All Obituaries

Elsie R. Idleman, beloved Mother, was called to her eternal resting place on March 11, 2019. She entered this world on March 24, 1922 in Maysville, West Virginia, born to Isaac and Lily Liller. Elsie is survived by her children, Jerry Idleman, Ray Idleman, Larry Idleman, Sandy Huber, Rita Dearing and Kim Sieracki; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one great great grandchild and a sister, Madge Vance. In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond...

Stuart “Stu” Fairfax Hamill, III, of Oakland, passed away at age 69 at his home on March 5, 2019. Stuart was born on April 19, 1949 in Oakland to the late Marjorie R. Hamill and the late Circuit Court Judge Stuart F. Hamill, II. He attended Southern High School where he played football and Frostburg State College. Stuart served in the United States Navy and the United States Merchant Marines as a Captain. His Merchant Marines duties included service ranging from Maine to the...

Shirley Ann Bittinger, 73, of Oakland died on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Garrett Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Born on August 16, 1945, in Oakland, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Hazel (King) Clary. In earlier years, she had worked at the HP Store and for the Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home. She had retired from the Garrett County Board of Education after serving many years as a teacher’s assistant at Loch Lynn and Yough Glades elementary schools. She...

George Elzie Brady, Jr., 88, of Kitzmiller passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by his family. Born on November 11, 1930, in Shallmar, MD, he was the son of the late Elzie and Melissa (Spiker) Brady. He was a veteran who served in the 82nd Airborne, 508th Regimental Combat Unit. He used the GI Bill to attend Potomac State College and West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology....

James Oliver Croston, of Oakland, went home to be with the Lord together with his wife, Betty Lee Croston. Born on September 20, 1932, in Hoffman, MD, he was the son of the late Marshall A. and Nellie M. (Layman) Croston. Jim was a graduate of Beall High School Class of 1950 and attended Frostburg State College. He proudly served in the United States Army as a tanker in the 2ndArmored Division from February 1953 to February 1955 while stationed in Germany. Jim was employed by Pittsburgh...

Betty Lee (Lewis) Croston went home to be with the Lord together with her husband, James Oliver Croston. Born in Frostburg on September 25, 1937, she was the daughter of the late John W. and Sylvia E. (Cost) Lewis. Betty was a graduate of Beall High School Class of 1955 and attended Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Allegany College in Cumberland. She was employed by the Allegany County Board of Education at Cash Valley Road and Barton Elementary Schools, working with special needs...

Viola M. Harvey, 94, of Swanton, passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Garrett Regional Medical Center.  Born on May 14, 1924 in Swanton, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Addie (Paugh) Sharpless.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Charles W. Harvey; a son, Donald W. Harvey; a grandson, Jeffrey W. Harvey; a sister, Mary Sharpless and three brothers, Charles, Clarence and Gilbert Sharpless.  She...

Letha R. (Jones) Hanlin, 84, of Oakland, passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at the Garrett Regional Medical Center.  Letha was born on April 5, 1934 in St. Francis, ME.  She was the daughter of the late George and Emma (McPherson) Jones. Letha is preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty years, Arthur “AJ” Hanlin in 2004, seven sisters and one brother.  She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.  Letha...

Stanley Harrison Baker, 92, of Oakland passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at the Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born on the family dairy farm near Oakland, Nov. 23, 1926, Stanley was the first born to Charles H. and Iva (Harvey) Baker. He started farm chores with his Dad at age 8, eventually taking over the dairy and milking twice a day until his retirement at age 82. He is survived by his loving wife, Arva (Wotring) Baker; daughter Constance Jacoby and husband Fred, Oakland;...

Jean Hess Grant, 92, of Sykesville, MD and formerly of Oakland, MD, died on Friday, February 15, 2019, at Fairhaven Assisted Living. Born on February 26, 1926, in Cumberland, MD she was the daughter of the late George Edward and Christine (Schulz) Hess. In 1947, Jean graduated from Potomac State College and became a certified technologist for the American Society of Clinical Pathology.  While her husband was attending the Philadelphia Theological Seminary, she worked for...