Obituaries

Recent Death

Gina Tester Coleman
April 9, 2008

Marshall Todd Bland
March 9, 2008

The Reverend Charles Christie
February 14, 2008

Marshall Todd “Toddie” Bland, 41 of Christiansburg, died Sunday, March 9, 2008 in the University Hospital, Charlottesville, VA.

He is survived by his parents; Janice and Terry Shelor, brother and sister-in-law; Ricky L. and Marie Price of Christiansburg, Ronald D. and Sandra Bland, sister and brother-in-law; Teresa and Travis Christian of Elliston, Carol and Mikey Shelor of Shawsville, and Dolly and Brian Adkins of Christiansburg. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at The Horne Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2008 in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Price officiating. Interment will follow in Hall’s Church Cemetery.

The family request in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to help off set expenses.

The Reverend Charles Christie, 93, of Port Royal died Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA.

The Rev. Christie was born in Fort Monroe December12, 1914. He became deaf as an infant as a result of illness. He was educated at a variety of state schools for the deaf, wherever his father, who was career Army, was stationed. He was always pleased to have met Helen Keller at one of the schools. He also attended Mystic Oral School in Connecticut and graduated from Mica High School, which is now Fort A.P. Hill property.

The Reverend Christie was an advocate for the deaf. He initiated a Christian ministry for the deaf and served that ministry at Fredericksburg Baptist Church for 28 years.

He was a friend and interpreter for the deaf at hospitals, jails and the court system. He served as president of the Virginia Baptist Conference for the Deaf in 1984 and 1985 and also as a senior trustee.

He was ordained as a minister to the deaf at the age of 80 by the Reverend Willis A. Dempsey at Memorial Baptist Church in Port Royal, where he was a member. He volunteered for two mission trips to Trinidad to teach the deaf.

As a young man, he was drafted into the Philadelphia Phillies as a catcher in the Pacific Coast League, and also was a bullpen catcher for the main ball club. He was a chaplain for Boy Scout Troop 171 from 1972 to 1974 and was a 23-year survivor of breast cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois; two daughters, Lauren Christie of Richmond and Sharon Sanford and her husband, Tom, of Dahlgren; one son, Paul Christie and his wife, Sonya, of Colonial Beach; six grandchildren, Julianne, Philip, Benjamin and Isabella Christie and Bethany and Joshua Sanford.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 16, at 2 p.m. at Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green, VA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Baptist Church, Box 101, Port Royal, Va. 22535.

Gina Alberta Tester Coleman 43, of Noblesville [IN] passed away April 6, 2008. She was born in Washington, D.C. to Paul and Ruth Tester. Gina earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Gallaudet University and her Masters degree at McDaniel College. She was an American Sign Language teacher at Carmel High School the last two years. Prior to Carmel, she taught at Franklin Community High School. She was a very motivated teacher and touched the lives of many of her students. She was a member of Creekside Ministries Church in Fishers, IN, Delta Epsilon Sorority at Gallaudet University, American Sign Language Teachers Association, and H.O.G. Chapter 1 of Indianapolis. Gina is survived by her husband, Henry F. Coleman III; father, Paul N. Tester; brother, Dave N. (Janis) Tester; niece, Jenny (Jarrod) Musano; and two nephews, Danny and Dean Tester. A visitation will be held at Creekside Ministries Church, 10501 Hague Rd, Fishers, IN 46038 on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 1-3 PM with a memorial service beginning at 3 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Sign Language Club at Carmel High School co World Language Dept Chair Person, 520 E. Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Cremation Services. Online condolences may be made at arncremation.com.

Gina Coleman didn't need words to exude the love she had for her career and students.

Coleman, 43, Noblesville, who was in her second year teaching American Sign Language at Carmel High School, was deaf.

Brown County Sheriff Robert Stogsdill said Coleman was driving a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle north on Ind. 135 near Bean Blossom about 4:45 p.m. when she crashed into the back of a Honda CRV.

Stogsdill said the Honda slowed for a dog that ran onto the road and Coleman was unable to stop in time. He said the impact caused Coleman to be thrown from the motorcycle and into a ditch.

Even though Coleman was wearing a helmet, she died from massive trauma to the head, said Brown County Coroner Earl Piper. The helmet was a shell-type helmet.

