John E. Gift
John E. Gift, a resident of Landenberg, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 15, 2024 at his residence. He was 62.

He was the husband of Janet Crossan Gift, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage. 

Born in West Grove, he was the son of June Scotten Gift of Kemblesville, Pa. and the late George Gift of Landenberg. John was a cement finisher at C.M. Tech. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, going to Texas Roadhouse, taking care of his son Michael and being with his family and friends.

John is survived by his loving wife Janet, his two sons, John M. Gift and Michael J. Gift of Landenberg, his mother, June Gift, a brother, Joe Gift and a sister, Lyn Harper, all of Kemblesville Pa.

Services were held on Jan. 27 at the Landenberg United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Kemblesville Cemetery, Route 896, in Kemblesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to Landenberg United Methodist Church, 205 Penn Green Road, Landenberg PA, 19350.

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

William E. Howell, Jr.
William “Bill” E. Howell, Jr., of Kennett Square, passed away at the age of 80 on Jan. 13, 2024 at Twin Pines Nursing Home in West Grove.

He was the husband of Mary Lou (nee Snyder) Howell. Together, they shared 53 years of marriage.

Born in Madison, WI, Bill was the son of the late William E. Howell and the late Jane Thatcher Howell. Bill graduated from Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Del. He continued his education and graduated from Villanova University in 1965. Bill then went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University Delaware Law School.

Early in his career, Bill worked for Wilmington Trust Company as a municipal bond trader. After law school, he and a partner started a law office. Bill eventually opened his own law practice in Kennett Square. After 40 years of service to the community, he retired in 2019.

He served as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Pius X Council # 3858. He was also a longtime member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square and the Men of Malvern. In his youth, Bill earned his Eagle Scout recognition in Boy Scouts. When his boys were young, he participated as their Cub Scout leader.

In addition to his wife, Mary Lou, he is survived by three sons, William “Tripp” E. Howell III of West Grove, Kevin D. Howell (Jennifer) of Paoli, and John Scott Howell of Claymont, Del., and  two daughters, Deborah Jane Howell (William Nadir) of Warsaw, Poland and Catherine Ann Foley (Mark) of West Chester.

Also surviving are one sister, Barbara Coates of Red Lion, Del., three brothers, Richard F. Howell (Mary Ann) of Newark, Del., Stephen C. Howell of Wilmington, Del., and Kenneth T. Howell (Jeanne) of Fenwick Island, Del. Bill was an endless source of fun, love, and joy to his 11 grandchildren, Allison, Kieran, Tyler, Ariel, Eva, Phoebe, JJ, Alexis, Valerie, Hazel, and Guster.

Services were held on Jan. 24 at the Assumption BVM Catholic Church. Interment will be held privately. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org, the Boy Scouts of America – Chester County Council https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/539/appeal/7219, and the Knights of Columbus (Avondale chapter) https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/donate/index.html.

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

To view Bill's online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Judith A. Schmidt
Judith A. Schmidt, of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 17, 2024 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 64.

She was the spouse of Thomas Schmidt, with whom she shared 41 years of marriage. 

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late William Hufford and Florence (Stehle) Hufford.

In addition to her husband, Judith is survived by her son, Andrew (Lacey) Schmidt of Phoenixville, her daughter, Kristin (Nick) Piccari of Philadelphia, and her brothers, William (Carol) Hufford Jr. and Donald (Karen) Hufford.   

Judy loved working at Longwood Gardens and enjoyed the many friendships she made there with colleagues.  She loved animals, especially her beloved horse (Buffett) and her dogs (Buddy and Abby).   She enjoyed playing Scrabble by her pool or on any beach.  She loved gardening, skiing, and traveling.  Tennis and paddle-tennis at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club were also favorite activities. Above all else, Judy loved the time spent with her friends and family. 

You are invited to visit with Judith’s family and friends on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street in Kennett Square. Her memorial service will follow at 11 a.m.  A reception will follow at Kennett Square Golf & Country Club at 100 E. Locust Lane in Kennett Square. Interment will be held privately. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to La Mancha Animal Rescue https://www.lamanchaanimalrescue.org/donate.

Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  To view Judy’s online tribute, and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Phoebe (McBerty) Randall

Phoebe (McBerty) Randall, 99, of Westerville, Ohio passed away on Jan. 22 at Danbury Westerville – Parkside Village while surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born on Sept. 29, 1924 in Poughkeepsie, NY, the daughter of the late Viola (Weaver) and Ford McBerty. 

She was a retired assistant professor of Marshall University, School of Medicine, Health Science Libraries, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan and of Barnard College, Columbia University. 

She particularly enjoyed reading, eating great food, traveling, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Phoebe was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her daughter Barbara Walker of Wilmington, NC and her two sons John Randall of Vancouver, BC, and Munsell Randall V of Westerville, OH. 

She also leaves nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Phineas Munsell Randall IV, daughter, Joyce H. Randall and brother, Frank R. McBerty. The family would like to thank Feridean Commons, Danbury Westerville – Parkside Village and Capital City Hospice for their dedication to her care. To share condolences and information about future services please visit www.schoedinger.com.

Carole Grace Ann Steller
Carole Grace Ann (Auleta) Steller, of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 15, 2024 at Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square. She was 89.

She was the spouse of the late William A. Steller, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Born in New Haven, CT, she was the daughter of Frank Auleta and Florence (Cavalier) Auleta.  

