Obituaries
Charles “Chuck” James Taylor III (1940 – 2021)
Charles “Chuck” James Taylor III, 81, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at Winchester Medical Center.
Charles “Chuck” James Taylor III
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Fasano officiating. Following the service, the burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6- 8 P.M. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Maddox Funeral Home 105 W Main St. Front Royal, Virginia.
Charles was born on January 20, 1940, in Malden, Massachusetts to the late Charles Taylor Jr. and Marion Taylor. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Kelli Ralls-Davidson; his brother, Paul Taylor; his sister-in-law’s, Anne Taylor and Sheila Foster; his brother-in-law, James Smith; his father-in-law, James E. Smith Sr.; his mother-in-law, Shirley R. Smith; and his great-niece, Ariel Grohs.
Surviving Charles is his loving wife of 59 years, Sandra E. Taylor; his son, Chuck Taylor; his daughter-in-law, Beth Taylor; his brother, James Taylor (Pat); his sister-in-law, Sharon Pullen, his grandson, Eric Ralls (Jordan); his great-grandchildren, Luna Ralls and Mira Ralls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Charles was a military veteran and served 20 years in the United States Marine Corp. and served during the Vietnam war. He spent many of his earliest years in the Marine Corp. as a member of the world-renowned, United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, “The Commandants Own”. He was also a devout member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, the Corps League, and numerous other military clubs.
There was nothing that he loved more in this life than his god, his Country, his Family, his Corp., and his beloved pets. He lived by the ethos, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital or the Warrior Dog Foundation.
Obituaries
Philip Arthur Charles Jr. (1937 – 2024)
Philip Arthur Charles Jr., of Front Royal, Virginia, Passed away peacefully on Monday, May 27, 2024, with his family at his side at his home while under the care of Hospice.
Philip Arthur Charles Jr.
Philip was born on October 18, 1937, in Washington, DC, to parents Philip and Emma Charles.
He lived in Arlington, Virginia, until 1988, when he retired to Front Royal, Virginia. He was currently a Chester Gap Fire Department member and served as their Treasurer for several years. Phil was active in the fire and rescue service for over 70 years, beginning as a volunteer firefighter in Arlington, VA, and later as a Volunteer Fire Chief. Phil retired from the DC Fire Department after 20 years of service.
Upon Phil’s graduation from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, he attended The U.S. Naval Photo School in Pensacola, FL, and served three years as a Navy Photographer. When his enlistment from the Navy ended, he joined the DC Fire Department.
During this time, he operated a commercial photography studio in Arlington, VA, until 1981. The Studio was one of the first to utilize a color processing lab in the area. Upon retirement from his service on the DC Fire Department, Phil went on to work as a Staff Photographer for the National Gallery of Art (1981-1999), where he was responsible for photographing three-dimensional art objects for publications, slide presentations for curators and art exhibits as well as photography for six published art books.
Phil was a Front Royal, VA resident, having retired there 25 years ago. He and his wife, Sandra, purchased historic Lackawanna in Riverton and, after extensive restoration to the 1869 house, opened as a bed & breakfast operation until 2020.
Phil is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra Charles; daughter, Katherine Blevins; son, Zachary Charles; four grandchildren, Charlie Blevins, Jack Blevins, Kelsey Charles, and Bryce Charles; and his beloved Standard Poodle, Chloe.
A memorial service is being planned for the middle of October.
Contributions can be made to Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department.
Obituaries
Kelly Sue Foster (1966 – 2024)
Kelly Sue Foster, 57, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Page Memorial Hospital in Luray.
Kelly Sue Foster
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 4, at 2:00 p.m. in Prospect Hill Cemetery, with Sammy Campbell officiating.
Kelly was born October 4, 1966, in Front Royal, Virginia, the daughter of the late Dale Reil Foster.
She worked for many years as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Kelly enjoyed making blankets for people and doing her crafts. She was a Warren County graduate, Class of 1985.
Surviving is a sister, Pamela Kenney (Horn); brother-in-law, Earl Menefee, Jr.; niece, Casey Sheetz (Chase); paternal grandmother, Jean Foster; two great-nephews; one great-niece; one great-niece on the way; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Kelly was preceded in death by her mother, Dale Foster; sister, Jeanne Menefee; brother-in-law. Denny Horn; maternal grandparents; and paternal grandfather.
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia 22630.
