Lisa Christine Brown
Lisa Christine Brown, a resident of Nottingham and formerly of Rising Sun, Md., passed into the gates of heaven on March 20, 2024. 

She was 57.

She was the daughter of Linda A. McVey Brown of Nottingham and the late Charles D. Brown. 

She is survived by her mother; and a brother, Charles (Art) Brown.

Her father passed in 1980.

A graveside service was held on March 28 at the Oxford Cemetery.

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

Marguerite (Margo) S. Bare
Marguerite (Margo) S. Bare, of New London, Pa., passed away at home on March 26, 2024. She was 83.

She was the wife of the late John F. Bare, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage.

Born in Jefferson, NC, she was the daughter of the late Walter G. and Nettie Burkett Sheets.

Margo was a member of Christ Church at the Grove, Landenberg. 

She enjoyed her doll collections and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by one daughter, Kimra G. Snyder of Peach Bottom; Stephen J. Bare of Lincoln University; four grandchildren, Karrah, Kayla, Kristi and Sarah; three great-grandchild, Ryan, Carson and Asher; three sisters, Willeen Fortner of Jefferson, NC, Beverly Waddell of Jefferson, NC and Leanna Harlan of Nottingham; and two brothers, Douglas Sheets and Frank Sheets both of Jefferson, NC.

She was preceded in death by one grandson, Stephen John Bare; one sister, Raychella Bennett; and three brothers, Willard, Richard and Donald Sheets.

A life celebration took place on April 1 at Christ Church at the Grove, Landenberg.

Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Stephen J. Bare Scholarship Fund, c/o Fulton Bank, 861 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA 19390 or in person at any Fulton Bank branch.

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

Elizabeth D. Brandenberger
Elizabeth D. Brandenberger, 81, of Nottingham, passed away on March 25, 2024 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of the late Alfred B. Brandenberger, Jr.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Delbert and Fannie Grey Allen.

Elizabeth was retired from the Maryland Transportation Authority after 30 years of service.

She enjoyed bird-watching, doing word searches, and sending cards. She loved animals, especially dogs. Elizabeth loved spending time with her grandchildren and friends.

She is survived by two sons, Daniel Brandenberger and his wife, Sandie of Carlisle and Steven Brandenberger and his wife, Kelli of Drumore, four grandchildren, Craig, Scott, Alta and Benjamin, one great-granddaughter, Harper, one brother, James R. Allen of Nottingham, and one sister, Cynthia Brigandi of Dover, Del.

A graveside service was held on  April 2 at the Oxford Cemetery.

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

Charles L. Gallagher
Charles “Charlie” L. Gallagher, 75, of Oxford, passed away March 26, 2024 with his devoted family by his side.  

Born in West Grove Hospital to W. Milton Gallagher Sr. and Helen Margaret Baker; he is survived by his wife, Darlene Roland Gallagher, brother Walter M. Gallagher Jr. of Kirkwood, Pa., sons Benjamin Sean (Amanda) and Joshua Charles (Amy), and grandchildren Liam, Moira, Cillian, Jamie and Brigid.

A lifelong resident of the Oxford area, Charlie was a familiar sight in town as a walking mailman and as a dog walker to his best friend, Bogey. He loved a hard roll sub from Tony’s, cheeseburger and gravy fries from the Varsity Grille or cherry milk from Heron’s.  He could be found any summer day at Bicknell’s pool, any dance at the school gym, or the latest movie at the Oak theater.  

Charlie graduated from Oxford Area High School in 1966 and then, in 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served in Vietnam as a radio operator with the 101st Airborne Division. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a 50-year club member of the Union Fire Company.

Charlie had many hobbies and he was an avid record collector. He photographed over 200 weddings. He loved Philly sports, golf, and vacations in Myrtle Beach. After retirement, he could be found on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, an art museum in Europe or a casino in Las Vegas.  Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dublin, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Istanbul, and Havana were some of the places Charlie visited. He wanted to see it all but just ran out of time.

Nothing was more important to Charlie than family. He loved his wife, his boys, and his grandchildren.

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.  

Mitchell Raymond Otho Bacot
Beloved Mitchell Raymond Otho Bacot passed away onward to his Home and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Pi Day, March 14, 2024. This is fitting, since he was a math instructor, and pi is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.

Mitchell was 42, and just six days shy of his 43rd birthday, on the day that he passed. He was “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).  He was a son and grandson, a brother, nephew, husband, father, and friend to many. His identity was as a child of God first, and it remains so, for eternity. 

He was born in Bryn Mawr, Pa. on March 20, 1981 to Karen Diane and Randy Ray Bacot.  

Mitchell grew up in Landenberg and attended the Avon Grove schools.

His legacy lives on through his family, which includes his wife, Jenamarie, and children, Abishai, (age 15), Micah (13), Hezekiah (12), Shiloh (9), Joah (7) and Ezra (4). He is also survived by his mother, Karen; his sisters, Amber (Scott) Fitzgerald, Carly (Nathan) Bear; his nieces, Jordan, Scarlett, Saige, Hannah, Whitney and Brooklyn; his nephews, Austin, Finian, Liam and Jacob; his grandparents, Rosemarie “Nana” Onley, Nancy “Mammaw” Bacot, and Julian Bacot; many uncles and aunts and cousins; and the family dog, Snowy.

He is preceded by his father, Randy and grandfather, Wendell Onley. 

