Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Helen T. Founds
Helen T. Founds, 84, a resident of Wilmington, Delaware and a former resident of the Folsom section of Ridley Township and Sea Isle City, N.J., died on March 29, 2009 at Foulk Manor North in Wilmington.
Born in Chester, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Michael and Maria Galczynski. Mrs. Founds was a resident of Wilmington for the last three years, having lived in Sea Isle City, N.J. and the Folsom section of Ridley Township for many years before that.
She was employed as an invisible weaver at the Yorkshire Mill in the Lenni section of Aston Township for many years until it closed.
While living in Folsom in Ridley Township, she was an active and devoted member of Our Lady of Peace Church Parish in Milmont Park and was active in the Republican Party of Ridley Township. She loved to travel with her family and friends and especially enjoyed trips to Poland.
Mrs. Founds will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is the wife of the late Franklin Lee Founds, who died in 1996.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Lee D’Avico of Wilmington, DE.; her brothers, Michael Galczynski of Ridley Park and Edward Galczynski of Detroit, Michigan; her sister, Zosh DiEmedio of Folsom, Ridley Township; her two grandchildren; and her three great-grandchildren.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 3rd, at 11 A.M. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, on Milmont Avenue, in Milmont Park. Her visitation will be on Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at The Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her burial will be private.
Contributions: To the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.
Faith Hanson Tompkins
Faith Hanson Tompkins, 87, a resident of Chestnut Ridge in Chester, and a former longtime resident of Prospect Park, died on March 27th at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland.
Born in Meriden, Conn., she is the daughter of the late Edwin and Luette Hanson. Mrs. Tompkins was a resident of Prospect Park for 50 years before moving to Chestnut Ridge in Chester three years ago.
Mrs. Tompkins was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
She was a 50 year member of Olivet Presbyterian Church in Prospect Park, where she served as a Deacon and taught Sunday School for many years.
Mrs. Tompkins had an extensive and beautiful collection of ceramic rabbits and lighthouses, and also collected Hummels as well. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and always enjoyed playing a game of bingo with her family and friends.
Mrs. Tompkins will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and church member.
She is the wife of the late Richard G. “Dick” Tompkins, who died in 2006. She is also the sister of the late Phillip Hanson.
She is survived by her sons, Gregory S. Tompkins of Ridley Park, Christopher B. Tompkins of Aston, and Kevin R. Tompkins of Norwood; her brothers, Harold Hanson and Paul Hanson both of Meriden, Conn.; and Herbert Hanson of Winter Park, Florida; and her five grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, April 1st, at 10 A.M. at Olivet Presbyterian Church, 10th & Washington Avenues, in Prospect Park, Pa. Her visitation will be on Tuesday from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood and on Wednesday from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. at the church. Her burial will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Marple Township.
Contributions: To the Memorial Fund of Olivet Presbyterian Church, 1001 Washington Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076
Anna L. Hare
Anna L. Hare, 97, a longtime resident of Folcroft, died on March 25th at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland.
Born in Prospect Park, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Mary Turner.
Mrs. Hare was a devoted and faithful member of St. George Catholic Church Parish in Glenolden for many years. She was a member of the Delaware County Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Delaware County Firemen’s Association since 1938.
During World War II, she worked making thermo-couplers at Leeds & Northrup in Philadelphia. She was like many women who went to work during the war.
Most of all, she will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; as she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Mrs. Hare is the wife of the late Joseph A. Hare, Sr., who died in 1978. She was also predeceased by her sister, Martha Cooke; and her brothers, Thomas, Joseph, Vincent, George, and Harry Turner.
She is survived by her son, Joseph A. Hare, Jr. of Wallingford; her four grandchildren, Tanya, Nichole, John, and Jennifer; and her four great-grandchildren.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 30th, at 10 A.M. at St. George Catholic Church, on Lamont Avenue, in Glenolden. Her visitation will be on Monday from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. at the church. Her burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.
Contributions: To St. George Church, c/o the Rectory at 22 E. Cooke Avenue, Glenolden, Pa. 19036.
Helen E. Nawrocki
NAWROCKI, HELEN E. (Nee Zachar) age 89, of Norwood, died on March 22, 2009.
