Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
George W. Kohler
George W. Kohler, 88, a longtime resident of the Folsom section of Ridley Township, died on February 2nd at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Mr. Kohler was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Europe.
He was a driver for Community Transit for several years. Mr. Kohler was active at the Schoolhouse Community Center in Folsom and was on several committees at the Center and was a Tour Director on trips for the group.
Mr. Kohler was an active committeeman for Ridley Township for a number of years and was a Life Member of the Herbert Best V.F.W. Post in Folsom.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Pauline Kohler; his son, Kirk Kohler of Ridley Park; and his two grandchildren, Jessica and Nicholas.
His memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6th, at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. His visitation will be on Friday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be private.
Contributions: To the Ridley Park United Methodist Church, 501 Swarthmore Avenue, Ridley Park, Pa. 19078.
James W. "Jimmy" Robinson
James W. “Jimmy” Robinson, age 63, of Millsboro, Delaware, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on January 25, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jimmy had been a resident of Millsboro, De. for the last 8 years, having resided in Southwest Philadelphia and Green Creek, N.J.
Jimmy was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Florence “Sis” and the late William J. Robinson and he was the father of the late James “Jimmy” W. Robinson, Jr. and the brother of the late Florence “Far” Dougherty.
Jimmy was an avid fisherman and loved to work with his hands doing carpentry projects around his home and helping others with their projects. Jimmy was also a sports fan, he especially loved watching the Eagles and Phillies games with his family. He loved to watch old movies and TV shows, he also loved the Oldies music and like to cook soups and sauces for his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth (nee Adorno) Robinson of Millsboro, De., his mother, Florence “Sis” Robinson of Wildwood, N.J., his daughters, Lisa Ellis of Mantua, N.J., Beth Ann Robinson of Folcroft, Pa., Bridget Robinson of Millsboro, De., his sons, Harry and Nicholas Robinson both of Millsboro, De., his Six Grandchildren; his brothers, William Robinson of Collingdale, Pa. and Luke Robinson of Philadelphia, Pa., his sisters, Helen “Sissy” Antoniwicz of Wildwood, N.J., and Elizabeth “Betty Ann” Weigle of the Villas, N.J.
His funeral service will be on Saturday at 12:00 PM at the Church of St. Joseph, 3255 Concord Road, Aston, Pa. 19014. His visitation will be at 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Joseph, 3255 Concord Road, Aston, Pa. 19014. His burial will be at Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery, in Marple Township, Pa.
Norman J. Crane, Jr.
Norman J. Crane, Jr., 55, a lifelong resident of Ridley Park, died on January 23rd at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Ridley Park, he was the son of the late Norman J. Crane, Sr. and Mary Crane.He was a resident of Ridley Park all of his life.
Mr. Crane was a self-employed auto mechanic for many years until becoming ill. He loved the outdoors, and especially fishing and hunting. He loved dogs, and always had a dog throughout his life. He was a longtime member of Riverside Yacht Club in Essington.
He is survived by his loving companion of 30 years Nancy Firgone of Ridley Park; his sisters, Jean Crane of Prospect Park and Janet Jester of Aston; his brother, Thomas Crane of Ridley Park; and his two nieces and one nephew.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 A.M. at The Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. His visitation will be on Tuesday after 10 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be in Lawn Croft Cemetery in Lower Chichester Township.
Contributions: To the American Lung Association, 527 Plymouth Road, Suite 403, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. 19462.
Esther A. McFalls
Esther A. McFalls, 90, a resident of Halifax, Pa. and a former longtime resident of Norwood, died on January 22nd at Community General Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa.
Born in Madison County, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Anna Schreiber. Mrs. McFalls was a resident of Norwood from 1943 until moving to Halifax, Pa. six years ago.
She worked for the Interboro School District for 40 years until her retirement at the age of 80 ten years ago. Mrs. McFalls enjoyed reading in her spare time. Most of all she will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mrs. McFalls was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood until she relocated to Halifax, Pa.
Mrs. McFalls is the wife of the late Cecil W. McFalls.
She is survived by her daughters, Lorene Stepanski of Halifax, Pa. and Karen Moody of Long Neck, Delaware; her sons, Leroy McFalls of Prospect Park and Wayne McFalls of Audubon, Pa.; her sister, Bernice Reed of Granite City, Illinois; her grandchildren, Leanne, Susan, David, Lisa, Keith, Christine, Michelle, Lauren, and Heather; her great-grandchildren, Matthew, Chloe, Lee, Alexa, Joshua, Anna, and Johnathon; and her step-great-grandchildren, Macie, Bailey, and Aaron.
Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her visitation will be on Wednesday after 10 A.M. at the funeral home. Her burial will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Marple Township.
Dale Francis Christopher
Dale Francis Christopher, 82, died at Springfield Hospital on January 18, 2009. A lifelong Springfield resident, he was the son of the late Dale B. and Harriet Sykes Christopher. Dale was a 1944 graduate of Springfield High School, a 1950 graduate of Dartmouth College, and was awarded an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1944 to 1946.
He was the Director of Transportation for the Foote Mineral Co. of Exton, Pa. for many years and later for the Phoenix Steel Corporation. He served as secretary of the Philadelphia Traffic Club for ten years.
As a member of the Church of the Redeemer in Springfield, he served as a vestryman and in many other capacities. He volunteered at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill and chaired the semi-annual Springfield Library Book Sale. Dale loved to play tennis and was a 35 year member of the Idle Hour Tennis Club in Springfield. He also traveled extensively in Britain, Europe, and the United States and Canada.
His abiding interest in The Great War of 1914-1918 led him to collect an extensive library of books and research about the war, to travel abroad to World War I battlefields, airfields, cemeteries, and war museums, and to become involved in the US branch of the Western Front Association where he spoke at workshops and conferences. His other interests included ham radio, photography, the Liberty ships and the fighter planes of World War II.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Louise Christopher; his two children, Michael T. Christopher of Springfield and Betsy V. Christopher of Ridley Park; his four grandchildren, David F., Aimee L., and Brian T. Christopher and Claire E.C. Murphy.
His Funeral Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Church of the Redeemer, 145 West Springfield Road, in Springfield, Pa. 19064. Burial will be in the columbarium of the church. The family will receive friends immediately afterwards in the Parish Hall; and all are invited to a reception following at the Christopher home.
Contributions: The family has requested donations in Dale’s memory to the Christian Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 26507, Richmond, Va. 23261-6507.
Cindy M. Gavetti Joyce
Cindy M. Gavetti Joyce, 50, a resident of Eddystone and former resident of Woodlyn and Middletown Township, died on Sunday, January 18th at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland. Born in Ridley Park, she was the daughter of the late John and Donna Gavetti. Mrs. Joyce was a 1977 graduate of Penncrest High School.
Mrs. Joyce was an employee of the Wawa located in Woodlyn for 12 years.
She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Eddystone. She was a woman who was devoted to her home and family and especially loved spending time with her granddaughter. Mrs. Joyce loved doing volunteer work and worked for the LPGA for ten years and the Special Olympics for ten years. She was also an avid animal lover.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, John Michael “J.J.” Joyce, her daughter, Crystal Bobnak of Prospect Park; her brother, John Gavetti, Jr. of Georgia; her four sisters, Betty Jablonski of Glen Mills, Donna M. Gavetti of Maine, June Hart of Georgia, and twin sister, Susan McCauley-Zebley of Middletown Township; her granddaughter, Miley Bobnak; and several nieces and nephews.
Her memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 26th, at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, 1901 Chester Pike, in Eddystone. Her visitation will be on Monday after 9 A.M. at the church.
Contributions: Payable to the Griffith Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 56, Norwood, PA 19074, which will be given to the family.
Mary Cecilia Mendenhall
Mary Cecilia “Cis” Mendenhall, 87, a longtime resident of Norwood, died suddenly on January 17th at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Mary “Cis” was born on January 16, 1922 in Newfoundland, Canada, and was the oldest of 18 children. She came to the United States as a war bride and subsequently acquired citizenship. She loved to play the fiddle (violin) and was an avid bowler. Her greatest pleasure was playing Scrabble and winning. She was very active with the Notre Dame Golden Age and enjoyed taking trips. Many of the members could rely on her for rides to and from their meetings and parties.
She loved life. She had a sense of humor and quick wit that always made everyone laugh. Over the years she extended her home to relatives and friends in need. She was a selfless person. Mary was always there when you needed help.
She was loved by everyone who knew her and will be sadly missed.
She was the wife of the late Clarence H. “Mendy” Mendenhall.
Mary was the devoted mother of six children; Patricia Laslett, Ruth Smith, Susan Elaine Shivery, Clarence “Butch” Mendenhall, Mary “Mitzi” Ewing, and James Mendenhall. She was also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. at the Norwood United Methodist Church, 315 Chester Pike, in Norwood. There will be a visitation on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her burial will be private.
Contributions: Contributions made in her memory to the Norwood United Methodist Church, 315 Chester Pike, Norwood, Pa. 19074 would be appreciated.
