Barbara Joan (Crowley) Flynn of Newtown died Saturday, February 20, 2016 at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. She was 69.

Barbara was the beloved wife of 47 years to the late James M. Flynn, Sr. She was the daughter of the late Bernard and Adeline (Staffieri) Crowley and the mother of the late Sean Michael Flynn.  

Barbara was born and raised in the Oxford Circle section of Philadelphia. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School and worked as a Medical Secretary at Einstein Hospital. She and her husband started their family in Rhawnhurst before moving to Newtown in 1980. She was a homemaker to her six children and devoted her life to taking care of her family. She was incredibly selfless and it always made her happy to give and do for others. The highlight of her life was being ‘Mom Mom’ to her grandchildren. Each of her grandchildren brought her so much joy and she loved each one dearly. She truly was the center of her family’s heart and she will forever be missed.

Barbara is survived by her children, James M. Flynn, Jr. and his wife Virginia of Clinton, PA, Brian J. Flynn and his wife Colleen of New Britain, Maureen P. (Flynn) Martin and her husband David of Jamison, Michael P. Flynn and his wife Michelle of Jamison, and Kevin R. Flynn of Newtown; her two sisters, Diane, wife of Domenic Veneziale of Hainesport, NJ and Patricia, wife of the late Donald Bigley of Moorestown, NJ. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Christopher, Victoria, Nicholas, Molly, Madeline, Colin, Riley, Sean, and Adeline; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to express their condolences on Monday, February 29, 2016 from 12:30 pm until her Funeral Service at 1:30 pm in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Road) Richboro, PA 18954. Barbara’s interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to either the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 225 E. City Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003 or the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Catherine R. Merlino, of Langhorne, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, February 19, 2016, at St. Mary Medical Center. She was 75.

She was the beloved wife of 56 years to Anthony J. Merlino.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Edith Pasquarelli Caruso.

On June 4, 1960 she married the love of her life and soon after moved to Feasterville, although she spent summers in Wildwood with her family. Catherine was a kind and caring woman and regularly put her needs aside to assist her family and friends. Catherine was a skilled and crafty seamstress who made beautiful blankets and quilts for the patients at St. Mary Regional Cancer Center. Her selfless acts of kindness will long be remembered and appreciated.

In addition to her husband, Catherine is survived by her children Michael Merlino and his wife Kelly of Feasterville, Nicholas Merlino and his wife Diane of Hilltown, Joseph Merlino and his wife Wendy of Bensalem, Anthony Merlino and his significant other Stefanie Wolfert of Feasterville and Edith Lazicki and her husband John of Philadelphia. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Michael Jr., Meghan, Gabriella, Isabella Rose, Anthony, Devon, Dominic, Alexandra, Ashley, Carly, Nicole, Emily and Jonathan and one great-grandson, Joshua.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, February 22, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954 and on Tuesday, February, 23, at Assumption B V M Church 1900 Meadowbrook Rd. Feasterville, PA 19053 from 9:30 AM until her Funeral Mass 10:30AM. Her interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the St. Mary Regional Cancer Center, 1201 Langhorne-Newtown Rd. Langhorne, PA 19047.

James Edward Kenney of Fountain Inn, South Carolina died at his residence on Friday, February 19, 2016. He was 68 years old.

James was the beloved husband of 48 years to Joan Shirley Rohrman Kenney.

Born in Philadelphia, James was the son of the late James J. and Margaret McIlrath Kenney.

James was a former resident of Northeast Philadelphia before moving to Fountain Inn, South Carolina. He had a distinguished career as a Philadelphia Police Officer for 34 years at various Districts in the city until his retirement in 2004. James also was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as an MP during the Vietnam War. In his leisure, he enjoyed hunting, boating and fishing. James was instrumental in the raising and mentoring of all of his grandchildren throughout their lives. He will be truly missed by his friends and family.

