FRANCIS E. STUART

Francis E. Stuart passed away on Sept. 1, 2023 at the Chester County Hospital. He was 86.

He was the husband of Annamarie Siano, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Cameron Pa., he was the son of the late Francis Stuart and the late Mary Potempa Stuart.

In his youth, he pitched in local baseball games in and near his hometown. He served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve for 6 years.  After working at Boeing-Vertol in Philadelphia, he became a shift leader at Dupont Experimental station for 16 years while raising a family. He was an avid gardener growing a robust variety of vegetables and fruits which were canned and preserved to feed his family. Chickens were also raised to add to his family’s nutrition.

For leisure, he enjoyed fly-fishing, engaging the art of tying flies for his tackle box. He also enjoyed hunting pheasants with his Brittany spaniel.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Christopher F. Stuart, DC and his wife Tamara of Mickleton, NJ; one daughter, Susan P Stuart of West Palm Beach, Fla., one sister, Nancy Weible of Brookville, Pa. and three grandsons.

A funeral mass was held on Sept. 11 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale.  

Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077 or online at [email protected].

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

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

Judith Ann Case
Judith Ann Case, known affectionately as Judy, was a force of nature. 

Born on Sept. 6, 1955 in West Grove, she carried a spirit with her throughout her life that could not be contained by a small town. 

She passed away in Riviera Beach, Fla. in the early morning hours of Aug. 16, 2023 due to complications from a stroke. Judy was a beautiful, intelligent, selfless, and generous woman who left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered.

Judy Ann Jennings was born to Edith and Marvin Jennings, raised alongside her siblings Patricia, Diane, James, Rodney, Michael, and Tammy. 

Judy was a woman of exceptional abilities and talents. She was a natural born entrepreneur, recognized for her savvy business acumen from a young age. Her father saw her potential and trusted her to manage the books for their family mushroom-growing business while she was still in high school. She was also tasked with managing a busy luncheonette in town simultaneously, demonstrating  a drive and entrepreneurial spirit that would become a hallmark of her life. 

Judy studied business at Millersville University where she was an excellent student. But she quickly recognized her future was calling her back to the business world. At the tender age of 18,  Judy co-owned Mcdowell Mushroom Transportation. For many years, the company thrived under her leadership, buying, selling, and delivering the highest quality mushrooms from the top area growers to markets on the east coast and as far west as California. 

Always looking forward, in the late 1980s, Judy decided to pivot her career and moved to Delaware to become a licensed realtor. While going to school, she utilized her dancing talents to teach aerobics at a health club. She lit up every class with her radiant energy, and her classes were always full because she made them fun. Judy received her real estate license in 1990 and quickly made a name for herself in the industry, earning many sales awards while making many new friends along the way. 

One extraordinarily lucky friend she made early on was quickly captivated by her. Their friendship soon transformed  into much more, orchestrated by God. That friend was her future husband Chris. 

Her unceasing success led her to another opportunity and became the new homes sales manager for a local home builder in Delaware, contributing significantly to their success and enormous growth during her 18-year tenure until 2009. 

Judy's professional journey did not stop there. She worked in a medical office for 5 years before retiring to Florida. In retirement, she became a companion for the elderly, where she was adored for her genuine care and unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. 

Judy's personal life was as vibrant and varied as her professional life. A talented dancer, she won many disco contests with her brother Mike in the 1970s. She had a white, three-piece suit and platform heels to go along with it from time to time. An animal lover, she rescued numerous dogs from troubled environments and gave them the loving home they deserved. She was an avid fan of tennis and golf, taking in live events from the US Open Tennis Tournament  to the PGA Tour. Judy had a love for music. She especially loved live music, attending dozens of concerts from Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Temptations, Tina Turner, Brooks and Dunn, and many more. You name them, she likely saw them. Not one to just stay in her front row seat, where she was most of the time, she once hopped on stage and sat on the piano bench with Billy Joel without getting asked to leave. She always took the experience to another level. 

