U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Claude M. Eaton, 93
Date of Death: Dec 20, 2008
Bridgewater - Claude Martin Eaton, 93, formerly of the Lilly Community died December 20, 2008 at the Bridgewater Home where he was a resident. Mr. Eaton was born on March 2, 1915, in Rockingham County and was the son of the late Casper W. and Annie ElizabethDove Eaton. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the Carl D. Lee VFW Post 9872. Mr. Eaton retired from Highway Motors. He will be remembered as a great father, husband and grandfather. He was a member of the Mount Bethel Church of the Brethren. On December 18, 1937, he married
the former Lelia Price who survives. Surviving are three daughters, Barbara Rodeffer and husband Glen, Penn Laird; Doris Manning, Harrisonburg; Faye Cash, Grottoes; one son, Leroy Eaton and wife Dawne, Sun Lakes, Arizona; two brothers, Forrest Eaton and wife Geraldine, Harrisonburg; Glen Eaton and wife Shirley, Fredericksburg; one sister, Frances Ritchie and husband Maurice, Harrisonburg; eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. Pastor John Janzi will conduct a graveside service Tuesday morning at 11a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg at any time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Resident Care Endowment Fund, 302 N Second, Bridgewater, VA 22812.
Edith “Mimi” Landfear 86
Date of Death: Dec 7, 2008
Singers Glen Edith “Mimi” Landfear, a resident of 10630 Morning View Road, Singers Glen, Virginia went to be with the Lord December 7, 2008 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Landfear was born on May 16, 1922, in Boston, MA and was the daughter of the late Harold S. and Edith Dadmun MacFarland. She was a homemaker who was devoted to her family and was a member of the West Side Baptist Church. On September 7, 1968, she married
Arthur “Art” Landfear who preceded her in death on March 3, 2000. Surviving are one son, Ed Gaudet, Luray; four daughters Beth (Shank) Fitzwater, Singers Glen; Christine Ratz, Rochester, NY; Rev. Melanie Barton, Madison, Alabama; Robin Pearson, Dewitt, MI; one sister, Roberta Tucker, Arizona; ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son and five brothers. Rev. Melanie Barton will conduct a funeral service Wednesday afternoon at 2p.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Singers Glen cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from seven until eight at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be to the Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Center, UVA Children’s Hospital, 2270 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903.
Daniel M. Smucker, 91
Date of Death: Nov 19, 2008
Harrisonburg - Daniel Martin Smucker, 91, of Harrisonburg, died November 19, at his home. Dan was born on October 8, 1917, in Oyster Point, VA, son of Dan and Verna Mast Smucker. He grew up in eastern VA and married
Frances Yoder (his “Flower”) in 1942. They moved to Rockingham County in 1943 and were asked to found a church in 1946, Ridgeway Mennonite, where Dan pastored for 40 years. He also owned and operated Dan’s Body Service. For Dan and Frances, pastoring duties took precedence over shop and farm. They served with the Mennonite Central Committee in Botswana (‘74-76), with the VA Mennonite Mission Board in Trinidad from ‘81-82, and in interim pastorates, including Ridgeway, Lynside, Powhatan, Stephens City and Zion Hill Churches. Frances died December ‘99, cared for at home by Dan. Two children Elwood and Helen Jo also preceded him in death. Surviving are a son, Gary Smucker, Alexandria; two daughters, Jean Smucker Fisher, Harrisonburg; Karen Shelly Smucker and husband, James C. Shelly, Meridan, ID; one sister, Elizabeth Smucker, Harrisonburg; one brother, Paul Smucker and wife, Heidi, Spring Mills, PA; three grandchildren, J. Atieno Fisher, DC; Lara Fisher, Charlottesville; Daniel Thabo Fisher and wife, Melissa, Brooklyn, NY; two step-grandchildren, Pat Shelly, Akron, PA; Jo Wenger and husband Jerold, Tacoma, WA, and their children, Kayla and Adam. Dan will be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved and listened to others and lived a life of deep integrity guided by God’s presence from the time of his conversion at age 20. Dan was a solid rock for his family and many others in the community. He was a hard worker and enjoyed learning. In retirement he crafted wooden items for family and to be auctioned at the Mennonite Relief Sale. Dan was a member of the Lindale Mennonite Church. Pastor Duane Yoder will conduct a memorial service Saturday morning at 11a.m. at the Church. A graveside service will be held at 10a.m. at the Church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening, 6-8, at the McMullen Funeral Home. Memorial contributions, requested in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Daniel and Frances Smucker Caribbean Ministry Endowment, VMM, 901 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Joyce I. Custer, 66
Date of Death: Nov 12, 2008
Fulks Run - Joyce Irene Custer, 66, a resident of 8472 Hopkins Gap Road, Fulks Run, died November 12, 2008 at her home. Ms. Custer was born on April 13, 1942 in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Lloyd L. and Bessie Pearl Jones Dickenson. She was a homemaker and a member of the Riven Rock Hunt Club. Surviving are two daughters, Rhonda Custer and Milly Stanley; two sons, Richard Dickenson and Clint Custer; one sister, Jovita Grogg ; two brothers, Joynie Dickenson and Lloyd (Cricket) Dickenson; six grandchildren, Cherish Phillips, Cody Dickenson, Allison Ritchie, Taylor Stanley, Matthew Custer and Chase Custer. She was preceded in death by her companion Stanley Carr. Rev. Issac “Ike” Risser will conduct a funeral service Saturday morning at 11a.m. at the Mount Clinton Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at the Mount Clinton cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from seven until eight at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, 100 E. Grace Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 or to the American Lung Association 61 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, New York, 10006.
