God

Gabriella Peyton Mills, 1 month 18 days, of Hancock, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at her home. The service will be Saturday at Hancock Church of God on Millstone Road. The Rev. Charles Getz and the Rev. Gary Quackenbois will officiate. Burial will follow at Bethel Community Church Cemetery, Warfordsburg, Pa.

Mosaics. Stained glass. A carved wood screen. Needlework. Creche scenes. Fine art in a museum display? No. Inspirational art in historic Hagerstown churches. Sixteen churches in and near downtown Hagerstown will open their doors to the public Wednesday, Dec. 26, in the second annual walking tour of historic houses of worship. The idea is for churches to open their doors and share their historic structures - plus music, refreshments, holiday decorations and post-Christmas relaxation - with the public.

Clarence L. Newman, 93, of Charles Town, W.Va., died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at Shenandoah Center in Charles Town. Friends will be received Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at House of Prayer Church of God No. 4, Charles Town. The service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church with Elder Paul Brown officiating. Burial will be in Johnsontown (W.Va.) Cemetery. Arrangements are by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home in Charles Town.

Pastor Jerry Lowans looked up at a cross inside Washington Square United Methodist Church Sunday night during a Christmas cantata and referred to the tragic shooting Friday of 26 people inside an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Lowans talked about how the incident created a troubling weekend, but he said after the service that people must remember that they still can connect with God after such upsetting events. “We need to learn to look through the situation,” Lowans told about 90 people gathered for the service.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life. " John 10:27-28. Ernest William Cole of Hagerstown, Md., embraced God's comfort and entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, following a short illness. He was the beloved brother of Phillip Smothers (Judy) of Laurel, Md., and James E. Cole (Kim) of Frederick, Md. Born Feb. 10, 1952, Ernest enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1979, and later worked as a custodian, until he was medically unable to continue.

Jan “Scott” Frey, known for his love of boating, hunting, fishing and golf, is remembered by his family and friends as a “true Eastern Shoreman at heart.” Treasured family memories include days and weeks spent on their boat, which was docked in Cambridge, Md., the hometown of both Scott and his wife of 36 years, Jacalyn “Jackie.” “We did love it,” said daughter Heather Burke of Smithsburg. “The beauty of boating was that we didn't have TV and telephones. It was just our family.

Ray Steven Hewett, age 71, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at Winchester Medical Center. Born Nov. 2, 1941, in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late Clarence Reed and Nettie Jane Michael Hewett. He was a member of Love Assembly of God in Berkeley Springs. He was a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired from U.S. Silica in Berkeley Springs. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a New Orleans Saints fan since the late 1960s. Ray was a member of Junior Order U.A.M.

Howard Hawkins said he was working as a banker in Richmond, Va., when his wife died of heart and lung complications in 2007. He said the loss caused him to suffer an emotional collapse. “I didn't respond well,” Hawkins said. “Material things didn't mean much to me. I gave up my cars, house and money. I gave it to the church and became homeless.” On Thursday, Hawkins told his story to about 280 people who gathered to share a free Thanksgiving meal sponsored by The Hope Center Rescue Mission off North Prospect Street in Hagerstown.

Theirs is a story of enduring love the first time and new, comfortable love the second time. The Rev. Robert Krempels and Virginia Perna each found themselves widowed in 2008. His marriage lasted about 63 years. Hers, about 52 years. They connected last year at a local church function. One date led to another. They found solace in each other, companions who understood the sadness of losing a soulmate. On Saturday, after a year-and-a-half of courtship, Robert, 92, and Virginia, 75, got married.

Helen Josephine Beasley, 95, of Williamsport, Md., died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Williamsport Retirement Village. Born March 14, 1917, in Edgemont, Md., she was the daughter of the late Samuel L. and Helen B. Conrad Beitler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward W. Beasley Sr., on June 9, 1990. Helen was a member of the Virginia Avenue Church of God. She also was a member of Grace Brethren Church Keenagers, American Legion Williamsport Post 202 Ladies Auxiliary and Coffee Klatch at Union Rescue Mission.