U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Karal N. Atchison, 83
Date of Death: Mar 17, 2009
Linville - Karal Nelson Atchison, 83, a resident of 5499 Jesse Bennett Way, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Living Waters. Mr. Atchison was born on October 11, 1925 in Rockingham County and was the son of the late David Harmon and Lucretia Dean Atchison. He graduated from Linville Edom School in 1943. Mr. Atchison served in the U.S. Navy for three years during WWII. He drove a school bus for Rockingham County Schools for thirty-five years and was a local farmer. He was also employed by Shenandoah Valley Livestock Sales. He was a member of Edom United Methodist Church. On September 6, 1962 he married
the former Phyllis Burruss who survives. Also surviving in addition to his wife is one daughter, Paige Atchison, Linville; one brother, Clarence (Bob) Atchison and wife Gail, Linville and a number of nieces and nephews. Reverends John Crawford and Erich Bennett will conduct a memorial service Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Edom United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Linville cemetery at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 6p.m. until 8p.m.Wednesday at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg. Friends may call at his home or at the home of his daughter’s at anytime. The casket will be closed.
Lillian Kiser, 87
Date of Death: Feb 22, 2009
Harrisonburg - Lillian Wenger Kiser, 87, a resident of 168 Heatwole Road, Harrisonburg, died Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law. Mrs. Kiser was born on October 31, 1921 in Augusta County and was the daughter of the late Henry S. and Amy Heatwole Wenger. She was a homemaker as well as a Sunday school teacher, and was involved in the Women’s Ministry. She greatly enjoyed her family and friends. She was a member of Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church. On January 10, 1945, she married
Alvin J. Kiser who survives. Also surviving is one son, Lyle Jacob Kiser and wife Diana, Harrisonburg; one sister, Jean W. Weaver and husband Marion, Waynesboro; two grandchildren, Brad P. Kiser and wife Melanie, Matthew S. Kiser and wife Shelley all of Bridgewater; and five great-grandchildren, Brandon Kiser, Michael Kiser, Madison Kiser, Caleb Kiser, and Trent Kiser. Pastors Lee Martin and Wilmer Lehman will conduct a memorial service Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at McMullen Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the home of Lyle and Diana Kiser at anytime. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church, Building Fund, 6954 Mt. Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802 or Clover Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2100 Clover Hill Road, Dayton, Va. 22821.
Ronald L. Mohler, Sr., 66
Date of Death: Mar 24, 2009
Linville - Ronald Lee Mohler, Sr., 66, a resident of 12112 Hollar School Road, Linville, died Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Mr. Mohler was born on January 6, 1943 in Rockingham County and was the son of the late Archie Samuel and Fern Hill Mohler. Surviving are two sisters, Connie Mohler, Harrisonburg; Brenda Kline, Linville; two brothers, Ward Everett Mohler, New Jersey, Wade Emmett Mohler, Harrisonburg; and several nieces and nephews. Pastor Dan King will conduct a memorial service, Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg. Private burial will follow. The body will be cremated. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1290 Seminole Trail, Suite 2, Charlottesville, Va. 22901.
E. Branson Conley, 88
Date of Death: Mar 14, 2009
Fulks Run - Emanuel Branson Conley, 88, a resident of 8649 Hopkins Gap Road, Fulks Run died March 14, 2009 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Mr. Conley was born on December 9, 1920 in Rockingham County and was the son of the late John Martin and Nettie Sours Conley. He worked for the Foresty Service as a Warden and was a poultry farmer until his retirement. Mr. Conley was a retired Deacon in the Southeastern Mennonite Conference and was a member of the Peake Mennonite Church. On April 8, 1944, he married
the former Lettie Catherine Whitmire who survives. Also surviving are eleven sons, E.B. (Sonny) Conley, Jr. and wife Jane, Broadway; Robert Conley and wife Elizabeth, Spencerville, Maryland; Larry (Lee) Conley, Harrisonburg; Danny Conley, Mt. Crawford; Carroll (Pud) Conley and wife Mary, Spring Creek; Gary (Wes) Conley, Harrisonburg; Richard Conley, Fulks Run; Daryl (Mtn.) Conley, Fulks Run; Mark Conley and wife Lisa; Fulks Run; Michael Conley, Harrisonburg; Gerald Conley, Fulks Run; four daughters, Gloria Combs and husband Charles, Baker, WV; Norma Kyger and husband Tim, Timberville; Esther Parks and husband Rick, Harrisonburg; Lana Shifflett and husband Ronnie, Harrisonburg; 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Douglas Conley. Jay Rohrer, Elam Heatwole and Jim Goering will conduct a funeral service Wednesday afternoon at 2p.m. at Weavers Mennonite Church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6p.m.until 9p.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg. Friends may also call at the funeral home at any time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Peake Mennonite Church, 8613 War Branch Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 or to the Hebron Mennonite Church, 13594 Hopkins Gap Road, Fulks Run,Virginia 22830.
