Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
John H. Meissner
John H. Meissner, 85, well known founder and owner of Meissner Chevrolet/GEO/Oldsmobile, Inc. in Glenolden and then Philadelphia, died July 5th at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland.
Born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he was the son of the late John W. and Grace Baumer Meissner. Mr. Meissner was a resident of the Glen Mills section of Edgmont Township since 1979.
He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy in both the Pacific and European Theaters. He then went into the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired in 1975 after over 32 years of service.
Mr. Meissner was first employed as the General Manager of Pine Belt Chevrolet in Lakewood, N.J. for 20 years.
Mr. Meissner founded Meissner Chevrolet with his late wife, Mary Louise and his two sons, in 1978 in Glenolden, Pa. The dealership moved to Philadelphia in 1990 and added Oldsmobile franchise in 1992 as well as GEO. The dealership, known as Meissner Chevrolet/GEO/Oldsmobile, was very successful as he partnered with his sons, Dave and Doug, to oversee daily operations. The dealership was sold in 2008, but he and his sons continued to operate Meissner Auto Sales in Glenolden where the original dealership was located. During his career, Mr. Meissner had won many national sales awards.
Mr. Meissner was a member of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council, Pa.Zone; the National Automotive Dealers Association DEAC President’s Club, the Auto Trade Association-PA Board of Directors, National Automotive Dealers Executive 20 Group Chevrolet, the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association, and the GMAC Dealer Council-PA.
He was also a retired commercial pilot, and was licensed for both single and multi-engine planes.
Mr. Meissner was a member of the Rotary Club of Chester Pike for 29 years and was a member of the Springhaven Club in Wallingford for 20 years. He was a longtime member of Princeton Presbyterian Church, BPO Elks USA for 57 years, and was a Mason, having been a member of Durand Lodge # 179 F&A.M. for 38 years.
Mr. Meissner will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather; and a true gentlemen and friend to all he met.
He is the husband of the late Mary Louise Meissner, who died in 2002.
He is survived by his sons, David Meissner and his wife Denise of Media and Douglas Meissner and his wife Lynne of Media; his sisters, Jane Hall of Portland, Oregon; Margaret Smith of Minneapolis, Minn.: and Ruth Armstrong of Speedway, Indiana; and his grandchildren, Jonathan, Emily, Tara, Alexa, Jenna.
His funeral service will be on Saturday at 11 A.M. at the Princeton Presbyterian Church, 933 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, Pa. His visitation will be on Friday evening from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood, Pa. or on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the Princeton Presbyterian Church. His entombment will be in the Monticello Mausoleum at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, Pa. with military honors.
Contributions: To the American Cancer Society, 1615 West Chester Pike, Suite 102, West Chester, Pa. 19382
David A. Bort
David A. Bort, 53, a lifelong resident of Norwood, died on June 25th while at work in Glenolden.
Born in Darby, he was raised in Norwood and was a resident of the borough all of his life. He was a 1975 graduate of Interboro High School.
Mr. Bort was employed in the maintenance and security department at the MacDade Mall in Glenolden for the last 35 years.
He was a longtime dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Glenolden where he served as a Deacon. He was an avid fan of baseball, and especially was a fan of the Phillies. He was also known for his outstanding collection of baseball memorabilia. Mr. Bort was very proud of his participation in the Delaware County Senior Games, where he competed with his father and his uncle and had won several medals.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved to shoot pool with his family members in is spare time.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted son, brother, and uncle.
He is survived by his parents, Fred C. Bort, Jr. and Delores Novis Bort of Norwood; his brothers, Fred Bort, III of Glenolden and Daniel J. Bort of Middletown, Delaware; his sisters, Shirley Quinn and Diane Skalish both of Glenolden; his uncle, John Bort of Norwood and his aunt, Clara Bort of Prospect Park; and his many 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 Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Marple Township.
Contributions To the First Presbyterian Church of Glenolden, 2 North Chester Pike, Glenolden, Pa. 19036-1804.
Catherine L. 'Cathy' Gallagher
Catherine L. “Cathy” Gallagher, 55, a resident of Collingdale, died June 22nd at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park.
