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HELEN O. JOHNSON
Helen Humbird Offutt Johnson died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, after a short illness in Annapolis.
Mrs. Johnson was born on June 8, 1912, in Oakland. She was the daughter of William R. and Mary Eleanor (Humbird) Offutt. Mr. Offutt was a prominent western Maryland attorney, and served as state's attorney for Garrett County and as president of the Maryland State Bar Association. He was also president of the Garrett National Bank and a former mayor of Oakland.
Mrs. Johnson's maternal grandfather, Jacob Humbird, built railroads in both North and South America. Her paternal great-grandfather, Daniel Edwin Offutt, was prominent in banking, mining, lumbering, and the mercantile business in both western Maryland and West Virginia.
Mrs. Johnson was educated in the Garrett County public school system. She also attended Penn Hall Academy in Chambersburg, Pa., where she received an associate degree in commercial art.
Mrs. Johnson married William Howard Johnson, formerly of Hazelton, Pa., on Aug. 12, 1939. Mr. Johnson was a graduate of forestry of the Pennsylvania State University and was, at the time, camp forester of the Swallow Falls Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. In 1943, the couple moved to Cumberland, where Mr. Johnson served as district forester for the Maryland Department of Forests and Parks.
In 1960, the Johnsons moved to Severna Park when Mr. Johnson became assistant state forester. In 1963, he was appointed superintendent of the Maryland State Park Service. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1990.
Mrs. Johnson resided in Severna Park until her death. She was a member of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and the Cresap Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Surviving are two sons, William Offutt Johnson, Oakland, and Lynn Johnson, Severna Park; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to the Garrett County Historical Society, 107 S. Second Street, Oakland, MD 21550.
There will be no visitation or service. Interment will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Barranco & Sons Funeral Home, Severna Park.
HUBERT W. YOMMER
Hubert Wendell Yommer, 78, Ambridge, Pa., died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Montefiore Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Born May 11, 1926, in Jennings, he was a son of the late Bruce and Jessie (Warnick) Yommer. He was also preceded in death by six brothers, Oney, Osborne, David, Harold, Homer, and Jack Yommer; and one sister, Mary Helen Stephani.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was retired from American Bridge Co. and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving are his companion, Alberta Neugebauer; one son, David Yommer, Alabama; one daughter, Darlene Gallardo, California; four brothers, Joseph Yommer, Olney, Harry Yommer, Topeka, Kan., Willard Yommer, Lewisville, Ohio, and Richard Yommer, Grantsville; two sisters, Wanda Gross, Paw Paw, W.Va., and Norma Ruth Quail, Rome, N.Y.; six grandchildren; and 11 great- grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Newman Funeral Home, Grantsville, where a service was held on Sunday, Nov. 28, with Pastor Pat Pittsnogle officiating.
Interment was in Grantsville Cemetery. Military graveside rites were accorded by Grantsville Post 214, American Legion.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church.
BERNARD L. BITTINGER
Bernard Lee Bittinger, 70, Boynton, Pa., died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at his home.
Born Nov. 11, 1934, in Jennings, he was a son of the late James and Della (Hoover) Bittinger. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Clark; and two sisters, Elma Mason and Melva McKenzie.
He was a member of Maranatha Assembly of God and was a retired stone cutter for M&S Stone Quarry. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Surviving are his wife, Amanda Shirlene (Wilt) Bittinger; three sons, Larry DeWayne Wilt, Grantsville, Joseph Lee Bittinger, Woodstock, Va., and James Allen Bittinger, Boynton; three daughters, Debra Lynn Failinger, and Susan Kay Bittinger, both of Meyersdale, Pa., and Bernadine Frederick, Grantsville; one brother, Everett Bittinger, Accident; six sisters, Virginia Fazenbaker, Friendsville, Viola Wilburn, Zelda McKenzie, and Sylvia Garlitz, all of Grantsville, Lillie Hoover, Boynton, and Helen Garlitz, Somerset, Pa.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Newman Funeral Home, Grantsville, where a service was held on Monday, Nov. 29, with the Rev. William Ferguson officiating.
Interment was in Bittinger Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed in care of the family.
THETA I. WHITE
Theta I. White, 95, Oakland, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home, Oakland.
Born Sept. 13, 1909, in Breedlove, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Elmer J. Sell and Lena (Williams) Sell. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clifford O. White, in 1971.
She is survived by two sons, Oakley C. White, Oakland, and Larry E. White, Clarksburg, W.Va.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Durst Funeral Home, Oakland, where a service was held on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with the Rev. Eli Hostetler officiating.
Interment was in the Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, W.Va.
JAMES O. MEESE
James O. Meese, 69, Frostburg, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland.
Born May 23, 1935, in Frostburg, he was the son of the late George and Hazel (Carey) Meese. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Gordon.
