Ethel Wilhelmina Clay

Ethel Wilhelmina Clay, affectionately known as “Willie,” passed away on Oct. 12 at The Seasons Hospice in Phoenixville, Pa. She was an 82-year-old resident of Oxford.

She was the wife of the late Wallace Henry Clay (Wally), with whom she shared 52 years of marriage before he passed away in 2013.  

Willie was the daughter of the late Harry Paul and Ethel (Raven) Finley of Luckey, OH.

She graduated, along with her other five classmates, from Webster High School in 1956 and then she attended Bowling Green University before being swept off her feet by Wally.

Willie worked various jobs to help put him through school. She was a devoted homemaker to five children for many years before returning to school and pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Willie worked as a licensed practical nurse at the Pocopson Home for 20-plus years, retiring in 2003. 

Willie and Wally loved the outdoors and designed and built their dream house in the woods in 1991. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed creating her own clothes as well as her kids’ clothes. The kids were not always fans of these matching creations, however. Willie also enjoyed knitting and cross-stitching and loved crossword puzzles. She was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church. 

A dog and cat enthusiast, Willie was very active in Chesapeake Bay Retriever rescue organizations. She raised and fostered many “Chessies” over the years as well as several Jack Russell Terriers.  

More recently, Willie loved watching over her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and visiting with friends. 

Willie is survived by her five children: daughter, Kelli Boyd (Dale) of Oxford; son, Kevin Clay of Coldwater, MS; son, Kyle Clay of Downingtown, PA; daughter, Kirstan Clay-Weinfeld (Henry) of Wilmington, Del.; and son Jeffery Clay (Melanie)  of Nottingham; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

She is also survived by her brother, Paul Finley (Elaine) of Washington and her sister, Karen Bauer (Fritz) of Ohio.

Willie was preceded in death by her beloved Wally, her parents Paul and Ethel Finley, and her brother, Jon Finley (Vickie) of Ohio.

A private memorial service for family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Willie’s name may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) and/or Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue (www.cbrrescue.org).

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

 

Edith A. Miller

Edith A. Miller, a resident of Lincoln University, Pa., passed away on Oct. 11 at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun, Md. She was 82.

She was the wife of the late Alvin G. Miller.

Born in West Chester, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Ashby and Pearl Fryberger Young. 

Edith was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Russelville. 

She was a board member for the Oxford Golden Bears and instrumental on starting the football team.

Every year, Edith would crochet and donate 300 hats to Divine Sent Food Cupboard and to her church to be sent to other countries.

She enjoyed playing bingo, traveling with friends and especially loved crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, Geroldine Vanderhoef of Annville, Alvin G. Miller, Jr. (Vera) of Lincoln University and Robert A. Miller (Sue) of Nottingham; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Helen Ann Hess and two brothers, Charles A. Young and Haywood E. Young.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Divine Sent Food Cupboard, 198 Barnsley Rd., Oxford, PA 19363.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Randy Fisher

Joseph “Randy” Fisher died unexpectedly in his home in Oxford on Oct. 10. He was 51.

Randy is survived by his parents, Joseph and Gayle Fisher; his wife, Christine Blithe Fisher; their children, Joseph and Matthew, all of Oxford; and a sister, Vicky Sherman, of Chadds Ford, Pa. Randy is also survived by many aunts and uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Randy graduated from Oxford High School in 1987. He met the love of his life, Christine, in 1987, and they married in 1993.  They built a house on the edge of the family farm and had two children together.  

Randy earned an associate degree in civil engineering, and most recently worked for MESH Consulting of Eagleville, Pa.

Growing up in a small town, Randy was well-known to many. He had a storybook childhood on the family dairy farm, and spent many days with his cousins, most of who lived within a half mile of him. His cousins tell tales of growing up on the farm, running around in creeks, playing baseball and chopping down trees, family trips to the beach, and participating in each other’s weddings.

Randy was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed sporting clays, hunting deer, geese and bear, and fishing and crabbing. 

This summer, he and his family spent many nights enjoying crabs for dinner. 

Randy was an accomplished story and joke teller, who was known for his sense of humor and wit. His infectious laugh and smile was appreciated and valued by all who knew and loved him.  He was a hardcore conservative and NRA supporter. He loved a good cigar, a glass of bourbon, and watching the phases of the moon from his porch.

Please join his family and friends for an open house in celebration of Randy’s life on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oxford Gun Club in Oxford.

The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out to them in this time of grief.

Donations can be made to the Randy Fisher Memorial Fund on the GoFundMe platform.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Dennis G. Birt

Dennis G. Birt, 78, of Oxford, passed away on Oct. 12 at home.

He was the husband of Carol S. Reagan Birt, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.

Born in Berwick, Pa., he was the son of the late Alden and Catherine Wozniak Birt. 

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

He was formerly employed as a police patrolman, then he became a sergeant and retired as Chief of Police. 

Dennis was a member of the Chester County Lodge #011 Pennsylvania #00570 Fraternal Order of Police, Christiana American Legion Post #865 and lifetime member of the NRA.   

He was an avid hunter and enjoyed woodworking.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Tracy Pietrinferni (Dante) of Douglassville and Kathryn Moody (Ken) of Elkton, Md.; three grandchildren, Paul, Nicholas and Rian; and one brother, Gary Birt of Wilkes-Barre.

Services were held on Oct. 20 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc.in Oxford. 

