Obituaries
Obituaries for the Week of March 25
This will be updated as information becomes available throughout the week.
Frances Rossiter, 73
Frances V. (Meszaros) Rossiter, 73, of Honey Brook, PA, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at home.
Born in Phoenixville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Anna Meszaros.
Surviving are her companion, Harry K. Thomas; son John Slider, companion of Barbara; daughter Cindy, wife of Stephen Frost of Honey Brook; son James Slider of Honey Brook; daughter Peggy, wife of Paul English of South Dakota; son Joseph, husband of Sue Slider of Delaware; daughter Irene Murphy of Collingdale, PA; daughter Frances, wife of Frank DeJesse of Parkesburg, PA; 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; former husband, Robert Rossiter; brother, Michael Meszaros.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gerald Slider and two sisters.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 in the Devlin Rosmos Kepp and Gatcha Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 517 S. Main St. at Fourth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.
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E. Willard Rush, 72
E. Willard Rush, 72, of Phoenixville, formerly of Perkasie, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown.
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Willard was born to the late Elwyn Y. and Bertha G.(Moyer) Rush.
He was a graduate of Pennridge High School class of 1957 and a graduate of Lansdale School of Business. Willard was an avid Phillies fan, he enjoyed singing and was a history buff. He loved his family and was a devout Christian.
He is survived by four daughters, Marilyn Dawn Vega of Nottingham, Jane and her husband Rick Davis, and Sharon and her husband Steve Phillips, all of Kennett Square, and Donna Gail Rush and her husband Bob Sloan of Atlanta; three sons, John D. and his wife Meg Rush, and Matthew Eric Rush, all of Kennett Square, and Steven A. Rush of Lillington, NC; two brothers, Raymond (Shirley) Rush of Perkasie and Kenneth (Dolly) Rush of Perkasie; and a sister, Ruth Ann McGuigan of Hatfield; 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ervin L. Rush.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Line Lexington Mennonite Church, 80 Hilltown Pike, Line Lexington, where friends may meet with the family from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, The Penn Foundation, P.O. Box 32, 807 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, PA 18960. Arrangements are by Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home and Crematory, Souderton. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com.
Martin Keller Jr., 79
Martin Luther Keller Jr., 79, of Phoenixville, PA died Monday afternoon, March 26, 2012 in his home.
Born in Phoenixville, he was a son of the late Martin L. Keller, Sr., and Helen (Quay) Keller.
Mr. Keller was a graduate of Phoenixville High School. Mr. Keller loved to golf. He started caddying at a very early age and continued to play his entire life.
Mr. Keller is survived by two daughters, Deborah Lynn Johnson of Illinois and Lori Ann Young of Phoenixville, one son, Kevin Martin Keller of Downingtown, two sisters, Jane Miller and Judy Hipple, two brothers, William "Butch" Keller and James Keller, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Keller was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Beluch and Doris Hinkle.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service at the Campbell–Ennis–Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA on Friday afternoon, March 30, 2012 at 2 p.m.
Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Lung Association, 527 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.
Condolences may be made and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.
Michael Whaley, 36
Michael J. Whaley, 36, companion of Angela Sparrow, of Royersford, PA died early Sunday morning, March 25, 2012 at home in Royersford.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of James F. Whaley and Kathleen A. (Reynolds) Hallman. He was a graduate of the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Whaley is survived by one daughter, Grace Elizabeth Whaley of Royersford, one brother, Patrick B., husband of Kristan (Taylor) Whaley of Schwenksville, one sister, Jeanie M., wife of Michael R. Wise, of Royersford, and several niece and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at the Cattermole – Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul C. Brandt.
Burial will be in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia. Friends will be received from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the "Michael J. Whaley Memorial Fund", C/O Phoenixville Federal, 70 North Lewis Road, Royersford, PA 19468. Condolences may be made and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.
Alice Whelan, 84
Alice P. (McCann) Whelan, 84, wife of the late James L. Whelan, of Phoenixville, PA, died on Friday, March 23, 2012 in Phoenixville Hospital.
Born in Northern Ireland, she was the daughter of the late John and Catherine McCann.
Alice was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Phoenixville.
