Frances Irene Mosier

Frances Irene Mosier, a resident of Landenberg, passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 27, 2022.  She was 91.

Frances was the wife of the late James H. Mosier, Sr., with whom she shared 68 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2016.

Born in 1931 in Mountain City, Tenn., Frances was the daughter of the late Manuel Franklin Combs and the late Clora Jane Parsons.

Throughout her life, Frances worked at Chatham Acres, the Conard-Pyle Rose Company and the Atglen Toy Factory.

She was not only a talented cook, she was also an unbelievable gardener. She enjoyed country music and collecting ceramic pigs, of which she had hundreds.

Frances was a very special person who was full of unconditional love that was felt by everyone she met. Her presence could light up any room. She was outspoken, candid and you could always count on her honesty. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Yet, what Frances treasured above all else was her family. Frances’ whole world revolved around her grandchildren and she loved them very much. Frances will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.

Frances is survived by her son, James H. Mosier, Jr. (Ada) of Gap, Pa. and daughters, Sandy Couch (Bob) of Landenberg and Kathryn Waltman of Ronks, Pa.

She is also survived by her sisters, Emogene Swift of Mountain City, Tenn. and Josephine Davis of Gaston, SC; 10 grandchildren, James C. Mosier, David Michael Dillard, Jr. (Irina), Christina Palmer, Keith Mosier, Dyanna Taylor (John), S. Robert Couch, Jr. (Kim), Bradley A. Couch (Shanna), Samantha Couch (Andrew), Ashley Walton (Rob) and John Mosier; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

A viewing was held on Jan. 4 at Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.  

Interment will follow at New London Presbyterian Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove. To view her online tribute, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. 

John Day Mohr 

On Dec. 8, 2022, John Day Mohr passed away in Unionville where he and his late wife Nancy lived for most of their 65 years of marriage. 

Born in New Rochelle, NY, John, also known as ''Jack," was 96 years old. 

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Franz J. Mohr, and he grew up in Westport, Conn. and graduated from Staples High School in 1944. Soon after graduation, and at the age of 17, he cleverly managed to enlist in the precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the Army Air Corps, where he became a navigator in a B-29 bomber. He was called to active duty the following November, shortly after his father died while serving in the Coast Guard.

After the war, John was accepted to the architecture program at Middlebury College, but never attended, as two longtime buddies convinced him to join them on a road trip to Mexico in a 1928 Packard. Once there, GI Bill in hand, John enrolled in Mexico City College, where the head of the English department, formerly a tenured professor from UCLA, took an interest in his writing and convinced him to pursue a major in English. After completing his freshman year at Mexico City, he returned to the United States at his family's request, ultimately earning a degree in English from Kent State University in Ohio.

After college he found work in the advertising department of a Connecticut garment company. Shortly thereafter, he moved on to be a copywriter for Madison Avenue ad agency titan, J. Walter Thompson, where he met Nancy. Not long after their marriage in 1956, they decided to leave New York and move to the rolling hills of Green Spring Valley, Maryland. This was an easy commute to Baltimore where John had landed a new copywriting position. It was there that their family started to grow and where they put down roots that still remain to this day.

Six years later, the Mohr family moved to Pennsylvania when John began to work for ad agency N.W. Ayer in Philadelphia. They eventually purchased a farm in Chatham that was replete with five children and an ever-expanding menagerie of farm animals, horses, cows, ponies, chickens, pigs, dogs and even a donkey. In 1974, wishing to escape encroaching development, they sold the farm and purchased land in nearby Unionville on which they built a new house and barn using materials salvaged from the large bank barn from the Chatham farm. The Unionville farm would become the Mohrs' home for almost 40 years. During the early years in Pennsylvania, John was enjoying a long tenure as senior copywriter at N. W. Ayer. However, in the late 1970s, N. W. Ayer chose to relocate to Madison Avenue. With John and Nancy's attachment to the Unionville area by this time all but permanent, a move back to New York didn't appeal. So, the devoted father of five began his now legendary daily commute from Unionville to Manhattan. At N. W. Ayer, his ad campaigns included AT&T, 7-Up, Carrier Air Conditioning and Shorts Airplanes. This went on for the better part of seven years before John finally hung up his advertising spurs to happily tend to the rolling pastures and woods of Sevynmor Farm. It was also not uncommon for John to revisit his fascination with the world of flight, taking the occasional flying lesson or attending an air show. With a deep appreciation of the open country and rolling hills of Chester County, John and Nancy became deeply involved in land conservation. As advocates and supporters of the Brandywine Conservancy, they were among the first in the community to place their land under conservation easement. As a supporter of farming and open space, John was also one of the first members named to The Chester County Agriculture Development Council. When a local newspaper inquired of his AG credentials, he described himself as a ''casual pig farmer." Always the copywriter. And always, to those who knew him well, among the most genuine of human beings they ever knew. John lost his loving wife, Nancy L. Mohr, on Aug. 14, 2021. 

