Wilmer L. Hostetter

Wilmer L. Hostetter was surrounded by his loving family when he went peacefully to his heavenly home on Feb. 3, 2023. He was 85.

He is survived by Joyce L. Landis Hostetter, his wife of 65 years.

On Feb. 8, 1938, Wilmer was born in Gap, Pa. to the late Jay and Margie (Hershey) Hostetter. 

Wilmer was in the dairy business and started the Joy-Wil registered Holstein Dairy. In 1976, Wilmer began a new business which is now Hostetter Grain Inc. 

Wilmer loved business and people. He also liked finding time for managing and coaching men’s softball, hunting, fishing, traveling and golf. He especially enjoyed the sporting events of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family times were very important and enjoyable to Wilmer.

He loved his Lord and Savior and was a member of Mount Vernon Christian Church for more than 50 years, serving in many ways including as a treasurer and trustee. He served on the Black Rock Retreat Board for 12 years and Partners in Evangelism Board for over 25 years. He also served on the Oxford School Board (chairman for 3 years), Fulton Bank Advisory Board for 15 years, Farm Credit Board for 38 years and Chester County Holstein Board.

Wilmer is survived by his wife; three sons, Bill (Melissa Slauch), Bernie (Karen Moran) and John (Judy Rohrer); ten grandchildren, Phillip (Victoria) Hostetter, Eric (Meghan) Hostetter, Allison Hostetter, Derek Hostetter, Jarrett (Meredith) Hostetter, Justin (Melody) Hostetter, Jason (Faith) Hostetter, Paige (Marshall) Horst, Ellie (Josh) Witmer and Brooke (Zack) Swope; and 25 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by a son, Barry and granddaughter, Rebekah Hostetter, two brothers, Donald and Harry, and four sisters, Anna Kreider, Elva Peifer Martin, Vera Mast and Rosa Weidman. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on  Saturday, Feb. 11 at Mount Vernon Christian Church, 1 Lighthouse Dr, Kirkwood, PA 17536, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. and Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Vernon Christian Church or Black Rock Retreat, 1354 Kirkwood Pk., Quarryville, PA 17566. 

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

Peter Lynn LaFrance Jr

Peter Lynn LaFrance Jr., a resident of Avondale, passed away peacefully while asleep in his home on Jan. 30, 2023. He was 60.

He was the husband of Petra Fuchs LaFrance, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Carol Corea DiNenno of Kennett Square and the late Peter LaFrance.

Some of his proudest moments were his games with the Kaolin Comets, graduating high school from St. Mary’s in Colorado Springs, receiving the army ARCOM, beginning his own business, watching his children grow, traveling the globe chasing solar eclipse photography opportunities, becoming a grandfather, and every sitting of pecan pie.

His love and intrigue of the sciences, his interest and enjoyment of hunting and camping, his expert mechanical and electrical skills, his love for music, and devotion to the Phillies and Eagles will be remembered and passed on to those he knew.

He will be missed by his mother, wife, seven siblings, three sons, and two grandsons.

He received several awards while in the U.S. Army. He was a combat engineer. He met his wife Petra while serving in the military. He was an avid astronomer and astrophotographer, something he continued to the end. 

The plumbing business he started over 15 years ago will continue to be operated by his sons.

In addition to his wife Petra, Peter is survived by his three sons, James (Anne) of Quarryville, Andrew of Wilmington, and Chris of Landenberg; his brother, Michael (Rita) of Cochranville; his sisters, Jeanine LaFrance of Kennett, Bev DiFlippo (Gino) of New Garden, Patty Innes (Rob) or North East Md.., Mary LaFrance of West Grove, Elizabeth LaFrance of Newark, and Johanna LaFrance of Wilmington. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Hunter and Archer, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chester County Astronomical Club. Merion Science, 113 720 Church Street, West Chester, PA 19383 or your local VFW post.

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

Anthony D. Procopio

Anthony (Tony) D. Procopio, age 75, of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 29, 2023 in the care of Penn Palliative Care at Chester County Hospital.  Tony was the loving husband of Dianne (Winterstein) Procopio, with whom he shared 33 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Russell Procopio and the late Florence J. Patitucci Procopio.

Tony attended South Philadelphia High School and, early in his career, worked for Zenith Metal Products in Primos, Pa.  A natural-born adventurer and entrepreneur, he also lived in Arizona, followed by Las Vegas, where he opened the Olde Philadelphia Steak Shop. His original concept, Olde Philadelphia was a family-owned and operated establishment, bringing the best tastes of Philadelphia to Vegas, offering authentic cheesesteaks, hoagies, and all the flavors of “growing up in Philly,” with treats such as Tastykakes, Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, and soft pretzels. Tony sold the restaurant in 2003, retired and returned to Pennsylvania.

