Florence Virts

Florence Stauffer Michael Virts, 86, of near Brunswick, MD, passed away on November 24, 2016 at Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, MD. Born on November 26, 1929, she was the sixth and youngest child of Elmer E. and Helen G. Stauffer Michael of Cooling Springs Farm, Doubs, MD.

She graduated from Frederick High School in 1946. In January 1948, she married Ralph H. Virts and they began their life together farming on the Arnold farm outside of Burkittsville, MD. In 1959, they purchased the Boss Arnold farm outside of Brunswick, MD and remained in the area for the rest of their lives. Florence became a member of the New Hope Methodist Church in 1959 and worked on various committees, the most notable one being the Board of Child Care Women's Auxiliary of the Baltimore Conference for 35 years, serving in various offices, including the presidency. She joined the Merryland Tract Homemakers Club of Petersville, MD in 1959 and served as president for many terms. Florence was also an avid quilter and belonged to the Merry-Peep-O-Day Quilt Club of Brunswick, MD. She was an accomplished seamstress, creating wedding ensembles for many brides in the area and provided general sewing for many customers throughout the Brunswick area.

Florence is survived by her two children, F. Jean Virts LaGrave and husband, Robert, of Charles Town, WV, and R. Michael Virts and wife, Sharon, of Purcellville, VA; granddaughters, Annette L. Offutt Brennan and husband, Tim, of Ranson, WV, Jessica L. Virts Burdick and husband, Paul, of Kearneysville, WV, and Erin J. Virts of Charles Town, WV; great-grandsons Joseph and Daniel Brennan of Ranson, WV, and Benjamin and Cameron Burdick of Kearneysville, WV; one brother David E. Michael of Frederick, MD, and one brother-in-law, William Shreve of Frederick; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Mary L. Shreve Milner, of Block Island, RI.

She is predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Ralph H. Virts (September 8, 2016); Betty V. Michael Gibbons (1921-2012); Alice Michael Shreve (1922-2002); M. Roselind Michael Free (1924-2002), and Daniel and Helen Michael (1928); one nephew R. Parker Free (1947-2015); and a son-in-law, Walter E. Offutt (1943-1988).

A celebration of Florence's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, Brunswick, MD. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made in Florence's name to the New Hope United Methodist Church, 7 South Maryland Avenue, Brunswick, MD 21716.

The family would like to thank the wonderful friends and neighbors who have been involved in the care of Florence and Ralph Virts over the past several years, especially John and Delores Axline, and Ashley and Blake Myers. Also, a conveyance of gratitude to the Ballenger Creek Rehab Center for the outstanding care that was bestowed upon Florence and Ralph Virts. Finally, a note of gratitude to Hospice at Frederick Memorial Hospital for the skilled care given to Florence.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stauffer Funeral Home, Brunswick and Stauffer Crematory, Inc. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.