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Shirley Dewees-Ridenour

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April 19, 1943

September 17, 2019

Shirley Ann Dewees-Ridenour, 76, of Thurmont, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born on April 19, 1943, in Thurmont, she was the daughter of the the late Ray Dewees and Hazel Hewitt.

She is survived by: daughter Tina Reeves and husband Keith; granddaughter Kim Reiten and husband Chris; son Edward Ridenour, Jr. and wife Mary, granddaughter Angela, grandsons Andrew, Benjamin, and Lucas; son Timothy Ridenour, granddaughters Brooke and Lexie; daughter Valerie Mort and Chris Etzler, grandson Steven Mort and granddaughter Megan Mort, great-grandson Asher, granddaughter Gracie; daughter Monica Keeney and husband Butch, grandson Justin Tobery and wife Shinead, granddaughter Ashley Trout and great-granddaughter Alyssa and great-grandson Canyon, grandson Johnnie, granddaughter Piper and grandson Dalton. Also survived by brother Bobby Dewees and wife Betty Ann, and brother Tommy and wife Linda.

“Sis” proudly earned her title of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and took care of many people during her 20-plus years as a CNA. Sis enjoyed playing Bingo and spending time at the casinos. She loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, especially young Gracie who filled her heart with so much love the last few years of her life.

William Peter Schramm

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July 6, 1956

October 31, 2020

It is with profound sadness that the family of William “Pete” Schramm announce his sudden passing on October 31, 2020.

On July 6, 1956, Pete was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to Ann Beall and Frederick Schramm. He resided abroad with his parents and two older siblings, Jim and Celeste, while his father, Fred, was deployed during his career with the CIA. His family also lived in Berlin, Germany (Pete’s favorite), Bangkok, Thailand, and Camp Perry, VA, before settling in Potomac, MD. He attended Winston Churchill High School, then pursued further education at the University of Maryland.

Pete’s career in the hi-tech industry began in a strip mall computer store. It proved to be the beginning of a long and successful career in hi-tech sales and management. Much of his career took him all over the United States, meeting with various accounts. While working for Ando Corporation, he then began to frequent Japan, as well as other parts of Asia, for meetings with clients.

He is remembered by family, friends, and colleagues as a man of good humor, generous nature, respected work ethic, and, mostly, unbridled optimism for everyone’s success in their endeavors. From pythons and rhesus monkeys in Thailand to pet pygmy goats, horses, dogs, and cats in the more recent years, he was recognized for his affinity for animals and nature.

Nearing retirement, Pete worked with ProTEQ Solutions as a sales engineer. He enjoyed this position, as it required less domestic travel, the ability to work from home, and the opportunity to spend more time with his wife and the light of their lives, their daughter Gracie and her husband, Danny Eyler. If you knew Pete, he was either in dress clothes and tie, or you knew him for his clever t-shirts, tropical shorts, and crocs.

Pete was a resident of Emmitsburg for nearly 40 years. He enjoyed target shooting on the weekends with friends and family, fishing, and crafting lovely pieces of stained glass. He was also an avid gardener and was often seen zipping around his property on his mower for a joy ride. He loved spending time with the family’s beloved Belgian Sheepdogs. He loved spending time by or in the water, whether it was the local pool, creek, lake, a bay, or the ocean.

Pete leaves behind his wife, Chris; daughter, Graceann, and her husband, Daniel Eyler. He is survived by brother, Jim Schramm, and wife, Jean; and his sister, Celeste Houser-Jackson, and her husband, Walter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In light of COVID-19, the family has decided to celebrate Pete’s life in Spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, a local animal shelter, or charity of choice.

Jimmy Allen Glass

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June 25, 1938

November 8, 2020

Jimmy Allen Glass, 82, of Emmitsburg, died on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. Born June 25, 1938, in Emmitsburg, he was the son of the late Kermit George and Della Lauretta (Gladhill) Glass. He was the devoted husband of Doris (Wetzel) Glass, to whom he was married for 61 years.