Carole graduated from The Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, CT in 1952.  After graduation, she worked as a secretary at American Cyanamid in Stamford, Connecticut where she met Bill.  She also worked for several years at the College of New Jersey. Carole and Bill raised their family in Pennington, NJ, where she was a lifelong parishioner of St. James Roman Catholic Church.  

Carole enjoyed spending time with family, baking, traveling, dancing, sewing, card games, and casino trips.  She will be missed for her caring nature, sweet smile, and loving heart.  

Carole is survived by her daughter, Lauri Savage (Chuck); her sons, Bill Steller (Linda) and Greg Steller (Kellie); her grandchildren, Drew Savage (Jesslyn), Meg Miller (James), Sean Steller, Kate Steller, Nicholas Steller, and Caroline Steller; and her great-grandchildren, Logan Miller, Laurel Miller, Wyatt Savage, and Elliot Savage. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Joan Bergquist.   

A memorial gathering to share life stories about Carole was held at Crosslands Retirement Community on Jan. 21 and services were held on Jan. 22 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, in Kennett Square. Interment will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation https://www.parkinson.org/donate or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) https://www.jdrf.org/.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  To view Carole’s online tribute, and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Zelda D. Swisher
Zelda D. “Dolly” Swisher, 64, of Lincoln University, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 26, 2024 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

She was the wife of William B. Swisher, with whom she shared 21 years of marriage.

Born in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Claud and Betty Smith Campbell and was preceded in death by her son, Lawrence E. Swain, Jr. 

Dolly was formerly employed with Swish Trans in Kemblesville as a school bus driver, and as a CNA for Pocopson Home in West Chester and Kendal-Crosslands in Kennett Square.

She enjoyed the beach but she loved her family and she loved her cats.

She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Heather Lawhorn of Oxford; three grandchildren, Christopher Skelton, Ashlee Frias and Bryan Lawhorn; two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Skylar Walker; and five sisters, Claudette Garner of Downingtown, Kathy Ayers of Rising Sun, Md., Judy Cissel of Farmville, VA, Robin Martin of Oxford and Thelma Schneider of Elkton, Md.

Services are 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 H. Montague
John H. Montague, 77, of Unionville, passed away at his home on Jan. 25, 2024. He is survived by his spouse, Patricia (Buckley) Montague, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.  

Born in Doylestown, Pa., he was the son of Harry Montague Jr. and Marie (Parry) Montague. He grew up in Hatboro Pa.  

John graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1968 and was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1968 to 1970.  He worked as an accountant for both Dupont and the Chester County Finance Department, retiring in 2006.    

John and Pat lived for 50 years in their beautiful home in Unionville. John enjoyed working on several antique automobiles, one of which was his grandfather’s, and touring with them with the Model T Ford Club.  He was an avid collector of antique furniture, anything historical, particularly if it dealt with Unionville, and taking care of the house and yard.  John enjoyed his life in Unionville and talking with fellow community neighbors and friends.  

He was a member of the Unionville Presbyterian Church.    

John will be remembered for his love and kindness to his family and friends and his unforgettable sense of humor.        

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Russell Montague (Toni); his nieces and nephews, Julie McGoldrick, Carey Reynolds, Brett Montague, Erik Cohen, and Jeremy Cohen; as well as a number of cousins and extended family members.  

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his in-laws, Curtis Buckley and Jean Buckley.   

Interment will be private.  A memorial service will take place at the Unionville Presbyterian Church at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Unionville Presbyterian Church, 815 Wollaston Road, Kennett Square, PA 19438, or the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company, 36 Firehouse Drive, Unionville, PA 19375.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  To view John’s online tribute, and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Richard C. Winchester
Richard C. Winchester, of Oxford, passed away at home on Jan. 25, 2024. He was 87.

He was the husband of Constance Cross Winchester, whom he married in 1958.

Born in Philadelphia on Nov. 12 1936, he was the son of the late Theodore C. and Mabel Smiley Winchester.

Richard was a graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia, class of 1953, and he received a bachelor of arts degree with honors in history from Ursinus College, class of 1957, and his Ph.D. in history from the University of Rochester, class of 1966.

He was employed with Lincoln University as a professor and then as the chairman of the Department of History. He also served for over six years as vice president for academic affairs. Richard retired in 2000 after 39 years of service to Lincoln University.

He was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church and in 1971 became an Elder and Commissioner to the General Assembly.

Richard was active in Democratic politics. He served as a Committeeman in Lower Oxford Township from 1969 to 2014. He was a candidate for the State legislature and a delegate to the 1968 National Democratic Convention. 

He was also a member of the Oxford Area School Board from 1987 to 1995 and served as president in 1990. He was a member and president of the Oxford Educational Foundation, member and president of the Oxford Day Care Board and he served on the Oxford Borough Council from 2020 to 2021.

Richard wrote a bimonthly column called “In Other Words” for the Chester County Press from 1981 to 1984. He was also a co-editor of “The Anti-Imperialist Reader,” Volume 1, editor of “Glimpses of the Past,” a Donegal Presbytery publication, and authored “On Taking Sides” in 2023, which is a work based on his time at Lincoln University.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Sherry Hunter (John, Jr.) of Birdsboro and Laurie Harper (Stephen) of Culloden, WV; five grandchildren, John Hunter, Colleen Hunter, Kacee Hunter, April Harper and Chloe Harper; and one sister, Dorothy Kane.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 9:30 to 11 a.m. 

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be contributed to the Oxford Educational Foundation at P.O. Box 142, Oxford, PA  19363 or Oxford Neighborhood Services Center at 35 N. Third 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.