The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 4

Community Community Conversations Editor Cindy Corell 213-9123, Thursday, March 25, 2010 The News Leader www.newsleader.com In The News Veteran enjoys life stateside About This Obituaries are placed by family and friends in memory of their loved at (540) 213-9119 or e-mail Elmo P. Brannock FISHERSVILLE Elmo Phipps Brannock, 84, passed away March 21, 2010, at Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Ellen Brannock of Stuarts Draft, and granddaughter Heather Ream of New Hope. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Augusta Regional SPCA. Robert L. Nash Jr. LYNCHBURG Robert "Bob" Lee Nash 87, of Lynchburg, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Born June 18, 1922, in Campbell County, he was a son of the late Robert Lee Nash Sr.

and Claudia Brizendine Nash and was the husband of Jerry Lee Bell Nash. Mr. Nash was a U.S. Army veteran; he served his country during World War II. He was a retired surveyor with the Virginia Department of Transportation.

He was a member of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church and Stonewall Ruritan Club, of Highland County. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Mary Katherine Warwick of Lynchburg; two sons, Lee Nash and his wife, Linda, of Somerset, and Brian M. Nash and his wife, Lyn, of Lynchburg; six grandchildren, Michelle Beasley and her husband, Jeff, Rob Nash, Craig Warwick and his wife, Kendra, Sarah Ruth Nash, Katherine Billian and her husband, Bruce, and William Nash; four greatgrandchildren; and a sister, Corinne Sue Robinson of McDowell. Mr. Nash was preceded in death by three sisters, Katherine and Arlene Nash, and Evelyn Voorhees; and a brother, Wayland Nash.

A celebration of Bob's life and faith will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, with the Rev. Dr. Corey Ingold officiating. Interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Lynchburg, VA 24502. Condolences may be made to www.diuguidfuneral service.com. Diuguid Funeral Service and Crematory, Wiggington Chapel, Lynchburg, is assisting Bob's family. Aubrey D.

Griffin STUARTS DRAFT Aubrey Dennis "Denny" Griffin, 71, of Stuarts Draft, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Augusta Health in Fishersville. He was born April 4, 1938, in Mustoe, one of 15 children born to the late Leslie and Goldie (Hamilton) Griffin. He was a graduate of Wilson Memorial High School and continued his education by attending Blue Ridge Community College, University of Tennessee and University of North Carolina. Aubrey was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Marines as a sergeant at Guantanamo Bay for four years.

He was a member of Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church, the Sherando Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Stuarts Draft American Legion. For 27 years, he worked at Basic Witz before retiring to become a farmer. Also, he drove a school bus for 27 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Meredith "Teeny" Griffin on May 19, 1999; eight brothers, Clyde, Walter, Willis, Brooks, Roy, Hubert, Stanley and Ralph Griffin; and four sisters, Imogene and Edna McLaughlin, Charlotte Whitesell and Velma Fitzgerald. Surviving are his brother, William Griffin of Alabama; his sister and her husband, Janie and John Rohrbaugh of Stuarts Draft; his Martha Thacker; and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at McDow Funeral Home by Charles Ramsey and the Rev. Brett Perrett. Interment will follow in Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Ward and David Whitesell, Raymond McKay, Mike Kidd and Ralph and David Griffin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy McKay, Anita Lewis, Sondra Whitesell, Becky Martin, Donnie Griffin, Peter Andrew Griffin, Jeanie VanFossen and other nieces and nephews attending the service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at McDow Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcdow funeralhomeinc.com. Gladys T.

Hetrick FISHERSVILLE Gladys Josephine (Taylor) Hetrick, 91, formerly of Friendly, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in Shenandoah Nursing Home. Born Aug. 10, 1918, at Silicia, she was a daughter of Andrew Jackson Taylor and Ruth (Willett) Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Milton Hetrick; and a number of brothers and sisters. She is survived by two sons, Gene E.

Hetrick of West Augusta and Leonard Hetrick of Haymarket; two grandchildren, John Hetrick and April DeHanas; and four greatgrandchildren, Christopher and Amanda DeHanas, and Kendra and Ashley Hetrick. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, Md. A graveside funeral service will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Md. Bear Funeral Home is handling local arrangements.