Mary Showalter, 91
Date of Death: Nov 20, 2008
Harrisonburg - Mary Showalter, 91, formerly of 425 Hartman Drive, Harrisonburg, Virginia died November 20, 2008 at Oak Lea Nursing Home. Mrs. Showalter was born on December 31, 1916 in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Addison and Lessie Belle Robison Smith. She worked at Stehli Silk Mill, Mount Clinton Elementary School and at Metro Pants Factory in Harrisonburg. Mrs. Showalter babysat for many children in her home. She was a member of the Fairview Church of the Brethren. On January 25, 1936 she married
Richard Showalter who preceded her in death on November 3, 1968. Surviving are a daughter, Janet Biller, and husband Henry Harrisonburg; two brothers, Wiley Smith, Weyers Cave; Samuel Smith, Harrisonburg; three grandchildren, Robert Showalter and wife Elsie; Jane Spitzer and husband Rick; Mary Sue Geisler and husband Tony; five great grandchildren, James Showalter, Brandi Spitzer, David Showalter, Madison Geisler and Kimberley Geisler. Mrs. Showalter was preceded in death by five brothers, Grattan Smith, Dick Smith, Lester Smith, Herman Smith, Claude Smith, four sisters, Dorothy Hess, twin sister, Martha Matheny, Hattie Heatwole, and Lessie Irene Smith. Wendell “Sonny” Henkel and Reverend Jim Hall will conduct a funeral service Sunday afternoon at 2p.m. at Weavers Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at Weavers cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 or to the Hugs and Hope Organization, Help for Sick Children, P.O. Box 56, Harshaw, WI 54529.
Dorothy Bennett Wiseman, 93
Date of Death: Nov 19, 2008
Harrisonburg - Dorothy Bennett Wiseman, 93, a resident of 1401 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, died November 19, 2008 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Dorothy B. Wiseman, 93 Wiseman was born on July 23, 1915 in Dublin, Maryland and was the daughter of the late Rev. George H. and Sadie Pritchett Bennett. She taught in the Arlington County school system for many years. She was active in the Virginia Mennonite Village Community for seventeen years. Mrs. Wiseman was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg and formerly a member of Cherrydale United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. On May 17, 1941 she married
Elmer Wiseman who preceded her in death. Surviving are, three sons, Paul Wiseman and wife Marcia, Harrisonburg; Richard (Sandy) L. Wiseman and wife Terri, Manassas; David E. Wiseman and wife Linda, Stephens City; six grandchildren, Heather Wiseman, Todd Wiseman, Bryan Wiseman, Jason Wiseman, Sarah and Brandon Collins, Steven and Beth Wiseman; and two great-grandchildren, Mazie Wiseman, Annabelle Collins. Rev. Larry Thompson and Jerry John will conduct a memorial service at Strite Auditorium of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community on November 22, 2008, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be private at National Memorial Park cemetery in Falls Church, Virginia. The family will receive friends following the memorial service. Friends may also call at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg anytime. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Regional Cancer Center, 100 East Grace Street, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801.
