U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Winston Rodney Hammer
Winston Rodney Hammer, 71, of Grottoes, formerly of Shenandoah, passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. He was born in Elkton on Sept. 6, 1937. Son of the late Jesse Edward and Rosa Dean Hammer, he is survived by his loving wife, Delores Mildred Hammer, whom he married
on Dec. 15, 1954.
Mr. Hammer was a pipe welder for thirty-eight years; a career that led him to reside in various states including Alaska, where he worked on the Alaskan Pipe Line. He enjoyed playing the harmonica, hunting, traveling and camping.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Gene O. Hammer and wife, Theresa, of Shenandoah, Ronnie L. Hammer of Tennessee and Rodney C. Hammer and wife, Delores, of Elkton; two daughters, Kathy H. Kyger of Elkton and Donna F. Lawson and husband, Deryle, of Elkton; six grandchildren, Marie K. Rippel of Elkton, Crystal Monger and husband, Tommy, of Grottoes, Candice Hammer of Elkton, Travis Hammer and wife, Shannon, of Broadway, Chastity Eppard and Samantha Hammer, both of Elkton; six great-grandchildren; six sisters, Jetta Raynes of Grottoes, Mareta Marshall of Swoope, Rosalyn Pryce of Harrisonburg, Wanda Comer of Elkton, Margie Mayes of Grottoes, and Doris Helfrich of Front Royal; six brothers, Roland Hammer of Waynesboro, Mensel Hammer of Elkton, Billy Hammer of Shenandoah, Doug Hammer, Larry Hammer and Randy Hammer, all of Elkton; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Hammer, and four brothers, Wampler Hammer, Bernard Hammer, John Hammer and Owen Hammer.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton with Pastor Wayne Wright and the Rev. Morgan Kinney officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet cemetery in McGaheysville.
The family will receive friends this evening (Tuesday) from 7 to 9 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hammer Memorial Fund, c/o the funeral home.
Cornelia Virginia Moore
Cornelia Virginia Moore, 55, of McGaheysville, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Moore was born Oct. 21, 1952, in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and was the daughter of the late Rev. Boyd W. Moats and the late Hazel Moats-Cubbage.
She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She had been employed at Hanover Shoe Co., in West Virginia, Metro Pants Co., in Harrisonburg, McDonalds and more recently at Marshall's in Bridgewater.
On March 27, 1977, she married
Gary W. Moore of McGaheysville, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Kelli L. Smith of Richmond and Carrie C. Moore of McGaheysville; six brothers, Allen Moats Sr. and Boyd Moats, both of Moatstown, W.Va., David Moats of Port Republic, Bobby Moats of Crimora, Ricky Moats of Grottoes and Frank Moats of Moatstown, W.Va.; seven sisters, Della Mae Redman of Franklin, W.Va., Arlene Williams of Stuarts Draft, Darlene Barrow of Moatstown, W.Va., Dorothea Nelson of Fishersville, Linda Woodson of Waynesboro, Genevieve Mitchell of Killeen, Texas, and Karen Juarez of Mount Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Revs. David Jones, Guy Wood and Sam Barrow will conduct the funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1920 H Medical Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA, P.O. Box 413, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Mae E. Evans
Mae Elizabeth Evans, 88, of Mount Sidney, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at her residence.
Mrs. Evans was born March 20, 1920, in Mount Savage, Md., and was the daughter of the late John and Florence Yager Jenkins.
She was employed in the wiring department at Dunham-Bush for 30 years.
Her husband, Warren Allen Evans Jr., preceded her in death.
She is survived by a son, Frederick Nolan Evans of Staunton, and a daughter, Linda Evans of Montgomery Village, Md.
The Rev. Barbara Borntrager will conduct the funeral 2 p.m. Thursday at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grottoes Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1187, Grottoes, VA 24441, or the Weyers Cave Fire Department, 1235 Keezletown Road, Weyers Cave, VA 24486.
Eleanor H. Weston
Eleanor H. Weston of Richmond, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008.
Mrs. Weston was born March 20, 1915, and was a daughter of the late John O. Hawkins and Mabel Armentrout Hawkins.
She graduated from McGaheysville High School and the National Business College in Roanoke. She also attended the Evening School of Business Administration at the University of Richmond.
During World War II, she served as a WAVE and was stationed in Cleveland, Ohio with the Bureau of Navy Personnel. Following her tour of duty, she worked for the Virginia Department of Health and Education for 24 years.
Her husband, Conley W. Weston, preceded her in death.
She is survived by a sister, Kathleen Finnegan of Harrisonburg, and a number of nieces and nephews.
All services will be private in McGaheysville with burial at Mount Olivet cemetery.
Arrangements are by Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
James E. Lawson, Sr.
James Edward Lawson Sr., 90, of Massanutten, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Lawson was born Jan. 29, 1918, in Pocahontas, and was the son of the late Charles and Gertrude Smith Lawson.
