Mildred S. Stroud, 96, of West Chester, died on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at St. Martha Manor in Downingtown.

She was the widow of Archie Moore, who died in 1956, and Donald Stroud, who died in 2010.

Born in Chester, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Lena Magnier Shaw.

She grew up in Folsom and graduated from Ridley High School.

She was a school secretary in the Ridley school system and at Stetson and Fugett middle schools in the West Chester Area School System.

She was a member of the Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester, where she was one of the founders of the Catacomb Closet; and a past matron of the Eastern Star in Rutledge. 

She enjoyed bowling, traveling and knitting.

Mildred is survived by her two daughters, Carol Samuelson of West Chester and Marjorie Loehrs of Honey Brook; three siblings, Louise Parsons of Media, Alex Shaw and wife Catherine of Media, Jesse Rantz of Cape May Courthouse, NJ; five grandchildren, Dawn and Christian Samuelson, Gregory Rogers, Stephen and Douglas Mashington; and five great grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Rogers in 2010, and a sister, Florence Bleyler.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2011 at Church of the Holy Trinity, 212 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19382.

Interment will be private in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Martha Manor, attn: Activity Fund, 470 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA  19355; or to Church of the Holy Trinity, 212 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19382.

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Sally L. Hutt, 81, of Exton, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit in West Chester.

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Gary S. Gring, 60, of West Chester, died on Monday, February 13, 2012, at his home. 

He was the son of the late David H. and Violet Reber Gring. 

Gary is survived by his uncle, Donald R. Reber and his wife Marie of Sinking Spring.

Friends are invited to attend the graveside service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21 at the Sinking Spring Cemetery, North Hull Street, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.

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Samuel Vetto, 80, of Downingtown, died on Sunday, February 23, 2012, at Brandywine Hospital.

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Keith Calvin Oberholtzer, 51, of West Chester, died suddenly at his home on Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Born in Ephrata and raised in Boyertown, he worked at A. Duie Pyle for 29 years.

Keith is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Jesse; daughter, K.C.; as well as a brother, four sisters, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, at the VFW Post 106, 837 Lincoln Avenue, West Chester.

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Carol Baumert Buonato, 70, of Kennett Square, died on Thursday, February 9, 2012.

Born on February 22, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Helen Baumert.

She was the beloved wife of Nicholas S. Buonato with whom she shared 34 years of marriage.  Carol is survived by her sister Joy Grim of Saylorsburg, PA; niece Jenna Paradis of Columbia, MD; and nephew Todd Jones of Baltimore, MD.

Carol graduated with Honors in Biology from Dickenson College, Carlisle in 1963 and spent the next 22 years in medical and pharmaceutical research, most of it at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Radnor. 

Around 1980 her husband, Nick, became interested in antique clocks and their repair. They joined the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and while attending meetings Carol, seeing all the different clocks with their reverse painted glasses and painted dials, developed a strong interest in learning the art and techniques involved. She found a local teacher of reverse painting and took lessons for several years. The methods and materials used were of the period and learned about an organization dedicated to preserving and teaching those techniques, the Historical Society of Early American Decoration (H.S.E.A.D). She joined the organization as an Applicant and went on to fulfill the requirement to become a member. Later she earned a Specialist Award which enabled her to teach dial painting.

Carol is basically self taught in the art of painting and restoring dials since when she started there were no instructions or books to follow. She has painted dials for clients all over the country and Canada, has taught classes and workshops on dial painting and was chosen by H.S.E.A.D. to make a professionally filmed DVD on how to paint clock dials. Restoring and painting clock dials has been her full-time job since 1988.

Besides her profession of dial painting, Carol was interested in horticulture, enjoyed courses at Longwood Gardens and planted many flower beds around her house, receiving compliments not only from customers but by passerby who admired her work. She also was a lover of animals especially dogs and had many over the years. Having spent many years in research she knew how important it was to support research in animal diseases. Recently, her heart was touched seeing the struggle of our wounded veterans and was supporting them.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her name be made to either the Morris Animal Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.