Louise R. Blosser, 85
Date of Death: Nov 6, 2008
Harrisonburg - Louise Risser Blosser, 85, a resident of 1475 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, died November 6, 2008 at Oak Lea Nursing Home where she was a resident. Mrs. Blosser was born on November 29, 1922 in Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of the late Irvin and Cora Meyers Risser. She graduated from Kings Daughters Nursing School and worked as a nurse at Rockingham Memorial Hospital until her retirement. After retiring, she continued to volunteer for many years at the hospital. She was a member of Dayton Mennonite Church. On July 18, 1957 she married
Michael O. Blosser who preceded her in death in October 1985. Surviving are one step-daughter, Joyce Showalter and husband James, one sister, Ellen Martin and husband Harold, one brother, Isaac Risser, all of Harrisonburg; a brother-in-law, Richard Keeler and wife, Margaret, Trinidad; three step grandchildren, James Michael Showalter and wife Carol, Dawn Showalter, Kevin Showalter and wife Jennifer; a granddaughter in-law, Angie Showalter, and eight step great-grandchildren. Mrs. Blosser was preceded in death by a step grandson, Darrell Showalter, a sister, Martha Keeler, and a sister-in-law Mildred Risser. Pastors Shirlee K. Yoder and Daryl Driver will conduct a memorial service Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2008, at Strite Auditorium of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the memorial service. Burial will be private at Weavers cemetery. Friends may call at the McMullen Funeral Home at anytime. Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Good Samaritan Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802.
Charles Ray (Bubby) Pitsenbarger, 3
Date of Death: Dec 26, 2008
Broadway - Charles Ray (Bubby) Pitsenbarger, 3, went home with the angels on December 26, 2008. He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home. Bubby was born on December 22, 2005 at Harrisonburg and was the son of Charles Allen and Amy Lynn Crawford Pitsenbarger of Broadway. Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters, Dezarai Lynn Crawford and Katelynn Dawn Pitsenbarger at home; grandparents, Ricky Elwood Crawford, Broadway; Catherine and Edwin Lantz, Elkton; Sheila Rexrode, Fulks Run; Raymond Gray, Vermillion, Ohio and Earl Curry, Singers Glen; great grandparents, Tiny and Cindy Crawford, Fulks Run; Ralph and Arvella Pitsenbarger, Franklin, West Virginia; Goldie Taylor, Mt. Crawford; Marvin Mutherspaw, Dayton; Alice and Bob Lilly, South Carolina. Rev. Ike Risser and Roy Good will conduct a funeral service Sunday at 2p.m. at the Gospel Hill Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7p.m. until 8p.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg. Friends and family may visit the home of his parents at 12129 Hiser Lane, Broadway, Va. at anytime. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society1920 H Medical Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801. Online condolences may be made the family at www.mcmullenfh.com. Bubby you are daddy’s and mommy’s special angel and you’ll never be forgotten! Everybody Loves You !!!
Norwood Lee Zirk, 72
Date of Death: Jan 18, 2009
Harrisonburg - Norwood Lee Zirk, 72, a resident of 2425 Longs Pump Road, Harrisonburg died January 18, 2009 at the University of Virginia Hospital. Mr. Zirk was born on August 8, 1936, in Rockingham County and was the son of the late Turner S. and Reba Pennington Zirk. Mr. Zirk graduated from Broadway High School in 1953 and Madison College in 1958 and spent his life in the Linville community. He served in the United States Air Force. He worked in the past for Virginia Silo Company and Rockingham Redi-Mix, and currently for Conmat Group. He was a farmer and partner in Zirkwin Dairy since 1976. Mr. Zirk was a member of Mount Tabor United Methodist where he served as treasurer for many years. Surviving are a brother, James P. Zirk and wife Nancy, Harrisonburg; one niece, Julie Kline and husband Kevin, Harrisonburg; one nephew, Michael Zirk and wife Sarah, San Diego, CA; two great nephews, Bryce and Ryan Kline, Harrisonburg. Reverends’ Terry Frank and Steven Propst will conduct a funeral service Thursday morning at 11a.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Linville cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7p.m. until 8p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 or to the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 245, Lacey Spring,Virginia 22833.