He was a 1954 graduate of Northern High School. He was retired carpenter and lifelong member of Local 1024, Cumberland. He served 39 years in the 121st Engineer Battalion Company B. Army National Guard. He was a member of the Frostburg Farrady Post 24 American Legion, the Frostburg Moose 348, the Salisbury VFW, and the Grantsville Woodmen of the World. He was also a retired farmer, raising sheep and cattle.
Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Margie (Fritz) Meese; one son, Dan Meese, Frostburg; one stepson, Mike Williams, Frostburg; one sister, Juanita Meese Spiker, Frostburg; one step-granddaughter; and one grandson, Short Gap, W.Va.
Friends were received at the Hafer Funeral Service, LaVale, where a service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, with Pastor David E. Fetter officiating.
Interment followed in the Greenville Cemetery, with military honors.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the USO, Attn. Adrian Trout, P.O. Box 28782, BWI Airport, MD 21240, to support troops currently in battle.
JOSEPH C. DI GIUSTINO
Joseph Charles Di Giustino, 78, Mount Storm, W.Va., died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland.
Born July 10, 1926, in Kitzmiller, he was a son of the late Cesidio and Rosario (Torelli) Di Giustino. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Filomena Di Giustino; and three brothers, Antonio, Michele "Michael," and Dante Di Giustino.
He was a Navy veteran, having served in the Pacific Theater during World War II on the USS Perry. He was a member of the American Legion Post 259 in Clinton, and was a lifetime member of the Abraham Lincoln VFW Post 6735 in Mount Storm.
He was a Catholic by faith and was formerly an altar boy at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Kitzmiller. He was a heavy equipment operator, who helped to construct the Alaskan Highway in the early 1950s. Later the company which he owned worked on the excavation for additions to the Washington, D.C., Metro System and Bethesda Naval Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Jean (Elrick) Di Giustino; three daughters, Linda Sabak, Fairmont, W.Va., Beth Di Giustino, Ligonier, Pa., and Michele Hanlin, Mount Storm; one sister, Clara Palmer, Fort Washington; and three grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no visitation and funeral. His body will be cremated, and a graveside memorial service will be held at the Nethken Hill Cemetery, Elk Garden, W.Va., at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mount Storm Presbyterian Church or the Mount Storm Community Food Pantry, c/o the Mount Storm Methodist Ladies Group.
The David A. Burdock Funeral Home, Kitzmiller, is assisting the family with arrangements.
HAROLD R. EVANS
Harold R. Evans, 78, Oakland, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland.
Born June 20, 1926, in Horse Shoe Run, W.Va., he was the son of the late Wilbur and Bessie (Winters) Evans. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Grace Harsh and Hilda Holland; and two brothers, Ralph Evans and Cecil Evans.
He was a member of the VFW Post 10077, Deer Park, and of the American Legion Proctor Kildow Post 71, Oakland. He served in the United States Navy, the United States Army, and the United States Army National Guard.
He is survived by his wife, Vendetta D. (Solomon) Evans, Oakland; three sons, Raymond J. Evans, Rising Sun, Kenneth W. Evans, Oakland, and Michael E. Evans, Fairfield, Va.; three sisters, Gladys Hauser, Oakland, Ruby Skinner, Mtn. Lake Park, and Nina Wallace, Alabama; one brother, Wayne Evans, Oakland; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland, where a service was held on Monday, Nov. 29, with the Rev. James Smals officiating.
Interment was in the Deer Park Cemetery
Military honors were accorded at the graveside by the various veterans' organizations of Southern Garrett County.
MARGARET ROBERTSON
Margaret Robertson, 79, Salisbury, Pa., died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare, Meyersdale, Pa.
Born June 9, 1925, in Springs, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Fred W. and Marie J. (Knecht) Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband, Blair Z. Robertson, Dec. 17, 2002; and one sister, Marian Glime.
She was a homemaker and a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Salisbury.
She is survived by two sons, John R. Robertson, Roanoke, Va., and Donald W. Robertson, Springs; one daughter, Peggy Paul, Salisbury; five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Nov. 28, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Salisbury, with the Rev. David E. Fetter officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or the Arthritis Foundation.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Newman Funeral Home, Salisbury.
ANITA G. STEWART
Anita G. Stewart, 64, Oakland, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland.
Born Jan. 25, 1940, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Betty Ball. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Wolfgang Strobel.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne O. Stewart, Oakland; six daughters, Rose Reams, Baltimore, Pat Ray, Glen Burnie, Vivian Smith, Front Royal, Va., Sue Bowman, Glen Burnie, Kathy Golliday, Michigan, and Elaine Strobel, Grantsville; one son, Daniel J. Strobel, Nanjemoy; one brother, Robert Ball, Washington, D.C.; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland, where a service was held on Sunday, Nov. 28, with the Rev. Donald Matthews officiating.
