Rodney “Ronnie” Allen Whittington, 71, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Warren Memorial Hospital.

Rodney “Ronnie” Allen Whittington

A funeral service will be held for Ronnie at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St. in Front Royal, with Pastor Kent Woodward officiating. There will be a time to visit with the family from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the funeral home. Following all services, the burial will take place at Panorama Memorial Gardens.

Ronnie was born on December 31, 1952, to the late Francis A. and Joan E. Whittington; he was also preceded in death by his biological father, Charles A. Whorley.

Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Kathy Whittington; his siblings, Kathy Easter (Randy), Roger Whittington (Betty), Donna Nickens (Pearl), Melvin Whittington (Debbie), Brenda K. Callahan (Eddie), Charles “Buddy” Whorley (Kathy), and Becky W. Forgy (Bob); and his numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1973 and as a United States Navy Seabee during Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005. He ultimately served and retired from the Seabees from 1995 to 2012. Ronnie was also a member of the Giles B. Cook American Legion Post 53, The Front Royal Moose Lodge, and the VFW. Ronnie worked as a roofing contractor for many years, worked at UPS, and retired from the Department of Homeland Security & Federal Emergency Management Agency this past February.

Pallbearers will be Cody Shepherd, Alex Gochenour, Michael Gochenour, Brian Murphy, Daniel Reil, and Aries Bolanos.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice at 333 W Cork St. Unit 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601, instead of flowers.

Condolences may be sent to the family at maddoxfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal, Virginia.

Frances Eudora Catlett, 88, passed away Monday, June 24, 2024, on the Catlett Farm, where she was born on May 26, 1936, to the late Turner and Iris Himelright Catlett.

Frances Eudora Catlett

Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers and sister, Turner Catlett Jr., Douglas Catlett, and Anna Catlett.

Eudora is survived by her three children, Dawn Czaplicki Hutchison (Michael) of Buckton, VA, Robert Czaplicki of Mayville, WI, and Grandison Czaplicki (Kris) of Appleton, WI; and her grandchild, Dr. Corinne Savage (Anthony) of Hoover, AL.

Eudora graduated from Warren County High School, Class of 1954, Winchester Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and completed her nursing residency at Children’s Hospital of Washington, D.C. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Eudora was commissioned as a 1st Lt. USAF in the Nurse Corps Reserve, attended officer training, and graduated from the School of Aerospace Medicine in Texas. She earned her wings as a flight nurse and served in the West Virginia Air National Guard. Her nursing career primarily focused on acute and long-term care with an interest in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. After retiring, Eudora continued her healthcare career as a nine-year volunteer in the Auxiliary of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in FL.

A celebration of life will be held at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 11 A.M. with Pastor Bobby Stepp officiating. The family invites guests to visit one hour before the service.

Following the service, burial will occur at her family’s plot in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal.

Michael Hutchison, Michael Ashley, Anthony Savage, Gary Totten, Kelley Mitchell, and Edward Fletcher will be pallbearers.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice at 333 W Cork St Unit 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601, or to the Northern Shenandoah Valley Nurse Honor Guard by contacting NSVNHG@gmail.com.

Clarence “Bootise” Floyd Cook, Jr. peacefully died on February 24, 2024 at 86. He was in his family’s warm and loving embrace at his residence in Avon Park, Florida. Born on September 6, 1937, in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bootsie was a devoted son to the late Clarence Floyd Cook, Sr. and Athali Crawford Cook.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Cook.

Clarence “Bootise” Floyd Cook, Jr.

Bootsie was a long-time Warren County, Virginia resident and a graduate of Warren County High School, class of 1958. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963, dedicating himself to his country with the same commitment he applied to every aspect of his life.  He later attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, cultivating his talent and intellect.  Following graduation, he embarked on a long and fulfilling career as a Respiratory Therapist, a role in which he provided care and comfort to countless individuals. He worked at Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Virginia, from 1973 – 1978.  He then worked at Walker Memorial Hospital and Florida Hospital Heartland Division in Highlands County, Florida, from 1978 until his retirement in 2016.

