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Chester County Press

Obituaries

06/19/2013 08:53PM ● By Acl

GRACE O. MAHALA

Grace O. Hahala, 84, of Landenberg, passed away on June 9 at the Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

Born in Abingdon, Va., she was the daughter of the late Gilmer and Bessie Lowe Mann. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and her pets.

She is survived by five sons, Gus Mahala and his wife Susan of Marion, Va., J.C. Mahala of Chatham, Pa., Billy Dean Mahala and his wife Janet of Elkton, Md., Joseph Mahala and his wife Kelly of Landenberg, and Daniel Mahala and his wife Candena of Landenberg; two daughters, Joanne Kennedy of Landenberg, and Linda Nields of Jennersville; one brother, Gilmer Mann of Abingdon, Va.; one sister, Sue Mann of Bristol, Va.; 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one brother, Richard Mann; and two sisters, Mamie Mann and Hazel Lowe Mann. 
A funeral was held June 15. Burial was in Kemblesville United Methodist Church Cemetery. In memory of Grace, a contribution may be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

JONES  CARL  WYATT 

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Jones Carl Wyatt, 88, a  resident of Geismar, La.,  and formerly of West Grove, passed away on June 11.

A native of Crumpler, N.C., he was the son of the late Walter and Ethel Wyatt.  He  served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army as a Technician 4th grade, Code 5 Sergeant. He was a foreman with Lukens Steel Company, retiring  after 40 years of service. He loved his grandchildren and his roses.  He was a 50-plus year member of the New London Masonic Lodge No. 545, and lifetime member of the VFW Post 3693. 

At an early age, he began working in the rose fields near West Grove. His family was involved in the mushroom industry, where he worked. Throughout his life, he raised and trained German Shorthair Pointers while enjoying pheasant hunting and deer hunting, served as a Boy Scout leader for the Avondale troop, and was a dedicated instructor for the Pennsylvania Hunters Safety Course.

He is survived by his four daughters, Jo Ann Hullum and husband Ted of Geismar, La.; Jena Lee Cavanagh and husband Steve of Thorndale; Janette Andrews of West Grove; and Mary Virginia Riley and husband Russ of Nottingham, Pa. His grandchildren are Jennifer Hullum, John Novotny Jr., Jason Andrews, Mikel Novotny, Michele Hernandez and husband Stephen, David Andrews, Emily Cavanagh and Justin Cavanagh.

A funeral was held June 17. Burial was at New London Presbyterian Cemetery.

LOUIS FULDA GUILLERMIN

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Air Force Major Louis Fulda Guillermin, 25, of  West Chester, was killed in action on April 30, 1968 while bravely serving in the Vietnam War. Major Guillermin and one other crew member were aboard an A-26A Invader aircraft that crashed. After 45 years, Major Guillermin's remains were identified and his family was notified.

Born in West Chester, Pa., he was the son of the late Wister and Myrtle Booker Guillermin. He was a graduate of West Chester University. The Louis F. Guillermin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 436, Phoenixville, was named in his honor. 

He is survived by five first cousins, Christian Guillermin, Kenneth Guillermin, Lois Cugnini, James E. Hawkins and Doris Hood, and numerous other cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment with full military honors will be in Glenwood Memorial Cemetery, Broomall. A group interment will also be in Arlington Cemetery, representing both crew members killed in the accident. The date and time has not been determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Major Louis Guillermin Chester County Chapter 436 Vietnam Veterans of America, P.O. Box 189, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

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

CLARA R. FOX

Clara R. Fox, 82, of Kelton, left us on June 14 after a long life helping others.

She was the wife of Donald L. Fox, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. During her working years, she was a lab assistant, a retail clerk, a teacher's aide with Chester County Intermediate Unit, a rural mail carrier, and a visiting home care nurse. She was active in Brownie Scouts and Girl Scouts, girls' softball, Avon-Grove Middle School PTA, and was a champion bowler in tournaments in many states and Canada, winning many trophies. She visited many places in England and Europe as a guest of her daughter and her son-in-law, George DeShields. She enjoyed making quilts and sewing for her family members.

