HEDWIG JANKOWSKI MASCIANTONIO

Hedwig Jankowski Masciantonio, 94, of Chadds Ford, died on Dec. 4 at Pocopson Home in West Chester.

She was the wife of the late John P. Masciantonio, who died in 2001, and with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late John and the late Martha (Gawinska) Jankowski. Hedy devoted untiring love and energy to the care and upbringing of her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Cross and her husband Robert of Landenberg, and Marie Masciantonio of Glen Mills; her son, David Masciantonio of Hamburg, Pa.; and four grandchildren, Emily Link and her husband Philip of Wilmington, Anthony Cross of Columbia, Md., and Anna and Elizabeth Masciantonio, both of Glen Mills.

Hedy lived a life of unwavering faith and selfless service to God and church. She was one of the founding mothers of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Chadds Ford, helping the parish grow from its earliest years into a flourishing spiritual community. Among her many parish activities, she was past president of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality.

A funeral was held Dec. 9. Interment was in All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington. Contributions in Hedy's memory may be made to Special Olympics Delaware, 619 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

DENISE F. MILLER

Denise F. Miller, 58, of Lincoln University, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 5 in her home, after a long battle with cancer.

Denise was born in 1958 and grew up in Kennett Square, a daughter of a Kennett Square mushroom grower and her mother who hailed from Naples, Italy. She graduated from Kennett High School in 1975 and went on to hold many jobs, one of which was her 33 years spent working at Unionville Chadds-Ford School District. In that time, she met and married the love of her life, John Miller, whom she shared 35 years of happy marriage and two children, Cassandra and Seana. Denise enjoyed spending time with her family, weaving baskets, music, painting, her faith, the beach and her beloved fur babies. She also enjoyed cooking and baking with her treasured mother-in-law, Katherine.

She is survived by her husband, John Miller; and her daughters Cassandra Neill and her husband Spencer Neill, and Seana Miller and her partner, Sean Henry; as well as her sisters Anna D. Cline, Maria D. Hamilton and her husband Warner Hamilton; and her brother Louis F. DiBartolomeo, Jr. She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Irache DiBartolomeo; her father, Louis DiBartolomeo; and her sisters, Delores A. DiBartolomeo, Nancy L. Taylor and Elvera “Vera” Taylor.

A funeral was held Dec. 13. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ROBERT W. HAUBERT

Robert W. Haubert of Kennett Square, formerly of Clarks Green, Pa., passed away after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease on Dec. 6 at the age of 80.

Born and raised in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, N.Y., he was the son of the late Agnes and William Haubert. Bob graduated from Saint Simon Stock High School, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years. Bob was a beer salesman, beer sales manager and ultimately a beer sales consultant with the F.&M. Schaefer Brewing Company, the Stroh Brewery Company and the Banko Beverage Company. He loved spending time with his family and friends and always enjoyed a party, especially when there were a few Irish songs to be sung.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Veronica; his sister Susan M. Haubert; his brother William J. Haubert and wife Jane B. Haubert; his son James M. Haubert and wife Susan Nickel; his daughter Katherine E. Heuring and husband Kevin Heuring; his son William J. Haubert and wife Noreen C. Haubert; grandchildren Connor, Graham, Patrick and Brendan Haubert; and many other friends and family.

A mass of Christian burial was held Dec. 17. Burial with U.S.M.C. honors was in St. Patrick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or the charity of your choice.

WILLIAM E. JARRETT

William Edwin Jarrett, formerly of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 5 at Brandywine Hall in West Chester. He was 86 years old.

Born in Turbotville, Pa., he was the son of the late Fred Jarrett and the late Cleora Phillips Jarrett. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged. In his working career, he was the former CFO of Sun Ship. Years earlier, Bill worked for Pennsylvania Ship and Metro Machine Corporation.

He was the beloved husband of the late Dolores Ann Foresman Jarrett, who died in 2011; father of Douglas William Jarrett, Amy Jarrett Burke, the late Beth Ann Jarrett DeVitis and Meg Jarrett LaSpina; grandfather of Nicholas Paul DeFeo, Alexandra Flora DeFeo, Anthony William LaSpina, Krista Anna LaSpina; great-grandfather of Michah Alexander Toles; brother of Earle Jarrett, the late Richard Jarrett, Robert Jarrett, Barbara Jarrett, Paul Jarrett, Cathleen Jarrett McCowan and Charles Jarrett.