Not one to sit still for too long, Tony loved working on various home projects and, in his spare time, enjoyed fishing, golfing, and volunteering for various local organizations. He was also a licensed pilot. With his larger-than-life personality, he loved time spent with family for Sunday dinners and holidays, spending hours holding court at the table recounting stories of his life and adventures.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Dianne; her children, son Daniel Strong (Emily), of Seattle, Washington, daughter Logan Frazer, of Las Vegas, Nev., and grandson Joey Dennis Strong; brother Russell (Joanne), of Glen Mills, Pa., many nieces and nephews who adored him, as well as beloved cousins and friends.

Tony was predeceased by his brother Arthur “Caesar” Procopio (Carmen).

Services were held on Feb. 4 at Kuzo Funeral Home, Inc. in Kennett Square and a funeral mass followed at St. Patrick Church, also in Kennett Square.

Burial was at SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at http://www.stjude.org/donate.

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

Michael T. Clarke

Michael T. Clarke, 26, of Oxford, passed away on Jan. 28, 2023 at Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Upland, Pa. he was the son of Thomas and Nora Clarke. 

Michael enjoyed music, dancing, food and spending time with people. He was a happy-go-lucky, high energy people person. He was a very inclusive, giving person.

He is survived by his parents; one brother, William Clarke (Lauren Styer); his grandparents; and many uncles and aunts.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 4 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.lgsfoundation.org.

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

Earl W. Shortlidge

Earl W. Shortlidge, a resident of Middletown, Del. who formerly lived in West Grove, passed away on Jan. 31, 2023 at Genesis Belvedere Center. He was 80.

He was the husband of Lana Gill who passed away in 2019, and with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Albert E. Shortlidge, Sr. and the late Helen Messimer Shortlidge.

Earl was a retired truck driver and had worked for Downing Contractors and McGeary Grain.

He was a member of the Italian American Club in Kennett Square.

Earl enjoyed bowling, watching Nascar, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by one sister, Elaine Ticknor of Middletown, Del.

He was predeceased by three brothers and four sisters.

Services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street. Suite # 250, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

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

Lorraine B. Johnson

Lorraine B. Johnson, 98, of Peach Bottom, Pa. passed away on Jan. 26, 2023 at Union Hospital in Elkton, Md.

She was the wife of the late Ferd A. Johnson.

Lorraine is survived by three sons, Donald Johnson of Oxford, Richard Johnson of Nottingham and Terry Johnson of Oxford; two daughters, Linda Hill of Oxford and Norma Lawwill of Middletown, OH; 50 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Berchie Johnson and Ronnie Johnson and two daughters, Barbara Johnson and Joyce Timmonds.

A graveside service was held on Jan. 31 at the Oxford Cemetery.

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

Claire Marie Nunn

Claire Marie Nunn, of West Grove, passed away on Jan. 22, 2023 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was 80.

Born in Landenberg, she was the daughter of the late William and Florence Lucas Ellsworth. 

Claire retired from Kendal ~ Crosslands in Kennett Square after 22 years.

She was a member of the Landenberg United Methodist Church and cherished her church family.

The most important thing to Claire was spending time with family, all of whom she loved very much. 

She is survived by two daughters, Gwen Oscar (Mike) of New Garden, and Nora Keating (Kevin) of Cochranville. Claire had ten grandchildren, Dominique, Dina, Michael, Sarah, Nicholas, William, Samuel, Thomas, Matthew, and Christina, and three great-grandchildren, Seth, Cerina, and Jordana, and daughter-in-law, Tina Nunn, all of whom she adored. 

She was preceded in death by one son, Syd Nunn.

A memorial service was held on Jan. 28 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be private.

lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St Jude Foundation, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, since Claire loved the foundation and had made donations all throughout her life.

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

Rita M. Denney

Rita M. Denney, of Nottingham, passed away while at home on Jan. 22, 2023. She was 80.

She was the wife of the late Robert D. Denney, with whom she shared 45 years of marriage.

Born in Wyco, WV, she was the daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson and Dema McMillan Perdue.

She was a member of Church of Christ in Kelton.

She enjoyed puzzles, coloring and shopping.

She was survived by two sons, Michael Denney and Robert Denney, Jr.; one daughter, Debbie Stevens; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Purdue of Oxford; and one sister, Mary Louise Heath of Oxford.

She was preceded in death by one son, Darrell Denney.

Services are private.

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

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

Robert Samuel Fulton Jr.

Robert Samuel Fulton, Jr., known by many as Mr. Bobbie, Bobbie, or Rob, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2023 while at his home in West Grove. He was 62.

He was the husband of the late Margaret Rose McAtee Fulton.

Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary Kathryn Fulton.

Rob was a 1979 graduate of Avon Grove High School and was employed with the Avon Grove School District for 40 years. 

Rob loved fishing, hunting, baseball, music and his church family and friends. He also loved his two cats, Zooey and Callie.

He was sweet and kind and had a compassionate spirit.

He is survived by his daughter, Megan Fulton of Wilmington, Del. and one sister, Lisa Stout of West Grove. 

He was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Robert Fulton. 

Funeral services were held on Jan. 26 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.  

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