Jonas Garrison Cochran

Jonas Garrison Cochran, a resident of Chesapeake City, Md., passed away while at home on December 27, 2024. He was 52.

He was born in Wilmington, Del. Jonas was the son of Gary E. Cochran of Chesapeake City, Md. and Sandra Lee Duvall of North East, Md.

Jonas grew up in Oxford and graduated from Oxford Area High School in 1991.

Jonas was an avid fan of The Pittsburgh Steelers football team. He also enjoyed collecting baseball cards. 

Jonas is survived by his father and stepmother Laura Cochran; his mother; his two daughters, Cerina Cochran and Jordana Cochran; a step-son, Seth Nunn; two brothers, Eric Cochran of Woodbury, NJ and Matt Holton of North East, Md.; two step-sisters, Caraline Hickman of Washington, D.C. and Meg Reid of Hartford, Conn.

Services were held at Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford on  January 3.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, 

P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA  22116-7023. 

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

P. Dorothea Murray 

On January 4, 2025, Dorothea Murray passed away very peacefully at Chester County Hospital. Her daughter, Phyllis, and son-in-law, Hal, were at her bedside. 

P. Dorothea Denham Murray was born on Feb. 20, 1926 in Denver Colorado.  She spent the first ten years of her life on a homestead in eastern Colorado, after which her family moved to Aurora, Colo. At the age of 19, she married the Rev. Dr. Andrew E. Murray and moved to Pottsville, Pa., and several years later to Lincoln University, Pa., where she resided for the rest of her life.

Dorothea devoted much of her life to advocating for issues of peace and justice. She was one of the first woman graduates of Lincoln University in 1959.  She often said that her true education began with the Lincoln University community, where she was sensitized to the need for racial equality. Her advocacy for human rights and for peace led her to involvement in several initiatives within the Presbyterian Church, both at the local and national level, including the founding of a Diversity Camp at Camp Donegal. 

In the 1970s Dorothea was involved with the Human Rights Study Committee in Oxford which led to the founding of the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center.  As part of that Committee’s work, she led a sub-committee to start a Day Care Center in Oxford.

Dorothea was also actively involved with the local Democratic Party as a Democratic Committeewoman in Lower Oxford East and as a candidate for State Representative. Though she did not win that race, she did garner more votes than any previous Democratic candidate for that seat, which was always a point of pride for her.

Though Dorothea was involved in many projects in the community and political realms, the heart of her service and belief was in the Presbyterian Church.  She was an active member of Oxford Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder and Clerk of Session, as well as chairing and being part of countless committees and of Presbyterian Women. She sang alto in the choir until relatively recently.

Dorothea is survived by her daughter, Phyllis J Murray and her son-in-law Hal Weiner and his children Mari Gonzalez (Kim), Joshua Weiner, Justin Weiner (Beth), and Jane Duda (Steve); great-grandchildren Devon, Lucy, Tyler and Olivia, and many nieces and nephews.  

Her husband Andrew pre-deceased her in 1991. 

She is also survived by her many friends and fellow justice warriors.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 25 at Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oxford Presbyterian Church, Lincoln University, 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352 or Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center at 35 N. 3rd St., Oxford, PA 19363.

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

David J. Edgington

David J. Edgington, of Oxford, passed away on January 7, 2025 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was 76.

He was the husband of Dianna Phillips Edgington.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Ralph Wayne and Ginny James Edgington.

David was a life time member of the West Grove Fire Company Station 22 and volunteered as an EMS.

He is survived by his wife; one brother, Ron Edgington (Carole); one stepdaughter, Tammy Ramberger (Ray); one step-son, Tim Sinex (Melissa); four step-grandchildren, Nathan Ramberger, Ashley Ramberger, Shelby Ramberger and Nicholas Sinex; three great- step-grand- children; one niece; one nephew; and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Services were held on Jan. 11 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to West Grove Fire Company Station 22, 101 Walnut Ave., West Grove, PA 19390.

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

John L. Wilkinson, Sr.

John L. (Jack) Wilkinson, Sr., age 69, passed away on January 9, 2025 at his home in Landenberg.

Jack was born in Wilmington, Del. and was the son of the late W. Lawrence Wilkinson and the late Pauline Lamborn Wilkinson.

