ELGAR SOPER

Reverend Elgar Clyde Soper -- died at Homewood Continuing Care Community at Crumland Farms, Frederick, MD on December 20, 2016. Born November 3, 1914 in Olney, MD, he is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lucile Olson Gunn Soper.

Preceding him in death was his first wife, Audrey Lorraine Ricketts Soper, mother of Stanley, Stewart and Cheryl. Also preceding him in death are: Brothers, Percy Soper and Leroy Soper; Sisters, Helen Soper Dillon, Annie Soper Fooks Lyon, and Virginia Soper Alderton.

Surviving are his 3 children: David Stanley Soper and wife, Pamela, of Southern Shores, NC; Stewart Michael Soper and wife, Alison, of Salisbury, MD; and Cheryl Soper Damico Vincent of Clarkston, MI. Survivors also include step-children: Delia Gunn Bonenberger and husband, Dolf, of Springville, NY; Adele Gunn Gill and husband, Donald, of Boonsboro, MD; and Timothy Gunn and wife, Tracy, of Charlotte, NC.

Surviving grandchildren: Sherry Soper Bove and husband, Randy, of Fredericksburg, VA; Chrissy Soper Smith and husband, Conor, of Harpswell, ME; Brian Soper of Salisbury, MD; Dale Soper and wife, Kennedy, of Salisbury, MD; and Katie Soper of Salisbury, MD; Kimberly Damico Beebe and husband, David, of Los Angeles, CA; Nicholas Damico and wife, Colleen, of Cleveland, OH; Robert Damico of Brighton, MI and Jenna Damico of Philadelphia, PA.

Surviving step-grandchildren: Bradley Bonenberger and wife, Lynne, of San Diego, CA; Kevin Bonenberger and wife, Dawn, of Salisbury, MD; Dr Eric Bonenberger and wife, Asra, of Orlando, FL; Meredith Gill Green and husband, John, of Richmond, VA; Caleb Gill and wife, Leigh, of Lusby, MD; Noelle Gill Soobert and husband, Alan, of McLean, VA; Matthew Gill and wife, Meg, of Oakton, VA; Emily Gunn of Baltimore, MD; Alex Gunn of Charlotte, NC; and Amy Gunn of San Luis Obispo, CA. Also surviving are 20 great-grandchildren.

Surviving nieces and nephews include: Betty Leizear of Rockville, MD; Dorothy Bready, Rockville, MD; William Soper and Donald Soper, Florida; James Fooks and wife, Gail, of Brookeville, MD; Jane Weiger of Kearneysville, WV.

Elgar graduated Duke University and Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC. He was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1940, and served for 40 years. Churches served include Potomac Methodist in Potomac, MD and Cabin John Methodist in Cabin John, MD; 4 churches in New Windsor, MD: St. Paul, Bethel, St. James and Stone Chapel; St. John’s Trinity in Baltimore, MD; Oxon Hill United Methodist in Prince Georges, MD; Good Shepherd United Methodist and Colesville United Methodist in Silver Spring, MD. In retirement he served 4 years at Sandy Hook United Methodist in Sandy Hook, MD.

Burial will be private at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD. A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Rev Elgar Soper will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at Homewood at Crumland Farms, Margaretta F. Slayman Chapel, 7407 Willow Road, Frederick, MD 21702. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Homewood's Benevolent Fund at the above address.

Arrangments are by Stauffer Funeral Home and Stauffer Crematory, Frederick. Please visit staufferfuneralhome.com where memories may be offered online.