MARTY  GRIFFITH, Jr.

MARTY  GRIFFITH, Jr., a resident of Cochranville, passed away on April 2 at the Reading Hospital. He was 52.

He was the partner of Debra Barker-Lyall.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Marvin G. Griffith, Sr. and the late Linda Kelly Griffith.

Marty worked in the construction industry and was self-employed.

He enjoyed music, fishing, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one sister, Kimberly Osborne of Coatesville; six grandchildren; his partner, Debra Barker-Lyall and her children, Jody Lyall, Sonya DiProspero and Frank DiProspero, Jr.;  and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one son, Benjamin Cloud, and one sister, Lisa Coy.

His funeral service was held on April 13. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

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

Mary Fenstermacher Zell

Mary Fenstermacher Zell passed away on April 3 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 88.

She was the wife of the late Clifford H. Zell, Jr.

Born in Unionville, she was the daughter of the late William and Esther Hall Fenstermacher.

She was a member of Unionville Presbyterian Church.

Mary retired from the Oxford Area School District as a cafeteria employee.

She enjoyed puzzles, playing solitaire, watching ice skating, Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies and especially spending time with her family.

She is survived by her two sons, David Zell of Quarryville and Steven A. Zell (Yvonne) of Rising Sun, Md.; one daughter, Candace Z. Blanco of Fayetteville, NC; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two brothers, Amos Fenstermacher and William Fenstermacher both of Unionville; and two sisters, Barbara Massey of Damascus, Md. and Joyce Parrett of Kennett Square.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Erika Perry.

A graveside service was held on April 8 at the Oxford Cemetery.

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

Andrew Lawrence Mertz

Andrew Lawrence Mertz died at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on March 18. He was 31.

Andrew was the only, beloved son of Ken and Mary Ann Mertz. He was born in Louisville, KY on Jan. 10, 1990.

Everyone who met Andrew and saw his face and met that big personality that he shared with everyone, or saw him act, or sing, or direct a production, or who had the pleasure of eating some of his famous guacamole, or heard him laugh, or saw him stand up for himself and others, were blessed by him.

In his free time, he always enjoyed his pets, and he also loved camping and experiencing the joy of being together with others in the great outdoors.

In his senior year at Trinity High School in Louisville, KY, Andrew had the lead in “Guys and Dolls.” He took every acting, dancing, and singing class available in college before deciding that directing was his thing. When he directed, he chose plays that were challenging and had a theme that would “change the world.” In Louisville, he loved the theatre community and the friends that he had there. 

A comprehensive obituary about Andrew’s life is posted on the website of Edward Collins Funeral Home in Oxford.

A service celebrating Andrew’s life will take place when it is once again safe for family and his countless friends to gather. 

Instead of sending flowers, please honor Andrew by working for justice and contributing to those organizations that do this work, including his mother’s parish, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.  

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