Her husband, Henry Coleman, was following her on his own motorcycle. Both he and his wife were members of the Hoosier Deaf Bikers Club.

Before joining Carmel High School, Coleman taught in the Franklin school system and at the Indiana School for the Deaf.

"We felt very fortunate to have someone with her background and experience," Carmel Principal John Williams said. "She was passionate about American Sign Language, and the issues of the deaf culture. She was also passionate about her students. There was a real bond there."

Coleman's class had a large following. She taught 150 students this semester, said Tony Willis, communication supervisor for Carmel Clay Schools.

"Every year we have to turn kids away and have limited it to upperclassmen," Williams said. "It was one of our most popular courses and Gina was a big part of the reason for the popularity."

Coleman also took some of her students to the Carmel Fire Department to teach firefighters sign language that would be useful in emergencies, said Batallion Chief Tim Conner.

"If someone was in a car wreck, she taught us how to ask the person, 'Are you deaf?' and then 'Where does it hurt?' " Conner said. "We learned basic signs for how to help people. I'm thinking if I ran in to somebody, initially I could find out what's wrong with them."

Even though Carmel Clay Schools are on spring break there will be counselors available from 9 to 11 a.m. in the high school's media center.

Counselors will also be available when students return from break Monday and Tuesday, Williams said.

School administrators called all faculty and staff members to inform them of Coleman's death, Willis said. On Tuesday morning, Williams used the school's communication system to call the homes of all 4,000 Carmel High School students.

This marks the third time in five months that someone at the high school has died. Freshman Shaail Abbas and sophomore Michael Schenkel lost their lives in auto accidents earlier this school year.

Noblesville Ledger reporter Katie Merlie contributed to this report. Call Star reporter Melanie D. Hayes at (317) 444-5538.

BALTIMORE — Louis M. Balfour, 98, died Friday, June 8, 2007, at Gilchrist Hospice of Baltimore. He was born deaf in Baltimore in 1908. He was the third child born to his parents, Jacob and Rebecca Cohen, who came from Lithuania in 1906, but the first of their children born in the United States.

Louis and his deaf sister, Ida, both attended Virginia School for the Deaf in Staunton. Louis matriculated there at the age of 14. His parents, who moved many times after he was born, may have been looking for a school for him but did not find it until they reached Richmond.

After entering Virginia School for the Deaf in Staunton, Mr. Balfour became active in the Boy Scouts and attained Eagle Scout status, and he learned the trade of linotype operator. He graduated in 1930, but jobs were scarce for linotype operators. He became a Boy Scout leader and worked with his father and uncle as a wallpaper hanger. He hungered for a different vocation, which he found. After working for various printing offices in the Washington area, he established priority at the "Evening Star" on April 29, 1955. He was a popular person in the composing room and the last linotype operator for the "Evening Star." He retired in 1973.

Mr. Balfour married in 1938 to Mildred White, a beautiful petite Baptist deaf woman, who remained his loving bride until she passed away in 2004. They had four children, all hearing.

Mr. Balfour was a lifelong researcher in deaf education and peddling. He was well known at the District of Columbia Historical Society, and his voluminous papers are archived at Gallaudet University, where the files are open to the public for further research. The largest subject in the collection is deaf peddling which he spent much time writing to various agencies urging them to crack down on deaf peddlers. He believed that hard work and perseverance would lead to a successful living rather than peddling.

Mr. Balfour was a member of Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Virginia Historical Society and the Columbia Typographical Union, 101-12.

Mr. Balfour is survived by his children, Jo, Bob, Tim and Pat, and his loving grandson, Alexander J. Smith. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harry, David, Herman and Sam Cohen, and his sisters, Rosa Katzov and Ida Stevens.

Funeral services will be conducted' at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Capital Baptist Church, Annandale, Va. Friends are welcome from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial services will be conducted July 6, 2007, at Hunt Valley Church in Hunt Valley, Md.

Mr. Balfour was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Contributions may be made in Mr. Balfour's memory to the Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Fund, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.

