Margaret Susan Thomas

Margaret Susan (Johnson) Thomas, of West Grove, passed away on Sept. 3, 2022 while surrounded by her family at her home. She was 72.

She was the wife of the late Rev. Canon David P. Thomas, who died in 2009 and with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. 

Born in Britton, SD, she was the daughter of the late Howard Johnson and the late Nancy K. Johnson.

Susan graduated from Millersville University and earned her masters of science in education from Wilkes University in August of 2000.  She was an English teacher at Unionville High School for many years, retiring in 2015.

She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent where her husband David was rector until his passing. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, reading, movies, and time with family and friends. She loved living at Ovations in West Grove and was very involved with various committees.

Survivors include two daughters, Katherine Thomas and her husband Carlos Morales of Pinellas Park, FL and Sarah Stephenson and her husband Ryan of Middletown, Pa.; three granddaughters, Libby, Riley, and Lucy; one brother, James Johnson and his wife Sheri; a cousin Katie Cook; a niece Nikkee Johnson and nephew Kelly Johnson; her companion William "Bill" R. Friebel; her beloved golden doodle Oliver, and all her friends at Ovations and Church of the Advent who were loved like family.  

In addition to her husband David, she was predeceased by sisters-in-law Suzanne Thomas and Linda Thomas.

A memorial service celebrating  Susan's life was held on Sept. 10 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square. Interment will be in the adjoining Church Memorial Garden.  Contributions in her memory may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent for the Memorial Garden Perpetual Care Fund, at the aforementioned address.  

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

To view her online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Carrie Jane Risser

Carrie Jane Risser, 75, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 14, 2022. She fought a courageous fight against cancer. She spent her last days lovingly cared for by her family.
She was born in West Grove to the late Thomas and Emma Brewer of Oxford.
Carrie worked as a home health aide for many years. She took her job very seriously and loved caring for others. She was well-respected as an aide and loved the hundreds of patients she became friends with.
Carrie had lived at Luther House in West Grove for one year where she made many wonderful friends who will miss her bright smile and laughter. She also loved taking care of the Luther House cat, Baby.
She was loved by many for her sense of humor and deep compassion for all. She never ended a phone conversation without saying, "I love you very much.”
She is survived by two children, daughter April McCabe (Alan) , granddaughter, Summer, and a son, Mike Brabson (Ashley) and four grandchildren, Michael, Emma , Macie and Mylee. She was predeceased by her son Timothy Herr.
She loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them, creating wonderful holiday dinners, crocheting, fishing and gardening.  She was known for her cooking, and will be sadly missed by many.
In addition to her children, she is survived by her sister, Patricia Purcell (Ed) of Nottingham; a sister, Betsy Brantner of Oxford; a brother, Thomas Brewer (Jan) of Argyle, WI; and a foster brother William Roberts.
She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a great nephew. All of them dearly loved her.

The family would like to thank Willow Tree Hospice for the love and kindness they gave to Carrie and her family.

Services will be private.

Harry Sinclair Mills, Jr.

Harry ”Skip”  Sinclair Mills, Jr., a resident of West Grove, passed away at the Chester County Hospital on Sept. 2, 2022. He was 79.

He was the husband of Elizabeth Myers Mills, who passed away in 2022.

Born is Darby, Pa., he was the son of the late Harry S. Mills, Sr. and the late Mary Burke Mills.

Harry owned and operated Pleasant Peasants in Unionville. He was a member of the New London Masonic Lodge # 545 in West Grove. He enjoyed woodworking and was a re-enactor for all periods of war.

He is survived by one brother, Stephen J. Mills of Midlothian, VA and two nephews, Chad W. Mills of Fort Worth, TX and Stephen J. Mills, Jr. of Midlothian, VA.

A Memorial service will be held at the New London Masonic Lodge at a later date. Please check the website for updates about the service date and time.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the New London Masonic Lodge # 545, c/o Theodore Wallace, Secretary, 106 Reedville Road, Oxford, PA 19363.

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

 

Arthur Rieck

Arthur Rieck, 80, of Oxford, passed away on Sept. 10, 2022 while at home.

He was the husband of Harleen Carpenter Rieck.

Born in Chester, Pa., he was the son of the late Arthur and Mildred Rieck.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was employed with Astra Zeneca as an accountant. 

He was a former township supervisor for East Nottingham Township.

Arthur enjoyed golfing and walking his dog.
He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Kathy Rivera; three grandchildren, Gregory Rivera, Kirstin O’Keefe and David O’Keefe; and one sister, Delores McCormick.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Landry and Linda Mitchell.
Services will be 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.

