Stafford County mourns the passing of Ralph Metts, a former member of the County Board of Supervisors who was instrumental in building the first water treatment plant and expanding the public school system during his tenure.
Press release:
Stafford County mourns the passing of Ralph Metts, a former member of the County Board of Supervisors. Metts served on the Board from 1964 to 1967 and again from 1976 to 1977. His fellow Board members elected him vice chairman in 1965, 1966, and 1967.
“On behalf of the Board and the citizens of Stafford County, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ralph Metts,” said Chairman of the Board Meg Bohmke. “By all accounts, Mr. Metts was dedicated to public service and propelling Stafford County forward. We appreciate his service to Stafford County.”
Metts was most proud of his work on the Board in building the first water treatment plant and expanding the public school system. He was on the Board during a pivotal time in Stafford – the beginning of growth with the opening of Interstate 95 in the area in 1964.
Information on arrangements for his burial is available online.
Col. John “Duke” Snider, 71, of Manassas, passed away on June 28, 2024. Born in Oxford, Ohio, in 1953, Snider’s early life was marked by achievements such as achieving Eagle Scout rank and excelling in various sports. His academic and military careers were equally distinguished, beginning with his time at Duke University and extending through a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot and held various command roles.
After retiring from military service, Snider continued to impact his community through various roles, including Chairman of the Manassas City Board of Elections and a Manassas City Airport Commission member. His efforts were integral to the expansion of the Manassas Airport, moving it closer to accommodating commercial flights, which was approved by the city council last year.
Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis highlighted Snider’s community contributions in an interview. “John brought his vast experience as a pilot to the airport commission, significantly advancing our capabilities,” said Ellis. She also noted his balanced approach to his role on the Electoral Board, emphasizing that he “served the whole community well.”
Snider’s commitment to community service extended to his involvement with the Inter-Service Club Council. “In the short time that he was here, he really made a big impact,” Ellis remarked.
Snider is survived by his wife, Mary P. Snider, his son, Wesley J. Snider, and his daughter-in-law, Melissa L. Snider. His life was celebrated on July 20, at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas.
Throughout his life, James was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, embodying the virtues of kindness and compassion. His commitment to his faith was evident in his everyday actions and the love he shared with those around him. As a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, James’s legacy is carried on through his family, whom he adored immeasurably.
James is survived by his four children: Brenda Ferri Kennaugh, Debra Ferri Lucia, Joanne Ferri Lesher, and Thomas Ferri. He was a cherished grandfather to Mandelyne Lesher McCombe, Kaitlin Lesher, Taylor Kennaugh, David Lucia, Ryan Kennaugh, Nicole Lucia, Faith Lesher, and Matthew Kennaugh, and a proud great-grandfather to eight great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Verna Zonts Ferri.
James’s life was a testament to his unwavering faith and the deep bonds of family. His memory will be treasured and kept alive in the hearts of those who loved him.
Viviane Marie Louise “Brun” Morgan (Age 86)
Viviane Marie Louise “Brun” Morgan, 86, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, following an extended illness.
She was born on November 12, 1937, in France to the late Gaston Charles Brun & Simone Marie Rose Hebert. Viviane was married to the late George Edward Morgan. They resided in Marumsco Woods and Lake Caroline. They were members of the local DAV as well as members of Saint Mary’s of the Annunciation in Lady Smith, VA.
Viviane is survived by nieces and nephews who currently reside in France. Services will be held at a later date. Online condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.blevinscares.com.
Blevins Funeral Home and Cremation Services has the honor of serving the Morgan family.
Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services
417 Lee St, Bristol, Vermont, 24201
Evelyn S Molinari (Age 83)
Memorial service info
Evelyn Scott Molinari, “Evie,” was born January 23, 1940, in “the District of Columbia” and died December 12, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Daughter of Arnold Eden Scott and Dorothy Hewlett Conway, Evie was the youngest of three children and was lovingly referred to as “Baby Sister.” Evie spent the majority of her life in northern Virginia, primarily in Arlington and Alexandria.