She is survived by four daughters, Lynn Blake of Avondale, Susan Jones of West Grove, Barbara DeShields of Florida, and Amy Scott of North Carolina; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Arnold Reeves. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Nora Dixon.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 at New London Missionary Baptist Church (226 Pennocks Bridge Rd., West Grove), where friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m.  Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Brandywine River Valley Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363. The family thanks Brandywine River Valley Hospice for enabling Clara to spend her last days at home.

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

CECILLE M. SHOEMAKER 

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Cecille M. Shoemaker, 95, of Oxford, passed away June 14 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.  
She was the wife of the late Justin Shoemaker. Born in Nottingham, she was the daughter of the late Byron and Olive Wilson Wells. She was employed with the Oxford Locker and the Post House Restaurant, and was also a caregiver. She was a member of St Christopher's Episcopal Church, Oxford, where she was past president and treasurer of the ECW. Many friends will remember her home-cooked chicken pot pie and corn soup she prepared for the church. She was a member of the Friends of Nottingham Park, where she manned the food wagon. She was active in many clean-up days in Nottingham, and squaredanced into her 80s at the Fulton and Russellville granges. She enjoyed helping make Easter eggs at the Oxford United Methodist Church.  
She is survived by one son, Alonzo B. Shoemaker and his wife Carole of Oxford; two grandchildren, Robin Wink and husband Dan, Alonzo B. Shoemaker, Jr. and wife Megan; eight great-grandchildren, Christen McFadden, Christina Hash, Angela Snader, Alonzo B. III, Noah, Carley, Zebediah and Ruby Shoemaker; and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, James Wells. 
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. June 18 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends may call from 10 tp 11 a.m. Interment will be in Little Britain Cemetery, Peach Bottom.  
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Autism Society of America, 18 Watkin Ave., Chadds Ford, PA 19317.  
Online condolences may be made at 
www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BEATRICE  M.  MESSIMER

Beatrice M. Messimer, 89, of Lincoln University, passed away on June 14 at the Masonic Home in Wilmington, Del.

She was the wife of Leonard Messimer, who passed away in 1993, and with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Lincoln University, she was the daughter of the late John C. Massey, Sr. and Helen Smith Massey. She was a seamstress and worked for many years at the West Grove Knitting Mill.

She is survived by one sister, Kathryn I. Matson of Oxford; one brother, Robert A. Massey of West Grove; four nieces and one nephew. She was predeceased by one brother, John C. Massey, Jr.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on June  21 at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). Her funeral service will  follow at noon. Burial will be Oxford Cemetery.

In memory of Bea, a contribution may be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

MARY WEIGAND

Mary Weigand, 103, of Oxford, formerly of Delaware County, Pa., passed away June 15 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Francis J. Weigand. Born in Ramey, Pa., she was the last surviving of ten children.

She is survived by one daughter, Marian Hughes of Kennett Square; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by a son, Charles Weigand.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 20 at Ware Presbyterian Village (7 E. Locust St., Oxford), where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, Pa.

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

NORA B. JONES

Nora B. Jones, 81, of West Grove, passed away June 14 at Heartland Hospice, Wilmington, Del.

She was the wife of Carl J. Jones, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Mt. City, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Etha Dishman Stout. She was formerly employed with the Longwood Inn in Kennett Square. She enjoyed collecting dolls and glassware.

She is survived by her husband; one son, Carl R. Jones and his wife Sharon of Oxford; one daughter, Doris Holbrook of West Grove; five grandchildren, Jennifer Dunham and her husband Paul, Vannessa Risser, Michael Holbrook, Elise Frey and her husband Brad, and David Holbrook; and one step-grandchild, Natalie Barroso and her husband Tony; five great-grandchildren, Connor Dunham, Alexandria Dunham, Dalton Risser, Carlee Risser, Hannah Holbrook; one step-great-grandchild, Chloe Barroso; two brothers, Clyde Stout and his wife Shelby, and Herman Stout and his wife Ruby, all of Mt. City, Tenn.; and a sister, Ruth Dowell of Mt. City , Tenn.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 20, at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville, Pike, West Chester, PA 19380; or Large Animal Protection Society, PO Box 243, West Grove, PA 19390.

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