Richard William Smelser Sr., 82, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at his home on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Funeral services will be private.

Mr. Smelser was born in Front Royal on February 7, 1942, to the late Bennie and Clara Mathews Smelser.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Smelser; three brothers, Lloyd Smelser, Roger Smelser, and Lee Smelser; grandson, Chad Smelser; and granddaughter, Stacey Prechtel.  He retired from Perry Engineering.

Survivors include his son, Richard William Smelser Jr. (Vanessa Van Meter); two daughters, Joyce L. Smelser (Tommy Jenkins) and Jeanne A. Smelser (Jason Brittain); Brother, Larry Smelser (Marsha); sister, Lorraine Brannon; four grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and his dog, Buddy.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Pauline Jane Wharton, 84, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at Lavender Hills Assisted Living on Friday, June 21, 2024.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 11 AM at Prospect Hill Cemetery, with Sammy Campbell officiating.

Mrs. Wharton was born on March 29, 1940, in Browntown, Virginia, to the late Guy and Freida Smelser Compton.  Three sisters, Mary Simons, Aileen Hamrick, and Dorothy Rudacille, also preceded her in death.  She was a member of Rivermont Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Howard Wharton of Front Royal; son, Eugene Wharton (Sandy) of Stephens City, Virginia; twin brother, Paul Compton (Connie) of Front Royal; two brothers, Carl Compton of Front Royal and Lawrence Compton (Donna) of Smithfield, Tennessee and grandson, Reese Taylor of Stephens City.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

The family would like to thank Lavender Hills Assisted Living for loving and respectful care of Mrs. Wharton over the last 20 months.

Robert Joseph “Bob” Drinkwater, 89, of Front Royal, VA, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Robert Joseph “Bob” Drinkwater

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal, conducted by Rev. Tom Shepanzyk. A private burial will follow the service.

Born on August 31, 1934, in Warrenton, VA, Bob was preceded in death by his parents Edwin A. Drinkwater, Sr., and Veronica Quinn Drinkwater, and his brother Edwin A. “Peter” Drinkwater, Jr.

Bob embarked on a successful career after serving his country in the United States Marine Corps and Air Force Reserves. He managed air freight operations at the National Airport in Washington D.C. before returning to Front Royal to establish Roadrunner Maintenance Company, which he owned and operated for 45 years. A longtime pillar of the Front Royal community, Bob was a 55-year member of the Front Royal Elks Lodge.

Bob is survived by his wife, Julie Marguerite Drinkwater; his daughters are Teresa Drinkwater Embrey (Doug) and Ann Drinkwater, both of Front Royal.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal.

Colonel Daniel Charles Daly, 92, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Commonwealth Senior Living in Front Royal.

Colonel Daniel Charles Daly

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 120 West Main Street, Front Royal, with Father Tom Shepanzyk officiating.  Burial will follow at Quantico National Cemetery.

Colonel Daly was born on January 21, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, to the late Henry and Ethel Welch Daly.  He retired from the United States Marine Corps achieving the rank of Colonel. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland, served in the Vietnam War and was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Joanne R. Daly of Front Royal; son, Daniel C. Daly Jr. of Washington, DC; daughter, Joanne Marie Carver (Steven) of Strasburg, Virginia; two grandchildren, Jacob S. Carver and Haley Carver and one great grandchild.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 120 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia 22630 or to Gentiva Hospice, 420 Neff Ave #110, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801.

Shirley MacIntosh Ballard passed away peacefully in her home on June 19, 2024. She lived in Stephens City, Virginia. Born on April 30, 1935, in North Hornell, New York. Shirley was the daughter of Donald and Elsie MacIntosh of Almond, New York.

Shirley Ballard with her husband Jim.

On October 15, 1960, Shirley married James G. Ballard in Almond, New York. They shared a loving and devoted marriage until James’ passing in September 1993. Their first son, Jeffery Scott, passed away in December 1961.

Shirley graduated from Alfred Almond Central School in 1953 and earned a BS in Elementary Education from Genesee State Teachers College (SUNY Geneseo). She taught in the Hornell, NY, school district for several years before moving with her family to Front Royal, Virginia, in 1972. There, she worked as a substitute teacher until her retirement in 2005.

She was a former member of Buckton Presbyterian Church in Front Royal, Virginia, and a member of the Kate J. Jackson Court #39 Order of the Amaranth.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Heather Kremer (Myron) of Winchester, Virginia, and her sons James Ballard of Stephens City, Virginia, with whom she made her home, and Robert Ballard (Linda) of Whitehall, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her granddaughters Christian Owens, Tara Booth, Amelia Ballard, and Olivia Ballard; her sisters Corinne Kober of Rochester, New York, and Donna MacIntosh of Henrietta, New York; her special friend Janet Casarotti of Front Royal, Virginia; and her nephews Don and Tom Kober, Gary Davis, and niece Lydia Price.

Shirley always enjoyed the holidays and bringing her family together. When she wasn’t reading her novels, she could be found at the table putting together her puzzles. Shirley loved the internet and shopping, was passionate about fashion and shoes, and could text like a pro.

There will be no calling hours or service to honor Shirley’s wishes, and the burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W Cork St Unit 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

Shirley’s legacy of love, kindness, and enthusiasm for life will forever be remembered by her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Pricillia Imogene “Cilla” Perko, 75, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Winchester Medical Center.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Perko was born on May 12, 1949, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to the late Eugene and Imogene Jones Dillow.  She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Samantha-Jo, and great-granddaughter, Raegan.  She formerly worked for the laboratory at IBM in Manassas and as a Veterinarian Technician for Battlefield Animal Clinic.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Mark Perko of Front Royal; son, Danny Dougherty (Crystal) of King George, Virginia; two daughters, Tari Thomas (Arlie) of Meadows of Dan, Virginia, and Toby Matney (Greg) of Grundy, Virginia; brother, Danny Dillow (Shelia) of South Carolina; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local SPCA or Humane Society.