Lois Ann McGann, 64, of Peoria, Arizona passed away on December 8, 2007. Lois Ann was born on December 9, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent her childhood years growing up in Oakland, California. She graduated from the California School for the Deaf in Berkley, California, and attended Gallaudet University, in Washington, D.C. with the Class of 1966. Lois Ann lived much of her life in Northern Virginia and moved to Arizona in 1996. When Lois Ann passed, she was at home, surrounded at her bedside by her family and friends within the Deaf community. She is survived by her mother, Ruth Jackson, of Eureka, California; her husband, Edward; her daughter and son-in-law, Marietta and Jorge Valdez; and her grandson, Edward Freedom Valdez, of Surprise, Arizona. Lois Ann is also survived by innumerable friends within the Deaf community, here in Arizona and across the United States. Lois Ann's vibrant, cheerful personality touched every person with whom she came in touch. She always had a smile on her face, compassion in her heart, and was a true "social butterfly". Throughout her courageous, sometimes devastating, battle with breast cancer, she continued to be a light of joy and happiness to those around her. Lois Ann is truly loved, missed, and will always be cherished. Today, and for the rest of our lives, we will mourn the loss of Lois Ann, but will always thank God that he answered our prayers and eased her suffering by bringing her Home, as she so desperately wanted towards the end of her life. A memorial celebration of Lois Ann's life was held today, Friday, December 14, 2007, at 12:00 noon, at the Lakes in Westbrook Village. Her family's wish is to have everyone consider giving support, in Lois Ann's honor, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, Phoenix Affiliate, located at 2040 W. Bethany Home Road, Suite 120, Phoenix, Arizona 85015.

Jack Miller Wright, age 73 of Westerville, Ohio, formerly of Northern Virginia and Wheaton, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at Columbus Colony Elderly Care in Westerville, Ohio. He was born on September 6, 1933. He was a native of Washington County, Virginia and had lived in Virginia and Maryland for several years before moving to Westerville, Ohio in May 2006. He was a son of the late Charles H. Wright, Sr. and Ruth Sheffield Wright. Mr. Wright was the first President of the MWADB (Metropolitan Washington Association of the Deaf-Blind) in 1984 organizing guest speakers, support group meetings, fundraising, camping, picnics and various dinner gatherings. He filed a Federal Lawsuit in December 1994 for disability discrimination. He won an 'apartment-for-life' settlement representing the largest fair housing settlement to date in the nation. He was elected 'Deaf-Blind Person of the Year' in November 2005. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, William Buford Wright and Charles Wright.

He is survived by two daughters, Suzanna Wright Atkins, of Stem, North Carolina and Reena Wright, of Maryland; two sons, Matthew Miller Wright, of Cedar Grove, North Carolina and Haran Wright, of Maryland; two sisters, Louise Lindsey, of Bluefield, West Virginia and Margaret Click, of Mountain City, Tennessee; two brothers, Ralph Wright, of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Richard Wright, of Abingdon, Virginia; three grandchildren; Christina Huss, Ashleigh Wright, and Matthew Wright, Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P. M. Tuesday, June 12, 2007 in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Leonard Smith officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11:00 A. M. Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at Zion Cemetery in Damascus, Virginia. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P. M. ? 7:45 P. M. Tuesday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family and a video memorial tribute may be viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com or fax condolences to 276-475-5902.

Mr. Wright and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Ave., Damascus, VA 24236, 276-475-3631.

-- Visitation will be Tuesday, June 12 6-7:45 PM; The funeral service will be held at 8:00 PM. Both are at: Garrett Funeral Home, 203 North Shady Avenue, Damascus, VA. The burial is Wednesday, June 13 at 11:00, Mt. Zion cemetery.

If you'd like to share some memories and information for the MWADB newsletter, please let Dona Sauerburger know at Sauerburger@mindspring.com.

Joan Macaluso Bates, 76, of Rixeyville VA, died on June 22, 2006. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at Precious Blood Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper, VA. Arrangements by Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper.

JOAN MACALUSO BATES, 76, of Rixeyville, Va. passed away in her sleep on June 22, 2006. She was the widow of Robert Bates who at one time was President of VAD as well as holding offices in the NVAD, the Catholic church and other deaf clubs. Joan was laid to rest at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper, Va. Like her husband, she was much involved in Catholic Church activities. Joan was a 1955 graduate of Gallaudet College (now University) and was one of the founding members of the Delta Epsilon Sorority there. She was born in Louisiana but spent most of her life in Virginia. She was an avid traveler and at various times worked at the Department of the Navy, as a Librarian and at the Government Printing Office from which she retired. Joan and Bob had four sons and 11 grandchildren.

