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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of July 23

07/24/2018 09:43AM ● By J. Chambless

BETTY ANN WAGNER PRETTYMAN GEARS

Betty Gears, 92, of West Grove, passed away on July 14 after a short illness.

She is survived by her children, James Prettyman, Jr. (Beth) of Oxford, Robert Prettyman, Sr. (Bruce) of Quarryville, and Mary Stafford of Concord, N.C. She is also survived by six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Harriet Wildermuth of Florida and Henry Wagner (Linda) of Delaware. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judson Gears; her granddaughter, Becky Prettyman; and two sisters, Jeanette Robinson and June Dean.

Betty was a very caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend with a heart of gold. She was the kindest person you would ever meet. She loved to share stories from long ago. She was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1925 to the late Henry B. Wagner and Mary Elizabeth Shaffer Wagner. She was a graduate of Newark High School in 1942, and was a very dedicated employee at Hercules Incorporated in Wilmington for 37 years, retiring as an executive secretary. Betty loved spending time with her family and friends, playing bingo, going to the slots, playing cards, country music, dancing, planting flowers and gardening.

A funeral was held July 19.


MARTHA BINSAU

Martha Binsau, 92, of Hellertown, formerly of Coopersburg and Nottingham, died on July 13 at LifeQuest Nursing Center in Quakertown.

She was the wife of the late Heinz Binsau. She was born in Germany on July 14, 1925 to the late Edward and Louisa (Stangenberge) Herbst. Martha and Heinz came to the United States in 1958 with their two sons to build a life here. Martha was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of Little Britain Presbyterian Church in Little Britain Township, and the Senior Center of Coopersburg.

She is survived by three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two sons, Lothar and Eckhard; and multiple siblings.

Burial was in the Little Britain Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.heintzelmancares.com.


LOUISE BOYD VAN HORN

Louise Boyd Van Horn, 91, passed away on July 14 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

She was born in 1927 to Mitchell and Zella (Roberts) Vaughn in Galax, Va. She was the eldest of ten children. She moved to Pennsylvania at age 2 and lived in the Oxford area for the rest of her long life. She graduated from West Grove High School in 1945 and worked in banking for most of her career. She married Chauncey Boyd, Sr., in 1947. They had three children and were married for 43 years before Chauncey passed. She and her second husband Harry "Bud" Van Horn shared eight years of marriage before his death. Louise will be best remembered for her strong faith in God and her devotion to her family. She enjoyed singing in her church choir, playing the piano, and teaching women's Bible class. She loved cooking from scratch for her family and friends and sharing her recipes. She had 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren who lovingly called her Old Mom Mom.

Louise was preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers Robert, John, William, George and James; sister Margaret; and grandson Richie. She is survived by her sisters Marie, Betty, and Patricia; her children Chauncey Jr., LuAnn, and Allen; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held July 21. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Louise's name to Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.ruffenachfuneralhome.com.


JANE BROOMELL

Jane Broomell, 84, of Paoli, passed away on July 18 at Green Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Malvern.
She was the wife of Raymond Broomell, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. Born in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late William Lawson and Marie LeFever Ewell. Jane was employed as an inspector at NVF in Kennett Square. She was a member of Fremont Union United Methodist Church in Nottingham. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening and going for country walks.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Robin Holloway (Steven) of Paoli; and one granddaughter. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Anne McHenry and Elizabeth Baylis; and one brother, Teddy Ewell.

Services were private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


MARIE DAWN WEBER

Marie Dawn Weber, nee Pierce, of West Grove, died on July 16 at her home, Holly Hill Farm in West Grove.

Marie was a wife, mother, interior designer of her homes, accomplished rider, and author. Her interests became her passions, at which she always excelled. She grew up in Narberth, where she attended St. Margaret’s Parochial School and then Notre Dame Academy in Wayne. She graduated from Columbia Business School at the age of 16. The youngest employee hired by National Dairy Corporation, Marie revolutionized their accounts payable system, saving the corporation thousands of dollars annually. Marie married her teenage sweetheart, Jack Weber, and directed her many skills to raising her family. While her children were growing up, she studied and soon became proficient in early American art. Since her childhood, Marie had a passion for animals, including horses. When she and her family moved to Willistown Township, she bought her first horse. For the next 25 years, with her husband, Jack, she engaged in equestrian competitionns. After her retirement from riding, Marie launched her writing career, publishing three adventure novels under the nom de plume, M. Pierce Weber.

Marie is survived by her loving husband of nearly 58 years, Jack E. Weber, Jr.; daughter, Dawn E. of Aspen, Colo; son, Andrue J., of Omaha, Neb., three grandchildren; niece, Jennifer Zeng and husband Will; two great-nieces, Hannah; and great-nephew. She is also survived by her brother, Melvin Pierce of San Juan, Calif.; sister-in-law, Dr. Carolyn Lewis, of Frederick, Md.; and niece Cynthia Lewis.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. July 27 at Holly Hill Farm in West Grove, and on July 28 at Mill Run Farm in Fort Valley, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Friends of New Bolton,” 382 West Street Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692.


CHARLES W. WEIR

Charles W. Weir, 90, of Kemblesville, peacefully passed away in the comfort of his home on July 20.

Charles will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 69 years, Evelyn M. (Dilworth); two sons, Charles W. Weir, Jr., and his wife Patricia, and Ronald L. Weir and his wife Lois of Kemblesville. His daughter, Katherine L., predeceased him. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Charles may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


EVELYN C. TWYMAN

Evelyn C. (Ebby) Twyman, 66, of Oxford, passed away on July 21 at Christiana Hospital in Newark Del.

She was the wife of Ronald C. Twyman, with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Lula Carter Jackson. Evelyn was a caring, loving person who was full of sass. She enjoyed trips to Delaware Park, puzzles and especially spending time with her family.

She leaves her legacy to be cherished by her husband; three sons, Randy Twyman (Charisse) of Johnstown, Todd Jackson, Sr. (Rebecca) of Oxford, and Timothy Faber (Felicia) of Oxford; three daughters, Connie Lopez of Johnstown, Eboni Jackson of Oxford, and Shylene Jackson of Oxford; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Roger Twyman; daughter, Joyce E. Miller; brother, John Jackson; nephew, Kristopher (Kris) L. Jackson; and niece, Madeline K. Poe.

A home going service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. July 28 at the Church of God (198 Barnsley Rd., Oxford). Family and friends may visit on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford) and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.