Martin C. Osborne

Martin C. Joseph Osborne, of Little Britain, Pa., passed away February 13, 2025 at the Pavilion Center of the University of Penn. He was 59.

Born on Aug. 25, 1965, in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Herbert Osborne and Janet M. Osborne-Kilgore. Marty attended Oxford Area School District and graduated in 1983. 

Marty was the son of an electrical union worker and followed in his footsteps. Marty, early in his life, worked at Lucas and Sun Oil. Marty was a skilled tree trimmer, and he would spend nearly two decades at Asplundh, working alongside his trusted crew that he loved very much. Martin thought about his time at Asplundh every day and would like to thank his crew for all the hard work and great times they had. 

Marty was an avid champion of maintenance workers. Highlighting nearly two decades at Lincoln University as a head shop steward and electrician for the Lincoln Lions. Marty had many friends and close loved ones who were influential during his time at Lincoln University, and he would often go to bat for his coworkers. 

In his spare time, you could find Marty in the mountains, where he was a member of the Chester County Hunting Club in Bradford County. You would also find Martin rooting for Dale Earnhardt, Sr. or Dale Earnhardt, Jr. every Sunday, as he was an avid NASCAR fan. He held memberships in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Rod and Gun Club. He loved being a pig cooker. On most weekends, you could have found him, his father, Herby, and Uncle Ray cooking pigs for fundraisers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Germania, Pa., along with Jeep Hanley and Uncle Ed Greer.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Riccardelli Osborne of Quarryville; one daughter, Shelby Osborne of Nottingham; two sons, Tony Osborne and Kyle Osborne of Quarryville; one sister, Lisa Osborne Hall (Rick) of Peach Bottom; and three grandchildren. 

A memorial service was held on February 21 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

The interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Acorn Acres, as Marty loved rehabilitating wounded animals and returning them to health. Contributions in his memory may be made www.acornacreswr.com/donate. 

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

Merle L. Williams

Merle Elizabeth (Lank) Williams, age 94, died peacefully on February 14, 2025 at The Atrium in Allentown, Pa., where she resided after living in Kennett Square for 67 years. 

She was the spouse of the late Charles (Richie) Williams, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. 

Born in Seaford, Del., she was the daughter of the late William A. Lank and the late Mary (Hollis) Lank. 

Merle spent her early childhood years in Philadelphia, moving later to Bloomsburg, Pa., where she graduated from high school and went on to the University of Delaware where she graduated with a degree in education. Merle taught first grade in Seaford, Del., and Kennett Square. Although she retired from teaching to raise her children, her passion for teaching stayed with her for her entire life. 

Merle helped found the Kennett Area Senior Center where she was the first co-director. She worked for many years for Doctors McKinstry and Hoobler at their family practice. She was an avid gardener and a member of the Kennett Garden Club, a Brownie leader, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. 

She enjoyed playing Bridge and Pinochle and later in life enjoyed watching the Phillies, Eagles and Villanova Wildcats. 

She was a natural storyteller with an amazing memory and captivated her family and friends with stories from long ago as if they happened yesterday. 

Merle is survived by her children, Roger Williams (Denise) of Macungie, Pa.; Bruce Williams (Barb) of Gibsonia, Pa.; Karen Williams of West Chester; Ellen Drexler (Brad) of Allentown, Pa.; Debra Jones of Brandamore, Pa.; and Paige Evans (Dave) of Lancaster, Pa.; her grandchildren, Eric Williams, Shannon Williams, Jason Williams, Meghan Rose, Tyler Williams, Kaitlin Hoffman, Alison McKane, Austin Jones, Jennifer Jones, Zachary Evans, Meredith Evans, Haley Evans, Jared Krah, and Bryce Krah; her great-grandchildren, Claire, June, Bailey, Lucas, Carter, Chloe, Noah, Isabelle, Amelia, Anthony, Sullivan and Tatum.

A life celebration memorial service was held on February 24 at Kennett Square Golf and Country Club.   

Interment will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you share an act of kindness in Merle’s memory or make a contribution to the charity of your choice. 

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

To view Merle’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Jerome Timothy Scafe

Jerome Timothy “Tim” Scafe, of Nottingham, passed away February 11, 2025 at Christiana Care Hospital in Elkton, Md., with his loving family by his side. He was 62.

Born in Wilmington, Del. on July 10, 1962, he was the son of the late Jewel Edda Hensley Scafe and Elton Gerald Scafe. 

He met Virginia Lee McNatt, the love of his life, at the age of 13, and after dating for five years, they were married. 

Tim led a fully active life, enjoying the company of his friends and family. Always outgoing and friendly, Tim made an indelible impression on everyone he met. His outrageous sense of humor, contagious laugh and generous spirit showed his love for life. Family functions could not be complete without Tim, and he was always very happy to oblige. 

He was a member of Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed the functions, especially those with food.

Tim started working at the age of 13, taking a bus from his school to another to help the janitor. He developed his work ethics from his late guardians, Betty and Bill Perry, his aunt and uncle. After high school, Tim went to work for Hyponex in Oxford. Tim would go on to remain in the industry for 44 years. He was OSHA-certified in welding, heavy equipment and safety. 