A memorial service will take place will take place on Monday, March 19, between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club, 100 E. Locust Lane and Rt 82, Kennett Square.

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Dorothy R. Perdue, 90, of Lewes, Delaware, died on Wedneday, February 8, 2012.

Funeral services and interment are private.

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Katharine "Kitty" Sydenstricker, 82, of Toughkenamon died on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at the home of her son surrounded by loved ones. 

Kitty was born in October 1929 in Oak Hill, West Virginia to Ira and Janie Dilley. 

She married Russell M. Sydenstricker, II and they moved to Southern Chester County where they raised their eight children.  They were married for more than fifty years at the time of Russ’s passing in 1999.

In 1969 they started Russ’s Transmission Service where they worked together to build a successful business with an excellent reputation that still exists today.  Kitty loved working in the office at the shop and always had a warm welcome for everyone.   She will always be remembered for her warm hugs and kisses and never said good-bye without a heartfelt "I love you."   She truly knew the meaning of unconditional love.  She was a small lady with a large presence and a fierce loyalty to family.

Kitty liked to relax by doing crossword puzzles or crocheting, but she enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She loved gospel and country music and had a beautiful singing voice.  She passed her love of music on to many members of her family.  She lived with her son Danny and his family for the last year of her life and they spent many Sundays playing music and singing together along with her grandchildren, which gave her great joy.  These memories will be cherished forever.

Kitty leaves a legacy of love for her family that is irreplaceable.

Kitty is survived by seven of her eight children:  Sheila Pennington and her companion, Bob; Charles and his companion, Nancy; Richard and his wife, Gail; Debra DiFilippo and her husband, Gene; Barry and his wife, Brenda; Gregg and his wife, Toby; and Danny and his wife, Robin. 

She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and one due in the spring, and special friend of the family, Eddie Gonzalez. 

She is also survived by sisters, Patricia Kowal and Betty Cunningham, and brother, Fred Dilley and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kitty was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Russ; her beloved son, Rusty; her grandson, Michael Pennington; three brothers and three sisters.

Special thanks go to Danny and Robin for taking care of ‘Mom-mom Kitty’ for the last year and to Sheila for taking excellent care of her during her illness.  The family would also like to thank Dreama and Carol of Willow Tree Hospice for the wonderful job they did.

A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 100 Sycamore Drive, West Grove, PA  19390.

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Rose M. Scattone, 92, of Malvern, died on Monday,

February 6, 2011, at the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit in West Chester.

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Noreen Kirby Graham, 85, of West Chester, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at The Hickman. 

She was the wife of the late Charles H. Graham, who died in 1982.

Born in Rhodhiss, NC, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Effie Byers Kirby. 

She was employed as an administrative assistant for the Federal Government and more recently as Director of the West Chester Area Senior Center. 

After retirement she enjoyed gardening, dogs and spending time with her family.

She was a member of Goshen Baptist Church.

Noreen is survived by her children: Timothy C. Graham and Melanie G. Zmich and her husband Paul; grandchildren: Angela Dolan and husband Jaime, Stephanie Zmich and Danielle Zmich; great grandson: Patrick Dolan; siblings: Floyd Kirby, Juanita Acree, Dan Kirby and Joe Kirby. 

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Glenn Kirby, Naomi Fesperman, Vance Kirby, Dean Kirby, Dwight Kirby and Boyd Kirby.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Founds Funeral Home, Inc., 229 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382, where the family will receive guests starting at 10 a.m.  

Interment will be at Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Hickman Community Fund, 400 N. Walnut St., West Chester PA 19380.

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Dennis H. Anderson, 57, of Downingtown, died on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

A resident of Brian’s House since 1988, he was also employed at Brian’s House Enterprises.

He enjoyed Elvis Presley and music and loved life to the fullest.

