Obituaries for the week of Feb. 16
02/16/2015 02:20PM ● By J. Chambless
KARLIE ADELE HALL
Karlie Adele Hall, 18, of Chadds Ford, passed away on Feb. 8 at Millersville University.
Born in Miami, Fla., she was a daughter of John Hall (Tatiana) of Florida and Jeanette Wilson Hall of Chadds Ford. She was a 2014 graduate of Unionville High School, where she enjoyed playing rugby. She also enjoyed swimming, dancing and many other sports throughout her life. Karlie always wore the number 5 in the sports she played. She also loved vacationing at the Jersey Shore. She was a freshman at Millersville University, and was studying business and finance.
Survivors include, in addition to her mother and father, her paternal grandmother, Adele Hall of Glen Mills, Pa.; two sisters, including her twin sister Kristen Hall, attending Millersville University, and Katelyn Hall, attending Kutztown University; her aunts and uncles, Don Wilson (Corey), Bob Wilson (Joan), John Wilson, Tom Wilson, Barb Robinson (Dave), Jim Hall (Teri), Michael Hall, Matt Hall (Erika), Kathy Gahres (Larry), Bob Hall, Donna Garnera, Terry Hall, and Mary Cook (Dave), and many cousins. She was predeceased by two uncles, Bill Wilson and Steve Hall.
A funeral was held Feb. 14. Interment was at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens. To view Karlie’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.
JEROME BURRUSS
Jerome Burruss, 79, of West Grove, passed away on Feb. 9 at Twin Pines Health Care in West Grove.
Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Richard and Anita Davis Burruss. He was a self-employed belt maker. He enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to country and western music, NASCAR, and being with people. He played his guitar with many small bands in the area.
He is survived by four brothers, Richard Burruss, Ray Burruss, Rodney Burruss and Thomas Burruss; three sisters, Janet Burruss, Julia Burruss and Jacqulyn Newman; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral was held Feb. 13. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
GRACE M. DiPROSPERO
Grace M. DiProspero, 80, of West Chester, formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on Feb. 13 at Barclay Friends.
She was the wife of Erasimo A. DiProspero, who passed away in 2014, and with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Grace Brittin McCormick. She was a purchasing clerk at the Chester County Prison, retiring in 2006 after 20 years of service. She was member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square. She enjoyed reading, and being with her children, grandchildren, family and friends.
She is survived by two sons, Stephen P. DiProspero and his wife Terri of Chadds Ford, and Andrew P. DiProspero and his wife Carla of West Chester; two daughters, Diane Brittingham and her husband Jeffrey of Avondale, and Ellen DiSanti and her husband Francis of West Chester; one sister, Sally Richardson of Downingtown: nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was predeceased by five sisters, Elizabeth McCormick, Mary Grace, Kathryn Fairweather, Nancy Wallace and Ginger McCormick; and two brothers, Frank McCormick and Richard McCormick.
A funeral was held Feb. 17. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Grace, a contribution may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 205 Lafayette Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
CHARLES T. TAYLOR
Charles "Tom" T. Taylor, 63, of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 11 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late David K. Taylor, Jr., and Gladys Raby Taylor. He was a paraprofessional at the Delaware School for the Deaf in Ogletown, Del., retiring in 2011 after 17 years of service. He enjoyed playing golf, and was an avid Phillies and Eagles fan.
Tom is survived by two brothers, David K. Taylor III of Nottingham, and Stephen E. Taylor of Kokkadal, Denmark; two sisters, Joanne Wilson of Wilmington, Del., and Beverly L. Weaver of Lititz; six nephews and five nieces.
His services and burial were private. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
KATIE DOLORES
BUSSLER KOZAK
Katie Dolores Bussler Kozak, 84, of West Grove, formerly of St. Mary’s County, Md., died of congestive heart failure on Feb. 12 at her home in West Grove.
Born in 1930 in Compton, Md., she was the daughter of the late Violet Ching Abell Bussler and George Edward Bussler, and was named after her paternal grandmother. She was married in 1954 to Frank Carl Kozak, who preceded her in death in 2001 after 47 years of marriage.