He attended Emory & Henry and V.P.I. He served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army with the 29th Infantry Division as a sergeant during World War II. He was a member of the VFW and Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, where he participated in many volunteer programs. He worked in the coalmines near Bluefield and operated a repair shop and taxicab.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Wall Lawson; two sons, Jory Lawson of Massanutten, and James E. Lawson Jr. of Vienna; two daughters, Cheryl Hardisty of Walkersville, Md., and Sharmon Lawson Palmer of Woodbridge; a sister, Kathleen Sayers of Bluefield; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
Boyd K. Swecker
Boyd Keith Swecker, 83, of Harrisonburg, died Nov. 13, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Swecker was born Oct. 11, 1925, in Spring Creek, Va., and was the son of the late Georgie Swecker Taylor.
Mr. Swecker graduated from North River High School in 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII.
Mr. Swecker worked for Schewels Furniture Store for 45 years and worked part time for the Harrisonburg Transportation Department for 25 years before his retirement. He was a member of the Westside Baptist Church and Rion Bowman Post 632, where he was past commander. Mr. Swecker said that 'The proudest day of my life was when my two sons stood side by side and enlisted in the Army and swore to protect our country.'
On Dec. 10, 1949, he married
Eloise Smith Gallahan Swecker, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, three daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Larry K. Swecker and wife, Lisa, and Bradley B. Swecker and son, Preston Swecker, all of Harrisonburg; three daughters, Jayne Gallahan Griggs and husband, Tom, Harrisonburg, Jayne's son, Heath Pence and wife, Brandy, Cheryl Yager and husband, John, Ruckersville and their daughter, Sarah Yager, Joni Swecker, Harrisonburg and her godson, Austin Hansbrough; two great-grandsons, Jordan R. Pence and his mother, Kim, Ethan Pence and his mother, Ashley; one brother, Lloyd Swecker and fiancee, Mabel Whetzel, Spring Creek; and a special daughter-in-law, Lorie Conner, Staunton. Mr. Swecker was preceded in death by two brothers, David E. Taylor and Samuel F. Taylor.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg with the Rev. Murphy Terry, the Rev. Richard Vaught and the Rev. David Burch officiating. The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. Wednesday and following the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to RMH Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or the Vision of Hope U.M.C. Building Fund, 1723 Port Republic Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or a charity of choice.
Henry "Hank" Joseph Kupiec
Henry "Hank" Joseph Kupiec, 89, of Elkton, Va. and Vero Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va.
Mr. Kupiec was born March 18, 1919, in Newark, N.J., and was a son of the late Frank and Stella Witek Kupiec.
Hank was a Staff Sgt. in the United States Army in the Philippines and was employed by General Motors as a senior designer with the Clark, N.J. division for 25 years. He later was employed with First Jersey Bank, New Jersey Belmar Wall National Bank as assistant president for 20 years and was a N.J. tax assessor for the towns of Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Manasquan. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and B.P.O.E. No. 2534 in Manasquan, life member of the Sea Girt Volunteer Fire Co., St. Uriel's Episcopal Church in Sea Girt and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Oxford, Md. Hank enjoyed his hobby of remodeling houses.
On Nov. 23, 1950, he married
June Geyer Kupiec, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Cheryl E. Good and husband, Steve, of Elkton, Va., and Jeffrey H. Kupiec and wife, Ruth, of Toms River, N.J., and two granddaughters, Amanda J. Kupiec and Anne Marie Good.
A funeral service was held 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton with Tyrone Gheen officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to RMH Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or the Elkton Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 152, Elkton, VA 22827.
William Longerbeam
William 'Eric' Longerbeam, 44, of Harrisonburg, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Longerbeam was born Oct. 21, 1963, in Loudoun County, and was the son of William O. Longerbeam and the late Virginia Vanderhorn Longerbeam.
He was employed at various restaurants around the area over the past few years
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Sharon D. Longerbeam; a son, Matthew A. Longerbeam, and a daughter, Erica N. Longerbeam, all of Woodstock; and four stepsiblings.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Nate' Marie Pence
Nate' Marie Pence, 33, of Harrisonburg, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Nate' was born April 18, 1975, in Virginia Beach, Va., and was the daughter of Barbara "Sue" and Joseph H. Norris Jr. of Virginia Beach.
She was a proud graduate of Virginia Tech in 1997. She worked as a Food Scientist in the meat and poultry industry and was most recently employed by Cargill Incorporated. In the many places she lived she touched many people's lives and was known for her kind and gentle sprit.
On June 15, 2002, she married
Devon Franklin Pence, who survives. Additional family include a son, Hayden Franklin Pence of Harrisonburg; a sister, Tammy Lynn Lewis and husband, Jerry, of Virginia Beach; brothers, Chris Sisler and wife, Lisa, of Virginia Beach, Troy Norris and Terry Norris and wife, Cathy, of Baltimore, Md.; in-laws, H. Douglas Pence Jr. and Jo-Ann Pence of Woodstock; brother-in-law, Justin Pence, also of Woodstock; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and extended family.
