Obituaries for the Week of March 11

Hank Bell, 67

Hank Bell, 67, of Phoenixville, PA, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Phoenixville Hospital.

He was born in Philadelphia to the late Harry F. Sr. and Frances M. (Mullin) Bell. 

Hank was a graduate of Upper Darby High School and attended classes at St. Bernard’s College in Alabama. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Phoenixville. Among his involvement, he taught Sunday School and Confirmation Class. He also volunteered his time in the Phoenixville Community. He was a Past President of Phoenixville’s Kiwanis Club and worked with Mom’s House and coached girls softball with the Kimberton Youth Athletic League. 

He is survived by his best friend and mother of his children, Patti L. Bell of Phoenixville; children Christy M. and Shawn P. Bell of Phoenixville; two brothers, Gregory P. Bell of Malvern and Thomas E. Bell of Newtown Square, nieces, nephews and countless friends. 

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Krommes. Burial will be private.

Viewings will be held on Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main St. at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church at the above address. Online condolences may be offered at www.phoenixvillefuneralhome.com. 

Joseph Syrylo, 52

Joseph S. Syrylo, 52, husband of Kathleen Newman-Syrylo, of Phoenixville, PA, died on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.

Born in Phoenixville, he was the son of Margaret (Krempasky) Syrylo of Phoenixville and the late Frank J. Syrylo.

Joseph worked at Hildebrandt's Auto Body in Audubon for 32 years.

Surviving in additon to his wife and mother are son, Joseph S. Newman-Syrylo and daughter Jennifer DeSimone, both of Phoenixville; four grandchildren: Colton, Evyan, Dominik, Avah; three brothers, Frank Syrylo of Phoenixville, Doug Syrylo of Phoenixville and Michael Syrylo of Pottstown, PA; and five nieces and nephews, Sonya, Doug, Jamie, Michael and Nicholas.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass in St. Ann Catholic Church, Main Street at Third Avenue, Phoenixville, PA on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 9:00 am.

A viewing will be held in the Devlin Rosmos Kepp and Gatcha Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 517 S. Main St. at Fourth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m.

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

Alkis Marland, 68

Alkis Marland, 68, passed away on March 6, 2012 in the Phoenixville Hospital.

He was a resident of Phoenixville since 2005, formerly residing in Wayne, PA. Mr. Marland was born in Athens, Greece.

He received his BS in Math and Pre-Engineering, 1961 - 1963, his MA in Math and Computer Sciences, 1963 - 1968, and his MS in Engineering Administration, Business Administration, 1968 - 1971.

He was a member of the Church of the Saviour in Wayne.

Mr. Marland was a member of and involved with the following organizations: Rotary International of Wayne, the Financial Planning Association, United States Tennis Association and a Masonic Lodge in Dallas, TX.

Mr. Marland was married to the late Anita Louise (nee Malone), who passed away on March 27, 2003 after 32 years of marriage.

He is survived by his daughters Alyssa Marland of King of Prussia and Andrea, wife of Kyle Weber of Royersford. He's also survived by his grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kyle and Andrew Weber, all of Royersford.

We will celebrate his life at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA on Friday, March 23, 2012. Close friends and family will be received starting at 1 p.m. The service and a light reception will follow.

Memorial gifts may be sent in his name to the Rotary International Club of Wayne, Scholarship Fund or the Gundaker Foundation of Rotary International.

Edward Brown, 98

Edward J. “Brownie” Brown, 98, of Spring City, PA, formerly West Conshohocken, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Seasons Hospice of Phoenixville.  

He was the widower of Helen (Masler) Brown. Born in Buffalo, NY, he was a son of the late Ferdinand and Katherine Brown.

During the war effort, he worked in security for the Budd Company, which made precision air regulators for the bombardiers. He was also employed as a machinist at the former Sesco in Bridgeport. Edward was a member of St. Basil the Great Parish.  

Mr. Brown is survived by two daughters, Carol A., wife of Martin B. Benedetto of Lansdale and Christine M., wife of Lewis W. Gatzi of Spring City, with whom he resided; one son, Ronald R., husband of Marie (Duca) Brown of Plymouth Meeting; four grandchildren, Jill Barattucci, Victor Santino, and Robert and Melanie Brown; and five great-grandchildren, Victoria and Niko Barattucci, Victor Jacob and Brooke Santino and Joshua Brown.  

He was preceded in death by one son, Frederick E. Brown in 2002, and by his brothers, John, Frank and Anthony.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Basil the Great R.C. Church, 2300 Kimberton Road, Kimberton, with the Rev. Gary T. Pacitti officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Norristown.  

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday evening at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice at Phoenixville Hospital, 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 225, King of Prussia, PA 19406. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Kristen C. Eves

On Sunday March 11, 2012, Kristen C. Eves, born in 1970, was reunited through death with her son, Jacob. She leaves behind her beloved family, her daughter Abbi Rose, her son Jared Cole, and her husband Barry D. Eves.

Kristen is survived by her parents, Anthony and Joan Rota of East Coventry, a brother Anthony M. Rota of Boyertown, and a sister Karen Rota Ogden who resides in southern Maryland. 

Kristen’s warmth, love, and compassion for others were felt by countless family members, friends and members of the community. She touched so many lives through her career in nursing, and teaching others the lifesaving methods of CPR and emergency first aid. Her contagious smile and heartwarming laugh will be carried in the hearts of those who loved her. 