At the request of a friend, he went to work at Earth-Gro in Kaolin. Earth-Gro moved to Avondale after purchasing property, having only a mushroom house and a house. Tim and a few other employees built the plant that is now known as Scott’s of Avondale.

Tim owned his salvage yard business Powerline Auto from 1982 to present, helping folks with whatever he could do, mostly with little to no financial benefit but a tremendous amount of satisfaction. 

Tim held several other positions, including at Johnson Control, Wesley’s, and Summitt Aviation, and he sometimes worked two jobs at a time to provide for his family, His favorite part-time position was setting monuments for Sartin Memorials. 

Fishing, boating, camping, NASCAR, and NHRA, gave Tim great pleasure, and helping to raise 33 children in need of care, mostly teens, was both a joy and a chore for him.

Tim is predeceased by both of his parents and guardians, his siblings, Edward Scafe, Randy Scafe, and Lorretta Dawn Scafe Shaw Buckland.

Tim is survived by his wife, Virginia, a daughter, Jewel Betty Lee Scafe, Deputy Jennings (James A.J. and ex Christopher) and a son Jerome Timothy Scafe II, grandchildren Colin Jacob Deputy, Jerome Timothy Scafe III, Addison Lee Scafe, Elijah Scafe, a brother, Barry Scafe, and an uncle John Stevens.

Those left to remember him include those he has loved and helped throughout his life including, but not limited to, all of the children in his life as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, stepbrothers and sisters, cousins, dear friends and in-laws.

Funeral services were held on February 17 at Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church.

Interment will be in Fremont Cemetery, Nottingham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help cover expenses to the  Edward Collins Funeral Home.

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

Bonnie C. Barlow

Bonnie C. Barlow, 100, of West Grove, peacefully passed away on February 19, 2025 at Twin Pines Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Peter Barlow, who passed away in 2012.

Born in Ash County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Lula Snyder. 

Bonnie dedicated 32 years of service as a nursing aide at Pocopson Home in West Chester before retiring.

Bonnie thrived in the company of others, always surrounded by friends and family. She had a way of making everyone feel like they knew her, and she knew them just as well. Bonnie found joy in cooking, camping, quilting, and coloring—simple pleasures that brought her peace. She also enjoyed the excitement of trips to the casino, making memories with those she cared about. In her quiet moments, she found comfort and companionship in her beloved cat, Precious.

She is survived by her children, Shirley (John) McLimans of West Grove, and Patricia (Michael) Homitz of Chatham, seven granddaughters, and 14 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Helen Wallace; son-in-law, Charlie Wallace; her brother, Daniel Snyder; and six sisters, Betty, Hazel, Rita, Earsel, Pauline, and Eula.

Funeral services were held on February 25 at Wilde Funeral Home in Parkesburg. 

Interment will follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

Carol Ann Day

Carol Ann Day, of Oxford, passed away on February 20, 2025 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 77.

She was the wife of John Day, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.

Born and raised Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Esther Higgins Kosmin. 

Carol was employed as a secretary with WJBR radio station in Wilmington, Del.

She spent most of her life in Wilmington, Del. and also lived in Northern Japan for three years.

Carol enjoyed knitting, knitting baby blankets for charity, and cross-stitching, and she especially loved to read.

She is survived by her husband; one son, Sean Day (Katharine); one daughter, Amelia Day (Daniel); three grandchildren, Sophia, Jack and Henry; and two sisters, Patricia Tepper and Kathy Iezzi.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 at Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oxford Lions Club, PO BOX 270, Oxford, PA 19363.

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

George Herhei

George "Butch" Herhei, a husband, father, and a man's man, passed away while at home on February 18, 2025. He was 79.

He was with his wife and love of 55 years at the time of his passing. 

Born in Amsbry, Pa., he was the third of four children. 

He was preceded in death by parents, Michael and Prudence; his siblings, Mike, Penny, and Bethel; and daughter, Jennifer, who passed in 2001. The family knows that Jenny jumped for joy when she saw her dad again! 

Butch is survived by his wife, Nancy (Williamson), his daughters, Brenda Herhei, Christy Appleby (Nate), and Katie Anderson; and a brother-in-law, George Williamson III (Pam). He especially loved being a PopPop to Judah, Cohen, Lailan, Asher, Moriah, and Norah.

As a truck driver, Butch worked for A. Duie Pyle from 1973 to 2015. He was proud of working for Pyle and appreciative of the long-term stability he had there. Throughout his life, Butch's identity was one of an athlete, railroad worker, Marine, chocolate factory failure, gas station owner, and trucker. However, the one thing more important than any of those roles was his relationship with Christ. He talked openly about his faith, mentored men one-on-one, and loved ministering with Nancy to couples with disabled children and through the marriage outreach at their church. He knew God had changed his life and wanted others to experience that, too.

The family will all miss him terribly but are so glad he is finally home, and they trust God's promise that they will all be together again. 

A service will be held on Friday, February 28 at Willowdale Chapel, 675 Unionville Road, Kennett Square. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the service from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a reception immediately afterward. The burial will take place the following day, Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m., at Fagg's Manor Cemetery in Cochranville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Butch’s name may be made to Joni & Friends Disability Ministry, 340 Highland Drive, Suite 200, Mountville, PA 17554. 

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.