She and her husband Robert (deceased in 1996) were heavily involved at the national and local Catholic levels, especially with International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA). Among her church activities included teaching sign language to parochial elementary school children and bringing delicious beef stews to the rectory. She was one of the four founders of Delta Epsilon Sorority (DE) that was established at Gallaudet University in 1953 where she graduated in 1955. She served as general Chairlady of the highly successful DE Silver Jubilee at the Ramada Inn in New Carrollton, MD.

Bob was one of the former presidents of Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD). Bob and Joan were members of VAD and Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf (NVAD) for many years. She was an enthusiastic volunteer at the NAD 2000 Conference in Norfolk as she wanted to do it on the behalf of her deceased husband. She had a way of motivating young deaf people with her warm heart.

Joan was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia. Surviving are her four sons, Richard, Robert, Randolph and Roger, and their families, including her eleven grandchildren.

Virginia Beach – Elrice Dupree Daniels, 78, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, left us to join our mother, Carthina, on Sunday, April 2, 2006.

He was born in Ransomville, NC, and spent his formative years in Norfolk. After retiring from the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C., he moved to Norfolk where he has lived since 1992.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Debbie, Bob, and Steve, who are grateful to the people who supported and cared for him as he struggled with Alzheimer’s. He was recently honored as Father of the Year by the Virginia Association of the Deaf.

The family would like to express special thanks to the Tidewater Alzheimer Society, Province Place at DePaul, caregivers Pat and Audrey Berrigan, and his beloved friend and companion, Louise Cherry.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Carthina, and his son, Stanley Daniels.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at 7 p.m. at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Virginia Beach, with the Reverend Allen Justice officiating. The family will remain after the service to receive friends until 9 p.m. Burial will follow on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2 p.m. in Fairfax Memorial Park in Fairfax, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the deaf ministry at Temple Baptist Church.

Ruth Sullivan Frezzini reached the end of a long and happy journey on April 5, 2006. Her journey began in Stafford County on September 9, 1919. During her journey, Ruth married Joseph Frederick Frezzini with whom she shared her life for 53 years until Joe's death in 2001. They enjoyed the company of their daughter Sharon Frezzini Karnes, her husband, Dennis Karnes, and two granddaughters, Danielle and Samantha Karnes. Late in her journey, Ruth befriended Tammy Battista and her family and enjoyed many hours visiting with them. Deaf since birth, Ruth did not have any problem communicating with people. She was known for her infectious smile and hearty laugh, a trait that endeared her to everyone she met. Ruth retired from the State of Virginia after many years of service and then volunteered at Catholic Charities Inc. performing tasks that helped make others lives more rewarding. A memorial service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on May 6, 2006 at 11 am at Westhampton Cemetery Mausoleum for friends and family. For those wishing to make a contribution in honor of Ruth, please think of Catholic Charities, Inc.

Elizabeth H. (Liz) Harper, 84, of Brownsville, Texas, formally of Bedford, Virginia, entered into Eternal Rest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Brownsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Liz passed away after suffering a massive stroke to the right side of her brain on Sunday, March 19, 2006.

Elizabeth Jane Howell-Harper, daughter of the late Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell of Bedford County, Virginia, was born on March 22, 1921 at her family's home on Sharps Mountain Road. At the age of four, Liz's family learned that she was deaf. However, she still walked every day through fields, climbed over fences, and even struggled through the snow to attend public school at the one-room schoolhouse in Penicks, later known as the Kirkwood Home. This was Liz's source of education until she was 12 when her dad drove her 80 "bumpity bump" miles over rough and crooked mountain roads in order for his daughter to go to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB) in Staunton, Virginia.

Elizabeth Jane Howell graduated with honors in June 1940. She went on to further her education at Gallaudet College (University) in Washington, D.C. (the only university in the world established strictly for students who are deaf). After failing both Algebra and Latin, Liz went back to Bedford to become the "blushing" bride of the late Robert Sherman (Bob or Bobby) Harper at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on June 17, 1942. To assist in maintaining the farm records, and perform bookkeeping tasks, Liz attended Philips School of Business where she earned a certificate in Bookkeeping and Business Finance.