Mark R. Wenger, 87
Date of Death: Jan 11, 2009
Pinnacle, North Carolina - Mark Reiter Wenger, 87, of 3645 Shoals Road, Pinnacle, North Carolina, passed away, Sunday, January 11, 2009 at his residence. Mr. Wenger was born on August 15, 1921 in Rockingham County, and was the son of the late C.D. and Bessie Reiter Wenger. He was a retired building contractor and a member of the Bank Mennonite Church. On December 7, 1944, he married
Eunice Heatwole Wenger who preceded him in death. Surviving are three daughters and a son-in-law, Erma Elaine Wenger of Hyden, Kentucky, Ellen and Dwight Shenk of Thurman Ohio, Lois Yvonne Wenger of Port Henry, New York; a son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Rhoda Wenger of Pinnacle, North Carolina; fifteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Perry Williams of Santa Clara, California; a brother-in-law, Lloyd Horst, of Dayton, Virginia; a brother-in-law, and sister-in law, Nelson and Florence Heatwole of Onego, West Virginia; nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Wenger was preceded in death by one brother, Paul Wenger; and two sisters, Margaret Genua and Charlotte Halterman. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, 10:30 a.m. at Bank Mennonite Church near Dayton, Virginia, by the ministry of his church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Bank Mennonite Church on Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com. McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Virginia Mehegan
Date of Death: Jan 12, 2009
Edom - Mrs. Mary Virginia Mehegan, 71, a resident of Linville Edom Road, died Monday, January 12, 2009 at sunrise in the home of her family. Mrs. Mehegan was born on July 15, 1937, in Edom Virginia to the late Joseph Owen and Pauline Fawley Beard. She is a graduate of Randolph Macon Women’s College and served as a Rockingham County magistrate from 1974 until present. She held the position of chief magistrate of the Twenty Sixth Judicial District from 1985 until 2000. After retirement in 2000, she worked part-time as a local magistrate. In the early 1970’s Mrs. Mehegan also served her community as a Rockingham County Home Extension Agent. Her special interests are family history, local community history, bird watching, gardening, reading, maps, travel, and most of all her well loved family. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harrisonburg. She has been married
to James Mehegan since September 8, 1962. Mr. Mehegan is still living. Also living are two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Sylvia Mehegan of Edom, Charlie and Vanessa Mehegan of Harrisonburg; one sister, Priscilla Blosser Rainey, Timberville; one brother, Dan Beard, Harrisonburg; and nine grandchildren, Rebekah, Ruthie, Rachel, David Jr., Philip, Isaac, Carlo, Julia, and Francesca Mehegan. She was preceded in death by a beloved brother, Joseph Owen Beard, Jr. The Reverend Dr. John Sloop will conduct a graveside service, Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lindale Mennonite cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday January 14th from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the home of David and Sylvia Mehegan; 3659 Linville Edom Road, Linville, VA (driveway West of Linville Edom Elementary School). The casket will be at the home and will be closed. Memorial contributions may be made to Long’s Chapel Preservation Society, P.O. Box 2231, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801. McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is in charge of arrangements.
Helen C. Graz Millson, 82
Date of Death: Dec 28, 2008
Harrisonburg - Helen C. (Len) Graz Millson, 82, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 28, 2008 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Ms. Millson was born on October 28, 1926 in Ohio and was the daughter of the late Richard Graz and Helen Adams Millson. She graduated from Washington Bible College, and was the Music Director at Barcroft Bible Church in Northern Virginia for 43 years. She worked at the Pentagon for the Department of Army, and then worked for many years for the Department of Transportation until her retirement. Ms. Millson moved to Park Gables at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in 2000. She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. Surviving are one brother, Harold D. Millson, Waynesboro; one sister, Margaret Hope, Louisa, Kentucky; and friend, Sunny Lawrence, Harrisonburg. Ms. Millson was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. A memorial service will be held on Saturday afternoon, January 10, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Strite Auditorium in Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. At Ms. Millson’s request the body was cremated. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church CEF, P.O. Box 211, Harrisonburg, Va. 22803.
Bonnie M. Tomaszewski, 94
Date of Death: Oct 25, 2009
Bonnie Myers Sacra Tomaszewski, 94, a resident of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, died Sunday, October 25, 2009. Bonnie Marie was born on January 12, 1915 in Rockingham County, Virginia and was the daughter of the late Herman Buford Myers and Flora Vista Petrie Myers. She was an LPN and a homemaker. In November 2005, she and her husband moved to Pennsylvania. She was a member of Harrisonburg Church of the Brethren. She was united in marriage on December 27, 1936 to William Mercer Sacra who preceded her in death on October 9, 1970. On September 22, 1976 she married
Chester Tomaszewski of Pennsylvania who survives. Surviving are two children, Janet Bolm of Bark River, Michigan and Lenwell Sacra of Fulks Run; two step-daughters, Catherine Schienle and Mary Lou Glinski both of Pennsylvania; two sisters, Nellie Gentry of Linville, Maxine Armentrout of Penn Laird; a brother, Leonard Myers of Linville; a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and step grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons James Edwin Sacra and Charles Lee Sacra. Pastor Ron Wyrick will conduct a graveside service on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Mossy Creek cemetery. The casket will be closed.