Zachary Lee LaBonte, 16
Date of Death: Mar 6, 2009
Harrisonburg - Zachary Lee LaBonte, 16, a resident of 1672 Lacey Spring Road, Harrisonburg died March 6, 2009. Zachary was born on November 7, 1992 and was the son of Allen L. and Suzanne L. Jones LaBonte. He was an active member of the Grace Mennonite Fellowship. Surviving in addition to his parents are three brothers, Nicholas Allen, Jesse Gabriel, Taylor Josiah; three sisters, Emily Sarah, Lydia Rose, and Zion Shohanna; great grandfather, Austin Trimble, Chicago; great grandmother, Arvilla Woff, Ohio; paternal grandparents, Raymond and Priscilla LaBonte, Lakeland, Florida; maternal grandparents, Donald and Marilyn Jones, Rochester, New York. Pastor Mark Landis will conduct a memorial service Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 7p.m. at Grace Mennonite Fellowship. A private family graveside service will be held earlier. There will be no public viewing. Memorial contributions may be made to the LaBonte Family c/o Grace Mennonite Fellowship, 209 Lacey Spring Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ellen Newland, 85
Date of Death: Mar 2, 2009
Harrisonburg - Mary Ellen Newland, 85, died March 1, 2009 at her home. Mrs. Newland was born on February 19, 1924 in Rockingham County and was the daughter of the late Clarence and Stella Virginia Morris Payne. She was a homemaker and a member of the Gospel Hill Mennonite Church. Mrs. Newland was preceded in death by her first husband Hayes Halterman and her second husband Richard Newland . Surviving are three daughters Audrey Kay Hendricks, Florida; Donna Faye Minnick, McGaheysville; Jeanette Michelle Nelson, Harrisonburg; three sons, Claude Ray Halterman, Broadway; Elwood Clay Halterman and Lynwood Jay Halterman both of Georgia; three brothers, Gifford Payne, Singers Glen; Nelson Payne, Linville; Warren Payne, Broadway; fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. Pastor Cindy Carr will conduct a funeral service Thursday at 11 a.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from seven until eight at the McMullen Funeral Home, Harrisonburg.
Doris Ann Cave, 73
Date of Death: May 28, 2009
Harrisonburg - Doris Ann Cave, 73, a resident of Harrisonburg, died on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at her residence. Mrs. Cave was born on April 10, 1936 in Shenandoah County and was the daughter of the late Jesse C. and Virginia M. Spitzer. For 47 years, she was a faithful witness of Jehovah and a full time homemaker. On December 25, 1954, she married
the love of her life, Charles “Bill” William Cave and enjoyed 52 years of life together. Surviving are five children, Charles “Chuck” Wesley Cave of Timberville, Kevin William Cave of Louisa, Carl David Cave of Jacksonville, Florida, Patty Elaine Hughes of Chesterfield, Jessie Ann Cave Yanez of Richmond; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Stuart Spitzer of New Market; two sisters, Jeanette Marston and Patricia Wilt, both of Timbeville and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Cave was preceded in death by her eldest son, Darryl Wayne Cave and her husband Charles “Bill” William Cave. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 1766 Harpine Highway Harrisonburg.
Martha "Evelyn" Shifflett
Date of Death: Jun 11, 2010
Martha Evelyn “MaMow” Shifflett, 87, a resident of Avante Nursing Home, died Friday, June 11, 2010. Mrs. Shifflett was born on May 9, 1923 in Onego, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Zennie Mae Harper Pennington. She was previously employed at Stahli’s Silk Mill and Virginia Valley Processors. She was a homemaker who loved the outdoors and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church. On November 22, 1942, she married
Edward “Dutch” C. Shifflett. Also surviving are two daughters, Patsy Evelyn Miller and husband Gary of Hinton, Kay Botkin and husband Eugene of Harrisonburg; one brother, Norman Pennington of Dayton; three grandchildren, Sherry Miller, Michael Miller, Jon Miller; four great-grandchildren, Eric Miller, Justin Miller, Hunter Miller, Heather Miller; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Shifflett was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters. Pastor Roger Dove will conduct a funeral service on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Rawley Springs Mennonite cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening at the funeral home from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494.
