Obituaries

Mary E. "Betty" Murphy, 90, formerly of Westwood, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at the Harrison House of Christiana. She was the widow of the late James R. Murphy.

Born in Westwood, she was the daughter of the late Jessie and Stella Davis Brownback. An area resident her entire life, Betty was a graduate of the Coatesville Area High School. She was an avid golfer.

Betty is survived by her son, Robert J. Murphy, husband of Patricia, of Coatesville; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers.

Marie E. Burton, 87, formerly of Thorndale, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the Hickory House Nursing Home of Honey Brook.  She was the widow of the late William J. Burton, who passed away in 1974. 

Born in Honey Brook, she was the daughter of the late Frank R. and Susan Supplee Gibson.  An area resident of both Coatesville and Thorndale, she had been employed as a Nurses Aid at the St. John's Villa of Downingtown, retiring in 1987.  She was a member of the A.A.R.P. of Coatesville and the Olivet United Methodist Church of Coatesville. 

John Albert "JC" Collins Jr., 21, of Strasburg, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the Hershey Medical Center. Born in Coatesville, he was the son of John A. Collins Sr. and Joanne McDermott of Strasburg.

He was employed by KST Design of Marietta as a welder. He was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Horace W. Lowery, 75, of Pomeroy, passed away on Wednesday October 22, 2008 at the Coatesville VA Hospice Center. He was the husband of Larelda McLaughlin Lowery with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.

Born in Parkesburg, he was the son of the late Horace W. Lowery and Catherine Cremmin Keshuta. Horace was an area resident all his life. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was employed by Lukens Steel of Coatesville as a rigger retiring in 1985 with 32 years of service.