Obituaries for the week of April 24
04/25/2022 11:05PM ● By Steven HoffmanDorothea S. Chidester
Dorothea S. Chidester died on April 15, 2022 at the age of 97.
She is survived her son, Jeffrey Chidester and daughter Jennifer Beard, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son G. Christopher Chidester and her husband, George F. Chidester with whom she shared 70 years of marriage.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Herman Snyder and Dorothea (Grimes) Snyder.
Dottie enjoyed her formative years in Williamsport, Md. and graduated from Williamsport High School and then from Frostburg College.
A dedicated wife, mother, and friend, she was a homemaker and so much more. Dottie worked in a veterinary office. She enjoyed many hobbies and interests, including raising AKC pedigree dogs, ponies, horses, and livestock early in her life. Gardening (both vegetable and flowers), fruit trees, bee keeping, sewing, weaving, needlework, candle making quilting and cooking were among her interests and activities. She was a dedicated aide at Luther Towers, always looking for ways to enrich the lives of the residents. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.
Dottie was born with boundless energy, curiosity with deep faith and the heart of a true servant of God. She provided exceptional care for others throughout her life. Dottie was well loved by many.
A memorial service was held at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on April 25.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061.
To view her one tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Tiffany Volovich
Tiffany Lloyd (Thompson) Volovich died at her home in Kennett Township on April 19, 2022 after battling inoperable pancreatic cancer for over 36 months. She was 78.
She will be remembered as a person guided by her deep faith and her commitment to family, friends and caring for others. Her gift was connecting with people in all walks of life. She loved being married to Jim, and being a mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. She was a professional social worker who loved to volunteer and always sought leadership roles in her volunteer activities.
She was born in Sewickley Hospital outside of Pittsburgh to John and Theresia (Gastner) Thompson. She was raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of Robinson Township and is a 1962 Montour High School graduate. An early adventure in her life was when her parents took her and her sister Judy out of school for one year to accompany them to Cuba as the Cuban Revolution took place. Her father was consulting on a steel mill project.
In 1966, she graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a bachelor of arts degree. In 1989, while raising a family and living and working in Trumbull, Conn., she realized her dream and received a masters degree in social work from Fordham University with graduation at Lincoln Center. She became a licensed social worker in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware and worked in social work for 40 years.
In 1967, Tiffany married James Volovich in Bridgeville, a Pittsburgh suburb, and three months later she became a military wife as Jim was drafted. Tiffany and Jim agreed he should go to Army Officer School. As Jim was assigned to Army bases, Tiffany lived and practiced social work in Columbus, Georgia and Colorado Springs.
Upon Jim’s return from Vietnam, Tiffany left her social work job in Pittsburgh and moved to Monterey, Calif., which was the location of Jim’s last assignment. Upon discharge, they moved to San Mateo and then Foster City. Their sons Marc and Paul were born in Northern California.
Jim’s job transfers took them to White Plains NY and finally in 1976 to Trumbull, Conn., where Tiffany was active in Christ the King Parish and the Trumbull, PTA. She also worked for Trumbull Head Start and Saint Vincent Hospital in the field of social work.
The family moved from Trumbull to Kennett Township as a result of another of Jim’s job transfers in 1989. She restarted her career practicing social work at Saint Francis Hospital and Kentmere nursing home (both in Wilmington) and various Hospice agencies.
Tiffany loved to travel, read, write stories to her young grandchildren and play golf at the Kennett Golf Club. She always made time available to stay in touch with her “social work buddies,” cousins, Kennett Library volunteers and friends from past residences. But she never stopped practicing her gift of caring for others. Her notes of thank you, congratulations and sympathy captured the feelings of the recipient and were hand written. During her battle with cancer she would often lend her ear, console, and give advice to friends. She was driven to help others.
Some of her favorite travel destinations were the Canadian Rockies, Monument Valley, AZ, the western U.S. National Parks and all the major U.S. cities.
Internationally it was Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, New Zealand, Australia, golfing in Ireland and many of the countries in Europe.
