Gary Jay Mellinger

Gary Jay Mellinger, 74, of Oxford, passed away on May 1 at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood.

Born in Harford County, Md., he was the son of the late Yvonne Mellinger Price.

Gary retired as a self-employed truck driver.

He enjoyed fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake.

He is survived by his companion, Maxine Roland; three children, Mark A. Mellinger, Sr. (Melanie) of Peach Bottom, Tonja Wallace (Bill) of Oxford and Chastity Hardmon (Luis) of Drumore; four grandchildren, Billy, Kortney, Talynn and Brennan; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Mark A. Mellinger, Jr.

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.

J. Earl Keys

J. Earl “Duke” Keys, 81, of Quarryville passed away on May 7 at Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy.

He was the husband of the loving and devoted wife of Deborah Myers Keys, with whom he shared 36 treasured years.

Born in Oxford, he was the son of the late William and Lona Miller Keys.

He was a member of the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. 

Earl was self-employed as a truck driver for J. Earl Keys Trucking.

He enjoyed dirt racing with his sons, Jim and Ron and his best friends, Dean Price and Ed Kirk. He also enjoyed Harley-Davidson motorcycles, RVs, NASCAR, and driving his Corvette.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Jamie Keys of Manhattan, NY and Tracy Forino (Jason) of Quarryville; two sons, Jim Keys (Helen) of Oxford and Ron Keys (Karen) of Perryville, Md; nine grandchildren, Brian Keys (Sherry), Brittany Keys, Jimmy Keys III, Jordyn Keys, Erika Hassel, Mikayla McCamant, Ian McCamant, Matthew Forino and Gabrielle Forino; three great-grandchildren, Roni Keys, Jaci Keys and Carly Jean; one brother, Charles “Bill” Keys of Nottingham; and one sister, Patricia Temple (Eddie) of Oxford.

He was preceded in death by nine siblings, Zola, Ruth, Villa, Tressie, Helen “Pinky”, Opal, Dot, Joe, and Vernon “Bus”.

Funeral services were held on May 12 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church.

A live-stream video of the service will be made available on the tribute wall. 

Interment will be in Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church 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.

Thomas Eugene Trautman

Thomas Eugene Trautman, a resident of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully in his own home on May 3. He was 79.

Born in 1942 in Lebanon, Pa., Tom was the son of the late Eugene and Mary Trautman. 

Tom was known for his caring personality, always happy and smiling, and the love he had for his family. His late wife Shirley, was the love of his life. They shared 58 years of marriage and did everything together—shopping, their boys’ sporting events, doctors appointments, etc. He called Shirley “My Lady,” and took very good care of her for many years.

Tom was not only a wonderful husband, but a very involved and amazing father to his three sons. He also worked very hard his entire life. At a very young age, he said he wanted to be a Marine and a truck driver. He did both. He served in the Marines; then the Navy and eventually became a truck driver for GM.

Tom is survived by his three sons, Richard Trautman (Lisa), Daniel Trautman (Kathy), and Michael Trautman; his grandchildren, Daniel Jr., Nicholas, Grace and Ryan; his sister, Mary; and his brother, David.

He was predeceased by his brother, John.

Due to pandemic restrictions, Tom’s memorial service will be private and by invitation only. Interment will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

To view Tom’s online tribute and to share a message with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Jeanne A. Kirkman

Jeanne A. Kirkman, formerly of Kennett Square and Ocean City, NJ, passed away on May 8 at Jefferson Hospital in Sewell, NJ. She was 92.

Born in 1929 in West Chester, Jeanne was the daughter of the late Nicola Travaglini and the late Josephine DiProspero Travaglini. 

Jeanne graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia with a degree in science and worked as a dietician at Chester County Hospital in the late 1960s and was the owner of the Mini Mushroom Mart in Ocean City, NJ in the 1970s and 1980s. Jeanne was an avid gardener and deeply loved her family. Her grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “Mom-Mom SeaShore.” 

Jeanne is survived by her daughters, Joyce Finocchio Crowley and Jeannette Finocchio Davidson; her grandchildren, Marjorie Jeanne Lafferty-Clark, Rhoda Jeanne Finocchio-Davidson, Janeene Finocchio Jennett, Shin Ai Davidson, Giovanna Finocchio, Gina Davidson and Victoria Finocchio; as well as 11 great-grandchildren. 

Jeanne was predeceased by her son, Harry G. Finocchio; her brother, Domenic J. Travaglini; and her two grandchildren, Michael P. Lafferty, Jr. and Timothy M. Finocchio. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Jeanne on May 17 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square.  

Private Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery. 

Donations in Jeanne’s memory may be made to EWTN.com – the EWTN Global Catholic Network. 

