Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., 202 Greene Street, Cumberland, MD (2026)

03/09/2026

Ridgeley, WV-

Steven Jack Herbaugh, 73, of Ridgeley, died January 11, 2026, at home.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, March 12th at 2 PM in the chapel at Rocky Gap, with Pastor Ken Hamilton, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by Post #13 Veterans Honor Guard. Inurnment will follow.

Steve was born June 29, 1952, in Cumberland, MD. He was the son of the late Jack Herbaugh and Doris (Schartiger) Herbaugh.

He was also fond of his late grandparents, Delmar and Lena Mae (Feaster) Schartiger.

Steve was a graduate of Ridgeley High School. He had also attended Allegany College of Maryland, Penn State University, and earned his Master’s Degree at Frostburg State University.

Steve served in the U.S. Navy for over 17 years.

He enjoyed genealogy, tracing his family’s roots.

Survivors include his son, Frederick (“Fred”) Herbaugh; uncle John Schartiger and wife Shirley; cousins, Mark Schartiger and wife Cindy, Debbie Beaver and husband Fred, Connie Abe and husband Troy along, with Randy Crites and wife Barb and Vicki Hamilton and husband Ken, and their families. He had been dearly loved by his delightful dog, Gizmo.

As per his wishes, Steve was cremated.

Donations may be made to Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., 202 Greene Street, Cumberland, MD 21502, to assist with expenses.

03/07/2026

Cumberland, MD-

After a five year battle with cancer, Brenda Lee Henderson, 61, of Cumberland, died March 5, 2026, at home with family by her side.

Born April 15, 1964, in Allegany County, MD, she is the daughter of Joyce (Kinser) Johnson and the late Victor Growden.

She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Richard and Iva Kinser; aunt, Patricia Imes; and mother-in-law Irene McCullen.

Over the years, Brenda had worked at the Hill’s Department Store Snack Bar, Gabriel’s Department Store, and Sheetz Convenience Store.

Brenda belonged to Memorial Heights Baptist Church, Cumberland.

She loved traveling to the Caribbean, but most of all, Brenda loved her family unconditionally.

Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Steve Henderson; children, Erica Henderson and Steven Henderson; stepdaughter Leslee Wigfield (Denver Llewellyn); siblings, Janet Ziler and Dickie Growden (Cathy Long); grandchildren, Chevy Perkins, Zayce Perkins, Zuri West, Gamil Daniels, Jaxon Henderson, Julius Henderson, Astraea Henderson, and Ryder Wigfield. Brenda also has some very special cousins, David and Cindy Imes, Nickolas and Jessica and their children, Nixon, Carder, Mason, and Avery, Hannah Imes, Avah Imes, Jason Imes and family, her special caregiver Rachelle Thomas, and hospice nurse Kaylee Nave.

Friends will be received at the Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., Cumberland, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 2-4 PM.

The memorial service will follow at 4 PM, with Pastor D.J. Ritchey, officiating.

03/06/2026

Harold Clifton Bane, 86, formerly of Rockville, Maryland, left to be with the Lord March 1, 2026, after a brief illness at The Village at Rockville Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility.

Born September 16, 1939, in Cumberland, Maryland, he was the son of the late William Oscar and Mary Ruth (Snyder) Bane.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou (Malcomb) Bane and nine brothers and sisters.

Harold loved cars, attending car shows, and collecting model cars of which he owned hundreds. He was gifted mechanically, owned classic cars, and enjoyed restoring them. He also loved music, especially 1950s and gospel music, and was especially fond of the music of The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast which he watched faithfully in his final years. He was quietly creative and had an artful aspect to him that would come out during the holidays when he helped with decorations at his home and his daughter’s. Harold thought more than he spoke, cared about his family more than he expressed, laughed often, and had a soft grace and dignity about him he kept until he went to be with the Lord.

Survivors, include his children Mary Haldas and her husband Michael of Germantown, MD, and Harold Bane, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Cumberland, MD; grandchildren Alexandra Haldas, Brittany Collins and husband Steven, and Katelynn May; great-grandchildren Kylie Collins, Abel Sines and Thomas Femi; a sister Evangeline Knippenberg. and brother-in-law Robert, and nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at Restlawn Memorial Gardens – Mausoleum Chapel, 11128 Cash Valley Road Northwest, LaVale, MD on Saturday, March 14. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. with the service to follow with Pastor Bruce McBride officiating.

Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Military Honors will be accorded by Post #13 Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spina Bifida Association. www.spinabifidaassociation.org

03/05/2026

Cumberland, MD--

Charlotte Lee Sisk-Smith, 72, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2026, to be with her beloved mother, father, husband, and sisters again.

