Earl L. Mitchell
Earl Leo Mitchell, 77, of Harrisonburg, died Friday, March 11, 2005, at his home. Born Aug. 8, 1927, in Kline, W.Va., he was a son of the late Albert Ira and Lillie May Ratliff Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell moved to Harrisonburg in 1953 after serving in the United States Army, where he was a medical technician at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He also worked on the last medical train that was operated. Upon moving to Harrisonburg he worked for 29 years as body mechanic for Highway Motors, from where he retired and became a full-time poultry and beef farmer. He was a member of the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren, where he was a past church treasurer and a lifetime trustee, a member of the Keezletown Ruritan Club and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a passionate, lifetime outdoorsmen. Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Mitchell, and two sisters, Charlotte and Mary Mitchell. Survivors include his wife, Ivy Arlene Dove Mitchell, whom he married March 24, 1951; four sons, Earl L. Mitchell Jr. and wife, Phyllis, of Mount Crawford, Larry A. Mitchell and wife, Brenda, of Keezletown, Keith O. Mitchell and wife, Frances, of Broadway, Dennis L. Mitchell of Grottoes; two daughters, Wanda M. Muterspaugh and husband, Troy, of Bridgewater, Linda F. Cline and husband, Gary, of McGaheysville; one brother Forrest Mitchell of Alexandria; four sisters, Irene Strauderman of Dorcas, W.Va., Arvella Greenawalt of Upper Tract, W.Va., Ardella Thorne of Moorefield, W.Va., Beulah Wegman of Mount Storm, W.Va.; 13 grandchildren, Nathan, Rachel, Jessica, Greggory, Daniel, Crystal, Amanda, Charity and Bradley Mitchell, Melissa Sullivan, Misty and Missy Mutherspaugh and Andrea Cline; five great-grandchildren, Tristan and Kaylie Mitchell, Dylan Doffelmyer and Patrick and Joshua Sullivan. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2005, at the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren with Pastor Henry Elsea Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens near Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren 2788 Taylor Spring Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or to the RMH Cancer Center, 100 E. Grace St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

John J. Harrigan
John Joseph "Jack" Harrigan (1953-2005) died at his home in Crozet, Va., on Sunday, March 6, 2005. For five months, Jack fought a courageous battle against a rare cancer. Jack was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on Dec. 29, 1953, to James E. Harrigan Jr. and Elizabeth M. Landy Harrigan. He is survived by his devoted wife, Alice Pesta Harrigan; his loving sons, Ryan A. Harrigan and Joel R. Harrigan, who reside in Crozet/Charlottesville, Va.; sisters, Mary Louise Harrigan Curran, Carmel, Ind., Patricia A. Harrigan Hincken, Cambridge, Md., Suzanne M. Harrigan, Cambridge, Md.; and brothers, James L. Harrigan, Levittown, Pa., Joseph E. Harrigan, Richboro, Pa. and Charles L. Harrigan, Warwick, Pa. In 1971, Jack graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1976, he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1973, he was initiated into the Phi Delta Chi Fraternity; for several years, Jack served as president of his fraternity. In his early career, Jack had brief employments with pharmacy retail chains. In 1979, Jack launched his 25-year career with Merck; Jack retired from Merck in December 2004. By all who knew and loved him, Jack will be remembered for his unique love of life, his wonderful sense of humor, his overwhelming generosity and the unconditional love of family and friends. Jack will remain forever in our hearts. Family and friends are invited to a "Celebration of Jack Harrigan s Life" on Saturday, March 19, 2005, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3101 Fontaine Avenue, Charlottesville, VA. The church service will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a gathering in the church hall. Donations in Jack s memory may be made to: Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903 (434) 817-6900, or SOCA, 370 Greenbrier Drive, Suite 3, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 975-5025.

Charles A. Funkhouser
Charles Allen Funkhouser, 73, of Morningside Drive in Moorefield, W.Va., died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, W.Va. Mr. Funkhouser was born Oct. 22, 1931, in Hardy County, W.Va., and was a son of the late Raymond and Elva Pennington Funkhouser. He was a member of the Moorefield Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Wilson Funkhouser; a son, Chris Funkhouser of Farmington, W.Va.; two daughters, Debbie Hefner of Moorefield, W.Va., and Cindy Thomas of Martinsburg, W.Va; a brother, Wayne Funkhouser of Winter Garden, Fla.; four sisters, Erma Coffman of Winchester, Eileen Dove of Petersburg, Janet Kelley of Herndon and Carol Shockey of Moorefield; and six grandchildren. Evangelists Warren Kenney and Dan Mitchell will conduct the funeral at 2 p.m. Monday at the Moorefield Church of Christ. Burial will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at Fraley Funeral Home in Moorefield. His body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. Monday. Memorial donations may be directed to the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company-46, Kuykendall Lane, Moorefield, WV 26836, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 163549, Columbus, Ohio 43216-3549. Condolences may be left at Mr. Funkhouser s obituary at http://www.fraleyfuneralhome.com/.