Visitors will be received from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012 at The Hill School Center of the Arts at 830 Sheridan St., Pottstown, PA. A remembrance will begin at 11:30 a.m. to share our loving memories of Kristen.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a fund set up for Abbi and Jared at National Penn Bank, c/o Eves Children Education Fund, PO Box 547, Boyertown PA 19512. 

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

Leon C. Golden, 75

Leon C. Golden, 75, husband of the late Barbara T. (Sombers) Golden, of Shamong, NJ, and formerly of Phoenixville, PA, and Clearwater, FL, died on Monday, March 12, 2012.

Born in Phoenixville, PA he was the son of the late Leon C. and Valeria T. (Hojecki) Golden.

Leon served in the United States Marines from 1954 to 1957.

He worked for the former Firestone Company, he then owned Krill's Getty Station on Nutt Road. He retired from PennDot where he worked as a mechanic.

Surviving are son Leon C. Golden Jr. of Reading, PA; daughter Patricia A. Hubbs of Shamong, NJ; daughter Rebecca L. Golden of Cherry Hill, NJ; son Matthew T. Golden of Henderson, NV; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and brothers Walter Golden of Phoenixville and Charles Golden of Pottstown, PA.

He was preceded in death by his brother Vincent Golden, and sister Mary Felker.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass in St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 2340 Kimberton Road, Kimberton, PA on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10 a.m.

Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA.

Visitation will be held on Saturday morning at the church from 9 to 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd.,Clearwater, FL 33760.

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

Rose M. Zabicki, 89

Rose M. (Savchyn) Zabicki, widow of Thomas W. Zabicki Sr., died Sunday at Frederick Mennonite Community where she resided the past three years.

A long-time resident of Spring City, she was 89. Born April 15, 1922, in Phoenixville, Rose was a daughter of the late Demiter and Anna (Badaski) Savchyn.

Mrs. Zabicki was a graduate of Phoenixville High School where she was a three-sport athlete, starring in softball, basketball and field hockey.

She worked at the former Valley Forge General Hospital and then for many years in the shipping department at Imperial Chemical Industry in the Valley Forge Corporate Center. Mrs. Zabicki was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Spring City and belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She also was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan and a long-time Eagles season ticket holder.

She is survived by a son, Thomas W. Zabicki Jr., of Albuquerque, NM.; a son-in-law, Charles H. Pitchford of Paupack; two sisters, Elizabeth Yashura, Middletown, RI, and Josephine Mahoney of Sterling Park, VA.; five grandchildren, Jeffrey C. Pitchford of Skippack, Carrie A. Kehl of Gilbertsville, Gregory T. Pitchford of Royersford, Timothy Zabicki of Albuquerque, NM, and Lauren Sandoval of Rio Rancho, NM; and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Zabicki was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; a daughter, Donna L. (Zabicki) Pitchford, and two sisters, Catharine Barber and Mary Geri.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Spring City, with the Rev. Charles O'Hara serving as celebrant. A viewing will be 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Phoenixville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose's name may be made to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 3640 Schuylkill Road, Spring City, PA 19475. Devlin, Rosmos, Kepp and Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 South Main St., Phoenixville is in charge of arrangements.

Norma Louise (Norris) Pugh, 75

After a long struggle with advanced lung disease, Norma passed away peacefully on Friday March 9, 2012 at Paoli Memorial Hospital in Paoli, PA.

Born in Arcadia, FL and raised in Lake City, FL, Norma was a graduate of Lake City High School and held a BS in Nursing from Georgia Baptist College of Nursing (part of Mercer University), in Atlanta.

She was married for 44 years to the Reverend Doctor R. Quinn Pugh Sr., who preceded her in death in 2004. Norma was a devoted wife and active partner in Quinn’s ministry, a leader in Southern Baptist Convention activities, a loving mother and grandmother, an experienced nurse, an activist supporting those suffering from allergies and chemical sensitivities, a cultural assimilator helping foreign graduate students learn English, and a dear friend who touched many lives in the U.S. and abroad. 

Norma is survived by her son, Ben Pugh and his wife Stephanie and their children Emily and Hayden; and by her daughter Ruth (Pugh) Forman and her husband Dennis Callaghan, and her children Matthew and Megan. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 11 a.m., and will be received from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 Saint John’s Circle, Phoenixville. 

Relatives and friends are also invited to attend her burial service on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Tennessee Colony Cemetery, Tennessee Colony, TX. 

Condolences and rememberances may be recorded and shared on-line by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the COPD Foundation (www.copdfoundation.org) or the Baptist World Alliance (www.bwanet.org).

Mary Opielski, 87

Mary J. (Ziss) Opielski, 87, wife of the late Joseph F. Opielski Sr., of Spring City, PA, passed away Wednesday evening, March 7, 2012 in the Golden Living Center, Phoenixville.

Born in Fricks Locks, PA, she was a daughter of the late Frederick and Ellen Ziss.

Mrs. Opielski was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Spring City. She was also a supporter of the Chester County SPCA.

Mrs. Opielski is survived by three children, Daniel J. Smith of Royersford, Doris A., wife of Patrick Hirtle of New Milford, PA, and Joseph F. Opielski Jr. of Spring City; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three sisters and one great-granddaughter, Ashley Jane Walbert.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service at the Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA 19468 on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 7 p.m. Officiating will be Mr. Bruce L. Jackson. Burial will be held privately.

Friends will be received at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.