George Burnett Lewis 

George Burnett Lewis died peacefully at Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square on Dec. 9. He was 97.

George was born in Flushing, N.Y. on Feb. 19, 1923 to Dorothy Rickett and Morel Peck Lewis.  His education included the Buckley School, St. Andrews School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

In 1947, George married Eleanor Letts from Providence and Narragansett, Rhode Island and raised three children, George Burnett Lewis, Jr, Madeline Lewis, and Houghton Lewis.  Married for 73 years, George and “Ellie” often reflected that their happiest years were spent living on their farm in Kennett Square, enjoying their children and menagerie of horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and goats.

While attending UNC, George participated in the Naval R.O.T.C.  In 1944, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and released as a Lieutenant, J.G. in 1946.  His two-year active duty included the provisioning and commissioning of the minesweeper AM 239 in the invasion of Okinawa; and at the end of the war, the securing of Northern Honshu as part of the Northern Pacific Fleet. After the war, he became the Captain of the AM 342 which swept mines to permit U.S., Japanese, and many others to work more safely.  His final job was to take several minesweepers to the Philippines to be upgraded and turned over to the Chinese.  He retired from the Navy in 1946, and then completed his degree at the University of North Carolina Business School.

George worked for the DuPont Company for 39 years in the textile fibers department across a number of programs and products.  He managed advertising and promotion, export marketing, and product management for Nomex, Typar, and Tyvek. For three years after DuPont, George managed Burnett Enterprises selling off-grade product.

Throughout his life, George spent a significant amount of time contributing in the community.  Working at three different Episcopal Parishes over 60 years, he participated in vestry duties, search committees, outreach efforts, financial matters, and 16 years of acolyte (“the God squad”) training.  He also was an active member with St. Andrews School Alumnae; Special Gifts Chairman at the Red Cross; and helped start Big Brothers in Wilmington, Del.  George was particularly grateful for his membership, active service, and involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous over many years in both Wilmington and Kennett Square.  

George repeatedly expressed appreciation for a rich, long, and wonderful life with family and friends. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished for his joy of living, robust sense of humor, expansive warmth, and an all-inclusive, kind heart.

George is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be announced in the future.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit 

www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

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

Judge Daniel J. Maisano

District Judge Daniel J. Maisano transitioned peacefully on Dec. 10. He passed while in the arms of his beloved wife. Ultimately, Dan was another victim of COVID-19.

Dan served Chester County as a Magisterial District Judge for more than two decades, serving until his passing as a Senior Judge. He served on the board of various charitable organization through the years and at the time of his passing was serving as the President of the Board of Governors of the University and Whist Club of Delaware. The Whist Club was a passion of Dan’s and he felt it was his second home.

Along with his wife of 30 years, Chester County treasurer Dr. Patricia Maisano, Dan is also survived by his 4 sons:  Scott Maisano Corneliussen ( and Jennifer) of Kennett Square, Dan Maisano II of Washington D.C., Peter Eversley ( and Katrina) of  Texas, and Adam Maisano of Philadelphia. Dan adored his two granddaughters, Remi Grace Corneliussen and Lily Grace Eversley. 

He is also survived by his father Sam Castorani; his sisters, Petrece Podlesney (Jim), Stephanie Johnston (Dean), and Lalette Cotrelle, and JoAnn Miller; and his brothers, Sam Castorani (Sara), and Joseph Lesniak (Toni).  Dan is also survived by his brother in life and in business, Paul Lesniak (Mariana); and more nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles too important to forget.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Dan’s honor to The United Way of Southern Chester County ( www.unitedwayscc.org) 106 West State St., Kennett Square PA 19348. These funds will be specifically used to make Christmas bright for kids in need and for families devastated by COVID-19.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home, Inc.

Emidio Peter D’Antonio

Emidio Peter D’Antonio passed away peacefully in his home on Dec. 11 at the age of 87. 

Born June 29, 1933 and raised in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late Florindo and Catherine D’Antonio. He attended St. Agnes High School and went on to successfully own and operate his own business, D’Antonio Mushrooms, for over 65 years. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1963.