Among her many activities on the farm, Liz enjoyed taking pictures with the Bedford Camera Club, planting flowers and shrubs, participating as a member of the Lisbon Garden Club, planning for their annual flower shows, and decorating churches for all occasions.

With love and grace, Liz performed her weekly duties, which included teaching an "all-deaf" Sunday school class at Peaks Presbyterian Church, Bedford in the mornings, and directing an all-deaf choir at both Saint John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke in the afternoons, and at Christ's Episcopal Church in Lynchburg every Sunday night.

In September 1975, Bob and Liz drove their first Sportscoach motor home to Brownsville, Texas, to visit their daughter Helen who had moved there to teach deaf children and to help establish the Regional Day School for the Deaf. They enjoyed the climate so much that, after only one month, Bob and Liz hurried back to Bedford, sold the farm to the Key Family - Tony and Margaret Key-Mayhew, and moved to Brownsville where they lived happily together until Bob died in 1999. They were married for 57 years.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Robert Sherman (Bobby, Bob) Harper, of Brownsville, formerly of Bedford; her parents, Charlie T. and Bessie Forbes Howell; three brothers and two sisters-in law, Ronald and Hallie B. Howell of Portsmouth, Roy and Mamie Howell, Harold Forbes Howell; one sister and brother-in law, Hazel and Madison Cottrell, all of Bedford; one son, Lewis Sherman Harper, one son-in-law, Chester (Chet) T. Rebok of Brownsville; one extremely special nephew, James "Charlie" Cottrell; and one loving niece, Virginia Medora (Ginny Mae) Cottrell-Crawford.

Elizabeth is survived by one sister-in-law, Carrie Toms-Howell, Bedford; one son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Barbara Harper of Bedford; one daughter, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville; six grandchildren, Rob Harper of Atlanta, Georgia, Mike Harper, Bedford, Francie H. Morris and her husband, Gerald, Bedford, Kristen Harper and her fiance, Dan Shelton of Fort Wayne, Indiana; James Harper, Bedford; Stephen Forbes Rebok, Brownsville; step grandson, Michael A. Rebok, Steelton, Pennsylvania; four great-grandchildren, Thomas Pittman, Bedford, Krystle, Zachery, and Robert Williams of Fort Wayne, Indiana; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandnieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving visitors on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, between 7 to 9 p.m. at Peaks Presbyterian Church. A celebration of her life will be conducted at the Peaks Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Larry Mills officiating. Burial will follow at the Peaks Community Cemetery on Kelso Mill Road in Bedford. Family and friends are invited to attend a finger food reception at the church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Peaks Presbyterian Church, 1687 Kelso Mill Road, Bedford, Va. 24523; Gallaudet University Gallaudet Alumni Fund, 800 Florida Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20002.

Jefferson Rowe Lawson, Jr., 84, husband of Mary Ann (Jennings) Lawson of 12 Partlow Street, Staunton, died Wednesday morning (September 27, 2006) in the Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville.

He was born September 10, 1922 in Hampton, VA a son of the late Jefferson Rowe, Sr. and Nannie (Wornom) Lawson. He had been owner/operator of Lawson Printing Company and later was a carpenter in the Harrisonburg, Charlottesville area.

In addition to his wife, family members include two sons, Jeff R. Lawson, III of Churchville and Charles Jennings Lawson of Waynesboro. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles W. Lawson.

Graveside services will be private. There will be no public viewing or visitation. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

STAUNTON — Birdie J. Parker passed away in her sleep Wednesday morning, November 29, 2006, at her daughter's home in Staunton, Virginia. She was born March 29, l923, at Gloucester, Virginia, the daughter of the late Harry L. and Mary E. Smith. Her husbands, Oscar E. Minor, Jr., in 1947; and Samuel D. Parker in 1977 preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Birdie Jo Minor, of Staunton; three sons, Samuel D. Parker Jr., of McCleansville, North Carolina, Oscar E. Minor III of Hampton, Virginia, and Tommy Lee Minor of Newport News, Virginia; three grandsons, Jason, Joshua and Zack Minor; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter Lee Minor, Julianna Grace Minor, and Benjamin Minor.