She attended high school at Saint Mary’s Academy in Alexandria, Virginia, and was a proud alum gathering with her “Sisters of Kiawah” for a yearly reunion in South Carolina. After high school, she prepared for a career as a secretary until she met a dashing young Navy Lieutenant on a blind date on December 31, 1960. Patrick Molinari Sr. (Pat) the love of Evie’s life; as she always told the story, “I didn’t know how I was going to make him mine, but I was going to do it!” True to her word, Pat proposed on their third date. The two were married in November 1961 and welcomed their first child Lynn in June, 1963, sons Patrick, Jr., and Scott were born in September 1964 and June 1967.
Pat and Evie settled with their children in Dale City and Dumfries, Virginia, where Pat enjoyed a career as an attorney. Evie offered unwavering support to Pat’s fledgling law practice and served as his secretary until his appointment to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations bench in Prince William County. Judge Molinari served from 1981 until his death in 1998.
Pat and Evie and their children were involved in youth athletics through the Dale City Sports Club and Little League. Evie served as the cheerleader coach and was often seen running the sideline with her cowbell urging the team on to victory.
Family and children were THE most important part of their lives. Evie was not a patient person. If she wanted something done, she got it done! She made the mistake of telling Pat she didn’t like the way he mowed their lawn once. She mowed it every five days thereafter, alternating the orientation of the lines with every mow. Neighbors still tell stories of her vacuuming leaves off of the trees during fall.
As Pat developed a love for golf, Evie tried her hand at lessons and quit after the golf pro told her not to try to hit the ball so hard, “just cut the grass beneath the ball.” To which Evie responded impatiently, “I’m here to hit the ball, I have to cut the grass when I get home!” She was very particular, she liked things the way she liked them.
Her children often tell stories of moving accessories, switching candle placement or garden gnomes and having her move them back in “their” place shortly after. Evie was devoted to building a home for her husband and children and thought of everyone that entered her life as family. “Family of choice” was just as important to her as blood relatives.
Ever the hostess, Evie loved big parties, small gatherings, and told everyone to come back whenever because, “I have room!” Most will fondly remember Evie for her generosity and the way her beautiful smile made her eyes sparkle.
After her sons Scott and Patrick relocated to Fort Collins, Colo., Evie fell in love with the area and retired there in 2007. She called Denver home for a few years in the 1940’s so a return to the Front Range wasn’t as big a surprise for this “Virginia girl” as it might seem.
She loved the Colorado Rockies and the pageantry of Opening Day and called Patrick in tears the night Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was traded, “I’m never watching this game again!” But she did, she loved Picture Day the most, getting hugs from her favorite players.
Evie is survived by her three children: Evelyn “Lynn” Rolin, Patrick Molinari Jr. (Kinsey), and Arnold Scott Molinari (Shelley), six grandchildren: Melissa Rolin Hendrix (Jake), Robert “Will” Rolin (Kayla), Kevin Rolin (Megan), Kendyl Coley, Ashlyn Coley, and Peyton Coley, six great grandchildren: Brennan, Elliott, and Rolin Hendrix, Dawson Rolin, Weston and Miller Rolin, and scores of “adopted” children, grandchildren, and grand dogs.
Her driveway was THE stopping point for most neighborhood dogs as she would rush down to give all “good dogs” a treat, but all dogs were considered good dogs to her. She will be greatly missed by all.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 326 N Whitcomb St, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521.
There will be a committal service at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico on April 15, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Barbara Weddel (Age 70)
Barbara Weddel, age 70, accessed Heaven on 24 January 2024, the day of God’s choosing.
She is survived by her husband and best friend, David her beloved children Patrick and his wife Dane, Sean and his wife Carolyn, grandsons Colton and Teddy, and her golden retriever and devoted companion “Gracie Lou.” She is also survived by her siblings; Ann Gosack, Nancy Sutton and Tom Sutton, numerous nieces and nephews and MANY cherished friends.
Proceeding her in death are her father and mother, Matthew and Jeanne Sutton, her golden retrievers MacTavish, Chamberlain, Hancock, Beau and Reagan.
Her love of life, her compassion for animals, and her understanding of human frailty, and her great sense of humor made her a magnet to all. She is now with Jesus, basking in the light of His glory in eternal celebration.
A celebration of life will be held at Crozet Fellowship Church, 470 Twinkling Springs Road on 17 February, at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (www; dvgrr.org) or checks can be mailed to 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds, PA 17569 annotating that this is in memorial of Barbara Weddel.
The following memorial event is planned.