A funeral service was held Dec. 8. Burial with Air Force military honors was in Edgewood Memorial Park. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org/donate).

JEANE WILSON STANLEY

Jeane Wilson Stanley, 93, died on Dec. 6 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford, where she had lived since 2000.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert K. Stanley; and parents, Howard and Mamie Wilson of Charlotte, N.C.; and sister, Shirley Hasty of Winston-Salem, N.C. She is survived by her sister, Midgie Brawley; brother, Mickey Wilson of Charlotte, N.C.; and brother, Buddy Wilson of Simpsonville, N.C.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Burial will be in Charlotte, N.C. at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ANTHONY J. PANNELL, JR.

Anthony “Skip” J. Pannell, Jr., 76, of Kennett Square, died on Dec. 11 at his home in Kennett Square.  

Born in West Grove, he was a son of the late Anthony J. and the late Millie (Ruggieri) Pannell Sr. He graduated from Kennett High School in 1958. Skip worked in the mushroom industry his entire life, working with his father and brother, and for the past 20 years with his son as co-owner of Hillcrest Farms in Toughkenamon.  He was past president of the American Mushroom Institute. He enjoyed skiing, swimming and driving his Corvette.  He was a private pilot and black belt in Karate.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 Survivors include one son, Anthony Pannell III (Kim) of Kennett; two daughters, Robyn Welsh (Scottie) of West Grove and Anita Snow (John) of Kennett; one brother, Tommy Pannell (Mary) of Avondale; two sisters, Dorothy Mehl of Avondale and Sally Stier (Kenny) of Landenberg; 14 grandchildren, Andria, Joey, Jackie, Sean, Nicci, Johnny, Dallas, Kati, Jake, Michayla, Cheyenne, Colton, Rebecca and Caileen; and three great-grandchildren, Logan, Emmi and Elaina.  

 A visitation with family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square).  A service celebrating his life will follow at 7 p.m. Interment will be held privately.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com. 

 

MELBA VIOLA BUTLER

Melba Viola Butler, 80, of Oxford, went home to the Lord, and with her brother and sisters, on Dec. 5.

Born in Gary, W.Va., she was the eighth of 10 children of the late Goldie and Rachel Bowers Gunn. After graduating high school, she joined the U.S. Army in 1958. While serving four years in the army, she married Robert Butler and traveled to many different places. During the 1970s and 1980s, Melba was employed as a personal secretary for President Nixon, President Carter, President Reagan and President Bush. She retired from Coatesville VA Hospital. She was a strong proud woman and would always make sure her children and grandchildren always had everything they needed.

She is survived by her three sons, Xavier Butler, Jeffery Butler and Paul Butler; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Lanora Edwards and Revella Banks. She was preceded in death by seven siblings.

A Home Going Service will be held at noon on Dec. 17 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 11 a.m. to noon. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 42 S. 5th St., Oxford PA, 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MICHAEL A. TUSCANO

Michael Angelo Tuscano, 68, of Kennett Square, died peacefully at home on Dec. 11.

Born in Newark, N.J., he was a son of the late Angelo and Grace (Ferraro) Tuscano. Michael served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and was recently awarded the Purple Heart by Vice President Joe Biden for injuries sustained during that time. He was very proud of his service and was grateful to finally receive his Purple Heart so many years later. He was a vice president of Sharp Electronics Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 2007. He loved the game of golf and was a member of Kennett Square Golf and Country Club, where he enjoyed many close friendships. Formerly, he was a member of Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, Ill.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle Spencer; his beloved daughter, Leah Tuscano of Los Angeles Calif.; his “French daughter” Celine Benevelli (Matthieu Buchet) and her sons Julien and Paul; three brothers, Robert Tuscano (Marian) of Arizona, Frank Tuscano (Carol) of New Jersey, and Thomas Tuscano of New Jersey; one sister, Angela Antonio (Pat) of New Jersey; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Cleo Tuscano.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club (100 E. Locust Lane, Kennett Square. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square PA 19348; or donations in honor of Michael Tuscano can be made to support the cancer research of Dr. Emmanuel Antonarakis at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Gifts can be made out to the Johns Hopkins University and sent to: The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 East Pratt Street, 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, or at www.hopkinscancerresearch.org. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.