Iva M. Trissel, 97
Date of Death: Jun 13, 2010
Iva Marie Trissel, 97, a resident of Harrisonburg, died, June 13, 2010 at Oak Lea Nursing Home. Ms. Trissel was born on April 3, 1913 in Dayton, and was the daughter of the late John H. and Lillie Hess Trissel. She attended Dale Enterprise School. In earlier years, she taught Sunday School and Summer Bible School at Peak and Rawley Springs Mennonite Churches. She was an accomplished seamstress. Her work was in great demand and she made many wedding gowns. Following her work as a seamstress, she worked many years for Park View Press. In her retirement years, her greatest joy was designing and making quilts, many of which she donated to charity craft sales. She traveled all over the United States, made to two trips to the Holly Land and other foreign countries. In January of 1981, she was one of the first residents to move to Heritage Haven, a new independent living facility of the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. She lived there and did volunteer work for twenty four years before moving to Crestwood Assisted Living, where she lived for three years, and then the last two years at Oak Lea. She lived at VMRC longer than any other resident. She was a member of Pike Mennonite Church. Surviving is a brother, D. Lloyd Trissel and wife Alice, Harrisonburg; a sister, Fern Trissel of Harrisonburg. Also surviving are six nephews, a number of great nieces and nephews, and a number of great-great nieces and nephews. Ms. Trissel was preceded in death by a brother, J. Ward Trissel and two sisters, Gail and Rose Trissel. Ellis Beery, Nelson Showalter, and Wade Knicley,and Shirlee K. Yoder will conduct a memorial service on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Strite Auditorium of the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Burial will be private at Weavers cemetery. Friends and family may call at the McMullen Funeral Home at anytime. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802
Karen Lee Whetzel
Date of Death: Jun 9, 2010
Karen Lee Whetzel of Linville fell asleep in death after 63 years of life in the early morning hours of Wednesday June 9, 2010. Throughout her recent illness, whenever the eventuality of death was briefly mentioned, she had often expressed her sure faith in the resurrection hope as promised in the Bible. She was born on August 8, 1946, the daughter of James Franklin Norman II and Beatrice Dove Norman of Broadway and she attended Broadway High School. On October 21, 1962, she married
Ronald Elwood Whetzel of Linville. Mrs. Whetzel is survived by her husband Ron, a son, Ronald Anthony Whetzel of Snow Hill, Maryland, a daughter Stephanie Whetzel Thompson of Waynesboro and two grandchildren, Erica Whetzel Aristizabal and Lindsey Blair Wilson both of Salisbury, Maryland. In addition she is survived by four sisters, Brenda Norman of Harrisonburg, Donna Hines of Elkton, Natalie Didawick and Valerie Brett both of Harrisonburg and a brother, James F. Norman III of Criders. She also is survived by nieces, Dana Moyers of McGaheysville, Rebecca Vance of Harrisonburg, Lori Norquest of Harrisonburg, Ashley Didawick of Reston and Caitlin Didawick of Manassas, as well as two nephews, Eric Smith of Staunton and James F. Norman IV of Criders. Mrs. Whetzel was preceded in death by her father and mother, as well as her younger sister Lana Vance. Mrs. Whetzel held multiple jobs throughout her working career, however her fondest memories came from working as a volunteer with the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped. She drove for Ed Thurston who was a visually impaired Rehabilitation Teacher, for over 30 years. Mrs. Whetzel was a loving wife and caring mother who also had a deep love for children and her wide collection of cookbooks and hats. She loved all members of her family and worked countless hours assisting them in various endeavors. As a member of the Harrisonburg Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she had a deep appreciation for all of God’s creation and a special love for the color and beauty of flowers. K K as she was affectionately called by many in her family, often expressed her sincere love for life and always greatly enjoyed sharing her keen sense of humor. Though death is often viewed as an extremely sad time for a family, she on many occasions joked of her desire to have balloons and clowns at her funeral. While the family may not go that far, the memorial in her honor will hopefully express many of her hopes, values and her intense love for life. Funeral Arrangements are being handled by McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the McMullen Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, on Route 42 north of Harrisonburg VA on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 2 p.m.
