KARL KUERNER, JR.

Karl Kuerner, Jr., 91, of Chadds Ford, passed away on Feb. 13.
He was born in Chadds Ford to the late Karl, Sr., and Anna Kuerner. Growing up on his parents' farm, he followed in his father's footsteps and farmed his entire life. One time he was asked what he would have done with his life other than farming, he responded, "Farming is all I knew and all I ever wanted to do.” In 1998, he and his son approached the Brandywine Museum and Conservancy about donating the family farm. He loved that idea and to see the property preserved was his greatest gift in life. Karl was a member of the Brandywine Baptist Church and Brandywine River Museum of Art.

Survived by his son, Karl J. Kuerner; two sisters; a nephew, Phillip Edwards of Jennersville; and niece Catherine Stevens of Tennessee.
At the request of the family, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Brandywine Museum of Art, specifically for the Kuerner Farm. For online condolences, please visit www.Chandlerfuneralhome.com.

ROSETTA C. TOBIA

Rosetta C. Tobia, 75, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully at her residence, under the loving care of her husband and hospice nurse, on Feb. 8.

She was the wife of Dr. Louis A. Tobia, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Naples, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Ernesto Carcaise and the late Rosalie Mocherino Carcaise. Rosetta emigrated to America with her mother in 1947. She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. She was a receptionist /secretary at the Unionville Chadds Ford School District, retiring in 2008 after 28 years of service. Rosetta was all about family and friends, and will be deeply missed by all.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Sheri Ott and her husband Raymond of Dover, Del., and Kathleen Carmody and her husband Brian of Chadds Ford; five grandchildren; and one sister, Edda Jackson and her son Kevin Jackson of Clairton, Pa.

A funeral mass was held Feb. 15. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com. In memory of Rosetta, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

DORIS A. PERICLES

Doris A. Pericles, 91, of Media, passed away on Feb. 11 at Lima Estates.

She was the wife of James Pericles, with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. Born in Atco, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Lawrence W. Pyle and the late Nellie Goodwin Pyle. Doris was a Registered Nurse, working for various area hospitals. She retired in 1980 after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Middletown Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and being with her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, James S. Pericles and his wife Joann of Bel Air, Md.; one daughter, Diane Poff and her husband Don of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Donn Pyle of Media, Pa.; one sister, June Kozak of Lima; and four grandchildren.

Her services and burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HOWARD F. RHODEWALT

Howard Frederick “Fred” Rhodewalt, 98, passed on in Paradise, Calif., on Feb. 4 after a short illness.

Fred was born in 1919 to Howard and Florence Rhodewalt in Cornog, Pa. He grew up and went to school in Oxford, Pa. During the late 1930s he worked for Bitunimous Paving Company of West Chester. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served aboard the U.S.S. Idaho during the bombardment of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, plus several bombardments in Gen. MacArthur’s troop landings from New Guinea to the final liberation of the Philippine Islands. Fred returned to the U.S. after the war in l946 to marry his beloved Lillian “Peggy” Cornell. He retired from the Navy after 20 years and accepted a job with the National Weather Service in San Francisco. He retired from the Weather Bureau in 1974 and he and Peggy moved to Paradise, Calif. They enjoyed their retirement years, fishing and traveling. He was also active in the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is srvived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Rhodewalt Hardy; nieces Cathy Rhodewalt Strubel, Elaine Rhodewalt, Karen Rhodewalt Olivieri, Judith (William) Henning, Patty Mengel and Barbara Radswillas; nephews Stephen (Lynne) Rhodewalt, Scott Rhodewalt and Donald Rhodewalt; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A private inurnment at Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, Calif., will be held.

JOHN W. DOWDELL, JR.

A service for John W. Dowdell, Jr., was held Feb. 17. Interment with military honors was at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

John proudly served our nation during World War II as a part of operations to secure the Island of Leyte, which was the first and most decisive operation in recapturing the Philippines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in John’s memory to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

THERESA A. MOREFIELD

Theresa A. Morefield, 79, of West Grove, passed away on Feb. 13 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital.

She was the wife of Carl J. Morefield, with whom she shared 59 years of marriage. Born in New York, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Amerigo Tait and the late Helen Butcher Tait. Theresa was a homemaker. She was a member of the New London Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, playing bingo, helping others, and being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by one son, Carl E. Morefield and his wife Leona of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one daughter, Margie Brackin of West Grove; one brother, Robert Tait of Manheim, Pa.; one sister, Helen Gerenza of Hazelton, Pa.; and eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by one daughter, Jodi Morefield; one grandson, Raymond Brackin; one sister, Barbara Morollo; and two brothers, Andrew Tait and Johnny Tait.

