Robert E. Garland, of Perkasie, PA died unexpectedly on Tuesday August 15, 2017 in Colmar, PA. He was 70.

He was the beloved husband of 41 years to Patricia Hofstaedter Garland. Born in Portsmouth, NH, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Elizabeth (Burkel) Garland and dearest father of the late Michelle E. Garland who died just a year ago.

Bob was a resident of Perkasie for the past 30 years. He was a graduate of Clarks Summit High School, class of 1964. He received his undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg University and his Master's Degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University.  He retired from the United States Coast Guard as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Bob worked as a trainer and technical writer.

His hobbies included amateur radio and he was a voracious reader.

In addition to his beloved wife Patricia, he is survived by his son Brian R. Garland, his sister, Nancy Dickey, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday August 22, 2017 from 10:00 AM until his Funeral Service at 11:15 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.) New Britain, PA 18901. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY, 41076.

Mary Alford of Plymouth Meeting and formerly Bucks County passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 14, 2017 at her home. She was 61.

Born in Abington she was the daughter of Esther Jamison Fromuth of Southampton and the late Harry C. Fromuth Jr.

Mary graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1973 and went on to attend Abington Hospital School of Nursing and later earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from LaSalle University. She was employed as a nurse at Einstein Montgomery Home Health and Hospice in East Norriton. She was devoted to the comfort and well-being of her patients and their families.

Mary had a zest for life and enjoyed numerous hobbies and interests. She loved gardening, music, Philadelphia sports teams, and traveling. Mary's joy and positivity attracted friends, family members, and strangers alike into her life and home.

Most importantly, Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter whose steadfast devotion to her family was admired by all. She will be greatly missed and her memory treasured by all those who loved her.

In addition to her mother, Mary is survived by her children, Maggie Mitchell and her husband, Josh; Robin Brennan and her husband, Thomas; and Matthew Alford and his fiancée, Lauren Berardo. She also leaves behind her adorable grandchildren, Nora Brennan and Isaac Mitchell; and her brothers, Richard K. Fromuth and his wife, Marion Cavallaro; and Robert C. Fromuth and his wife, Shelly Wolfe.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 9:30 AM until her Memorial Service at 11:30 AM at the North & Southampton Reformed Church, 1380 Bristol Rd., Churchville, PA 18966. Her interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20^th St., 5^th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by visiting www.phsonline.org/donate 

Barney D. Basham of Perkasie died suddenly on Sunday, August 13, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville. He was 66.

He was the beloved husband of 36 years to Ellen M. Panunto Basham.

Born in McMinnville, TN, Barney was the son of the late James W. and Odia Gunter Basham.

Barney was a longtime member of Teamsters #Local 470 and #384 Unions. He drove for major commercial transportation companies in the area.  He was an avid motorcycle racer and antique collector of motorcycles.  His favorite past time was with his Ossa and his Honda dirt bikes.  He also was an artist who attended the Philadelphia Art Institute and enjoyed painting various genres.  He enjoyed collecting coins and watching auto and motorcycle races and spending time with his beloved family and of course his Jack Russell “Winston”.  Barney will be greatly missed, but eternally loved by everyone who has had the opportunity to have been loved by him.

In addition to his wife Ellen, Barney is survived by his loving and devoted children: Tina L. Basham and her fiancé Kenneth Macaulay, James C. Basham and Phillip C. Basham.  He is also survived by his brother James Lee Basham and his wife Nancy of Waldoboro ME, numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces, grand nephews and close friends.  

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Saturday, August 19, 2017 11:00AM until his Funeral Service 12:30PM in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.) New Britain, PA 18901.  Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Inglis House “Ability Fund, 2600 Belmont Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131.

Rhonda L. Fell of Coopersburg, PA died Sunday, August 13, 2016 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest in Allentown. She was 48.

Rhonda was the beloved wife of 21 years to William B. Fell.

Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of Joan Rosenberger Derstine and the late Earl Derstine.

Rhonda was a life long resident of Bucks County. She was a former resident of Churchville before moving recently moving to Coopersburg.

 Rhonda was a graduate of Quakertown High School Class of 1987 and Shippensburg University. She received her law degree from Temple University and was an accomplished attorney with Hirtle Callaghan in Conshohocken where she was the In-house Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. In her leisure, Rhonda loved all animals especially horses. She enjoyed attending many horse shows to watch her son Liam compete. Rhonda will be remembered as an amazing mother and wife and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

In addition to her husband Bill, Rhonda is survived by her cherished son Liam and her sister, Melissa Adamkovic and her husband Anthony Adamkovic, sisters, Linda Grocholski, Shana Derstine and Jenna Derstine and brother Casey Derstine.  She is also survived by her father and mother in law, Charles and Emma Fell of Warwick.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Sunday, August 20^th from 6:00-8:00pm in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954 and to her Funeral Service on Monday August 21st at 10:00am in St. John United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974. Rhonda’s interment will follow in Union Cemetery in Richboro.