Surviving are a son, James J. Whelan, husband of Kristin S. of Phoenixville, PA; step-grandchildren Amber Mangabat and Andrew Mangabat; and brother James McCann of Northern Ireland.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Joe, Johnny, George and Leo McCann, her sisters, Maryann McCourt, Bridget Holloran, Kathleen Arthrope, and Sarah Fruggiero.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 212 Dayton St., Phoenixville, PA on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday morning in the Devlin Rosmos Kepp and Gatcha Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 517 S. Main St. at Fourth Avenue, Phoenixville, PA from 9 to 10 a.m.
Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.
Scott Dittmar, 49
Scott W. Dittmar, 49, husband of Roseann (Canning) Dittmar, of Limerick, PA, died on Friday, March 23, 2012 in Season's Hospice, Phoenixville, PA.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of Robert W. and Janet E. (Frey) Dittmar of Stuart, FL.
Scott was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Oaks, PA.
He liked classic cars, sports and was a Steelers fan.
Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are son Edward W. Dittmar and mother Kristine Dittmar of Hummelstown, PA; son Patrick S. Dittmar of Limerick, PA; son Robert J. Dittmar of Limerick; sister, Christine D., wife of Scott Butterworth of Findlay, OH; son-in-law of James P. and Helene M. (Mitchell) Canning of Limerick; brother-in-law John J., husband of Kim Canning of Limerick; sister-in-law Helene M. Canning of Royersford, PA; sister-in-law Maureen T., wife of Michael Nugent of Manasquan, NJ; and five nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 126 Black Rock Road, Oaks, PA, on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 11 a.m.
Burial will follow in St. Paul's Episcopal Cemetery, Oaks, PA. Greeting will follow the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to Seasons Hospice, 140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460.
Condolences may be given to the family at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.
Neil Reznik, 80
Neil Reznik, age 80, passed away on March 23, 2012.
Neil was born in Ellenville, NY and spent his early years growing up between Ellenville and New York City.
He served in the United States Army, and saw combat during the Korean Conflict.
Neil graduated from New York University and the University of Pennsylvania.
He taught, economics, insurance and statistics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, College of New York, State University at Canton, NY, and at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Neil was a Huebner Fellow.
He was an active Ham Radio Operator and a member of the Congregation of B'nai Jacob in Phoenixville.
He is survivied by his wife of 58 Years Pearl (Wexler) Reznik, daughters Mindy Williams Hargrave and Deborah Fisher, granddaughters Dara Madden, Sheri Fisher and Valerie Fisher, grandson Sean Williams and great-grandchild Colbin Rose Madden.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday March 26, 2012 at the Congregation of B'nai Jacob, 101 Manavon Street,Phoenixville, PA 19460.
Burial will be in Haym Salomon Cemetery, Frazer, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Alzheimers Assocation, Delaware Valley Chapter, 100 N. 17th St., Second Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Online condolences may be given at www.DevlinRosmosKepp.com.
Joan Otis, 81
Joan M. (Wilke) Otis, age 81, wife of Orville M. Otis, of Royersford, PA died suddenly Saturday evening, March 24, 2012 in the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.
Born in Royersford, she was a daughter of the late Francis and Frances (McCarty) Wilke.
She was a graduate of the Royersford High School. Mrs. Otis worked 16 years at the Valley Forge Army Hospital, and more recently worked for over 15 years at the West Reading Hospital as a medical record analyst. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Royersford. She enjoyed singing and was a avid writer.
In addition to her husband of 53 years, Mrs. Otis is survived by one daughter: Adrienne M., wife of Frank J. Pastella of Royersford, two grandsons: Anthony J. and Brett W. Pastella, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Otis was preceded in death by one brother, Francis J. Wilke Jr.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart RC Church, Lewis Road at Walnut Street, Royersford, PA 19468 on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Peter J. DiMaria. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery, Royersford, PA.
Friends will be received from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening or from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cattermole – Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington St., Royersford, PA.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made in her name to the Royersford Public Library, 200 S. Fourth Ave., Royersford, PA 19468 or to the Sacred Heart RCC, P.O. Box 64, Royersford, PA 19468.
Condolences may be made and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com.
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