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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of June 18

06/19/2018 11:49AM ● By J. Chambless

JIM M. BEAVER

Jim "Max" Maxwell Beaver of West Grove passed away on June 6 in hospice at Jenner's Pond in Jennersville.

Born in Sunbury, Pa., he was the son of Marjorie Lorraine (Spitler) Beaver and the late Jim C. Beaver. In addition to his mother, he is survived by one sister, Andrea L. Tidlow and her husband John of Abingdon, Va.; his nephew, Graham Tidlow; and niece Jillian Tidlow. He was predeceased by one sister, Tamara Jill Beaver.

Max was a member of Avon Grove High School Class of 1969. He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in theater. He was an actor, stagehand, stage combat instructor, and a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 284. Max enjoyed theater, film and telling stories. The trivia of life became high adventure when he told it. He loved history and would have been gratified to know that he died on D-Day. Known as "Jimmy" in his early years, "Jim" and then professionally as "Max,” he was a kind and generous man whose friends were dear to him. He cherished the bonds with family, college roommates, former wife Kate, lady-love Cyndi, and his IATSE brothers and sisters.

As per Max's wishes, his body was donated to science. There will be no funeral. Interment services will be private. To view his on line tributes and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.


WILLIAM B. BLACKBURN

William B. Blackburn, 83, of Oxford, passed away on June 10 at Jennersville Hospital Tower Health in West Grove.

He was the husband of Jo Ann Hawks Blackburn, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.  Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Donald D. and Alsey Phillips Blackburn. He was a dairy farmer in Barnsley, retiring in 1996. William was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church in  Oxford and the Oxford Hunt Club in Clinton County. He was also a member of The Gideons for 20 years. William enjoyed riding his motorcycle and hunting.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Richard Allen Blackburn of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Laura Ann Blackburn of Oxford; one grandson; two brothers, Ralph Blackburn (Peggy) of Hickory Hill, and Robert Blackburn (Marty) of East Nottingham Township; and several nieces. He was preceded in death by two sons, Randy Blackburn and James Blackburn.

A funeral was held June 16. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


EUGENE ELEUTHERE DUPONT WEYMOUTH

Eugene Eleuthere duPont Weymouth, 85, of Kennett Square, passed away on June 11, surrounded by family and caregivers who loved him very much.

He was born in 1933 in Wilmington, Del., to George and Deo duPont Weymouth. He attended A.I duPont and Westtown school. After graduating from the McDonough Military Academy in 1951, he attended the University of Wisconsin. Born into a family that had a love of horses, his talent as an equestrian was evident at a very young age. As a child he competed at the Devon Horse Show, but then set his sights on the sport of steeplechase, later becoming one of the top amateur steeplechase jockeys of his time. Some of his career highlights include winning the Western Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, Monmouth Hunt Cup, New Jersey Hunt Cup, and the Maryland Hunt Cup. He also won the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup and, years later, allowed the race to be run on his farm in Kennett Square.

At the age of 24, Gene started training racehorses becoming a leading trainer at numerous New England tracks. At the encouragement of his father, he went off to work as a stockbroker for a brief period of time, but returned to training. From 1984 until his retirement in 2010, Gene trained horses at the Fair Hill Training Center, working with his employees from early mornings until late evenings.

He looked forward to visits with his sons and was a proud grandfather. He enjoyed watching football and betting with friends. After retirement his time was spent traveling with his wife, Cindy, and his four-legged friend, Huey. He spent several winters in Florida and North Carolina, where he enjoyed fishing, swimming, exploring new areas, watching sunsets and reading his newspaper.

He was a member of the National Steeplechase Association, National Museum of Racing, Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Horse Breeders Association.

Gene was preceded in death by his son, George Tyler Weymouth; his brother, George A. Weymouth; and Trinda Hope Weymouth. He is survived by Cynthia Irwin Weymouth, his wife of 19 years. He is also survived by his sons, Eugene Eleuthere duPont Weymouth, Jr., and Knox Shaw Weymouth, his wife Dori Ann Weymouth, and their three children. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Bradford Hobbs; six nieces and nephews; and his former wife, Betty Shaw Weymouth.

