Obituaries
Obituaries
William H. Cochran
NOV. 12, 1917-JULY 26, 2008
BRENHAM, Texas - William H. Cochran of Brenham, Texas, died Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Brenham.
He was born Nov. 12, 1917, in Baltimore, Md., and grew up in Hagerstown, Md.
During World War II, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent two years as a prisoner of war in Germany. After the war, he returned to Hagerstown and worked for many years for Fairchild Aircraft.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Anna B. Cochran; and one brother, A. Boyd Cochran.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ruth Sweigert Cochran of Brenham; one son, William A. Cochran of Brenham; two daughters, Mary Sue Cochran of Funkstown, Md., and Anne Cochran Hebert of Katy, Texas; three grandchildren, William A. Cochran Jr., W. James Rudolph and Elizabeth A. Ripley; and one sister, Lucile Dieterich of Hagerstown.
Graveside services and interment will be Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery.
Nora Katherine Moser, 87
JULY 28, 1921-NOV. 9, 2008
BOONSBORO - Nora Katherine Moser, 87, of Charlotte's Home Inc. in Boonsboro, Md., and formerly of 12624 Beck Road in Hagerstown, Md., passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Born July 28, 1921, in Williamsport, Md., she was the daughter of the late Norman B. and Pearl E. Anderson Sterling of Hagerstown.
She was a member of West End Baptist Church for more than 40 years and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School throughout her lifetime.
She previously was employed by Fairchild Aircraft Corp., and retired as an employee in the patient care section of Coffman Nursing Home in Hagerstown.
She was a member of AARP, American Legion Unit 42 Auxiliary, Coffman Nursing Home-Retired Employees Association and Chapel Hill Lodge 176 of Cumberland, Md., for the Sisterhood of Railroad Trainmen.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Anna Martin, Mae Baker and Jane Springer; three brothers, Ralph Sterling, Lee Sterling and Norman Sterling; and one grandson, Michael Iseminger.
She is survived by two sisters, Mary Mills of Laureldale, Pa., and Betty Burger of Hagerstown; one daughter, Bonnie Lou Iseminger of Waynesboro, Pa.; one son, Aldine N. Moser Jr. of Hagerstown; three grandchildren, Daniel Iseminger of Everett, Pa., Heidi Ross of Raleigh, N.C., and Claudette L. Moser of Smithsburg, Md.; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery, 600 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, with the Rev. John W. Schildt officiating.
Friends may call Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21742 or Rohrersville Charge, The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box B, Rohrersville, MD 21779.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com
John B. Drawbaugh, 89
AUG. 24, 1919-NOV. 9, 2008
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - John B. Drawbaugh, 89, of Martinsburg, and formerly of Norristown, Pa., died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Winchester (Va.) Medical Center.
Born Aug. 24, 1919, in Mechanicsburg, Pa., he was the son of the late John Bloser Drawbaugh and Edith Owen Drawbaugh.
He was a graduate of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) High School.
He was a retired production manager with Stroehmann Bakery in Norristown.
He served with the 612th QM Bakery Battalion in World War II.
He was a member of Patriotic Order Sons of America and American Institute of Baking.
He was a member of Bedington United Methodist Church in Martinsburg.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanne F. Drawbaugh; two sons, John A. Drawbaugh of Charlotte, N.C., and Robert O. Drawbaugh of Martinsburg; one granddaughter; and two grandsons.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Winifred Drawbaugh Adams.
Services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg. The Rev. Robert W. Barnes will officiate. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown.
The family will receive friends Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bedington United Methodist Church, 580 Bedington Road, Martinsburg, WV 25404.
Tobin T. Triebel, 39
AUG. 4, 1969-NOV. 7, 2008
NEW MARKET, Md. - Tobin Theodore Triebel, 39, of Lake Linganore, died Friday Nov. 7, 2008, at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained after being struck by a motor vehicle while jogging. He was in the area with his family for a soccer tournament at the time of the accident.
He was born Aug. 4, 1969, in Alamogordo, N.M.
He graduated from Great Mills High School in 1987. He then attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he majored in emergency health services, and received his bachelors degree in emergency health services and became nationally registered as an EMT-Paramedic.