Lillian G. Halterman
Lillian Godlove Halterman, 79, of Moorefield, W.Va., died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at Grant County Nursing Home in Petersburg, W.Va. Mrs. Halterman was born Oct. 3, 1925, in Zepp, and was the daughter of the late Tilden and Eliza Heavner Godlove. Her husband, Clyde Halterman, preceded her in death in February 2002. Surviving are two daughters, Bernadette Nesselrodt of Moorefield, and Stelma Porter of Petersburg; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pastors Harold Garber and Harold Cullers will conduct the funeral at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fraley Funeral Home in Moorefield. Burial will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Grant County Nursing Home, 27 Early Ave., Petersburg, WV 26847. Condolences may be left at Mrs. Halterman s obituary at http://www.fraleyfuneralhome.com/.

Rhea M. Simmons
Mrs. Rhea May Simmons, 95, of the Smith Creek area of Franklin, W.Va., went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 11, 2005 following a lengthy illness. She passed away at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was born Feb. 26, 1910, at Smith Creek, W.Va., where she lived most of her life, and was a daughter of the late Green Judy and Fannie Bland Sponaugle. On Dec. 24, 1934, she married Earlie Lee Simmons, who preceded her in death on Nov. 14, 1978. She loved her church and was a life-long loyal member of the Smith Creek Church of the Brethren. She was a homemaker and caregiver of her mother for many years prior to her death. She loved having visitors, and no one was ever turned away without food and drink. She was a friend to all who knew her and had two especially good friends, Elvira Crummett and the late Lola Lambert. She is survived by three children, Fannie Naomi Brandli of Fairmont, W.Va., Lee Grail Simmons and wife, Jean, of Waynesboro, Va., Jerry Price Simmons and wife, Evelyn, of Abingdon, Va.; five grandchildren, Steve Simmons of Clinton, Tenn., Michelle Simmons of Waynesboro, Va., Teresa Price of Abingdon, Va., Jody Dyer of Franklin, W.Va., Greg Dyer of Fort Seybert, W.Va.; four great-grandchildren, Crystal Farmer, Toni Farmer, Dustin Dyer, Aaron Simmons; four step-grandchildren, Debbie Gattian of Fairmont, W.Va., Mark Brandli (and Lynn) of Atlanta, Ga., Billinda Fullaway of Palm Coast, Fla., Donnie Collier of Waynesboro, Va.; eight step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Iva Sponaugle of Franklin, W.Va., Joyce Sponaugle of Rehoboth, Del. and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth Lambert and Elizabeth Ritchie of Dayton, Va., Catherine Simmons of Franklin, W.Va.; four brothers, McClure Sponaugle, Glenn Sponaugle and George Sponaugle, all of Franklin, W.Va., and Bill Sponaugle of Rehoboth, Del. A son-in-law, Bill Brandli of Fairmont, W.Va. and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law also preceded her in death. She is survived by four loving caregivers, Lucy Propst, Anna Lee Tesi, Wanda Hedrick and Ramona Luckel who gave her excellent love and care for over seven years. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2005, at the Smith Creek Church of the Brethren with Pastor Dan Ludwick and a former pastor Max Fisher of Virginia officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin, W.Va. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, W.Va. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Smith Creek Church Ladies Aid Society, c/o Sandra Vandevander, Treasurer, Franklin, WV 26807, the Franklin Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 966, Franklin, WV 26807, or Pendleton Home Health, P.O. Box 700, Franklin, WV 26807. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, W.Va.

Julia C. Stickley
Mrs. Julia Carpenter Stickley, 69, of 1764 Cross Keys Road in Harrisonburg, died Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at her residence. A daughter of the late Dr. Walter C. Carpenter and Emily Moore Carpenter, she was born Jan. 2, 1936, in Hendersonville, N.C. On Oct. 11, 1958, she married Dan Stickley Jr., who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Barbara Miller and husband, Allen, of Fredericksburg, Va., Carolyn Bragg and husband, Ron, of Stuarts Draft, Va., Mary Stickley of Winchester, Va.; five grandchildren, Michael Miller, Erin Miller, Daniel Miller, Ryan Miller and Braxton Bragg; and one brother, Dr. Joseph Carpenter and wife, Anne Huey Carpenter, of Hendersonville, N.C. Mrs. Stickley earned her BA Degree in Chemistry in 1958 from Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. She received additional certificates in Horticulture and Floriculture studies. She was an Accredited Judge for the Garden Club of Virginia, the American Daffodil Society and held a teaching certificate from Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Mrs. Stickley was a member and past president of Spotswood Garden Club. She was also a member of American Daffodil Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, Greener Harrisonburg and John Clayton Society of Edith Carrier Arboretum. She received the Garden Club of Virginia State Horticultural Award of Merit. Mrs. Stickley served on the Board of Directors at Fort Harrison, Advisory Board of Edith Carrier Arboretum, Rockingham County Fair, where she was Chairman of the Flower Department for many years, and Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society. She taught short horticultural courses for Blue Ridge Community College, and did extensive horticultural lecturing throughout Virginia. She headed Arborheim, a day camp for 5th and 6th graders at the Arboretum. She had 50 years of personal gardening, experimenting and plant collecting. Mrs. Stickley was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Trustee and on the Hospitality Committee. She was also a member of the Church Building Committee. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Ken Aldrich officiating. A service of remembrance will follow at 11 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Phil Smuland, Bill Leach and Joe Slater officiating. Special seating will be available for the Garden Club members. Julia will be taken to her home Friday afternoon, where members of the family will receive friends from 4 until 8 p.m. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Southgate Court, Suite 101, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or to Rockingham Memorial Hospital Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, in her memory. The Lindsey Harrisonburg Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

