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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of March 21

03/21/2022 11:37PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Angela Jeannette Samsonov

Angela Jeannette Samsonov, 26, of Lebanon, Pa., passed away on March 4. Angela was a precious and beautiful soul.   

She graduated from Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pa. as part of the class of 2014. 

Angela did what she loved most—helping and working with autistic children as a para-educator at IU13 in Lebanon County.  She also cared for seniors in their home and always made them feel loved. Angela was always helping others all her life.  At the same time she was helping others, she was rescuing animals, giving them a home, with all the love, attention and affection they needed. Angela always had so much love to give. 

Angela loved to draw and she was a very talented artist.  She had her own artistic way of illustrating children’s books, creating signs for vendors at the Renaissance Faire, and doing custom commissioned pieces of artwork. Angela’s drawings brought so much happiness to everyone, especially her loved ones. 

Angela loved to laugh, she had a unique sense of humor, sometimes people didn’t get it, but she was well aware of this, and she would giggle to herself.   

Angela is loved and survived by her parents, Andrew and Irina Samsonov; her brother, Alexander Samsonov; maternal grandparents, Yuri and Zenaida Zerbelov; paternal grandmother, Lubov Samsonov of Woodland; and her beloved boyfriend and best friend of 10 years, Keith Hilderbrandt, and his parents, Terri and Keith; Keith’s sister, Amanda; and her beloved fur baby, Jasmine. 

Services were held on March 14 at Edward L. Collins, Jr, Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. 

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Ukrainian Relief Fund at https://bethanyslavic.org/pages/ukraine-aid-fund.

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

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com


Casey Allen Jones

Casey Allen Jones, a resident of Port Deposit, Md., passed away on March 3 at home. He was 39.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Robert Harry Miller and Bobbi Jo Jones Miller of Port Deposit, Md. 

He was employed as a mason and enjoyed race cars, fishing, motorcycles and building things.

He is survived by his parents; two children, Cayden Supplee and Chloe Grace Jones; one brother, John Jones of Elkton, Md.; and one sister, Amanda Jones. 

A memorial service will be held 7 p.m on Friday, March 25 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 6 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral home to offset funeral expenses. 

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com


Beryl C Dilworth



 


Beryl (Cash) Dilworth, 81, passed away comfortably with her family by her side on March 3.

The oldest daughter of the late Warren and Elizabeth Cash, Beryl was a lifelong resident of Oxford and a graduate of Oxford Area High School, class of 1958.  

While in school, she worked at Heron's soda shop and that is where she met her husband of 60 years, C. Leslie Dilworth.

The couple built their own home where they raised two daughters. Beryl played the violin and had the ability to play any stringed instrument by ear.  In addition, she was artistic and many of her carved Santa Claus figurines have become cherished mementos of family and friends alike.  She was a Brownie and Junior Girl Scout leader and shared her many talents with clubs and organizations in town.

She is survived by her devoted husband; her two daughters, Donna Wilkinson (Allen) of Monrovia, Md. and Debra Dilworth of Damascus, Md.; a grandson, Patrick Wilkinson (Brianna Vanbuskirk) of Germantown, Md.; a granddaughter Sarah Wilkinson (Ben Dawson) of Frederick, Md.; and a sister, Donna Sheetz (Steve) of Beaufort, SC, along with many dearly loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Beryl was predeceased by a sister, Jane C. Weaver.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St. in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Oxford United Methodist Church, the Alzheimer's Association, the American Diabetes Association or an organization of your choice which supports the arts.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Ware Health Center and Willow Tree Hospice for their kindness, support and care throughout.

Funeral arrangements handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.  Online condolences can be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.


John DePaoli Sr.

John DePaoli Sr, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on March 12 while surrounded by his family. He was 92.

He was the devoted husband of Lydia (Cavalli) DePaoli, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. 

He was the son of the late Giuseppe and Margherita (Tavan) DePaoli.

After being born in Philadelphia on September 8, 1929, John's parents moved back to Italy where he spent most of his childhood.  When he was 17, he returned to the United States and worked as a tile setter. He later opened a pizza shop in Kennett Square with his brother Raymond named John & Rays. Eventually, John started and operated his mushroom business with his brother Lino, working hard for many years until his retirement at the age of 70. 

In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, skiing, going to his mountain cabin, painting, and was an active member of the Italian American Club in Kennett Square where he made many lifelong friends.  He was loved by all and was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather to his family.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Lydia are his two children, Lisa Johnson (Wally) and John DePaoli, Jr. (Andrea) and, grandchildren, Matthew and Shelby Johnson and Amanda Yheaulon and one great-grandson named Axel Yheaulon.

John's family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at Chester County Hospital.

All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association at heart.org. Please visit John’s online memorial at www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.


Doris L. Pugh

Doris Virginia (Lloyd) Pugh, 99, of West Grove, entered her Heavenly home on Feb. 23.

Born on Feb. 22, 1923, she resided at the family dairy farm in Chatham, Pa. until her marriage in 1944. Doris was the daughter of the late Fred and Anna Graham Lloyd.

She was the widow of George Pugh, who passed in 1981.

Doris is survived by her children, Georgie Anna of Oregon, Sally Hamblin of Coatesville, Bonnie Price of West Grove and Robin Pugh of West Chester; as well as 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Waddell.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Fred Lloyd, John Lloyd and Richard Lloyd; and sisters, Amy Lloyd and Janet Carlin.

Doris was primarily a homemaker and created many fabulous meals for family and friends. She was very protective of her recipes, never quite giving up all the specific ingredients in her creations. Doris worked part-time during the 1960s and 1970s at several local restaurants and as a courier for the Atglen Bank. Doris was also founder and owner of a local ladies dress shop (Sincerely Yours) during the 1970s.  