Focusing On Photo Quality We welcome amateur and professional photos to accompany able, we ask you to follow a few guidelines: For traditional prints, just make sure the original is of at least er is fine. Don't worry whether it's color or black and white. a Digital photos must be a minimum 250 dpi at 5 inches by 7 way to submit these is on a disk or via e-mail. Prints made on prints look great. Service ones.

For rates and deadlines contact our Information Center Frances C. Hanger STAUNTON Frances Adlee (Cook) Hanger, 87, widow of Robert Franklin Hanger, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at King's Daughters' Community Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 14, 1923, in Swoope, a daughter of the late John W. and Clemis Hallie (Wiseman) Cook.

Prior to retirement, Mrs. Hanger worked in the cafeteria at Staunton City schools. She was a loyal member of West View United Methodist Church. She also was a charter member of the Lions club. She loved having her family around her.

She enjoyed doing needlework, gardening and baking, and led a very active life. She was kind to everyone, and she was a very special lady. In addition to her husband, who died March 11, 2005, she was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters and a grandson, Jeffrey Dale Meek. Family members include two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy (Hanger) and Ray Meek and Shirley (Hanger) and Craig Peterson, all of Staunton; a sister, Nancy Bartley of Churchville; three grandsons, Matthew Lewis and Allen Michael Peterson and Dr. Gregory Scott Meek; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Robert VanGilder. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Mausoleums and Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Douglas Harlow, Donald Roby, Tim Hanger, Marvin Strickler, Lewis Parady and Gary Puffenbarger.

Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Atkins, Michael Organ, Jimmy Bishop and Lynwood Wiseman. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today, March 25, 2010, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Rescue Squad, PO Box 2566, Staunton, VA 24402 or to West View United Methodist Church, Wanda Ocheltree, 1577 Parkersburg Turnpike, Swoope, VA 24479. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henry funeralhome.net.

Virginia F. Patton WAYNESBORO Virginia Franklin Patton, 78, of Waynesboro, passed away Tuesday morning, March 23, 2010, at of Waynesboro. She was born March 29, 1931, in Roanoke, daughter of the late John Samuel and Mary Dooley Franklin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, David E. Patton, and a son, David E.

Patton Jr. Mrs. Patton was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. She worked as an accountant with Cheuvront's Supply for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Business and Professional Club, Women of the Moose and Waynesboro Women's Club and was a charter member of Coast Guard Flotilla 82.

She also was a member of the Heart Association Board. Survivors include one son, Paul James Patton of Waynesboro. A service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010, in the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes and Crematory, with Pastor David Huffer officiating. Entombment with follow at Mausoleum at Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will men of Westwood Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be her Sunday school class at the church. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the guest register online at www.reynoldshamrickfuneral homes.com. Lloyd W.

Cason Sr. STAUNTON Lloyd Wilson Cason 78, widower of Audrey Mae (Terrell) Cason and Mabel Botkin Cason, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Shenandoah House of Augusta Health in Fishersville. He was born Nov. 13, 1931, in Augusta County, a son of the late Stewart and Hazel (Davis) Cason. Prior to retirement, Mr.

Cason had been employed for 31 1 years by Klotz Brothers. In addition to his second wife, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Audrey Mae (Terrell) Cason; two brothers, Bobby E. and Stuart Cason; and a sister, Bertha Bryant Woodson. Family members include four sons, Lloyd W. Cason Jr.

and Robert James D. a and Ralph W. Cason; a sister, Betty C. Marks of Swoope; five grandchildren; six great -grandchildren; one great -great -grandchild; and a very special friend, Diane Cash. A funeral service will be conducted at noon Saturday, March 27, 2010, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Revs.

Frank Hall and Keith May. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Mausoleums and Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Mike Cason, Stuart Cason Grover Spradlin, Ralph Thompson and Brian, Matthew and Bruce Cason. Honorary pallbearers will be A.C. Hoffman and Roy and John Hartless.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at the funeral home and at other times at 1015 Peck St. in Staunton. Memorials may be made to Shenandoah House of Augusta Health, 111 N. Campus Lane, Fishersville, VA 22939.