Emily A. Clarke
Emily A. Clarke, 73, a lifelong resident of the Lester section of Tinicum Township, died on January 16th at the Prospect Park Health & Rehabilitation Residence.
Born in Ridley Park, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Christine Trueland. Mrs. Clarke was a resident of the Lester section of Tinicum Township all of her life. Mrs. Clarke was employed as a cashier and receptionist for Rosenbluth Valet Parking and then Priority Airport Parking for many years until becoming ill.
She was a Life Member of the former Lester Fire Company and was also a charter member and Past President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the former Lester Fire Company. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Fox-Smith V.F.W. Post #4845 and the Military Order of the Cooties, Pup-tent #406. Mrs. Clarke was a member of the Republican Organization of Tinicum Township and served as Judge of Elections for the 2nd Ward. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Tinicum Lutheran Church in Essington.
Mrs. Clarke was a great fan of NASCAR racing and loved to take trips to Ocean City, Maryland with her family. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mrs. Clarke was the wife of the late Ellwood L. Clarke, who died in 1999.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Trabbold of Lester, Tinicum Township and Valerie C. Boyd of Mascotte, Florida; her sons, Ellwood C. “Chuck” Clarke of Plantation, Florida and Louis A. Clarke, Sr. of Tinicum Township; her seven grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 A.M. at The Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at the funeral home. Her burial will be in Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
Contributions: To the American Cancer Society, 1615 West Chester Pike, Suite 102, West Chester, Pa. 19382.
Irma Turner Newill
Irma Turner Newill, 90, a longtime resident of Prospect Park, died on January 4th at her late residence.
Born in Chester, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Dorothea Turner. Mrs. Newill was a resident of Prospect Park for most of her life. She was a 1936 graduate of the former Prospect Park High School.
Mrs. Newill was a longtime member of the Prospect Hill Baptist Church in Prospect Park, where she sang in the choir for many years and also taught Sunday School at one time. She was an avid reader and enjoyed various sporting events. Mrs. Newill loved caring for cats, and especially enjoyed feeding her birds that would come to her yard.
She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is the wife of the late William L. Newill, who died in 1983.
She is survived by her son, William T. Newill of Delran, N.J.; her daughter, Bette J. Steele of Prospect Park; her four grandchildren; and her three great-granddaughters.
Her funeral service will be held on Thursday at 1 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her visitation will be on Thursday from 12 Noon to 1 P.M. at the funeral home. Her burial will be in Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
Contributions: To Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Prospect Hill Baptist Church, 703 Lincoln Ave., Prospect Park, Pa. 19076.
Rebecca B. Rooks
Rebecca Brown Rooks, 97, of Ridley Park, a retired Ridley Township teacher and musician, died on December 30th at the Conner-Williams Nursing Home in Ridley Park.
Mrs. Rooks was the daughter of the late Archibald McCree Brown and the late Margaret Hanna Brown. She was born in Chester, Pa. in 1911 and graduated from Chester High School in 1928. After receiving a B.S. degree in education from Temple University’s Teacher College in 1933, she taught music at Ridley Township High School and conducted the school band. She later taught first grade at the Kedron and Amosland Elementary Schools in Ridley Township until her retirement in 1975.
Mrs. Rooks was a longtime member of the former Immanuel Baptist Church in Chester, and joined Christ Church (Episcopal) when she moved to Ridley Park in 1961.
She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority while she was a college student, and she continued to be an active member of the organization until shortly before her death. She received the sorority’s “Top Tau” Award in 1999.
Mrs. Rooks was an accomplished pianist and organist. She played organs and directed choirs at a number of local churches, and taught piano and pipe organ to private students. She often accompanied her late husband, James Evans Rooks, Sr., who sang tenor. At Christ Church she sang in the adult choir, accompanied the children’s choir, and served on the committees that oversaw the reconstruction of the church’s pipe organ.
In addition to enjoying her music, she traveled widely in the U.S., attended school reunions and sorority functions, and kept up a correspondence with friends dating back to her childhood years. She had a lifelong love for the State of Maine, and enjoyed entertaining friends at the family’s summer home in Sebec Lake in the Maine Highlands.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James E. Rooks, Jr. and Corry V. Rooks both of Washington, D.C, and by her three adult grandchildren: Margaret V. Rooks; Anne M. (Daisy) Rooks; and David C. Rooks. She was predeceased by her grandson Christopher in 1970, by her husband of 48 years, James Sr., in 1986, and by her sister, Susan brown Shearard in 1998.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 10th, at Christ Church, 104 Nevin Street in Ridley Park, Pa. 19078 at 11 A.M.
