Obituaries

Kenneth Joe Smith, 80, of Landenberg, died Friday, June 20, at Regal Heights Healthcare Center in Hockessin, leaving behind a legacy of grit, passion, and a life well-lived on his own terms. Born in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Thomas A. Smith Sr. and the late Josephine Hedrick Smith. Ken served our country in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He…

Helen L. Wagoner Sutton, 91, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, died Thursday, June 5, at home surrounded by family. Helen was the spouse of the late John Sutton Sr., with whom she was married for 47 years. She was born in West Chester, the daughter of the late John Wagoner and the late Mary Pierson Wagoner. Helen will be remembered as the “Ultimate Homemaker.” Helen enjoyed…

Frank H. Ferguson Jr., 82, of Kennett Township, died Friday, June 6, at Brandywine Living at Longwood in Kennett Square. Born in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Frank Ferguson and the late Velma Milligan Ferguson. Frank lived in the Balmoral neighborhood for 30 years and was a lifelong employee of the DuPont Company, retiring in 2001. Following his retirement, he continued to…

David Mark Haradon, 72, of Southern Chester County, died Thursday, June 5. Dave was the loving husband of Peggy Lee Haradon (Murphy), with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. Dave was born on Oct. 23, 1952, in Nashville, Tenn., to Myron Ralph and Sara Claire Burke Haradon (Burke). Dave fell in love with his wife, Peggy, in the Purdue University Marching Band, where Dave…

Martha “Jane” DiCecco, 77, of Newark, died Saturday, May 30, at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late James DiCecco and the late Kaye Duncan DiCecco. Jane and her twin sister, Carolyn, grew up with their younger brother, Jim. They enjoyed spending time with their family, visiting relatives and attending family reunions. Jane attended Avon Grove High…

David DeFrain Taylor, 75, of Kennett Square, died Wednesday, May 7, at his beloved home at Clifton Mills in Kennett Square, in the company of his doting cat, Tommy. Born in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Edwin DeFrain Taylor and Alice Sheldon Taylor. David was a lover of water, working for many years at the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, teaching…

Dr. Richard Feree Lamb, age 95, of 1 Woodchuck Way, Kennett Square, died after an illness on May 2. Richard was born in Palisade, Neb., a small community, on July 13, 1929. His father, Ivan Lamb, was the town doctor, serving a population under 1000. Richard’s primary education was in a small school with multiple grades in each classroom. Growing up Richard spent summers working…

Anthony Edward Umlah, 70, of Landenberg, died on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He was the husband of Kathy (Manista) Umlah, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage. Born in Wilkes Barre, he was the son of the late Edward Umlah and Gertrude (Wojciechowski) Umlah. He graduated from Bishop Hoban High School, Wilkes Barre in the class…

Michael Paul Graves, “Mike/Dad/Pop”, 72, of Kennett Square, and Ocean City, N.J., died Monday, May 19, , at his home in Kennett Square surrounded by his family after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Mike was the devoted husband of Nancy (Singley) Graves, with whom he shared 50 years of loving marriage. Born in Springfield, Ohio, Mike was the son of the late William Paul…

Donald A. Overton, 89, of Kennett Square, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Temple University, died peacefully in Kennett Square, on April 30, after a brief illness at the age of 89. Don was born in Troy, N.Y., to the late Ernest C. Overton and Evangeline Smith Overton of Mechanicsville, NY. Don was an older brother to both Roger Overton (deceased) and Ralph Overton (of Kettering,…