John R.W. Ware
RANSON, W.Va. - John Rudolph William Ware, 86, of Ranson, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1996, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, Ranson.
Born Oct. 5, 1910, in Jefferson County, W.Va., he was the son of the late John Franklin and Cecelia Mae Stewart Ware.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian M. Ware.
He was a farmer and farmed Cherlay calves, which topped the market at Greencastle Livestock.
He was employed as a millright by Jones and Laughlin Steel until 1972. He was a dockman for Charles Town Stock Sale. He was employed by Frye's Quarry in maintenance and was a pump man for 10 years.
He was a member of Charles Town Baptist Church and the Baptist Men's Group.
He was an honorary member of the Citizens Fire Co.
He is survived by his wife, Marie Ellen Fellers Ware; one daughter, Frances M. Fravel of Halltown, W.Va.; one son, John Ware of Hillsboro, Va.; six stepchildren, Linda K. Baker of Ridgeway, W.Va., Jessie Palmer, Laura A. Palmer and Edward W. Palmer, all of Ranson, Anna Mae Harder of Charles Town, and Nancy Snyder of Kearneysville, W.Va.; one brother, Ernest Ware of Charles Town; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Frances Ware; and one brother, Joseph Ware.
Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Charles Town Baptist Church, 203 E. Congress St., Charles Town. Wyman Hall will officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg.
The family will receive friends at Jefferson Chapel Funeral Home, 114 N. Mildred St., Ranson, today from 7 to 9 p.m.
Paul N. Heltzel
Paul Nevin Heltzel, 73, of 242 Pangborn Blvd., Hagerstown, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at York Hospital, York, Pa.
Born March 10, 1923, in Berryville, Va., he was the son of the late Oley Samuel and Edna Mae Rau Heltzel.
He was employed by Reisner Manufacturing for 25 years and was then self-employed until 1988.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II, in the European Theater with the 385th Battalion.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
He also was a member of the American Legion, Morris Frock Post 42; a life member of VFW Post 1936; a member of BPO Elks 378; the Funkstown Moose Lodge; the Western Maryland Sportsmen's Club and the Greencastle Sportsmen's Association.
He is survived by his wife, Mary "Penny" Heltzel; one sister, Wilmeth Harley Nichols of Gridley, Calif; one brother, Joseph Heltzel of Cadoras, Pa.; and one foster brother, James Smith of Newark, Del.
He is preceded in death by one sister, Rachel Beckstead and a foster brother, Walter F. Smith Jr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. Jack Fullen will be celebrant. Burial with military honors conducted by VFW Post 1936, will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Blvd., Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 226 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, Md. 21740 or the Salvation Army, 534 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown, Md. 21740.
Mildred L. Ruck
Mildred Louise Ruck, 72, of 18528 Sherbrooke Drive, Hagerstown, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at her home.
Born Sept. 24, 1924 in Washington County, she was the daughter of the late Edward E. and Isabel Addlesberger Lehman.
Her former husband, Samuel H. Ruck Jr., died in 1983.
She retired from Central Chemical Corp., after 25 years of service.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
She also was a member of AARP.
She is survived by one daughter, Laurette S. Ruck of Hagerstown; one son, Charles J. Ruck of Dahlgren, Va.; one granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, Samuel H. Ruck III; and one brother, Charles E. Lehman.
Graveside services will be held Monday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at Rest Haven Cemetery. The Rev. Darryl C. Zoller will officiate.
The family will receive friends at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, Sunday, Dec. 1, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 101 E. Baltimore St., Hagerstown, Md. 21740.
Elaine M.R. Peiffer
PASADENA, Md. - Elaine M. Reeder Peiffer, 44, of 1209 Oak Harbor Court, died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Md.
Born Nov. 12, 1952, in Baltimore, she is the daughter of Bobbie Bass Reeder of Richmond, Va., and the late Alvey Reeder.
She attended Henrico High School in Richmond, and received a master's degree from Virginia Tech.
She was an environmental planner for Anne Arundel County, Md.
She is survived by her husband, James W. Peiffer, whom she married Sept. 4, 1976; one sister, Belinda Markezas of Richmond; one aunt, Ruth Worthington of Hagerstown; and two nephews.
Services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at McCully Funeral Home of Pasadena. The Rev. Bob Douglas will officiate. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Park.
A viewing will be held at the funeral home today from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Norman W. Gerberich
Norman W. Gerberich, 74, of 356 Woodpoint Ave., Hagerstown, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at Washington County Hospital.
Born Feb. 17, 1922, in Hagerstown, he was the son of the late John H. and Mono E. Norman Gerberich.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Emmie F. Hines Gerberich in 1977.
He was employed by the Hagerstown Police Department for 28 years. Previous to that he worked for Pangborn Corp.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II.
He was a member of Funkstown Legion Post 211, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 212, Hagerstown; Fraternal Order of Police, Pangborn 88; VFW Post 1936; NRA and DAV Commanders Club.
