Barbara Downs Littleton
LIBERTYTOWN — Barbara Downs Littleton, age 81, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 at her home.
Born in Newark, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Catherine Pusey Downs. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard E. Bishop, in 1999. She is survived by her husband, Vincent G. Littleton of Libertytown; son Paul W. Bishop and his wife Mary Lou of Libertytown; daughter Nancy Bishop Bailey and her companion Scott Manning of Mission Vijco, Calif.; stepsons Vince Edward Littleton of Pittsville and Davis Littleton and his wife Lou Ann of Bishopville; and step daughter Tracy Lynn Davis of Ocean Pines. There are two grandchildren, Crystal Bishop Warren and her husband Eddie and Chad Bishop and step-grandchildren, Hannah, Devina and Phillip Littleton. There are three great-grandchildren, Bailey, Blaine, and Brooke Warren and four step great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Tanley, Sawyer and Isabelle Littleton. Also surviving is a sister, Hilda “Kelly” Woods of Libertytown, and two brothers, Richard Downs of Chesapeake, Va. and Joseph Downs of Berlin. There are several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Littleton had worked at the Berlin Shirt Factory and had been the owner/operator of the Libertytown Country Store for many years. She had also been active with her late husband Howard in the operation of their poultry and farming business. She was also the caretaker of Oakhall Riverside Cemetery in Libertytown and was a member of Faith Chapel Presbyterian Church.
A funeral service was held Feb. 28 at Faith Chapel Presbyterian Church. Pastor Pam Ruarke officiated. Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery. A donation in her memory may be made to Faith Chapel Presbyterian Church, 8006 Ironshire Rd. Berlin, Md. 21811, or Oakhall Riverside Cemetery, c/o Paul Bishop, 9531 Bishop Lane, Berlin, Md. 21811 or to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Dorothy Fried Givarz
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Dorothy Givarz peacefully passed away on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at her home in Williamsburg, Va. after a brief illness.
Born on Christmas Eve in 1918, she survived the great flu epidemic, although her mother, Sadie Fried, did not. Raised by her father Harry Fried and her paternal grandparents in Baltimore, she graduated from Western High School in 1937. Ms. Givarz then worked in Washington, DC until she met her future husband, Jerry Givarz, while he was stationed in Pensacola, Fla. as a naval aviator during the second world war. They returned to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1947 and lived and raised their family in Salisbury. During the summers, she and her husband ran the Alaska Stand in Ocean City, the family’s business founded in 1933. Her son continues to operate the Alaska Stand today.
Ms. Givarz exhibited a great sense of humor and a keen understanding of people whom she met from all walks of life. Always engaged in conversation with friends, new and old, she exhibited great insight, a sparkling sense of humor and quick wit.
The first of five generations, she is survived by her daughter, Leslye Givarz (Ken Kambis) of Williamsburg, Va. and Robert Givarz of Ocean City, Md.; granddaughter Jodi Renner (Dennis Renner), great-grandchildren, Chris (Monica) of Glen Allen, Va., Chad Renner (St. Petersburg, Fla.), and Drake and Sadie Renner of Williamsburg, Va.; great-great granddaughters Chloe and Claire Renner; and great-great grandson Corbin Renner of Richmond, Va.
Funeral services were held Feb. 29 at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Rabbi Arnold Bienstock officiated. Interment followed the service will be at Beth Israel Cemetery in Salisbury. Reception following at Brew River Restaurant in Salisbury.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Beth Israel Synagogue, 600 Camden Ave., Salisbury, Md., 21842, or to any charity of your choice.
Josephine West Follmer
OCEAN PINES — Josephine West Follmer “Jo”, died on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at Catered Living in Ocean Pines.
Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Hazel Kettler West. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Follmer, Sr. in 1991. She is survived by her children, Charles L. Follmer, Jr. “Buzz” and his wife Jane of Cambridge and Pamela O’Meara Marshall of Ocean City. She was adored grandmother to William Follmer of Washington, DC and Kaitlin Follmer of Baltimore, Margaret O’Meara and her husband Ryan Raynis of Rumson, N.J., Cass O’Meara of Jersey City, N.J., Kristin O’Meara of Baltimore and Reagan O’Meara of Ocean City and great-grandchildren, Jake and Jude Raynis.
Mrs. Follmer spent most of her life in Baltimore where she and her husband raised their family. Jo was President of the Women’s Club of Roland Park, member and past President of the Ladies Nine Hole Group at the Baltimore Country Club, and was overseer of the McDonogh School Bazaar for two years.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. at the Woodlands at Ocean Pines, 1135 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Md. 21811. A donation in her memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804, or Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Nathan W. Burcker
PITTSVILLE — Nathan W. Burcker, (Jim) age 77, born on Feb. 27, 1939, passed away on Feb. 29, 2016.
Born in Charles Town, W.Va., he was the son of the late Nathan Alfred Burcker and Rosa Mae Dodson Burcker.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Gray Burcker, children Richard and his wife Linda, Gloria and her husband Paul, David, Crystal, daughter-in-law Darlene, grandchildren Paul Nathaniel, James Walter, Linda Marie and Kristy Leigh, great-grandchildren Rachael, Troy, Eva, Amber, and Kira and brothers Robert, Raymond, and his sister Charlotte Weaning. He is preceded in death by a son Greg, brother Douglas Montgomery and sisters Geraldine Willingham and Shirley Edwards.
Nathan (Jim) was a Veteran served the active Army National Guard Reserves for two years and six years in inactive Army Reserves. Before relocating to Maryland, he worked at Badger Fire Extinguisher Company. After relocating to Maryland he worked at Carroll Manor Nursing Home for 30 years. After retiring from Carroll Manor, he worked as Security Guard at Ocean Downs for seven years. Nathan (Jim) enjoyed playing horseshoes, Nascar Racing, the Redskins. His biggest passion was his family and spending time with them.
His funeral service will be held Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at the Community Church in Ocean Pines, Rev. Boyd Etter will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior at the church. Interment to follow at Garden of the Pines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Community Church in Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, Berlin, Md. 21811 or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th St. Kansas City, Mo. 64111. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Richard Thomas LeCates
OCEAN CITY — Richard Thomas LeCates, 81, of Ocean City, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
He was born on Oct. 29, 1934 in Salisbury to Harry Thomas and Ethel C. LeCates, deceased. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Leah Meledones LeCates, his son, Richard H. LeCates, and his daughter, Terri Lynn Stone (Jeffrey). He is also survived by a grandson, Jonathan Batuyong (Erin); a granddaughter, Andrea Betancourt (Alex); a great grandson, Michael Batuyong; and a nephew, Jeffrey LeCates. Richard is also survived by a brother-in-law, Dean Meledones (Mary Slaughter); a nephew, Damon Meledones (Angela Haren); and a great nephew, Nikos Meledones.
Richard grew up in Salisbury and graduated from Wicomico High School in 1952. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. He married Leah Meledones LeCates in Ocean City in 1987. He was widely acclaimed as a real estate developer in Ocean City since 1970. He was president of the Developers’ Association of Ocean City for several years and was a real estate broker in both Maryland and Delaware. Richard gained recognition for “rescuing” a number of properties in Ocean City. He completed construction and managed The Carousel Hotel and “saved” countless bankrupt properties.
Since 1980, Richard was instrumental in developing more than 10 properties in Ocean City, including The Quarters, The White Marlin, The Blue Marlin, Marina Cove, Spyglass Cove and Berlin’s large Decatur Farms property.
An avid boater, Richard was a member of the Wicomico Yacht Club for over 20 years, serving on the Board during his tenure.
In Richard’s words, “It was quite a ride.”
Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 112 High Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 on Monday, March 7, 2016. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., and the service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the service at Wicomico Memorial Park, 721 Snow Hill Rd. in Salisbury. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A donation in his memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.