Celebration of Life for Donna: A Riverside Cookout

Join us for a heartfelt “Celebration of Life” in honor of Donna on Sunday, May 19th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Front Royal Boat Landing near Eastham Park on Luray Avenue. Donna cherished her time at the river, whether picnicking, fishing, or simply relaxing. We will host a cookout to celebrate her love for the outdoors.

During this gathering, we encourage everyone to support Donna’s children during this loss. Instead of flowers, contributions can be made to assist her children’s future. A card box will be available at the event for donations, or you can make a monetary donation at any First Bank location to the account named “for the children.”

Thank you for your support and love during this difficult time. Your presence will bring great comfort to the family and help keep Donna’s joyful spirit alive in all of us.

During this gathering, we encourage everyone to support Donna’s children in this time of loss. Instead of flowers, contributions can be made to assist her children’s future. A card box will be available at the event for donations, or you can make a monetary donation at any First Bank location to the account named “for the children.”

Thank you for your support and love during this difficult time. Your presence will bring great comfort to the family and help keep Donna’s joyful spirit alive in all of us. Donna Leigh Burke (Williams), 39, of Front Royal, VA, passed away peacefully at Winchester Medical Center on April 2, 2024, due to health complications, with family by her side and her wonderful husband telling her how much she and their kids loved her and reassuring her that they would be okay.

Donna Leigh Burke (Williams)

Donna was born November 27, 1984, to the late Jerry Martin Williams and Nancy Wines Williams of Chester Gap, VA, where they lived and raised Donna in her family home.  She received her GED from Rappahannock County, VA.  Donna was a proud and devoted daughter, wife, and mother.

Donna leaves behind her dedicated husband of 17 years, Joseph Burke (Joe); their two greatest accomplishments – Damion Martin Burke, 17, and Khloe Janelle Burke, 14, of Front Royal, VA; her two sisters-in-law, Felicia Burke of Front Royal, VA and Ashly Burke of Maurertown, VA; one nephew, Owen Armstrong, of Maurertown, VA and her in-laws, Vincent Burke, Jr., and Denise Burke of Front Royal, VA.  She also leaves multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, and childhood friends from Rappahannock County, VA.

A celebration of life will follow at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions (for the children) may be made to any First Bank location.  In addition, anyone who would like to shower the family with love and support can mail cards to the Burke Family at 1896 Edgemont Avenue, Front Royal, VA  22630.

Thank you for being so supportive! With Love, The Burke Family

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.