He will be remembered by many in the horse racing community and missed and loved by all who knew him. Services and Interment are private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Steeplechase Association, The Steeplechase Fund, 400 Fair Hill Drive, Elkton, MD 21921. To send online condolences, visit daniels-hutchison.com.


EVA POGONYI

Eva Pogonyi, of the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on June 14 at the age of 93.

Known to her family as Nagyi, she immigrated from Budapest, Hungary, in 1956 with her husband Tibor and two sons, Miklos and Andrew. They lived in their Mt. Airy home for over 56 years. Eva was an accomplished concert pianist and shared her love of music as a piano teacher for many young students. She also turned her love of animals into a successful dog walking enterprise. Eva loved her family and especially loved to entertain family on weekends with her wonderful Hungarian cooking.

Eva is predeceased by her husband Tibor, and her eldest son, Miklos. She is survived by her son Andrew, his wife Julie; grandson Ryan amd his wife Meredith; granddaughter Christa and her husband Paul; granddaughter Kate and her husband Drew; granddaughter Kelsey; and six great-grandchildren.

Her service and burial will be private. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


SHERRI L. COLE

Sherri L. Cole, 65, of Kennett Square, passed away on June 13 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

She was the wife of Richard C. Cole, who passed away in 2012, and with whom she shared 39 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late John “Jack” McCoury and the late Edna Paisley McCoury. Sherri was a homemaker. She was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, enjoyed playing solitaire and board games, her cat Xena, and being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Joshua Cole and his wife Alysia of Wilmington, and Jonathan Cole and his partner Brittany Denney; one brother, James McCoury of Millersville, Pa.; one sister, Christine Wilson of Kennett Square; and three grandchildren.

Sherri’s service and burial will be private. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.


DARRELL J. BENNETT

Darrell J. Bennett, 74, of Oxford, passed away on June 14 at home.

He was the husband of Harlene Shelton Bennett, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Lansing, N.C., he was the son of the late Walter and Mamie Greer Bennett. Darrell retired as a truck driver from Manfredi Mushroom, Inc., Kennett Square. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Darrell attended Bible Study Room in Oxford. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working on automobiles.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Tom Bennett (Barb) of Oxford; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; three sisters, Pauline Himm from West Jefferson, N.C., Wanda Ward from Jonesboro, Tenn., and Betty Bennett from Lansing, N.C. He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Bennett; and three brothers, Charles Bennett, Dale Bennett and Don Bennett.

A funeral was held June 19. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Heartland Hospice, 5 Christy Drive, Suite 103, Chadds Ford PA 19317. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


BARBARA S. BENSON

Barbara S. Benson, 74, of Oxford, passed away on June 17 at home.

She was the wife of John S. Benson, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Elizabeth Jamison Stewart. Barbara was a member of the Oxford United Methodist Church for 70 years. She was employed with Fawn Grove in Rising Sun, Md., and the Oxford Area School District, Jordan Bank School as a cafeteria assistant. Barbara was a loving and caring mother.

She is survived by her husband; and three children, Kelly Benson, Laura Benson and Tom Benson, all of Oxford. She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Stewart.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. June 21 at the Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford), where family and friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Oxford United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


DAVID G. CONNERY

David G. Connery of West Grove passed away on June 13 at the age of 79.

Born and raised in Glenolden, Pa., he was the son of the late Thomas and Nora Connery. He is survived by Linda, his wife of 42 years; his four children, Christine Connery, David Connery, Jr. (Cindy), Lynn Winter (Tim), and Sandra Lanham (Clifton); his brothers and sister Tom, Bill and Nora Armstrong; as well as five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

David was a man of great character, great integrity, kind to everyone, and a man who valued his friends and extended family. A memorial service will be held at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square) on June 29 at noon. Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment services will be private. Visit www.griecocares.com.