Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (2024)

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (1)

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (2)

Joseph R. Hite
Joseph R. Hite, of Newry, Pa., passed away on April 3, 2024 at Genesis Lebanon Center in New Hampshire. He was 92.

Joe and Audrey Hamilton Hite shared four daughters, Diane Torello (deceased 2024), Sharon Stentz of Pennsylvania, Mary Jo Mazzonna of Vermont and Cecilia Murphy of New Hampshire.

In his youth, Joe and his siblings (all now deceased) spent time on the family farm, and he was the lead pitcher for the Newry baseball team.

After serving time as a U.S. Army medic in Korea and attending Penn State, he became a design engineer for the DuPont Company. He traveled the world assisting in the design and construction of chemical plants. Following his retirement, Joe loved spending his time ballroom dancing with his longtime companion, Sylvia Dedman, who is also now deceased).

Joe also enjoyed assisting his Amish neighbors, flying his Cessna 172, woodworking, and gardening. Joe could be found at the local Wawa every morning, grabbing his coffee, sharing a donut with his dogs and chatting.

Joe leaves behind his three daughters, three grandchildren, Lauren Stentz (Florida), Chis Mazzonna (Ohio) and Andrew Mazzonna (Colorado), as well as many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. on September 7 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newry, where he served as an altar boy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary at 1871 Milton Grove Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

Jericho Adler Moran
Jericho Adler Moran, just 5 days old, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on August 4, 2024 at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. Surrounded by the love of his family, the brief time sweet “Jer-Bear” spent on this earth was a precious gift, filled with pure love and joy.

Jericho was the cherished son of David W. Moran, III, and Marissa L. Pfeffer of Nottingham. Born a fighter, he touched many hearts in his short time. Now, he rests in the eternal embrace of Heaven. Jericho was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandfather, David W. Moran, Sr.

Jericho is survived by his devoted parents; his maternal grandparents, Jason M. Pfeffer of Paulsboro, NJ, and Lillie Mae Yearicks Sanchez Sosa of Brunswick, NJ; paternal grandparents, David W., Jr., and Corinna (Freese) Moran of Nottingham; maternal great-grandparents, Barry Pfeffer of Paulsboro, NJ, and Sharon A. Pfeffer of Quarryville; paternal great-grandparents, Walter and Joyce Kimble of Nottingham and Jim and Doann Freese of Oxford; and maternal great-aunt, Kristy L. Pfeffer of Willow Street. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins who will carry his memory in their hearts.

Though he is no longer with them, Jer-Bear’s spirit will live on in the hearts of his family until they are reunited in Heaven.

Services are private.

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

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (3)

James Roger Eldreth
James Roger Eldreth, of Kennett Square, passed away on Aug. 2, 2024 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was 87.

He was the husband of the late Winnie Louise Mains Eldreth.

Born in North Carolina, he was the son of the late Lester and Belle Wyatt Eldreth.

James was employed with Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. He retired in 2012 after more than 50 years of service.

He was a member of the Swayne-Campbell-Testa VFW Post 5467 in Kennett Square and the Italian American Club, also in Kennett Square.

He enjoyed watching western movies and game shows.

He is survived by his four children, James L. Eldreth (Janice) of Coatesville, Jerry Eldreth (Wendy) of Quarryville, Alice Eldreth of Kennett Square and Linda Woods (Jerry) of Nottingham. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one brother, Ronny Eldreth (Dot) of North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet S. Hudson, and two brothers, Millard Raymond Eldreth and Brian Eldreth.

Services are private.

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

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (4)

Barbara Louise Yeatman
Barbara Louise Yeatman, 88, of Kennett Square, passed away on Aug. 5, 2024 at Crosslands in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of the late C. James Yeatman, with whom she shared 56 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of the late George Kleitz and the late Katherine (Weidel) Kleitz.

Barbara had a contagious sense of humor and a unique ability to laugh at just about anything, especially at herself. She was never in a bad mood. She will be remembered for walking in the woods with her beloved dogs, traveling around the continent with her husband in their motor home, baking holiday cookies with her grandchildren, making bread, woodworking, reading, playing and watching tennis, and making mushroom soup, mushroom salad, and pickled mushrooms. Most of all, Barbara will be remembered for her kind spirit and her unconditional love for her family.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Yeatman, and her sons, Steven Yeatman (Judy) and Jerry Yeatman (Judy), as well as her grandchildren, Kari Yorkston (Joe), Jessica Yorkston (Jason), Jason Yeatman, Sara Peterson (Brandon), Emily Yeatman (Christel), Lucy Leedy (David), Jane Ganse (Conor), and Lydia Yeatman, and great-grandchildren, Jalen, Charlee, and Weston. Barbara is also survived by the Kleitz family from Delaware.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Jack Kleitz.

You are invited to visit with Barbara’s family and friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the William Penn Room in the Community Center at Crosslands Community, 1660 Street Road in Kennett Square. Parking is in Parking Lot 3. The memorial service will follow at noon.

Interment will be held privately.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Canine Partners for Lifehttps://k94life.org/donate/ or checks can be mailed to Canine Partners for Life at P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330.

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

To view Barbara’s online obituary and leave condolences, please visitwww.griecofunerals.com.

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (5)

Howard O. Urbine, Jr.
Howard O. Urbine, Jr., of Oxford, passed away on Aug. 5, 2024 while at home. He was 80.

