, lawn equipment repair, building large operational airplane models and spending time with his best friend and love, Ann, at their retreat in Breezewood, Pa.

He is survived by his son, Richard D. Prewitt, Jr. and his wife, Beth of Centre Hall, Pa.; two grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Prewitt and her fiancé, Matthew Mosses of New Cumberland, Pa. and Brian R Prewitt of Boston, MA; two brothers, Robert Prewitt and his wife, Flossi of Oxford and Rodney Prewitt and his wife, Deb of Kirkwood, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Bartram, and a brother, Ronald Prewitt.

Funeral services will be private at the Oxford Cemetery with the help of the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford.

A memorial of Dick’s life will be held at a later date.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church, 408 Bayard Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348, Union Fire Company No. 1, 315 Market St., Oxford, PA 19363 or Penn Medicine Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, PA.

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

Jean Y. Swisher  

Jean Y. Swisher, 85, a resident of Conestoga View Nursing Home in Lancaster, Pa., went to be with her Lord on April 17.

She was born in Lombard, Md. on the family farm of her late parents, John C.  Duncan and Dora (Ray) Duncan. She lived most of her life in Oxford and Little Britain, Pa. She was the widow of Samuel F. Swisher.

Jean, was fondly known as Pat or Patsy to her friends and family. She was a loving mother and mom-mom. She was an avid gardener who especially enjoyed tending to her flower gardens. She truly had a green thumb!

Pat was a caring and loving person, tending to many in need. She would make food to share, and generously gave her time to others. She started her working career as a cab driver with her husband Sam in Oxford. She then worked as a machine operator for Kennetex Inc. in Kennett Square. She finished her career working at Herr Foods Inc. on the production line until retiring at age 78 after 30 years.

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with her brother Harvey across the United States.

She is survived by one daughter, Betty Haga and her companion, Dave Mowrer; two sons, Randolph W. Swisher, (and his wife, Delena), and Michael R. Swisher; five grandchildren,  Barry Haga, Jr, Adam ( Kristi ) Haga, Autumn ( Ken ) Eller, Jordan Swisher, and Keri ( Jeremy ) Kuppinger; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her young son, Edward (Eddie) Swift; her siblings, John C Duncan, Jr, Harvey R. Duncan and Margaret (Peggy) Richardson; and son-in-law Barry Haga, Sr. 

Those that knew her were greatly blessed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Wrightsdale Baptist Church Building Fund, 310 Little Britain Road South, Peach Bottom, PA. 17563.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, services will be private at Union Presbyterian Cemetery in Kirkwood, Pa.

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

LOUIS G. HURRELBRINCK

Louis G. Hurrelbrinck, formerly of West Chester, passed away on the morning of April 17 at his home in Avondale. He was 85.

He was the loving husband for more than 55 years of Roberta Jenkins Hurrelbrinck.  

He was born to Louis L. and Margaret Rouzer Hurrelbrinck on July 18, 1934 in Baltimore, MD.

Louis attended Lansdowne High School, and following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  As a Marine, he served his country in Korea. Upon discharge, he was awarded three Medals of Service.  

After his military service, he attended Drexel University. Next, Louis took a job with Penn Central Railroad and became the manager of property taxes for Penn Central. He retired from his job.   

During his retirement, he established his own business, Westtown Antiques.  In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf and was a member of The Penn Oaks Country Club in West Chester for more than 40 years.

In addition to his wife, Roberta, he is survived by two sons, Scott F. Hurrelbrinck (and his wife, Kristi) of Jennersville, Pa. and Eric D. Hurrelbrinck of Wayne, Pa.   In addition, he is survived by his four grandchildren, Zachary, Luke, Karlee, and Addison, who fondly referred to him as Do-Be-Do.

He was predeceased by his parents.

All funeral services will be private.  Honorary contributions may be made in his name to the Brandywine River Valley Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363.  Arrangements have been made by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove. Please visit the online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.