Obituaries
Jeffrey Todd Higgs (1963 – 2022)
Jeffrey Todd Higgs, age 59, of Front Royal, Virginia went home to be with our Lord on January 9, 2022.
Jeffrey Todd Higgs
Jeff was born on January 4, 1963, in Washington, DC, and moved to the Front Royal area in his early childhood. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Spencer Higgs, Sr. Jeff’s spirit lives on through his wife of 37 years, Allyson Bowman Higgs, children Spencer, Jordan, and Annah Barrett (Patrick), and grandchildren, Lillian, Elijah, and Charlotte. Jeff is also survived by his mother Fern Lockhart (Johnny), brother Charlie (Lisa), and sister, Terrie Tusing (Dennis), as well as his mother and father-in-law, Don and Jacque Bowman, and numerous family members.
Jeff’s most proud accomplishment in life was being a husband, father, and grandfather. Jeff will fondly be remembered by those closest to him as a jokester, always trying to make others laugh. Jeff loved relaxing in his recliner, lovingly sharing his snacks with his three dogs.
He graduated with honors from Randolph Macon Academy (RMA) in 1981, where he participated in various sports, band, and extracurricular activities. Jeff enjoyed attending RMA Homecoming and kept in touch with many alumni who he referred to as brothers and sisters.
Jeff and Allyson first met as teenagers attending Front Royal United Methodist Church where they later married in 1984. The love they shared led them to build a beautiful life and family together.
Jeff’s lifelong career was as a sign/sign supply salesman where his motto was to be a friend to his customers first and a businessman second. Not only did he work tirelessly and without complaint to provide for his family, but he always had time to be a friend to his children. He truly enjoyed celebrating in their joys and offered his best guidance through any struggle.
Jeff was a member of Woodstock United Methodist Church and the Upper Room Sunday School Class where he loved worshipping with his friends. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeff’s memory to “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund”, Woodstock United Methodist Church, 154 Muhlenberg Street, Woodstock, Virginia 22664.
A celebration of Jeff’s life will take place at Front Royal United Methodist Church, 1 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, on Thursday, January 13, 2022. At 11:00 AM for those who wish to attend. A reception will follow.
Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Home, Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg, VA.
Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com.
Obituaries
Edna “Jean” Troxell Reil (1941 – 2024)
Edna “Jean” Troxell Reil, 82, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away at her home on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Edna “Jean” Troxell Reil
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Panorama Memorial Gardens, 4917 Strasburg Road, Waterlick, with Sammy Campbell officiating.
Mrs. Reil was born to the late James and Edna Pryor Troxell on June 18, 1941, in Woodstock, Virginia. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Reil; two brothers, Jackie Troxell and Jimmy Troxell; and three sisters, Helen Mitchell, Linda Drummonds, and Shirley Giles. She was Seventh Day Adventist by faith.
Survivors include her two sons, William “Billy” Davis (Angie) and Bradley Reil (Tiffany); daughter, Elizabeth “Troy” Darr (Joe); two brothers, Jerry Troxell and Boyd “Peanut” Troxell; five grandchildren, Logan Davis (Kaitlyn), Nicholas Davis (Kimora), Joseph Darr (Vikki), Jared Darr (Jordan) and Aurora “Little Bit” Reil and great-grandson, Jared Darr II.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maddox Funeral Home or the family to assist with funeral expenses.
Obituaries
Michael Thomas “Mike” Dodson (1974 – 2024)
Michael Thomas “Mike” Dodson, 49, a lifelong resident of Front Royal, Virginia, and beloved son of Bernadette S. Dodson, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share this tragic news.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
Michael was born May 15, 1974, the son of Bernadette S. Dodson of Front Royal, who survived him, and the late Thomas Dewey Dodson.
For seven years, he was a beloved Medical Technician Supervisor at Hidden Springs Senior Living in Bentonville, Virginia. He was always dedicated to the residents and co-workers. His passing is a tremendous loss for his mother, Bernadette, and the community he lived and worked in. Now he can rest.
Memorial donations may be made to his mother, Bernadette S. Dodson, and would be greatly appreciated.
Obituaries
William E. Clevenger (1941 – 2024)
William E. Clevenger, 82, of Linden, Virginia, passed away with his family by his side, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
William E. Clevenger
He was born September 22, 1941 in Peterstown, West Virginia a son of the late Edsel Ogden and Nellie Catherine (Lewis) Clevenger.
A graduate of Greeley High School, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1965.
Bill was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1974, in positions of Supply Operations Officer and Missile Engineer, and served as a Captain in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after the war ended and was credited for his time in the military.
Most notably, William worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as a Logistics Operations Officer in later years. During his tenure, he had many overseas assignments, including two tours in Afghanistan, and completed many temporary tours of duty in several countries. His outstanding support through the years earned him many accolades. Bill retired from the CIA in July 2014 after 14 years of service.