Born July 12, 1953, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Rozella (Forbeck) Valentine.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Mike Smith, and two sisters, Mary Ann Valentine and Cindy Valentine.

Charlotte is survived by her devoted and dedicated son Bud Murphy and girlfriend Kailee Ullery and devoted son Mark Murphy and wife Jasmine Murphy; her cousins Nancy and Barry Sarver, Carol Crosten, Rosemary and Sam Smith, Bonnie and Tim Hansrote, Randy and Donna Forbeck, and Doug and wife; best friend Brenda Crites; several grandchildren and several great grandchildren .

Charlotte was a graduate of Allegany High School.

She worked all her life being a devoted wife, mother, sister, and daughter.

She was a member at St. Mark’s Community Church and was very passionate about her faith.

She enjoyed playing board games, poker. watching horror movies. listening to 70’s music. spending time with family and friends, and collecting frogs.

Charlotte was a very strong and independent woman. She could never be held down. She is now with her mom, dad, sisters, and husband again.

Friends will be received at the Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., Cumberland, on Monday from 11 AM until noon. The funeral service will follow at noon, with Pastor Seth Wharton, officiating.

Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Bud Murphy, Mark Murphy, David Mauck Sr, David Mauck Jr, Mar Lockley, and Elisha Broadway.

“All our love, we are already missing you terribly. You can finally rest in peace.” -All your family and friends.

03/05/2026

Laura Vere Murray, 98, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 3, 2026.

Laura was a woman of chosen and conscious faith. She was a Charter Member of Christ Lutheran Church, LaVale, Maryland. When recently discussing death and dying she exhibited calm, confident, comfort in saying “I’m not afraid.” Prayer was a constant in Laura’s life.

Laura Vere was born September 11, 1927, in Westernport, Maryland, the daughter of Cecil Johnson and Georgia (Plum) Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Dr. Jack L. Murray, Sr.; sisters, Rosalie Papageorge, Barbara Porter, Karen Gailey; and daughter-in-law Katie (Havenga) Murray.

Raised up with her roots in Parsons, West Virginia, through 10th grade, her family moved to Ridgeley, West Virginia, where she graduated from Ridgeley High School in 1945.

Ahead of her time, Laura Vere was an independent, strong-willed, working woman. Early on, while her husband attended Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Missouri, her work years began as a supermarket head cashier. Locally, Laura Vere was employed at Queen City Dairy, Murphy’s 5 &10, Celanese Corporation, and Kelly Springfield Tire Company. When, “the boys coming back from the war” caused her furlough, she worked for Montgomery Ward as a Catalog Department bookkeeper. Laura raised her four children at home, until the youngest started school. It was then that Laura Vere’s second career began and for the next 20 years, she served as a chiropractic assistant and office receptionist in her husband’s practice until they both retired.

Laura Vere enjoyed traveling with her husband Jack in their motorhomes, visiting every state and Canada. Highlights of her many adventures included: a tour sponsored by Lions Club International to Barrow, Alaska and her enjoyable experience making fast-friends with the Eskimo tribe there, visiting Hawaii to attend a National Chiropractic Convention, and then flying to Japan, where her husband had served in WWII. Here, Laura Vere vividly remembers visiting Japan’s one-time capital city of Kyoto, with its beautiful gardens, shrines, and temples left unscathed by the ravages of war. Laura supplemented her first-hand travel knowledge by reading all of James A. Michener’s novels, 40 in all! Laura was a proud American.

Laura Vere was very active in the community, and in addition to her charter membership in Christ Lutheran Church, for over sixty years; she was a member of The Cumberland Jaycees Women; McKinley Chapter No. 12, Order of the Eastern Star; and Re Temple #118, Daughters of the Nile, where she served as Queen in 1964. She attended the Supreme Session in Portland, with husband, Jack. Shriners International works to support the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospitals at no cost to the parents.

Laura Vere served as a charter member of Western Maryland Women’s Bowling Association and Maryland State Women’s Bowling Association, where she served as President for 7 years and designed their association’s flag. She was a charter member of The Classic League, bowling at The Bowler in LaVale, where she had a high game of 297. She was a life member of both the Maryland State Men’s and Women’s Bowling Associations.

Laura Vere loved to play, especially card games and bridge. She belonged to a local 2 table duplicate bridge club and was a member of a 3 table duplicate bridge club at the Cumberland County Club. Laura Vere also belonged to the local Ham Radio Club with her husband Jack. Throughout life, Laura Vere enjoyed doing daily crossword and sudoku puzzles, too.

