Published: July 09, 2006 10:44 am      

Willis R. Hershberger (Ridgeley, W.Va.)

RIDGELEY, W.Va. — Willis Royce Hershberger, age 72, of Ridgeley, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Born Dec. 25, 1933, in Ridgeley, he was the son of the late Raymond Edward Hershberger and Florence Olivia (Utterback) Hershberger.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Clara M. Dawson, Nancy J. Moore and Martha E. (Betty) Pittman; as well as one grandson, Joshua Hershberger.

Mr. Hershberger served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was retired from the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company, where he had been a utility maintenance man. Mr. Hershberger was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Knobley Mountain Post 136 American Legion, Ridgeley V.F.W. Gold Star Post and the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa (Miltenberger) Hershberger; 11 children, John Hershberger and wife Jody, Ridgeley, Harold Hershberger and wife Tracie, Falling Waters, Todd Hershberger and wife Sherry, North Canton, Ohio, Wanda Hunt and husband Raymond, LaVale, Kevin Hershberger and wife Ann Marie, Bolton, Mass., Keith Hershberger and wife Andrea, Carefree, Ariz., Paul Hershberger and wife Trina, Brandon, Fla., Peggy LaGrange and husband Gerald, Lake Charles, La., Janet Lewandowski and husband Ken, Hephzibah, Ga., Scott Hershberger, Carefree, Shawn Hershberger and fiancée Brandi Harden, Rising Sun; 19 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Hershberger and wife Grace, LaVale; two sisters, Mary Jane Lindsay, Ridgeley, and Margaret Cowan, Ridgeley; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

At his request, Mr. Hershberger’s body was donated to the Maryland State Anatomy Board through the Human Gift Registry.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at noon at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 125 Fayette St., Cumberland, with Father Leonard Smith and Father Bernard Finerty officiating. The Rosary will be recited 30 minutes prior to Mass.

A reception will follow at the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company Bingo Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St., P.O. Box 163549, Columbus, OH 43216-3549, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 121 Main St. / P.O. Box 1350, Ridgeley, WV 26753 or SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 125 Fayette St., Cumberland, MD 21502.