JORGE GOMEZ MERCADO

Jorge Gomez Mercado, 37, of Avondale, passed away on Dec. 30 at his residence.

Born in Tepehuajes, Almoloya de Alquisiras, Mexico, he was the son of Ma Felix Mercado Flores of Mexico and the late Rogelio Gomez Mercado. Jorge was a self-employed painter. He was a member of St. Rocco Catholic Church in Avondale. He enjoyed collecting model cars, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sisters, Maria Gomez Mercado, Cenorina Gomez Mercado, and Belen Gomez Mercado, all in Mexico. A funeral was held Jan. 9. Burial will be in Mexico. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

ARTEMIO ZAVALA AVALOS

Artemio Zavala Avalos, 55, of Wilmington, Del., passed away on Jan. 1.

He was the husband of Maribel Zavala of Mexico. Born in Rancho Las Penas, Moroleon, GTO, Mexico, he was the son of the late J. Edwiges Zavala and the late Valeria Avalos. He was a mushroom worker at Pietro Industries in Kennett Square. Artemio was a member of St. Rocco Catholic Church.

He enjoyed watching sports of TV, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two son, Luis Angel Zavala and Juan Carlos Zavala, both in Mexico; two brothers; and three sisters.

A funeral was held Jan. 11. Burial will be in Mexico. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

GILBERT W. HOLTON

Gilbert W. Holton, 97, a lifetime resident of Landenberg, passed away on Jan. 7 at his residence.

Gilbert shared 60 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Doris Crossan Holton, who passed away in 2011. Born in Landenberg, he was the son of the late George F. Holton and the late Laura Sealy Holton. He was a lifetime member of Landenberg United Methodist Church. Gilbert was the tax collector for London Britain township for 24 years, and had served as the secretary of the Landenberg Building Association. He was the office manager at Richard M. Crossan for 28 years, retiring in 1986. Gilbert served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He is survived by three sons, G. Allen Holton of Staunton, Va., Donald G. Holton and his wife Teresa of Landenberg, James K. Holton and his wife Joyce of Landenberg; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, Vernal Holton and Ralph Holton; and one sister, Doris Siple.

A service was held Jan. 11. Interment was in Kemblesville United Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Landenberg United Methodist Church, PO Box 36, Landenberg, PA 19350. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

DONALD IRVING

Donald Irving, 68, of Ocala, Fla., passed away on Dec. 28 from cancer.

A member of the USTA for 52 years, Donald was a highly successful and respected trainer and driver until 1988, and then continued as a horse breeder in Florida. He was Breeder of the Year for six consecutive years and inducted into the Florida Racing Hall of Fame in 1999.

Donald leaves behind his beloved wife, Sandy Irving; son Brandon Irving (Jenna Kolles); two grandchildren; brother-in-law Dr. Denis Rubal (Cathy); sister-in-law Cory Rubal (Scott Ovian); nieces Tina Jo Irving, Katie Ovian, Deborah Nicholls (Mark), Patricia Taneja (Raj), Maggie Beatty (Shawn),
Amanda Overton (Matt), Melissa Gould (Eli); nephew Dustin Ovian; and dear lifetime friends, Barry Speakman, John Walsh, Sam McMichael, and fellow horseman Ben Stafford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dana and Jo Anne Irving; and brother, Daniel Irving.

At Donald’s request, there will be no service and internment will take place at a later date. Donations can be made in the memory of Donald to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JESSE R. TIPTON

Jesse Robert Tipton, 65, of Wilmington, Del., passed away in his home on Dec. 23.

Jesse was born to Adgie Tipton and Nancy Rice in West Chester. He is survived by his daughters Alicia M. Tipton of Nottingham, Jessica L. Tipton of Harrisburg, and Kristina D. Tipton-Balcazar (Sergio) of Kennett Square. In addition, he is survived by numerous grandchildren. Jesse’s children and grandchildren were the light of his life and he loved them dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, Adgie and Nancy; his eldest daughter, Angela; and several siblings.

He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired dispatcher of Tipton Trucking Co., Inc. For years he was active in the community as a coach for the Oxford Little League & American Legion baseball teams. Jesse was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles & NASCAR.

A visitation will be held at the Masonic Lodge (246 N. 3rd St., Oxford) on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be no interment, as Jesse’s body was donated to Anatomy Gifts Registry. Upon receipt of his remains, Jesse will be laid to rest in the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.

He will be greatly missed, but he has been reunited with his eldest daughter, Angela, who he  missed immensely.

MARGARET LYTLE

Margaret “Peggy” Lytle, 88, of New London, passed away on Jan. 13 at her residence.

She was the wife of Donald F. Lytle, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late George Reburn and the late Minnie Wilson Reburn. Peggy was a member of the New London Methodist Church. She met her husband at a square dance, and after marriage, she traveled with him to Texas and Alaska during his time in the military. She was a homemaker but had previously worked at Continental Fiber in Newark, Del., and later became a farmer’s wife, working with her husband. She enjoyed singing in her church choir, reading, flower gardening, bird watching, growing pumpkins and strawberries, and delivering eggs to customers. She also enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Donna Triboletti of Colora, Md.; two sons, William “Billy” Lytle and his significant other Maryellen McCarthy of Peoria, Ariz., and David Lytle and his wife Barbara of New London; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one brother, James Reburn.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 17 at the old New London Presbyterian Church (1986 Newark Road, Route 896, New London). Her funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

SHIRLEY M. CARPENTER

Shirley M. Carpenter, 70, of West Grove, passed away peacefully on Jan. 9.

She was the wife of Mary Coldren. They met 20 years ago at the Fair Hill International 3-Day Event where Mary was an organizer and Shirley was a volunteer. Born in Mclean, Va., she was the daughter of the late William Shelby and Madeline Elizabeth Becker Carpenter. While living in Virginia, she was a marketing executive for Burson-Marsteller and was involved with the Women’s Sports Foundation. After moving to Pennsylvania, she was a manager of the Garden Department for Home Depot and later started The Country Gourmet, doing caterering for many private parties in the area. Additionally, she enjoyed catering the Competitor parties at Fair Hill for over a decade. Shirley enjoyed gardening and cooking. She loved animals, and loved her friends. She spent time in Thailand, sailed the inner passage of Alaska, and particularly enjoyed spending time at Rehoboth Beach.

She is survived by her wife; one sister, Elizabeth Mucha; her in-laws, Harold and Judy Coldren; one brother-in-law, Chuck (Katrina) Coldren; and one sister-in-law, Margie (Bryn) Eldridge; three nieces, Kendal and Sydney Coldren and Lilly Eldridge; one nephew, Oliver Eldridge; and an extensive extended “family” of event riders and foxhunters. She will be missed.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Plantation Field Equestrian Events or Fair Hill International to support a jump in her memory. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.