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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of February 14

02/14/2022 08:39PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Isabel Madron

Isabel “Bel” Madron, of Kennett Square, died on Feb. 2 at Chester County Hospital. She was 70.

She was the daughter of the late Lester J. and Ida T. Madron. 

She was born in West Grove and resided in the Kennett area all her life. Bel was a 1970 graduate of Unionville High School.

Isabel was employed as a caretaker at a private residence in Greenville, Del. for over twenty years. Prior to that, she was employed by the DuPont Company in Wilmington, Del.

Bel enjoyed singing and playing guitar, writing, gardening, stained glass, her cats and just being outside away from people! She enjoyed flying and received her private pilot’s license in 1979. She was a faithful member of the Hamorton Methodist Church in Kennett Square, where she loved to share her music and formed many close friendships.

Isabel is survived by three sisters, Delores F. Abel of Avondale, Joan and Carol Madron of Kennett Square; and three brothers, James of West Grove, and Ted and John of Newark, Del. She was predeceased by one brother, Ronny.

There will be no parting services. If anyone would like to remember her, a contribution to “Castaway Cats” 4 Christiana Court, Bear, DE 19701 or to any animal rescue would be appreciated.

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


Giacomo Vincent Ranalli, Jr.

Giacomo Vincent Ranalli, Jr., known as Jack or Jackie to many in his extended family, has passed away at the age of 80.

He was the son of the late Giacomo “Jack” Vincent Ranalli Sr. and Natalina (Canzano) Ranalli.  His parents had four daughters then were blessed with a son. 

Jack graduated from the Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del., where he participated in football and track and field. President Joe Biden also attended the school during those years Jack was in high school.  After high school, Jack served his country as a member of the Delaware National Guard.

For many years, he worked alongside his father at Ox-Grove Lanes in Oxford, and then he later was the sole proprietor of the business. He loved to cook, especially pizza, cheesesteaks, and strombolis at the bowling facility.  He also loved sports and was a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.  Jack was a voracious reader all his life.  In his retirement, he continued to enjoy reading, especially mysteries and thrillers. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, playing golf, meeting his oldest sister for breakfast on Fridays, and working as a security guard at the DuPont Experiment Station in Wilmington, Del.  He received many Employee Recognition Awards for always being on time and never calling out.    

Jack is survived by his wife, Linda (Snyder) Ranalli and their three children, Lana Dawn Jones and her husband, Terry, John Vincent Ranalli; and James Anthony Ranalli and his wife, Jennifer. He is also survived by three grandchildren,  Aaron, Daniel, and Ken, and a sister, Victoria Fidanza.  

He was predeceased by three sisters, Lucy Angelucci, Ester DeDominic, and Rosemarie “RoRo” Ferranto.  

Jack was a kind and pleasant person, and will be deeply missed by his family. 

Burial services will be private at St. Patrick Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. (484-734-8100).  

Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals.com.


Judith Mirek Zipfel

Judith Mirek Zipfel, age 76, of West Grove, formerly of Lansdale, Pa., passed away on Feb. 7 at the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  She was the wife of Carl Zipfel Jr., with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.  

Born in Hartford, CT, she was a daughter of the late Edward J. Mirek and the late Virginia Carey Mirek.

Judith worked as an executive assistant in the insurance industry prior to and for many years after staying at home and dedicating herself to raising her children. She was a devoted Catholic her entire life and was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church in West Grove.  She enjoyed vacationing with the family and, later, traveling to various locations and countries with her husband. But, most of all, she enjoyed spending time with and caring for her granddaughters. She will always be remembered for her kindness and selfless devotion to her family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Patricia Zipfel and her husband Eric Stewart, of North Carolina and Nancy Andrews and her husband John of Wisconsin; one son, Carl Zipfel III and his wife Danielle of Lincoln University, Pa.; two brothers, Edward Mirek Jr. and his wife Virginia of CT and James Mirek and his wife Diane of CT; one sister, Lynn Stearns and her husband Edward of CT; her sister in law Kathleen of MA; and two grandchildren, Carleigh and Camille Zipfel.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Gary.

A mass of Christian burial was held on Feb. 11 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church in West Grove.

Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.  

Contributions in her memory may be made to The Bridge Food Panty. Please may checks payable to the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene and include The Bridge Food Pantry in the memo and a note to let them know the gift is in honor of Judith Zipfel. Checks may be sent to 240 State Rd, West Grove, PA 19390. 

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory (484-734-8100).  To view the online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.


William James Krauss

William James "Boss Hog” Krauss, 74, of York, Pa., passed away on Feb. 9 at Chester County Hospital.

Born in Chester County, he was the son of the late William Alfred and Anna Mae Earhart Krauss.

William was employed with Quebecor Printing in Atglen for 25 years.

He had a love for cars, having owned many in his lifetime. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and shooting pool. In more recent times, he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter Elaina "babies" and  his trusty sidekick, Midnight, affectionately known as Mittens. 

He is survived by three sons, John Zeigler (Micki) of Elkton, Md., William Howard Krauss of York, Pa. and James Krauss (Brittanie) of North East, Md.; one granddaughter, Elaina Krauss; two brothers, Lee Roy Krauss (Joyce) of Nottingham and Larry Krauss (Janet) of Nottingham; and one sister, Theresa Furstnau of Sugar Grove, VA.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Ann Chestnet.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in his honor to the charity of their own choosing.

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

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


LINDA R.  CREIGHTON

Linda R. Creighton, 64, of Landenberg, passed away on Feb. 12 at the Temple University Hospital while surrounded by her family.

She was the daughter of Ruth Faulkner Crossan of Avondale and the late David Crossan.

Linda was the CEO of ELE Global Associates in Landenberg.  She worked on the weekends at Fran Keller’s Eatery in Kennett Square, where she enjoyed socializing with the customers.

 She was a member of the Landenberg United Methodist Church and St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in Hockessin, Del.

Linda enjoyed gardening, spending time at the beach, and being with her friends and family, especially her beloved grandchildren.  Her greatest joy in life was being a Nonni.  Everyone who knew Linda, knew that her family was the most important thing in her life. 

In addition to her mother, she is survived by one daughter, Nicoletta Kelley and her husband Brian of Oxford; two sons, Gabriel (Gio) Frezzo of Landenberg and Colin Creighton of Landenberg; her fiancé, Richard Ruoss of Oxford; one brother, Howard Crossan of Princess Anne Md.; one sister, Donna Harman of Landenberg; eight grandchildren, Justin Kelley, Ryan Kelley, Sean Kelley, Noah Creighton, Kane Creighton, Maeve Creighton, Matthew Ruoss, and Miles Ruoss and numerous loved nieces and nephews.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, Feb. 17 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square, and again on Friday morning, Feb. 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Landenberg United Methodist Church, 205 Penn Green Road in Landenberg. Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Landenberg United Methodist Church, P.O. Bo 36, Landenberg, PA 19350 or to the Organization for Autism Research, 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22201.

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


Doris A. Hughes

Doris A. Hughes passed on Feb. 11 while surrounded by her family in her home in Oxford. She was 70.

Doris was the daughter of the late Odell Carl Hughes and Frances “Frankie” Sarah Hughes. She was a graduate of the Oxford Area High School. 

She was currently employed at Lincoln University in the Langston Hughes Memorial Library for over 46 years as the office assistant in Special Collections and Archives, where she will be truly missed. Doris was a charter member of the AFSCME District Council 88, Local Chapter 2377 Union. Doris enjoyed word search puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Andre Hughes of Oxford; one daughter, Shanta Hughes, of Oxford; one brother, Edward Henderson (Lula), of Georgia; one sister, Florence Hughes, of Oxford; five grandchildren, Ejion Wilson, Tiana Ely, Tyrese Ely, Alijah Taylor and Araiah Hughes-Jessop; and host of nieces and nephews who brought extreme joy and happiness to her life.

Doris was preceded in death by one brother, William “Ducker” Sherman Hughes; and five sisters, Nellie Mae Twyman, Alice Hampton, Josephine Eggleston, Virginia Martin and Elsie Henderson. 

A Homegoing Service will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 at Mary Dod Brown Chapel, 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA  19352, where friends and family may visit from 9 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

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

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