John E. Paxson, Sr.

John E. Paxson, who put faith and family first in life, died January 9 at Lancaster General Hospital with some of those he loved most by his side. He was 82.

John was born in West Grove, the oldest child of Everard and Elizabeth Fuchs Paxson’s three sons. The family lived on a farm, and John’s early education was in a one-room schoolhouse. John graduated at the age of 16 from Avon Grove High School. He was a four-sport athlete, especially excelling in baseball and in track and field. 

As an adult, he showed his love of sports by becoming a faithful supporter of the Oxford Little League and Golden Bears football. 

John was 19 when he met Sara Highfield at a bowling alley in Kennett Square. They married two years later and were together for 60 years. 

John took a job as an insurance agent at Prudential Insurance Company at a friend’s suggestion. He was good at the work, and soon decided he wanted to be his own boss. He opened the Paxson Insurance Agency in 1982 with Sara at his side at home and in the office. The business was a great success that lasted for more than 20 years.  

John was a man of faith who often led prayers before his family’s meals. He was actively involved in the churches he attended, serving as an elder at Nottingham Presbyterian Church and Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, before settling at Manor Presbyterian Church in Cochranville 20 years ago. John took his role as elder seriously. He was always willing to counsel church members in need.

John’s father and brothers all passed at very young ages, so John cherished every one of his 82 years, considering each one a gift. Those years allowed him to see his three children happily settled and to meet his six grandchildren.  His grandchildren were everything to him, and he happily attended birthdays, graduations, school performances and sporting events as often as he could. 

John preceded in death by his parents and siblings.  In addition to his wife, Sara, he is survived by his three children, John E. Paxson, Jr. (Chris) of Nottingham; Thomas C. Paxson (Whitney) of Washington, D.C.; and Kimberly Anderson (Scott) of Oxford; and his six grandchildren, Ian Paxson (Maria), Zachary Paxson, William Paxson, Madeline Paxson, Eleanor Paxson and Katherine Anderson.

John’s family invites you to join them as they celebrate his life on January 25 at the Manor Presbyterian Church at 505 Street Road in Cochranville. Friends and family may visit beginning at 9:30 a.m. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. and be followed by a luncheon on the church premises.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Manor Presbyterian Church. 

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

Audrey E. Boyle

Audrey E. Boyle, of Nottingham, passed away at home on January 13, 2025. She was 66.

She was the wife of Thomas Joseph (Joey) Boyle, Jr., with whom she shared 27 years of marriage and were together for 39 years.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late James Bernard and Audrey Phyllis Rennard Ehrhart.

She was a graduate of Oxford Area High School.   

Audrey was employed with Jennersville Hospital for over 20 years as a medical technician and retired from Dart Manufacturing, Lancaster after 5 years.

She is survived by her husband; a stepson, Jason Boyle (Jenette) of Nottingham; seven step-grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Howell of New York and Janice Blevins of Nottingham; and her dog, Gus.

She is preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Taylor and Charlotte Hodge. 

Funeral services were held on January 20 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Interment was in Union Cemetery, Kirkwood.

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

Mary Ann Piccard

Mary Ann (Ritz) Piccard, 87, died on January 7, 2025. She is survived by her son, Douglas Piccard, and her grandson, Mark Felix Piccard. 

She was the daughter of the late Herman and Anna Mary Ritz of Lancaster, Pa., and has been a resident of Kennett Square since 1968. She was predeceased by her husband, John Augustus Piccard, and son, Mark Robert Piccard.

Mary Ann earned her bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College, and her master of science degree in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania before marrying John. She was working at DuPont’s Experimental Station when Douglas arrived, and she turned her energy and drive toward raising her sons. When they were older, she began forays into working again. She took up studying electrical engineering at Widener University and was awarded a master of science degree in electrical engineering. With this degree, she again found work with DuPont and eventually retired from there.  

Mary Ann was always an avid artist, wielding anything from a cutting torch to a fine brush and pen. Her favorite subjects were horses and unicorns. Her other subjects were manifested with her skill at gardening, from flowers to fruit, and with that fruit, creating jams and jelly. She applied her engineering and artistic skills to authorship too. She published the Official Star Trek Cooking Manual, one still sought after for its straightforward, detailed instructions and wide pallet of recipes.

Her memorial celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on March 29, 2025 at the Kennett Square Senior Center, 427 South Walnut Street, Kennett Square.  

Memorial contributions in Mary Ann's honor can be made to the animal rescue of your choice.  

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. 

To view Mary Ann's tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

 James Daniel Beail

James Daniel “Jimmy” Beail, a father, grandfather, friend and lifelong mentor of many, passed away on January 13, 2025. Jimmy was surrounded by his loving family as he peacefully passed. He was 93 years of age at the time of his death. 

He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of the late Edward Beail and the late Agnes (Flannery) Beail. He was one of six with two older brothers and three sisters. He adored his baby sister Joan, who was with him in his last days. 

From a young age, Jim was taught that hard work will take you anywhere you want to go. He was willing to pass on his 93 years of life lessons to anyone willing to listen. 

Jim married Ruth and moved to Delaware County. His brother, Bernie, encouraged him to join the union and become a brick-layer. He enjoyed a career with John B. Kelly for over 50 years. He loved his craft. In fact, it was one of his favorite hobbies. 

