SYBIL HILLMAN PIKE

Sybil Hillman Pike, of Kennett Square, passed away on March 9 at the Crosslands Retirement Community. She was 91.

Born in Atlantic City, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Julian Hillman and the late Madeleine Krauskopf Hillman.

Sybil was a retired research librarian at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. for over 15 years.

She, along with her partner Doris Grumbach, owned and operated Wayward Books, a very well know and respected book store in Washington, D.C.

She was an avid reader, an  avid gardener and enjoyed being with her family and friends. Her bookstore was her life.

Sybil is survived by one son, Christopher A. Pike and his wife Denise of Medina, OH; daughters, Susan M. Pike and her husband Robert Kopecky of Cathedral City, CA,  Carol Ann Pike Kostecki and her husband Robert of Hudson, NH, Mary E. Pike Azam of Three Bridges, NJ; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her partner, Doris Grumbach.

She was predeceased by one sister, Susan Hillman Becker and two brothers, James Hillman and Joel Hillman.

A Memorial service at Crosslands Retirement Community will be held at a later date.

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

Grace Gorchinsky

Grace (Mease) Gorchinsky, 99, passed away on Feb. 24, just two months shy of her 100th birthday. 

She was born to Jacob and Matilda Mease on April 29, 1921 in Springfield Township, Pa.

Grace was one of 13 siblings. 

She was the wife of the late John Gorchinsky. They were married for 66 years. 

Grace was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

Prior to her retirement, Grace worked as a seamstress for Ship n Shore Blouse Factory in Richlandtown. 

Her great joy after retiring was mowing her lawn on her John Deere tractor, which she did until she sold her home and moved into the Village at Lifequest at the age of 98. 

Grace became a loved member at the Village of Lifequest, and she loved them the same. Surviving Grace is her sister, Alma Slotter, her son, Fred (Linda), daughter, Pat (Lou, deceased), grandsons, Eric, Mark (Sadie), and Douglas (Terri), and great-grandchildren, Holly, Daniel, Aaron, Ryan, and Nico. 

Grace will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. 

Services will be private.

 

Ann Marie Muniz

Ann Marie Muniz passed away peacefully on March 10 at her home in Oxford after a courageous battle with cancer. 

She was born in Arizona on Oct. 23, 1960 to James (Jim) and Namie Davenport. 

Throughout her life, Ann changed the lives of everyone around her. She was a caregiver and role model for many, known for her generosity and compassion. 

She loved arts and crafts and music of all genres, but spending time with her family was what brought her the most joy. As a woman of many skills and vast wisdom, Ann was a mother figure for more than just her three children. She had a very warm, kindhearted personality and was very sociable. It seemed that she knew someone no matter where she went. 

Ann did a lot of hard work as a paralegal and held leadership positions in her community. She passionately stood up and fought for the rights of others and the environment. She won an award for her contributions in getting clean water for her community in Downers Grove, Illinois. 

She also regularly volunteered for many organizations and was a Girl Scout leader for both of her daughters’ troops. 

Ann was loved and respected by many and she lives on through the impact she made on all those who knew her. 

She is survived by her husband, Ed;  one son, Aaron;  and two daughters, Emily and Alicia. 

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

George William Van Buskirk

George William Van Buskirk, 60, of Nottingham, passed away on March 17.

He was the husband of Bonnie A. Zubris Van Buskirk.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late William O. and Margaret A. Beaver Van Buskirk. 

George retired in 2020 as an industrial arts teacher for the Coatesville School District after 36 years of service.

He enjoyed the outdoors, woodworking, landscaping and grilling. 

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Nicole Ann Van Buskirk of Thorndale and Briana Marie Van Buskirk of San Jose, CA; three sisters, Noreen McLucas of Morgantown, Margaret Showalter of Gap and Dolly Anderson of Orangeville, Pa.; and one brother, Ernest Van Buskirk of HI. 

Friends and family may visit from 10  to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St. in Oxford.

Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

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

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

William J. Morrow, Jr.

William J. Morrow, Jr., a resident of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, passed away on March 20 at his home. He was 78.

Born in Upper Darby, Pa., he was the son of the late William J., Sr. and Margaret J. Dougherty Morrow.

William graduated from St. Laurence Grade School in Upper Darby, Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School in Drexel Hill and St, Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

He was employed with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission as an inspector.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

Bill enjoyed living at the shore going for rides, Antiquing and purchasing new gadgets that came out—his nickname in the family was “Mr. Gadgets.”

He is survived by numerous cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place on March 27 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in West Grove.

Interment will be in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St Theresa’s Food Pantry, 450 Radio Rd., Little Egg Harbor, 08087.

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

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

Donald Walleigh

Donald Walleigh, a loving husband, father, and friend, entered into eternal rest on March 11. 

Don was good man—a friendly, hardworking man that loved his family. He had a kind soul and a gentle spirit. 

Don had an infectious smile that could light up a room and make everyone around him feel welcomed. Although born in Chester County, Don attended Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. 

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Don had many passions and hobbies throughout his life, but he loved a good project: building and fixing is what he did. He loved it. He was good at it and he always did it his way, the “Walleigh way.” When he wasn’t working on projects, Don loved golf, classic cars, spending time with his dogs and watching Philly sports. While Don had many passions in life, nothing held more value to him than his late wife Karen Walleigh. Don and Karen had a special bond, a relationship like none other. He loved her more than life itself. Don Walleigh left an incredible legacy, one that will be carried on by those who loved him. He will be missed and never forgotten. 