Birdie Parker attended the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind at Staunton from l929 to 1940. She was a past member of the Peninsula Deaf Club in Newport News, Virginia, in which she held various offices. In 1987 she retired from the civil service at Fort Eustis and moved to Staunton, after which she became active in the Shenandoah Deaf Club, holding various offices. In 1969 she had the honor of being chosen "Virginia Deaf Mother of the Year," and in l982 she was the recipient of the Department of the Army's "Fort Eustis Handicapped Employee of the Year Award."

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday December 2, 2006, at McDow Funeral Home, Waynesboro, Virginia, after which the family will receive friends in the funeral home until noon.

A graveside service will be held Sunday, December 3, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Newington Baptist Church in Gloucester, to be followed by a reception at the church.

The family requests that contributions be made to the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton, VA, P.O. Box 2069, Staunton, VA 24402. (Make check out to "VSDB Scholarship Fund" and indicate on the bottom of the check "deaf scholarship fund, in memory of Birdie J. Parker.")

PORTLAND -- Jan K. Repass, 72, of Maine Avenue, passed away peacefully at his residence on Nov. 2, 2006, with his family by his side. He was born in Bluefield, W.Va. on Sept. 26, 1934, the only son of Zeyn and Okie Repass. He was educated at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, then went on to obtain his undergraduate degree from Gallaudet University and his Master's Degree in education from the University of Virginia. Obtaining his advanced degree was a special accomplishment, as there was little to no interpreting assistance available for hearing impaired students at the time.

In his lifetime, Jan enjoyed two very fulfilling careers. He was first an educator at his beloved Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind, and later spent 18 years as a teacher and Dean of Students at the Baxter School for the Deaf in Falmouth. In midlife, he leapt into the growing field of technology and became a computer programmer and analyst for L.L. Bean in Freeport. He enjoyed many years at L.L. Bean before retiring from the company in 1996.

Jan's true passion in life was teaching, and countless people were introduced to deaf culture and connected with the deaf community as a result of his more than 20 years of teaching American Sign Language, through Portland Adult Education and many other forums. His charismatic teaching style kept his classes consistently full, and he formed lasting friendships with many of his students. He was one of the founding members of the Maine Center on Deafness and helped create the Maine Relay Service, which established an important telecommunications link between the hearing and the deaf. In addition, he was responsible for establishing the ASL program at Central Maine Community College. Through all of these endeavors, he was able to build a bridge between the local deaf and hearing communities.

Jan was an enthusiastic participant in many organizations over the course of his lifetime. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth and later served as Scout Master, helping many other scouts reach this goal. He was an active participant in student organizations during his college years and a member of numerous deaf community organizations, both locally and nationally, throughout his adult life. He served as co-chair of the National Deaf Senior Citizens Convention in Boston in 2003. He had a true zest for life which was evident in his many interests, including photography, flower gardening, golfing, motorcycle riding, hiking, and simply socializing with his many friends.

Jan was an extremely compassionate, gentle, thoughtful and caring person who always kept a positive outlook on life, and he will be warmly remembered this way by his family and countless friends. Jan is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Helen; son Jeff, his wife Daphne, and grandson Ryan; daughter Libby, her husband Dave, and grandsons Caleb and David; mother-in-law Catherine Walker; and many cousins and extended family in Virginia.

His family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Ervin and the staff at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine for the exceptional care given to Jan over the past two years, and the VNA Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care in the last days of his life.

There will be no visiting hours. Please bring your memories of Jan to a celebration of his life planned for Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m., at the Bible Believing Baptist Church, 92 Center Road in Gray.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, Maine 04106.

Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care of Maine, 471 Deering Avenue, Portland, Maine.

Published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on November 5, 2006.

Margaret Paulina Sprinkel, 97, of Richmond, Va., died Thursday, March 2, 2006. Born December 22, 1908, in Nebraska, Margaret was the daughter of the late Inez Murphy Sprinkel and Fredrick Kemper Sprinkel. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Rose Rosse; and brothers, Fredrick K. Sprinkel and Francis Murphy Sprinkel.

Margaret was deaf since childhood and was educated at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton, Va. Margaret had a career in photographic retouching and worked until retirement at Dementi Forster Studio, Richmond, Va.

Margaret enjoyed her membership in the Fraternal Order of the Deaf and participated in many of their social events and national meetings. Margaret also traveled extensively.