Joseph P. Fisher

Joseph P. Fisher, of Oxford, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 9, 2022. He was 83.

Joseph was born in West Grove on April 15, 1939 to the late Joseph C. and Florence Taylor Fisher.   

He was a lifelong resident of Oxford, graduating from Oxford Area High School in 1957.  In school, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America.  After graduation, Joseph worked as a welder, prior to taking over the family dairy farm business. He continued to run the business for 40 years.

In 1965, Joseph married Gayle Cummings, his high school sweetheart and love of his life, and they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this past May. 

When he retired from farming, Joseph found great pleasure in the relationships he formed while working for Noble Road Milking Equipment Company until his death.

Joseph loved spending time with his family, cutting up with friends (and everyone was a friend), watching the Phillies and driving around in his prized 1957 Chevy.  He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, but his most cherished title was that of #1 Pop Pop, which he had the hat to prove.  He was often described as quite the character, and he earned that title as well.  If you were lucky enough to know Joe Fisher, then you know how much he will be missed. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Vicki Fisher Sherman (Steven) of West Chester; one daughter-in-law, Christine Fisher, of Oxford and four grandchildren, Joseph and Matthew Fisher of Oxford and Timothy and Kaitlyn Sherman of West Chester. 

He is also survived by two foster brothers, David Bristow and Frank Jobeck; foster sister-in-law, Cheryl Russell; brothers-in-law, Richard "Gary" Cummings (Nancy) and Dudley Cummings (Marilyn); sisters-in-law, Diane Andrulonis (Ronald) and Kay Kuhns (Barton), as well as many nieces and nephews, with whom he was very close. These included Joseph England (Mary), William England (Kelly), Steven England, Charles England (Judith), Janice Price (James), Thomas Andrulonis (Stacey), Lori Gilbert, Jennifer Cook (Daniel), David Kuhns (Jennifer), Jorja Cummings, Veronica Price (Michael), Robert Cummings, Joan Leardi (Joseph), Melissa Finley (James) and Steven Russell (Valerie).

Joseph was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Randall “Randy” Fisher, as well as two sisters, Constance MacNeal (William) and Barbara England (Floyd); one brother, Howard Fisher (Sandra) and one foster brother, James Russell.

The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out to them in this time of grief.

Please join the family in celebrating his life on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Oxford United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 18 Addison St., Oxford, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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

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

Goldie R. Smith

Goldie R. Smith passed away at the age of 100 on September 15, 2022 at Newport Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Christiana, Pa.

She was a resident of West Grove.

She was the wife of the late William G. Smith, with whom she shared 74 years of marriage.

Born in Cream, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Clarence Samuel and Bertha Iona Cochran Gray.

She attended the First Baptist Church of Oxford.

Goldie enjoyed reading, gardening and cats. 

She is survived by her two children, Randy W. Smith (Carmella) and Faye A. Hipkins (Douglas), all of West Grove; two grandchildren, Douglas Allen Hipkins, Jr. and Renee Lynn Smith; three great-grandchildren, Kiersten Hutchinson, Maryn Hipkins and Rachel Hipkins.    

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Katie Hipkins; two brothers, Bernard Gray and Clifford Gray; and one sister, Pauline Adams.

A graveside service was held on Sept. 20 at Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Forgotten Cats, Inc., 4023 Kennett Pike, Suite 422, Greenville, DE 198074.

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

Shirley Ann Kilby

Shirley Ann Kilby, of Nottingham, passed away on Sept. 11, 2022 at home. She was 61.

She was the wife of Robert Keith Kilby, with whom she shared 28 years of marriage. 

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of Charles Mabe, Sr. of Nottingham and the late Rose Phillips Mabe. 

She was employed with Giorgio Mushroom Company in Toughkenamon for 20 years. 

Shirley loved spending time with her grandchildren more than anything in the world. She enjoyed shopping, going to the beach and gardening. 

In addition to her husband and father, Shirley is survived by her two sons, Jason Kilby (Alyssa) of Oxford and Tyler Kilby (Jennifer) of Port Deposit; three grandchildren, Gage Poorman, Brielle and Camryn Kilby; and four brothers, Charles Mabe Jr., Albert Mabe, Daniel Mabe and Larry Mabe. 

She was preceded in death by one brother, James Mabe. 

A memorial service was held on Sept. 17 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home in Oxford.

Interment will be 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.