Don is survived by his children, Bonnie Nelson, Donald Walleigh, Kenny Walleigh, Lee Walleigh, Randy Willis, Keith Willis, and Deanna McCallister and his 13 grandchildren, Melissa Bishop, Brandon Walleigh, Kasandra Walleigh, Elizabeth Walleigh, Logan Walliegh, Becky Walleigh, Sarah Walleigh, Heidi Walleigh, Matthew Willis, Kayla Willis, Shale Ruckle, Ashley Lubrano Di Caruozzo, and Eric Edwards. 

He is also survived by his 6 great-grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his wife Karen Walleigh, his sisters Jane Keith, Nancy Lane, and Shirley Gurtizen; his great-grandson Randall Willis; and his son-in-law, Jerry Nelson. 

Services are 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.

Iona Martha Maria Farkas

Iona Martha Maria Farkas passed away on March 17 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 85. 

She was the wife of the late Stephen A. Farkas, with whom she shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Uppsala, Sweden she was the daughter of the late Paul and Marthe Lindquist Wolters.

Iona loved traveling, gardening, swimming, skiing, baking, chocolate and taking walks.

She is survived by her one daughter, Madeleine M. Henry (Leslie) of Oxford; two sons, Stephen P. Farkas (Jaime) of San Diego, CA and Paul A. Farkas (Keisha Bramwell) of Gyor, Hungary; seven grandchildren, Blake Farkas, Rowan Farkas, Dylan Howe, Amanda Howe, Stevie Farkas, Andor Farkas and Erik Farkas;  one brother, Emile Wolters (Katti) of Uppsala, Sweden; one sister, Lolo Sylvan (Ulf) of Stockholm, Sweden; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Madeleine Norell.

A virtual memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 25 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. The livestream video can be found on the tribute wall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 100 Sycamore Dr., West Grove, PA 19390 or Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2117.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.

Teresa Marie Waller

Teresa Marie Waller (nee Zunino) passed away at Reading Hospital on March 14. She was 81 years old. 

Born in Avondale, Teresa was the daughter of the late Augusto and Alfonsina Zunino. Teresa was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale.  She enjoyed attending Mass and participating in the various events of the parish.

She was a stay-at-home mother when her daughters were young, and as they entered school she was a frequent lunchroom mom and chaperoned many field trips.

Teresa worked part-time as a bank teller for Wells Fargo and enjoyed talking to the customers.  She made many friends throughout her years at the bank.

Teresa graduated from Kennett High School in 1957.  She met her future husband, Pat Waller, at the gas station he owned in 1961.  The two were married in 1963 and shared 57 years of marriage until Pat passed away in January of this year.

Teresa loved hosting parties at her home over the years and between birthday parties, sacraments, bridal and baby showers, hosted well over 100.  She always loved being around her family and enjoyed cooking dinner, especially for her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Teresa was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Clarence "Pat" Waller,  their daughter, Christina Waller and siblings, Joseph L. Zunino, Lena D. Lovisa and Anna M. Marrone.

Teresa is survived by daughters, Patrice Leonard of Avondale and Cathy Tornari (Larry) of Kennett Square; grandchildren, Mazzie and Joshua Miller; brothers, Harry Zunino (Eddie) of Avondale and Anthony Zunino (Kay) of West Grove; and many nieces and nephews.

Her viewing and Funeral Mass was on March 19 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church.  Burial followed in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Teresa's name to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, P.O. Box 709, Avondale, PA  19311 or   www.stgabrielavondalepa.org/give/.

Condolences can be offered at www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.

CHARLES R. STANDIFER

Charles Standifer passed away on March 25 at his residence in Landenberg. He was 85.

He was the husband and partner for 33 year of Julie A. Madonna. His first wife of 30 years,  Emily Lorena Flannery Standifer, passed away in 1988.

Born in Leesburg, VA, he was the son of the late Edward Standifer and the late Kitty Goins Standifer.

He was a maintenance worker at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent in Wilmington, Del., retiring in 1996 with over 25 years of service.

Charles was a member of the Hockessin VFW and the Kennett Square American Legion.

He enjoyed fishing, bowling, cooking at the Agilent parties, playing cards, going to the beach and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Sharon Robison and her husband Norman of Wilmington, Del.; one stepson, Dean Madonna of Colorado Springs, CO; one sister, Nancy Freeman o Dryden, VA;  one granddaughter, Heather Franklin and her husband William and one grandson Shawn Robison, and five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by four brothers, Harold Standifer, Buster Standifer, Earl Standifer and Raymond Standifer, and one sister, Bulah Orick.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 1 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square. The funeral service will follow  at 1 p.m. His burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Avondale Fire Company, Ambulance Division, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale, PA 19311.

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

Jerry T. Roten

Jerry T. Roten, 64, of New London, passed away on March 24 at Riddle Hospital in Media, Pa.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Don and Ina Bell Brooks Roten. 

Jerry recently moved into Fair Acres Nursing Home in Media. 

He was employed by PennDOT as a worker with the road crew for many years, and he later worked at Tipton Trucking in Oxford as a payroll clerk. 

He enjoyed reading, guitars, cooking and trivia. 

He is survived by one brother, Joseph Roten of Landenberg; two sisters, Wilma Tipton (Milt Sherman) of Oxford and Velma Gilles (James) of Manheim; and eight nieces and nephews, Michael Roten (Stephanie) of Landenberg, Sara Capinski (Tim) of Coatesville, Leona Slauch (Don) of Oxford, Frank Tipton, Jr. (Jennifer) of Oxford, Stacey Tipton of Oxford, James Gilles, III (Carrie) of Lebanon, Kelly Economos (Pete) of Nottingham, and Timmy Gilles (Shelly) of Lincoln University. 

Services and interment are 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.