Laura Vere loved her “Lake Family.” Since 1967, she and husband Jack were charter members of the Castaway Yacht club on the Youghiogheny River where all who loved Laura spent many long, wonderful weekends. Every year in July, the club sponsored a “4th of July Boat Light-Up Parade”, where decorated boats paraded up and down the river with on-lookers anchored out or on the shoreline enjoying the festivities. Laura always loved that event.

Laura Vere was extremely crafty, thoughtful, and caring in her creative ways. When she and Jack were “snowbirds” for a number of years at River Ranch, Florida, Laura Vere was well-known for hand-crafting jointed stuffed fur bears. She made all sizes of stuffed bears with life-like eyes and noses, cutting her patterns from real fur coats! Laura Vere had many shared talents: she did counted cross stich, crewel, and embroidery. With care, every season she would decorate her corner tree in her home. With its crystals, flowers of the month, colored ribbons, and lights; it made every day a holiday to enjoy. Later, she made it a “bear” tree that stayed up all year loaded with stuffed bears.

Laura Vere welcomed all, family and friends, as well as foster children, into her family and beamed with pride whenever they gathered. Laura Vere was a wonderful hostess. She built a family culture of togetherness and celebration. Most assuredly, her baking specialties of apple dumplings and caramel sticky buns will be missed. She was a central figure in the lives of so many.

Laura Vere Murray is thankful to God for all her ‘kin-folk’, family and friends over her many blessed years for their love, understanding, generosity, and assistance. She often expressed her pride in her children; as brothers, sisters, and best friends, how they depend on and support each other. How her grandchildren, and ‘greats’, share the same, how they work, comfort, raise families and celebrate all of life together and throughout life as one. Her home was known as the “Family Home” where all special events took place.

Laura Vere wishes to also thank Christ Lutheran’s Reach Meal Committee, and with a wink and a smile, asks her church family for continued prayers. She sends love and laughter to her Lake family, especially Milo Grimes. Thanks, as well, to: Amy Harman, Joanna Tracy, and Mary Ruddell who provided transportation to her bridge games. Also, her special friends Debbie Boone, Nancy Twigg, Susan Sturtz, and Rick Smith, to each and every one she sends her strong hug and sweet kiss.

Most importantly, Laura Vere, wants all to know how much she loved you, saying directly ‘No words can express my feeling toward you’ “May God bless everyone and thanks for the memories!. One is never gone until they are forgotten.”

Laura Vere (Johnson) Murray is survived by her brother John Teter, of Florida. She is also survived by her four beloved children, Dr. Jack L. Murray, Jr., Vickie Murray, David Murray and wife Karen, and Kimberly Redmond and husband Mark; her nine grandchildren: Tricia Witt and husband Bobby, Anna Stewart, Jamie Bailey and husband Nick, Cassie Murray and wife Jacquelyn Breeden, Jaclyn Stout, Cory Stout, Michelle Redman Shelton and husband Brett, Scott Ackerman and wife Anita, and Kimberly Severino and husband Steve; and her nineteen great grandchildren who lovingly called her “G.G.”: Logan and Hope O'Brien, Victoria Jade Witt Nestler and husband Jessie, Megan Rashell Irving, Anya Murray, Alayzia Ward, Sebastian Stewart, Surae Stewart, Hailey Moore, Cole Moore, Blake Bailey, Taylor Curtis and her partner Hunter Tucker, Kyleigh Shelton, Brielle Shelton, Steel Shelton, Lucas Severino, Lia Severino, Nathan Severino, Daniel Ackerman, and Isabella Ackerman, and her great-great grandchildren: Malachi and Lily Ann O’Brien giving her 28 living descendants. Everyone was proud to see five living generations with the 2020 birth of Malachi. Also welcomed into the family was Finn Stewart, first cousin of Sebastian and Surae Stewart.

Laura Vere was a supporter of many causes, including over 40 years of donating blood to the American Red Cross in Cumberland, MD and traveling with others to donate in Johnstown, PA.

Friends will be received at Christ Lutheran Church, 1222 Vocke Road, LaVale, on Sunday, March 8th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Re. Temple #118, D.O.N. will conduct a memorial service at 3:30 PM.

The funeral service will follow at 4:00 PM, with Pastor Daniel Swanson, officiating.

Inurnment will be at Maryland State Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap on Monday, March 9th at noon..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either re Temple #118, D.O.N., c/o Judith, PQ, 8 Richard Way, LaVale, MD 21502; Daughters of the Nile Foundation,
6705 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78731; or to the Ali Ghan Shrine Center, P.O. Box 1416, Cumberland, MD 21501-1416.