Celebration of Life
02/17/2024 02:00 PM to 02:45 PM
Crozet Fellowship Church
470 Twinkling Springs Road
Crozet , Virginia 22936
Submitted by Teague Funeral Service
Ann K. Ostrander (Age 84)
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Ann Kovacevich Ostrander, 84, of Cape Charles, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side in the early morning of December 23, 2023.
She was born in Freedom, PA, in 1939 to Sofija and Michael Kovacevich. She married Walter Ostrander in September 1963 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Ann and Walt settled in Dale City, VA, in 1970, where they raised three children.
Thirty-five years later moving to a cozy log home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She wore many hats during her life, working in the medical field and then managing Opt-D Graphics, a small business she ran with her husband. She worked for BJ’s Wholesale Club for 16 years and finished her career with the VA Department of Health in Northampton County before retiring.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Walter Ostrander, and her sister Kathryn Hicks. She is survived by her three children, Michael (Lynda), Katherine, and David, her grandson Michael (Beverly), and her sisters Carol Blitva, Donna Knospe, Eloise Vitiello, and Elizabeth Katich.
She enjoyed camping & fishing with her family and discovered metal detecting later in life, where she made lifelong friends. She loved creating community events through her various jobs and working with the public and truly shined when hosting events focused on children in the community.
This passion was acknowledged by the community when she earned a Distinguished Woman Award from the Prince William County Commission on Women in 1998.
The family would like to give special thanks to her daytime caregiver, Toya, and to the staff of Riverside Shore Hospice.
There will be a graveside service at Quantico National Cemetery on January 12, 2024, at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Riverside Hospice Fund in her memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home in Cape Charles, Virginia.
Submitted by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home
She loved the Lord and always took us to church showing hospitality often to Christian college groups and missionaries. She taught for 27 years at Westgate Elementary, mostly in 2nd grade. During her last 15 years in Manassas, she was an avid Mallwalker, often going two laps. In 2015, she moved to Sayre, Pa., near Ruth (Sandberg) Houser, where she often saw her grandkids and one great-grandson Archer.
She took a great interest in people, often asking questions about their future plans. We always felt loved, and we’ll treasure the many pillowcases she decorated with needlepoint for us. She touched many hearts.
Melvin Maurice Dunn Jr. (Age 65)
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Our lives are unfinished books which we are writing day by day. When completed one day, others will read them and remember what we did and had to say.
A busy and energetic life ended December 16, 2023, when Melvin (Chops) Maurice Dunn, Jr, a resident of Manassas, VA, was called to his heavenly home. Melvin was born on August 16, 1958, in
Cleveland, TN to the late Melvin and Jean (Goode) Dunn, Sr of Charleston, TN. His parents believed in hard work and spiritual development. Melvin joined Mt. Eagle Baptist Church at an early age, participated in youth activities, and sung in the youth choir. He attended High Point Elementary School and Charleston High School. He played basketball and football for the Charleston Panthers at Charleston
High. His high school coaches inspired and helped to strengthen his athletic abilities. Melvin received a scholarship to attend Mars Hill University in 1976 where he attained a degree in Social Work, was a star punter in the College Football League, and met his wife of 42 years, Charlene.
In 1986, he started his successful company, Dunn’s Chimney Sweep, and maintained successful relationships with hundreds of customers, many later becoming close family friends. Melvin retired from firefighting after 27 years of service. He was a volunteer coach at T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA., and a volunteer coach at various football camps in Tennessee and Virginia. Melvin was an avid coin collector and loved to travel.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Jean Dunn; paternal grandparents, Tom and Thursia Dunn; maternal grandparents, James Edward and Mary Lou Goode; and grandparents in-laws Lucinda and Vernon Ray of Mars Hill N.C. Melvin leaves to cherish his memories a wife (Charlene) of Manassas, VA; son, Melvin III of Austin, TX, daughter, Rachelle Dunn, and grandson, Jayceon of Richmond, VA; three brothers, Allen of Nashville, TN, Louis (Lesia) of Charleston, TN, Cory of Valdosta, GA; two sisters, Glynis (John) of Dallas, GA, and Annette (Demetrius) of Cleveland, TN; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
You went away so suddenly. We did not say goodbye. Families can never be parted. Precious memories never die.
Anonymous
Submitted by Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home
