Today's Obituaries
- Carol Jean (Rish) Walker, 71
SEPT. 3, 1938-FEB. 7, 2010
KEEDYSVILLE - Carol Jean (Rish) Walker, 71, of Keedysville, Md., passed away to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully, in the presence of family and friends, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at Reeders Nursing Home.
Born Sept. 3, 1938, in Johnstown, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Fred I. Rish and the late Freda Ethel Hopkins Rish. She was the oldest of four children. Her siblings are Charles Rish of Alberta, Canada; Leonard Rish of Johnstown and Eileen Doran of Beloit, Ohio.
Carol graduated from Windber High School in 1957.
She was employed by a 5-and-10-cents store and the drugstore in Johnstown, Pa.
She married David W. Walker on Sept. 26, 1959. To this union were born three children: Rodney L. Walker of Baltimore; Stacey R. Russell of Maugansville, Md.; and Shelly J. Walker of Hagerstown. In addition, there are two grandchildren, Joshua and Jeni Guyer, both of Hagerstown.
After her children started high school, Carol was employed by the Keedysville post office, library and bank, as their custodian.
She was involved in many activities as a member of Chestnut Grove Bible Church, where she was a lifelong Sunday school teacher and helped in the nursery.
Carol started to show signs of Alzheimer's and was admitted to Reeders Nursing Home on Aug. 13, 2004.
Services will be held at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, Md., on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Rodney Doran will officiate. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Keedysville.
Family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
- Dearl D. Smalley, 53
Dearl D. Smalley, 53, of Harrisonville, Pa., died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home, Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa.
- Delores French, 62
Delores French, 62, of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at her home. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg, W.Va. The service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens.
- Edna Catherine King, 87
DEC. 20, 1922-FEB. 6, 2010
Edna Catherine King, 87, of Hagerstown, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at her home.
Born Dec. 20, 1922, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Janey Rebecca (Lewis) Crew.
She was the wife of the late Reginald Collington King, who died in 1978.
Edna graduated in the class of 1940 of North Street School, Hagerstown.
She was a nutritionist for Washington County Head Start, retiring after more than 20 years.
She was a member of Greater Campher Temple, King's Apostle Church World Ministries, Hagerstown, where she served as Missionary Board vice president and was a member of the choir.
Edna is survived by one son, Frank C. King; two daughters, Constance R. King-Hunter and Agnes A. King-Broadus; one sister, Lenora B. Crew, all of Hagerstown; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Reginald L. King; and one grandson, Reginald L. King.
The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at Greater Campher Temple, 125 W. Bethel St., Hagerstown. The Rev. Darin Mency will officiate. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Hagerstown.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at the church.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Greater Campher Temple, Church Building Fund, 125 W. Bethel St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.
The Gerald N. Minnich Funeral Home, Bryan K. Kenworthy P.A., 305 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences are accepted at www.geraldminnichfuneralhome.com.
- Jane Brewer, 88
JAN. 15, 1922-FEB. 5, 2010
CLEAR SPRING - Jane Trumpower Brewer, age 88, formerly of Clear Spring and a resident of Fahrney-Keedy Nursing Home, went to be with the Lord Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, from Washington County Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born Jan. 15, 1922, in Clear Spring, she was the daughter of the late David Samuel Trumpower and Grace Slayman Trumpower.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, John Christian Brewer, in 1987.
She retired from Fairchild Aircraft.
She was a member of Joseph C. Herbert American Legion Post 222 Auxiliary of Clear Spring for 58 years.
She is survived by two daughters, Vonnie A. Rhodes and husband, William, of Coats, N.C., and Sandra J. Hovermale and husband, Terry, of Hagerstown, Md.; three grandchildren, Bill Harper of Falling Waters, W.Va., Pamela Rhodes of Williamsport, Md., and Chuck Brennan of Clear Spring; three great-grandchildren, Chasity Williams of Sharpsburg, Chad Rhodes of Williamsport and Todd Brennan of Clear Spring; one great-great-grandson, Ryan Williams of Sharpsburg; numerous nieces and nephews; and a good friend, Pat Brennan.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Darce Karle and Helen Forrest; and four brothers, Earl Trumpower, Ernest Trumpower, Harold Trumpower and Wilbur Trumpower.
Services will be held Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Donald Edwin Thompson Funeral Home, Inc., 13607 National Pike, Clear Spring. The Rev. Edward Wade and the Rev. Shawn Bushman will officiate. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. For the convenience of friends, you may visit the funeral home after noon.
Memorial donations may be made to Fahrney-Keedy Nursing Home, 8507 Mapleville Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Western Maryland, 5 Public Square, Suite 307, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
- Leila Rosella Taylor, 86
MARCH 4, 1923-FEB. 8, 2010
Leila Rosella Taylor, 86, of Hagerstown, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Williamsport Retirement Village in Williamsport.
Born March 4, 1923, in Mont Alto, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Wesley Earl and Leila Hoover Stine.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Taylor, on June 8, 1989.
She was employed with Fairchild for 36 years, retiring in 1982.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
She is survived by three sons, Larry Donald Taylor of Boonsboro, and Thomas Edward Taylor and David Wesley Taylor, both of Hagerstown; a sister, Harriett Jean Pryor of Hagerstown; a brother, Emmert Stine of Hagerstown; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The Taylor family would like to thank Williamsport Nursing Home for all their love and caring.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown. The Rev. Eric A. Norgard will officiate. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park in Williamsport.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Online condolences are accepted at www.minnichfh.com.