Outside of his professional life, William was a lover of the great outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed the challenges of fishing various waters and was always looking for the next river or stream to try his luck. Bill also loved to travel, having spent time in Alaska, Hawaii, and many U.S. destinations. He loved living in the Blue Ridge mountains, raising a garden, and considered all God’s creatures his friend. Known for his caring nature, William was always available to help others and offer advice when asked. He believed in hard work and was dedicated to his job, home projects, and his family. He lived a full life of fun and adventure. He was a devoted family man and a loving husband and cherished his time with his children and grandchildren.
Bill will be remembered for his charm, kindness, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy will continue to inspire all those fortunate enough to spend time with him and live on in the hearts of those blessed to know him. He will always be truly missed and remembered.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Judy (Deutschman) Clevenger, daughter, April Michelle (Clevenger) Kackley (Kinzel), step-son, Jack Allen Smith; grandchildren. Lexx Jaxon Clevenger, Kinzel R. E. Kackley, and Harley Mae K. Kackley; siblings Christine (Clevenger) Wood, Mike Clevenger (Debbie), and Ed Clevenger (Karen); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Obituaries
James Thomas Brown (1942 – 2024)
James Thomas Brown, 81, of Browntown, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
James Thomas Brown
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Front Royal United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rachel Plemmons officiating. Interment will follow in Panorama Memorial Gardens at Waterlick.
Mr. Brown was born October 2, 1942, in Tazewell County, Virginia, the son of the late Walter Bernard and Lena Ettus Puckett Brown.
Mr. Brown was a Front Royal United Methodist Church member for 26 years. He was very active in the church, always there when the doors were open, delivering food to shut-ins, and helping with many projects at the church.
He retired after 35 years from Navy Federal Credit Union, one of the first 30 when the credit union began. He worked for Shenandoah Valley Golf Club and spent time with his friends on the course playing a round or two of golf. He was a U.S. Army Reserve Veteran.
Mr. Brown will be greatly missed by his loving family and his many friends.
Surviving is his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Jean Marlene Brown; one son, Michael James Brown and wife Christine of Ashburn, Virginia; one daughter, Lynda Kay Steele of Bealeton, Virginia; one sister, Elizabeth Ann Santolla of Dale City, Virginia; three grandchildren who were the apples of his eye, Kelsi Steele, Victoria Steele, and Jason Brown; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: two brothers, Billy Brown and Ralph Brown, and a sister, Hazel Underwood.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Monday, May 13, from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Front Royal United Methodist Church, 1 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia 22630.
Obituaries
Tammy Lea Bohlman (1983 – 2024)
Tammy Lea Bohlman, 40, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Panorama Memorial Gardens, 4917 Strasburg Road, Waterlick, Virginia, with Sammy Campbell officiating.
Tammy was born on June 29, 1983, in Alexandria, Virginia, to Francis Jospeh Houck Jr. and Dawn Lea Houck. She was a truck driver, ordained minister, a culinary school student, and a fantastic cook.
Surviving along with her parents are her stepmother, Peggy Sue Houck; brother, Joe Houck III; and daughter, Morgan Clatterbuck.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, to assist with funeral expenses.
Obituaries
William Jesper Brandt (1995 – 2024)
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of William Jesper Brandt, 28, on April 20, 2024, in Linden, VA. Will was born on July 15, 1995, at Alexandria Hospital and spent his entire life in Linden. He attended Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School before graduating from Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. For the last 2.5 years, Will courageously lived with cancer.
William Jesper Brandt
He is survived by his parents, Pernille Brandt and Beth Pinner, as well as his sister, Maggie (Todd), and his two brothers, Malachi and Omarion. Will is also lovingly remembered by his grandparents, Lisen Brandt and Thomas Brandt of Denmark and Margaret and William Pinner of Sterling, VA. He leaves behind a wide circle of beloved family members and friends, both locally and internationally, including his online friends.
Before his illness, Will worked at Naked Mountain Winery. He cherished reading, watching movies, playing board games with his gaming friends, and connecting with his online community. Known for his generous spirit, he was always ready to offer a comforting hug or helping hand. He was a devoted member of Leeds Episcopal Church in Markham, VA.
Will participated in several cancer trials and selflessly chose to donate his body to science through VDH’s Whole Body Donation program. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Leeds Feeds or the blessing boxes by sending a check to:
Leeds Episcopal Church
4332 Leeds Manor Rd,
Markham, VA 22643
(Please add “Leeds Feeds” or “Blessing Box” in the memo)
Alternatively, contributions can be made to Finley’s Green Leap Forward by giving online at finleysgreenleap.org or by mailing a check made out to “Finley’s Green Leap Forward” to:
Finley’s Green Leap Forward
6437 Old Bust Head Road
Broad Run, VA 20137
May Will’s kind spirit continue to inspire us all.