Interment will be private.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Dennis Birt.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

DR. LOUIS A. TOBIA

Dr. Louis A. Tobia, a resident of Kennett Square, passed away at his residence on Oct. 6. He was 80.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Rosetta C. Tobia, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Woodbury, NJ, he was the son of the late Louis, Sr. and Florence Tobia.

He went on to serve as a captain in the U.S. Army, where he practiced as a dentist.

Thereafter, he established his own private dental practice in Dilworthtown, Pa., which he maintained for many years.

In addition, he taught Prosthetic Dentistry as a member of the part-time faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, his alma mater for both his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.

After retiring, he spent his summers in Wildwood, where he became known far and wide as “Condo Lou” by countless friends.

He was proud to be a Silver Life Master at Bridge as well as a first degree black belt in both Japanese Kenpo Karate and Japanese Go Ju Rhu Karate.

He is survived by two daughters, Sheri (Ray) Ott of Dover, Del. and Kathleen (Brian) Carmody of Chadds Ford, Pa. and five grandchildren, Connor, Griffin and Devon Ott and identical twins, Brady and Kirk Carmody.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. 

His funeral mass will follow at noon at St. Patrick Church, 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square with burial afterwards.

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

In memory of Lou, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Chloe Ann Miles

Chloe Ann Miles, a resident of Durham, NC, formerly of Nottingham,  passed away at home on Oct. 4. She was 66.

Born in Nottingham, she was the daughter of the late James G. and Mary Council Harris. 

Chloe retired from the U.S. Army.

She was employed as a bus driver for DATA Transportation in Durham, NC.

She was a member of the North East Baptist Church in Durham, NC.

Chloe enjoyed cookouts and entertaining. She loved her dog, Sir.

She is survived by eight siblings, Sara Lomax of Nottingham, George Harris (Barbara) of Nottingham, Catherine Montgomery of Nottingham, Faye Harris of Nottingham, William Harris of Nottingham, John Harris (Audrey) of Nottingham, Linda Wallace of Perryville, Md., Sandy Harris of Durham, NC; her beloved dog, Sir; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by six siblings, Price Harris, Raymond Harris, Reed Harris, Colleen McClain, Lillie Williams and James G. Harris, Jr.

A visitation with family and friends was held on Oct. 19 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Funeral services and interment with full military honors will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Venie L Brooks Scholarship Fund, c/o Jane Wilborn, Treasurer, PO Box 65, North Wilksboro, NC 28659.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Robert Cecil Driver

Robert Cecil Driver, aka Bob, Bobby Cecil, left this earthly realm on Oct. 15 at the age of 82. 

He was a native of Kenneth Square and a longtime resident of Wilmington, Del. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Newark Chrysler Assembly Plant in 1994. He was a member of the UAW and a founding member of Brother 6 Social Club. 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann (Lee) Driver, his daughter, Raylene Driver Hill (Bryan), his grandchildren, Darryl Patrick Driver (Akilah) and Darria Venee James and his four great grandchildren, Karrah, Kylie, Isaiah and Miles. 

He is also survived by his baby sister, Maxine Mayo.

Flowers, cards, memorials, etc may be sent to 1120 Jefferson Road, Greensboro, NC. 27410.  

William V. Demboski

William V. (Bill) Demboski, 83, of Sarasota, FL, entered into Heaven on Oct. 2. 

Born on Nov. 24, 1936 in Justus, Pa., he was the youngest child and only son of Stanley and Stella Demboski.

In 1954, he graduated from St. James High School in Chester, Pa. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Minute Man and served as a sonar specialist. He graduated from Pennsylvania Military College in Chester, Pa., with a degree in electrical engineering. 

In addition to creating his own electrical company in his early years, he worked for DuPont, Sterling and Hillrom. 

Bill retired to Sarasota, FL in 2004. Prior to his retirement to Sarasota, FL, he was a member and actively involved at New London Presbyterian Church and played guitar for the worship team.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of The Railroad Rod and Gun Club, also known as the Caboose Gang, for many years. Amid the peaceful beauty of the area’s mountains, Bill had some of his deepest talks with God. 

He enjoyed golf, traveling, wood carving. Under the name Wild Art Acrylics, he was a local painter of wildlife.

Bill will be remembered for his great smile and sense of humor. A captivating storyteller, he often recounted memories of a humble childhood on the farm in upstate Pennsylvania.  He told stories of adventures with his sisters, long walks in the woods with his father, and the ways his mother made him feel special. 

Frugal, but very giving, he was always willing to help those in need, and when he gave, he gave generously. He was a loyal Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He was proud of his Polish heritage and could fix anything. He had a heart for conservation of our natural resources and an overzealous passion for recycling. The life of a party, Bill always made those around him feel welcome. He was a good, good man.

Bill is survived by his wife, Karen; two sisters, Elizabeth Howanski of Crum Lynne, Pa. and Joan Kryak of Morton, Pa. He is also survived by two daughters, Marci Horrox (John) of Prospect Park, Dana Kreider (Kenny) of Kirkwood, grandchildren Shane Horrox (Lauren), Alexis Horrox, Anthony Demboski, Jacob Robinson, Isabel Robinson, Mikaela Kreider and Hollyn Kreider; two great-granddaughters, Alessia and Faith, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, two daughters Antoinette and Teresa, brother-in-law John, niece and goddaughter Mary Beth and nephew Gregory.

To honor Bill’s life, family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life service at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at Osbornia Farm, 74 Clendenin Road in Quarryville, Pa.

To plant memorial trees in memory of William V. (Bill) Demboski, please visit the online Sympathy Store for White-Luttrell Funeral Homes.