J. VICTOR BARR

J. Victor Barr, 88, of New Providence, Pa., formerly of Oxford and Rising Sun, Md., passed away peacefully Sept. 17 at the Coatesville VA Hospice.

He was the husband of Sandra A. Lloyd Barr. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late C. Melville and Esther Haverstick Barr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War. He owned and operated the Barr Motor Company Chrysler dealership in Oxford from 1955 to 1993. Vic attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lancaster. He was a life member of the American Legion Mason Dixon Post No. 194 in Rising Sun, Md., Oxford Lodge No. 353 F.&A.M. Rajah Shriners in Reading, and was past president and member of the Oxford Lions Club. He enjoyed golf and was a founding member of Chantilly Country Club in Rising Sun, Md. Vic followed college basketball and especially loved his grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Vic was a loving and devoted family man and is survived by his wife; one son, J. Timothy Barr (Jeannie) of Annapolis, Md.; two daughters, Vicki Wood (Robert) of Colorado, and Lynne A. Leed (Robert) of New Providence; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Schreiber Pediatric Center, 625 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

IRENE HECK

Irene Heck, 87, recently of Kirkwood, Pa., went to be with her husband on Sept. 16.

She was the wife of the late Irvin Heck. Born in Ashe County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Webster and Lula Sapp Roten. Irene and her late husband owned and operated Heck’s Garage in Nottingham. She was a member of the Slumbering Ground Hog Lodge. She loved living in the mountains, and taking care of momma bears and her cubs.

She is survived by sisters, Ruby Roten Absher and Vernie Roten Blevin, both of North Carolina; half-sister, Shirley Pierce (Larry) of North Carolina; half-brother, Russell Roten (Yutako) of California; nephews, Ted Roten (Cathy), Justin Pierce, both of North Carolina, and Bill Roten of Pennsylvania; nieces, Tara Muchini (Obrine), Allyson Lawless (Zach), all of North Carolina, Debbie Wright Neff of Quarryville, and Michelle Reeves of Kirkwood; and many more nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Vance Roten, Don Roten and infant Baby Roten; and niece, Barbara Wright.

A graveside service was held in North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mt. Joy Hospice, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17604; or Wakefield Ambulance, PO Box 86 Peach Bottom, PA 17563. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JOHN C. ESHELMAN

John Curtis Eshelman, 57, of Oxford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sept. 15 at Chester County Hospital.

He was the husband of Susan C. Reese Eshelman. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Patricia Weinberg Eshelman of Gordonville and the late John B. Eshelman. He enjoyed antique tractor shows. John was a hardworking man who enjoyed helping others. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife; mother; three children, Jason Eshelman (Stephanie), Dana Rockwell (Jon), all of Oxford, and Laura Eshelman (Sistillio Po) of Elkton, Md.; five grandchildren, Nathanyel, Alexis, Abigal, Aubree and Jayce; brother-in-law and best friend, Bob Reese of Florida; and two nephews, Daniel and Nicholas Reese, both of Delaware. He was predeceased by his sister, Sandra Eshelman McCoy.

A memorial service was held Sept. 24. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pet Rescue, 1499 Flint Hill Rd., Landenberg, PA 19350; or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MIKE MURPHY

Mike Murphy, 54, of Kennett Square, passed away on Sept. 19 in Ocean City, Md..

He was the husband of Janet Inglis Murphy, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was the son of Donna Deveney Murphy of West Chester, and the late Harry W. Murphy. He was a 1979 graduate of Unionville High School. Mike was a truck driver at A. Duie Pyle, Inc., for the past 31 years. He was an avid NASCAR fan, he enjoyed farming, had a passion for animals, driving his truck, ATV riding, helping others, traveling with his family and hanging with his friends. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, and the Italian American Citizens League in Kennett Square.

In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two sons, Christopher James Murphy and his wife Stephanie of Kennett Square, and Justin Lewis Murphy of Kennett Square; one brother, Mark R. Murphy and his wife Roseann of West Chester; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard W. and Jean Inglis of Kennett Square; one nephew, Ryan Murphy; and one niece, Kristen Murphy.

A funeral was held Sept. 26. Burial was in Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery in West Chester. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to The Humane Society of the United States, Dept. HACDQ100904001, 2001 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; or to the Friends of Scouting, 504 S. Concord Road, West Chester, PA 19382. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

MARY DOUGHERTY TWADDELL

Mary Dougherty Twaddell, 88, of West Grove, died on Sept. 20 at the Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was the wife of Raymond Twaddell, with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born in Kingston, Pa., she was a daughter of the late James C. and the late Grace E. (Gallagher) Dougherty. Mary was a longtime member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church, where she participated in many prayer groups. For many years, she was manager of Walden Books at Granite Run Mall. Most of all, Mary enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband, one son, Timothy Leonard (Michele) of St .Johns Fla.; one daughter, Judy Cunha of Newark, Del.; two stepsons, Raymond Twaddell (Ruth) and Jerry Twaddell (Mary), both of Newark Del.; one stepdaughter, Sharon Walraven (Harry) of Chester County; one sister, Patricia Bruggeman of Glen Mills; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one son, James R. Leonard.

A mass of Christian burial was held Sept. 23. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Grove. Contributions in her memory may be made to the church at 300 State Rd., West Grove, PA 19390. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

IRENE J. MEREDITH

Irene J. Meredith, 71, of West Grove, formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on Sept. 23 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late William and Jane Allaband Meredith. Irene was employed with Kennett High School as a French teacher and retired after a lifetime of service. She received her master’s degree in French from Millersville University. She was highly involved in high-school theatre productions and Barley Sheaf Players. She enjoyed taking her class on trips to France. Irene loved anything French, teaching, children, her cats and all animals.

She is survived by one nephew, William Skibinski; and one niece, Samantha Meredith Bhujel. She was predeceased by a brother, William Meredith; and sister, Elizabeth Meredith.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.