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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of October 11

10/11/2021 10:06PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Albert Gans

Albert Gans, of Oxford, passed away on Oct. 1 at his daughter’s home in Oxford. He was 92.

He was the husband of the late Frances Rosensweig Gans.

Born in Chicago, IL he was the son of the late Joseph and Florence Rosenthal Gans.

Albert was an artist in every sense of the word. He painted in his art studio where he lived since 1972 in the historical Edenton Inn that was built in 1800. He taught art at the Oxford Senior Center and painted a 30-foot mural in the Coatesville Senior Center where he also taught art. 

He was raised in Bronx, NY during the depression of the 1930s. After high school he served in the U.S. Air Force and spent 15 months in the Aleutian Islands. He was so good at drawing he went to work for Ziff-Davis Publishing in Manhattan, NY. 

In 1955, he went to work at Cape Canaveral, FL for RCA. RCA then was transferred to New Jersey where he worked in the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System. He ended his career with RCA in their TV Broadcasting Marketing Department, always trying to get into something in the creative arts. After leaving RCA, he went to work in advertising as a creative director, copywriter and advertising manager, and eventually moved to Pennsylvania. 

In the 1970s he created a complete Center for the Arts in his barn which was on his 5.3-acre property. Here, he taught art and had an art gallery and art supplies, but because he was not a good businessman he ended up with a lot of debt and was forced to go to work to pay it off.

Meanwhile, he enjoyed going to auctions and the result was that he made the barn into an antique shop. He then fell back on his experience in electronic engineering and worked as a contract employee for all the big surrounding corporations such as DuPont, Boeing, etc. His last job before retiring was at the Franklin Mint when he retired at age 65. He then followed his dreams and became a full-time artist. Albert finally came to peace with what he loved all his life.

He is survived by one son, Steven Gans of Edgewater Park, NJ; two daughters, Michele Brumbley of Oxford and Ellen Errichetti of Medford, NJ; and four grandchildren, Joseph Brumbley, Leigh Errichetti, Jenny Errichetti and Ian Errichetti.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Gans.

A graveside service was held on Oct. 6 at 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.


Vicente Hernandez Cortes

Vicente Hernandez Cortes, of Oxford, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, Sept. 24. He was 61.

Vicente was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of 17.

Vicente was an exceptional man who was loved by all of those who he met. Vicente was a man of Christian faith and was a licensed minister. He positively impacted everyone he met and was a soldier of God. He was truly a kid at heart and loved to play soccer, football, baseball, and horseshoes. His laugh and smile were infectious and will be remembered by all that knew him. He would not want anyone to be sad from his passing because he was so happy to be going to be with his Lord and Savior. He will be deeply missed by his family.

Vicente was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife, Gretchen Cortes; mother, Del Refigio Hernandez; daughter, April Donnelly (Thomas Jr); three stepsons, Raymond Vanover (Robin), Steve Vanover, and William Vanover (Bettina); seven grandchildren, Ryan Vanover, Gabby Donnelly, Wesley Vanover, Thomas Donnely III, Ava Vanover, Everly Vanover, and Augusta Vanover; three brothers, Enrique, Salomon, and Ramon; three sisters; Ana, Sandra, and Elia; and fourteen nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Ramon Cortes.

Services are private due to COVID-19.

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


John Edward Melrath

John Edward (Jack) Melrath, a resident of Oxford, went Home to be with the Lord on Oct. 5. He was 84.

Jack was the most loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be forever missed by his wife, Brenda Smith Melrath; his daughters, Jill Rutledge and Janelle Hadly; their husbands, Earl Rutledge and Davis Hadly; his grandchildren, Mallory Rutt married to Jerlin Rutt, Darren Rutledge, Elizabeth (Liz) Hadly, and Reed Hadly. He is survived by numerous nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Alice Jackson Melrath, and brothers, David, Earl, and Ray Melrath. 

Jack’s family was everything to him. He was so proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was actively involved in their lives and didn’t miss a single thing. He enjoyed going to sporting events, beach vacations, and backyard picnics, always together as a family. He loved his family well, and they adored him. There will always be a void in their lives without him here on this earth.

Jack will be remembered by his infectious smile and love for life. He had the best sense of humor and the biggest heart. He would do anything to help others in need. Jack was a huge Phillies, Eagles and Sixers fan. He enjoyed playing sports when he was younger and as he aged, he enjoyed watching them. It was evident that Jack loved his country—his big July 4 parties featured red, white and blue outfits and American flag décor in his home. 

Jack was born in Oxford and dedicated his life to actively serve in the community. He spent 62 years in the real estate business as a salesman, associate broker, and broker. He was a charter member of the Oxford Athletic Association (OAA). He served the Oxford Lions club for over 55 years, earning the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2017, which is the highest award a Lion can receive. He was also a two-time president for the Oxford Lions club. Jack was a Mason Dixon Hall of Fame member in 1996 and was inducted into Oxford’s Sports Wall of Fame in 2016. He was the Oxford Little League chairman and a coach for 12 years. Jack earned the Oxford Citizen of the Year Award in 1999. He was a member of VFW Post 4480, American Legion Post 865, Ancient Orders of Croaking Frogs, and Oxford F.O.E 2666.

Funeral services were held on Oct. 9 at Wesley Church in Quarryville,  

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lighthouse Youth Center, 245 Commerce St., Oxford, PA 19363, or Oxford Athletic Association, P.O. Box 194, Oxford, PA 19363.

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

Donald “Donnie” R. Gill, Jr.
Donald “Donnie” R. Gill Jr. of Elkton, Md., passed away at the age of 68, on Oct. 5.  
Donnie was born on July 15, 1953 in West Grove, Pa. to Margaret (Mattson) Gill and the late Donald R. Gill Sr.
Donnie worked as a custodian for the Avon Grove School District and retired in 2017.  He enjoyed all sports but especially wrestling and Nascar.  Donnie was also a member of the Elkton Moose Lodge #851.
Donnie is survived by his mother, Margaret Gill of Elkton, Md; his sisters,  Rose Lowe of Worton, Md., Pat Reed of Fair Hill, Md., Donna Duffy of Seattle, WA; his aunts,  Anna Dixon of OH, Joyce Rock of PA; 5 nieces; 5 nephews; 18 great nieces and nephews; 1 great-great niece; and 1 great-great nephew.  
In addition to his father, Donald Sr., Donnie is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Gill; sister, Mary Ellen Gill, grandparents, Tom and Margaret Mattson and Tom and Beatrice Gill; nephew, Nathan Cook; and brother-in-laws,  Bud Reed and Dave Duffy.
A celebration of Donnie’s life was held on Oct. 12 at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home in Newark, Del.
Burial was held immediately after at New London Methodist Cemetery in New London, Pa.  
To send online condolences, please visit www.rtfoard.com.