William A. Rush
William Aubrey Rush, 70, of New Market Road, Timberville, Va., died April 20, 2005, at his residence. He was born April 7, 1935, in Shenandoah County, and was a son of the late Charles H. and Mildred Coffelt Rush. He was a truck driver for Smith Transfer and had worked at Red Front before retiring. On June 8, 1953, he married the former Betty J. Day, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters and spouses, Virginia and Smokey Veney of Broadway, Linda and Tony Cubbage of Stanley; one son and spouse, William Edward Rush and Brenda Crider of New Market; five brothers, Clarence "Sonnie" Rush Sr. of Broadway, Charles "Tony" Rush of Wicomico, Va., Park Rush of Woodstock, Curley J. Rush of Oregon, Utah, and Connie L. Rush of Pasadena, Md.; four sisters, Lelia White of New Market, Eleanor Miller of Broadway, Norma J. Wolverton of Edinburg, and Barbara A. Shields of Winchester; and three grandchildren, Kevin Rush and fianc e, Nora Re, Joshua Veney and J.D. Veney. Pastors Larry Rinard and Guy Ferrell will conduct a funeral service 1 p.m. Saturday at the Calvary Baptist Church in Timberville. Burial will be at Union Forge Church Cemetery in Edinburg. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Friday at the Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway; or friends may call any time at the Rush s residence.

John K. Fox
Father John Kevin Fox, 55, of Hot Springs, died Monday, April 18, 2005, at his home. He was born Aug. 20, 1949, in Baltimore, and was a son of Howard Leroy Fox and Patricia Stauch Fox. He was Rector of St. Luke s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs; Headmaster, Chaplain and teacher at Stuart Hall in Staunton. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Macy Doherty Fox, whom he married June 17, 1978; two sons, Brendan Patrick Fox and Colin Geoffrey Fox, both of Hot Springs; a half brother, Howard Leroy Fox Jr., and a half sister, Merrill Fox O Connor, both of Valrico, Fla. The Right Rev. Powell Neff, the Bishop of Southwestern Virginia, will conduct the funeral 11 a.m. Friday at St. Luke s Episcopal Church. Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Warm Springs Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke s Episcopal Church, J. Kevin Fox Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 779, Hot Springs, VA 24445.

Norma T. Philbin
Norma Trobaugh Philbin, 45, of Cha

pel Hill, N.C., and formerly of Harrisonburg, died Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at her home. Arrangements are being handled by the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

Irene V. Kite
Irene Virginia Kite, 65, of 5790 U.S. 220 South, Moorefield, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at her home. Mrs. Kite was born Aug. 15, 1939, in Dorcas, W.Va., and was a daughter of Rosetta Sites Hinkle of Dorcas and the late Frederick E. Hinkle Sr. She graduated from Petersburg High School in 1957 and retired from Hester Industries. She was a member of Baker s Chapel United Methodist Church. In addition to her mother, survivors include her husband of 38 years, Jack Kite; two sons, Nick Kite and Hunter Kite, both of Moorefield; a daughter, Jacalyn Burns of San Clemente, Calif.; three sisters, Lorraine Fisher of Moorefield, and Shirley Hinkle and twin sister, Ilene Weese, both of Dorcas; a brother, Lawrence "Buzz" Hinkle of Dorcas; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The Revs. Judy Vetter and Chanon Mullens will conduct the funeral 11 a.m. Friday at the Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg, W.Va. Burial will be at the Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, W.Va. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials donations may be made to Baker s Chapel United Methodist Church, 5836 U.S. 220 South, Moorefield, WV 26836, Dorcas Baptist Church, c/o Sylvia Sites, 201 Central Ave, Petersburg, WV 26847, or Potomac Valley Relay for Life, c/o Elaine Davis, 107 Washington Street, Moorefield, WV 26836.