The best trip ever was in 2017 when she took the entire family to Hawaii for 10 days.
Tiffany is survived by her husband, Jim; her son Marc and his wife Paige and their twin daughters, Reece and Elle; her son Paul and his wife Scharmagne and their son William and daughter Madelaine; her sister, Judy Hughes of Ludowici, Georgia, and Judy’s three sons, Joseph, John and James Hughes. She is also survived by many cousins.
Tiffany enjoyed the blessings of this life, was grateful for what life gave her, and was enthusiastic about using the valuable resource of her time to bring joy and help to others.
Frederick L. Williams
Frederick L. Williams, a resident of Linden Hall in Kennett Square, passed away peacefully after a long illness at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. on April 16, 2022. He was 81.
Born in West Grove, he was a son of the late Paul T. Williams and the late Vivian L. (Edwards) Williams.
Fred was a graduate of Oxford Area High School, Class of 1960. After graduation, Fred worked for many years for NVF company in Yorklyn, Del.
During his life he lived in Downingtown, Florida, and Oxford, and was a longtime resident Chatham, Pa.
Fred is survived by his brothers, Paul Williams and Thomas Williams; several nieces and nephews, and his cats Arlo and Bree. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother.
Services and interment will be held privately.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the SPCA of Chester County (bvspca.org/donate).
Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100).
To view his online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
Albert K. Weaver
Albert Kyle Weaver, 74, passed away on April 16, 2022 at his home in Oxford while surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of Linda Kennedy Weaver, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.
Born in Sylmar, Md., he was the son of the late Joseph Kyle and Sara Elizabeth Logan Weaver.
Albert graduated from Oxford Area High School Class of 1966. After graduation he farmed with his father for several years. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Harrisburg and then was employed as a police officer for the Borough of Oxford for 29 years. He retired in 1998.
After retiring from the Police Department, Albert was employed with Shelton Pallet Co. in Oxford until he retired from that job in 2013.
He was a lifetime member of the Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford and the Oxford Gun Club. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Jeff Weaver of Jasper, Ga. and Tim Weaver (Lesley) of Fort Worth, TX; one daughter, Cathy Reed (Allen) of North East, Md.; seven grandchildren, Kyle Weaver, Justin Weaver, Matthew Weaver, Madeline Weaver, Danielle Weaver, Caleb Reed and Brayden Reed; three brothers, Dean Weaver of Rising Sun, Md., Ronnie Weaver of Quarryville and Marty Weaver of Nottingham; two sisters, Lettie Ross of Newark, Del. and Gloria Lusby of Oxford.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Weaver.
Funeral services were held on April 20 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Lighthouse Youth Center, P. O. Box 38, Oxford, PA 19363.
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.
Mary M. Parsons
Mary M. Parsons, of Rehoboth Beach, Del. and formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on April 20, 2022, at her home. She was 88.
She was the wife of the late Russell E. Parsons, with whom she shared 57 loving years of marriage. Born on Dec. 31, 1933, in Newtown Square, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Pinkerton) Bird.
Mary was a homemaker. In addition to caring for her own children and home, she provided care for many other children and homes through the years. In her later years she worked at Heart to Heart Bridal Salon in Delaware and Fabrications in Kennett Square.
Mary loved taking care of her family and spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed her time at the beach, playing cards, painting, knitting and sewing.
Mary was a graduate of Conestoga High School. She was a longtime member and deacon at the First Baptist Church, Kennett Square, more recently becoming a member at the Kennett Square Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Cochranville Chapter and served as a Worthy Matron with the Kennett Chapter.
Mary is survived by her children, Deborah Reppert (Dave), Larry Parsons (Michele), Dionne McNeel (Michael), and Russell (known as Rusty); her grandchildren, Shannon, Amanda (Chris), Matthew, Laura (Adam), Paul (Taylor), and Jake; and her great-grandchildren, Ivy, Aiden, Collin, Chase, Aubrey, Carter, Piper, Asher and Reese.