Jim and Ruth resided in Green Ridge, Pa., where they raised their three children, Jimmy, Sharon, and Anne. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce. 

On December 28, 1991, he met his true soulmate, Joy Barlow. They shared 31 beautiful years together. Jim and Joy loved being with their families, going on trips, visiting friends, and just running errands together. It was true love. 

Prior to his passing, Jim was a father, a caregiver, a loyal friend, and role model to many in the community. He was a father figure to several of his friends. He showed others the value of hard work, compassion, and true love. 

He will be remembered for his love of family and his true desire to help his fellow man. He was the most generous, hard-working person his family knew. He was a gentle man, always willing to lend a hand. 

He loved to work with his grandsons, Aaron and Chad. While he was in his 90s, Jim could outwork his younger team members. He loved being on the job and going for coffee and a donut to start the day. In his later days, he would sit and supervise. He was so proud of all his grandchildren. They brought him great joy.

James is survived by his children, James W. Beail and his wife, Patrice Beail, Sharon Schofield and her husband, Timothy Schofield, and Anne Emerson and her husband, David Emerson. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Candace Schofield, Chad Schofield, Erica Beail, Lexie Mungo and husband, Kahlaf Mungo, Sarah Schofield, Zachary Emerson and wife, Elizabeth Emerson, and Aaron Emerson, and great-grandchildren, Anna Schofield, Henry Schofield, Zyaire Mungo, and Zariyah Mungo. 

He will be deeply missed by his family.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service that will start promptly at noon on Saturday, January 25 at Mendenhall Inn, 323 Kennett Pike in Mendenhall, Pa. A luncheon will follow. 

Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view Jim’s online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Hazel V. Owens

Hazel V. Owens, born on April 28, 1943 in Damascus, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025 in West Grove. 

She was the beloved daughter of the late Mary E. Roark and John W. Owens.

Hazel was the devoted mother of Donna Hampton (Joyce) of York, Pa., and Lenna Pierson (Mark) of Landenberg, as well as mother-in-law to Sandi Hampton of West Grove. She was a proud grandmother to Jeremy Hampton (James), Andrea Hess (Joel), Amanda Mills (Greg), Heather Murphy (Sean), Samantha Barnes (Steph), David Pierson (Monica), Joshua Hampton, and Michael Latham. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Adalynn, Cameron, Malcolm, Sawyer, Haydn, Dylan, Easton, Hope, Marcus, and another on the way. She is also survived by sisters Peggy Parsons of Stevens, Pa. and Jeannie Nantais of Newark, Del., as well as a host of nieces and nephews. 

Hazel was predeceased by her parents; her son, Randy Hampton; her granddaughter, Rachel Hampton; her siblings John Owens and Kathryn Bolden, and her former spouse and father of her children, James W. Hampton.

Hazel’s creativity and passion for life shone brightly through her many talents. She wrote and produced numerous church plays, often enlisting family members to participate and crafting costumes that are still in use today. Throughout her life, Hazel held various roles including dietician, nanny, cook, women’s shelter manager, home health aide, Sunday School teacher, and seamstress. However, her most treasured role was being “MomMom Hazel (Pazel)” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Twin Pines Nursing Home and Willow Tree Hospice for their compassionate care during Hazel’s final years. She formed lasting friendships with both residents and staff. 

A service to honor Hazel’s life will be held on Thursday, January 23 at Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square. Visitation begins at 11 a.m., followed by a service at noon, with Pastor Robert L. Vannoy.

Interment will take place at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manna Ministries at New London Baptist Church, 226 Pennock Bridge Road, West Grove, PA 19390, where Hazel volunteered until her health declined. 

Hazel’s memory will forever bring joy and comfort to those who knew and loved her.

To view  her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Renee Quinn Hotchkiss

Renee “Quinny” Quinn Hotchkiss, 6 months old, of Oxford, passed away on January 17, 2025 at Children’s Hospital of Hershey.

Born on July 1, 2024, she was the daughter of Raelyn Lee Hotchkiss of Oxford.

During her brief visit, she touched many lives. Renee’s life was a gift and she was loved by all who met her and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her mother; grandmother, Judi Hunter of Oxford; great-grandparents, Raymond and Florence Hunter of Oxford; and three aunts, Cara Hotchkiss of Oxford, Kora Hotchkiss of Oxford and Aely Hotchkiss of Downingtown.

Services are private

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in loving memory of Renee Quinn Hotchkiss to the Ronald McDonald House, www.rmhc-centralpa.org or the Children’s Hospital of Hershey https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/s/1218/02-hershey/index-navfrm.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=928.

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

Dennis Earl Bladen

Dennis ”Skeeter” Earl Bladen, a resident of Newark, Del., departed this life on January 17, 2025, while at his residence. He was 78.

He was the husband of Joyce Brison Bladen, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage.

Born in West Chester, , he was the son of the late Joseph Bladen and the late Pearl Froman Bladen.

He was a graduate of Avon Grove High School and Goldey-Beacom College.

He served his country for three years in the U.S. Army.

Skeeter worked at General Motors for 30 years before retiring, and he then worked for 12 years at the Speakman Plumbing Company.

He enjoyed all sports, traveling, and his many trips to St. Lucia with his wife.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Dennis Henry, grandchildren, Roderick and Necole and many nieces and nephews.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, January 24 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. 

His Funeral service will follow at noon. 

Burial will be private and will be at a later date at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.