A service was held Feb. 19. Burial was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

PATRICIA C. BROWN

Patricia C. Brown, of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 14. She was 88 years old.

Born and raised in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late Francis Campbell and the late Grace O'Neill Campbell. She was the beloved wife of Clarence L. Brown; mother of Claudia Leslie Davis, Marta Carol Brown, Corey Patrick Brown and Sondra Patricia Brown. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters, Carolyn Field and Marian Tavoni.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Longwood Funeral Home of Matthew Genereux (913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square). The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: St. Jude Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

JEAN A. PRATT

Jean A. Pratt, formerly of Unionville, passed away on Feb. 10 at the Pocopson Home. She was 96 years old.

She was the beloved wife of the late John Marshall Pratt, who passed away in 1988. She is survived by her son, John Pratt and daughter, Jane Pratt; two grandchildren; sister Hazel Hairsine; and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings, Cecil Rector, Ernie Rector and Nancy Yerkes.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Union Hill Cemetery (424 N. Union St., Kennett Square). Her memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Willowdale Chapel (675 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square). Visit www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.

WILLIAM D. PRATT

William “Bill” D. Pratt, 81, of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 11 after a short illness.

Due to the loving care of his devoted wife, Bill was able to live out his life in the home he loved. Bill died surrounded by love. Bill was born and lived his entire life in beautiful Chester County. He attended Sanford School and was a proud member of the Class of 1955. He had a strong work ethic and spent 27 years at the Kennett Square Post Office before retiring in 1992. He found great pleasure in the simple things of life. He adored his family and loved all sports. Bill and Judy were blessed with many years of retirement together.

Bill was predeceased by his mother and father, Esther Garrett and Edward LeRoy Pratt; and his brother, Richard L. Pratt. He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Judith E. Pratt; two daughters, Susan Pratt Murphy (Kevin), and Sandra Leigh Pratt; three stepchildren, Sharon L. Eggers (Steve), Jeffrey W. Riggs and Joseph H. Coover, Jr. He was a loving “Pop-Pop” to 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

At Bill’s request, there will be no memorial or funeral services. However, a contribution may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380. To view his online tribute

and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HIJINIA PIEDRA

VAZQUEZ de CERVANTES

Hujinia Piedra Vazquez de Cervantes, 88, of Wilmington Del., passed away on Feb. 16 at Christiana Hospital.

She was the wife of Enselmo Cervantes Rodriguez. Born in Santa Barbara Pungarabato, Guerrero, Mexico, she was the daughter of the late Juan Piedra and the late Apolinar Vazquez. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Rocco Catholic Church, Avondale,. Hijinia enjoyed music, drinking coffee, eating enchiladas, traveling, and being with her family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 22 at at St. Rocco Catholic Church (313 Sunny Dell Road, Avondale). Her funeral mass will follow at noon. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

NANCY LOU ROSS

Nancy Lou Ross, 82, of Cochranville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Feb. 16 at her residence.

She was the wife of Joseph W. Ross, Sr., with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. Born in Port Huron, Mich., she was the daughter of the late Albert G. Wolfe and the late Evelyn Bailey Wolfe. Nancy was a secretary in the maintenance department at the Franklin Mint in Wawa, retiring in 1992.  

She was a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church, where she volunteered for many activities, including volunteering at the Luther House in Jennersville. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, John Glyshaw of Portland, Ore., and Joseph Ross, Jr., of Kennett Square; four daughters, Karis Hollenbeck of Prospect Park, Kathy Glyshaw and her husband Kirk Nabors of Columbia, Md., Susan Evans and her husband Robert of Elkton, Md., and Sandy DeWilde and her husband John of Morrisville, Pa.; one brother, Charles Wolfe of Port Huron, Mich.; one sister, Lois Buckley of Port Huron, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Nancy was predeceased by several brothers.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at St. Michael Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Rd., Unionville) Her memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 178, Unionville, PA 19375. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

NORMAN A. BARRON

Retired Delaware Superior Court Judge Norman A. Barron died on Feb. 13, after a brief illness, with his wife and twin brother by his side. He was 75 years old.

