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.

Donald P. Schneider, Jr.
Donald P. Schneider, Jr., of Elkton, Md. and formerly of Oxford, passed away at home on March 31, 2024. He was 74.

He was the husband of Thelma Campbell Schneider.

Born in Lancaster, Pa., he was the son of the late Donald P., Sr., and Lily Steudler Schneider.

Donald was a member of Waterway Church, Oxford.

He enjoyed playing guitar, music and writing.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Joshua Paul Schneider (Amber), three grandchildren, Logan, Oliver and Slade, two brothers, Richard Schneider and Timothy Schneider, and one sister, Mari Cote.

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 W. Hughes, Jr.
John (Jack) W. Hughes, Jr., of West Grove, and formerly of Ocean City, NJ, passed away on March 28, 2024 at Jenner’s Pond in West Grove. He was 94.

He was the husband of the late Jane Nelson Hughes.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John W. Sr., and Dorothy Hoffman Hughes.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

John was employed with DuPont for 32 years as an international sales manager until he retired in 1985.

He enjoyed fishing, painting, golf and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by three sons, John W. Hughes, III (Mary) of Oxford, Richard Hughes (Beverly) of Newark, Del. and David Hughes (Carol) of Oxford, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard (Dick) Hughes.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. at 86 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Willow Tree Hospice. Please make checks payable to Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

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

J. Louise Reece May
J. Louise Reece May, 85, of Nottingham, passed away on April 1, 2024. 

She was born in Trade, Tenn. on March 20, 1939 to the late Oscar and Maude Reece.

She was what she called herself— “a hillbilly”— and she loved to work in her garden and flower beds before her health prevented her from doing so. She was very proud to say that she was able to cook and feed the residents of Ware Presbyterian Home for over 30 years. 

She always had an open door when her boys would bring home extra mouths to feed. Her family was everything to her.

Louise is survived by her three sons, David May and his wife, Shirley, Joseph May and his wife, Lisa, and Stephen May and his wife, Claire, 10 grandchildren, David May, Jr., Shannon Alexander, Stephen May, Cassidi Neff, McKenzie Speed, Kayla Falls, Kyle May, Brittney Carrigan, Danny Beggs and Jamie Sampson, and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Robert and Lynn Reece, three sisters, Faye Warren, Virginia Oliver and Becky Wilson, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Louise is preceded in death by her husband, Arvelle May, son, Michael May, granddaughter, Dana May, great-grandson, Mikie May, sisters, Paulene Johnson, Emogene Miller, and brother, Freddie Reece.

Funeral services were held on April 6 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Nottingham Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.

James Robert Carr, Jr.
James Robert Carr, Jr., of Cochranville, passed away on April 3, 2024 at Christiana Care in Newark, Del. He was 79.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late James Robert, Sr. and Julia Corum Carr.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served in the Vietnam War.

He was self-employed and owned his own trucking company for many years. 

James enjoyed playing poker and hosting parties at his home for family and friends. He loved life.

He is survived by his five siblings, Judith Haughton of Little Britain, Pa., Richard Carr (Mary Lou Mann of Parkesburg, Michael Carr of New Holland, Jerry Carr (Barbara Ann Jennings) of Nottingham and Nancy Carr Hohl (David) of Cochranville, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one nephew, Roger Duvall and niece, Amy Carr.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the funeral home to offset funeral cost. 

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

Ruth M. Ryan
Ruth M. Ryan, age 96, of West Grove, passed away at her residence on March 28, 2024. She was the wife of Bernard L. Ryan, who passed away in 2008, and with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late William L. Medford and the late Emma Seelig Medford. She grew up in Swarthmore, Pa. and later moved to the farm on Valley Road in West Grove. There, she enjoyed the rural life, which included some hard work and a lot of driving—she drove children to school and events.

She was a member of the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, the Seedlings Garden Club and was a member of the Kennett Golf and Country Club since 1955. She enjoyed being an active member of the community.

Ruth is survived by one daughter, Joan Ryan Romick and her husband Brent of Yampa, Colo., two sons, Michael L. Ryan and wife Melissa of West Grove, and Robert W. Ryan and his wife Susan of Hingham, MA, and one brother, Dr. Willam L. Medford, Jr. of Wilmington, Del. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by one sister, Joan Pontius, and by one granddaughter.

Ruth was a loving mother and wife. She enjoyed traveling and being with family and friends. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. Her family will never forget her chocolate cakes, freezing massive amounts of sweet corn and the lovely pies.

Her service and burial will be held privately.

 In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Jenner’s Pond Residents’ Council Fund.

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

Mary Frances May
Mary Frances May, of Newark, Del., passed away on March 29, 2024 at Churchman’s Village. She was 86.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Brackbill and the late Mary Deeny Baer.

Mary was a retail clerk at the Dress Barn in Wilmington, Del. for 10 years. She retired in 2002.

Mary enjoyed music, singing, and dancing whenever she could. She also enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by one son, Mark Brackbill and his wife Linda of Banner Elk, NC, one sister, Berti Smythe of Sarasota, Fla., one grandchild, Amanda Seagraves and her husband James, and two great grandchildren, Hadley and Sawyer.

A service in celebration of her life will be held later this summer.

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.