The family extends deep appreciation for the loving care provided by the staff of Shenandoah House. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henry funeralhome.net. many of our regular features. But to make sure they're print- the same size as we print in the newspaper, although larg- 7 inches in JPEG format with minimal compression. The best inkjets or other consumer printers will not work, even if the Being back in Virginia has made Herb Jones realize how special family is.

It also has made the Army veteran recognize how much we take for granted here in the United States. Jones, a resident of Weyers Cave, was deployed to Kosovo for 12 months during his years in the Army. "It wasn't bad," he said. "I only got shot at one time." Jones said his experience overseas involved a big culture shock. He said the people in Kosovo "literally had nothing." They slept in camps, he said, and it really brought home how much people in America take things for granted.

There are good people in Kosovo, he added, but some people have been reduced to stealing just for survival. Now that he's home. Jones is enjoying his family and employment. He has worked for American Security Programs out of Charlottesville since December 2009 and appreciates it. With five children and a wife, Jones finds himself constantly busy.

The latest thing he and the family have done is go to the movies "The Tooth Fairy" starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and getting the girls' ears pierced for the first time. "We're always busy," Jones said. "The kids always want to do something." Name: Herb Jones Age: 29 Family: Wife, Jenny; Hannah, Natalie, Seth, Tucker, Ryan, 3 Hometown: Bedford, Indiana Favorite color: Blue Dream meal: Steak and potatoes Favorite activity with the children: "Pretty much anything. I'd like to take them fishing." Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi Coffee or tea: Tea Dream vacation: "A cruise. Don't matter where, just a cruise." Favorite pizza topping: Sausage Superpower: "Genie power.

To wish and it would get done." Jody Lawrence Community News Mount Solon Weyers Cave Grottoes Mount Sidney Churchville Fort Defiance Deerfield Verona New Hope Swoope Staunton Crimora Augusta Springs 64 Craigsville Fishersville Waynesborp) Middlebrook Stuarts Draft Lyndhurst Greenville Spottswood 81. Tavern Raphine Vesuvius Staunton Ministerial alliance to host Holy Week services: The Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County Ministerial Alliance will host Holy Week services at 7 p.m. March 29-April 2 at First Church of God in Christ, 866 Middlebrook Ave. Services will feature Shelia Wallace and the Mount Salem Choir on Monday, Roger West and the Oak Grove Male Choir on Tuesday, the Rev. James McIntosh and the Beverley Manor Choir on Wednesday, the Rev.

Beulah Spellman and the Christian Women's Fellowship Choir on Thursday and the Rev. Theodore Payne Sr. and the Oak Grove Inspirations tional Choir on Friday. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed Thursday. The public is invited.

Actors to present benefit concert at Blackfriars: For the first time since 2004, American Shakespeare Center actors will play the best songs from seasons past and present, all together in one musical extravaganza. Rock, folk, blues, reggae and country music that has been performed in the organization's plays will be featured. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The actors are donating their time and talents for this benefit concert.

All proceeds will support the education and performance programs of the American Shakespeare Center. The suggested minimum donation is $10 for students and $25 for the general public. For tickets or reservations, call (877) MUCH-ADO. Improvements at skate park attracting participants, beginners' classes planned: Thanks to the addition of new half-pipes, grind boxes, rails, ramps and BMX features at Gypsy Hill Skate Park, Staunton Parks and Recreation Department is seeing an increased number of participants. Local teens were enlisted to assist with ideas for the new addiand configurations.

To address the beginner skateboarders' lack of skill and to limit injuries, the parks and recreation department will offer a Beginning Skateboarding Class. Experienced skateboarder Brian Bell will teach the basics at 11 a.m. Saturdays. The class will cover rolling, stances, pushing, balance, waiting your turn and a few beginning tricks. The 90- minute sessions will be taught in groups of five at a cost of $30 per person.

For more information, call 332-3945. Submit your community news by going to www.newsleader.com and following the links in the GetPublished box..