Fairchild Aircraft

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Paul Yaron might not have worked at Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, but his lifelong love of aviation drew him to a book signing Saturday at Dru's Books 'n Things in the Wayne Heights Mall. "I retired as an aircraft mechanic from the U.S. Navy," said Yaron, 76, of Waynesboro. He left the bookstore with a copy of "Images of Aviation-Fairchild Aircraft" tucked under his arm. And he wasn't the only one. Frank and Suanne Woodring, who are widely known as the publishers of Maryland Cracker Barrel magazine since 1991, said there were people lined up to buy their second book when they opened the book signing Saturday morning.

HAGERSTOWN - A historic aircraft may fly back into Hagerstown if the Hagerstown Aviation Museum can raise an estimated $200,000 to buy it at auction Aug. 23. During World War II, the C-82 planes were designed and manufactured in Hagerstown as cargo planes. The C-82 was the first plane ordered by the military specifically for cargo, said Kurtis Meyers, the museum's president. The inner dimensions match those of a train car, and the plane became known as a "flying boxcar," Meyers said.

OCT. 26, 1921-MAY 7, 2010 MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Roscoe Earl Keesecker, 88, of Martinsburg, W.Va., went to be with the Lord Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was born Oct. 26, 1921, in Martinsburg. He was employed by Fairchild Aircraft for 40 years, retiring in 1984. He is survived by his wife, Mary Faustena Keesecker. Funeral services will be Monday, May 10, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Al Clipp officiating.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE, PA. - The first name that comes to mind when one thinks of airplanes in Hagerstown is Fairchild, maker of the famous C-119 Flying Boxcar in the 1950s and the A-10 Warthog in the 1970s and 1980s. But aircraft production in Hagerstown goes back further, to 1916, when Giuseppe Bellanca, an Italian immigrant and aviation pioneer, built a 35-horsepower airplane for the Maryland Pressed Steel Co. on Pope Avenue where he worked. Bellanca flew his plane, called the Bellanca C.D., on its maiden flight off Doub's Meadow, now the site of South Hagerstown High School.

Lauren S. Blickenstaff, 82, of Smithsburg, died Monday, March 21, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Wolfsville, and was the son of the late Samuel H. and Virgie Shuff Blickenstaff. Lauren was raised by his grandmother, Linnie Shuff. Lauren was a life member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wolfsville. He served with the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1950. For many years, he worked as a security guard at Fairchild Aircraft, Hagerstown; was a carpenter with Morgan-Keller Builders; and retired as a security guard with Top Flight, Hagerstown.

Kathleen E. Muir, 92, of King Street, Hagerstown, Md., passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at Golden Living Center of Hagerstown. Born April 17, 1919, in Cherry Run, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Arthur B. and Letha Belle (Rankin) Shriver. She was formerly employed by Fairchild Aircraft of Hagerstown and Washington County Hospital. She was a member of Emmanuel Chapel, Smithsburg, Md. She was an avid reader and loved the water and ocean. She is survived by daughters, Judy Morningstar and Jane Yeakle, both of Hagerstown; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Constance “Connie” Dentler, 88, of Plantation, Florida, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at her home. Born Dec. 22, 1922, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Leon and Hazel Trovinger Bond. She was a 1941 graduate of Hagerstown High School. After high school, she was employed at Montgomery Ward, and during World War II, she worked at Fairchild Aircraft, later becoming a full-time parent raising her children. Connie was a member of the Democratic Club of Washington County for more than 30 years and worked for numerous years at the election polls.

Esther S. Oyler, 94, of Homosassa, Fla., passed away on Monday, June 18, 2012. Esther was born Jan. 12, 1918, in Mercersburg, Pa. She enjoyed a varied career from parts control and aircraft construction with Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, Md. during World War II to positions in retail management. After first moving to Florida in 1968, Esther owned and operated a ceramics business for many years. Esther moved back to Hagerstown in the late-1980s and then returned to Florida in 2005.

Elizabeth Frances (Price) Robison, 86, of Hagerstown, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at her home. Born July 26, 1924, in Luray, Va., she was the daughter of the late Earl Edward and Regora Alice (Sours) Price. During World War II, she worked at Fairchild Aircraft. She went on to retire from Mack Trucks as a cafeteria employee in 1985. Elizabeth was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown and the Queen Esther Chapter 3 Order of the Eastern Star in Hagerstown.

Bessie V. Shilling, 88, of Hagerstown, Md., passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at her home. Born Sept. 3, 1924, near Clear Spring, Md., she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary (Mills) Keefer. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Chewsville. She was employed by Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown during World War II; Doubleday Bookbinding Co. in Smithsburg; Fashion Flair in Hagerstown; and Sears in Hagerstown. She was a volunteer for many years at Western Maryland Hospital in Hagerstown.