Born in Glenolden, she was a resident of Collingdale for the last 26 years. Mrs Gallagher was employed as a supervisor in the Telecommunications Department at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland for the last ten years. She also worked as an operator at the Franklin Mint for 20 years prior to that.
She enjoyed cooking and sewing and many different crafts and always loved to spend time in her beautiful garden. She was always seen with her dog, “Coyote”, at her side. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife and daughter and enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 36 years, William Gallagher; her mother and step-father, Louise Merritt and John Merritt of Delmar, De; her sisters, Florence Coia of King of Prussia, Mary Powers of Laurel, Delaware, and Joanne Bartlewski of Glenolden; her brother, John Ellmore of Brookhaven; and her two step-sisters, her step-brother, several nieces and nephews, and her two God-children.
Her graveside service will be on Monday at 2 P.M. at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel, Delaware with her burial to follow. Her visitation will be on Sunday evening from 7 P.M. to 9 P.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood.
Contributions: To the National Kidney Foundation, The Bourse Building, Suite 411, 111 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.
John W. Conner, Jr.
John W. Conner, Jr., 66, a resident of Prospect Park and a former resident of Claymont, Delaware where he was raised, died on June 18th at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, he was the son of the late John W. and Frances Conner. He was raised in Claymont, Delaware and was a graduate of Claymont High School. Mr. Conner graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a resident of Prospect Park for the last ten years and lived in Maine and Virginia for a number of years before that.
Mr. Conner was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served in the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1967.
He was employed as a mechanical engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia for the last 10 years and worked for the BIW Company in Maine in the same capacity for 12 years before that. He worked in Virginia and New Jersey years ago before working in Maine.
Mr. Conner belonged to a Masonic Lodge in Delaware and was a Boy Scout leader when he was living in Maine.
A talented artist, he enjoyed drawing in both pen and pencil and was also known for his paintings. He also enjoyed photography in his spare time.
Mr. Conner will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Ann Fleischmann Conner; his sons, Sean Banks of Oregon, Justin Conner of Virginia, Bryan Conner of New Jersey, and Douglas F. Leake of Prospect Park; his daughters, Eryn Leake and Mackenzie Ann Leake both of Prospect Park; his brothers, Harvey Conner of Elkton, Maryland and Jamie Bickling of Maryland; and his two grandchildren.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 A.M. at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood. His visitation will be on Saturday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. at the funeral home. His burial will be private.
Contributions: To St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 128 Chester Pike, Norwood, Pa. 19074
James H. Pruett
James H. Pruett, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Wilmington, Delaware on June 13, 2010. In his final minutes, his daughter, Lois, held his hand and his son-in-law, Arnold, read from the Book of Psalms. “Jim” was born in Philadelphia and later moved to Lansdowne, Pa with his parents. He attended the old Collingdale High School where he was an excellent student and enjoyed participating in sports.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy on December 8, 1941 and served in the Pacific campaign of World War II. After the war, he was honorably discharged from the Navy in January 1947. He went on to serve eight more years in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1955.
Jim was married on Christmas Day 1942 to the love of his life, Mary Lupoli Pruett. He was an only child but quickly became a “brother” in the Lupoli family. He enjoyed socializing and picnicking with his expanded family. Jim and brothers-in-law Vince and Ernie Lupoli, helped each other build their three residences. The Pruett’s home was built in Upper Chichester, Pa. Brother-in-law John Lupoli is the social director and organizes the family reunions.
After their children married, Jim and Mary lived in Tampa, FL., St. Petersburg, FL., Hack’s Point, MD., St. Augustine, FL., Palm Coast, FL., Chadds Ford, Pa., Magnolia, De., N. Myrtle Beach, S.C., and returned to Wilmington, DE in 2007. They were often kidded by their family for buying and selling homes as if they were playing the game Monopoly.
Jim was a machinist by trade, but also worked for Baldwin Locomotive Works, Sinclair Oil Company, the DuPont Company, and also worked as a real estate agent.