In addition to his wife Joan, James is survived by his children Kelly K. Barone and her husband Carmen of Jamison, Karen K. Ryman and her husband Robert of York, PA and Shane E. Kenney and his wife Gayle of Greenville, SC. James is also survived by his grandchildren, Rebecca, Ryan, Allison, Hunter, Cassidy, Shea, and Kylie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 10:00am until his Funeral Service 11:00am on Thursday, February 25^th in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. James interment will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery in Philadelphia. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Greenville Health System, which will benefit various rehabilitation programs, c/o Office of Philanthropy & Partnership, 300 E. McBee Avenue, Suite 503, Greenville, SC 29601 or online at Roger C. Peace and please select accordingly in the selection menu.

Frank N. Bruns, of Kunkletown, PA formerly a 46 year resident of Southampton, Pa., died at home with his wife and family by his side on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at the age of 69.

He was the beloved husband of Ruth Hawkins Bruns for 47 years and the father of Debbie Mooers (Jim), Dennisville, NJ, Ginny Kutger, Southampton, Pa. and F. Matthew Bruns (Karen), Southampton, Pa. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Rachel (Ethan), Jessie, Matthew, Mackenzie, Valerie, Dylan, Kristen, John, Cassidy & Bobby (Shannon), his nephew Bill Borger (Marissa) and their daughters, Cheyenne & Sienna, and his sister Joyce Bruns Cooper (Bill).

He attended Wm. Tennent High School and served in the US Army. He worked for Alfa Laval, Inc. for 30 years in Warminster, Pa. & Chesapeake, Va. Frank served on the Board of Directors, also as Vice President of Hemlock Lake HOA over a 25 year period. He was a long time member of the Delaware Valley Regional Group of the Early Ford V8 Club and loved restoring antique Fords. He was a member of the Lehigh Valley ATV Club. Frank was involved with the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Youth Group, enjoyed coaching his daughters softball teams in the Southampton Girls Club and racing go-karts with his son.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM with services to follow at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home 800 Newtown Richboro Road, Richboro, PA 18954. His interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank's memory to: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,1415 Route 70 East, Suite 311, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Elaine R. Gilbert of Holland died Monday, February 15, 2016 at Twining Village Health Care in Holland. She was 88.

Elaine was the beloved wife of 60 years to Joseph E. Gilbert, Jr.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rosina Seeger Haist, sister of the late Thomas Haist and sister-in-law to the late Hilda Haist and Virginia Haist.

Elaine was a former resident of Richboro before moving to Holland in 2012. She was a graduate of Frankford High School in Philadelphia, Class of 1945. Elaine was a charter member and a long time member of Sola Gratia Circle at the Advent Lutheran Church in Richboro. She was the Past President of the Northeast Philadelphia Ladies Lions Club and was an active participant and donor to Aid for Friends.

Even with her physical challenges, she was fiercely independent. In her leisure, Elaine enjoyed ceramics and knitting caps for infants. She was supportive of her friends and family, and frequently attended her grandchildren’s activities. Elaine will be truly missed by her family and by all who came to know her.

In addition to her husband Joseph, Elaine is survived by her two sons; Bruce Gilbert and his wife Melissa of Arlington, VA and Scott Gilbert and his wife Michele of Furlong. She is also survived by her brother Matt Haist of Ivyland and her cherished grandchildren, Christine, Sarah, Ryan and Samantha.

Relatives and friends are invited to express their condolences on Saturday, February 20^th from 10:30am until her Funeral Service 11:30am in the Advent Lutheran Church, 45 Worthington Mill Road, Richboro, PA 18954. Elaine’s interment will be privately held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Advent Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 840, Richboro, PA  18954.

Alverna A. McCabe (née Mekel) of Doylestown, PA, died peacefully at her home, Pine Run Health Center, on Sunday, February 14, 2016, surrounded by her family at the age of 92.

Alverna was the beloved wife of Thomas J. McCabe who died March 18, 2008. Survived by all of her 14 children, she was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Mary Margaret Clark (Jack), Philip Bernard McCabe (Jeanne), Gregory Louis McCabe (Adrienne), Thomas Albert McCabe (Debbie), Teresa Anne Wetmore (Mark), Monica Frances Collins (Robert), Clare Jeanne McCabe (Steve Wolfe), Agnes Bernadette Jones, Mark Joseph McCabe, Christopher Ignatius McCabe (Suzanne), Paul Martin de Porres McCabe (Elizabeth), Gerard Matthias McCabe (Jill), Peter Damien McCabe (Lucy) and Brendan Patrick McCabe.