Bessie V. Shilling, 88, of Hagerstown, Md., passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at her home. Born Sept. 3, 1924, near Clear Spring, Md., she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary (Mills) Keefer. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Chewsville. She was employed by Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown during World War II; Doubleday Bookbinding Co. in Smithsburg; Fashion Flair in Hagerstown; and Sears in Hagerstown. She was a volunteer for many years at Western Maryland Hospital in Hagerstown.

Esther S. Oyler, 94, of Homosassa, Fla., passed away on Monday, June 18, 2012. Esther was born Jan. 12, 1918, in Mercersburg, Pa. She enjoyed a varied career from parts control and aircraft construction with Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, Md. during World War II to positions in retail management. After first moving to Florida in 1968, Esther owned and operated a ceramics business for many years. Esther moved back to Hagerstown in the late-1980s and then returned to Florida in 2005.

Constance “Connie” Dentler, 88, of Plantation, Florida, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at her home. Born Dec. 22, 1922, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Leon and Hazel Trovinger Bond. She was a 1941 graduate of Hagerstown High School. After high school, she was employed at Montgomery Ward, and during World War II, she worked at Fairchild Aircraft, later becoming a full-time parent raising her children. Connie was a member of the Democratic Club of Washington County for more than 30 years and worked for numerous years at the election polls.

Kathleen E. Muir, 92, of King Street, Hagerstown, Md., passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at Golden Living Center of Hagerstown. Born April 17, 1919, in Cherry Run, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Arthur B. and Letha Belle (Rankin) Shriver. She was formerly employed by Fairchild Aircraft of Hagerstown and Washington County Hospital. She was a member of Emmanuel Chapel, Smithsburg, Md. She was an avid reader and loved the water and ocean. She is survived by daughters, Judy Morningstar and Jane Yeakle, both of Hagerstown; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Luke Schwartz stood in the dark, hollow cavern of the twin-engine, twin-boom C-82 Packet. The 5-year-old glanced for a moment at the narrow hole leading to the cockpit overhead before he reached for the built-in rung ladder and began climbing. Situated in the pilot's seat, he craned his neck to gaze through the windows above and around him, then set to work exploring the knobs and dials of the instrument panel. Luke's parents, Richard Schwartz and Melanie Barclay of Hagerstown, stayed close behind enjoying his wonder Saturday at Wings and Wheels Expo 2011 at Hagerstown Regional Airport.

Grayson J. Michael, 89, of Wolfsville, Md., died Friday, May 20, 2011, at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown. Married for 66 years, he was the husband of the late Ruth R. Michael, who preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2010. Born July 6, 1921, in Myersville, Md., Grayson was the son of the late Charles S. and Lelah C. Palmer Michael. Grayson was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Wolfsville. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army. He farmed all of his life and retired in 1982 after 19 years with Mack Trucks in Hagerstown, and previously was employed by Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown.

Elizabeth Frances (Price) Robison, 86, of Hagerstown, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at her home. Born July 26, 1924, in Luray, Va., she was the daughter of the late Earl Edward and Regora Alice (Sours) Price. During World War II, she worked at Fairchild Aircraft. She went on to retire from Mack Trucks as a cafeteria employee in 1985. Elizabeth was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown and the Queen Esther Chapter 3 Order of the Eastern Star in Hagerstown.

JAN. 16, 1921-MAY 5, 2011 Harold Paulsgrove Lung, 90, of Hagerstown Md., passed away Thursday, May 5, 2011, at the Village of Robinwood. Born Sunday, Jan. 16, 1921, in Chewsville, Md., he was the son of the late Clegget Lung and the late Hazel Paulsgrove Lung. His wife of 52 years, Janet W. Lung, preceded him in death in 1996. He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1938. He was employed by Fairchild Aircraft as a tool-and-die maker. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 as an aviation machinist's mate first class.

George Frederick Stotler, 79, of Fairplay, Md., passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Born Sept. 22, 1931, in Washington County, Md., he was the son of the late Charles Lauren and Anna Mary Rudisill Stotler. He attended Hagerstown High School and played soccer in high school. George was a self-employed farmer for 30 years until retiring in 2000. He was the owner/operator of the Double T Lounge in Hagerstown, Md., for 22 years.

Lauren S. Blickenstaff, 82, of Smithsburg, died Monday, March 21, 2011, at his home. He was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Wolfsville, and was the son of the late Samuel H. and Virgie Shuff Blickenstaff. Lauren was raised by his grandmother, Linnie Shuff. Lauren was a life member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wolfsville. He served with the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1950. For many years, he worked as a security guard at Fairchild Aircraft, Hagerstown; was a carpenter with Morgan-Keller Builders; and retired as a security guard with Top Flight, Hagerstown.