He is survived by his two daughters and three sons, Timothy Day Mohr (Sherman Todd), Wendy Carlyle Mohr Morris (Cooper Morris), Jonathan Day Mohr (Jan Haskell), Margot Mohr Teetor (David Christopher Teetor), and Peter Day Mohr.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Joan Day Mohr and is predeceased by his sister, Judith Borden, and her husband, Don Borden.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to consider making a donation in the memory of John Day Mohr to the New Garden Flying Field, Future Aviators, 1235 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374.

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

To view his online tribute and leave a message for John’s family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Sarah B. Wolff

Sarah B. Wolff, a resident of Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square died on Jan. 2, 2023. She was 98.

She was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 1924, to Walter J. and Christine Spofford

Beadle.

She graduated from Germantown Friends School before moving to Wilmington and then graduating from Vassar College.

 While raising her family she did volunteer work as a member of the Junior League of Wilmington and served on the boards of Travelers Aid and Family Service of Northern Delaware. In addition, she sang in the chorus for many productions of the Wilmington Opera Society (now OperaDelaware).

She was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Delaware and a former member of the Greenville Country Club. She was one of the original members of St. Albans Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir for many years before joining the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Kennett Square.

Sally was predeceased by her husband Frederick A. Wolff in 1994, sister Elizabeth Beadle Herrmann, brother Spofford J. Beadle, and great-grandchild Aryana Wolff. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas B. and Audrey Wolff of Red Wing, Minn., and her daughter Catherine E. Wolff of Syracuse, NY. She is also survived by three grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by the staff at Kendal, especially in the last week of her life.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Auditorium at Kendal at Longwood, 1109 E Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kendal Reserve Fund, PO Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

Maurice “Bunny”  R. Pickel

Maurice “Bunny”  R. Pickel, age 74, of Landenberg, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2023. He was the husband of Mary Ann Jasienski Pickel, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage.

Born in Wilmington, Del. on Sept. 27, 1948, he was the son of the late Maurice R Pickel and the late Christine Johnson.

 

Bunny was a graduate of Avon Grove High School and went on to work for Nucar Pontiac for over 30 years in the parts department. When he retired, he would go on to work for Pickel Landscape Management for several years. 

He was involved in the Boy Scouts, was a member of Wickerton Hunt Club, and Assumption BVM.

Bunny enjoyed many hobbies including wood carving (duck decoys in particular), hunting, and his inherited love of cooking. His motto was: a recipe is merely a guideline. 

Bunny was a devoted husband who loved taking day trips with his wife. 

He was a loving father who supported his children and their dreams. 

He was a proud grandfather who loved playing with his grandsons and making them laugh with his duck quacks. 

Bunny was a loyal friend. He was lucky to know some of his closest friends the majority of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his son, Michael Pickel and his wife, Elizabeth Pickel; his daughter, Maureen Pickel; grandchildren, Alexander and Parks Pickel; sisters, Roseanne Ortega and her husband, Gerald Ortega; Elaine Johnson and her wife, Donna Cheetham, as well as nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother Michael L. Pickel.

His graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Route 82, Kennett Square.  You may also visit with his family from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12 at the Foulk Funeral Home at 200 Rose Hill Road in West Grove. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the West Grove Fire Co. Ambulance, P.O. Box 242, West Grove, PA 19390.

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

Juan Santoyo

Juan Santoyo, of West Grove, passed away on Jan. 2, 2023 at the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  He was 56.

He was the husband of Ada N. Ubinas DeJesus, with whom he shared over 20 years of marriage.

Born in  Mexico City, Mexico, he came to the United States over 30 years ago, and he became a U.S. citizen.

Juan was the owner/operator of J&A Landscaping and Construction for 30 years.

He enjoyed building houses, all phases of the construction industry, soccer and entertaining his friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four step children, Michael DeJesus of Germantown, Md., Carl DeJesus ( Shiela) of Germantown, Md., Michele DeJesus (David Morris) of Oakton, VA and Ada Jean DeJesus of Venice, Fla., ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Services were held on Jan. 14 at the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove. Burial will be private.

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

George William Eller, Jr.

George William “Bill” Eller, Jr., of Nottingham, died peacefully after a short illness on Jan. 5, 2023. He was 85.

Bill was born on July 10, 1937, in Drumore Township, Pa., the son of the late George and Genevieve Eller. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou (Brinton) Eller; four children, Donnie (and his wife, Dorothy) Barbara (and her husband, Bill Gehrlein), Tommy (and his wife Tracie), and Sandy (and her husband Ed Costello). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews.  

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John.

Bill graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1955. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard, where he served for three years. In 2001, he retired from a long career at Penn Fuel Gas and, with his beloved wife, Mary Lou, traveled extensively, ultimately visiting all 50 states. 

Bill loved his family and was especially devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He inspired in his family a love of his favorite outdoor activities including traveling, fishing, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, and playing golf. He had an extensive knowledge of how to fix anything, and he enjoyed using that knowledge to help his family whenever he had the opportunity.

Bill’s life was a reflection of his faith in Jesus all the way until the end. He was a member of Auburn Regular Baptist Church. He also served as a deacon for his church and as Secretary of the Mountain Union Baptist Association.

The funeral service was held Tuesday, January 10 at Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church.

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

Robert Clyde Massey

Robert Clyde Massey, 76, of New London passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 6, 2023.

He was the husband of Almeda (Davis) Massey, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Elkton, Md., he was the son of the late Clyde and Clara (Lloyd) Massey. He spent his entire life on Saginaw Road in New London.

Robert attended the one-room schoolhouse, New London Academy and graduated from Avon Grove High School, Class of 1964. He received his bachelors degree in 1969 and then went on to earn his masters degree in industrial arts from Millersville University.

Robert was a passionate teacher and he spent 30 years teaching Industrial Arts in the metal shop at Avon Grove High School before retiring. During his tenure he created the class “Design and Creation of Jewelry,” that encouraged both boys and girls to get engaged in the industrial arts.     

For many years, he also served as chairman of the New London Township Board of Supervisors and as the township’s road master.

He enjoyed modified dirt track racing at the Grandview Speedway, watching NASCAR racing and was a season ticket holder at the Bristol Motor speedway for many years. Robert was a dedicated MOPAR enthusiast. He was known for his attention to detail and could be found on any given day endlessly waxing and meticulously polishing his vehicles. He loved spending time at his cabin in the mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina. He was an avid thrift store shopper and loved getting a good deal. Family and faith were the most important part of his life. He enjoyed music and spent many hours practicing and singing for the church.

Robert is survived by his patient and loving wife, who cared for him and tended to his every need; their four sons, Keith Massey (Shar) of West Nottingham, Phillip Massey (Kim) of New London, Scott Massey (Diane) of East Nottingham, Ken Massey (Courtney) of New London; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his faithful dog, Daisy, who was by his side until the very end.  He is preceded in death by his beloved dogs – Ginger, Jake and Rebel.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. The service will be led by Pastor Ben Quintana of the Christ Church at the Grove.

Interment will be at the New London Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to Christ Church at the Grove, 1772 New London Rd., Landenberg, PA 19350.

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