He was a first sergeant with the Maryland State Police and served for more than 13 years. He was appointed to the 106th Trooper Candidate Police Academy Class in July 1995, graduating in the top of his class. He initially was assigned to the Golden Ring Barrack as a road trooper, and in 1996 was selected to join the Aviation Command, where he worked as a trooper/flight paramedic. He was a licensed flight paramedic in the Aviation Command, and at the time of his death was the Aviation Command training section supervisor.
He coached soccer and announced high school soccer games. He played rugby with the Frederick (Md.) Rugby Club for 15 years.
He was an organ donor.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Susan "Sue" Shryock; two daughters, Hannah and Erika; mother, Carolyn Triebel; father, Theodore Triebel and stepmother, Cara; two brothers, Adam and Jacob; two sisters, Kristen and Gretchen; grandmother, Dorothy McCaslin of St. Mary's County, Md.; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at Monocacy Valley Church, Ijamsville, Md.
Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made for his daughters' education to MFPA Triebel Trust, P.O. Box 547, Cumberland, MD 21501-0547.
Ronald Lee Dieterich, 62
JAN. 23, 1946-OCT. 25, 2008
WOODLANDS, Texas - Ronald Lee Dieterich, 62, of The Woodlands, Texas, and formerly of 512 S. Cannon Ave. in Hagerstown, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at home after battling colon cancer since 2002. He is now living in peace and without pain with his Lord.
Ron was born Jan. 23, 1946, in Hagerstown, Md., to G. Fred Dieterich Jr. and Mildred M. Dieterich.
He graduated from South Hagerstown High School, the University of Maryland with an accounting degree, and earned his C.P.A.
He served his country in Korea during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of captain.
He worked in the accounting field in North Carolina and Georgia before taking a position in Houston, Texas, at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital as a senior vice president. He retired in 2006 after 16 years at St. Luke's as senior vice president, controller and compliance officer.
Ron was active in his church and was commissioned as a Stephen Minister. He was involved in the American Cancer Society.
Ron's interests included playing golf, and watching the Green Bay Packers, Houston Astros and Rockets.
He enjoyed traveling overseas, around the states and locally to visit his family in Hagerstown.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, G. Fred Dieterich Jr.; and one nephew, Matthew Cool.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of The Woodlands; children, Laurie of Stone Mountain, Ga., and Paul of Santa Clara, Calif.; mother, Mildred M. Dieterich of Homewood Assisted Living in Williamsport; one sister, Lois Herchenrother and husband, Brian, of Hagerstown; one niece, Melissa Reed, husband, Joe, and son, Gavin, of Greencastle, Pa.; one nephew, Terry Cool Jr. of Orlando, Fla.; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of his life is planned for Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7:15 p.m. at Hill Top Assisted Living at Homewood of Williamsport with refreshments following. The family will receive friends and relatives at 6:45 p.m. Please call Lois and Brian for directions or questions.
John G. "Jack" Cavanaugh, 72
MARCH 30, 1936-NOV. 9, 2008
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - John G. "Jack" Cavanaugh, 72, of Shepherdstown, W.Va., died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Winchester (Va.) Medical Center.
Born March 30, 1936, in Phillipsburg, N.J., he was the son of the late Gerald Cavanaugh and Eleanor Garrecht DeRemer.
Jack was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School class of 1953. He furthered his education, majoring in accounting, by attending Churchmans Business College in Easton, Pa., then Benjamin Franklin University in Washington, D.C.
His career was spent at Bankers Independent Insurance Co., where he served as president.
He was a devout Catholic, being a member at both St. James Catholic Church in Boonsboro and St. Agnes Catholic Church in Shepherdstown.
Jack was an avid golfer and a member of Cress Creek Country Club in Shepherdstown. He also enjoyed gardening and loved sports, especially football, and he rooted for the Redskins, his favorite team.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol Cavanaugh; daughter, Tina Buckler and husband, Sam, of Shepherdstown; son, Anthony Capone and wife, Sandy, of London, Ontario, Canada; daughter, Diane Shroyer and husband, LaMar, of Keedysville, Md.; six grandchildren, Brandon Buckler, Samantha Buckler and Andrew Buckler, and Shawn Shroyer, Dakota Shroyer and Anthony Capone; and two sisters, Nancy Hunsberger of Nazareth, Pa., and Marlene Zorn of Hellertown, Pa.
