Eric Nanson Campbell

Eric Nanson Campbell, a resident of Oxford who formerly lived in Aston, Pa. and Camden, Del., passed away on July 30, 2023. He was 79.

Born in Chester, Pa., he was the son of the late William J. and Thelma Blackstead Campbell.

He leaves behind his wife of 61 years Roseanne R. Pigeon Campbell; four children, Cathy Brady (Michael), Eric Campbell (Deborah), Deborah Heilman (John) and Sandra Battista (Nino).

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud: Morgan, Gemma, and Noah Brady; Abigail and Hannah Campbell; and Aydan and Carsyn Heilman.  

He started his career at Reynolds Metals, then moved to British Petroleum Refinery where he worked for 20 years before retiring from ConocoPhillips in 2005.

He enjoyed coaching Special Olympics with his wife for many years and target shooting at his gun club. He was an avid woodworker and a “Mr. Fixit.”  He was known for his jokes and sarcastic wit.

He was well loved and will be deeply missed.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Special Olympics. 

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

Carl Campbell

Carl Campbell, a resident of Oxford and formerly of Shippensburg, Pa., passed away peacefully at Ware Presbyterian Village on July 26, 2023. He was 98.

Born May 3, 1925 in Casper, Wyoming, Carl was the son of the late Frank S. and Iona (McKeeman) Campbell.  

The family moved to Aruba when Carl was three years old, after Frank accepted a management position in the new oil refinery. Carl's childhood was idyllic, and he later wrote a memoir about his adventures growing up on the island.  

Carl graduated from Lago Community High School in 1942. During his senior year, Aruba was attacked by German submarines, prompting his return to the United States in 1943, when he joined the Navy.  He served aboard a landing ship in the Pacific, the USS Osage, during World War II and earned a battle star for the Okinawa campaign.  His service to his country was a source of great pride for the rest of his life. 

After the war, he used the GI Bill to attend Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA. He graduated in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. During his time at Lynchburg, Carl met the love of his life, Rebecca (Campbell) Campbell. They were married on June 7, 1949 and shared 69 years together before her passing in March 2019.  

He started his career as an educator in Virginia. In the fall of 1949, he began teaching high school chemistry and general science. Carl later served as the principal of two elementary schools. He continued his education at the University of Virginia, where he earned both his master of education and doctor of education degrees. 

In 1958, Carl and his family moved to Shippensburg, where he was appointed professor of educational administration at Shippensburg University. He was a well-respected professor for 26 years, until his retirement in 1984. 

He loved history and he read extensively about the Civil War, World War II, and early maritime history. In addition to reading, he was an avid puzzle solver and he completed numerous word puzzles daily. Carl also thoroughly enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing games, painting, art history, museums, Civil War battlefields, and searching for arrowheads. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling the world with his wife Becky. 

Above all else, his greatest love was his family, and nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with them.  Carl will be remembered fondly for his humor, quick wit, clever poems, silly character drawings, making Popeye faces, and storytelling.

Carl is survived by his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Geoff Henry; three granddaughters, Allison (Mike), Meredith, and Ashley (Tim); eight great-grandchildren, Ian and Kendall Longenberger; Kenzie, Kade, and Keeley Musselman; Mason, Hayden, and Colten Whiteman; and one sister, Dorothy Hackney, of Houston, Tex.  In addition to his wife and parents, Carl was preceded in death by four brothers.

In accordance with Carl’s wishes, interment will be private.

Carl’s family would like to thank Ware Presbyterian Village and Willow Tree Hospice for their care and compassion.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s name to a charity of your choice. 

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

Ferdinand Thun

Ferdinand Thun died on July 30, 2023 at his home in Crosslands Community in Kennett Square after bravely facing a three-month illness. He was 89.

Born in Reading, Pa.,, Ferd was the son of Ferdinand K. Thun and Marion Greene Thun. He pursued his education graduating from Wyomissing High School, Lehigh University, and Harvard Business School, laying the groundwork for an impactful career. 

With over 20 years of dedicated service, Ferd made significant contributions to Lehigh University as the director of planned giving in the Office of Development. His commitment to education and philanthropy knew no bounds, as evidenced by his establishment of The Ferdinand and Elizabeth M. Thun Scholarship and the Thun and Janssen Memorial Scholarship at Lehigh, providing invaluable support to first-generation U.S. citizens from immigrant families, regardless of their country of origin. Additionally, he created the Ferdinand Thun ’56 Chair in Family Business, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of students.

Beyond his academic achievements, Ferd played a pivotal role as the president of the extended Thun family business, effectively overseeing the liquidation of the Thun Investment Company, a family enterprise specializing in real estate and investment management.

Ferd’s impact extended to the community, where he generously served on the boards of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, the Wildlands Conservancy, and held the title of Emeritus Director of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Pa. at the time of his death. His passion for preserving nature and wildlife was important.