After graduating from Kennett High School in 1973, Jack pursued a career specializing in mechanical repairs and restoration of International Harvester and Cub Cadet tractors and equipment. During his lifetime, Jack worked for several local I.H. and Cub Cadet equipment dealers before opening his own business, Wilkinson's Garage, in Landenberg. He was known for his ability to repair almost anything.

In 1976, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Marlene E. (Griffith) Wilkinson, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. In 1978, they built their home on the family farm in Landenberg and reside there still.

Jack had many hobbies, including restoring classic cars and antique tractors. Later in life, he often went salt-water fishing with his wife and grandchildren at Cape Henlopen State Park pier, while enjoying many summers at his residence in Lewes, Del. He loved spending time and taking care of his three grandchildren from infancy through middle school age.

In addition to his wife Marlene, he is survived by his son, John L. Jr. (Melissa), granddaughters Gianna and Victoria, and grandson John L. Ill. Also surviving are his sisters, Patricia (Thomas) Springer, Kitty (Ronald) Petrucci and Lynne (David) Hughes, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private service for immediate family members will be held at the funeral home.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square. 

John Andrew Vandergrift

John Andrew Vandergrift, of Unionville, passed away peacefully in Chester County Hospital on January 7, 2025. He was 77.

He was born on February 7, 1947 to the late Andrew Vandergrift and the late Mary Richards Vandergrift.

John went to school at Handi-Crafters in West Chester. 

He began working as a custodian at Longwood Gardens where his father was a carpenter. He was very proud of his nearly 35 years of service to a place he loved. John retired early in 2002 to care for his parents, and he lived his whole life in the house his father built.

He knew many people around Kennett Square and made new friends wherever he went. John had a youthful enthusiasm and a smile for everyone he met. He was a lifelong member of Willowdale Chapel. 

He liked to walk to Landhope Farms across the street and buy many newspapers so he could keep up with the local news. He enjoyed collecting toys, watching movies, listening to country music, and traveling. He visited many places with friends and family. John was also a devoted Philadelphia sports fan, especially the Eagles.

John is survived by many friends and loving cousins, including Joanie Chandler, Jason Seaton, Nikki Seaton, Leslie Johnson, Robert Johnson, Christy (Johnson) Gentil, and Marianne Johnson.

You are invited to visit with John’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, January 17 at Willowdale Chapel at 675 Unionville Road in Kennett Square. Services will begin at 11 a.m. with interment following at Union Hill Cemetery. 

Donations may be made in his name to Willowdale Chapel, 675 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. 

Arrangements are by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square. 

Thomas F. McCormick

Thomas F. McCormick passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at his home in Cochranville, Pa. He was 82.

He was the husband of Elizabeth Owen McCormick, of Cochranville, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in Darby, Pa., he was the son of the late Francis and Frances Stanley McCormick.

Thomas was a very unique and gifted man whose energy and creativity drove him to do amazing things throughout his life.  He fancied himself a craftsman, and an artist and he loved building things that were interesting and innovative.  He had an ability to grasp complex topics easily and had great technical abilities.  

Professionally, he was highly accomplished in many trades and he achieved great proficiency as a woodworking craftsman, an electrician, a carpenter, a mason, a master certified plumber and a businessman. His hobbies were all related to creating things of beauty, drawing upon his abilities to use his mind and his hands to turn his visions into reality. He loved spending time in the garden and around his property with his many animals. 

His energy and generosity was unlimited and he was driven by a passion to have a positive and lasting impact on everyone in his life— family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and all those in need. Thomas will be missed dearly by all who were lucky enough to cross his path and benefit from his generosity and spirit. 

He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth; his five children, Patricia Smyth (and husband William) of West Lampeter, Thomas McCormick (and wife Katherine) of Castle Rock, Colorado, Suzanne Dempsey (and husband Michael) of Oxford, Michael McCormick (and wife Bridget) of Reading, and Francis McCormick (and wife Melissa) of Landenberg; his 14 grandchildren and his 8 great-grandchildren. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as PePop.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Ellis, Frances Imparato, Kathleen “Kassie” Fasciocco, and one brother, James McCormick.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17 at the Union Presbyterian Church, 5637 Street Road in Kirkwood, Pa. Friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m.

Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

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