He was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Capone, in 1989.
His family and friends will always remember him for his great kindness and generosity.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, Boonsboro.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at noon at the funeral home following visitation. The Rev. Stephen E. Hook will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Keedsyville.
Memorial donations may be made to WVU-H East Home Health Care, 111 W. Liberty St., Charles Town, WV 25414.
Online condolences may be made at www.baststaufferfuneralhome.com.
Sandra E. Gibson, 66
DEC. 7, 1941-NOV. 8, 2008
ST. THOMAS, Pa. - Sandra E. Gibson, 66, of 5566 Cedar St., died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008. at her home.
Born Dec. 7, 1941, in Atlanta, she was the daughter of Lois Brown Eidson of Shelbyville, Tenn., and the late William Wallace Eidson.
Her husband, James G. Gibson, died Sept. 1, 2004. They were married Sept. 27, 1967.
She raised Shih Tzu show dogs for 30 years and was the proprietor of SaLuSe Shih Tzu of Williamson, Pa.
She was a member of American Shih Tzu Club and MS Society.
She is survived by one son, W. Derek Gibson of St. Thomas; one sister, Elon McLendon of Shelbyville; one brother, Robert Eidson of Shadydale, Ga.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Private services and burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are by Lininger-Fries Funeral Home Inc., Mercersburg, Pa.
Richard P. Vidrine, 72
FEB. 27, 1936-NOV. 7, 2008
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Richard Paul Vidrine, 72, of Martinsburg, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at City Hospital.
Born Feb. 27, 1936, in Evangeline, La., he was the son of the late Ernest Vidrine and Edith Blood Vidrine.
He retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan Miller Vidrine; two daughters, Annette Taylor of Manassas, Va., and Joan Stewart, of Rockville, Md.; three sons, Paul Vidrine of Atlanta, Ga., Raymond Vidrine of Manassas and Charles Vidrine of Martinsburg; two sisters, Nell Deville and Betsy Prowse, both of Alexandria, La.; two brothers, Tony Vidrine of New Orleans and John Vidrine of Baton Rouge, La.; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Martha Winters; and one brother, Michael Vidrine.
Graveside services with full military honors will be Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg.
Gary S. Davis, 60
APRIL 9, 1948-NOV. 8, 2008
GERRARDSTOWN, W.Va. - Gary S. Davis, 60, of Gerrardstown, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Baltimore.
Born April 9, 1948, in Bethesda, Md., he was the son of Mildred Culp Davis of Pennsylvania and the late Clarence L. Davis.
He was employed as an accountant by the Department of Energy.
He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Will of Sterling, Va.; two sons, Chad Davis and Steven Davis, both of Sterling; one sister, Karen Jarvis of Maryland; two brothers, Carl E. Davis of Maryland and Todd L. Davis of Nevada; and four grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg. The Rev. William C. Crowe will officiate. Military graveside services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
Joyce Y. Silks, 70
MAY 12, 1938-NOV. 9, 2008
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Joyce Y. Silks, 70, of Chambersburg, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at her home.
Born May 12, 1938, in Dauphin County, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Geraldine Edith Truett Haines and the late Mark Donald Wilbert.
Her husband, Charles C. Silks, died Feb. 5, 2008. They were married Nov. 25, 1954.
She is survived by three daughters, Kathy M. Silks of Alexandria, Va., Lisa K. Black of Chambersburg and Lori A. Wetzel of Fayetteville, Pa.; one brother, Glenn A. Wilbert of Darlington, Ind.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one brother, David Haines; stepmother, Dorothy Wilbert; and stepfather, Earl Haines.
Services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg. The Rev. Adam C. Leeper will officiate. Burial will follow in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, Chambersburg.
The family will receive friends Wednesday one hour prior to services.
Memorial contributions may be made to Scleroderma Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, 7 South BioMedical Science Tower, 3500 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261.
William Ray Anderson, 61
JULY 26, 1947-NOV. 9, 2008
William Ray Anderson, 61, of Hagerstown, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at his home.
