Jerry D. Dickens

Jerry D. Dickens, 73, of West Chester, PA, passed away Saturday July 19, 2025, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, with his family by his side.

He was the beloved husband of Frances J. (Foster) Dickens, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage. They spent many years traveling for bowling tournaments and turning that into extended vacations, as well as sightseeing in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Bahamas, among many others. 

Born October 27, 1951, in Chatham, PA, he was the son of the late Munsey T. and Vadie M. (Maxwell) Dickens. Jerry grew up in Cochranville with 9 siblings. He graduated from Octorara High School in 1969 and put himself through night school at West Chester University, Penn State University, and Delaware County Community College, where he graduated with an associate’s degree in business management and a bachelor’s degree in science technology in 1999.

As a teenager, Jerry worked at local farms, where he gained mechanical skills that led him to a job at National Foam. He met Fran at a roller rink in Exton (where he was floor guard) and discovered she also worked at National Foam. They married not long after meeting. After a brief time at National Foam, Jerry went on to work at Schramm, Inc., where he started in the Assembly Department. He worked his way up to Plant Manager in his 42-year career there before his retirement in 2013. 

Jerry coached baseball for West Side Little League for his sons’ teams and was an umpire outside of that. Jerry was also an avid bowler in several leagues in West Chester and Downingtown for many years. He enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, hunting, and fishing with his family and friends. Jerry was an avid feeder of birds; he enjoyed watching the bluebirds and defeating the squirrels. He enjoyed playing the guitar and piano, and chaperoned Henderson marching band events while his sons performed.

Jerry was a member of Keystone State Corvette Club and the Vice President of Cruisin’ Classics Chester County for several years. He enjoyed collecting and working on classic Chevys, and you would often find him hanging out at local car shows, swapping stories with other classic car enthusiasts.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, Mark and Eric, his grandsons, Kane and Rex, and his siblings, Carl Roger, Billie Wayne, Jimmy Robert, and David Charles. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Maxie Snow, Munsey Jr., Phyllis Ann, Joseph Mack, and John R.

He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 10:00 am - 11:45 am at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc., 410 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380; followed by his Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lincoln’s Promise Food Pantry at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Checks can be made out to “Coatesville VA,” write “Lincoln’s Promise in memory of Jerry Dickens” on the memo field of the check, and send to 1400 Blackhorse Hill Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com