Earl Dunmeyer

Earl Edward “Sonny” Dunmeyer, age 79, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on May 19, 2015, at his home in Mount Airy, Maryland.

Born February 17, 1936, in Rockingham, Pennsylvania, to the late Earl A. and Margaret M. (Chapman) Dunmeyer, he attended Springdale High School in Springdale, Pennsylvania and later received his Federal Communications Commission License in 1962 from Grantham School of Electronics in Washington, DC.

Mr. Dunmeyer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953 where he was at sea on a Mediterranean cruise for six months followed by being stationed in Japan for two years. He was stateside until being discharged in 1957, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Mr. Dunmeyer met his wife, Donna M. Bigley, in elementary school and they were married on December 27, 1958, in Silver Spring, Maryland; settling in Mount Airy, Maryland forty years ago. He worked as a news photographer and videographer for CBS Channel 9 News for 36 years before retiring in 1998.

Mr. Dunmeyer will be especially remembered for his devotion to his constant companion, his dog Picabo, his love of coffee, listening to country music on his jukebox, bird watching and traveling. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, photography, gardening and doing puzzles.  He was a Member at Large of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and a Lifetime Member of the American Legion Gold Star Post #191 of Mount Airy, Maryland.

Besides his wife, Mr. Dunmeyer leaves behind three daughters, Tammy Warfield and husband Wayne of Hagerstown, Teri Collins and husband Kevin of Hagerstown, Sheri Parsons and husband Pat of Mount Airy, Maryland; sisters Marilyn Mitchell of Adamstown, Maryland, Lauren Finnin of Springdale, Pennsylvania; brother Gerald Dunmeyer and wife Gloria of Texas. Six grandchildren, Lindsey Schaeffer and husband Jason of Charles Town, West Virginia, Kristin Hagy and husband Sonny of Libertytown, Maryland, Ryan Warfield and wife Amanda of Urbana, Maryland, Jesse Dunmeyer, Kyle and Casey Parsons of Mount Airy, Maryland. Mr. Dunmeyer is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Logan, Jillian and Ethan Schaeffer of Charles Town, West Virginia, Vivien, Max, Jolene and Reva Hagy of Libertytown, Maryland, Stella and Jennie Warfield of Urbana, Maryland. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews and was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Donald Mitchell.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9p.m at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick and funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the funeral home with Rev. Tim May officiating.

Active pallbearers are Pat, Kyle and Casey Parsons, Jesse Dunmeyer, Ryan Warfield and Jason Schaeffer. Honorary pallbearers are Wayne Warfield, Kevin Collins and Sonny Hagy. Interment will follow the funeral service at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or charity of your choosing.

Special thanks to Dr. Swami Nathan for all of his support.