Dennis is survived by a brother, Fred Anderson, his fellow residents, and the loving staff and co-workers at Brian’s House.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 13, at the Founds Funeral Home, Inc., 229 South High Street, West Chester, 610-696-0134, where friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Interment will be in the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brian’s House, Inc., 1300 S. Concord Rd., West Chester, PA  19382.

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Esther Pearce Person of West Chester, died on Friday, February 3, 2012, at age 86.

The beloved widow of Winfield Scott Person and beloved mother of Cynthia Clark Martelli (nee Person) and Winfield Scott Person, Jr., Esther was born September 10, 1925, a Mayflower descendent, and raised in Newton, Mass.

Following high school, she graduated from Katherine Gibbs secretarial school and worked for various individuals, including Archibald Cox, before marrying and raising a family.

Her husband's work took them to Europe for 7 1/2 years, where they travelled extensively, which Esther and Win continued to do in later years, including frequent Cape May and Sea Isle jaunts, annual Colorado ski vacations, and trips to New England and Canada, culminating with a trek to Eqypt and Israel.

Esther was generous with her time, working with the DAR, AAUW, and volunteering for various Chester County and other local organizations. She was also the bookkeeper and senior "employee" when Win owned the Western Auto store in West Chester, a family enterprise.

A graceful skier, avid bibliophile with thousands of books, contract bridge enthusiast and crossword puzzle devotee, Esther also expressed her creative side in arts and crafts, playing the piano, and enjoying her lovely home.

Later, disabled by Alzheimer's, she spent 12 years in assisted living and was blessedly unaware of such tragedies as 911 and the deaths of family and friends.

Esther is survived by her daughter and son, a nephew, niece, and two great-nieces.

In accordance with a long standing arrangement, Esther wished to be cremated, with no memorial service, and her ashes will be scattered with her husband's at Lake Boon, where they met.

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Jean Murphy, 68, of Coatesville, died on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at LifeCare Hospitals of Chester County. 

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Marijane 'Jane' Lohmann Woolard, 91, of Devon, passed away peacefully on Saturday night, January 21, 2012, at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. 

Born in Hominy Oklahoma to her parents Earnest and Grace Lohmann, Jane spent much of her adult life in the Washington DC area, Malvern PA, Avalon NJ and later in Galena MD, and Greenville DE.

Married to Ray Woolard in the winter of 1941, they enjoyed their lives together until his untimely passing in 1974.

During World War II, Jane was employed as a secretary to some of the allied forces most prominent figures. The subsequent post war peace found Jane finishing college at The George Washington University, continuing employment with ranking figures in the armed forces, to relocating to the Philadelphia suburbs and working at the Franklin Institute for a brief period while providing a warm and inviting home to her family.

She enjoyed her volunteer work at Elwyn Institute and local hospitals, traveling extensively, and was a patron of the arts.

She is survived by her son Tom, daughter Kris and grandson Brian.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the small chapel at The Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, all are welcome.

Donations can be made to The Arc of Chester County, 900 Lawrence Dr., West Chester, PA 19380.

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Patricia Meyer Forest, 70, of West Chester, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at home. 

She was the wife of John F. Forest, with whom she shared 43 years of marriage.

Born in Kingston, she was the daughter of the late Robert W. and Ruth Mayock Meyer. 

Mrs. Forest was employed as a teacher for many years with the WCASD teaching in many of the district’s elementary schools.

In addition to her husband, Pat is survived by her children: Vanessa Forest Yeingst, James F. Forest and Tony A. Forest; six grandchildren; a brother Christopher Meyer; and a sister Virginia Raklewicz.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, at Founds Funeral Home, Inc., 229 South High Street, West Chester.

Services and interment will be private. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center, 501 E. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382.

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Edith P. Moore, 81, of Street, MD, died on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit in West Chester.

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Douglas Edward Kuphal, of West Chester, formerly of Ercildoun, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2012, at the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit in West Chester, after a long illness.

He was the longtime companion of Sibyl Borden and her three children. 

