All Obituaries

Hilda Marie (Robertson) Clopper, 80, of Homewood Retirement Center in Williamsport, MD, previously lived in Smithsburg, Cavetown and Leitersburg, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Meritus Medical Center.  Born October 23, 1942, in Leitersburg, MD, she was the daughter of the late Ezra Robertson of Westminster, MD, and the late Mildred (Seilhamer) Robertson of Leitersburg, MD.  She attended Hagerstown High School.  She was a homemaker, seamstress, and was a loving...

Dennis Wade " Tinker" Durst, 86, of Smithsburg, MD, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023, at his home. Born, August 3, 1936, in Grantsville, MD, he was the son of the late Edison Durst, and Lula Bittinger. Dennis attended Grantsville High School, he retired from H.J. Clemens & Sons Inc. of Thurmont, MD. He was an avid hunter. Dennis was married to his late wife, Maureen C. (Donahue) Durst, for 51 years, whom he married in 1962, and lost in 2009. He is survived by his sons,...

Diana F. (Miller) Trovinger, 76, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023, under Hospice care at Doey's House in Hagerstown, MD. Born January 1, 1947, in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of the late John D. Miller Sr., and Luella F. Miller. Diana was a 1964 graduate of North Hagerstown High School and had been employed by the Maryland Ribbon Company. She was a "free spirit" and left home at the age of 18 to explore "the world." When...

Joan Lee Abel, 88, of Shady Grove, PA, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the home of her daughter, Cynthia Shugars, Thurmont, MD. Born March 28, 1934, in Slippery Rock, PA, she was the daughter of the late Carl E. Hockenberry and Martha (Best) Hockenberry. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to so many. Joan loved to crochet, sew, garden, and enjoyed cooking. She was a full-time mom and then worked for the Ben Franklin Craft Store in Damascus, MD, and Sears in...

Randall “Randy” A. Miller passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He was born on April 25, 1963, in Waynesboro, PA. He was the son of Harry “Buzz” Miller and the late Mary Jane Bittner (Miller) Spalding. He was a graduate of Catoctin High School Class of 1981. He was a lifelong dairy and beef cattle farmer. He was the owner of Har-Valley Dairy. For many years, Randy owned and operated Millers Firewood Business. Randy also raised goats. He...

Beverly (Blost) Hessel was born in her family’s farmhouse in Rock Creek, Minnesota, on May 14, 1932. She passed away peacefully at home in Smithsburg, Maryland, on January 21, 2023, at the age of 90. Growing up, education was a strong value for her family and after graduating from Pine City High School at age 16, Beverly enrolled at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. While there, she completed her bachelor’s degree in secretarial training with minors in religion, music and...

Doris Belle Kershner, 84, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Doey's house, Hagerstown, MD. Born September 25, 1938, in Waynesboro, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Deal, and Isabelle Sprenkle. Doris graduated from Smithsburg High School, Class of 1956. She was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Army Med. field, in Fort Sam Houston, TX. Doris retired from Bertelsman Printing in 2000, after working for them for over 40 years. She is survived...

Robert Elias McAfee, 88, of Sabillasville, MD, passed away peacefully Monday, January 16, 2023, at his home. Born, July 5, 1934, he was the son of the late Robert Hunter McAfee, and Minnie Nora DeLauter, of Foxville, Md. Rob farmed all his life, worked for 18 years as a maintenance/carpenter worker for the State of Maryland. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, South Mountain Rod and Gun Club, Waynesboro Fish and Game Club, Blue Ridge Sportsmen Club, and Thurmont...

John Michael Schmaus passed away suddenly on January 16, 2023, in Hagerstown, MD. Born in Carlisle, PA, July 11, 1940, he was son the of the late Stella Manning Schmaus and John Schmaus, he graduated from Carlisle High School, class of 1958. While in high school he worked for Western Union, eventually at various locations, often being assigned to Camp David when the president was in residence due to his speedy typing skills. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Turkey. After...

Earl Waitman Sites, 80, of Cabins, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023, at Meritus Hospital, Hagerstown. Born August 17, 1942 in Petersburg WV, he was the son of the late Lula Bell Sites. He retired from American Woodmark as a plant worker. He also was a truck driver for 30 years.  Mr. Sites is survived by his significant other, Clarice J. Sites; a son and daughter: Allen L. Sites and Tina Rose Shrout; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at a...