Harold C. Broomell

Harold C. Broomell, 91, of Kirkwood, Pa., passed away on February 22, 2025 while at his home.

He was the husband of Lorraine Reyburn Broomell.

Born in Liberty Grove, Md., he was the son of the late W. Norval and Hettie McCoury Broomell.

He retired from Hewlett-Packard in Avondale as an engineer after 30 years of service. 

Harold was a former township supervisor for Upper Oxford Township and he was a member of Skerrett Lodge #343 F.&A.M. in Cochranville. 

Harold enjoyed playing the fiddle with several bluegrass groups including Lenape Bluegrass. He also enjoyed snowmobiling in several western states, Canada and Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife, one son, David Broomell of Kirkwood, and two grandchildren, Erin C. Broomell and Justin D. Broomell.

Harold was preceded in death by a brother, William Broomell.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Next Gen Senior Citizens Center, 184 S. Lime St., Quarryville, PA 17566 or the Humane Society of your choice.

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

Jean M. Miles-Wilson

Jean Miles-Wilson, of Nottingham, passed away following a lengthy illness while at home on February 20, 2025. She was 58.

Born in Carbondale, Pa., she was the daughter of Carol Morrison, and the late Donald Morrison. 

Jean was employed as a patient care technician in the health care field for many years. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher's aide at Sacred Heart School, Oxford.

She enjoyed scrapbooking, decorating her home for all holidays, and most of all being with her family and friends. “Grammy” especially loved spending time with her beloved grandsons, Morgan, Milo, Riley, and Kai, who she absolutely adored with all of her heart. 

She is survived by her husband Patrick of Nottingham, her three daughters, Tara (Mark) Wozniak of Newark, Del., Ashley (Nathan) Miles of Willow Street, Pa., and Kristen (Doug) Miles of Stevens, Pa. Also surviving are her mother, Carol Morrison, her sister, Tamara Chopko (George), and a brother, Robert Burns, all from Scott Township, Pa., and a brother, Patrick Bastek (Sarah) of Doylestown, Pa. 

Funeral services were held on February 27 at Sacred Heart Church, Oxford.

Interment will be held at Nottingham Cemetery, 120 Cemetery Road, Nottingham, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. 

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

Harvey Gerald Polen

Harvey Gerald “Jerry” Polen peacefully passed away on February 22, 2025 while surrounded by his loving family at his home in Avondale. He was 86.

Jerry graduated from Kennett High School in 1957, and he spent several summers as a lifeguard for the Cape May (NJ) Beach Patrol.

He later served in the U.S. Navy as a UTP3 with the Seabee’s.  After his discharge from service, he spent the next 50 years as a plumbing and heating contractor. His last six years of employment were with Longwood Gardens doing maintenance and custodial work before retiring at 70.

He was a charter member of the West Bradford Lions Club and was a member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America Island X-5 in Lancaster, Pa., where he volunteered for several trips to the Mississippi coast following Hurricane Katrina. He used his skills and expertise to help local residents there with recovery efforts.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Baldt Polen; his children, Dawn Polen Morgenstern and Robert Polen; and his grandson, Christopher Morgenstern.  He is also survived by his sister, Mary Beth Polen Balogh.

His services will be private.

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Paul Edward Paxson

Paul Edward Paxson, 50, of Kirkwood, Pa., passed away on February 16, 2025.
Born in West Chester, he was the son of Timothy H. and Dyann L. Blittersdorf Paxson.

Paul graduated from Avon Grove High School, class of 1994, where he was an accomplished wrestler.

He enjoyed snowmobiling, the beach and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his parents, one brother, Greg Paxson (Winter) of Nottingham, one sister, Jennifer Paxson (Danny) of West Hempstead, NY, and Reed Hecker (Kilmer) of Quarryville, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James (Jay) B. Paxson.

A memorial service will be held 11:45 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern End Community Association (SECA), 299 Park Ave, PO Box 67, Quarryville, PA.  17566.

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

Eric Alexis

Eric Alexis, of Nottingham, passed away at home on February 18, 2025. He was 54.

Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of Alex Alexis of Maryland and the late Linda K. Chew Alexis. 

Eric owned and operated Lumber Jack Tree Service, Nottingham. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and being one with nature.

He is survived by his father, Alex, one brother, Brett, and special loved ones, Kayci Riley of Landenberg and Louie of Kennett Square.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Alex Alexis, Jr. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 at the Kemblesville United Methodist Church, 1772 New London Road, Landenberg, where friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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

Eloise Brackin Russell

Eloise “Bonnie” Brackin Russell, of Phoenixville, passed away on February 25, 2025 at the Pottstown Hospital. She was 78.

Born on May 26, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Robert Brackin and the late Mildred Lane Brackin.

Bonnie was a 1964 graduate of Avon Grove High School and was a member of the National Honor Society.

She worked as a secretary at the Dupont- Louviers in Newark, Del. and she later worked as a secretary at Lincoln University.

She enjoyed painting, reading, and antiques.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Russell of Oxford.

They lived in Idaho where they operated a small appliance repair business, before moving to Florida to continue their business. Since returning to this area, Bonnie lived in Phoenixville for over 40 years.

Bonnie is survived by two brothers, David J. Brackin and his wife Joan of Oxford and Richard L. Brackin and his wife Linda of Landenberg, one sister-in-law, Judy Brackin of West Grove, and one brother-in-law, Dennis Waugh.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Brackin and Ray Brackin, and one sister, Nancy Waugh.

Her services will be held privately.

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

Jean Ann Hillegass

Jean Ann Hillegass, a resident of Jenners Pond in West Grove, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family at Chester County Hospital on  February 22, 2025. She was 89.

Born in Souderton, Pa., Jean was the daughter of Irvin Y. Hunsberger and Meta L. Hunsberger

(nee Potts). She was predeceased by her husband John R. Hillegass, with whom she shared

62 years of marriage and by her oldest son, John D. Hillegass. She is survived by her daughter,

Joan E. Buck and her husband Robert, and her son, Jeffrey M. Hillegass and his wife Lisa, as

well as eight grandchildren and her first great-grand child.

Jean attended Souderton High School and Ursinus College where she majored in mathematics

and minored in Spanish. She taught Spanish at Philmont Christian Academy.

Jean was an active member of Saint Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville where she sang in

the choir, played the flute, led the women’s group for many years, and attended Bible study

regularly. She also researched and documented the history of Saint Michael and its buildings

and congregation.

Jean loved being a mother and grandmother and cherished time with her family. She enjoyed

travel and spending many summer days at the Jersey Shore. At Jenners Pond, she sang in the

choir and found great community with the residents. She was a lifelong learner, always

reading, researching, questioning, and seeking more information.

A strong believer in equality and social justice, Jean felt that we all have a responsibility to help

our neighbors and care for those in need. The family loves her deeply, will miss her dearly, and will strive to follow her example.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at Saint Michael Lutheran

Church in Unionville.

Memorial gifts may be directed in her memory to Kennett Area Community Service (KACS), 136 W Cedar St, Kennett Square, Pa 19348, Lutheran World Relief PO Box 17061 Baltimore MD 21297-1061, or St Michael Lutheran Church Memorial Fund PO Box 178 Unionville PA 19375.

Rufus “Gene” Eugene Smith

It is with great sadness that the family of Rufus “Gene” Eugene Smith, of New London Pa., announces his death on January 3, 2025. He died from a heart condition at his home in Verona, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife Mary Smith and his sisters and brothers: Mary Hughes, Connie Troupe, Nancy Taylor, A. James Smith, and Virgil Smith.

He will always be in our hearts and thoughts.