Douglas J. Murray, 72, Passed Away on June 14

Douglas J. Murray, 72

Douglas J. Murray, 72, of Downingtown, PA passed away on June 14th after a brief illness. Born in Carbondale, PA in 1939, he graduated from Scranton Prep in 1957 and in 1961 received a BS in Civil Engineering from Villanova University. In 1963 he married the former Sheila Jordan and they are survived by 6 children, Mary Sheila Gleason (Richard) of Spring City, PA, Erin Murray of Longmont, CO, Jennifer Gleason (Bryan) of Baltimore, MD, Douglas, Jr. (Megan) of Pottstown, PA, Kathleen Tremblay (Darren) of Fort Collins, CO and Susan Masciopinto (Fabio) of Los Angeles, CA. Sheila Jordan Murray passed away in 1994. Mr. Murray remarried in 1997 to the former Joan Dougherty Merschel. He is survived by 4 step-children, Lisa Quinley (Steven) of Hillsborough, NC, Jeff Merschel of Newtown Square, PA, Kate Dailey (Scott) of Charlotte, NC and John Merschel, III (Christie) of Phoenixville, PA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 7 step-grandchildren.

Mr. Murray taught Physics and Mathematics at Malvern Prep for several years after graduating from Villanova. He later served as a Trust Officer of the First Pennsylvania Bank in Philadelphia. In 1969, using two of his father's patents pertaining to waste water pollution, Mr. Murray and his brother-in-law, Jim Jordan, founded Nayadic Sciences, Inc. and took the company public. In 1971, control was sold to CertainTeed Products Corporation of Valley Forge. Mr. Murray joined CertainTeed as Director of Research and Development and also became President of a research joint venture between CertainTeed and The Franklin Institute Research laboratories. In 1976 Mr. Murray and Jim Jordan purchased the Columbia Hotel restaurant in Phoenixville, PA. While owning the Columbia Hotel, the Murray-Jordan Restaurant Corporation purchased the boarded-up Phoenixville railroad station from Conrail and turned the building into one of the premier banquet and wedding venues in Chester County, The Columbia Station. In 1982 Mr. Murray entered the property and casualty insurance business as founder and president of Murray Insurance Corporation in Phoenixville. He retired from the insurance business in 2009.

He was a long-standing member of the Villanova University Varsity Club where he was selected "Man of the Year" in 1990 for his record of service for the last three decades. He was a founder and past president of the Wildcat Club and served as Chairman and spokesman for the much publicized and ultimately successful Committee to Restore Football to Villanova. He is a past president of the Villanova General Alumni Association and served as a member of the Association's Liason Committee to the Villanova University Board of Trustees. In 1984, the General Alumni Association awarded him the prestigious Alumni Medal for his outstanding service to the university. In 1985 he was named Loyal Son of Villanova by the Alumni Club of Philadelphia. He was also awarded the Engineering medal. From 1984 to 1997 he wrote a weekly column for the daily newpaper "The Evening Phoenix". His column entitled "American Family: Alive and Well" received the 1985 Freedoms Foundation Award. He was active in the Phoenixville community and in East Pikeland Township. He served on the East Pikeland Planning Commission and the Board of the Phoenixville Area Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of the Chester County Industrial Development Authority for 28 years and as President of the Phoenixville Area Economic Develpment Corporation (PAEDCO) for 27 years.

Contributions in Doug's name can be made to the Association for the Colonial Theatre, P.O. Box 712, Phoenixville, PA 19460 and Citizens Advocacy, 205 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

A Memorial service will be held at the Phoenixville Foundry, 2 N. Main Street on June 27th at 6:30pm.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.

Patricia L. Painter, 68

Patricia L. (Siletta) Painter, age 68, of Limerick, PA passed away on Tuesday morning, June 26, 2012 in her home surrounded by her children. Born in Norristown, PA, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Mary (Moyer) Siletta.

Ms. Painter was a graduate of Norristown High School, and received a degree in Business Administration from Pierce College. She was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Royersford, and was employed by GSK for over 30 years. Ms. Painter enjoyed attending water aerobics classes at the Spring Valley YMCA, participating in book club, and loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Ms. Painter is survived by three children, Susan L. Dean of King of Prussia, Cindy, wife of Peter Rega of Royersford, and George P. Painter of Limerick; three sisters, Joan Interrante of Trooper, Donna DiDio of Reading, and Jackie Annis of Virginia; six grandchildren, Michael, Kurht, Sean, Amanda, Sherri, and Ashley; niece Ruth Wanamaker and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Mertz, and one brother, Michael Siletta.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Main Street at Sixth Avenue, Royersford, PA 19468 on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul H. Neff. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received at the church from 9:00-10:45 AM Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 594 Church Street, 1st Floor, Royersford, PA 19468 or to the American Cancer Society, 1620 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Arrangements are being handled by the Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Royersford. Condolences may be offered by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.

Melva A. Blatt, 84

Melva A. (Readman) Blatt, 84, wife of William C. Blatt, Jr. of Mont Clare, PA, died on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at home.

Born in Mont Clare, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Mary (Keehn) Readman.

Melva was an active member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Mont Clare, where she was a sunday school teacher, choir member, and active with the missions and other ministries in the church.

Melva and her father-in-law, Rev. William Blatt were instrumental in promoting the ARC - Association for Retarded Children. With her husband, she was active in the DEC - Development Enterprises Corporation in Pottstown, where they taught classes in living skills and chaparoned field trips.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren, camping, traveling, and being a caregiver.

Surviving in addition to her husband of 64 years are: Daughter, Sharon Blatt of Mont Clare, PA; Daughter, Janet wife of Ralph Watt of Phoenixville, PA; Daughter, Iris wife of Michael Evangelist, Sr. of Royersford, PA; Daughter, Donna wife of James Kunsch Sr. of Linfield, PA.

6 Grandchildren: Ryan, Alison, Michael, Jimmy, Chris, Kelly; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Logan, Parker, Trent; Sister, Lorraine Knauer of Mont Clare, PA.

She was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter, Brooke Hope, and brother and sisters, Clarence E. Readman Sr., Faith Wadsworth, Alra Readman and Iris Readman.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service in Otterbein United Methodist Church, 181 Walnut Street, Mont Clare, PA on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be held in from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Red Bird Mission, 70 Queendale Center, Beverly, KY 40913, or to the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown & Vicinity, 1963 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.

Anna Glessner Stahl, 88

Anna (Wallace) Glessner Stahl, 88, wife of the late John Glessner, Jr. and the late William Stahl died on Monday, June 25, 2012 in Phoenixville Hospital.

Born in Ashland, PA, she was the daughter of the late William and Anna (Lovell) Wallace.

Anna was a Nurses Aide at Pottsville Hospital. She was President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lacey Park Fire Company in Warminster, PA in the early 1950s. She enjoyed bingo and crocheting.

Surviving are: Daughter, Faith wife of Daniel Rennard, Sr.; Daughter, Anna wife of David Curnell of Hatboro, PA; Son, Rick and wife Robin Glessner of Goose Creek, SC; 18 Grandchildren, 31 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandson.

She was preceded in death by her sons, John Glessner III, Fred Glessner, and 4 Brothers and one Sister.

Relatives and Friends are invited to the Devlin Rosmos Kepp & Gatcha Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 517 S. Main Street at Fourth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA on Thursday, June 28, 2012 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, with a Remembrance Service at 7:30 pm.

A Graveside Service will be held in Brock Cemetery, Ashland, PA on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.