She was the devoted mother of Marlene Kozak Young (Robin) of Powhatan, Va., John Edward Kozak (Peggy) of Quarryville, Pa., and Timothy Frank Kozak (Bobbie Jo) of Delta, Pa. She was the grandmother of Andrew Carl Young of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Elisha Ann Talley of Media, Pa., Kevin Lee Young of Lakewood, Colo., Amanda Lynn Kozak of West Chester, Pa., and Michael Timothy Kozak of West Chester, Pa.; and the great-grandmother of Miles Tenzing Young of Wheat Ridge, Colo.
Katie is survived by her sisters, Mary Lorena Tennyson of Leonardtown, Md., Claudia Lee Bussler Mattingly of Leonardtown, Md., brother Carroll Roger Bussler of Leonardtown, Md.; and brothers-in-law Bernard Richard Kozak of Dover, Del., and Carl Daniel Kozak of Whitehall, Pa.; as well as many special nieces and nephews. She had a special fondness for two friends, Rosie Jones and Sue Zuk, and their families.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Joanna Kozak; brothers Frank Thomas Abell, John T. Abell, Francis Arlee Abell, and George Hoover Bussler; and sister Annie Elizabeth Abell McCully.
Katie was born, raised and educated in St. Mary’s County, Md. She attended Compton School and graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1948. She worked in an insurance office for five years before becoming a full-time mother. She was a longtime parishioner at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in West Grove.
She loved being with her family, and enjoyed trips to Maine and Southern Maryland, crocheting and sewing, eating out, getting her hair styled, receiving and sending text messages and working on jigsaw puzzles.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, Inc. (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). A funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Christ Episcopal Church (37497 Zack Fowler Rd., Chaptico, Md.), with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 600 North Jackson, Suite 103, Media, PA 19063. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.
WILLIAM B. ALLMAN
William B. Allman, "Washboard Bill," of West Grove, 87, passed way peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 11 at the Neighborhood Health Hospice in West Chester.
Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Drue Nunez Allman, a well-known horticulturist, and Blanche (Oppenheimer) Allman, a journalist. He was predeceased by his parents and older brother, Herbert Allman. He is survived by artist Margo Hutz Allman, with whom he celebrated nearly 61 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughter, Avis Louise Allman, son David Drue Allman, daughter in-law Lisa (Oakman) Allman, grandson Kevin William Allman, and granddaughter Valarie Carolyn Allman.
Allman served his country in World War II, in the U.S. Navy. He attended Drexel University, earning an engineering Degree in 1949, and an MBA from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in 1951. He began a career of 31 years with the Atlantic Refining Company and then the DuPont Company in Newark, Del. He retired in 1982. Allman was a member and chairman of the Newark Bi-Racial Committee from 1963 to 1971. He was involved in initiatives changing the civil rights attitude and directly contributed in open housing efforts.
Allman was a recognized musician listed in Who’s Who in American Music. Known as "Washboard Bill," he sat in with renowned jazz and blues artists including Lionel Hampton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. For over four decades, he was part of the Melton Brothers Band with Dale and Dennis Melton.
A celebration of his life will be held later in the year. In memory of Bill, contributions may be made to Neighborhood Health Hospice Services, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380; or Neighborhood Services, 35 N. 3rd St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
MARY E. HAMPTON POWERS
Mary E. Hampton Powers, 78, of Landenberg, passed away on Feb. 13 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.
She was the wife of the late Eugene Powers. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Carl E. and Vera M. Grace Hampton. She attended Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square. She was a loving and caring person. Mary’s home was an open door for family and friends to stay in their time of need. She would also give food to anyone who was hungry. Mary enjoyed cooking and always made enough for an army. She loved to serve the Lord and will be greatly missed by many.
She is survived by one son, Dale Powers and his wife Barbara of Landenberg; three grandchildren, Vincent, David and Beth Powers; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Alexander Powers; one sister, Charlotte Roark of Landenberg; many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, David Jeffrey Powers; three brothers, Buddy, Norman and Wilmer Hampton; and one sister, Edith Briley.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Feb. 18 at Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square (500 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square), where friends and family may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Auburn Regular Baptist Church Cemetery, Landenberg. Donations in her memory may be made to the Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