A devout member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, he worshipped faithfully at the Front Royal Seventh-Day Adventist Church and, upon relocating, the Avon Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Bootsie was a man whose hobbies were as rich and varied as his character. He was a fervent collector, his interests encompassing coins, stamps, gems, and fossils. His talents extended to the arts of woodworking and photography, through which he expressed his creativity and love for beauty.  He spent many years building his skills in repelling and scuba diving which was beneficial when he joined the Front Royal Search and Rescue.  Active in the speleological community, he was a member of the National Speleological Society and the Underground Explorers Club alongside his friends Tony Marchi and Sam Dunaway.

He leaves behind his cherished wife, Sandra Ross Garbers Cook; his children, Cassandra Cook, Robin Cook, Kimberly Hirsch (Michael), and Michael Cook; his dear grandchildren, Alexandra Evans, Jordan Wilson (Lane), Michaeli Hirsch, Dakota Hirsch,  Corey McHargue, and Kevin McHargue; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Carson Evans, Gibson Evans, Zayne McHargue, and Luella Wilson. He will also be fondly remembered by his brother, Robert Cook; his sister, Anna Sue Cooper; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:00 am at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, Virginia. Interment will follow at Panorama Memorial Gardens, where Bootsie will be laid to rest. Maddox Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements.

Thomas Charles Clark, Sr., 88, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Winchester, Virginia.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 1:00 p.m. in Prospect Hill Cemetery, with Sammy Campbell officiating.

Mr. Clark was born July 15, 1935, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the son of the late Oscar H. Clark, Sr. and Hazel Clark.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954-1957, gaining the rank of Corporal. He was very proud of his service to our country. Mr. Clark played football for Warren County High School and, in 1953, went to the state championship game.

He retired as an aircraft fueler after 40 years from Allied Aviation at Reagan National and Dulles Airports. In his retirement, he enjoyed selling refurbished fishing rods, military items, and other collectibles at the Front Royal Flea Market.

Survivors include his children, Thomas Clark, Jr. (Donna) of Front Royal, Kathy Farrior of Stephens City, Elaine Collins of Asheboro, North Carolina, and Kent Garner (Pat) of Burlington, North Carolina; sister, Joyce Davis of Front Royal; grandchildren, Kyle Farrior, Holly Kennedy, Bryan and Jonathon Garner, Melodi Miller and Bradley Collins; and great-grandchildren, Jordan and Sarah Farrior, Isaiah, Faith, Jacey, Ava and Quest Garner, Clark, Canaan and Abigail Miller, and soon to arrive, Tucker Kennedy.

On September 18, 1959, he married “Bert” Clark, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Oscar H. Clark, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 29, from 12-1 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Tazuye “Clara” Bishop entered eternal life on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 97. Her memory is carried on by her loving family and many friends.

Mrs. Bishop, also known as Granny, Clara, Clare, Mom, and Great-Granny, led a big life. She was born in 1926 in Elk Grove, CA. After WWII, she moved to Japan and met her husband of over 65 years, Willard Bishop. They traveled the world together, raised a family, and met many friends. Clara was a resolute and proud military wife who moved her family and managed a household while stationed in Austria, France, Alaska, and Virginia.

Clara had many interests. She was an amazing and talented seamstress, card player, and gardener. She was a huge sports enthusiast and, in her day, quite the basketball player. She loved her Church and Church Family from Front Royal United Methodist Church.  She had a wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed her friends immensely, and loved her family unconditionally.

She is survived by her children, Linda Leady (Steve), JoAnne Taylor, and James Bishop; her grandchildren, Patrick Leady (Jen), Laura Ferst (Anthony), and Jesse Bishop; and her great-grandchildren, Julia Leady, Stellarose Ferst, and Blake Ferst.

Clara is reunited with her husband, Willard Bishop, his brothers, her six siblings, and many other family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Front Royal United Methodist Church, 1 W. Main St., Front Royal, with The Rev. Rachel Plemmons officiating. The family invites guests to visit one hour before the service. Following the service, a burial will occur in Culpeper National Cemetery, 305 U.S. Avenue, Culpeper, Virginia.

In place of flowers, please make donations to Blue Ridge Hospice or Front Royal United Methodist Church.

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.