Norm was born and raised in South Orange, N.J., and attended Hamilton College, graduating in 1964. After college, Norm served in the U.S. Navy, being honorably discharged in 1968 as a full Lieutenant. Norm arrived in Delaware in 1971 after receiving his law degree from Emery University and was employed as a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice and later served as Chief Deputy Attorney General. In 1980, Norm was appointed as Delaware's first Chief Magistrate by then-Governor Pierre S. du Pont and served with distinction for eight years. After a brief period as Assistant Public Defender, Norm was nominated to serve as a Superior Court Judge by then-Governor Michael N. Castle and, after confirmation, served on the court from 1989 until his retirement in 2001. Despite his stern demeanor on the bench, Norm was very kind and cared deeply about his family and friends. His sense of humor was one of his greatest assets.

In his retirement, Norm and his wife, Alice, spent many winters in the Sarasota, Fla., area, where they enjoyed innumerable rounds of golf, warm weather and friendships. Norm finally achieved a golfer's ultimate goal by shooting a hole in one at the age of 71.

Norm was predeceased by his parents, Norman M. and Frances B. Barron; and his brother, Fraser. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Alice Bricker Barron; and his two brothers, Mortimer of Amarillo, Texas, and his twin, Tim (Loren) of Kennett Square. He is also survived by nephews Christopher Barron (Tracy) of Annandale, Va., and Rupert Barron (Eve) of Houston, Texas; and neices Allison Dunbar of Los Angeles, and Alexandra and Cecelia Barron of Kennett Square.

A gathering will beh eld Feb.23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Norm's name to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

DEAN W. NEEDHAM

Dean W. Needham, 65, of West Grove, passed away on Feb. 15 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was the husband of Virginia “Ginny” Shivery Needham, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late W. Edgar and Virgie Johnson Needham. He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Oxford. For 20 years, Dean worked for the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City. He was very proud to serve the veterans and meet their transportation needs. He was also a bus driver for DuVall Bus Service for the Avon Grove School District and worked in his family’s mushroom business in his earlier years. His hobbies included history, medicine and technology, and he had a love of the outdoors. He especially loved his dogs, Abbey and Ellie, and his cat, Joey.

Dean is survived by his wife; two sons, Shawn Needham of Philadelphia, and Brian Needham of West Grove; one sister, Virginia “Ginny” Peterson (David) of West Grove; and two nephews, Jeff Peterson (and family) of Nottingham, and Mike Peterson (and family) of Little Britain.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., to offset funeral costs. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARY MARGARET MCDONALD

Mary Margaret McDonald (Glaab) peacefully passed away on Feb. 15 at her home in Kennett Square. She was 91 years old.

Mary was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Dr. Charles Cameron “Cam” McDonald, Ph.D., a research scientist with the DuPont Company. She was also predeceased by two sons, Peter Scott McDonald of Boothwyn, and John Sutherland McDonald of Wilmington, Del.; and a brother, Charles Michael Glaab of Sarnia, Ontario. Mary is survived by two sons, Charles Lachlan McDonald and his wife Susan of Atlanta, Ga., and Eric Cameron McDonald of Kennett Square; and three daughters-in-law, Renay and Patti McDonald and Pamela Gieseler. Mary is also survived by eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Peter William Glaab of Sarnia, Ontario Canada, and John Kenneth Glaab of Uruapan and La Paz, Mexico.

Mary graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Toronto, Ontario Canada, and then attended the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, where she graduated as a lab technician and met her husband. After college, she worked for the Polymer Corporation as a lab technician, and in 1948 was elected “Miss Polymer.” Mary left Canada to live in Chicago, Ill., where Cam received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1955, Mary moved to Wilmington, Del., so Cam could begin his career with DuPont, and then in 1979 they moved to Hamorton Village in Kennett Square. For many years, Mary was active in the business community, where she owned and operated the Decoy Book Store in Kennett Square. She was an avid reader and an active member of her book club. Mary was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Kennett Square, and for many years was a continuing education student at the Academy for Life Long Learning at the University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus.

Mary loved to travel and regularly proclaimed she was “willing to go anywhere, anytime with anyone.”

In addition to her family she will be missed by her neighbors who considered Mary a beloved member of their community and by her many friends.

A visitation will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square), followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church (212 Meredith St., Kennett Square). Interment will be at the Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Family and close friends can attend a reception at Mary’s home at 24 Elmwood Drive, Kennett Square, immediately after the burial service. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Willow Tree Hospice in Kennett Square, who helped make Mary’s final weeks comfortable and peaceful. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.