U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Eula M. Shifflett
Eula Mae Shifflett, 83, of McGaheysville, died Nov. 15, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
Miss Shifflett was born July 24, 1925, in Rockingham County, and was the daughter of the late Charlie Mitchell Deane and Lily Florence Shifflett.
She was a lifetime resident of the area and a member of the Full Gospel Lighthouse Tabernacle in Elkton. She retired from Bond Lumber Company with over 30 years of service. She was deeply devoted to her church and enjoyed her pets.
Survivors include a brother, William Deane and wife, Pauline, of Arlington; sister, Caroline Johnson and husband, Reggie, of Arvonia, Va.; sister-in-law, Doris Shifflett of Earlysville; and numerous nephews and nieces. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.
Pastor Ronald Spencer and the Rev. Homer Frazier will conduct a funeral service 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Full Gospel Lighthouse Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the Elk Run cemetery in Elkton.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Full Gospel Lighthouse Tabernacle, 4259 Eastside Highway, Grottoes, VA 24441.
Max Arthur White
Max Arthur White, born Jan. 27, 1924, in Cherryville, Kan., passed away peacefully at his home Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. Max was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, and went home to be with her on their 59th wedding anniversary.
Max proudly served in World War II in the 100th Infantry Division, 398 Infantry Regiment as a forward observer. He was wounded in combat in 1944 in Northern France. He received a Purple Heart and a Combat Infantry Badge. After his discharge, he attended Kansas University and received a degree in engineering. In 1961, Max and his family transferred to Virginia, where he was an engineer at H.D. Lee in Broadway. Several years later, he took the position of personnel director at Rockingham Poultry in Timberville and was there until his retirement in the mid-1980s.
Max and Betty were active members of the First Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg. Max was a master mechanic and felt most at home under a car covered in grease; as a young man, he built a Model T from found parts. Also a music lover, Max was a self-taught pianist and accordion player. When he moved to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in 2006, he enjoyed playing for the residents at many functions there. Max was an amazing father and grandfather and is survived by his three children, Jann White, David White and Bob White; two daughters-in-law, Ellen and Kathryn; and five grandchildren, Caite, Caleb, Jack, Bridget and Isabella. He will be greatly missed.
Pastor Ron Wyrick will lead a memorial service for friends and family 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at VMRC's Strite Auditorium.
Aubrey D. Dean
Aubrey Don Dean, 80, of Shenandoah, died Nov. 14, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Dean was born Aug. 18, 1928, in Page County, and was the son of the late Howard E. and Bertha Lee Miller Dean.
He worked for the Luray Textile & Fibers for 38 years and for the Page County Public Schools at Grove Hill Elementary for seven years and retired in 1993. He was a member of the Grove Hill United Methodist Church in Shenandoah and was a nine-year United States Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Aubrey enjoyed fishing on the Shenandoah River and camping.
On June 27, 1947, he married
Eva Marie 'Erie' Clem Dean, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Kimberly Henderson and husband, Ron, of Shenandoah; a brother, Ralph Dean and wife, Billie, of Luray; two sisters, Lamont Beahm of Stanley and Nola Good of Maryland; two stepgrandchildren, Derrick Mauck and Martin Henderson; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Aiden Henderson and Mackenzie Mauck; special little friend, Christopher Stallard.
The Rev. Ellen Martin will conduct the funeral service Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton. Burial will follow in the Rest Haven cemetery in Shenandoah.
The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton or anytime at the Dean home.
Evelyn "Jane" Conley
Evelyn 'Jane' Conley, 65, of Shenandoah, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
'Jane' was born Aug. 9, 1943, in Rockingham County, and was a daughter of Margaret Shifflett Morris of Elkton and the late Leonard N. Morris. She was also preceded in death by a son, Danny Ray Conley, and two brothers, Ralph and Hershel Morris.
She attended the Beldor (one room) schoolhouse and was a devoted wife, homemaker and caregiver to her brothers and sisters, her children, and all the neighborhood children.
On May 12, 1962, she married
Donald Paul Conley, who survives. Besides her mother and husband, survivors include three sons, Donald 'Dinky' Conley and wife, Melissa, of Elkton, David Conley and Dennis Conley, both of Shenandoah; one daughter, Tammy Baker and husband, Robin, of Stanley; four brothers, Willard Morris, Milford Morris, and Darrell Morris, all of Elkton, and Ronnie Morris of Dyke; seven sisters, Juanita Shifflett, Linda Smith, Patricia Royer and Bonnie Stepp, all of Elkton, Karen Shifflett of Stanardsville, Dian Wright and Wanda Sutherland, both of Shenandoah; six grandchildren, Andrew Good, Munch and Bob Baker, Joshua, Chase, and Heather Conleyp; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Elkton with Evangelist Doug Gochenour and Buddy Farris officiating. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Harrisonburg.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Elkton. Friends may visit the family at the Conley home at anytime or her mother, Margaret, at 1616 Beldor Road, Elkton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shenandoah Rescue Squad, 544 Fourth St., Shenandoah, VA 22849, or the Shenandoah Fire Company, 201 Pennsylvania Ave., Shenandoah, VA 22849, or the Elkton Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 91, Elkton, VA 22827.
