May 11, 2018

Frank Steele, 92, of West Grove, died Wednesday, May 9.

He was the beloved husband of Kathryn Fisher Steele, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

Born in Russellville, in 1925, he was the son of the late J. Herman and Velva Gordon Steele. Frank’s mother Velva died when he was six months old and he and his brother John were raised in the Russellville home of his Uncle and Aunt, Harold and Mary Steele Gordon.

Frank was a 1944 graduate of Oxford High School.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was stationed at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.

Upon discharge from the service, Frank began his career working for his Uncle George at Steele’s Chevrolet in Clifton Heights.  He would spend the majority of his working years as a parts manager in Chevrolet dealerships, including Colonial Chevrolet in Wilmington. For a number of years, he was a home delivery milkman for Pensupreme Dairy in Avondale. Upon retirement, Frank worked part-time for Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

Frank was a member of West Grove Presbyterian Church.  He was an active member of the Avon Grove Lions Club, served as chapter president in 1995, and was recently honored with the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

In addition to his wife Kathryn, Frank is survived by his three sons, George B. Steele II and his wife Gale of Lincoln University, R. Scott Steele of West Grove, and William H. Steele and his wife Becky of Lincoln University; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, John H. Steele and daughter-in-law, Lorrie Steele.

Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral at noon Monday, May 14, at the West Grove Presbyterian Church, 139 W Evergreen Street, West Grove where visitation will be held from 10 noon.

Interment will be at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Russellville.

Contributions in Frank’s memory may be made to the West Grove Presbyterian Church, 139 W Evergreen Street, West Grove, PA 19390.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.

Arrangements by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, West Grove.

Mary Kathleen Badger Hughes, 89, of West Grove, died Monday, May 7, at her home. She was the wife of Lee Hughes, who died in 2015 and with whom she shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Ash County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late William and Cora Thompson Badger.

Mary was a machine operator for Denney-Reyburn Tag Company in West Chester for more than 30 years. She enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting and cooking.

Survivors include two daughters, Sandy and Pamela (Andy); one granddaughter, Crystal; one grandson, Andrew and a great-grandson Connor.

You are invited to visit with Mary’s family and friends from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. Her life celebration funeral service will follow. Interment will be in New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com

John “Rocky” Solitario, 86, of Wilmington, died Sunday, May 6, at the Chester County Hospital.

Born in Phoenixville, he was the son of the late John Solitario and the late Mary Vincent Solitario.

Rocky was a self-employed landscaper. Prior to that, he was in the excavation and construction business.

He was an avid hunter, enjoyed gardening, watching sports on TV and enjoyed being with his family and friends. In his earlier years he was a Golden Gloves champion and also was a semi-pro baseball and football player.

He is survived by three children, Constance Lee Morrell and her husband Steven of Denver, Colo., JoAnne Stephens and her life partner, John Berster of Wilmington, and Patrick E. Solitario and his wife Lane J. of Lancaster; one sister, Frances Maute of Royersford; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Rocky was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters.

You are in invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 to 11 on Saturday morning, May 12, at the Brandywine Valley Baptist Church, 7 Mount Lebanon Road, Wilmington, DE. His Memorial service will follow. Burial was held privately.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square.