If so desired, please consider a contribution to the LAM Foundation, 4520 Cooper Road, Suite 300, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242.  thelamfoundation.org

Barbara “Bobbi” Hicklin, of Chalfont, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2017, at her home with her family by her side. She was 75.

She was the beloved wife of the late William L. Hicklin Sr.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Catherine Arkatin Morasky and the late Nicholas Giuffre.

Barbara grew up in Cheltenham and graduated from St. Basil Academy. After graduation, she took a position at the Johnsville Naval Air Development Center and it was there where she met her future husband, William.  They married on November 23, 1963 and settled in Willow Grove.  Then in the early 1970’s they moved to Doylestown and then to Plumsteadville, where they raised their family.

Barbara worked as a secretary in the CCD office at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for over 15 years. She then worked for Nationwide Insurance and then with ACE Hardware in Plumsteadville for many years before retiring in 2012.  She enjoyed the outdoors and was quite the fisherwoman and in her day could out catch most men.  However, it was the time she spent with her children and grandchildren at the Pocono cabin that meant the most to her.

She was very active in the church community. She was a driving force in organizing a weekly schedule for Adoration at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish. During her adult life, she was professed into the Third Order Carmelites. It is connected to the Carmelite Order by means of the promise which he or she makes to follow a very ancient custom and make private promises of chastity and obedience according to one's state in life in order to be consecrated more closely to God.  Barbara volunteered at St. Mary’s Manor in Lansdale where she made rosaries with the residents. She also volunteered at the Shrine of Czestochowa.

She is survived by her three children; William Jr. and Suzanne Hicklin of Chalfont, James and Michele Hicklin of Muncy, PA, Kenneth and Michele "Mickey" Hicklin of Coopersburg.  She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, William, Jonathan, Jeffrey, Thomas and Catherine.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 9:00 AM until her Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Scared Heart Church, 100 Broad Street, Hilltown, PA 18927.  Her interment will be held privately at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Doylestown Hospital Hospice, 875 Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Thomas J Costello, of Lansdale, formerly of Philadelphia, died on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Holy Redeemer Hospice. He was 72.

Born in Philadelphia he was the son of the late Edmond and Dolores Nash Costello.

Tom was a graduate of Northeast High School, class of 1962.  He proudly served in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. Tom’s professional career spanned over 30 years, working as a service technician in the Fire Protection industry, having worked for Grinnell Fire Protection Company and for over 17 years with Keystone Fire Protection.

Tom had many hobbies, all of which he made sure his children and grandchildren had the opportunity to be part of, as a family they enjoyed fishing, watching the Philadelphia teams on TV together, attending car shows, listening to music especially “Doo-Wop”. He would often find a quiet place around the house to read. His grandchildren were the sparkle in his eyes; he made sure he attended as many of their sporting events he could. Tom and a group of fishing buddies often headed to Wisconsin, to fish for Wall Eye, Northern Pike and Muskie and some of the fish stories would keep you laughing for hours, because Tom was allergic to fish, but so enjoyed fishing.

He will be sadly missed for his warm smile and very firm handshake.

Tom is survived by his two sons Christopher Costello and his wife Maria and Matthew Costello (and Cheryl Muldoon), his 3 brothers and their wives; Francis Costello and his wife Carol, Joseph Costello and his wife Marguerite, Ed Costello and his wife Annmarie, and his sister Denise Costello. He is also survived by his six grandchildren; Zoe, Olivia, David, Hannah, Jason and Eva.

Tom’s family will receive relatives and friends on Monday August 14 2017 from 9:30 AM until his Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Maria Goretti Church, 1601 Derstine Rd., Hatfield, PA 19440. His interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society 1626 Locust St. Phila, PA 19103.

James T. Bodkin "Jim" passed away peacefully at his home in Ivyland, PA on Thursday, August 10, 2017, with his loving family by his side.  He was 82. 

He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret R. Begley Bodkin with whom he shared 52 years of marriage until her death in 2015.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and Alice Derrickson Bodkin.

Jim attended St Brigid’s grade school and was a 1953 graduate of Roman Catholic High School, where he developed friendships that endured throughout most of his life.

Jim served his country as a United States Marine from 1953 to 1956 achieving the rank of Sergeant, establishing a family trend. Following his service in the Marine Corps he worked at General Electric, started a family, and entered the Real Estate profession which he loved.  In 1974 Jim moved his wife and five children from Philadelphia to Bucks County where they raised their children in an Irish Catholic conservative manner, filling the years with countless memories, experiences and laughs. Following his retirement from Real Estate, Jim became a School Bus Driver for students in the Council Rock School District where he especially enjoyed his fellow bus drivers and his part in ensuring the students were safe, well behaved, and respectful in the absence of their parents.