03/04/2026

Barbara Faye (England) Clemons Johnson, 81, of Keyser, died March 4, 2026, at home after a long illness.

Born August 7, 1944, in Lima, OH, she was the daughter of the late Troy and Bessie (Morris) England.

She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Louise Paglow and Irene Guyton, and a brother, Robert England.

Barbara had attended the University of Northwest Ohio and graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia University.

Barbara retired from Walmart where she was a receiver for incoming shipments. She also helped set up the Walmart in Country Club Mall.

Mrs. Johnson belonged to the Potomac Highlands Patriots Tea Party and was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Queens Point Memorial Post #6775. She belonged to Calvary Assembly of God.

Survivors include her husband, Monroe Johnson; two daughters, Laura Brown and Tracie Johnson and husband Mathew; one son, Ronald Clemons, II and wife Amanda; one brother Earnest England; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Upchurch Funeral Home, Inc., Fort Ashby, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11 AM, with Pastor Wes Beahm, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Faith In Action, P.O. Box 1073, Keyser, WV 26726 or to the West Ohio Food Bank, P.O. Box 1566, Lima, OH 45800-1566.

03/03/2026

Cumberland, MD-

James Howard Holbrook, 81, of Cumberland , went to be with The Lord on February 27, 2026. He had been a resident at the Lions Rehab Center.

Born August 23, 1944, in West Virginia, he was the son of the late Frank Holbrook and Anna (Pate) Holmes.

He was also preceded in death by his aunt Thelma Rhodes and husband Bob; sons Tommy Robertson and Robert Robertson; grandson Shane Shrout; brothers Frank Holbrook and Curtis Diehl; sister Kay Kendall; and nephew Jimmy Matrey.

Jim had attended Mt. Savage High School.

He had been employed as an auto body painter, first at Red Taylor’s and later at Spoerl’s. He went on to own and operate Jim H. Auto Sales.

Jim had been a member of the Kennell Mills Sportsmen Club.

In his spare time, he enjoyed watching golf, antique car shows, some of the old-time shows, and westerns.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Holbrook; daughters Dora Stranathan and husband Mike, Robin Stair, and Jill Appleyard and husband Dennis; brother David Diehl; sister Etta Helmstetter; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Sandra Williams and husband Don.

03/03/2026

Ridgeley, WV-

Phyllis Messer, 59, of Ridgeley, formerly of Kermit, WV, died March 1, 2026, at UPMC-Western Maryland.

Born September 22, 1966, in Holden, WV, she was the daughter of the late Marion and Wyzona (Messer) Marcum.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Reese Messer; stepson, Michael Muncy; and siblings, Eddie Marcum and Irene Marcum.

Phyllis had been a certified nursing assistant in a Logan County nursing home.

She belonged to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

In her spare time, Phyllis enjoyed making jewelry and was always ready to go shopping! Most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren!

Survivors include her sons, Rev. Lark J. Muncy and Shane Marcum; grandchildren, Alana, Justin, and Carter Muncy, and Braylee Marcum; sisters, Connie Flemings and Elizabeth Muncy.

Friends will be received at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Cumberland, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 1 PM to 2 PM. The funeral service will follow at 2 PM, with The Rev. Ryan K. Viands, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Property Committee, 1601 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD 21502.

03/02/2026

Teresa E. Siple, 72, of Kane, PA, died February 28, 2026, at UPMC Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA

Born February 14, 1954, in Cumberland, MD, she was the daughter of the late
Arthur Lane Siple and Eileen Virginia (Isner) Siple.

Teresa was a 1972 graduate of Fort Ashby High School.

She served 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2001 as a Staff Sergent.

Survivors include her daughter, Ashley Smith, Kane, PA; three grandchildren, Cory Lancaster, Jeremy Lancaster, and Luke Tamayo; two brothers, Preston (Lane) Siple and wife Un-Suk, Salado, TX, and Sidney Siple and wife Cynthia, Fort Ashby, WV; an honorary sister, Marsha Gifford, Keyser, WV; nephew Madison Siple and wife Margie, Elizabeth City, NC; and niece Karen Siple, Richmond, VA.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

03/01/2026

Service for Lynn Nelson

02/26/2026

Ridgeley, WV - Lynn Dale Nelson, 85, of Ridgeley, passed away at The Country House on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Born on April 17, 1940, in Cumberland, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph C. Nelson and Daisy E. (Myers) Nelson.