He was the husband of Holly L. Giles Urbine, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Media, Pa., he was the son of the late Howard O., Sr. and A. Lorraine Robbins Urbine.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Howard was a member of the UA Local 420 Steamfitters in Philadelphia for 60 years until retiring in 2001. He was also a member of the George Bartram - Paul Sands Masonic Lodge No. 298, Media.

In his younger years, he enjoyed horseback riding through the fields of Chester County and riding his tractor on the farm.

Howdy, as he was known to his friends, was an avid outdoorsman. He owned a hunting cabin in Tioga County where he shared his hunting skills with others and taught them how to hunt. Howdy also enjoyed boating, fishing and crabbing on the Eastern Shore in Maryland.

He was a practical joker and had a witty sense of humor. He especially loved teasing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Howdy was a dog lover. He had a dog with him for most of his life.

He is survived by his wife, two children, Howard O. Urbine, III (Diana) of Quarryville and Jennifer Hornickle (Timothy) of West Chester, six grandchildren, Wyatt Urbine, Emma Urbine, Katie Urbine, Annabelle Urbine, Alexander Hornickle and Lillianna Hornickle, his adopted family, David Eppler, Sr. (Jodi), David Eppler, Jr. and Emmalyn Eppler, all of Colorado, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, George Davis.

Services will be held at a later date.

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

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (6)

Erika Maria Chase
Erika Maria (Reinhardt) Chase passed away peacefully at the age of 95 while surrounded by family at her home on August 3, 2024.

Erika was born on February 6, 1929 in Lancaster, Pa. and was the daughter of the late Frida and Alfred Reinhardt. She was the younger sister of the late Margaret Myers and the loving wife of the late E. Harvey Chase, Jr.

Erika started her career as a legal secretary for Judge Appel in Lancaster and she then worked at DuPont Louviers as a secretary until she became a loving mother.

Erika loved antiquing, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and she was always up for a game of Rummy, Spite and Malice or Pinochle, where she happily beat everyone. She spent hours canning and freezing items from the garden, making beautiful needlepoint pictures. She later developed a passion for Seek-and-Finds and cheering (or hollering) at the Phillies. Her constant companion for many years was Lucy, a dog that the family found for her at Red Rock Rescue.

She is survived by her children, Erika L. Chase, Laura Snyder (Steve) and Harvey R. Chase, grandchildren, Brandon Snyder (Danielle) and Corey Snyder, and great-granddaughter, Harper Snyder.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 at New London Presbyterian Church, 1986 Newark Road in New London, where friends may visit from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red Rock Rescue, Inc., PO Box 162, WalnutPort, PA 18088, www.redrockrescueinc.com or Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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

Obituaries for the week of August 14th | Chester County Press (7)

Gary Lee Konsler
Gary L. Konsler, of West Grove and formerly of Evansville, IN, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 6, 2024. He was 79.

He was the beloved husband of Gloria Bumbledare Konsler, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage filled with laughter, love, and countless notes signed “MCROWL” —"My Cup Runneth Over with Love.”

Born in Fort Knox, KY, Gary was the son of the late Maurice and Dorothy Rupprecht Konsler. He graduated from Rex Mundi High School in Evansville, IN, class of 1963, before earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Evansville and his Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University. Gary worked in wealth management for 43 years before retiring from Northern Trust, in Miami in 2011.

Gary enjoyed photography, Formula One racing, crafts, and, most of all, spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a hands-on dad, sharing life's tricks and treasures with his kids and grandkids, ensuring they all knew how to "play the game" of life. His weekly letters to his children in college, each one stuffed with gummy bears, a dollar bill, and a different Calvin and Hobbes cartoon, were legendary. He never missed a week.

Affectionately known as Pop, Dr. K, Goofus, or Superstar, depending on whom you asked, Gary was a man who never spoke poorly of anyone. He had a unique talent for connecting with people, both in his career and personal life. His success in finance was driven by his genuine interest in his clients' lives and families, always paying attention to the details that mattered most to them.

Gary's love for his family was boundless. He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren, and his home was a testament to this pride. Photographs filled albums and adorned walls, constantly rotating to highlight new achievements and precious moments. He also enjoyed painting small figures, mostly houses, creating whimsical windowsill villages throughout his home. Each house was a tribute to someone he loved—a school a grandchild attended, a conservatory for a music-loving grandchild, a card boutique for Gloria.

If you were lucky enough to be loved by Gary, you know he never missed an opportunity to compliment you. These were never superficial complemints like observations of clothing or hairstyles, but deeper qualities that showed his pride in you. No matter how big or small the accomplishment – or even in the absence of one – he always had the words to make his loved ones feel special and appreciated.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Gloria; two children, Kelly Walker (Patrick) of Landenberg and Reed Konsler of Chicago, IL; six grandchildren, Cole Walker, Dane Walker, Gage Walker, Mary Kate Walker, Jade Konsler, and Alden Konsler; and three sisters, Beverly Gach (Gene) of Indianapolis, IN, Becky Loehr (Chris) of Evansville, IN, and Julie Stone (Mike) of Jasper, IN. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Konsler.

Gary will be remembered for his unwavering love, his endless – even if repetitive - wisdom, and his playful spirit. He made the world a brighter place, and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and cherished memories.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD, Assistive Technology Program at https://tinyurl.com/4dx9hp38.

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

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