FRANK W. MATCHNER, JR.

Frank William Matchner, Jr., of Fort Myers, Fla. (formerly of West Chester and Oxford, Pa., and Elkton, Md.) was called home by his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on July 1.

Born in 1919 in West Chester, he was the son of the late Frank Wiseman Matchner, Sr., and the late Martha Betts (Rickards) Matchner. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 45 years, Grace Emma (Leike) Matchner; his second wife of nine years, Elizabeth (Betty) Amanda (Tarr) Herrington-Matchner; a son, William Frank Matchner; a daughter, Janice Elaine (Matchner) Herr; and a brother, Ivan Thomas Matchner. He is survived by a brother, Marvin Sypherd Matchner of Lewisville, Texas; two daughters, Ruth Ann (Matchner) Vincent of Headland, Ala., and Martha Mae (Matchner) Livingston of Citrus Springs, Fla.; a son, Frank Walter Matchner III of Monrovia, Md. (Jean); 10 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

He was raised in West Chester and graduated from West Chester State Teachers’ College. He served in the U.S. Army and fought in Germany during World War II.  After the war, he became a mathematics teacher at Oxford High School and Oxford Middle School, and he held second (part-time) jobs for several years on the Oxford Police force and as the proprietor of Matchner’s Used Cars in Oxford. He was a life member and former Post Adjutant of the Roy W. Gibson Post No. 535 American Legion (Oxford), a member of the Gray-Nichols Post No. 1779 VFW (Oxford), and a member and former Captain of the Oxford Fire Company. He also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and served on several committees of the Oxford United Methodist Church. After moving to Maryland, he became a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Elkton, and after moving to Florida, he became a member of Grace Church in Fort Myers.

A funeral service was held July 9. Burial with military honors took place at Upper Octorara Cemetery in Parkesburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Grace Church (www.egracechurch.com/shores).

 

LYNDA JONES BOND

Lynda Jones Bond, 73, of Newark, Del., 73 passed away on July 3 at Christiana Hospital in Newark.

Lynda was born in 1945 in Coatesville, to the late William C. and Marguerite Michelfelder Jones, Sr.  She graduated in 1962 from Downingtown High School and received her nursing degree from the Chester County Hospital in 1964. Lynda’s nursing career was with Wilmington Hospital, and she retired from Jefferson Hospital as a hospice nurse. 

She married James (Jim) A. Bond in 1966, and from that union they were blessed with three children, James, William and Heather.  Lynda’s favorite pastime was spending time with her beloved grandchildren, traveling to Ocean City, Md., with family and friends, and giving her time to charitable causes. Lynda was an active member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Oxford, where she worked in the various ministries of the church.  She was a member of the Helping Hands Ministry, where she served as past president; Board of Deacons, where she served as treasurer; SPC Outreach Committee member; and the Shiloh Lunch Bunch group. 

Lynda and Jim helped numerous times The Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington.  Her giving spirit will be missed by all that knew and loved her. 

Lynda leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 53 years, James (Jim) A. Bond; sons James (Karen) and William (Lisa); daughter Heather (Demetrius); six grandchildren; one sister, Suzanne (Alvin) Groff; one sister-in-law, Jacqueline (Robert) Almes; the Shiloh family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, William C. and Marguerite Jones; and one brother, William C. Jones.

A service was held July 12. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to The Sunday Breakfast Mission, Wilmington, Del. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

RICHARD J. WEAVER, JR.

On July 7, Richard (Ricky) J. Weaver, Jr., loving husband and father to one daughter, passed away at the age of 82 with his family and loved ones.

Ricky was born in 1936 to Richard J. and Elizabeth (Winchester) Weaver. He graduated from Oxford Area High School in 1955 and went on to hold various positions in the Oxford area. In 2016, he married his long-term girlfriend, Barbara Ann Hall. Ricky aided in raising Barbara's daughter, Lisa Mary (Hall) Carroll. He was also a devoted grandfather to two granddaughters and one grandson, Zachary.

He was a lifelong member of the Oxford Fire Company, where he dedicated 65 years to the organization. He also served as a police officer, a dog warden, crossing guard, parking enforcement officer, and with the borough street department in Oxford for 50 years. Rick was a member of The Improved Order of Red Men for 65 years and worked many years at Lincoln University. Everyone who knew Rick knew of his love of cars. He was passionate about them, and owning the newest ones that came out. He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit.