Alverna is sadly missed by her brother, the Hon. Edward Mekel (Hilda). She was pre-deceased by her brothers Jack Mekel (Phyllis), David Mekel (Mary) and her sister, Elaine Foley Cosgrove (Frank). She is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Alverna was born October 11, 1923. She was the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (née Magee) Mekel. She was the oldest of five children.

Alverna’s father, Jacob, was a Jewish immigrant from Vilna, and her mother, Margaret, of Irish Catholic descent, was born in Philadelphia.

Born in North Philadelphia and raised in West Oak Lane, Alverna was a member of Saint Athanasius parish. She was a proud graduate of Germantown High School, class of 1942.

Alverna worked several jobs after high school, notably and with enthusiasm starting her secretarial career with Bendix Corporation and Connelly Container. She had various secretarial jobs throughout her life and finished as a sales office manager for her sons’ family housewares business.

Alverna met her sweetheart, Tom McCabe, at Saint Athanasius in West Oak Lane, and following their courtship they were married there on June 18, 1949.

In 1950, Alverna with Thomas moved their expanding family to Bucks County where it would grow to 14 children in 17 years. After living on Stump Road and then on Patty Lane in Warrington for over 20 years, Alverna’s next adventure in life with Tom and her children was the family’s move to Spring House to their new home that they affectionately called “Irish Hill,” a stately English mansion that had more than 2 acres of land, 25 rooms, 6 baths, and 10 fireplaces. Many thought “Irish Hill” referred to the big house on the hill; yet the hill actually referred to the 14 children who, when lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder, comprised the true “Irish Hill”.

Ali, as she was affectionately known, and Tom enjoyed festive family gatherings, including 3 weddings and an annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass and party where all families and children were invited. As a loving mother and wife, her dedication to her family was unmatched as she was always the last to bed and first to rise.

Alverna’s love and generosity for her family was displayed in a personal love letter to Tom, on the occasion of this move to Irish Hill in 1970. Alverna had the presence of mind to mail the letter from their home in Warrington to their new home in Spring House. Her personal note lovingly read: “Dearest Tommy: Words can’t express my happiness these past 20 years. All that you’ve given me, and wished for me. Once again we are experiencing a new adventure because of your courage and foresightedness. Let’s pray our adventure will last for many years and that we continue to grow in wisdom and love. My love you have always, Alverna.”

As our Dad always pointed out to the children, “nothing was ever an interruption for your mother,” and all new adventures were embraced with enthusiasm. Alverna and Tom made many family trips around the country with their children. For example, in 1966, Ali and Tom drove 12 of their children to Mexico City in a Ford Club Wagon van.

Integral throughout Ali’s life was her Catholic faith and education. A true matriarch, Alverna attended daily mass with Tom and enjoyed close relationships with many others in the Catholic faith, including their involvement with Project HOME and Pax Christi. Ali was active in St. Joseph’s, St. Rose of Lima, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish ministries.

Alverna and Tom’s motto in life was and will continue to be, for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, LOA …“Love One Another.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Thursday evening from 6:00 to 9:00PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.), New Britain, PA 18901, and on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown, PA 18901 with her Funeral Mass, at precisely 10:00AM. Her interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Project H.O.M.E., 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

Karl J. Wettstein of Langhorne, PA died peacefully at Brunswick at Attleboro on Sunday, February 14, 2016. He was 83.

He is the beloved husband of Mary C. Schneider Wettstein.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Karl was the son of the late Jerome and Ida Dorn Wettstein. He is pre-deceased by his son, Tom Wettstein (Weston)

Karl was a proud veteran of the Air Force. He then worked for 30 years in shipping. As President of Maersk Container Services, he traveled the world establishing ports in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Weekends were spent golfing and cultivating exquisite flower gardens. In retirement, Karl and Mary enjoyed traveling and spent winters at their second home in Arizona. Most importantly were the times he spent with his family and friends. Karl will be greatly missed by everyone who has had the pleasure to know and love him.