A lover of cars and excitement, she enjoyed the purchase of many cars over the years. With the help of her brothers, she got her blue Chevy II SS ready to compete in a race at Cecil County Raceway and won.  She has been seen doing donuts and peeling out in the center of town in a '67 Corvette, or screaming while doing 150 mph in a Lamborguini across Octoraro Lake with her brother Jim. Not wanting to exclude her dogs from the fun, Judy also spent many sunny days pulling her labs on knee boards behind her ski boat, just at a safer speed.

Judy was known for her intelligence, and was especially good with numbers. She enjoyed the occasional gambling and used that skill to excel at blackjack. Highly capable of doing it for a living, it was just a another hobby and fun for her. On one trip to Las Vegas, Judy played in a little poker game with Bill Gates in the middle of the night while her husband Chris was sound asleep.  Judy loved traveling. Her eyes lit up when the plane was taking off into the sky, and she couldn't wait to get there.  She enjoyed many trips from the mountains to the islands with many friends and family along for the ride. But more than that, she was selfless and generous, always looking for ways to reward herself, her friends, and her family.  She believed in living life to the fullest, always seeking new experiences and adventures. Judy didn't wait for things to happen, she made them happen every day. 

Judy is survived by her forever loving husband of 28 years, Christopher, her siblings Patricia, James, Rodney, and Tammy, and the many lives she touched with her vibrant spirit and generous heart. 

She was predeceased by her parents, Edith and Marvin, her stepfather Clyde Wilson, and her siblings, Diane, Michael, and Judy's twin sister who survived only a few months after birth. 

Judy was a beacon of love and positivity, an embodiment of selflessness, and a model of hard work and dedication. She lived her life with passion, energy, and a ceaseless desire to learn and grow. Her spirit will continue to inspire and motivate all of whom were fortunate enough to know her. Judy's life was a testament to the power of determination, the importance of generosity, and the beauty of living life on one's own terms. She will be deeply missed but her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her. So here's to Judy—a dynamic and beautiful woman who lived life like a disco ball, spinning and sparkling and always keeping the party going. May we all dance a little harder, laugh a little louder, and live a little fuller in her honor. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter in Judy's honor.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Yates Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  You may visit www.YatesFuneralHome.com for more information.

Dr. Harold Marlin Wynne
After a long illness, Dr. Harold M. Wynne, 93, former Superintendent of Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, passed away on Sept. 2, 2023 at Ware Presbyterian Health Center in Oxford.

Harold is survived by his wife Nancy Maurey Wynne, with whom he shared 73 years of marriage. 

Born in Pottstown, Pa. he was the son of the late Harold Mengle and Florence Houck Wynne.

Although born in Pottstown, he lived with his mentor Frederick Thrasher, professor of criminology at New York University from the age of twelve until he graduated high school in Manhasset Long Island. This period had a great influence on his life. 

In 1953, he received his degree in education from Kutztown University and became a fifth-grade teacher at North Coventry Elementary School. During his undergraduate years, he met and married Nancy, a Penn State University student at the time.

After serving as North Coventry Elementary principal from 1958 to 1964, he entered the newly formed Owen J. Roberts School District as curriculum coordinator. Harold obtained a doctorate of education from Lehigh University in 1968. 

The following year, Harold accepted the position of superintendent of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and he and Nancy and his four children relocated to the West Chester area. 

After 17 years as Superintendent, his passion for boating led to early retirement. He enjoyed many happy hours exploring the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and floating at anchor with his first mate, Nancy.

In 1990 the opportunity arose to go back to his first love, teaching and he became an adjunct instructor for “Evaluation and Measurement,” a foundation of education at West Chester University. 

Harold is survived by his wife; four children, Gregory Wynne (Connie Wynne), Jeffrey Wynne (Cindy Ruggirello), Laurie Wynne and Kristen Friend (Jason Friend); four grandchildren, Brandon Wynne (Alessandra), Daniel Wynne, Nicole Wynne and Hannah Friend and one deceased grandchild, Gregory Wynne, Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Skylar Wynne and Shane Wynne. 