She is the beloved wife of the late Stephen M. Nawrocki.
Helen is survived by her six sisters and her many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral Service on Thursday at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood. Her interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Helen’s memory to Taylor Hospice, P.O. Box 147, Ridley Park, Pa. 19078 would be appreciated.
Carl Joseph Shiber
Carl Joseph Shiber, 77, a resident of Boothwyn and a former longtime resident of Ridley Park, died on March 20th at Riddle Memorial Hospital.
Born in Crescent, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Henrietta Sylvania Crawford and John B. Shiber. After the death of his father at a young age, Carl and his brothers were raised by their step-father, Joseph Casher. As a young man, Carl proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard for nine years as a radio operator. After his military service, he owned and operated the Boothwyn News Service for over 25 years. Later in life he worked for Philly Air Cargo and Downend Landscaping.
Carl was a great fan of NASCAR. He was an excellent cook who loved entertaining his family. He loved to garden his rose bushes and late in life found a true passion for genealogy. He successfully traced his ancestry thru 1617. He adored his cat Peaches.
He will be remembered always as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was the brother of the late John “Jack” Shiber.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathleen; his children, Joseph Shiber of Boothwyn, David Shiber of Secane, Carla McKennon of Apopka, Florida, Susan Sorrells of Derwood, Maryland, Patricia Downend of Stewartsville, New Jersey, and James Downend of Media; his 14 grandchildren; his one great-grandson; and his brothers, Howard Shiber and Thomas Casher.
His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 25th, at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Friends may call on Wednesday from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be private.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions sent in Carl’s name to the American Cancer Society, 1615 West Chester Pike, Suite 102, West Chester, Pa. 19382.
Clement C. Rizzo
Clement C. Rizzo, 85, a resident of Gretna Springs, Manheim, Pa. and a former longtime resident of Prospect Park, died on March 18, 2009 at his residence.
Born in Folcroft, he was the son of the late Clement and Elizabeth Rizzo. Mr. Rizzo was a resident of Gretna Springs, Manheim, in Lebanon County, since 1992, having lived in Prospect Park for 53 years prior to that.
Mr. Rizzo was employed as a maintenance supervisor at the Equity Meat Company in Folcroft for many years until his retirement.
He loved the outdoors, and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family.
Mr. Rizzo was the husband of the late Nancy A. Rizzo, who died in 2006. He was also the brother of the late Pauline Jones, Edith Berkowitz, Mazie Roe, Elizabeth Schuppert, Dot Kardasz, and George Rizzo.
He is survived by his son Clement T. Rizzo and his wife, Sharon, of Newark, Delaware; his brother, Ted Rizzo; his three grandchildren, Kenneth, Lauren, and David; his great-grandchildren, Tyler and Lauren; and his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 A.M. at The Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. His visitation will be on Tuesday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler.
Contributions: To the Alzheimers Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.
Bruce A. Godby
Bruce A. Godby, 49, a resident of Prospect Park, died on March 13th at his residence.
Born in Lebanon, Indiana, he was a resident of Prospect Park for the last 30 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1977 to 1982 having been stationed in Germany.
Mr. Godby was employed as an entomologist and inspector at Western Pest Services for 30 years until becoming ill.
He was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church in Prospect Park for many years, having served on the church vestry. He enjoyed the outdoors, but especially loved fly fishing and also enjoyed playing golf whenever he could.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father, and a man who was dedicated to his church.
He is survived by his wife, Cammie Godby; his children, Jasmine Godby of Indianapolis, Indiana and Erik and Dylan Godby at home in Prospect Park; his parents, Homer Godby of Cincinnati, Ohio and Ghislaine Godby of Indianapolis, Indiana; his brother, Daniel Godby of Indianapolis, Indiana; his sisters, Jacqueline Meiser of Cincinnati, Ohio and Linda Dugger and Anne Marie Hoffman both of Indianapolis, Indiana.
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4th at 10 A.M. at St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Avenue in Prospect Park. His visitation ill be on Tuesday, March 17th, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood, Pa.
