May 8, 2021

Dennis C. Melton, a well-known architect, musician, and community leader died on May 5, as a result of a recent brain aneurysm.  Dennis was born in Winchester, Va. on June 2, 1947, to Howard and Marion Walton Melton.

Inspired by The Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, Dennis and his twin brother Dale, formed a band called The Prodigals.  They went on to play with the Watson Brothers and other bands in the US and Canada and formed The Melton Brothers Band in 1977.  Dennis also formed a band called Crossroads with his son Michael, and the late singer-songwriter Billy Penn Burger.

Dennis received his degree in architecture from Drexel University in 1987 and launched Melton Architects in 1993. He was the architect responsible for the design or reservation behind many iconic landmarks in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, including the Anson Nixon Park Performance Pavilion, the Country Butcher, Philter Coffee, and the restoration of the historic Chalfonte House.  At the time of his death, Dennis was the local architect of record for the Kennett Library.

Dennis loved being an active member of the Kennett Community. He served as President of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and was a member of the Legislative Committee and the Route 1 Corridor Initiative.  He served as the president of the Kennett Flash from its founding through 2019.  He founded and chaired the Summer Park Concert Series at Anson Nixon Park for its 14-year run. He also was a founding member of the MLK Breakfast Committee, serving on the program committee and singing in the choir for more than 14 years. Finally, Dennis, Joan Holiday, and Leon Spencer led the annual Holiday Caroling in Kennett.

Dennis is survived by his wife Donna Hicks Melton, to whom he was happily married for 37 years; his son, Michael Melton; his brothers Dale Melton (Joan Bristol) and Howard Melton, Jr. (Susan); his niece, Charlotte Melton, and grandnephew, Mason Lee Melton.

A musical celebration of Dennis’s life will be held at a later date and will be announced on this obituary tribute page.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dennis’s memory to The Kennett Flash 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or online at https://www.kennettflash.org/   Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (1800-FUNERAL).  Condolences are welcome at www.griecofunerals.com.

John A. Lattanzio, 71, of Avondale, died Friday, May 7, at his residence.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Robert Lattanzio, Sr. and the late Mary D’Annunzio Lattanzio.

John was a maintenance mechanic at W. L. Gore in Newark, retiring in 2015, after 35 years of service.

He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, Avondale.

John enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, riding his motorcycle, and being with his family and friends.

He is survived by one daughter, Theresa Zunino-McFalls of West Grove, one son, Stephen Lattanzio, and his wife Crystal of Landenberg, and seven grandchildren.

John was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Lattanzio, Jr. and William Lattanzio, and two sisters, Jean Zunino and Lucy DiUbaldo.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May  12, at the Foulk Funeral Home, 200 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA. His burial will be held privately.

Please practice social distancing and please wear a face mask.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the West Grove-Avondale Rotary Club, P.O. Box 280, West Grove, PA 19390.

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

 

Bonnie Moxey Maxwell, 82, of Greenville, died peacefully at Methodist Country House on May 5, 2021. She is survived by these members of her immediate family: son Thomas T. Hodges of Lancaster; daughter Marcia M. Hodges of Falls Church, Va.; stepdaughter Alison M. Kochie of Hockessin; and brother Todd G. Moxey of Penllyn.

Born on July 27, 1938, in Philadelphia, Bonnie was the daughter of the late Marcia Moxey and John Moxey, both Quakers and Swarthmore College graduates.  Passion for knowledge was a family tradition: her parents thought the most valuable inheritance was the gift of a trained intellect and an inquiring mind.

To that end, Bonnie graduated from The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, in 1956.  She earned a B.A. in government from Smith College in 1960 and, at age 67, an M.A. from the University of Delaware, where her thesis on Katharine Hepburn won the Raymond Callahan Prize for outstanding achievement in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program.  In December 2010, Bonnie finished the coursework requirements for a doctorate. in American history, also at the University of Delaware.

Her career included service as an officer in U.S. Marine Corps (1960-1962), Viet-Nam training officer for the U.S. foreign aid agency (1967), sales training manager with Xerox (1975-1979), director of development and alumni affairs at Westtown Friends School (1979-1981), membership manager at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1981-1992), and director of external affairs at Valley Forge Military Academy and College (1992-1994).  For the balance of the 1990s, she and her last husband, the late Howard Maxwell, former president of Girard College, formed a consulting firm, The Gateway Group, in Sussex County, Del.

In addition to work for hire, Bonnie served on numerous non-profit boards since 1963: the Navy League of the United States, Philadelphia (Vice President, Marine Corps representative); the National Exhibits by Blind Artists organization; the Women Marines Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (president); the USS Pennsylvania commissioning committee; the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (National and Philadelphia Ball Boards); the American Association of Museums Development and Membership Committee; the Junior League of Washington D.C. (Secretary); the Smith College Club of Washington D.C.; and the Marine Officers’ Wives’ Clubs in Washington D.C., Camp Lejeune, NC, and Quantico, VA.

When asked once what she wanted engraved on her tombstone, Bonnie replied, “She tried!”

Did she ever, and with considerable success, as this life summary indicates.  Friends, family, and co-workers will miss her bright presence in their lives.

Services and burial are private.  Memorial contributions may be sent to The Baldwin School, 701Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010-3505.  Please visit Mrs. Maxwell’s online memorial at www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com