Family will say good-byes privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

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

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

Colean Willis
Colean Willis, of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 6, 2023 at Ware Presbyterian Village. She was 87.

She was the wife of the late Chester Willis.

Born in Cabbage Branch, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Mary Opal Hollaway Brewer.

Colean was a member and co-founder of the Bible Church of Jesus Christ in Elkton, Md.

She was the first bookkeeper for Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford and retired in 2001 after 17 years of service.

Colean loved animals, singing, walking, clothes shopping and she especially loved her family. She was a religious Christian woman and lived for her eternity.

She is survived by her six children, Doris Jean Mock and husband, Stephen of Oxford, Dwight Willis of Shade Gap, Douglas Willis and wife, Margie of Columbus, OH, Stephen Edwards and wife, Carol of Quarryville, Sandra Scotten of Ackron, Pa. and Diane Edwards of Aberdeen, Md. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, one sister, Arzella Mast of Mt. City, Tenn., and a sister-in-law, Betty Pate.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Calvin Willis and Millard Willis.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 12 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Faggs Manor Cemetery, Cochranville.

The family extended its gratitude to Willow Tree Hospice and Ware Presbyterian Village for all the loving care.

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

Donald Francis Taylor
Donald Francis Taylor, a resident of Milton, Del. and formerly of West Grove, passed away on Sept. 6, 2023 at Wilmington Hospital with the family by his side. He was 89.

He was the husband of Mary Jane Woodward Taylor, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage. 

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late David Kinney and Virginia Whiteman Taylor.

Don was a graduate of the University of Delaware where he received his engineering degree. He was employed as an engineer for Dupont and Hewlett-Packard. Don was also a township engineer and building inspector for many local townships.

He was a member and lay leader of Zoar United Methodist Church, Millsboro, Del. He was also a member of Fort Miles Delaware Historical Society and a lifetime member of the West Grove Fire Company.

Don was an antique car enthusiast, and a member of the Historical and Vintage Car Club of Delaware and the H.H. Franklin Car Club of America. He enjoyed flying his powered parachute and also enjoyed motorcycles, but his family was what mattered most to him.

He is survived by his wife; 11 children, Mary Anne Steel (Richard) of New London, Donald T. Taylor (Marlene) of Cochranville, Joseph E. Taylor (Brenda) of Hawkins, TX, J. Francis Taylor (Michele) of Lincoln University, Kathy Pendleton (Joe) of Souderton, Ruth Aguiar (Ron) of West Grove, Marie Zedalis (John) of Lansford, Daniel E. Taylor (Krista) of New London, Anna Beauchamp (Mike) of Havre de Grace, MD, Thomas P. Taylor (Becky) of Cochranville and Jeanie Mattson (Richie) of West Grove; 29 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Kavanagh Taylor; two children, Patty Jo Lawless and Mike Taylor; two grandsons, Matthew Zedalis and James Lawless, two great grandchildren, Bryson Jones and Taylor Jones; and four siblings, Elizabeth, Dora, David and Jimmy.

Family and friends may call at Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, PA on Saturday, September 16 from 9 to 11a.m.  Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m.

A memorial service is being planned at Zoar United Methodist Church in Millsboro, Del. for a later date.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to The West Grove Fire Company, www.wgfc.org or Zoar United Methodist Church, c/o Carisa Daisey, 24463 Gravel Hill Road, Millsboro, Del. 19966. 

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

Burford F. Thomas
Burford F. Thomas, 75, of Parkesburg passed away on Sept. 9, 2023 at Hershey Medical Center.

Born in North Carolina, he was the son of the late William and Charlotte Fetters Thomas.

Burford was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served during the Vietnam War.

He was formerly employed as the manager of the body shop for Paul Stine Chevrolet in Selinsgrove, Pa.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 865 in Christiana, Pa.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by one daughter, Megan E, Hecht and her husband, Daniel of Cocoa Beach, Fla., three sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Burford was preceded in death by a brother and sister.

Services are private. 

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