Born July 26, 1947, in Goldsboro, N.C., he was the son of the late Luther E. and Ruth M. Anderson.
He was employed as a sheet-metal worker by Central Precision Manufacturer in Boonsboro.
He was of the Protestant faith.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Lou Harshman Anderson, whom he married May 5, 1978; one daughter, Debra K. Sabine of Downsville; and one brother, Earl Anderson of Baltimore.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Luther J. Anderson.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
The family requests the omission of flowers. Memorial donations may be made to SPCA, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740.
Edward C. Taft
-NOV. 5, 2008
Edward Coman Taft, a resident of Coffman Nursing Home in Hagerstown, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Quitney Taft, in 2004.
He retired in 1994 as vice president of estate planning for the former Bank of Boston.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was a watercolor artist.
He is survived by one son, Edward D. Taft of Smithsburg; one brother, Donley R. Taft of Wakefield, R.I.; and five nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, Mark D. Taft; and one brother, Dale R. Taft.
A memorial service is planned for a later date in Hendersonville, N.C.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21742.
Arrangements are by J.L. Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg.
Regina E. Alger, 78
JULY 5, 1930-NOV. 9, 2008
GAPLAND - Regina Elaine Bealer Alger, 78, of 2709 Rohrersville Road, and formerly of Gapland Road, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at her home.
Born July 5, 1930, in Gapland, she was the daughter of the late Maurice Herbert and Nellie Catherine Hoffmaster Bealer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse A. Alger Sr., on Aug. 30, 1998.
She was a graduate of Boonsboro High School, class of 1948, and graduated from the Maryland Medical Secretarial School.
She retired from Nationwide Insurance Co. as a claims secretary.
She was a member of Brownsville Church of the Brethren.
She is survived by one stepdaughter, Rebecca Briggs of West Virginia; one stepson, Jesse A. Alger Jr. of West Virginia; one sister, Janice A. Mentzer of Gapland; one brother, H. Blaine of Gapland; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, C. Mickey Bealer; and one infant brother, Meredith M. Bealer.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, Boonsboro.
Services will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Brownsville Church of the Brethren. The Rev. Alan Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in Brownsville Heights Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Brownsville, MD 21715 or American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852.
www.baststaufferfuneralhome.com.
George Augustus "Gus" Bell, 77
FEB. 15, 1931-NOV. 9, 2008
Mr. George Augustus "Gus" Bell, 77, of Hagerstown, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown.
Born Feb. 15, 1931, in Frederick County, he was the son of the late George Washington Bell and Carrie Long Bell.
He was the husband of Barbara A. Long Bell, his wife of 51 years.
Mr. Bell was a 1952 graduate of Walkersville (Md.) High School, where he played numerous sports.
He and his wife were residents of Mount Airy, Md., for 29 years before moving to Washington County in 1988.
He was employed by the State of Maryland Transportation Department for 31 years, retiring in 1989.
He was a member of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishing Club and Antietam Fly Anglers, and was a Fenwick fly fishing instructor for several years. He was an avid fly fisherman, a custom rod builder and a fly tier, and he dabbled in photography.
He was a past member of Elks Lodge 378 of Hagerstown.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Tamera Pence and husband, Roger, of York, S.C.; one son, Greg Bell and wife, Tammy, of Hagerstown; three grandchildren, Sarah Graham and husband, Chris, of Corvallis, Ore.; Hanna Pence of York, and U.S. Navy Ensign Brett Bell of Corpus Christi, Texas, and fiance, Brianna LaRoche; two sisters, H. Irene Fox near Libertytown and M. Louise Brengle and husband, Earl "Jack," of Missoula, Mont.; one brother, I. Webber Bell and wife, Mary, of Westminster, Md.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Terry Lisa Bell; and two sisters, M. Marguerite Smith and Teresa M. Embrey.
A funeral service will be Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at Hartzler Funeral Home, 11802 Liberty Road, Libertytown, with the Rev. Dorothy Lundgren, pastor of Chapel Lutheran Church near Libertytown, officiating.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chapel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 131, Libertytown, MD 21762 or Potomac Valley Fly Fishing Club, P.O. Box 3001, Frederick, MD 21705.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com.
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