His character can best be summed up by something his wife, Lena, once remarked to her granddaughter. She said, “Everyone is always telling me how wonderful of a man your grandfather is – of course we already know that!”  He was an unequivocally good man: kind, patient and honest. He made friends everywhere he went. Whether you waited on him at the Concordville Inn, cut his hair at the barber shop, or owned the shop where he had his car serviced, you knew him personally and he knew you.  

He enjoyed watching old westerns, Sunday pasta with the family, gardening, and the (not so) occasional trip to Delaware Park.  But above all else, he loved his family and cherished his wife, Lena, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage and dinner out on the town every Saturday night.

Emidio is survived by the love of his life, Lena Oliveri D’Antonio, his 3 sons and their wives, Anthony and Melanie D’Antonio, Steve and Sheila D’Antonio and David and Kathleen D’Antonio; 4 grandchildren, Stephanie Boughner, Michelle Jurich, Michael D’Antonio and Olivia D’Antonio, 7 great grandchildren, his sister Maryann Benko and many nieces and nephews.

Due to pandemic restrictions, Emidio's mass of Christian burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do a simple act of kindness in his name. Tip a service worker a little more than normal, pay for a stranger’s coffee, hold a door open for someone or simply donate to Hospice - because that’s what he would have done.

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

Carl August (C.A.) Hutton

On Dec. 13, Carl August (C.A.) Hutton, 70, son of the late Louise and Sidney Hutton, Jr., passed away from cancer near his Manhattan home. 

After attending Avon Grove High School, he received a bachelor of arts degree in drama from Washington College. 

On Broadway, he was stage door manager for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” and “Runaways.” He co-founded Team NY Aquatics and became a team coach and an avid open-water swimmer. 

C.A. is survived by his husband, Jeffrey Fennelly, sisters Laura Zosia Hutton and Marina Conrad, niece Ali O'Brien, and grandnephew Hunter O'Brien. His late brother was Sidney Hutton III. 

Following cremation, interment will be in Chestertown, Md. A memorial service will be held on a date to be announced.

Mary R. Buffington

Mary R. Buffington, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away on Dec. 7 at Somerford Place in Newark, Del., where they took wonderful care of her.

She was an 89-year-old resident of Chadds Ford.

She was the loving wife of the late William Buffington, whom she married on April 18, 1951. Mary was born in Ridgway, Pa. She was the daughter of the late James D. Reilly, Jr. and the late Julia O’Connor Reilly. She graduated from West Chester High School and Goldey-Beacom College.

Mary was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church where she attended daily mass and served as a eucharistic minister often.

Mary was also a member of Kennett Grange for 66 years and held many offices at the local, county, state and national levels. Her last position held was as the national program director from 1987 to 1995. Mary was a wonderful public speaker and could make everyone feel welcome. She was never at a loss for words.

Mary was a world traveler. She and Bill traveled all over the United States and to Pakistan, China, Russia and Italy. Her favorite place to visit was Ireland, having traveled there many times.

Mary also loved her community and was very active with Kennett Area Community Service for many, many years.

Mary is survived by daughters Kathleen Shappell (Bob, who is deceased ) and Virginia Ramirez (Ken). Mary also has five grandchildren, Michael Steele (Lisa), Amy Vandercapellen (Butch), Brian Shappell, Andrew Buffington (Kristen) and David Buffington. And she also has three great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

She was proceeded in death by daughters, Lois Steele (Jim), Susan Buffington and a son, Phillip Buffington (Laurie).

A funeral mass was held on Dec. 14 at St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. Interment was at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may made in Mary’s memory to Kennett Area Community Service, 136 West Cedar St., Kennett Square, PA 19348 or Somerford Place, an Alzheimer’s and memory care facility, 4175 Ogletown – Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713.

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

Luise Haag Scerni

Luise Haag Scerni, of Kennett Square, passed away at her home on Dec. 11. She was 89.

Luise was the wife of the late Anthony Scerni, who predeceased her in April of 2016.

She was born in Bavaria, Germany, the daughter of the late Joseph Haag and the late Emma Hotz Haag.

For many years, Luise and her late husband, Anthony, were self-employed as real estate investors.

