Flowers

Residents of Maryland can ring in the New Year with 10 free flowering trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January.  By becoming a part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, new members will receive two white flowering dogwoods, two flowering crabapples, two Washington hawthorns, two American redbuds and two goldenraintrees. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between Feb. 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions.

Ray Dale Sweitzer Jr., 43, of Hagerstown, Md., and formerly of Swanton, Md., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at his home. He was born Sept. 16, 1969, in Cheverly, Md., to Maureen Lee Kyle Vandevander of Kerns, W.Va., and the late Ray Dale Sweitzer Sr. He was a graduate of Southern Garrett High School. He was previously employed by D.M. Bowman, Williamsport, Md. He was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include, besides his mother, his stepfather, Benny J. Vandevander of Kerns.

Doris M. Poffenberger, 80, of Myersville, Md., died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown. Born Jan. 18, 1932, in Kitzmiller, Md., she was the daughter of the late Leighton H. and Lillian Evans Harvey. Doris was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, (Church Hill) in Myersville. Doris taught various grades at Lincolnshire and Surrey elementary schools in Hagerstown, and was on staff at the Fairview Outdoor Education Center in Clear Spring. She retired after 34 years with Washington County Public Schools.

Helen Hammer, 93, formerly of Hagerstown, died Nov. 24, 2012, at Green Valley Nursing Home in Perry, Okla. She was married to Elwood Hammer, who preceded her death in 1987. She is survived by two daughters, Sandy Bilby, and Jo Ahalt and husband, Rudell; and a son, Kenneth Hammer and wife, Cindy. There will be a celebration of remembrance Dec. 8, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Bethel UCC in Elkton, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel United Church of Christ, 2451 Bethel Church Road, Elkton, VA 22827.

Gabriel Everett Wenner, 2, son of Toby Lee Wenner and Michelle Lee Lopez Wenner of Hagerstown, Md., died Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at Meritus Medical Center. Gabriel was born Aug. 19, 2010, in Baltimore, Md. In addition to his parents, he is survived by maternal grandparents, Rick and Paula Lopez; paternal grandparents, Tom and Belinda Wenner; two sisters, Victoria and Halee; one brother, Christopher; niece, Natalie; Auntie Brandy; Uncle Chadd and wife, Teesha; cousins, Cameron, Izzy and Umi; surrogate mother, Janice Budlong; and many other aunts, uncles and loved ones.

Donna (Diane) Jean Semler, 76, of Hagerstown, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Born April 18, 1936, in Hancock, Md., she was the daughter of the late Garfield Shifflett and Ethel (Coffman) Shifflett Wink. Donna devoted her life to caring for others. She spent several years employed as an in-home care provider. In her personal life, she was the beloved matriarch of her family. She happily spent her time caring for and mentoring her ever-growing family, which at the time of her passing spanned five generations.

Eunice Irene Lesher Renicker, 90, formerly of South Main Street, Chambersburg, Pa., died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Browns Mill Meeting House, Chambersburg. The service will be Monday at 2 p.m. Browns Mill Meeting House. Burial will be in Browns Mill Cemetery, Kauffman, Pa. The family requests that flowers be omitted. Arrangements are by Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Greencastle, Pa.

Rose Melillo Ledden passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the home of her son, Kevin, surrounded by her family. A native of Bloomfield, N.J., Rose was the daughter of Angelo Melillo and Maria Rubetillo Melillo of Italy. She married John Phillips Ledden in 1955. Together, they raised five children. Rose was a devoted wife and mother, and was affectionately admired by her 10 grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and delighted in gathering her family around a well-set table.

Daniel Leroy Hines, 56, of Hagerstown, Md., died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Meritus Medical Center. Born Sept. 6, 1956, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Wilma Edith Hubbard Hines of Hagerstown and the late William Hines. In addition to his mother, he is survived by one sister, Debra McGruder; one niece, Alicia Bruce; two nephews, Michael Hines and Steven Bruce; one great-niece, Aryssia Hines; and one great-nephew, Michael Hines II. There will be no service or viewing. Family requests omission of flowers, and memorial donations to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.