Born in Milford NJ, Doug was the son of the late Edward and Audrey Osmun Kuphal and the brother of Deborah, who survives him.

He attended Kutztown University and had a multitude of interests and skills.

An avid reader, he enjoyed many careers.  He also was a skilled welder and fabricator.  His interest in fish and fishing led him to start a pet store in Coatesville called Old Brandywine Pets.  After closing that store he invented several creative fishing lures and opened a business called Ocean City Lures that employed a variety of people. His company was a sponsor of the Ocean City Marlin Tournament and his lures were creating enthusiasm from the East Coast to Hawaii.

At his death he was surrounded by friends, of which he had many.  Some of whom called him the lovable grouch and others the soft-quilled porcupine.  He was a friend’s friend and will be missed by many.

A non-denominational memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 15 at the Longwood Family Restaurant in Kennett Square.

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Martha Ann Francis, 91, of West Chester, died Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at Barclay Friends in West Chester.

Born in Avon Park, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Livius Fenton and Elizabeth Sinclair deBordenave.

She was employed by the Montgomery County Republican Committee for over 36 years and became Executive Director in 1980. A member of the Pennsylvania Society since 1960, she also served on several community women's organizations.

Ann is survived by a daughter, Susan Evans Cann of West Chester; a son, Whitney L. Evans (Kristle) of Lititz; grandsons, Harry E. Cann, IV (Suki) and Matthew P. Cann (Stephanie); granddaughters, Brittany N. Whitmoyer and Ashton L. Whitmoyer; and five great-grandchildren:  Nicholas, Max, Madison, Chandlee, and Tyler.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John F. ‘Jack’ deBordenave and a sister, Elizabeth Caterson Sander.

Funeral services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:  Barclay Friends, 700 North Franklin Street, West Chester, PA  19380.

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Catherine Huber Thomson, 93, of West Chester, left us on Christmas Day, 2011.

She was a lifelong resident of West Chester, except for her last 3-1/2 years at Simpson Meadows in Downingtown where she was cared for lovingly.

She was the wife of J. Morton Thomson, who predeceased her in 1986.

Our aunt, ‘Aunt Susie,’ is the last of ten children of the late Charles Huber and Mary Hursch Huber.  Her parents emigrated from Germany and came to West Chester in 1900, in the days of ‘corner’ stores and businesses.  They lived on the premises and operated the Huber Bakery, corner of Barnard and Darlington Sts., for 41 years.

After her schooling at West Chester High School and Pierce School of Business, she worked for years as a real estate broker, PA notary, and tax accountant, retiring in the 1970s.

Part of her golden years was spent caring for family members, especially her sister, Philomena.  She was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Marie Hunter, Philomena Snyder, Carl Huber, Eugene Huber, Agnes Krallinger, Bertha Keefe, Frank J. Huber Sr., John Huber, and Ann Darlington.

Aunt Susie enjoyed gardening by her cozy office on Miner Street, but needlepoint was her expertise.  She left a legacy of many fine, exquisitely framed needlepoint works of art that many, on first view, mistook for ‘paintings.’  She also had a ‘sweet tooth’ and enjoyed some candy whenever she could.

Her later years were spent with friends at the Kennett Area Senior Center, playing bridge intensely up to age 89.  She also was a lifetime member of the West Chester Area Senior Center.

Aunt Susie is survived by many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.  She was also predeceased by her niece, Marie Omilan; nephews, Alan Huber and Ronald Huber.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at the Founds Funeral Home, Inc., 229 South High Street, West Chester, 610-696-0134, where friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Interment will be in Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery, Birmingham Twp.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kennett Area Senior Center, , 427 S. Walnut Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to the West Chester Area Senior Center, 530 E. Union Street, West Chester, PA. 19382.

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Louise S. Schmotzer, 87, of Kennett Square, died on Saturday, December 24, 2011, at the Neighborhood Hospice Inpatient Unit in West Chester.

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