Susie R. Tutwiler
Susie Rimel Tutwiler, 85, of Lynchburg, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005. A graveside service will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Keezletown Cemetery. Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home and Crematory in Lexington.

Gloria J. Phifer
Gloria Jean "Jeannie" Phifer, 52, of Basye, Va., died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Phifer was born July 4, 1951, in Bethesda, Md., daughter of William and Mary Tayman O Reilly of Laurel, Md. She was logistics manager with Tomahawk Cruise Missile. Mrs. Phifer was married to Jim Phifer Nov. 18, 1983, who survives. Also surviving are a son Shawn Kidd of Manassas; four stepchildren, James Phifer II of Midlothian, Md., Denise Phifer of Wheatland, Wyo., Hans Phifer of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Kristian Phifer of Oslo, Norway; two sisters, Debbie Fritz of Crownsville, Md., and Eileen Messick of Pasadena, Md.; two brothers, Bill O Reilly Jr. of Aberdeen, Md., and David O Reilly of Laurel, Md.; and two grandchildren, Jimmie Phifer III and Iselin Phifer. The funeral will be conducted Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew s Episcopal Church in Mount Jackson with the Rev. S. Paul Rowles officiating. Burial will follow at the Mount Jackson Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dellinger Funeral Home in Mount Jackson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude s Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 or by calling 1-800-822-6344, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central time or on their website http://www.stjude.org/donate.

Mary E. Estes
Mary Elizabeth Estes, 68, of Dovel s Home for Adults in Elkton, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at the home. Funeral arrangements were pending Wednesday night at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.

Vivian H. Smith
Vivian Hensley Smith, 70, of Elkton, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. Funeral arrangements were pending Wednesday night at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.

Russell S. Eddins Sr.
Russell Samuel "Mutt" Eddins Sr., 89, of 740 Stone Spring Road, Harrisonburg, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, in Harrisonburg. Mr. Eddins was born May 8, 1914, in Burketown, and was the son of the late Tallie Mora and Bessie Byers Eddins. He was a lifeguard in Virginia Beach and was employed at Armor Meats before joining the Army during World War II. He served in the 202nd Ordnance Company and was in five major battles at Omaha Beach, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe and the Rhinelands. He was an honorary pallbearer for General George S. Patton. After his military service, he returned to Harrisonburg and was a partner at Valley Meats from 1946 to 1966. He worked in the meat department at Mick or Mack until retiring. Mr. Eddins attended Harrisonburg Baptist Church and was the second oldest member at the Harrisonburg Elks Lodge No. 450. On April 1, 1950, he married Annie Fry, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Russell S. "Rusty" Eddins Jr. of Waynesboro; a sister, Bitsy Saufley of Grottoes; and a number of nieces and nephews. The Rev. T.W. Johnson will conduct the funeral 2 p.m. Friday at the Harrisonburg Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery with Elks rites. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 this evening at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

Jason D. Gearing
Jason Daniel Gearing, 22, of Prince Frederick, Md., died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. Mr. Gearing was born Aug. 6, 1981, and was a son of Ernest M. Gearing Jr. of Harrisonburg and Patricia Cornett of Prince Frederick, Md. He graduated from Broadway High School and was a member of Valley Church of Christ. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Ernest and Valerie Gearing; his mother and stepfather, Patricia and James Cornett; a brother, James E. Gearing of Virginia Beach; a stepbrother and stepsister, David and April Roberts of Harrisonburg; several stepsiblings in Maryland; a foster brother, Michael Kinder of Indianapolis, Ind.; and his grandparents, Dorothy M. Gearing of Harrisonburg and Bill and Dora Seabolt of Charles Town, W.Va. The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Grace Brethren Church in Owings, Md. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8125 Southern Maryland Blvd., Owings, Md. A memorial service will be held at Valley Church of Christ at a date to be announced. Condolences may be sent after Mr. Gearing s obituary at http://www.leefuneralhomes.com/.

Virginia M. Cleaver
Virginia M. Cleaver, 86, of Cresaptown, Md., and formerly of Petersburg, W.Va., died Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, at Canterbury Nursing Home in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Mrs. Cleaver was born Jan. 3, 1918, in Petersburg, W.Va., and was the daughter of the late John and Myrtle Mongold. She retired from the Celanese Corp. after many years of service. She was a Methodist most of her life and was a member of Cresaptown United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, Weymouth Cleaver; a son, Lawrence Cleaver of Shephardstown, W.Va.; two brothers, Donald Mongold of Dorcas, W.Va., and Delmar Mongold of Cresaptown, Md.; and four grandchildren. The Rev. Harold R. McClay Jr. will conduct the funeral 1 p.m. Friday at Scarpelli Funeral Home in Cresaptown, Md., where the family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Cumberland, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to Cresaptown United Methodist Church.