Services will be held on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg with the Rev. Lowe Norman officiating. Additional services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Altmeyer Funeral Home at 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, Va., at 11 o'clock in their Chapel. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Colonial Grove Memorial Park in Virginia Beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to The University of Virginia Cancer Center at 1300 Jefferson Park Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22908.
John George Stoecker Jr.
May 5, 1923 - August 24, 2008
Duty, Bravery, Family, Golfing, Gardening, College. Born in Milwaukee, Wis., and former resident of Hampton, Va., and Wilmington, N.C., John George Stoecker Jr. passed away in Bridgewater, Va. He will be remembered as a handsome and charming husband, father, and friend with a great 'flyboy' grin, a cheerful charismatic personality, and a competitive spirit.
John was predeceased by his gracious, patient and caring wife, Dorothy Wetzel Stoecker on April 10, 2008, after 63 years of marriage. He is predeceased by his parents, John G. Stoecker Sr., and Mary Smith Stoecker, and one sister, Arlene Karin, and is survived by two sisters, Marion Kiely of Waukesha, Wis., Carol Stoecker of Tucson, Ariz., and his brother, William Stoecker of Milwaukee, Wis. He is also survived by five children including Michael J. Stoecker of Gurnee, Ill., Patricia B. Stoecker of Burgaw, N.C., Kathy Prysock of Bridgewater, Va., John G. Stoecker III of Cos Cob, Conn., James J. Stoecker of Yorktown, Va.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Stoecker graduated from Boys Technical High School in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1940 and worked for two years at Cutler-Hammer Inc. as a machine engraver. He joined the Army Air Force, completed pilot training school and served overseas as a pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress with the 8th Air Force, 384th Bombardment Group. He flew more than 31 sorties over enemy occupied Europe out of Grafton Underwood, England, between January and April 1945 for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters for bravery and meritorious achievement.
While serving in Korea and Vietnam he received an additional Air Medal and fifth Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement. Other tours of duty included overseas assignments to Japan and Okinawa and stateside assignments to Mississippi, Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia. At the completion of his 27-year career with the Air Force, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retiring from the Air Force, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University. Shortly thereafter, he began a second career with the City of Hampton, Va., as a project manager in an affordable housing program. John enjoyed golfing, gardening, woodworking, church activities and music throughout his retirement.
Reassignment orders received, flight plan filed, and safety check completed, Dad will enjoy a well-deserved permanent assignment. Have a beautiful flight - we miss you so much Dad! Until we see you again, we'll cherish our childhood memories, joyfully celebrating your return home from a mission. With you in your comfortable green flight suit with insignias, patches, and nametag, exhausted and in need of a shower and a shave, we were so happy you were home. Your beard stubble scratching our faces after every big hug from your muscular arms, we took turns sitting on your lap and laughing. Say hello to Mom!
Colonel Stoecker succumbed to complications of congestive heart failure that he fought for many years. He would want to thank the staff at White Birch Estates, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, and Bridgewater Nursing Home for their care and concern. John will be interred at Arlington National cemetery, Arlington, Va., alongside his wife and sweetheart, Dorothy, after a memorial service at the Fort Meyer Post Chapel.
John will be dearly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him.
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, Va.
Roy Dale Smith, III
Roy Dale Smith III, 17, of Elkton, died Friday morning, Nov. 7, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident.
Roy was born Oct. 18, 1991, in Harrisonburg, and was the son of Roy Dale Smith Jr. and Crystal Smith, both of Elkton.
Roy attended Spotswood High School, where he was a junior and was employed at Wal-Mart in Dayton. He was an active volunteer with McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company and Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company over the last year. He was a member of the Spotswood FFA and enjoyed fishing with his buddy, Ruth Jarrells. Roy continued his desire to help others through organ donations.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Taelor M. Smith; paternal grandmother, Anna Stillwell of Shenandoah; maternal grandparents, Calvin C. and Sarah J. Samuels of Elkton; six aunts, Jennifer Samuels, Sarah Stroupe, Anita Taylor, Sharon Hodgens, Barbara Smith and Missy Jenkins; four uncles, Gary "Red" Taylor, Steve Stroupe, Zack Hodgens and Donnie Jenkins; a great aunt, Darlene A. Morris; godmother, Stacey A. Lotts, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Roy D. Smith Sr., and his favorite aunt, Shirley Triggs.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton with the Rev. Carter Dean and the Rev. Clyde Plum officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Run cemetery in Elkton.
The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company, 80 Stover Drive, McGaheysville, VA 22840, Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company, 201 Pennsylvania Ave, Shenandoah, VA 22849 and Mid Atlantic Burn Camp, 5430 Harris Farm Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029.
