Hedgesville

Berkeley County officials continue to search for two men who forced their way into a Hedgesville residence and threatened the homeowner with a handgun Monday night, according to a news release from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. At approximately 9:30 p.m., two men forced their way into the residence at 2381 Cherry Run Road, where they threatened the homeowner - a 56-year-old man - with a handgun and threw him to the ground where he was repeatedly hit and kicked, the release said.

Linda Sue Tritch, 66, of 140 Sunflower Drive in Hagerstown, Md., died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at her home. Born Jan. 24, 1947, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late William and Gladys Kershner Staley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Tritch; and her beloved dog, Nikki. She graduated from North Hagerstown High School.                She is survived by her four children, Phillip Lee Smith and Brenda Smith, both of Hedgesville, W.Va., Cathie Paine of Skowhegan, Maine, and Karen Michael and her husband, Mark, of Hagerstown; grandkids, Phillip Wayne Smith and Cody Grace, both of Hedgesville, Kyle Smith and Heather Michael, both of Hagerstown, Danielle Michael of Sabillasville, Md., and Amber Michael of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; two great-grandkids, Adrianna Smith and Riley Smith, both of Hagerstown; sisters, Donna Martin and her husband, Jack, and Joyce Pensinger, all of Hagerstown; many nieces and nephews; and a longtime companion, Robert Comer of Hagerstown.

Birthdays Today - Jennie Nally turns 96; Sammi Snodderly, Hagerstown, turns 25; William D. Bailey, Hedgesville, W.Va., turns 64; Janice Mullendore, Hagerstown, turns 71.   Anniversary Today - Bill and Bonnie Davis, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., are celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Florence Lillian Schell, 90, of Hedgesville, W.Va., died Sunday, March 31, 2013, at her residence while under the care of Hospice. The family will receive friends Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg, W.Va. The service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Eric Kersten officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens.

Patricia Ann Coffinbarger Weidman, 69, of Hedgesville, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg. The service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rosedale Cemetery, Martinsburg.

Russell Ray "Bub" Smoot, 90, of Sharpsburg, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Golden Living Center. Born May 12, 1922, in Slanesville, W.Va., he was the son of the late Ray and Hilda (Rowzee) Smoot. Russell worked as a cabinet maker for 41 1/2 years at Statton Furniture Co., retiring in 1989. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II with 41st Company A, Tank Division, 11th Armour Thunderbolts. He served in Europe and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge.

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.

Charlie Andrew Lusk, 91, of Hedgesville, W.Va., died Sunday, March 24, 2013, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va. Services and burial will be private. Arrangements are by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home and cremation Center, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

Four generations of the Socks family are pictured. Front row, from left, great-granddaughter Hailey Sayler of Hedgesville, W.Va.; great-grandmother Thelma Socks of Hagerstown; mother Amanda (Socks) Hoffman, holding great-granddaughter Isabella Hoffman, and great-granddaughter Xavia Sayler, all of Hedgesville. Grandfather, Robert Socks Jr. of Hagerstown is in the back row.

Andrew Potts is determined to become a cancer doctor no matter how many sleepless nights it takes. After staying awake for 24 hours at a time at seven American Cancer Society Relay for Life events, Hedgesville High School's senior class president should be ready for late night study sessions for medical school. “I'm sure it's taken years off my life, but it's well worth it for Relay for Life,” said Potts, 18, of Falling Waters, W.Va. Potts, who was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society for outstanding student leadership, said he hopes to get other young people to stay up with him at this year's relay, which is slated for June 1 at Martinsburg High School.