He is survived by one daughter, Norma Jean Benner of Hagerstown; two sons, Terry L. Gerberich of Hagerstown, and David W. Gerberich of Marlowe, W.Va.; one sister, Martha E. Bowers of Hagerstown; one brother, Paul Gerberich of Arlington, Va.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown. The Rev. George W. Limmer will officiate. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Zelda M. H. Gossert
FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. - Zelda M. Helman Gossert, 86, of Piney Mountain, and formerly of 6599 Slabtown Road, Waynesboro, Pa., died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at the nursing home.
Born Aug. 14, 1910, in Guilford Township, Franklin County, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Michael A. and Lily Painter Gossert.
She married Maurice L. Gossert on June 29, 1933. He preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1968.
She was employed by the Waynesboro Knitting Mill and the Mont Alto Shoe Factory. She retired in 1981.
She was a member of Quincy United Methodist Church and participated in the prayer group of the church.
She is survived by two daughters, Frances M. Hoover of Hagerstown, and Gloria C. Pentz of Waynesboro; one son, Maurice L. Gossert Jr. of Mercersburg, Pa.; one sister, Catherine Bushman of Fayetteville; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Charlene Gossert; one son, Harold E. Gossert; two sisters and two brothers.
Services will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Grove Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro. Pastor James C. House will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery, near Quincy, Pa.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 452 East King St., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201.
John H. Melton
INWOOD, W.Va. - John H. Melton, 39, of Inwood, died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va.
Born Dec. 16, 1956, in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of Dorothy Brown Kerns of Hancock and Curtis I. Melton. He was the stepson of Albert W. Kerns of Hancock.
In addition to his mother and stepfather, he is survived by his wife, Patty S. Anderson Melton; three sons, Michael C. Melton, John Eric Melton and James W. Melton, all at home; three sisters, Mary Louise West of Gloucester Point, Va., E. Sue Fox of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., and Alberta L. Diehl of Warfordsburg, Pa.; one brother, Curtis T. Melton of Warfordsburg; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. at Kight Funeral Home, 309-311 Decatur St., Cumberland. The Rev. James K. Peters will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.
Friends will be received at the funeral home today from 7 to 9 p.m.
Sierra E. Allen
Sierra Elizabeth Allen, 16 months, of 9859 Crossfield Road, Hagerstown, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at the University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.
Born July 14, 1995, in Hagerstown, she was the infant daughter of Jamie Allen and Jenny Stotler.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by one sister, Amanda Allen, at home; maternal grandparents, Gary and Paula Stotler of Hagerstown and Susan Stotler of Hagerstown; paternal grandparents, Charlie Allen of Hagerstown and Rebecca Monninger of Hagerstown; maternal great-grandparents, Fred and Catherine Long of Hagerstown; paternal great-grandmother, Frances Houser of Sharpsburg; one aunt; and one uncle.
Services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Blvd. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery. The Rev. Joseph Bradshaw will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Marie G. Downin
FAYETTEVILLE, Pa. - Marie G. Downin, 84, of Caledonia Manor Nursing Home, and formerly of 2205 Bon-Ox Road, New Oxford, Pa., died Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996, at the nursing home.
Born Feb. 22, 1912, in Cove Gap, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Nanny Myers Pine.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Downin, in 1955.
During World War II she worked at Letterkenny Army Depot. She later worked at the former Swift and Co. and H.J. Heinze Co., both of Chambersburg, Pa.
She was a member of Family Life Church of God, New Oxford. She was a former Sunday school teacher in the primary department. She also taught in the vacation Bible school.
She is survived by five daughters, Betty Gardenhour of Waynesboro, Pa., Anna Mae Wagaman Sr. of Fayetteville, Sharon Szulc of McHenry, Ill., Carol Plank of Gettysburg, Pa., and Violet Markle of Hanover, Pa.; two sons, David V. Downin of Glenville, Pa., and Larry A. Downin of New Oxford; one sister, Irene Bennett of Mercersburg, Pa.; one brother, Lloyd Pine of Clear Spring; 51 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Francis "Red" Downin in 1992 and Warren "Babe" Downin in 1977; one grandson, Lonnie L. Downin in 1986; and 15 brothers and sisters.
Services will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Hanover Brethren in Christ Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Dunlevy and the Rev. Larry P. Patrick officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Mercersburg.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Lininger-Fries Funeral Home, 47 North Park Ave., Mercersburg, and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Estella B. Mills
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Estella Boyd Mills, 87, of Rocky Marsh Road, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1996, at City Hospital, Martinsburg, W.Va.
Born July 12, 1909, in Jefferson County, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Lee and Effie Redman Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Millard Mills on Oct. 29, 1983.
She was a homemaker.
She was of the Episcopal faith.
She is survived by one son, Franklin M. Mills of Chester, Va.; three sisters, Marjorie Grove of Charles Town, W.Va., Annabell Griffith of Martinsburg, and Martha Drish of Winchester, Va.; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by four sisters, Blanche Boyd, Ada Singhas, Nellie Tomblin and Minnie Singhas and three brothers, Stanley Boyd, Kenneth Boyd and Hayward Boyd.
Graveside services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Green Hill Cemetery, Berryville, Va. The Rev. James Chambly will officiate.
Friends may call at Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
