Dona Edwards, age 70, was a 40-year chocolate industry veteran.

James P. “Jim” McGovern, 2001 Kettle Award recipient and former VP of manufacturing for Peerless Candy Co., passed away May 15. He was 75.

Michael Allured, third-generation publisher of MC Publishing Company, producer of Manufacturing Confectioner, passed away Oct. 24 at UW Hospital and Clinics. He was 68.

Stephen Scully, v.p. of operations for Anthony-Thomas Candy Co., passed away at his home Dec. 17 after complications from COVID-19. He was 53.

Paul W.A. Kortenkamp, senior account manager for Global Organics, Ltd. and Candy Industry Kettle Award Committee member, died Sept. 27. He was 53.

Howard W. Wirth, cofounder of the Wirth-Daniels candy brokerage firm, passed away Dec. 1, 2019. He was 91.

Dee, a third-generation candy maker, founded Ce De Candy Inc. and began making Smarties candy rolls in 1949.

Former American Candy Co. president Charles Burdine “Byrd” Looper passed away on ­­­­Jan. 8 from pneumonia. He was 86.

It’s impossible to discuss the evolution of French chocolate in the 20^th century without mentioning Guy Urbain, the man who for more than seven decades dedicated his life to advancing not only French chocolate, but sweet gastronomy globally.

John L. Asher Jr., former co-chairman of Souderton, Pa.-based Asher’s Chocolate Co., has passed away. He was 83.