Contributions: To the Memorial Garden Fund of St. James Episcopal Church, 732 11th Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076
Dennis Patrick LaPorte
Dennis Patrick LaPorte, 54, a tractor trailer driver and instructor who resided in Norwood, died on March 13th at Vitas Hospice at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.
Born in Altoona, Mr. LaPorte lived in Norwood and attended Interboro High School and Widener University.
He was employed as a tractor trailer driver and instructor for many years. Mr. LaPorte drove cross-country for Road Show Entertainers.
Mr. LaPorte was known for his smiles and jokes and for being a man of many talents. He enjoyed sports, recording on his guitar, and spending time and being with people, especially his family and friends.
Mr. LaPorte was the son of the late Patrick LaPorte and was the brother of the late Thomas LaPorte.
He is survived by his daughter, Heather; his mother, Donna Covington; his brother, Joseph LaPorte; and his loving aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews.
His funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. His visitation will be on Wednesday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery in Upper Darby Township.
Contributions: To the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.
Katherine J. Carchidi
Katherine J. Carchidi, 68, a longtime resident of Prospect Park and a retired skilled seamstress and dressmaker, died on March 3rd at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Belleville, Kansas, she was the daughter of the late Aaron and Helen Lane. Mrs. Carchidi was a resident of Prospect Park for over 40 years.
A very talented and skilled seamstress and dressmaker, she worked for Ridley Park Cleaners, Cloud Nine Bridal Shop, and Jo Ann Fabrics until her retirement. Mrs. Carchidi also was a private seamstress these years, making dresses and doing sewing repairs from her home.
Mrs. Carchidi excelled in many crafts, not only sewing, but also quilting, painting, and many other types of arts and crafts. She was a very creative woman with her special talents. She was also an avid reader, and thoroughly enjoyed traveling with her family whenever she could.
She was a longtime active member of the Prospect United Methodist Church in Prospect Park over the years, and still maintained her membership in the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter in Kansas which she joined while residing there in her early years. Mrs Carchidi was also an active member of the Schoolhouse Senior Center in Folsom.
She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Mrs. Carchidi is predeceased by her brother, Jim Lane.
She is survived by her husband, Gregory S. Carchidi; her daughters, Helen Caron of Chambersburg, Pa. and Laura Scardecchio of Reading, Pa.; her sons, Michael Carchidi of Prospect Park and Matthew Carchidi of Norwood; her sisters, Patricia Dutton of Nebraska and Mary Jo Hawkinson of Kansas; her brother, John Lane of Colorado; and her eleven grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 7th at 12 Noon at the Prospect United Methodist Church, 8th & Lincoln Aves., in Prospect Park. Her visitation will be on Saturday from 11 A.M. to 12 Noon at the church. Her burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Ridley Township.
Contributions: To the Prospect United Methodist Church, 8th & Lincoln Avenues, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076.
Elizabeth A. 'Betty' Smith
Elizabeth A. “Betty” Smith, 80, a longtime resident of Ridley Park, died on February 14th at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Ridley Park, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Alice Hoffman. She was raised in Prospect Park and was a graduate of the former Prospect Park High School. Mrs. Smith was a resident of Ridley Park for the last 47 years.
Mrs. Smith was a graduate of the Sacred Heart Hospital Nursing School and worked as a licensed practical nurse. She was a nurse at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park for 20 years until her retirement in 1993. Before working at Taylor, she was a nurse at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Chester and was a school nurse for a number of years.
Mrs. Smith was a volunteer with Taylor Hospice for many years.
She was a very creative person and was skilled in many crafts, most notably needle and stitch work including sewing and crochet work. She enjoyed music, but most of all, she enjoyed traveling to the family cabin located in North Central Pennsylvania and spending time with her family; especially her grandchildren.
She is the wife of the late James T. Smith, Sr. and is predeceased by her brother, Palmer Hoffman.
She is survived by her daughters, Beth Carbutt and Susan Graham both of Ridley Park; her son-in-law Paul Carbutt and her two grandsons, Nathan and Brendan Carbutt.
Her memorial service will be held on Friday, February 20th, at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her visitation will be on Friday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. Her burial will be private.
