Hancock High School

More than 20 Hancock High School students hung blue ribbons around town Monday as part of Child Abuse Awareness Month. The month's events will culminate Saturday, April 28, with the second annual Walk to End Child Abuse, Police Chief T.J. Buskirk said. This year's walk will also include a 5K run and bicycle ride, said Diane McCusker, the great-grandmother of Bella Appel, an infant who died as a result of child abuse in 2010. A Warfordsburg, Pa., man, Nicholas McKee was convicted of causing Bella Appel's death and was sentenced to 35 years in state prison.

Ashley Paige Edgerton Ashley Shantay McKinley Dennis Wilmer Price II Richard Aaron Strong

Youth calendar Southwestern fiesta all-night skating party Saturday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 17, 6 a.m. Family Skating Center, 17333 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown Admission is $12. Regular skates are included. To skate from 8 to 11:30 p.m., admission is $6. There will be games and contests. The party is chaperoned by adults. Speed and in-line skates can be rented for $2.50. For information, call 301-582-2020. College planning seminar Tuesday, Sept.

Edward W. “Eddie” Harper, 53, of Needmore, Pa., died Saturday, April 28, 2011, at the Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, Pa. Born March 23, 1959, in Olney, Md., he was the son of Donald J. and Mary F. Blackburn Harper of Hancock. He was a member of the Needmore Bible Church, Needmore, and was employed by Douglas Motors in Hancock as a warranty administrator. He was a 1977 graduate of Hancock High School. He enjoyed riding his soft-tail Harley and ATVs, being with family and friends, and he loved life.

Individuals, businesses and organizations from 23 counties throughout the 100-county American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region, were honored Tuesday, June 5, at the region's annual meeting, "Celebrating Champions" at  CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh. Local winners were:  Community Partnership Award: The Meadows Original Frozen Custard in Hagerstown.  Corporate Good Neighbor Award:  Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town, W. Va.   High School of the Year Award: Hancock High School, Hancock  Most Improved High School Award: Jefferson High School, Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.

SEPT. 29, 1966-DEC. 17, 2008 WARFORDSBURG, Pa. - Lisa Marie Schetrompf, 42, of Schriever Road, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at Washington County Hospital. Born Sept. 29, 1966, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of Carrie Stauffer Weller of Hancock and the late Herman L. Weller. She was a 1984 graduate of Hancock High School. She had formerly been employed by Fox's Pizza Den in Hancock. She was a Protestant. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, James G. Schetrompf, whom she married Sept.

Gary Francis Breakall, 75, of Hancock, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at his home. Born March 27, 1937, in Hancock, he was the son of the late Oscar Andrew and Jesse Stotler Breakall, and husband of Shirley M. Hawbaker Breakall, whom he married June 20, 1954 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Hancock. Gary was retired from the U.S. Postal Service, serving as postmaster in Hancock; he was a 1955 graduate of Hancock High School; a member of St. Peter Catholic Church; and was a volunteer at Hancock High School.

Anne Denise “Neecie” Bohrer, age 54, formerly of Hancock, and a resident of Hagerstown, died Monday Jan. 28, 2013, at Julia Manor in Hagerstown, Md. Born Nov. 14, 1958, in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., she was the daughter of Mary Ellen Hixon Bohrer of Hagerstown, and the late Mervin E. “Jim” Bohrer Sr., who died Dec. 4, 1994. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class of 1976 at Hancock High School, an AA degree, summa cum laude of Hagerstown Business College. She was retired after 32 years as a bookkeeper, employed with Fulton Petroleum, Sharrett Inc., Fil- Tec Inc. and MillerStone Law Offices.

Leon Albert Creek, 64 of Hancock, Md., died Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at his home. Born May 24, 1946, in Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of Dolores Y. Creek of Hancock and the late Albert G. Creek. He was a 1964 graduate of Hancock High School and a 1966 graduate of Hagerstown Business College. He was president of The Home Center Inc. Hancock. He was a member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church and attended the Hancock United Methodist Church in Hancock. He was a member of Ali Ghan Shrine in Cumberland, Md., and the James W. Bowers Lodge No. 173 AF & AM Hancock.

JULY 21, 1962-APRIL 25, 2009 HANCOCK, Md. - Robert Wayne Hendershot Jr., age 46, of Mountain Road, died Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, Md. Born July 21, 1962, he was the son of Robert W. Hendershot Sr. and Edna M. Carlisle Hendershot of Hancock. He was a 1980 graduate of Hancock High School. He was a retired correctional officer from RCI. He coached high school football, girls varsity basketball, Hancock Elementary basketball, all Hancock; the Washington County Jr. Football League, and Washington County Jr. and Sr. Baseball.

Ronald L. “Ronnie” Van Meter Jr., age 37, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa. Born Sept. 4, 1975, in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of Ronald L. Van Meter Sr. and Bonnie J. Crusan Van Meter of Hancock and son-in law of Eddie and Sylvia Zimmerman Moats. He was a 1993 graduate of Hancock High School. He was employed with U.S. Silica, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., as a control room operator. He was a lieutenant with the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company, where he was a member for 20 years.