Annis Virginia Coakley Burkholder
Annis Virginia Coakley Burkholder, 90, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. She was surrounded by her children, close friends, and caregivers at her home near Keezletown.
Annis was born Oct. 12, 1917, near Dayton, and was the daughter of the late Luther and Betty Wenger Coakley.
On Oct. 10, 1954, she married
Clayton Byers Burkholder, who preceded her in death July 15, 1983. She is survived by a daughter, Rhoda, of Keezletown, and a son, Sam, of Harrisonburg. She was preceded in death by a sister, Effie Coakley Crider, and a brother, Marion Coakley.
She accepted Jesus as her savior at a young age, and was a member of Dayton Mennonite Church. She was known for her sweet, gentle spirit, and her love for sharing the stories and memories of her 90 years of life. She was a loving and devoted homemaker, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
The funeral service will be held at Dayton Mennonite Church on Wednesday at 10 a.m. and burial will follow at Bethesda Mennonite Church cemetery.
Pastors James Rhodes, Daryl Driver, and Eugene King will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Jay Moyer, Eugene and Sheldon King, James Kent, Samuel Witmer, and Bill Neely.
The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday at Dayton Mennonite Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dayton Mennonite Church, P.O. Box 401, Dayton, VA, 22821.
Elizabeth Pauline Conner
Elizabeth Pauline Conner, 62, of Harrisonburg, died Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
Mrs. Conner was born Feb. 21, 1946, in Baltimore, Md., and was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Naira Conner.
She had been a resident of the Shenandoah Valley for 10 years and moved to Harrisonburg in 2004. She was a real estate agent and most recently worked for Old Dominion in Penn Laird.
Her only survivors are friends and neighbors who checked on her regularly.
A Catholic Mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Thomas Mattingly officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the RMH Regional Cancer Center, 100 E. Grace St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Arrangements are by Kyger Funeral Home.
Lucille Richards Harrison
Lucille Richards Harrison, formerly of Elkton, died at the age of 101. She had been a patient at Sunnyside Presbyterian Nursing Home for nine years.
Mrs. Harrison was born on July 25, 1907, and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Sallie Leap Richards.
She graduated from McGaheysville High School, and then attended the State Teachers College, now called James Madison University. She was a member of the Episcopal Church and later attended the Evangelical Church in Elkton. Lucille was a lifetime member of the RMH Auxiliary and was also a member of the Turner Ashby Chapter 162, the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Lucille was married
to the late Russell M. Harrison, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Warren Harrison and Dabney Harrison.
She leaves two sisters, Eleanor Flora of Bryant, Texas, and Rosalind Kyger of Port Republic; also a niece and a nephew.
Chaplain Tom Smith will conduct the graveside service at the Mount Olivet cemetery at McGaheysville on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to S.P.C.A. P.O. Box, 413 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
James Edward "Jim" Keister, Jr.
James Edward "Jim" Keister Jr., 52, of Weyers Cave, passed away Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville. Mr. Keister was born June 24, 1956, in Harrisonburg, and was a son of James Edward Sr. and Clara Pearce Keister.
Jim was a lifetime resident of the area and graduated from Harrisonburg High School. He was a member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Harrisonburg and was employed by Atkins Automotive as a salesman for Napa Auto Parts for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and attending ball games, especially his nephews' sporting events.
Surviving in addition to his parents, are two daughters, Ashleigh Ryan Keister and Jessica "Whitney" Keister, both of Harrisonburg; two brothers, Joseph Pearce "Joe" Keister, and Jack Douglas Keister and wife, Andra, all of Harrisonburg; one sister, Tina Marie Keeler and husband, Mark, of Leonardtown, Md.; two nephews, Pearce Keister and Matthew Keeler, and one niece, Lauren Keeler. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Ola Keister and Douglas and Betty Ruth Pearce.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends this evening (Monday) at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A private burial will occur at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rockingham County Recreation Department, P.O. Box 1252, Harrisonburg, VA 22803.
Donnie Allen Lucas
Donnie Allen Lucas, 57, of Luray, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg.
Mr. Lucas was born Nov. 7, 1949, in Page County and was the son of the late Raymond and Geneva Buracker Lucas.