Obituaries
Patricia Louise Lewis (1939 – 2024)
Patricia Louise Lewis, 85, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Patricia Louise Lewis
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Riverton Church, 55 East Strasburg Road, Front Royal, with the Rev. Marc Roberson officiating. A reception will be held in the church hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Lovettsville Union Cemetery in Lovettsville, Virginia.
Mrs. Lewis was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1939. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Atwell Klein; husband, George E. Lewis Sr.; and great-grandson, Declan. She was a member of Riverton Church, owned a gift shop in Front Royal, and was a volunteer at Warren Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include her son, George Lewis Jr.; two daughters, Wendy S. Cain and Doreen Kay Zentveld; six grandchildren, Crystal, Shannon, Cassie, Brittany, Kori, and Jared; and seven great-grandchildren, Blake, Riley, Grayson, Eleanor, Camden, Wrenley and Luwin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.
Obituaries
Elsie Jane Brown (1937 – 2024)
Elsie Jane Brown, 86, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2024, at Warren Memorial Hospital.
Elsie Jane Brown
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal, with Sammy Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Brown was born in Front Royal on October 2, 1937, to the late William and Amanda Heflin Estes. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Pvt. 1st Class William M. Brown; granddaughter, Stacey Michelle Brown; four brothers, William Estes, Giles Estes, Clayton Estes, and Wallace Estes; and seven sisters, Betty Dodson, Rena Vencil, Barbara Thompson, Leona Pullen, Virginia Moore, Margaret Brister and Helen East.
Survivors include her son, Emmett Brown of Front Royal; two daughters, Rhonda Brown of Front Royal and Debra Brown-Taft of Glendale, Arizona; sister, Joan Atchinson of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandchildren, Richard Dawson, Heather Brown, Daniel Brown, and Kaiden Brown; five great-grandchildren, Gavin Garber, Avani Garber, Nevaeh Brown, Axel brown and Braden Dawson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Michael Garber, Kevin Roberts, Jimmy Melvin, Jeff Fincham, Dylan Fincham, and Rodney Williams will be pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Obituaries
JoAnne Heflin (1965 – 2024)
JoAnne Heflin, 58, of Woodbridge, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at her care home, A.J. Residence.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Rivermont Baptist Church, 575 Catlett Mountain Road, Front Royal, with the Rev. Michael Lynn officiating. Burial will follow at Panorama Memorial Gardens, Waterlick, Virginia.
JoAnne was born in Front Royal on June 7, 1965, to the late Hoover and Ruth Davis Heflin. She formerly participated in the Special Olympics and was a member of Rivermont Baptist Church and the Bluebird Club at Rivermont Baptist Church.
Survivors include her four brothers, David Heflin, Eric Heflin, Gary Heflin, and John Heflin; three sisters, Gwen Lynn, Linda Daly, and Nancy Ross; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jo’s favorite colors were red and purple. Please wear these colors to the service in honor of her.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics Virginia, 3212 Skipwith Road, Suite 100, Richmond, Virginia 23294.
Obituaries
Anthony Edward “Tony” Casarotti (1951 – 2024)
Anthony Edward “Tony” Casarotti, 73, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at his home after suffering from a lengthy neurodegenerative disease.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29, at 2:30 p.m. at Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal with The Reverend Daniel Gee officiating. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal. Following the internment, a fellowship meal will be shared at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Front Royal.
Tony was born March 14, 1951, in Front Royal, Virginia, to parents Ernest and Mildred Casarotti.
Tony was a dedicated employee of Warren Memorial Hospital’s radiology department for 40 years, where he established many wonderful relationships with hospital staff and patients alike.
He was an avid reader, history lover, and music enthusiast. Tony pursued many hobbies, such as painting military miniatures and collecting toy memorabilia, but is most likely known for his love of the guitar. He enjoyed learning new techniques and styles and played with many local musicians.
Tony was a lifelong member of Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.
Surviving is his wife of 44 years, Jane; daughters, Erin Casarotti and Emily Casarotti Straightiff; three grandchildren, Elijah Shelton, Sadie Straightiff, and Maeve Strightiff; as well his siblings, Greogory F. Casarotti, Michael F. Casarotti, and Donna M. Casarotti.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.
The family wishes to express their thanks to Blue Ridge Hospice for their care and sensitivity and to Tony’s dedicated, loving caregivers from Home Instead.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PSP & CBD Foundation to support research into rare neurological diseases at www.pspcdbfoundation.org or to Bridge of Hope Greater Warren at www.greaterwarren.bridgeofhopeinc.org