Jim was a devout parishioner of St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for the past 43 years.  During the past few years he participated with enthusiasm in the church’s Adult Faith Formation.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grand father.  Blessed with a quick wit, a propensity to tease and joke, Jim liked to bust people’s chops and reminded us all to “don’t sweat the small stuff—and it’s all small stuff”. The courage he displayed while facing his death is a testament to his faith. 

Jim is survived by; his children, James P.Bodkin, Annamarie Gresko (Gary), Michael S. Bodkin, Thomas W. Bodkin, Margaret E. Quinlisk (John); his grandchildren, James (Krista), Kayla (Shawn), Danielle, Meghan, Michael, Kayleigh, Katie and Dennis; his great grandchildren Kyleigh and Paxton; and two sisters, Marian McNabb and Alice Taylor.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Thomas and sister, Patricia Cashman.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday August 16, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, PA 18954 and his Funeral Mass on Thursday August 17^th at 7:30 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 654 Hatboro Rd., Richboro, Pa 18954. His interment will follow at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown at 9:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ name may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church, Adult Faith Formation, at the address above. Please note Adult Faith Formation in the memo line.

Robert Holden Stewart, of Churchville, PA died on Thursday, August 10, 2017, at St. Mary Medical Center. He was 88.

He was the beloved husband of 49 years to Shirley Grow Stewart.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Harry and Eva Hirner Stewart.

Robert grew up in Philadelphia and after graduating from North East High School he went to work with his father in the family masonry business.  In addition to working with his father he joined the Carpenter’s Union and became skilled in his craft.  However in 1949 he joined the US Navy and served his country. Not soon after his honorable discharge from the Navy he reenlisted, this time with the Army and served nine more years, which included a tour of duty in the Korean Conflict

After returning home, Robert rejoined the Carpenters Union and remained there for many years.  In 1968 he married his beloved Shirley and they began their life together.  He took a job with the Amtrak in 1979 and they moved to Churchville in 1980.  They quickly settled into their life in Churchville and made many good friends.  He loved to work and tinker around his house and would constantly be doing something.  He was always on the move and enjoyed working with his hands. During the summers he would be found planting flowers, rebuilding lawn equipment or any numerous things that needed to be done.  Occasionally he took time for himself.  He enjoyed reading a book but loved to golf and enjoyed many rounds with close friends.

In addition to his loving wife, his sister Ruth Stewart of Kennett Square survives him.  He was preceded in death by his sister Janet Shepherd. 

His Funeral Service and Interment with Military Honors will be held privately in the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.

Anthony N. Obert-Thorn, Jr. of Warrington and formerly a resident of Huntingdon Valley and Philadelphia passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Doylestown Hospital.  He was 93.

Anthony was the beloved husband of Mildred P. Stanczak Obert-Thorn.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Anton N. and Anna Lees Obert-Thorn and brother of the late Harry Obert-Thorn and Theresa Halmagyi.

Anthony graduated from Northeast High School before going on to serve proudly with the United States Army and Army Air Corps during the Second World War.  Following his service to his country, he led a long career as an insurance broker with Keystone Insurance, retiring after 29 years.  Following his retirement he was employed by the Pennsylvania State Workers Insurance Fund for ten years.  Along with his wife, he was a parishioner of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in North Wales.

In addition to his wife, Anthony is survived by his children, Mark A. Obert-Thorn and his wife, Catharine and Melanie Eve Obert-Thorn Longenhagen.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Caitlin Gasco and her husband, John, Melanie E. Longenhagen and Michael G. Longenhagen Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.), New Britain, PA 18901 and to his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Rd., North Wales, PA 19454.  His interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to Settlement Music School, Attn: Amelia Schmertz, Chief Advancement Officer, PO Box 63966, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3966.

Balazs “Bo” László Fazekas of Penns Park PA went peacefully to eternal sleep on Wednesday August 9, 2017 at the Briarleaf Nursing & Convalescent Home in Doylestown. He was 81.

Balazs was the beloved husband of 47 years to Rose Marie A.  Fazekas (nee Char), who preceded him in death.

Born in Budapest Hungary just before the dawn of WWII, he spent much of the war years with his older brother Károly at his aunt’s farm in Transylvania, while his mother and older sister Sári stayed in the capitol city. He escaped Communist Hungary just after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and lived in a refugee camp until arrangements could  be made for his emmigration to the United States.

He worked in Camden and Philadelphia, then finally in Warminster Bucks County with PennWalt (now Alfa Laval), where he retired as a machinist in 2000 after 32 years of service.

Balazs was the devoted father of Joseph C. Fazekas of Philadelphia and Erica A. Stewart of Perkasie. He is also survived by his sister Sári in Budapest Hungary and his 2 cherished grandchildren, Parker Rose Stewart and Avery Joy Stewart.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 9:30am until his Funeral Service 10:30am in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 438 Cedar Road, Fox Chase, PA 19111. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation/Philadelphia and Delaware Valley, 1500 Walnut St., Suite 301, Phila., PA 19102.