An ardent lover of the outdoors, Ferd found solace and joy in the waters. He was enthusiastic about canoeing and fly fishing, and his heart was never happier than when he sailed on his cherished sailboat, Great Eagle.

Ferd’s love of his family were evident throughout his life. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth, his brother Peter, a niece, Kirsten Dunn, and two nephews, Eric Thun and Christopher Thun, along with seven grandnieces and a grandnephew.  In his final years, Ella, his loyal and beloved dog, remained his constant companion and soulmate. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Katrina Thun.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. at Crosslands, 1660 E. Street Road in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to honor Ferdinand’s memory to the Ferdinand Thun ’56 Chair in Family Business at Lehigh University (306 S. New St., Suite 500, Bethlehem, PA 18015) or The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton, PA 19529), reflecting his dedication to education and environmental conservation.

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

John A. Arrell, III

John A. Arrell, III of Lincoln University, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 1, 2023. He was 39 years old.  

Born in Wilmington, Del., John was the beloved son of John A. Arrell, Jr. and Tracey Travis Lee.

In addition to his parents, John is survived by his daughter, Victoria Page Arrell and his siblings, Sean P. Arrell, Taylor N. Arrell, Ryan M. Arrell, Erik R. Lee, Sabrina E. Lee, Melissa Thompson and Chelsea R. Lee.

Visitation with the family will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10 at Avondale Presbyterian Church, 420 Pennsylvania Ave. in Avondale.  A reception with the family will follow the funeral service.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Avondale Presbyterian Church, 420 Pennsylvania Ave., Avondale, PA 19311  OR   Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, https://give2.chop.edu/give.

Services are being handled by Longwood Funeral Home and Cremation of Matthew Genereux.

Kenneth Bunker

Kenneth “Darryl” Bunker, 75, of New London, Pa., passed away on Aug. 3, 2023 while surrounded by his loving family at home. Darryl’s strength and resilience was an inspiration to all who knew him as he fought a courageous 12-year battle with multiple myeloma. 

Born in Cheyenne, WY, he is the son of Jeannine Phipps and the late Kenneth Bunker. 

He adored his wife, Sandi (Rector) Bunker, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Darryl and Sandi began their love story in New London, where they raised their five daughters. He enjoyed coaching softball and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with those that called him Pop-Pop. He was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan. Darryl was a trucking owner and operator for more than 40 years and was proud to have traveled to 48 states, as well as Canada and Mexico. He earned the distinction of driving 3 million safe miles during his trucking career. He loved sharing stories about the places he would travel to and the people he met along the way. He had a love for roses and took pride in his rose garden. Working around his yard gave him immense joy and you could always see him with a pair of nippers and a shovel planting numerous prize trees. Darryl loved classic cars and John Deere tractors.

In addition to his wife, Sandi, he is survived by his five daughters, Heather Ledezma (Joshua), Rachael Lawrence (Travis), Allison Elicier (Marc), Autumn Bunker and Natalie Trait (Jim), as well as nine grandchildren, Trevor Lawrence (Tiffani), Adrienne Sperratore (Jonah), Riley Lawrence, Jada Elicier, Cam Elicier, Rhys Trait, Ridley Trait, Ryder Trait and Juan Cruz Ledezma, and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Greyson Lawrence. He is also survived by his siblings, Dee Jenkins (Cliff), Renee McGonigle (John), Scott Reed (Rhonda), Joan Rector (Tim), Dawn McClanahan and Florence Zambino.

He will be missed dearly by all who loved and knew him. 

Friends and family may visit from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., in Oxford. This will be immediately followed by his service at 7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).

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

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

 

Reba Jane Santos

Reba “Bunny” Santos passed away on August 5, 2023 at Twin Pines in West Grove.  

Born Sept. 25, 1944, in Lancaster, Pa., she was the daughter of George and Sarah Tedder and sister to Rosa, Ethel, Georgia, Ann, and Bill. She had four children Vicki, Sharon, Scottie, and Anthony (Kathy). 

Bunny was a strong woman, and a loving mother. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her son Scottie, and her daughter Sharon.  In addition to her children, she had six grandchildren: Courtney (Justin), Jennifer (Richie), Donald, Christian, Tyler, and Sophie and five great grandchildren, Bryana, Khloe, Kali, Josephine, and Oliver.

Bunny grew up in Oxford and lived in the town most of her life.  She was active in the community and spent many years as a member of the Ocklokonee Council #212, Degree of Pocahontas.  She was also a member of the ladies’ auxiliary for Union Fire Company No. 1 of Oxford. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays with family and friends. She also enjoyed preparing holiday dinners for her family and making Christmas cookies. She was an avid crafter, an amazing speed reader, and she enjoyed crocheting. Bunny was a good friend to many.  

On any given day, she would often say, “I love my family.”  She saw goodness in everyone she met. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

A Pocahontas service will be held at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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