John L. Platt

John L. Platt, 82, of West Grove, formerly of Havertown, passed away on April 19 at home.

He was the husband of Margaret Montgomery Platt, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John L. and Winifred A. Bonner Platt.

John was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s University class of 1966 and received his masters degree in taxation from Widener University.  John was a Certified Public Accountant and served as tax director for several large companies in the region.

John was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford. 

He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan and enjoyed camping, fishing, his Florida home and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife; five children, John F. Platt (Deneane) of Oxford, Peggy DiPaola of West Chester, Daniel Platt (Jennifer) of West Chester, James Platt (Lauren) of Secane and Kristina Tainan (Raymond) of E. Fallowfield; ten grandchildren, Lauren, John and Brandon Platt, Philip, Olivia and Sophia DiPaola, Ryan and Declan Platt, Gavin and Paige Platt; one great-granddaughter, Nova DiPaola; one sister, Kathleen Clarke of Chalfont; one brother, Joseph Platt (Rita) of North Wales; and a sister-in-law, Catherine Whiteford (Vincent) of Oxford.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Marie Platt. 

Services will be held at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Church, 203 Church Rd. Oxford, PA 19363.  

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ALBERT L. BROOKS

Albert Lester Brooks of Landenberg, died peacefully at his home in the arms of his loving wife Linda with his cherished poodle Beachy by his side. 

Lester and Linda shared 46 years of marriage. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda Brooks (Cordivano); daughter Paula Brooks of Bowers Beach, Del.; son Stephen Brooks (Joyce) of Avondale; and son Christopher Brooks (Michele) of Kennett Square. 

He is also survived by grandchildren, Lisa Williams (Alan) of Nottingham and Jacob and Olivia Brooks of Kennett Square, as well as great-grandchildren Haley Killian, Brooke Killian and Alan Williams III; a sister, Neva Wilkins (Jack); sisters-in-law, Barbara Covington (Charles) of Bear, Del. and Karen Linaweaver (Grover) of West Grove; his nieces, Melanie Vaughan (Kevin) of North East, Md. and Angela Crossan (Fiancé Oliver Pringle) of Chicago, IL and several other nieces and nephews. He was fortunate to see his great-nephew, Timothy John Vaughan, born last year. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with his beloved family.

He was pre-deceased by many siblings.

Lester was an amazing man who inspired many while he worked in the mushroom business for 42 years. He first worked at Mushroom Express and then operated his own business before he retired. Lester served his country in the U.S. Army as a member of the Military Police. He loved his home, his yard, his birds and helping other people. He was a mechanic and carpenter and was known to be able to fix anything. He loved watching NASCAR and surf fishing at the beach. Lester will always be remembered by his family and friends for being kind, gentle, and loving. He was a giving, calm-mannered person who will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to The Chester County Hospital Foundation, 701 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 or Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380 in memory of Lester Brooks.

Due to the Coronavirus, the interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

DOROTHY J. SELDOMRIDGE

Dorothy J. Seldomridge, 88, passed away peacefully on April 22.

Dorothy was the daughter of the late William G. Snyder and Jennie Saylor Snyder.

She was born on December 19, 1931 in Phoenixville, Pa. and grew up outside of Kennett Square.

She graduated from Kennett High School and moved to Delaware after her marriage to Richard Seldomridge. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Kennett Square.  

Dorothy enjoyed traveling to visit family, including visiting Hong Kong.  She was happiest when spending time with her family.

Dorothy is survived by her children Gary (Diane) Seldomridge, and Diane (Jeff) Leone.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and son, Mark (Nancy) Seldomridge.  She had 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Due to the pandemic restrictions, the funeral services will be private.  A public celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at a later time.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square (415 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348), or American Heart Association (P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005).

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

ALLEN MCCLAIN, JR. 

Allen Sterling McClain, Jr., 90, of Hockessin, Del., formerly of Wilmington, Del. and Oxford, passed on April 23 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

He was the husband of Kathryn White McClain of Hockessin, Del., and was preceded in death by his first wife, Pearl Jones McClain.

Born in Barnsley, Pa., he was the son of the late Allen Sterling, Sr. and Marguerite Brown McClain. They had 8 children.

Allen was a member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Oxford. 

He was employed 40 years with Lukens Steel as a steel mill worker and was also a mushroom grower in Nottingham for many years.

He enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife; six children, Sterling McClain (Veronica) of Hope Mills, NC, Ruth McClain of New Castle, Del., Marcella McClain of Sadsburyville,  Pa., Susan Ruffin (Fred) of Newark, Del., Sherry Jackson (Eric Wheatley) of Newark, Del., Kathleen McClain (Stan Milton) of Avondale; 21grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren;10 great great grandchildren: three siblings, Anna McClain of Oxford, Richard McClain of West Chester and Doris Boyd of Lancaster Pa. and Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by four children, Lorraine Cann, Elizabeth McClain, Robert McClain and Stephen McClain; and four siblings, Ruth Dutton, Margaret Miles, Claude McClain and Howard McClain. 

A Home Going Service will be held at a later date. 

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine Street, Oxford, Pa 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

HOWARD C. LAKE

Howard C. Lake, 90, of Oxford, formerly of Aston, Pa., passed away on April 21 at Shipley Manor in Wilmington, Del. He was 90.
He was the husband of the late Mary A. Pangborn Lake.  

Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Howard Stanley and Enola McElroy Lake.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Howard was employed with Sun Oil, Marcus Hook until retirement. After retirement, he moved to Punta Gorda, FL for 16 years. In 1999, Howard moved to Oxford to be closer to his family.

He was an active member of Mt. Vernon Christian Church.

Howard was a skilled handyman and enjoyed fishing and the outdoors.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Lake-Hoover (Benson) of Newark, Del. and Sharon Hodgson (David) of Wilmington, Del.; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; son-in-law, Jack Keeley of Claymont, Del.; and daughter-in-law, Eileen Lake of Coatesville.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Joanne Lake Keeley and son, Howard W. Lake.

Services will be held at a later date due to restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Arrangements are being by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

DANA MAY

Dana Lynn May, 39, of Quarryville, Pa., passed away at home on April 21.
Born in Lancaster, Pa., she was the daughter of Jo Ann Poole May Roach of Oxford and the late Robert Michael May. 

Dana graduated from Oxford Area High School class of 1999.

She was employed with Applebee’s in Kennett Square. She was also a nurses’ aide for several years at Jenner’s Pond in Jennersville.

Dana enjoyed and loved spending time with her children and brothers. She loved animals, caring for many cats and even saved turtles on the road.

She is survived by her mother; one daughter, Summer Gillespie of Oxford; one son, James Gillespie of Oxford; two brothers, Steve May of North East, Md. and Bradun Roach of Oxford; and two sisters, Cassidi May Neff of Nottingham and McKenzie May of North East, Md.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the GoFundMe account that was established to cover Dana’s funeral expenses.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.