Loyd E.(Bud) Snyder, 86
Date of Death: Jul 3, 2010
Singers Glen - Loyd (Bud) E. Snyder, 86, of Singers Glen, died July 3, 2010 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Mr. Snyder was born in Grant County West Virginia and was the son of the late Job and Daisy Kessel Snyder. He served in the United States Army during World War II as part of the United States Army 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division. He served in Rhineland, Normandy, Germany and France. He received several ribbons and metals including the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster from wounds he received in France and Germany. He was a survivor of D-Day at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He was a lifetime member of the Rion-Bowman VFW Post 632 and a life member of the Feedstone Hunt Club. He worked as a farmer and carpenter. On November 6, 1948, he married
the former Lillie M. (Peggy) See who survives. Mr. Snyder was a loving and devoted father of seven children, Katherine Runion and husband Tim, Harrisonburg; Judy Gale, Mt. Jackson; Ellen Jordan and husband Don, Williamston, NC; Loyd Snyder Jr. and wife Liz, Singers Glen; Shirley Zigler and husband Johnny, Timberville; Jerry Snyder and wife Bonnie, Bridgewater; Sandra Moseley and husband Mark, Elkton. He is also survived by two sisters, Phyllis Crites and Ramona Holloway, both of Rig, West Virginia; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Reverends Jim Radford and Robert W. Smith Jr. will conduct a funeral service Tuesday morning at 11a.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Singers Glen cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from six until eight. The Casket will be closed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Singers Glen Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 75, Singers Glen, Virginia 22850 or to the Singers Glen Fire Department, P.O. Box 373, Singers Glen, Virginia 22850.
Elizabeth C. Revercomb, 86
Date of Death: Jul 5, 2010
Elizabeth Coffman Revercomb, 86, formally of Hinton, a resident of VMRC, died Monday, July 5, 2010 after a long farewell with Alzheimer’s. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be fondly remembered as a woman of spunk, a master of coconut cake, and dedicated to the family she loved. Elizabeth was born at her home on June 4, 1924 and was the daughter of the late Michael and Ella Lee Coffman. She volunteered with the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of West Side Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Glenn Edward Revercomb and two daughters, Betty Lee and husband George Yoder of Churchville and Deborah Ann Glover and friend Mark Price of Harrisonburg. She is known as “Nannie” to three grandchildren, Michael Lee Yoder and wife April, Glenn Thomas Yoder and wife Carla, Joy Elizabeth and husband Michael Allen Stultz and two great-grandchildren, Blake Michael Yoder and Addison Elizabeth Yoder. Elizabeth was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Lee Coffman and Glenn Cromer Coffman. The family will receive family and friends on Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 6 until 7:00 p.m., with a service of remembrance at 7:00 p.m. at the McMullen Funeral Home Chapel. Wendell “Sonny” Henkel will officiate. Burial will be private at Clover Hill cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a service of remembering at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community at Strite Auditorium, on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Good Samaritan Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802.
Sanford D. “Sandy” Snider, 69
Date of Death: Jun 13, 2010
Mr. Sanford Dean “Sandy” Snider, 69, of Broadway, Virginia, died on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family. Mr. Snider was born in Bay City, Michigan on August 20, 1940, and was the son of the late Sanford Russell Snider and Katie Swartz Snider. He died of acute leukemia which first afflicted him in 2006. Mr. Snider was married
to Gloria Harman on August 11, 1962. He is survived by his wife and three sons, Craig and his wife Jill Landis Snider of Broadway, Daryl and his wife Jean Sensenig of Lancaster, PA and Shawn and his wife Sarah Beachey Snider of Harrisonburg; and five grandchildren, Becky, Nate, and Tim of Broadway, and Colin and Luke of Harrisonburg; a sister, Karen Snider Rockwell and her husband Rick of Turner, MI, and a brother David and his wife Rhoda Roggie Snider of Litiz, PA. Mr. Snider found meaning as a member of Trissels Mennonite Church since 2005, where he served in various responsibilities. He was called on and gladly served in numerous volunteer roles particularly for church-related organizations. While he spent his first 18 years in Michigan where the terrain is flat, he developed a great appreciation for the wonders of God in nature as viewed in and from the mountains of Virginia. He enjoyed many active pursuits such as hiking, gardening, and lawn care. Later in his life he developed an interest in genealogy of his and Gloria’s families which he recorded on computer software as a way of retaining memories of the lives of our ancestors. Mr. Snider was a graduate of Eastern Mennonite (College) University in 1962. He received graduate education at The College of William and Mary, earning a Master’s degree in 1968 and a Doctorate of Education degree in 1977. He began his career in public education by teaching in Hampton City Schools from 1962-1965. He was employed as teacher, guidance counselor, and a guidance advisor at Denbigh High School in New Port News from 1965-1970 when he moved with his family to the Richmond, Virginia area. Then he worked with Henrico County Public Schools as a Guidance Supervisor, Research Associate and Director of Research and Planning until his retirement in 1998. He continued there part time in the Research Department until moving to Broadway. The family will receive friends at his home at 324 Copper Drive, Broadway, Va. 22815 at an open house from 6 until 9 p.m., Thursday, June 17, 2010. Pastor Harold N. Miller will officiate at a memorial service on Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Trissels Mennonite Church. As a way of further benefiting two of the many organizations that were important to him, Memorial contributions may be made to Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center, 9275 Barnes Road, Toano, Virginia 23168, or to Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 22802.
