All Obituaries

Nina M. DiObilda, 92, of Coatesville died Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Brandywine Hospital. Nina was the wife of George McLaughlin and Alfred DiObilda, both of whom preceded her in death. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Manrico and Mary Cortellessa DeLuca. Nina worked as a cook and instructor at Handicrafters and she and her second husband, Alfred DiObilda, owned a tavern. She enjoyed watching all the Philadelphia sports teams. Surviving her is a son, James DiObilda...

Patricia Ann (“Pat”) Hilner Bigler, former resident of Coatesville and a  long-time resident of Reading, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at the age of 85.   Pat was born on July 9, 1935 in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, one of three children of Rev. Howard K. and Lena M. Hilner.  She grew up in Meyersdale and lived briefly in Illinois and Wisconsin during World War II before moving to Coatesville.  She graduated from Coatesville High School and Penn...

Betty M. Williams, 73, of Coatesville died Friday, October 2, 2020 at Pembrooke Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, West Chester. Born in Danville, PA, Betty was the daughter of the late Orval E. and Mary Hrabovsky Williams. Betty was employed by Cheyney University in the campus office. Surviving her is a daughter, Larisa Williams; a brother, David Williams; a stepdaughter, Nina M. Shepherd; and two grandchildren, Khalina and Khalil Watson.  She was preceded in death by her...

Franklin Richards Davis passed away on October 1, 2020, one day shy of his 82nd birthday. Frank was born in Coatesville, PA, to the late Frank and Clarace Davis. He was a graduate of Coatesville Area High School, West Chester University and received a Master’s in Engineering from Villanova University.  Frank spent most of his career as an engineer at PSE&G’s nuclear power plant in Salem, NJ.  He was a faithful member of the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church...

Laura M. Markward, 93, died Friday, September 18, 2020 at Pocopson Home where she had been a resident since 2017. She was the wife of James K. Markward, who preceded her in death in 1982. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Rushton and Edith Meharg Campbell. Laura is survived by her daughter, Sandy “Candy” Patterson, wife of Edward; a sister, Sandra Campbell; five grandchildren, Carrie McBride, Carol Newlin, John Markward, Jr., Jamie Patterson, and Kristin...

Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Anthony J. DePedro, Jr., 60, of Coatesville passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020. Born in Coatesville, he was the son of Gloria Berry DePedro and the late Anthony J. “Gus” DePedro. Anthony’s employment career included working for Denny Reyburn, Reynolds Metals, and the Coatesville Area School District.  He also provided unwavering care for his mother for the past 26 years. He was a former member of the LGM, and Coatesville Jaycees.  While in Sea Isle City, NJ,...

James Gehas, 95, of Coatesville, passed away on Saturday, August 1st, at the VA Medical Center, Coatesville. Born in Christiana, PA, in 1924, James was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lancaster, and St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Coatesville. He is survived by his second wife, Magda Gehas of Coatesville, Joanne Gehas, Raleigh, NC (daughter of James and Mary Gehas, his first wife who preceded him in death), many nieces and nephews, members of Magda’s extended family and...

Elsie Gaspari Turczyn, 94, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2020, at Twin Pines Health Care Center in West Grove, where she resided for the last three months.  Prior to her stay at Twin Pines, Elsie had been a lifelong resident of the Coatesville area. Elsie was born on August 6, 1925, in Coatesville to Rosaria DeMarco and Generosa Gaspari.  She was the wife of the late John A. Turczyn, who preceded her in death in 1983. She was a member and devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the...

Betty Elaine Brennan, 94, was called home on Thursday, July 16, 2020, passing peacefully surrounded by her family. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Elsie (Detterline) Whiteman.  Betty was the first female firefighter in Coatesville, becoming a lifetime member and fighting a warehouse fire on the first night she was taken in by Washington Fire Company. She was also a lifetime member and President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary for Brandywine and West...