In addition to his beloved wife Mary, Karl is survived by his three daughters, Kathy Weston of Yardley, PA, Diane Calvin and her husband Michael of Horsham, PA, and Carol Young and her husband Daniel of Parkton, MD. He is also survived by his brothers Richard Wettstein and Steven Wettstein, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Karl’s family will receive friends on Saturday, February 27^th at 12 noon followed by his Memorial Service at 1:00PM in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Elizabeth A. Leach-Moore (nee Cipolloni) of Phila, PA passed away peacefully surrounded by family at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne on Saturday, February 13, 2016. She was 92.

She was the beloved wife of the late Rodney B. Leach and John Moore and the mother-in-law of the late Albert Martino Sr.      

Born in Philadelphia, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Attilio and Mary DeLuca Cipolloni.

She resided in the Roxborough section in Philadelphia for more than 50 years. During that time she was a member of the Historical Society and the Manayunk Art Center. For the past three years she resided in Yardley PA with her daughter.

Elizabeth worked for many years as an administrative assistant with Container Corporation/Jefferson Smurfit, a paper manufacturing company. In her leisure, she enjoyed reading, gardening, baking, and most of all spending time with her family. Elizabeth will be greatly missed by everyone who has come to know and love her.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving daughter Cristine Martino of Yardley, her grandchildren, Albert Martino Jr. (Robin), Rod Martino (Laurie), and Alisa Frederico (Frank) and her great grandchildren, Joseph Martino, and Gianna and Francesca Frederico. She is also survived by a brother, Ronald Cipolloni, and her two sisters Lucia Cipolloni and Josephine Cipolloni Jasner.

Services and interment for Elizabeth will be conducted privately.

Pearl M. Wizeman of Twining Village in Holland passed away with her loving family by her side on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown. She was 89.  

Born in Palmyra, NY she was the daughter of the late James S. and May S. Nortier Blankenberg.  

A graduate of Palmyra High School in New York, she later met her husband Karl and the two married and began their family. They relocated to Bristol, CT before settling down permanently in Churchville, PA in 1969.

Pearl enjoyed bowling and was also talented in ceramics. She was an avid Bridge player and a great supporter of the Philadelphia Phillies, especially when they were doing well.

For Pearl, however, family was always her focus. She could always be spotted at the countless sporting events taking place among her children’s families and possessed an unmatched devotion for her family. She will be dearly missed.

Pearl is survived by her children, Richard Wizeman and his wife, Celeste, Bob Wizeman and his wife, Sandra, John Wizeman and his wife, Debbie, and Ann Compton and her husband, Tom. She also leaves behind her adoring grandchildren, Matthew, Koren, Kristin, Mark, Michael, Kimberly “Bear”, Jason, Jeremy, Jenny, Timothy and Jamie; and her 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, the Late Gerald Blankenberg.

Pearl’s family wishes to thank the staff of Twining Village, St. Mary Medical Center, and Chandler Hall Hospice for the kind and compassionate care shown to Pearl and her family over recent days.  

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 10:00 AM until her Funeral Service 11:00 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. Her interment will follow in Newtown Cemetery, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Pearl’s name to the charity of one’s choosing. 

James R. Riman of Churchville passed away with his loving wife by his side on Saturday February 6, 2016 at Richboro Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.  He was 58.

James was the loving husband of 20 years to Jeanne Illge.   

Born in Philadelphia he was the son of Gustav R. Riman and the late Mary Lou Quigley Riman. 

Jim, a graduate William Tennet High School  went on to have a long career as a machinist, starting with Triple J. Machine Shop and then with Roll Former, Inc. of Chalfont until his illness.

A lover of all sports, Jim was an incredibly loyal fan of the Philadelphia Flyers for over 40 years and a regular season ticket holder.  He loved playing softball and was also known for his elaborate Christmas light display which he took great pride in putting up each year. 

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends and always remembered.

In addition to his beloved wife and his father, James is survived by his sisters, Judith Riman and Jill McKee and her husband, Sean.  He also leaves behind his nephews, Jeffrey Riman and Parker McKee; and his niece Lorrie McKee.  He is also survived by his extended family and friends who were so very supportive and helpful during his illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday February 11, 2016 from 11:00 AM until his Life Celebration at 1:00 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, PA 18954.  His interment will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Well Spouse Association, 63 W. Main St., Freehold, NJ 07728.