A 1958 graduate of Ridgeley High School, he attended Potomac State College, pursuing a degree in drafting. It was while “on the hill” that he met his future wife, Jane Rogers of Keyser. He continued his studies at Penn State, Altoona, where he obtained his degree.

He married Jane on June 17, 1962, and worked for Westvaco in Covington, VA, where they started a family.

While working for Westvaco, he transferred to the Westvaco Research Lab in Columbia, MD. While there, he participated in the National Guard and obtained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

In 1970, he became the second-generation owner of Nelson Auto Sales in Ridgeley, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. After that, he spent his time with his rental properties and his beloved farms.

“Pye,” as he was known to friends and family, donated and performed many works for his churches and his community. A 30-year member of the Ridgeley Lions Club, he held the title of President and received the prestigious Melvin Jones award. He was a long-time member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Ridgeley, where he sang with the choir and served in many positions. He and Jane led the church “Pairs and Spares” group on many fun and memorable trips. As a motor home enthusiast, they traveled to every state in the nation except Hawaii.

Pye loved to entertain and host parties, either at home or at their farm. He was a friend to all, and a mentor for many others.

Lynn was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jane Nelson as well as his son-in-law and close friend, Barry Mason.

He is survived by his son, Lynn A. Nelson and wife Suzanne, Short Gap, and his daughter, Susan N. Remaly and husband Lawrence, Ridgeley. Lynn is survived by four grandchildren, Diana (Mason) Webb and husband Addison, Newport News, VA; Elizabeth (Mason) Cosner and husband Matt, Ridgeley; Michael Nelson, Ridgeley; and Nicole Nelson of Flagstaff, Arizona. He has three great grandchildren, Macy and Jacob Cosner, and Jacqueline Webb. Extended family includes his brother, J. G. Nelson and wife Linda of Bethel Park, PA, as well as his brother-in-law and life-long friend, John I. Rogers II and wife Judy of Keyser, WV

The family will receive friends and neighbors at Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A., Cumberland, MD, on Sunday, March 1st from 3 pm to 4 pm. A service will follow at 4 pm led by Pastor Lawrence Remaly of The Life Center for Sharing Life Ministries, Ridgeley.

There will be a private interment at Fort Ashby Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country House and the personal care givers Lynn had over these past several years; Colby Collins, Lynn Carder, Kim Guthrie, Becca Nightengale and Pepper Ridgeley.

02/24/2026

Points, WV-

Ruth Josephine Reeves, 86, of Points, West Virginia, peacefully took her final journey to be with her Heavenly Father on February 9, 2026, surrounded in spirit by the love of her family and friends.

Born on April 14, 1939, in Georgetown, Washington D.C., Ruth was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph and Grace Reeves. From an early age, she was known for her kindness, her quiet strength, and her willingness to lend a helping hand. She attended Keyser High School and later devoted many years of her life to caring for others at Commonwealth Hospital (now Inova Fair Oaks) and as pharmacy assistant at Safeway where she worked until her retirement. Her coworkers and patients alike knew her as someone who was steady, dependable, and genuinely caring.

Ruth embraced life fully and joyfully. In her retirement years, she loved spending time with her friends and family, tending to her garden, baking treats to share, traveling, and striking up conversations with new people who often became friends. She had a gift for making others feel welcomed and included. Her laugh and warm smile could light up a room. Ruth approached life with gratitude and faith, finding happiness in simple moments and everyday blessings.

She is lovingly survived by her twin sister, Ruby Cox; her sisters, Barbara Duncan (Tom) and Donna Johnson; her daughters, Cindy Morrison (Tim) and Paula Eschenfelder; and her stepdaughter, Mary Keller (Gary), whom she loved as her own. She was a proud grandmother to Sean (Natalie), Donnie (Jacquelyn), Justin (Kaylee), McKenzie, and Myles, and she also cherished Jason, Jeffrey, and Lisa as part of her extended family. Ruth was blessed with great-grandchildren, Alison, Maverick, and William, and held dear the many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who will continue to carry her memory in their hearts.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her former husband, Donald Riley; her brothers, Joseph Reeves and Jimmy Reeves; her sister, Virginia Decker; her son-in-law, Daniel Eschenfelder; and her great-grandchild, Miranda. The thought of her reunion with those who have gone before brings comfort to those who mourn her now.

Ruth’s life was a testament to love, resilience, faith, and generosity of spirit. Those who knew her will remember her gentle heart, her unwavering support, her homemade goodies, and the way she always seemed to know when someone needed a listening ear. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the family she cherished.

A celebration of life will be held in the next coming months.

Upchurch Funeral Home, P.A.

03/09/2026

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