Luise has been a bright star to so many people who will miss her many stories and adventures. She spent a lot of her time traveling the world alongside her family and friends. Luise seemed to meet new friends while she was traveling or participating in clubs. One of her favorite things to do was work in her garden, and when visitors drove up to her house they were always amazed at the many flowers and plants. 

She enjoyed visiting Longwood Gardens any opportunity she had, she truly admired the beauty of nature. She looked forward to going to church every Sunday to surprise everyone with one of her many unique hats. To family and friends, she really was one of a kind, immigrating from Germany at the age of 19 all on her own. With her family still in Germany, she was able to create her own family out of the close friends she made. The powerhouse of a woman Luise was will never be forgotten. She radiated strength and was loved by many.

Luise is survived by her sister, Gerda Fischer; her sister-in-law, Alfreida Haag; and her nieces, Heike and Angelica, all of Bavaria, Germany; her nephew, Gary Scerni of West Chester, Pa.; as well as her friend and companion of nearly 30 years, Carolina Bedolla of Kennett Square.

Due to pandemic restrictions, services for Luise will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Luise’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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

Theresa M. Meussner

Theresa M. Meussner, 72, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 13 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Theresa Allen Fidler.

Theresa was a receiving supervisor at Levy United News. 

She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She liked music, nature, watching and feeding the birds and other wildlife.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Alexander (Michael) of Oxford; two sons, William Meussner of Harrisburg and Anthony Meussner (Kelly) of Penndel; and five grandchildren, Nicholas Evans, Shelby Falk (Zach), Braise McGaughran (Sam), Christian Meussner and Chase Meussner.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Schuch and brother, Charles Fidler.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at Encounter Church, 300 Hideaway Dr., in Quarryville, Pa., where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

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

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

Louise Arline Bauman

Louise Arline Bauman, of Oxford, passed away at Jennersville Hospital in West Grove on Dec. 16 after a brief illness. She was 96.

She was the daughter of the late Herman L. and Louise Stempel Bauman and the sister of Dorothy B. Simper, who passed away September 20, 2014, and the beloved aunt of Leslie Simpers of Oxford. 

Born in Pattenburg, NJ, she moved to Oxford as a child. Upon graduation from Oxford High School in 1942, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as an RN at DC General Hospital for 35 years. Upon retirement in 1979, she returned to Oxford where she continued her second career as an artist. Trained at the Corcoran School of Art, she was active in the Octoraro Art Association where she taught and mentored fellow artists. For many years, she donated her art work for the benefit of World Vision and other causes. 

A voracious reader, she was a long-time supporter of the Oxford Library and had read the entire contents of the original library as a young adult. She gave generously of her time and talent, volunteering in hospice work and adult literacy.

A graveside service was held on Dec. 22 at the Oxford Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember her may donate to the Oxford Public Library, 48 S. Second St., 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.

Vera M. Cole

Vera M. Cole, age 101, of Oxford, died on Dec. 16 at The Ware Presbyterian Village. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray P. and Mabel Roth Reese, her husband of fifty-two years Ray D. Cole, and her son Jay Dennis Cole.

As a homemaker, Vera was able to be a cub scout leader, a piano teacher for over fifty years, a past president of the Federated Women’s Club of Chester County, and an active participant and organist at the Avondale Methodist Church for over fifty-five years.

Vera and her husband Ray owned and operated The Cole Bin antique business that specialized in lamps and custom made lamp shades.

 

Vera loved music, was always involved in a craft project, loved baking cookies particularly with her granddaughters, enjoyed decorating for holidays, and spent many days shopping in her home county of Lancaster County.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Ware Presbyterian Village and Willow Tree Hospice for their care of and concern for Vera.

Vera is survived by her daughter-in-law Norma J. Cole, two granddaughters, Lisa (Christopher) Weaver and Cheryl (Frederick) Nelson, and four great-grandchildren, Alec and Grace Weaver and Benjamin and Logan Nelson.

There will be a private graveside service at The Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster, Pa. on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to any of the following organizations:

Ware Presbyterian Employee Appreciation Fund, 7 E. Locust St, Oxford, PA 19363 or

Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348 or to the

Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, 100 N. 20th Street, Suite 405, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

To view her online tribute, please visit www.kuzoabdfoulkfhfh.com.

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