A graveside service was held on March 2 at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in her name can be made to the Chatham United Methodist Church, 3215 Gap Newport Pike, West Grove, PA 19390.

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


Franklin J. CARSTENS

Franklin J. “Joe” Carstens passed away on March 12 while surrounded by his family at his Oxford residence. He was 87.

He was the husband of Doris P. Carstens, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in East Brunswick, NJ, he was the son of the late Frank Carstens and Isabelle Smith. He graduated from South River High School in 1953. As a boy and teenager, he loved and worked on his grandparents’ farm.

Joe attended Delaware Valley College of Agriculture and Science from 1953 to 1957. 

In 1958, he moved to Kennett Square to work for Longwood Gardens.  He worked at Longwood Gardens for 32 years, retiring in the position of Department Head of Horticulture. Throughout his time at Longwood Gardens, he would proudly tell his grandchildren stories of the other positions he held there, including starting out as a member of the tree gang, experiencing the famous “snowstorm of 1958”, greenhouse gardener, floriculturist/greenhouse supervisor as well as his involvement with many projects on the Longwood property.  Some of those projects included the design and construction of the bulb cellars, the demolition of the old azalea house, and the construction of what is now known as the East Conservatory.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Absecon, NJ.

Joe had many favorite activities.  These included spending time with his family and friends, and especially his more recent time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joe maintained gardens at all his homes and loved to work in his yard. He especially enjoyed a tomato growing “competition” in Ocean City with his neighbors. Joe loved the beach,  body-surfing, and boating/crabbing with his family. He loved going to the shore in Ocean City, NJ where he and his wife Doris had a summer home for many years. He loved sitting and visiting with friends and neighbors on the beach and enjoyed the beauty and relaxed atmosphere there.

The family would like to thank the support staff, nurse and caregivers from Ware Presbyterian Village, the PRN Staffing caregivers and nurses, and the Penn Medicine hospice staff for the care and compassion they gave to Joe and the family throughout his time of need.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Flad and her husband David of Lincoln University, Pa.; two sons, Joseph P. Carstens and his wife Krista of Downingtown, Pa. and David B. Carstens and his wife Sharon of Raleigh, NC; one sister, Mary Francis Lockenmeyer of Manasquan, NJ, seven grandchildren, Brian M. Flad  and his wife Laurel of Philadelphia, Stephanie Sibley and her husband Andrew of Phoenixville, Pa., Michelle Leisenring and her husband Michael of Downingtown, Pa., Matthew Carstens of Downingtown, Pa., Eric D. Carstens and his wife Anna of Dunkirk, Md., Morgan W. Carstens of Raleigh, NC and Haley E. Carstens of Memphis, TN; and four great grandchildren, Mackenzie Sibley, Jovie Sibley, Owen Carstens, and Eloise Carstens.

He was predeceased by one sister, Mary Margaret Cheyney of NJ, a grandson, Kevin Flad of Lincoln University, Pa., and two great-grandsons, William John Carstens and James Eric Carstens, both of Dunkirk, Md.

His funeral mass was held on March 18 at Church of the Sacred Heart in Oxford. 

Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to At-Home Services, Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 East Locust Street, Oxford, PA, 19363 or to Penn Medicine Hospice, 150 Monument Road, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Arrangements were provided by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

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


Paul E. Freese

Paul E. Freese, of Nottingham, passed away at the Lancaster General Hospital on March 14. He was 82.

He was the husband of Dorothy "Dottie" Kirk Freese, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage on Nov. 18.  

He was born in Oxford, the son of the late Roy and Pauline McGarvey Freese. He was a member of Wesley Church, where he was very active and served as a greeter.  He graduated from Oxford Area High School, class of 1958.  

Paul started his working career on the family farm, and then worked at a meat locker in Avondale. He went on to work for Acme Markets as a butcher. He retired in 1999.  He loved all things social and was a practical joker.  He loved gospel music and enjoyed belting out traditional hymns and special music at church.  Paul loved cooking, traveling, wood projects, and could fix anything in his shop.  He was very involved in the lives of all of his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Melissa Hope (and her husband Scott Crandall) of New Providence and Kerry S. (and her husband W. Frederick "Freddie" Schrader, Jr.) of Earleville, Md. 

He is also survived by five grandchildren, Chelsea, Alyse and Audrey Crandall, and Jared and Courtney Schrader, and three siblings,  William Freese, James (and his wife Doann Gordon Freese) both of Oxford, and Sue Tachick of Alaska.  

He was preceded in death by a brother, David (and his wife Carol Freese) of Nazareth, Pa. The funeral service took place at the Wesley Church in Quarryville, Pa. on March 17. Pastor Blake Deibler officiated.  

A private interment will take place in the Eastland Friends Burial Grounds. The online tribute can be found at reynoldsandshivery.com.


Frances L. DuVall

Frances L. DuVall, 81, of West Grove, passed away on March 21 at Jenner’s Pond in West Grove. 

She was the wife of the late Robert Owen DuVall, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. 

Born in Baywood, VA she was the daughter of the late Clifton and Kina Caudell Cox. 

Frances owned and operated, with her family, the DuVall Truck & Bus Service in West Grove.  

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra L. DuVall-Wolfe and her husband, Richard of West Grove; four grandchildren, Becky Lynch, Jessica DuVall, Samantha DuVall and Clifton Wolfe; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mertie Mills of Cochranville. 

She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas W. DuVall and one sister, Shirley Yoder. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. 86 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. 

Interment will be in Faggs Manor Cemetery in Cochranville. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Willow Tree Hospice. Please make checks payable to Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

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