He was preceded in death by his loving stepfather, Horace McComsey; and his mother, Elizabeth. He was survived by his wife Barbara; his daughter Lisa and her husband Richard Carroll. He is also survived by his three grandchildren.

A funeral was held July 12.

 

KENNETH LEE CARPENTER

Kenneth Lee Carpenter, 66, of Wyndmoor, formerly of Oxford and Rising Sun, passed away on July 7 at the Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Born in Havre de Grace, Md., he was the son of the late Kenneth Carpenter and the late Rebecca Benjamin. He was a member of the Eagles Club in Oxford. Kenny was an animal lover, and he also enjoyed shopping, traveling, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one aunt, Betty Bare of Oxford; one uncle, Edward Benjamin of Rising Sun, Md.; and several cousins. He was predeceased by one brother, James/ Thomas Carpenter; and one sister, Margaret Jean Carpenter. His service and burial were held privately. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

 

HARRY R. SOLWAY

Harry Robert (Bob) Solway, 81, of Nottingham, passed away on July 4 at home.

He was the husband of Ann Curtis Solway, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Herman and Bessie Pogach Greenstine (a.k.a. Betty Solway Smith), and stepfather Ernest Solway.

He founded Bob’s Crane Service in Landenberg and Nottingham. He mounted his first crane on a 1942 Chevrolet Army truck. Bob was a member of the Waterloo Boys SE PA Chapter of the Two-Cylinder Club, and volunteered at Rough and Tumble Engineers Association. After retiring, he enjoyed restoring John Deere Tractors and pulling them.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Michael Kimmel Solway and wife Nancy Self of Monrovia, Calif., and Keith Robert Solway and wife Belinda Ann Solway of Nottingham, Pa.; two granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.

A life celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 3 at Ann’s home (garden), 245 Kirks Mill Rd., Nottingham. Please bring a side dish and a chair. In lieu of , please send contributions to Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Assoc., P.O.Box 9, Kinzers, PA 17535; or Brandywine Valley Chapter Professional Horsemen's Assoc. c/o Nancy J. Tully, 226 S. Union St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ROBERT W. McMAHON

Robert W. McMahon, 89, of Nottingham, passed away on July 7 in the V.A. Maryland Healthcare System of Perry Point, Md.

Born in 1930 in Johnson City, N.Y., he was the son of the late Leonard McMahon and Teresa (Goldie) Brown. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a lifetime member of American Legion Mason Dixon Post 194, North East, Md. VFW Post 6027 and Fleet Reserve Association Branch No. 269.  He is survived by his five children, Darlene Scarlato, Richard McMahon, Maynard McMahon, Donna Walters an Ellen Crowe; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister; and three nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette McMahon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease research. A graveside service is pending at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

MARIO EMILIO GUZMAN

Mario Emilio Guzman, 18, of Oxford, passed away on July 10 at home.

Born in Mexico, he was the son of Mario Guzman and Maria Hernandez of Oxford. Mario graduated from Oxford Area High School class of 2018 and Torchiana Automotive Training Institute in West Chester. He was employed as a mechanic with Jennings Auto Repair and Exhaust, Inc., in Oxford. Mario enjoyed working with cars, listening to 70s music, motorcycles and classic cars. He was a caring loving person who always had a smile on his face.

 He is survived by his parents; one sister, Mariela Guzman of Oxford; maternal grandparents, Emilio and Aurora Hernandez of Tennessee; and paternal grandmother, Delfina Diaz of Mexico.

A funeral was held July 13. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com. 

 

THEODORE B. CALDWELL

Theodore B. Caldwell, 78, of Landenberg, passed away on July 10 at home.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Basil and Irene Makovski Caldwell. Ted was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was employed with General Motors. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Avondale. He enjoyed welding, painting cars, gardening, and canning jellies and jam.

He is survived by two daughters, Tanya Stewart (Josh) of Oxford and Layle; one son, Christopher Caldwell (Christina) of Avondale; five grandchildren; two brothers, David Caldwell (Janet) of Avondale and Jerry Caldwell (Barbara) of Smyrna, Del.; one sister, Janet Warram (Joseph) of  Landenberg; nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Tramper. He was preceded in death by a son, Orren Caldwell.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. July 17 at Calvary Baptist Church (218 Ellicott Rd., Avondale),  where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Auburn Regular Baptist Cemetery in Landenberg. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.