Interment was in the Garrett County Memorial Gardens, Oakland.
HOLLY CROSCO
Holly Crosco, 46, Oakland, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va.
Born Dec. 19, 1957, in Mill Creek, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Carl. H. and Naomi A. (McCauley) Shiflett.
She is survived by her husband, David L. Crosco Sr., Oakland; one daughter, Alice Rutherford, Hagerstown; two sons, David L. Crosco Jr. and Howard D. Crosco, both of Hagerstown; two sisters, Patty Mayhew, Keyser, W.Va., and Carolyn Simmons, Winchester, Va.; five brothers, Eugene Shiflett and Stanley Shiflett, both of Oakland, Dorsey Shiflett, Albright, W.Va., Carl Shiflett, Keyser, W.Va., and William Shiflett, Capon Ridge, W.Va.; and three grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland.
At her request her body was cremated.
GERALDINE L. KNOX
Geraldine L. Knox, 79, of Pleasant Valley, more recently a resident of Cuppett-Weeks Nursing Home, Oakland, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004.
Born Jan. 4, 1925, she was the daughter of the late John W. and Amy (Paugh) Rowan.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin N. Knox; by one brother and sister-in-law, John and Hilda (Lewis) Rowan; one sister, Virginia Rowan; and a nephew, John (Jack) Rowan.
She is survived by her son, Franklin J. Knox of Charles Town, W.Va.; two grandsons, Sean and Shane Knox, also of Charles Town; a brother, Floyd N. Rowan, Oakland; and two sisters, Esther DeWitt, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Joyce Andrews, Oakland.
Geraldine enjoyed and felt great price in her job as a legal secretary, working in the law offices of E. Ray Jones and his son, Lewis Jones. She later moved to the District Court when Lewis Jones was appointed judge, when she eventually become clerk of the court. Geraldine was a loyal friend and employee to the Joneses for 45 years.
Geraldine (Dene) will be remembered in all the ways any good person should be remembered. She was industrious and contributed to her family and community. She was generous and kind and loving and trustworthy. She was a cherished daughter, sister, mom, aunt, and grandma. She will be missed.
A private memorial service for family and close friends was held at the Durst Funeral Home, Oakland, on Saturday, Nov. 27. Private interment was held on Monday, Nov. 29, at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
DARLENE L. ELSEY
Darlene L. Elsey, 58, Oakland, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland.
Born Sept. 19, 1946, in Annapolis, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Lilian (Thompson) Sparrow. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Elsey, in 1980; and one sister, Peggy Sparrow.
She is survived by one daughter, Kimberly Bauer, Oakland; one son, Brian Elsey, Oakland; one sister, Debie West, Venice, Fla.; and five grandchildren.
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland.
At her request, her body will be cremated.
The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to Kimberly Bauer, 18 O'Brien Road, Oakland, MD 21550, to help defray funeral costs.
CARL R. FORD SR.
Carl R. Ford Sr., 76, Bayard, W.Va., died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Gar-rett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland.
Born Sept. 12, 1928, in Benbush, W.Va., he was a son of the late George M. and Lucy C. (Pase) Ford. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Catherine Ford; 16 brothers and sisters; and one grandson.
He is survived by his wife, Beatrice V. (Hanlin) Ford, Bayard; three stepdaughters, Bobbi Jo Smith, Grafton, W.Va., Malinda S. Knapp, Bayard, and Melissa J. Frantz, Japan; three sons, Carl R. Ford Jr., Parkersburg, W.Va., Kevin J. Ford, Shinnston, W.Va., and Gary W. Ford, Oakland; one stepson, Paul V. Dixon; one brother, Robert G. Ford, Oakland; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Friends were received at the Stewart Funeral Home, Oakland, where a service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, with the Rev. David Moon officiating.
Interment was in the Bayard Cemetery.
The family requests that memorials take the form of donations to Operation Uplink, c/o VFW Post 10077, 4107 Maryland Highway, Oakland, MD 21550.
MARY JANE FRIEND
Mary Jane Friend, 90, Friendsville, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland.
Born March 15, 1914, in Friendsville, she was the daughter of the late John Wesley and Dollie Ann (Fisher) Jenkins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Ray Friend, May 10, 1965; one son, John Lewis; and one daughter, Mary Jane.
She was a member of Blooming Rose United Methodist Church and was a homemaker.
She is survived by one son, Jimmie D. Friend; one granddaughter; and two great-grandsons, all of Friendsville.
Friends will be received at the Newman Funeral Home, Friendsville, today, Thursday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A service will be conducted in the funeral home on Friday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Phil Dukes officiating.
Interment will be in Blooming Rose Cemetery.
