John W. Gain

John W. Gain, a resident of West Grove, passed away while at home on Dec. 14, 2025. He was 78.

He was born in Darby, Pa. on June 15, 1947 to Elmer W. And Lois F. Gain. 

John graduated from Haverford Township Senior High School, class of 1965, and then graduated from Muskingum College in 1970 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.

John graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy-Hershey, Pa. as part of the 28th class in April of 1971. He was first in his class. 

John was stationed in various locations throughout the state while serving the State Police. He retired as a Sergeant from Pennsylvania State Police Troop J-Avondale in April of 1997. 

He was also a lifetime member of the West Grove Fire Company, where he held several officer positions—most recently serving as treasurer. 

John loved his steak rare and his pipe filled with Captain Black Gold. He enjoyed Law and Order or Big Bang Theory TV marathons. He would often have NPR or classical music blaring. He loved hand-feeding the squirrel he named Nutella that came to his back door. 

When met with life’s challenges or annoyances, John responded with his patented head shake and sigh. Most would say he was a creature of habit. But the flame to his zippo was his granddaughter, Madison. He would drop anything to sit in the grass, even if it was pouring down rain, to watch a game at the softball field. He would also wear outrageous costumes, bows and hats while posing for pictures with her. 

John is survived by his children, Kent, Sr., Karen (Anthony), Jason (Colleen), Matt (Luann) and Lisa (Shawn), as well as his grandchildren, Walker, Kent, Jr., Madison and Ryan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lois, his beloved wife, Barbara Ann, and his granddaughter, Leah Jessie. 

A memorial service was held on Dec. 22 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment will be held in Faggs Manor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to West Grove Fire Company Station 22, PO BOX 201, West Grove, PA 19390.

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

Susie A. Jennings

Susie Jennings, a loving mother and Mommom, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Dec. 16, 2025.

Born in Penny, KY she was the daughter of the late Floyd and Mollie Caudill Newsome.

She was employed by action manufacturing as a powder carrier for more than 40 years. If you knew Susie, you knew she had a love of Mickey Mouse and Christmas, but first and foremost, her love was to God and country.

She is survived by her three children, Donna Rentz (Michael) of Colora, Md., Rita Sheets of Quarryville, Pa. and Jeffrey Jennings of Quarryville, Pa., 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, daughter-in-law, Elsie Donnelly of Honey Grove, Pa., and lifelong friend, Shirley Moran of Oxford.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry Jennings and Earl Jennings, Jr., one grandchild, Robert Small Jennings, one great-grandchild, Michael Bard, and several siblings.

A memorial service was held on Dec. 20 at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Rising Sun, Md.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice Care, 415 McFarlan Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

Walter Garnet Jones

Walter Garnet Jones, 78, of Nottingham, passed away on Dec. 17, 2025 at Lancaster General Hospital.

He was the loving husband of Doris M. Lofthouse Jones, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Danville, KY, he was the son of the late William Henry and Opal Marie Adams Jones. Walter resided in Pennsylvania for 73 years.

Walter owned and operated Jones Garage in Nottingham for over 40 years.

Walter was a private pilot and loved motorcycles and antique cars. He was a member of Experimental Aircraft Association and Oxford Masonic Lodge #353 F. & A.M.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, a brother, Welby Dexter Jones of Liberty, KY, and nieces and a nephew.

He was predeceased by his brother, William Howard Jones.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Oxford Masonic Lodge 353 F. & A.M. at 245 N. Third St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, c/o Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, PA 19363. 

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

Dolores Ely

Dolores (Bertogli) Ely, age 77, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2025 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.  

She was the beloved wife of Robert R. Ely. 

She graduated from Kennett High School in 1967 and then Dolores worked for many years as a hairdresser at Shear Satisfaction Salon in Avondale. She was also proud to have worked for her family’s business, B. Bertogli & Sons Mushrooms, before continuing her career with Acme Markets in Kennett Square. She later owned and operated her own cleaning service business, where she formed lasting friendships with her clients.

She enjoyed cooking and taking trips to Rehoboth Beach, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family—especially her cherished grandchildren. 

Dolores will be remembered for her warmth, dedication to her family, and the genuine connections she made throughout her life.

In addition to her husband, Bob, she is survived by two sons, James Decker and his wife, Pam, and Michael Decker and his wife, Beth; two brothers, Arthur Bertogli and Edward Bertogli; one sister, Mary Pannell and her husband, Tom; and five grandchildren, CJ, Sarah, Jacob, Joey, and Andrew. 

Family and friends are invited to visit with Dolores’s loved ones from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 at Avondale Fire Company, 23 Firehouse Way in Avondale. A Life Celebration Memorial Service will follow at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Alexandra Ronallo

Alexandra Ronallo passed away in Wauwatosa, WI on Dec. 5, 2025.

She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Dec. 10, 1985. 

She spent her childhood in Oxford with her parents Margaret and Douglas Ronallo and her sister Nicolette Hawrylak. 

Alex attended Oxford Area High School and graduated with honors in June 2004. She attended New York University and graduated in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater and Journalism and was awarded the Founders Day Award.

Alex was excited to move to Rhinelander, WI in early December 2008 to begin her first job as a TV reporter for WJFW-TV. While in Rhinelander, Alex met Tyler Schwab, whom she married in June 2014. She continued her work as a reporter, anchor and producer in Sioux Falls, SD and Green Bay, WI until spring 2018. 

Alex was hired by Bader Rutter in 2019 as an account executive in public relations and was promoted to account supervisor. Alex and her team received numerous best of NAMA Awards, Ag Communicator’s Network Awards and Golden ARC’s from the Ag Relations Council. 

Alex was especially proud of the work she did with Tyler caring for children through the Foster Parent Program of Milwaukee, WI. 

She also enjoyed reading, cooking, needlepoint, swimming, traveling, caring for her pets and volunteering for the Humane Society. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Alex is survived by her sister, Nicolette Hawrylak and her husband Jerry Scott, her nephews, Owen and Samuel Scott and her in-laws James and Linda Schwab and brother-in-law Steven Schwab (Jessica Schwab).

Alex will be remembered by family and friends for her intelligence, sense of humor, sensitive nature and her beautiful blue eyes.

A memorial service will be held in Ocean City, NJ sometime in the new year.

Alex believed in the importance of education, therefore an academic scholarship will be created in her memory.

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart) … e.e. cummings