Jimmy was a maintenance mechanic at the Freeman Shoe Factory in Emmitsburg for more than 35 years. He spent another 10 years working at the Emmitsburg Antique Mall. He was a member of Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church, the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, and the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg, where he served as past president. He enjoyed restoring old Farmall tractors, going to auctions, talking on the phone, watching NASCAR races, spending time with his family, and, in his younger years, bowling and roller skating. He was a fan of the Washington Nationals.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Doris, are daughter, Brenda Myers (Steven) of Carroll Valley, PA; son, John Glass (Tammy) of Emmitsburg; sisters, Betty Ann Mumma, Velma Stambaugh, and Nancy Baker; brothers, Gary Glass (Wanda), Larry Glass (Sue), and Mike Glass (Barb); grandchildren, Chris Wagerman (RaeAnn), Courtney Abrecht (Craig), Ashley Glass, and Jonathan Glass; great-grandchildren, Colby, Lily, Brody, Jake, and Calvin; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother, Billy Glass; sisters, Carolyn Coshun and Patty McGlaughlin; son-in-law, William Wagerman; and brothers-in-law, Robert Mumma, Fred Stambaugh, Morris Baker, and Leroy Coshun; and nephews, William Usilton and Kermit McGlaughlin..

The family received friends on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, MD.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private funeral service for family members was held at Tom’s Creek U.M. Church. Burial is in Tom’s Creek Community Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Tom’s Creek U.M. Church, 10926 Simmons Rd., Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

Gail Tapley Powell

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January 31, 1948

November 17, 2020

Gail Tapley Powell, 72, died November 17, 2020, at her home in Thurmont, surrounded by her family, friends, and special cat, Blackie Powell.

Born on January 31, 1948, in Louisville, Georgia, Gail was the daughter of the late Ruth Lundy Tapley and the late William Jennings Tapley. Gail graduated from Margaret McEvoy High School in Macon, Georgia, class of 1966, and from Wesleyan College, class of 1970.

 Gail is survived by her husband of 33 years, William D. Powell Jr., a stepson Dr. William D. Powell, III, husband of Jen of Gaithersburg, MD; a stepdaughter Rev. Rebecca J.P. Hoover, wife of Rev. Matthew of Reading, PA; three grandchildren, Katharine (Katie) A. Hoover of Reading, PA, William (Liam) D. Powell, IV and Henry A. Powell of Gaithersburg, MD; sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Donald Trimmer of Woodsboro, MD; and special friend Pam Ellison of Emmitsburg, MD. Gail was predeceased by her brother, James Lewis (Jimmy) Tapley.

When Gail was going through school, she worked for a loan company and worked as a proofreader for a local newspaper. Later, Gail showed a number of champion cattle for livestock fitting service in Anderson, SC. She went on to manage Bermidkin Farm in Wagener, SC; during her time there, she selected a bull for the farm that went on to be a national champion Charolais bull. Aside from her work with Angus cattle, Gail had experience showing Limousin, Simmental, Charolais, and Brahman cattle. She was gifted in the show ring and helped lead 4-H clinics about showing beef cattle. Additionally, Gail had a wealth of experience outside the show ring, from judging shows to clerking numerous cattle and machinery sales, especially sales with the Virginia Angus Association. A partner in Arrowhead Farms in Thurmont, Gail tended faithfully to the farm. She was very handy, loving to fix things and put things together. She cared for the animals on the farm, from the herd of Angus cattle and her late, beloved dog, Wolf, to the birds and hummingbirds, and a large number of cats in more recent years. Along with her husband, Gail was awarded the Maryland Angus Association 1988 Maryland Angus Family of the year, and in 2003, was inducted to the Virginia Association Hall of Merit.

Gail enjoyed all kinds of sports, especially NASCAR. When she was younger, Gail worked as an usher at Daytona Beach. She had a competitive nature and didn’t like to lose games or sports (or bingo). In younger years, Gail enjoyed playing softball, volleyball, and bowling. She also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

 Gail had a warm and caring personality and a knack for making friends wherever she went. Unsurprisingly, Gail had friends all across the country from her Angus days and from the many places she lived. She loved bingo, having a knack for winning and sharing her “pointers” with others. As she played bingo, Gail made many wonderful friends from the games in Walkersville, Emmitsburg, and Thurmont. With her smooth, Georgia drawl, many people enjoyed talking with Gail, not only for her stories but also to listen to her speak.

A public viewing was held on Sunday, November 22 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD. Funeral services were private. The pallbearers were Mark Butler, Jr., Kenny Clevinger, Eric Donnelly, Thomas Fraley, Ralph Shank, and Ryan Shank, and Ed Little is the honorary pallbearer.

Memorial donations may be made Tip Me Frederick (10425 Daysville Road, Walkersville, MD  21793); Best Friends Animal Society (5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT  84741); or the Bettie Jane Foundation (P.O. Box 225, Braddock Heights, MD  21714).

The family wishes to thank Pam Ellison, Hospice of Frederick County, the Visiting Angels, and Bayada Nursing Service for their wonderful support, dedication, and care over the past couple of years.