In his spare time he enjoyed watching the Phillies and Eagles on television, bowling, reading, gardening, caring for pets, and improving his homes and keeping the grounds beautiful, in which he took great pride.
Jim was predeceased by his mother, Mae Kelly Pruett, and his father, Elzie Pruett, and his brother-in-law, Vince Lupoli.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary; his older daughter, Lois and her husband Arnold DeMuzio; their daughters, Allison Sheppard (Bob) and Lauren DeMuzio; and two great-grandchildren, Maddie and Eric; and Jim’s younger daughter, Linda and her husband Robert Cochran; and their children, Randy Cochran (Tammy), Whitney (Joe), and Jessica; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Sophie, and Ella. He is also survived by brothers-in-law John Lupoli and Ernie Lupoli (Jean); sister-in-law Dorothy, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family is grateful to Delaware Hospice for the care, compassion, and love that Jim received.
Contributions: Donations in James Pruett’s memory may be made to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810-4924 or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Linda J. Irrgang
Linda J. Irrgang, a resident of Folcroft and a former St. George School teacher, died on June 10th at the Taylor Hospice Residence in Ridley Park.
She was born in Altoona, Pa., then moved to Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School.
Mrs. Irrgang was a devoted wife and mother. She loved to spend time with her friends and family and especially with her grandchildren.
She was a homemaker while her children were young and later taught students at St. George Catholic School in Glenolden for a number of years.
She was a longtime member of St. George Catholic Church and was a member of the LaSalle Club.
Mrs. Irrgang was the daughter of the late Donald Shoemaker.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Irrgang; her sons, Mark Irrgang of Springfield, Troy Irrgang of Folcroft, and Bret Irrgang of Glenolden; her mother, Marguerite Shoemaker of Folcroft; her sister, Susan Holland of Norwood; and her seven grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 9 A.M. at St. George Catholic Church, on Lamont Avenue, in Glenolden. Her visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at The Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood. Her burial will be in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery in Marple Township.
Contributions: To Overbrook Friedlander Programs, 1900 Wynnewood Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19151 www.obs.org
Joseph N. Vaughn, Jr.
Joseph N. Vaughn, Jr., 91, a lifelong resident of Prospect Park and a life member and former Chief of the Prospect Park Fire Company, died on June 10th at his daughter’s home in Ridley Township.
Born in Ridley Park, he was the son of the late Joseph N. Sr. and Willie Ruth Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn was a resident of Prospect Park all of his life and was a graduate of the former Prospect Park High School.
Mr. Vaughn was employed as a machine tool repairman at Westinghouse for 35 years until his retirement in 1980. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Vaughn was a Life Member and former Chief of the Prospect Park Fire Company. He joined the fire company at age 18 in 1936 and served the fire company over most of his life holding many offices and positions. He served as Fire Chief for a number of years having been appointed in 1956. When he was no longer able to fight fires, he served on the Fire Police for many years. While at Westinghouse, he was an engineer with the Westinghouse Fire Company.
He was a longtime member of Prospect Hill Baptist Church in Prospect Park.
Mr. Vaughn was known as a person who could fix anything, and could always come up with a solution to a problem with some “gadget” he would build or put together. He was a genuine “Jack of all trades”.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a person who dedicated his life to fire service.
Mr. Vaughn was the husband of the late Georgia Marie Vaughn, who died in 1995.
He is survived by his daughters, Diane M. Antcliff of Wallingford; Joyce Hamilton of Prospect Park; and Sherrill A. Domalewski of Folsom, Ridley Township; his son, Joseph N. Vaughn, III of Haverford Township; his 10 grandchildren, and his 17 great-grandchildren.
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 Edgewood Memorial Park in Concord Township.
Contributions: May be made to Prospect Hill Baptist Church, 703 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076 or to The Prospect Park Fire Company, 1001 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, Pa. 19076.
Marie Serra Gerry
Marie Serra Gerry, 88, a resident of Glenolden and a former resident of Colwyn and Darby, died on August 3rd at her residence.
Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rose Serra. She was a resident of Glenolden for the last eight years, and lived in Colwyn for 15 years before that and lived in Darby for many years before that.