Surviving family are her nieces, Mary Jane Sprinkel Stout of State College, Pa., Dorothy Boschen, of Doswell, Va., and Peggi Broughton, of Waco, Texas; and nephews, F. Murphy Sprinkel Jr., of Glen Allen, Va., and Frederick Rosse, of Boyerstown, Pa. Margaret also leaves her dear friends, Ron Phaup and A.G. Rice, of Panama City, Fla.

A graveside service and burial will be at noon on Monday, March 6 at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Commonwealth Catholic Charities Services for the Deaf, 1512 Willow Lawn Drive, P.O. Box 6565, Richmond, Va. 23230-0565.

Marshall Newlin Butler, 92, of Winchester, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, in a local nursing home.

Mr. Butler was born January 21, 1913, in Brunswick, Md., the son of George Addison Butler and Rosa Grace Newlin Butler.

He was a line type operator with the Winchester Star and the Washington Post, retiring in 1973. He was a member of the Winchester Deaf Fellowship and the Winchester Deaf Club.

He married Mildred Alleene Moorehead Butler on April 28, 1938, in Winchester. She died April 19, 2004.

Surviving are a daughter, Martha Grace Butler of Winchester; a brother, Lee Butler of Georgia; and a granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork St., Winchester 22601. Jones Funeral Home, Winchester, is in charge of arrangements.

George W. "Wayne" Heppert, 60, of Richmond, died Monday, July 18, 2005. He went to his heavenly home where he was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy and George Heppert.

He is survived by a devoted and special sister, Marilyn R. Neighbors; his wife, Kimberly Heppert; one brother, Wade "Oggie" Heppert; three children, Janitha, Joshua and Abby; three granddaughters, Janequa, Jamira, and Jakiria; nephew, Daniel K. Neighbors of Richmond; niece, Marlo Neighbors Tucker of Richmond; nephew, Daniel W. Heppert of Glen Allen; great-nephews, Dillon and Dustin Tucker and Nick Neighbors; and great-niece, Arden Neighbors.

Mr. Heppert worked at Thalhimer's Department Store for 28 years. He also worked for Manchester Paper and at Tyson Chicken. He loved sports, especially the Redskins, Richard Petty and Dale Jarrett, and achieved All-Metro and Hall of Fame while a student at V.S.D.B. at Staunton, Va. He will be missed by his family and friends.

The family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., followed by graveside services at 1 p.m. Friday at Washington Memorial Park.

Mary Elizabeth Kiser, 89

STAUNTON — Mary Elizabeth Kiser died Friday (Dec. 16, 2005) at her home.

She was born Nov. 29, 1916, at Covington, to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Fridley. She and her husband served as dormitory supervisors at Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, and she worked as a teacher's aide for the school.

Mrs. Kiser was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Raymond Fridley Jr. and James Fridley. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Kiser; two sons, Charles and Jim Kiser of Staunton; a sister, Teresa Hill of Newport News; and two brothers, Bernard Fridley of Seaford, Delaware, and Joe Fridley of Fountain, Colorado.

Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday at Hamrick Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Mausoleums and Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Originally published December 16, 2005.

Mildred B. Balfour, beloved wife of Louis Balfour, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2004. The funeral was held at Capital Baptist Church, 3504 Gallows Road, Annandale, VA, on Friday, February 27. The viewing was from 10:00 to11:00 a.m., and the funeral was at 11:00 a.m. The luncheon was at 12:00 noon in the Church Gymnasium. The burial followed afterwards at Mt. Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria, VA.

William C. Brizendine of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2004. Beloved husband of Isabella and the late Dorothy S. Brizendine; father of Brian and Bruce Brizendine; grandfather of Brooks, Fallon, and Adam; brother of Bernice Morris, Kitty Black, and the late Morris Brizendine and Ernestine Hillis. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD, Monday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where service will be held on Tuesday, May 11, at 1 p.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice-Casey House, 6001 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855.

Edna Laurie (Hurt) Crow, of 1433 Dennison Ave., died Friday, January 16, 2004, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. She was born April 24, 1914, at Doddridge, Ark., to Edward E. and Lola Belle (Atchison) Hurt. Mrs. Crow was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Daniel Crow. Survivors include a daughter, Alice Belle Frick of Staunton. Services will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Henry Funeral Home. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 24, 2004) at Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock, Ark. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Eugene Charles Hughes, 69, Olathe, KS, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2004, at home. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at First Baptist Church of Olathe, 2024 E. 151st St., Olathe, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to OMC Hospice or Deaf Program in First Baptist Church of Olathe in lieu of flowers.