Contributions: To Taylor Hospice, P.O. Box 147, Ridley Park, Pa. 19078
Rose Marie Paullin
Rose Marie Paullin, 91, of Norwood, and a former longtime resident of Prospect Park who owned a deli and catering business in the borough for many years and was active in her community and church; died on February 8th at her residence.
Born in Norwood, she was the daughter of the late Ernesto and Emilia Soprano. She was a resident of Norwood and resided in Prospect Park for many years before that.
In 1957 Ed & Rose Paullin opened Paullin’s Deli in Prospect Park and were famous for their fresh meats and "hoagies." In the 1960's Mrs. Paullin started her catering business and was a familiar figure at the numerous functions at the V.F.W. in Norwood. Although the Deli was sold in 1979 Mrs. Paullin continued her catering business from her small shop on Chester Pike until 1982 after which, she still did catering for family & friends from her home.
In addition to her catering business, Mrs. Paullin was well known for her candy making and her famous red apple taffies and her home was favorite stop for "Halloweeners" every year. She was also well known for her zucchini, applesauce, and pumpkin breads and in March she had regular customers top by for her famous Irish potatoes.
Mrs. Paullin was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Prospect Park for over 60 years, where she had been active in the Altar Guild. Her baked goods were always a sure "seller" for all church fund raisers. At St. James' yearly Canterbury Market her "soup of the day" was always sold out early in the day. The St. James Sunday School children enjoyed a special "Mrs. Paullin" homemade treat every holiday.
Mrs. Paullin was always helping the Prospect Park Fire Company with their activities, and provided the refreshments for the numerous Taylor Hospice events for ten years in the 1980’s.
Mrs. Paullin was a “Prospect Park Person”, always helping with any event or activities that happened in the borough.
Never one to sit idle Mrs. Paullin developed quite a "craft shop" on her back porch and had a regular clientele.
Mrs. Paullin will be remembered as a woman who was devoted to her family; her community; and her church.
She is the wife of the late Edward Paullin. She is also predeceased by her daughter, Anna Gardner; and her brothers, Joseph, John, and Ralph Soprano.
She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Paullin of Norwood; her sons, Alfred Paullin of Burlington, Iowa and Donald Paullin of Basalt, Colorado; her brother, Tony Soprano of Norwood; her five grandchildren; and her six great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21st, at 10 A.M. at St. James Episcopal Church, 11th & Lincoln Avenues, in Prospect Park. Her visitation will be on Friday, February 20th, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. and on Saturday, February 21st, from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. Her burial will be in Lawn Croft Cemetery in Lower Chichester Township.
Contributions: To St. James Episcopal Church, 11th & Lincoln Aves., Prospect Park, Pa. 19076
Keith E. McGurl
Keith E. McGurl, 47, a resident of Aston who will be remembered as a beloved and devoted husband and father, died on February 4th at his home.
Born in Springfield, Pa., he was raised in Prospect Park and was a resident of the borough for many years. He was a resident of Aston for the last four years.
Mr. McGurl was the son of the late Joseph and Barbara McGurl. He attended Interboro High School and was a member of the Class of 1979.
He was employed as an HVAC technician working for U.S. Facilities, Inc. in Philadelphia for the last ten years.
Mr. McGurl loved the outdoors, and especially enjoyed hunting. He liked music and played on his guitar whenever he could. He was known to spend time on his computer, and enjoyed learning to use his X-Box.
Most of all, he will be remembered as a beloved and devoted husband and father who would rather spend time with his family than do anything else and will be missed by his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Georganna Berry McGurl; his children, Kayla McGurl and Liz Rhoad both of Folsom, Ridley Township, and Amanda Hershey, Stephen Smith, Jr. and Shae McGurl all of Aston; his brother, Kevin McGurl of West Grove, Pa.; his sister, Laurie Roach of Prospect Park; his grandmother, Janet Santon of Palm Coast, Florida; his nieces, nephew, his in-laws, and his best friend, Kevin Kilmartin.
His memorial service will be held on Monday, February 9th, at 7:30 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike, in Norwood. His visitation will be on Monday from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be private.
Contributions: May be made to the McGurl Family for the care of the children in care of the Griffith Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 56, Norwood, Pa. 19074.