Friends are invited to send reminiscences of Mrs. Rooks, for inclusion in a memory book, to rebecca.rooks@yahoo.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church at the above address.
Mary Anne Teresa (Jody) Agustin
Mary Anne Teresa (Jody) Agustin, 67, peacefully passed away on December 29th, 2008, in Burbank, California. While residing in Coatesville, Pa. as a loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and bartender, she was formerly a resident of Los Angeles and Buena Park, California.
Her legacy will remain by her husband, Maximo of 32 years; her six children: Walter (Jamie), Jesse, Cathy, Theresa, Jennifer, and Julie; her brothers Michael and Kevin Ward; and her sisters, Donna Burr and Teresa Ward; and her nine grandchildren.
Family and friends loved her for her strength and all her encompassing love of life and people. The passing of Jody is the passing of a great era of tradition.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 10th, at 11 A.M. at the First Baptist Church of Malvern, 146 Channing Avenue, in Malvern. Friends may call at the church from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. Burial will be in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery in Marple Township.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, she would appreciate monetary donations to be made to the Thorndale Firehouse in her name.
Michael T. "The Bear" Keenan
Michael T. “The Bear” Keenan, 74, a longtime resident of the Essington section of Tinicum Township, died on December 23rd at the Wilmington Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware.
Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John and Anne Keenan. He was a resident of the Essington section of Tinicum Township most of his life.
Mr. Keenan was employed as a forklift operator on the docks of the A&P Market Warehouse in Fernwood for over 30 years until they closed down.
He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1955.
Mr. Keenan was an avid Phillies fan and always followed the developments in the news on CNN. Most of all, he will be remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandsons.
He is survived by his daughter, Dorothy “Dotsy” Keenan of Folsom, Ridley Township; his former wife, Dorothy Callahan of Norwood; and his two grandsons, Michael and Russell McLarnon.
His funeral service and burial will be private.
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Contributions: To the Wilmington Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805.
Helen V. Schmidt
Helen V. Schmidt, 90, a longtime resident of Ridley Township, died on December 16th at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Chester, Mrs. Schmidt was a resident of Ridley Township since 1940 and was a graduate of Chester High School, Class of 1937.
Mrs. Schmidt was employed as an underwriter assistant at the State Farm Insurance Co., Springfield office, for 23 years until her retirement in 1981.
She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ridley Park and was a former member of the Church of the Atonement in Morton. She was a member of the Hamilton Chapter, and formally a member of the Peace Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
She was the wife of the late Oscar E. Schmidt, who died in 1998.
Mrs. Schmidt is survived by her companion of many years who cared for her, Robert Webster of Morton; her daughter, Linda Moss of Ridley Park; her son, John Schmidt of New Creek, West Virginia; her eight grandchildren; and her sixteen great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 20th, at 12:30 P.M. at Christ Episcopal Church, on Sellers Avenue and Nevin Street, in Ridley Park. Her burial will be private.
Memorial contributions made to Crozer Hospice, One Medical Center Blvd., Upland, Pa. 19013 would be appreciated.
Esther M. Iredale
Esther Margaret Machette Iredale, 95, a longtime resident of Ridley Park, died on December 6th at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
The daughter of the late Howard and Esther Machette, then residing in New Jersey, Mrs. Iredale was raised in Norwood and several surrounding communities. Mrs. Iredale worked for several years at Mallard’s Soda Fountain in Ridley Park prior to her marriage to Edwin T. Iredale in 1936. She lived in her current home in Ridley Park after her marriage until her passing. During those years, she was a loving and caring person who endured several personal hardships and continued to be cheerful, giving, and supportive to her loving family.
Mrs. Iredale especially enjoyed being with her family, working in her yard, and cooking in her home of over 70 years.
Mrs. Iredale was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin T. Iredale; her daughters, Gail Newcomb Hartley and Maxine Iredale; her brothers, Lawrence, Howard, Herbert, and Milton Machette; and her sisters, Anna Place and Mae Manfree.
Mrs. Iredale is survived by her daughter, Jane Rearick of Stroudsburg, Pa.; her sisters, Alice Anastasi of Cherry Hill, N.J., Elva Thiboutot of Folsom, Pa., and Irene Williamson of Glenolden, Pa.; her two granddaughters; and her six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and their extended families.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 8 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment services will be private for the immediate family at a later date.
Contributions made in her memory may be made to Taylor Hospital, 175 E. Chester Pike, Ridley Park, Pa. 19078 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