Eugene was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Piedmont, MO. He graduated from Missouri School for the Deaf in 1954. There he fell in love with Melba, his wife of almost 50 years. He was ordained as a pastor in 1980 in Virginia. His last devotion serving God on the earth was as a pastor for the deaf program in First Baptist Church of Olathe for six years. Before this, he was the founder and pastor of the Deaf Missionary Program in West Hampton, VA. He also worked in numerous fields as a teacher of the deaf and owner of dry cleaning businesses in Virginia and Missouri. Eugene was very devoted in his work serving the Lord. He touched so many hearts in many places. He talked about the Lord to many strangers on a daily basis.

Survivors include his wife, Melba of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Lee Kramer of Ijamsville, MD; daughter and son-in-law, Patty Hughes and Mike Culligan of Valencia, CA; daughter Mary Hughes of Lenexa, KS; son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Rena Hughes of Boyds, MD; grandchildren, Ethan, Jena and Dalton Kramer, Jake and Iris Culligan, Paul and Shana Daniels and Calvin Hughes; brothers, Ronald and Norman Hughes; sister, Debbie Strickland; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Arrangements will be handled by McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, Olathe, (913) 782-0582.

L. Sherman Harper died Friday (December 3, 2004) at Valley Baptist Medical Center.

He was born June 11, 1950 in Bedford, Va. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Sherman Harper of Brownsville. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Howell Harper of Brownsville; a brother, Thomas LeRoy Harper of Bedford, Va.; and a sister, Helen Harper-Rebok of Brownsville.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Tharp Funeral Chapel in Bedford, Va. Burial will be in the Peaks Community Cemetery in Bedford County, Va. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Howard "Rocky" Stone, 79, a retired Central Intelligence Agency officer and an advocate of the hard of hearing, who, early in his career, helped foment the 1953 coup that restored the shah of Iran to his throne, died August 13, 2004, at Washington Hospital Center. He had adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Mr. Stone suffered profound hearing loss during Army basic training in 1944. More than five decades later, he founded Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH), which grew to international stature. Despite his diminished hearing, Mr. Stone always seemed to be where the action was during his 25-year career as a spy. In addition to his posting in Iran, he was in Pakistan, Vietnam and Nepal, often during times of tension and invariably of intrigue. Based at CIA headquarters, he was chief of operations of the Soviet bloc division from 1968 to 1971.

Mr. Stone was born in Cincinnati and grew up during the Depression. He earned his nickname from his father, an amateur boxer called "The Rock," and from his own scrappy nature. To help support his mother and two sisters, he ran a corner newsstand as a boy and, at 14, was managing the busiest dairy bar in Cincinnati. During World War II, his military service ended prematurely when he lost much of his hearing from being around explosions in training exercises.

He retired in 1975, after falling down a flight of stairs while chief of mission in Rome and losing what remained of his hearing.

In 1979, he incorporated SHHH as a nonprofit organization and set up his office in the basement of his Bethesda home. He hoped to inform the hard of hearing and their families about hearing devices and inspire them to deal with their deafness as "simply one more life crisis." In 1994, he lost his sight to macular degeneration. He had a cochlear implant that same year, which he deemed a success. Although he was blind, he could hear well enough to communicate with his family again and to continue working on behalf of others with hearing loss.

Mr. Stone is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alice Marie "Ahme" Stone of Bethesda; four children, Joelen Stone Frank of Rockville, Michael H. Stone of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Howard E. Stone of Bethesda and Melanie Stone Hogan of Lakewood, Ohio; two sisters, Helen "Teddie" Spies of Silver Spring and Mary Meyer of Chicago; and 10 grandchildren.

Ruth Tester, 2003 Deaf Mother of the Year, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2004, at the Arlington Hospice Center.

Survivors include her husband, Paul of home, son Dave and his wife Janis of Indiana, and daughter Gina, also of Indiana. Ruth has three grandchildren, all in Indiana.

Her late father, Rhulin, was the first deaf pilot to fly coast to coast in 1947. Her mother, Gladys, is 96 and lives with the Tester family.

Marshall Todd Bland, 41