In addition to her husband and parents, Mary is preceded in death by her son Robert, granddaughter Cheryl, and brother Joseph Bird.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, April 28, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State St., Kennett Square where a service will begin at 11 a.m.
The interment will follow at Longwood Cemetery, Kennett Square.
Contributions may be made in the name of Mary Parsons to the Kennett Square Presbyterian Church, 211 S. Broad St., Kennett Square, PA 19348 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Please visit the online memorial at www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Alma L. Cullen
Alma L. Cullen, of St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia and formerly of Oxford, passed away after a brief illness on April 22, 2022 at home. She was 96.
She was the wife of the late John W. Cullen, whom she shared 69 years of marriage with at the time of his death in 2015.
Born in Frackville, Pa. to the late Clarence and Alma Meade Lloyd.
Alma worked in the insurance industry as the owner and agent of Cullen Insurance Agency.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Oxford.
Alma enjoyed camping, painting, playing cards and being very social. She was a devout Catholic and attended Mass daily.
She is survived by three sisters, Inez Drennen of Oxford, Marcella Moore of Columbia and Elizabeth (Donald) Pierce of Rockville, Md. She is also survived by Edna Lloyd, a sister-in-law who she thought of as a sister.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence Lloyd and John Lloyd and one sister, Anna Kirk.
She was “Aunt Cissy” to four generations of nieces and nephews. She loved them all and enjoyed time spent with them.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 26 at Sacred Heart Church.
Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Vista Autism Services, 1021 Springboard Dr., Hershey, PA 17033.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
Alba C. Roselli
Alba C. (Esposito) Roselli passed away peacefully on April 21, 2022 at Pocopson Home.
Born in Toughkenamon on June 1, 1931, she was the daughter of Antonio and Antoinette (Pettini) Esposito.
Alba loved to read, color, do puzzles, and just enjoy the fresh air. Her favorite thing was going on vacations with her family and rocking in her rocking chair. Her great grand-puppies were her pride and joy and they were certainly spoiled rotten by her. She was a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan and would often be caught yelling at the television during any sporting event.
Alba is survived by one sister, Vera (Esposito) Campopiano; one daughter, Denise Rogowski (Roselli) and her husband Stephen, of Coatesville; one daughter-in-law, Michaele Roselli (wife of David) of Philadelphia; six grandchildren, Stephanie Rogowski, girlfriend of J.J. Stelma, of Morrisville, NC; Kristina Rogowski of Coatesville; Jessica Rogowski, engaged to Chad Kurman, of Downingtown; and Marielle, Francesca, and Gianna Roselli of Philadelphia.
Alba is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews (Alba was closest to Leonard Grasso, son of Delores, of Sicklerville, NJ); and several family friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sons, David and Louis, as well as her four brothers and three sisters, Ernie, Rick, Edmund, Frank, Norma, Elda, and Delores.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Brandywine SPCA (https://bvspca.org/donate).
A private celebration of Alba’s life will be held at her home.
Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100).
Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals.com.
Dennis J. Kleinz
Dennis J. Kleinz, 76, of Kirkwood, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of Rebecca Miller Kleinz, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage.
Born on March 12, 1946 to Frederick and Harriett Kleinz, Dennis lived most of his life in Pennsylvania. He owned and operated Kleinz Construction Inc. for 50 years. He liked his work, which was also his hobby. Restoring and re-purposing old vehicles and machinery was something he enjoyed, bringing new life into old equipment.
Home was where he liked to be and his family was a priority.
Dennis is survived by two sons, Brian Chapman (Kelly) of Quarryville and Andrew Chapman (Kristi) of New Providence. He was proud to be called Poppop by seven grandchildren, Cheston, Joey, Evan, Lanie, Collins, Asher, and Harper. He is missed by his faithful canine companion, Buddy.
Dennis is survived by two sisters, Marge Kleinz and Susan Crawford, both of Oklahoma.
A brother, Fred, predeceased him.
Dennis attended Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St., Oxford, where a memorial service will be held on Friday, April 29 at 1:30 p.m. A dessert reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., of Oxford.
Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.