Grace Lutheran

TWENTY-FOUR volunteers from Grace Lutheran Church are back from their long trip West, where they helped families fix fences and buildings ravaged by winter storms.Their trip to the small farming town of Selby, S.D., was the church's first mission trip, and it will not be the last, said Laura Heller, who traveled with the group."It was an incredible trip," she said. "Lots of work was completed, and everyone became close friends."Volunteers slept on cots in a school gymnasium and met at 6: 30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, their sister church in Selby, for breakfast and assignments.

WITH THEIR trucks loaded with chain saws, tools and sleeping bags, 24 members of Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster took off on a 30-hour drive Thursday to Selby, S.D., to help a rural community rebuild after a winter storm.Only about 700 people live in Selby -- ranchers mostly, who let their cattle roam and find shelter in tree berms rather than barns. When a winter storm hit the area more than a year ago, the trees were wiped out, the snow covered the cattle and many froze."The community was devastated, and when someone loses their livelihood, it hits the church," said Mel Arbaugh, one of Grace Lutheran's volunteers who left last week.

The Carroll Lutheran Village Retirement Community in Westminster has honored the founders of Partners in Ministry, a volunteer program that provides in-home support and respite for more than a dozen families throughout Carroll County."

Howard C. WitzkeBGE supervisorHoward C. Witzke, retired supervisor of electrical services in Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.'s television department, died of leukemia Tuesday at his Overlea home. He was 76.He retired in 1983 after 18 years with BGE. Earlier, he operated Witzke's Television Service on Harford Road.After the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Witzke enlisted in the Army in 1941. As a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, he was a communications officer at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.

Joseph J. Zajac, a self-employed certified public accountant who was active in church affairs, died Friday of prostate cancer at his Towson home. He was 79.Much of his accounting work was for several labor unions and for nonprofit organizations, according to his daughter, Joan Silex, who added that he was the first president of the Central Maryland Chapter of the Maryland CPA Association.In his spare time, Mr. Zajac was a ballroom dancing enthusiast who valued his family and enjoyed travel, according to Vera Duncan, his close friend of nine years.

Three weeks ago, after a lengthy search for new offices, the Literacy Council of Carroll County had only one option: a long-vacant building beset with problems."

Roland RiesRetired pastorThe Rev. Roland A. Ries, a retired Lutheran minister who had been the pastor of several Carroll County churches, died Thursday of renal failure at York Hospital in York, Pa. He was 76.He retired in 1985 after 22 years as pastor of the former Silver Run Lutheran Parish churches of St. Matthew's and St. Mary's, both in Pleasant Valley near Westminster.Mr. Ries began his pastoral career in 1945 at the old Zion Lutheran Church in Hamilton, which he desegregated in 1955.

Some of the 15 residents who were forced out of three brick rowhouses in Westminster by a two-alarm fire early Sunday have found temporary lodging with family members while others have been placed in motels.Several have contacted the Department of Health and Human Services for long-term assistance, said Scott Knox, assistant director of Emergency Services of Central Maryland.Mr. Knox said the American Red Cross is assisting some of them with temporary housing, food and clothing.The fire started at 103 John St. and spread to 105 and 107 John St.More than 50 firefighters worked nearly 90 minutes to bring it under control.

The day-to-day ministry that has been a part of the Rev. Frederick Eckhardt's life for more than 40 years will come to an end Feb. 27.After serving the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster since 1975, Pastor Eckhardt will officially retire from the pulpit to write, travel and spend time with his family."

Frank L. Vogt Jr.Headed auto recyclerFrank L. Vogt Jr., president of Vogt's Auto Recyclers in Sandymount, Carroll County, died Aug. 9 after a heart attack at work.Mr. Vogt, 76, who was known as Jake and lived in Sandymount, near Finksburg, started the automobile parts business on a family-owned farm in the mid-1950s. Earlier, the Sandymount native farmed on the property.He was a charter member of the Maryland Auto and Truck Recyclers Association.A life member of Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster and a charter member of the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company, he also belonged to the Westminster Elks Lodge, the Reisterstown Lodge of the Moose and the Roaring Run Lions Club.

Sally Sparks Cameron A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Courtland at 3 pm Friday with the Rev. Dennis Buchholtz officiating. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 25280 New Market Road, Courtland, VA 23851 or Courtland Rescue Squad, P O Box 439, Courtland, VA 23837. Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, is assisting the family. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org

Reverend Lawrence Stewart "Larry" Cameron A funeral service will be held at 5 P.M. Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church, New Market Road, Courtland, followed by a committal service at the Vick Family Cemetery on Indiantown Road. The family will receive friends at the church following the committal service. A memorial service will be held at Rev. Cameron's former church, Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lutherville at 11 A.M. Saturday, August 15, 2009. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 25280 New Market Road, Courtland, Va. 23837, or Augsburg Lutheran Home, 6811 Campfield road, Baltimore, Md. 21207-4657 or Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8601 Valleyfield Road, Lutherville, Md. 21093.

