Celio Padilla Vazquez 

Celio Padilla Vazquez, of Elkton, Md., passed away on Aug. 6, 2023 while at home. He was 78.

He was the husband of Zaida D. Vazquez. 

Born in Naranjito, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Raymundo Padilla and Flora Vazquez.

Celio enjoyed watching the New Yankees and the New York Giants.

He loved and cherished his wife, daughters and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Doris V. Padilla (Luis A. Narvaez), Bethzaida Padilla (Mark A. Zebley) and Florimar Padilla; and 11 grandchildren, Luis A. Narvaez, Reycel F. Narvaez, Jan L. Narvaez, Rancel Narvaez, Kenneth G. Narvaez, Kenielys Narvaez, Joniel Ortiz, Payton M. Zebley, Cenuel O. Rosado, Carimar Rosado and Eddie Y. Diaz.

He is also survived by two sisters, Generosa Padilla and Nelida Padilla, and one brother, Manuel Padilla. He had three great-grandchildren on the way.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jose Padilla.

A visitation was held on Aug. 10 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Services and interment will be held Puerto Rico.

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

Leslie Paula Broomell

Leslie Paula Broomell, of Lancaster, Pa., died on July 30, 2023. She was 75.

She was the wife of the late Glenn L. Broomell.

Born in Reading, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Lester and Shirley Hoffman Conrad, and the sister of the late Cheryl Conrad.

She graduated from Oley Valley Area High School in 1966. She was a member of the color guard, and she twice marched in the Philadelphia Eagles halftime show at Lincoln Franklin Field. 

A lifelong global traveler, Leslie retired from USAir in Harrisburg.

She was a huge advocate of the Rohrerstown Fire Company and enjoyed cooking for the live-in firefighters.

She is survived by her son, Sean Broomell, her son-in-law, David Dumas, her boyfriend, Jack Kohout, and her beloved cat, GG.

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.  

John David Woodward, Jr.

John David “Dave” Woodward, Jr., 53, of Kennett Square, passed away suddenly on July 28, 2023 in Kennett Square.   

He was the husband of Doreen (nee Cotter) Woodward, with whom he shared over 20 years of marriage. 

Born in West Chester, he was the son of John Woodward and the late Patsy (nee Corcoran) Woodward. 

Dave was a graduate of West Chester East High School. He was the director of public works in West Goshen Township and was an employee there for 23 years.

He enjoyed family trips to Disney and attending his daughter’s high school marching band events and competitions and chorus concerts.

He had many activities that he enjoyed, including lounging in his backyard pool and on his back porch, breakfast at Hank’s, watching Phillies and Flyers games and Nascar races, bike rides on the Delaware and Maryland boardwalks, grilling on his deck, landscaping and tending to his vegetable garden, listening to Frank Sinatra, and spending quality time with his family.

He will be remembered for being a loving and devoted husband and father, and a wonderful son, brother, uncle, and cousin.  Dave was a man of great integrity with a quiet, but kind, soul who would give you the shirt off his back if needed.  

In addition to his wife, Doreen, and father, Dave, he is survived by one daughter, 17-year-old Emily Woodward, a sister, Diane Conner (Matt), his father-in-law, David Cotter, a sister-in-law, Michelle McMahon (Joe), as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, and nephews. Dave was predeceased by his mother, Patsy, and mother-in-law, Donna.

Services and a celebration of his life were held on August 3 at the Church of the Advent in Kennett Square.

Interment will be held privately.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Emily Woodward Education Fund at https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/emily-woodward-education-fund-daughter-of-dave-woodward/8233.

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

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

Mildred Speakman Chambers

Mildred Speakman Chambers passed away on July 31, 2023 at her home in West Grove. She was 91.

She was the spouse of the late Richard Chambers, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late John Speakman and Lillian Speakman (Prange).  

Mildred had several jobs, but the most significant amount of time was spent as a Dutchmaid clothing party representative.  Many friends knew Mildred as the person to go to complete their wardrobe.  She was also the office secretary for Star Roses for many years.  

In her spare time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles and fill-in-the-blanks. She loved watching wildlife in her back yard, particularly the birds and squirrels. She enjoyed cooking and baking pies and she loved watching game shows and Hallmark movies. She collected angels and often received pineapple-themed gifts because she loved the fruit so much.  She and Dick used to spend the majority of their spare time at Rehoboth Beach.  They made weekly trips during the years they were able.

Mildred will be remembered for sending cards for every special occasion to all of those she held dear to her heart.  The grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all recipients as well, and their cards always held a little extra love.  She was also always in attendance at all of her grandchildren’s sporting events.

She was a member of West Grove United Methodist Church and for many years enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Mildred is survived by her son, John Chambers (and his wife, Cindy) of West Grove and her sister, Nancy Townsend of Louisiana. Also surviving are her grandchildren, John (and his wife Jamie), and Kaite Moran (and her husband Ben), who are expecting Mildred’s great-grandchild in September, and her great-grandchildren, Noah and Olivia. 

In addition to her parents and her husband, she is predeceased by her brother, Donald Speakman. 

Services were held on Aug. 5 at the West Grove United Methodist Church. Interment followed immediately after the service at the New Garden Friends Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to West Grove Fire Company https://www.wgfc.org/content/donations/ or West Grove United Methodist Church https://westgroveumc.org/ (click on the "give" tab).

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square (484-459-6217).  

To view Mildred’s online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.