Mrs. Gerry was active at one time with the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Darby Fire Company and in her later years was active with the Colwyn Senior Citizens.
She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mrs. Gerry is the wife of the late Charles “Charlie” Gerry, who died in 2007.
She is survived by her daughters, Janet Herrmann of Citrus Springs, Florida and June Frazier-Tucker of Glenolden; her son, Mark Gerry of Broomall; her seven grandchildren and her six great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday at 12 Noon at the Griffith Funeral Chapel, 520 Chester Pike in Norwood. Her visitation will be on Saturday from 11 A.M. to 12 Noon at the funeral home. Her burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery in Upper Darby.
Contributions: To Heartland Hospice, 5 Christy Drive, Suite 103, Chadds Ford, Pa. 19317.
Bruce J. Carroll
Bruce J. Carroll, 65, a resident of Collingdale, died on July 25th at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.
Mr. Carroll was employed as a truck driver for various companies most of his life.
He loved riding motorcycles and owned a motorcycle and was a member of the Jam-R Club in South Jersey. He was a person who had an affection for dogs and cats, and was always seen with his dog, “Nubs”. Mr. Carroll especially enjoyed taking trips with his family to Wildwood, N.J.
Mr. Carroll will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was predeceased by his son, Harry Howarth, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Carroll; his daughters, Maryhelen Stewart of Bear, Delaware and Dawn MacKale of Oxford, Pa.; his son, Craig Carroll of Florida; his brothers, William Carroll of Virginia and Keith Carroll of New York; and his four grandchildren.
His funeral service and burial will be private.
Contributions: To The Spayed Club, 800 Chester Pike, Sharon Hill, Pa. 19079-1400.
Claudine Wist Staley
Claudine Wist Staley, 94, a resident of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on July 21st 2010 at Christiana Hospital in Christiana, Delaware. Born in 1916 in Philadelphia to the late Aaron and Clara Viol Wist, she lived in most of her life in Glenolden, Pa. before moving to Delaware recently.
Claudine had many passions in her life, including singing, reading, writing, and poetry, but her greatest love was her family. Her husband of 64 years, Russell Staley, preceded her in death in 2001. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Arthur “Buddy” Wist.
Claudine is survived by her daughters, Virginia Staley Eberly of Wilmington, Delaware and Nancy Coutant and her husband Robert of Fort Pierce, Florida; and her son, Ron Staley and his wife Ellen of Herndon, Virginia. She is also survived by her niece, Diane Miller and her husband of Easton, Maryland; her six grandchildren; and her two great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 28th 2010 at 11 A.M. in the Chapel of Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, in Drexel Hill, Pa. 19026. Guests are invited to arrive at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Masonic Home of Delaware, 4800 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807 or to the Glenolden Library, 211 S. Llanwellyn Avenue, Glenolden, Pa. 19036.
Joan Leslie Schoff
Joan Leslie (nee Effing) Schoff, 83, of Media, formally of Glenolden, died on July 16, 2010 at Sterling Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Media, Pa.
Born in Woodbury, New Jersey. Mrs Schoff was a graduate of Lancaster County Day School and Vermont Junior College in Montpelier, Vt. She was a former medical assistant and preschool teacher.
She was predeceased by her parents Gerald and Mabel Effing who were from Lancaster, Pa. at the time of their death and her brother, Gerald Effing, Jr. who was from Helena, Montana at the time of his death.
She is survived by her Three daughters, Karen Cunningham of Teaticket, Massachusetts, Mary Lou Schoff-Atwell of Wilmington, Delaware (formally of Delaware County) and Krista Petherbridge of Secane, Pennsylvania, her Sister-in-law, Eileen Effing of Montana, her seven Grandchildren and her four Great-grandchildren.
Her funeral service and burial will be private. There will not be any visiting hours.
Contributions: In Joan’s memory may be made to: S.P.C.A. of Delaware County, 555 Sandy Bank Rd., Media, Pa. 19063 or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 555 North Lane, Suite 5010 Conshohocken, Pa. 19428 would be appreciated.