On January 24, 2006, ANNABELLE G. HUBBARD (nee Ulrich) beloved wife of the late Leroy C. Hubbard, cherished aunt of Dr. John C. Ulrich and his wife Emily, beloved grand aunt of John C. Ulrich Jr., Mary Anne Mc Kinnon, Kathryn E. Tsai and her husband Dr. Allan Tsai and Carole Simmonds. Friends may call at the family owned Leonard J. Ruck Inc., Funeral Home, 5305 Harford Road (at Echodale) on Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church of Hamilton, 5205 Harford Road on Saturday 11 A.M. Interment Parkwood Cemetery.

William R. "Bob" Terry, a retired commercial artist and World War II Army Air Forces veteran, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Dec. 23 at Carroll Hospital Center. The Westminster resident was 85. Born in Baltimore and raised in Lansdowne, Mr. Terry was a graduate of Catonsville High School and the Maryland Institute College of Art. During World War II, Mr. Terry served as a flight engineer with the 8th Air Force and completed 32 bombing missions. He was discharged with the rank of technical sergeant at war's end. After returning to Baltimore in 1945, he worked as a window display artist for a year at the Julius Gutman department store.

On November 9, 2004, ROBERT A. RINGROSE; beloved son of Gloria Harris Ford and the late James Ringrose; devoted husband of Jacqueline M. Ringrose (nee Slade); beloved father of Robert W., and Ethan Ringrose. Also Survived by five siblings and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, at 10 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Caroll Street, Westminster. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster on Friday, from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7 to 9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Grace Lutheran Church.

On Sunday, September 19, 2004, ELMA L., beloved wife of the late Joseph Irving Donovan Jr., devoted mother and mother-in-law of Elaine and George Conover and Joseph Donovan III and Linda Donovan, beloved grandmother of Kelly and Holda Zavandro, Cheryl Conover, Michael Donovan and Colin Donovan. She was predeceased by brothers Carl F. and George Knabe. Funeral Services will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster on Thursday at 11 A.M. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

BETTY MEYERS Mc CUNE, 79, of St. Albans, WV, passed away at home on Friday, March 5, 2004. She is survived by three daughters, Brenda S. Griffon of Sardis, OH, Beverly A. "Bunny" Vance and husband Gary of St. Albans, WV, Barbara J. Abernathy and husband Dennis of Charleston, WV. She has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are niece Anna Bond and two nephews Freddy Bertolini and Albert Bertolini. In accordance with Betty's wishes, her body was donated to the Human Gift Registry at WVU. Memorial Service will be 11 A.M. Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Hurricane, WV with Pastor Jerry Kliner officiating.

On November 17, 2003, JANET J. (nee Johnson), of Westminster; beloved wife of Peter McDowell; daughter of Mildred Johnson (nee Dimerling) and the late Lester Johnson; mother of Jane Smith, Michael McDowell and Susan McDowell; mother-in-law of Keith Smith; sister of Rolf and David Johnson; sister-in-law of Genie and Alison Johnson; grandmother of Brennan and Parker Smith. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 11 A.M., at Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster, MD. Private interment services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. The family will receive friends at the Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster, on Friday, from 5 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Ministry and Mortar Fund, 21 Carroll St., Westminster, MD, 21157.

On September 28, 2003, DAVID C., SR., of Westminster; beloved husband of Betty Geiman (nee Yingling); father of David C. Geiman, Jr. and Katie Baker; father-in-law of Judy Geiman and Gary Baker; grandfather of Beth, Bonnie, Bridget and Joe Geiman, Sandra Ruby and husband Mark, Trent and Grant Baker; great-grandfather of Blake and Anna Ruby; brother of the late J. "Tony" Stoner Geiman, Jr., and Carl E. Geiman, Sr. Also survived by nieces and nephews....

On February 15, 2003 THOMAS WHITELEATHER of Westminster beloved husband of Christine (nee Leese) Whiteleather; father of Lianne, Mary Jeanne, Kathleen, Sharon Kohler and Lynn Hancock and David and Thomas Whiteleather; brother of Mary Hansen and Pegge Garriques. Also survived by 11 grandchildren. Services at Grace Lutheran Church, Westminster on Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment following in Westminster Cemetery. Visitation at Myers Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminister on Wednesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions to Ministry in Mortar Campaign, c/o Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street, Westminster, 21157.