Jerry N. Arnold

Jerry N. Arnold, 80, of Oxford, passed away on Aug. 13, 2023 while at home.

He was the husband of Shirley Sumner Arnold, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Mt. City, Tenn., he was the son of the late J.D. and Iva Sadie Ditmore Arnold.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Jerry was employed with NVF in Kennett Square for over 30 years as a boiler operator and he was also employed with Cheyney University for 15 years.

He was a member of the Oxford Church of the Nazarene and served as usher and with building maintenance. 

Jerry was also a member of Atglen Sportsmen's Club, Inc., and he enjoyed fishing, hunting and shooting.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Gary Arnold (Antje) of Oxford, Denise Hildenbrand (Keith) of Exton and James Arnold (Katie) of West Grove; seven grandchildren, Emily, Jessica, Joshua, Tyler, Kylee, Halle and Cade; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, David Arnold of Tenn. and Dennis Arnold of Del.; and two sisters, Janice Myer of Pa. and Judy Webb of Tenn.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Oxford Church of the Nazarene, 116 E Locust St. in Oxford.

Interment is private.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford  (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com).

Mary Fernald Myers

Mary Fernald Myers, of Lincoln University, passed away on Aug. 14, 2023 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. She was 86.

She was the spouse of Ronald Myers, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. 

Born in Rochester, New Hampshire, she was a daughter of Winfield Fernald and Abigail Huckins Fernald. 

Mary graduated from University of Connecticut and earned a bachelor of science degree in wildlife management. She worked at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center for several years. She chose to be the homemaker for her husband and children until her death. She also did some work in Ron's lab on occasions. 

She is survived by two daughters, Trudy Myers of Lincoln University and Cynthia Myers Haggerty of Bedford, Pa., her son, Mark Myers, of Langhorne, Pa., her sister, Edna Pelto, her sister-in-law, Kay Fernald, and grandchildren, Anna Krohn and her husband Ethan Heilman, Daniel Haggerty, Christine Haggerty-Kipp and her husband Zachary Kipp. 

She is predeceased by her brother Carl Fernald.

She enjoyed making many different stained-glass creations. Since the passing of her husband she enjoyed vacationing on cruises, sometimes with her family, sometimes on her own. She especially liked Holland America. Her motto was “I'm going to go as far as I can, as fast as I can, for as long as I can.” And she certainly did!

Interment will be held privately. Contributions in her memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/). 

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

Vanya Eastman

Vanya James Eastman, of Landenberg, passed on Aug. 11, 2023.  

Vanya was born on July 2, 1992, in Bryansk, Russia, to Anna Alexandrovna Pushenkova and Viktor Vladimirovich Pushenkov. 

In 2001 Vanya spent his first summer in the United States with his soon-to-be adoptive family. On March 1, 2002 he was adopted by his loving parents, Mark and Majella Eastman. 

Vanya grew up first in West Chester and then in Landenberg, with his brother, Mark James Eastman, Jr. 

Vanya was a graduate of Kennett High School, and a proficient CNC machinist employed by 3D Fabrication, in Newark, Del.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, making his loved ones laugh, sketching, spending time in nature, and he had a deep love of all animals.

He is survived by his mother, Majella; his father, Mark; his brother, Mark, Jr.; his grandmother, Susan (Donald Massey) Kintz McGiver; his uncle, John (Denise) Bardino; his uncle, Charles (Debbie) Bardino, III; his aunt, Amber McGiver; and his uncle, Justin (Jamie) McGiver. 

Vanya was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles, Jr. and Sally Bardino.

Vanya was a light who touched all who knew him. His family and friends meant everything to him, and he would do anything for any one of them. His contagious smile, kind heart, and quick wit will be remembered by all who knew him. His loving spirit will live in their hearts forever.

Services were held on Aug. 19 at First Baptist Church in Kennett Square, and a Life Celebration Service followed.

Interment will be held privately. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to Brandywine Valley SPCA https://bvspca.org/donate/donation-form in honor of the beloved Vanya. 

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

Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals.com.

Laura Blevins Walls

Laura Blevins Walls passed away on Aug. 16, 2023 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tenn. She was 80.

Laura was a loving wife to Lloyd for almost 61 years, a loving mom, and Mom-mom to her grandson Dylan. 

In her younger days in Chester County, Laura was a caregiver, and taught line-dancing for more than 20 years. 

In her home time, she loved to garden and plant flowers in her yard. She and Lloyd enjoyed going to festivals, listening to country music, and decorating their home with English Hunt Scene artwork. Laura loved caring for people and animals, especially her cat Tom. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Cora Blevins, a brother, Arthur “Jack” Blevins, brother-in-law, and Arvel Lee Blevins, Sr., as well as nephews, Arvel Lee Blevins, Jr., Steven Blevins, Roger Farmer, Ricky Walls and James Walls; and all of Lloyd’s siblings and their spouses.

Laura is survived by her husband, Lloyd Walls of Troutdale, Va., a daughter, Michelle Roberts and her husband, David, and her grandson, Dylan Roberts, all of Sugar Grove, Va..

She is also survived by a sister, Lessie Ann Blevins of Whitetop, Va., a sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dottie” Blevins of Galax, Va., and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Laurel Valley Community Cemetery, Crabapple Lane, Troutdale, Va. with Pastor Jim Lundy officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Laurel Valley Community Cemetery, c/o Joyce Brooks, 122 Old Slash Road, Troutdale, VA 24378. 

To share memories of Laura Blevins Walls, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Laura has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.