- Mary Ellen Bohrer, 87
Mary Ellen Bohrer, 87, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Winchester (Va.) Medical Center. The family will receive friends Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs, which will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. The service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private in Greenway Cemetery.
- Monna June Gerver Gutsell, 74
Services for Monna June Gerver Gutsell, 74, of Martinsburg, W.Va., who died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Hilltop House in Winchester, Va., have been changed. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg. A memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Martinsburg.
- Pearl Virginia Hawvermale Silver, 84
Pearl Virginia Hawvermale Silver, 84, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at her daughter's home while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle. The family will receive friends Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs, which will be open from 2 to 8 p.m., and Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Victory Tabernacle on W.Va. 9, Hedgesville, W.Va. Burial will be in Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery.
- Pearl Virginia Hawvermale Silver, 84
Pearl Virginia Hawvermale Silver, 84, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at her daughter's home while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle. The family will receive friends Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs, which will be open from 2 to 8 p.m., and Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. The service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Victory Tabernacle on W.Va. 9, Hedgesville, W.Va. Burial will be in Spohrs Crossroads Cemetery.
- Ralph Eugene Gaver Sr., 60
Ralph Eugene Gaver Sr., 60, of Frederick, Md., died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at his home. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Osborne Funeral Home, Williamsport. The service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Williamsport.
- Raymond Vincent Deffinbaugh, 46
FEB. 22, 1963-FEB. 5, 2010
FREDERICK, Md. - Mr. Raymond Vincent Deffinbaugh, 46, of Frederick, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, in Creedmore, N.C.
Born Feb. 22, 1963, in Montgomery County, Md., he was a son of Charles E. and Joan E. Heightman Deffinbaugh of Frederick.
Surviving besides his parents are siblings, Jeffrey Paul Diffenbaugh and wife, Giovanna, and Theresa Marie Coufal and husband, Chris, all of Ellicott City, Md.; J. Kenneth Deffinbaugh and wife, Margaret, of Gaithersburg, Md.; Steven Charles Diffenbaugh of Woodbine, Md.; and Scott Edward Diffenbaugh and wife, Denise, of Olney, Md.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, Damascus, Md., is handling the arrangements. There will not be calling at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m., at St. Ignatius of Loyola Roman Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Road, Ijamsville, Md. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the Mass. The Rev. Michael J. Jendrek will celebrate the Mass. Interment will follow in Burkittsville Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ray's name to St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 311 11th St., Butner, NC 27509; or to a charity of one's choice.
- Ruth Ann LeMaster Dean, 57
Services for Ruth Ann LeMaster Dean, who died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, have been changed. The family will receive friends Friday, March 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg, W.Va. A memorial service will be Saturday, March 6, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. Private burial will be in Falling Waters Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Spring Mills, W.Va.
- Ruth R. Michael, 85
MAY 11, 1924-FEB. 7, 2010
WOLFSVILLE - Ruth R. Michael, 85, of Wolfsville, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.
Born May 11, 1924, in Wolfsville, Ruth was the daughter of the late Ralph E. and Flora E. Brandenburg Morgan.
She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wolfsville.
Ruth was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens, and was deemed "one of the best cooks" by her family.
Married for 66 years, she is survived by her husband, Grayson J. Michael; four children, Nelson Michael and his wife, Grace, Janet Kline and her husband, Leon, Sharon Grove and her husband, Denny, and Brent Michael and his wife, Cynthia; grandchildren, Brenda Hoffman and her husband, Leif, Debbie Smith, Nelson Lynn Michael and his wife, Cindy, Cindy Eckstein and her husband, Joseph, Eric Kline and his wife, Stephanie, Stacia Fromm, Brandon Michael, Christina Fromm, Shannon Tregoning and her husband, Jon, Adam Michael, Chad Michael and Lisa Michael; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva Wastler of Hagerstown; and nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ruth in death were two brothers, Ralph Morgan and Paul Morgan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wolfsville, with Pastor David Howell officiating.
Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 13, Myersville, MD 21773.
Arrangements are by Ricketts Funeral Home, Myersville.
- Stephen Lee Crouse, 61
Stephen Lee Crouse, 61, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at his home. The service will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs. Burial will be private.
- Sylvia Ann McKinney
Sylvia Ann McKinney, of Charles Town, W.Va., died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va. The family will receive friends Friday one hour prior to the service at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, Charles Town. A memorial service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
- Thomas Lee Champion, 60
APRIL 19, 1949-FEB. 5, 2010
Thomas Lee Champion, 60, of Hagerstown, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at his home.
Born April 19, 1949, in Bessemer, Ala., he was the son of the late Oscar and Catherine (Mullar) Champion.
He was the husband of Mary M. (Henson) Champion of Hagerstown, Md.
Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam.
He was a self-employed painter for many years.
Thomas was a member of the American Legion and several other veterans' organizations in Florida.
In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by four sons, Tony Champion of Pompano Beach, Fla., Irvin W. Uhler and James R. Cantrell, both of Hagerstown, and James W. Case of Baltimore, Md.; one daughter, Mary Ann King of Hagerstown; one brother, Joseph Champion; two sisters, Rose Marie Champion and Margaret Champion, all of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Madyson Ann King and Mary Ann King.
The funeral service will be private and at the convenience of the family.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, 70 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.
The Gerald N. Minnich Funeral Home, Bryan K. Kenworthy P.A., 305 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences are accepted at www.geraldminnichfuneralhome.com.