Edgar Lee Swisher, 76, of Hancock, Md., died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at his home. Born March 26, 1937, in Hancock, he was the son of the late George E. and Lillian Pittman Swisher. He was a 1956 graduate of Hancock High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. He retired from Mack Trucks after 31 years working in maintenance. He is survived by his wife, Margaret L. Hull Swisher, whom he married June 21, 1963, in Hagerstown, Md.; one daughter, Shea Lee Hart of Hancock; one son, Corey L. Swisher of Hancock; two brothers, Norman Swisher of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., and Ronald Swisher of Hagerstown; and five grandchildren.

James Robert "Bubba" Ruppenthal, 52, of Hancock, Md., died Thursday, March 21, 2013, at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Born Aug. 15, 1960, in Hagerstown, he was the son of Robert Garland Ruppenthal of Berkeley Springs, W.Va. and the late Anna Lucille "Ludie" Steiner Ruppenthal. He was of the Methodist faith. He was a 1978 graduate of Hancock High School and had worked as a punch out supervisor in the construction business. Jimmy loved to play golf, especially at Myrtle Beach, S.C., had been a little league coach and was a member of Webster B. Harrison Sons of the American Legion Squadron 26 in Hancock where he had served as both treasurer and adjutant.

Hancock multisport athlete Sara Elizabeth Wagner is like a lot of high school seniors - one of her biggest concerns revolves around where she'll attend college. Wagner, who has played volleyball, basketball and softball for the Panthers, started using the National Collegiate Scouting Association athletic recruiting website in an effort to find a college that will allow her to continue her athletic and academic pursuits. It just so happens Wagner, a middle hitter, found a volleyball program interested in her ... and it wasn't one she expected at all. Wagner has been selected by American International Sports Teams to be part of their volleyball squad, which will carry the USA banner at United World Games 2013 in Klagenfurt, Austria, from June 20-23.

Anne Denise “Neecie” Bohrer, age 54, formerly of Hancock, and a resident of Hagerstown, died Monday Jan. 28, 2013, at Julia Manor in Hagerstown, Md. Born Nov. 14, 1958, in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., she was the daughter of Mary Ellen Hixon Bohrer of Hagerstown, and the late Mervin E. “Jim” Bohrer Sr., who died Dec. 4, 1994. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class of 1976 at Hancock High School, an AA degree, summa cum laude of Hagerstown Business College. She was retired after 32 years as a bookkeeper, employed with Fulton Petroleum, Sharrett Inc., Fil- Tec Inc. and MillerStone Law Offices.

Gary Francis Breakall, 75, of Hancock, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at his home. Born March 27, 1937, in Hancock, he was the son of the late Oscar Andrew and Jesse Stotler Breakall, and husband of Shirley M. Hawbaker Breakall, whom he married June 20, 1954 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Hancock. Gary was retired from the U.S. Postal Service, serving as postmaster in Hancock; he was a 1955 graduate of Hancock High School; a member of St. Peter Catholic Church; and was a volunteer at Hancock High School.

Get your Halloween costumes ready. The Hancock Mayor and Council have announced that Trick-or-Treat Night is Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. within the town limits.  Hancock Police Chief T.J. Buskirk, other officers and fire and rescue personnel will be on safety patrol. Please visit only the houses where porch lights are turned on.  Be polite and careful and enjoy all the treats.   Historical Society marks 25th anniversary The Hancock Historical Society meets to celebrate its 25th anniversary Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. It will be a potluck dinner at Town Hall.

Florence Pearl Wilkerson, age 91, of Hancock, Md., died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Md. Born April 23, 1921, in Hancock, she was the daughter of the late James Samual and Margaret Brown Oliver Resley, and the widow of Ray M. Keefer Sr. She was a 1939 graduate of Hancock High School and attended WV Beauty School in Martinsburg, W.Va.  She was a self-employed beautician, operating K & W Beauty Salon in Hancock....

Tammy Renee (Weaver) Walls, 41, of Hancock, Md., died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Morgan County War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Born March 30, 1971, in Berkeley Springs, she was the daughter of Rodney Jay and Sherry Kay Schetrompf Weaver of Hancock. She was a 1989 graduate of Hancock High School and a graduate of Hagerstown Community College with an Associate Degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Hancock. Besides her parents, she is survived by her husband, Joseph W. Walls, whom she married Feb. 24, 1990 at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church; two daughters, Tessa L. Walls of College Park, Md. and Kaylyn C. Walls at home; one sister, Trenda L. Bittinger and husband, Jeff, of Hancock; and nieces, Maria and Jessica Bittinger.

Individuals, businesses and organizations from 23 counties throughout the 100-county American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region, were honored Tuesday, June 5, at the region's annual meeting, "Celebrating Champions" at  CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh. Local winners were:  Community Partnership Award: The Meadows Original Frozen Custard in Hagerstown.  Corporate Good Neighbor Award:  Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town, W. Va.   High School of the Year Award: Hancock High School, Hancock  Most Improved High School Award: Jefferson High School, Shenandoah Junction, W.Va.