To view Jeanne’s online tribute and to share a message with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

John Pyle Anderson, of Pennsbury

John Pyle Anderson passed away at the age of 89 on May 10.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Pratt Anderson. He is also survived by three children, David B. Anderson (and his wife Mary) of Oxford, Joan A. Dowdrick (and her husband Joseph Jr.) of Lebanon, Pa., and James M. Anderson (and his wife Amy) of Chadds Ford. Other family survivors include his twin brother Robert M. Anderson (and his wife Carol) of Woodlands, TX; his sister Judith A. Peters of  St. Augustine, FL; and his brother George L. Anderson of West Grove; and his six grandchildren, Alison Taughinbaugh, Joseph Dowdrick, III., Matthew Anderson, Emily Anderson, Kaitlyn Anderson and Jack Anderson; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

John was born at Chester County Hospital in West Chester in 1931. He was the son of the late Lawrence Meloney Anderson and the late Frances Baker Anderson. He lived in West Chester, West Grove, Philadelphia, Kennett Square, and Pocopson before becoming a resident of the Crosslands Retirement Community in 2003. He attended elementary schools in West Chester and West Grove, and received his high school diploma from Girard College in Philadelphia in 1949. He then enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1953. He subsequently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1956, and was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania.

In 1957, he began his career in corporate and regulatory law with Birdsboro Corporation in Birdsboro, Pa., followed by FMC Corporation in Philadelphia in 1969 and Columbia Gas Systems Inc, in Wilmington, Del. in 1973. He retired from the Columbia Gas Legal Department in 1999.

John was a member of London Grove Friends Meeting, and served on the Meeting's Finance, Religious Education, Kindergarten and Burial Ground Committees, as well as several Western Quarterly Meeting and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Committees. At London Grove he also served many years as treasurer of the Monthly Meeting, treasurer of the London Grove Friends Kindergarten, and secretary-treasurer of London Grove Friends Burial Ground. When younger, he was a teacher of the First Day School’s high school class, and the First Day School’s superintendent.

John was also active in community affairs, including two terms on the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors; treasurer and director of the Unionville Community Fair; a director, commissioner, coach and umpire with the soccer, basketball, softball and baseball programs of the Unionville Recreation Association; an officer of the Unionville Middle School and High School parent-teacher organizations; a member of the Kendal-Crosslands Communities Board of Directors; President of the Delaware Chapter of the Federal Bar Association; and a member of the YAG Club for over 65 years.

Burial will be private. At John’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Andrew W. Fulton

Andrew W. Fulton, 74, of Oxford, passed away on May 11 at Reading Hospital in West Reading.

He was the husband of the late Renee S. Patton Fulton, with whom he shared 46 years of marriage.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late William and Helen Simmons Fulton.

Andrew was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Vietnam War.

He was employed as a manager with Acme in Kennett Square until retiring in 2010. 

Andrew enjoyed NASCAR, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. 

He is survived by three daughters, Dawn Fulton of California, Kim Fulton of Pennsylvania, and Sara Fulton of Delaware, and one sister, Mae F. Hammond also of Delaware.

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.

Renee S. Fulton

Renee S. Fulton, 67, of Oxford, passed away at home on April 28.

She was the wife of Andrew W. Fulton, with whom she shared 46 years of marriage.

Born in Somerset, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Ruth Patton.

Renee enjoyed reading, singing and baking. 

She is survived by her husband; three daughters, Dawn Fulton of California, Kim Fulton of Pennsylvania, and Sara Fulton of Delaware, two brothers, Buddy Patton and Bill Patton, and two sisters, Linda Hannah and Cynthia Patton.

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.

Margaret Ann Rochester

Margaret Ann Rochester, a resident of Newark, Del. and formerly of Oxford, passed away on May 11 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. She was 71.

Margaret Ann Rochester, better known as Bettyann, was born Feb. 28, 1950, in Oxford. She was the only child of Mary Annie Rochester and was raised with her aunts and uncles as siblings. 

She was a graduate of Oxford Area High School.

Bettyann loved children and assisted with raising and caring for many family members (Michael Akana, Brian McClain, Melissa Rochester, Antaya Rochester and Katrace Dean).

Bettyann loved to braid hair, collect knickknacks, play lottery tickets and, most of all, taking care of family and neighborhood children.   

Bettyann was a resident of Newark, Del. from 2008 until May 11 but her hometown of Oxford remained in her heart. 

She is survived by three children, Tammy Dennison, Diane Dennison, Howard Dennison; three grandchildren, Alonzo Dennison, Kane and Shane Gomez-Dennison.  Bettyann was also known as mom mom to Deija, Xzavia and Aysira Dean.

She was preceded in death by a son, Harold (Lee) Dennison and mother, Mary Annie Rochester.

A Home Going Service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22  at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

Repast Fellowship for clergy, family and friends will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Redmans Hall, 114 Brick Road, 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.

Paul R. Propst

Paul R. Propst, 87, of Oxford, passed away on May 13 at home.

He was the husband of Hazel (Bunny) Lightcap Propst, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.

Born in Homeville, he was the son of the late William Carl and Helen Prange Propst.

Paul was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He was employed with the Department of the Army for 42 years.

He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and previously served as an elder for the Kirkwood Orthodox Presbyterian Church. 

Paul enjoyed reading, golf, watching Philadelphia sports teams and especially spending time with his family and pets.   

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Karen M. Propst of Oxford and Dawn M. Propst of Levittown; one son, Mark W. Propst (Patricia) of Tinton Falls, NJ; two grandchildren, Jessica and Ashley; and one sister, Susan Wittmaier of Lancaster.

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on May 18 at the Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Brandywine River Valley Home Health & Hospice, 121 Bell Tower, Lane, 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.