A celebration of life will be held  at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Anchor Christian Church at 375 Beaver Road in Rochester, NY. A reception will follow. For those who cannot attend, the service will be live-streamed. Please visit anchorchristian.org for further information. Because of the small size of the sanctuary, it is humbly and respectfully asked that priority be given to family members and wheelchair users. Once the sanctuary is full, you may be escorted to rooms close by in the church building that will have the event live-streamed on a TV.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF.org), and earmark your donation to “NF2 research/clinical trial” in Mitchell’s memory.  

The family asks that, as a gift to those who knew and loved him, between now and the service, you would consider taking some time to write about your story with Mitchell and include a picture (or a few!) and bring it to the service. There will be a designated box for the stories and photos or you can email your story to [email protected]. Your story, and the stories of many others, will be put together to become Beloved Mitchell’s legacy book.  If you have already sent your story, it is kindly requested that you send it again using the gmail address above. Mitchell’s children are young, and your stories will allow them to know and remember their beautiful father.  

Kenneth E. Spiess Jr.
Kenneth Earl Spiess, Jr., of Lincoln University, Pa., passed away on March 20, 2024, at Riddle Hospital in Media, Pa. He was 71.

Born in Lancaster, Pa., he was the son of the late Kenneth E. Spiess Sr. and the late Rose Marie (Schaller) Spiess.  

Kenn was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Masonic Lodge of Lafayette #14 of Wilmington, Del. He was a member of Nur Shrine. Kenn was a past director of Royal Order of Jesters #164. 

Kenn worked his whole career for Acme Markets in a variety of capacities.  He worked in the bakery department and as a store manager, produce manager, and frozen food manager.   

Kenn was kind and loving, and he was always known to be the life of the party. He will be remembered for his love of spending time with his family and friends, cooking, music, going to concerts, skiing, vodka, softball, and watching his favorite Philadelphia sports teams, the Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles. He will be missed for his sense of humor and delicious spareribs.  

Kenn is survived by four sons, Greg Spiess (Sasha) of Kennett Square, Andrew Spiess (Kelly) of Claymont, Del., Brad Spiess of Wilmington, Del. and John Porto (Danielle) of Oxford, and one daughter, Mary Silva (Bryan) of New Freedom, Pa. Also surviving are a brother, Brian Spiess (Susanne) of Claymont, Del., 13 grandchildren, Aalyna, Haylie, Drew, Vincent, Jayla, Nicholas, Sienna, Caleb, Gemma, Mason, Aiden, Benjamin, and Karmina, and two nieces Heather Spiess and Isabella Spiess.  

Kenn was predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (Murtha) Spiess, with whom he shared 27 years of marriage, and a grandson, John Porto Jr. 

You are invited to visit with Kenn’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5 at First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 West State Street, Kennett Square. His service will follow at 11 a.m.  Interment will be held privately. 

Contributions in his memory may be made online to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or checks can be mailed to Shriners Children's, Attn:  Shriners Children's, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. 

Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  

To view Kenn's online tribute, and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Florence K. Franz
Florence “Kammy” (Kahmar) Franz, age 81, of Kennett Square, passed away on March 21, 2024. 

She was the spouse of George Franz, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. 

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late George Kahmar and Edith (Austin) Kahmar.  

Kammy graduated from Haverford High School in 1960 and Muhlenberg College in 1964. She taught in the Nether Providence School District, earning her master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Once the children were born, her focus was on being a wife and mother for several years until returning to substitute teaching at the middle and high schools of Kennett Consolidated and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts.

Service and community tied to education were at the core of Kammy’s life—from serving on the Chadds Ford Elementary PTO to being elected to the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District School Board, to the West Chester Adult Night School board to teaching the new members and Luther 101 class at St. Michael’s Lutheran church for years—her passion for education never waned.  She was also active with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, serving as Chief Cookie for the Girl Scout cookie’s sales for many years.

The highlight of her year, every year, was the two weeks spent in Ocean City, NJ, with the “Beach Bunch,” now encompassing three generations. Sitting in their umbrella grove, solving all the world's problems while planning their annual Shrimp Feast is what gave her incredible joy.

Kammy’s faith was integral to her life, as she and George were members of St. Michael’s from the initial location on South Broad Street in Kennett Square, to helping the congregation move to its current location on Doe Run Road.  She served on every committee and every role during her time there—Church Council President, Call Committee, Worship and Music Committee and many more, and was a faithful member of the choir for many years.  Her greatest impact may have been her role as a Caring Shepherd, where her unique approach was deeply appreciated by her flock.

Kammy was small in stature but she was truly larger than life. She was opinionated and willful and everyone knew where they stood in her eyes.  She loved to laugh and her cackle was infectious.  She was most proud of her three grandchildren and never shied away from telling people all about them.  Kammy lost the love of her life, George, in 2020 and both will be memorialized together.  

Kammy is survived by her son, David Franz (Melanie), of Tucson, Arizona, daughter Wendy Fox (Keith), of Whitehall, Pa., and three grandchildren, Branden Franz, Kendra Fox, and Elijah Fox.

You are invited to visit with Kammy (and George’s) family and friends on May 25, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 109 East Doe Run Road, Unionville. A memorial service for Kammy and her late husband, George, will follow at 11 a.m, luncheon to follow.   Interment will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be made to the George W. Franz Advising and Mentoring Award at Penn State Brandywine or the Franz-Kahmar Scholarship at Penn State Brandywine, 25 Yearsley Mill Road, Media, PA 19063.

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. 

To view Florence’s (Kammy's) online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.