Surviving are three daughters, Lisa Henderson of New Market, Leslie Rogers of Stanley and Patti Lucas of Luray; a brother, Ricky Lucas of Luray; five sisters, Kay Atwood of Luray, Barbara Good of Stanley, Joyce Presgraves of Rileyville, Wilma Jean Lucas of Stanley and Wanda Cubbage of Rileyville, and four grandchildren.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Jolly will conduct a memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at the Main Street Baptist Church in Luray.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, to help offset burial expenses.
John Leon Merica
John Leon Merica, 72, of Elkton, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
He was born in Page County on Nov. 1, 1935, and was the son of the late John Henry and Jessie Lee Meadows Merica. He was also preceded in death by one son, Andy Clinton Merica Sr., and one grandson, Timothy Gaylon-Leon Warner.
Leon retired in January 2008 as a crane operator for Shirley Contracting Co., LLC in Lorton, Va., but worked 45 years for Moore Brother's Construction in Verona and Richard Stepp Salvage Yard part time for a number of years. He was a member of Avis O. Comer VFW Post 8613, Shenandoah Moose Lodge 2176, Elkton Eagles, N.R.A., Elkton Jr. Order 1190, Furnace United Methodist Church Congregation and F.U.M.C. Men's Group and sang in the Choir. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was devoted to his wife, children and family. Leon loved to fellowship with family and friends and never met a stranger. He was proud of his heritage and always bragged on his numerous grandchildren.
On June 15, 1960, he married
Marie Katherine Meadows, who survives. He is also survived by four daughters, Teresa 'Terry' Merica and fiance', Jeff Morris, Frances 'Sissy' Hensley and husband, Neil, Jaime Shifflett and husband, Shannon, all of Elkton, and Tina Warner and husband, Doug, of Grottoes; two sons, Keith Merica and wife, Terri, and Calvin 'C.J.' Merica and wife, Tanya, both of Elkton; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three brothers, Eugene Kenneth Merica, Melvin Ray Merica, Roy Dale (Buddy) Merica, all of Elkton; five sisters, JoAnn (Judy) Dovel, Margie Lee Dean, Phyllis Jean (Dee) Breeden, Linda Faye Eppard, Delores Juanita (Debbie) Hensley, all of Elkton.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at the Furnace United Methodist Church near Elkton with the Rev. Nona F. Allen and the Rev. Michael Plasters officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Run cemetery in Elkton.
The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton. Friends may also call at the Merica home at any time.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Elkton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 152, Elkton, VA 22827.
Elizabeth "Betty" Sullivan Nardi
Elizabeth 'Betty' Sullivan Nardi, 91, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at Avante Nursing Home in Harrisonburg. Betty was born March 26, 1917, in Williamsport, Pa., and was the daughter of the late William J. and Sarah C. Sullivan.
On Jan. 25, 1941, Betty married
her loving husband, Francis A. Nardi, who survives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six sons, Tom Nardi of Staunton, David Nardi of Waynesboro, Steve Nardi and J.P. Nardi, both of Harrisonburg, Dan Nardi and wife, Alyce, of Doylestown, Pa., and Jim Nardi and wife, Lynne, of Tacoma, Wash.; one daughter, Beth Holsinger and husband, Lanny, of Harrisonburg; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Cris Nardi-White and husband, Tim, and their two children, Sinead and Kieran; Kate Nardi, Brennan Nardi-Czachor and husband, Brad, and their daughter, Chloe, of Madison, Wis.; Philip and Anne Marie Nardi; Emily and Natalie Holsinger; Shannon and Katie Nardi.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Howard J. Sullivan.
In 1927, Betty had the opportunity to travel by ship to visit her beloved Irish family in County Mayo, Ireland. This was a memory she held dear to her heart and fondly reminisced about it to her loved ones often. Betty was a member of the graduating class of 1935 of St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, Pa., and went on to work for the Grit Newspaper for three years. After she and Frank were married
, Betty and their young son, Tom, lived in Williamsport and Kittery, Maine, while Frank served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. They moved to Harrisonburg in 1946 and Betty was able to live in the comfort of her own home at 310 New York Ave., a place where she made everyone feel welcome until very recently, when she became ill.
Betty was a devout Christian who found great strength and comfort in her Catholic faith, a loving and devoted daughter, wife and mother, grandmother and aunt and a trusting and supportive friend to all. She loved her children and spent many hours supporting their countless activities and she also was a loyal fan of her children's friends as well. She was a charter member of the RMH Hospice volunteer program and a member of the Council of Catholic Women.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Betty's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harrisonburg. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, Sept. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Johnson Hall at Blessed Sacrament. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Nardi home in Harrisonburg. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Social Ministries Fund or RMH Hospice.
