Robert Montgomery Thompson

Robert “Bob” Montgomery Thompson, 74, of West Grove, passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 2, 2023 while surrounded by his loved ones.

Bob was born on July 11, 1948 in West Grove to the late John and Nancy McFadden Thompson. He is survived by his wife Emma Roark Thompson, with whom he shared 40 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with two loving daughters Natalie Thompson (Jeremy) of West Grove and Megan Griffin (Patrick) of Avondale. He was a proud grandfather of two grandsons, Jeremy Ruff and Patrick Griffin. He is also survived by his two siblings, Betty Jane Michels and William Thompson. 

Bob is preceded in death by his brother, John D. Thompson. 

Bob ran and operated his own excavating business, Thompson Excavating, for many years. He was a classic car and tractor enthusiast and attended many shows and fairs. He enjoyed farming on his own property and tinkering on his farming equipment. He and his wife both loved long countryside drives on Sundays and his favorite treat was strawberry ice cream sundaes. Bob was an avid animal lover and would never hesitate to help an animal in need. He was always in the mood for a good laugh whether it was watching comedies or sitting around with friends telling jokes. He thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings and traditions and loved spending time with his grandchildren who will greatly miss him. Bob will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend.

A memorial service was held on Feb. 10 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Assoc., P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

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 Jane Fraver

Mary Jane Fraver, 94, of Cochranville, passed away on Feb. 8, 2023 at home.

She was the wife of the late Wilmer E. Fraver.

Born in Russellville on September 17, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Helen McCrabb McComsey.

Mary Jane was a member of Beulah Baptist Church.

She enjoyed walking, sewing, knitting, cooking and baking.

She is survived by her two children, Perry Fraver (Wanda) and Patti Farmer (Richard) both of Kirkwood; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren;  and one great-great-grandchild.

Mary was preceded in death by a son, Wilmer E. Fraver, Jr.

Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Beulah Baptist Church, 3815 Newark Rd., Oxford, PA 19363.

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

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

Dorothy Louise Waltz

Dorothy Louise (Fisher) Waltz died on Feb. 8, 2023 in Oxford,. She was 93.

She was born in 1929 in Washington, D.C. to Clarence, a patent attorney, and Alma Fisher, a homemaker. She attended Paul Junior High School in D.C., where she met a fellow flute player who would become the love of her life. Dot attended business college and was briefly married before marrying William R. Waltz in 1951. Bill’s work as an electrical engineer took them from their home in Maryland to southern New Jersey and then to Phoenixville, where they lived for 37 years.

Dot managed a busy household with seven children, several pets, and a large house, yard, and garden. Chores, allowances, lessons, schoolwork, and summer activities were organized and overseen with military precision. Prior to retirement in 1988, she excelled in her work as an office administrator and executive secretary at the Phoenixville Hospital, the American Baptist Convention, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. 

Dot was an active volunteer in the Phoenixville Hospice program and a long-time volunteer driver with the American Cancer Society. She was active in several United Methodist churches in the Phoenixville area, most recently in the Valley Forge United Methodist Church, where she served for many years as a trustee and membership secretary. She frequently reached out to family, friends and neighbors with visits, cards, baked goods, and the occasional pointed letter to the editor on their behalf. She always looked out for the underdog.

Upon retirement, Bill and Dot enjoyed their family, friends, and activities at the Phoenixville Senior Center, several riverboat cruises, and the local dinner theatre. They moved to Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford in 2003, where they enjoyed making new friends and attending holiday events in their finest festive attire. Upon her husband’s death in 2016, after almost 65 years together, Dot carried on with grace, resilience, and equanimity. She was an engaged citizen and a voracious reader.

Dot was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by seven children, Robin L. Hess (Jay) of Indianapolis, Ind., Rev. William D. Waltz (Barbara) of Cinnaminson, N.J., Gail Glass Wagner (Robert) of Collegeville, Pa.., Jonathan S. Waltz of Hampden, Maine, Kathryn J. Red (Douglas) of Prescott, Arizona, Eric M. Waltz (Lisa) of Red Oak, Texas, and Alison J. Bergman (Barry) of Great Falls, VA.; eighteen grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her older sister, Jean Skillman. 

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Oxford Senior Center, 12 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363. 

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

Nancy M. Bartram

Nancy M. Bartram, of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 9, 2023 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. She was 81.

She was the wife of the late Bob Bartram and was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Kaschalk.

Born in Johnstown, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Grace Marsh.

Nancy was a member of the Oxford Church of the Nazarene.

She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cardinals, spending time with her grandchildren and her fur baby Gizzy and her grand fur baby Benny. She also loved her companion of eight years, Bill Bradley. She was a social butterfly and had many friends.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Christel Preece (Scott Phillips) of Oxford; five grandchildren, Kansas, Austin and Bianca Preece; Ashton and Braelyn Phillips, a sister-in-law, Barbara Roberts; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one son, Randolph Kaschalk, nine brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene, 116 E. Locust St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in 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.