Luther E. Horine, Jr.

Luther E. Horine Jr., 68, of Walkersville, died on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Patricia (Krzysko) Horine.

Born on January 16, 1940 in Frederick, he was the son of the late Luther and Louise (Saylor) Horine.

Mr. Horine was a life member of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department and served in the Maryland National Guard. He was also a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Walkersville. He enjoyed farming and raising beef cattle as a hobby.

Luther was a graduate of Walkersville High School and continued his education at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1963 with a major in Forestry. He was employed by the Frederick County Health Department in the Environmental Health division and retired after 35 years of service. He was also co-owner of the family business, T.R. Saylor Hardware Store in Walkersville.

Luther will always be remembered for his greatest passion - fireworks. He began his pyrotechnic career while working with his father for Zambelli Fireworks Internationale and remained with the company for 54 years. His spectacular fireworks displays have entertained many throughout the years.

Over the years, Luther took great pride in his Fourth of July and New Year's Eve pyrotechnic shows in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and showed that same pride in providing smaller shows such as the Walkersville Volunteer Fireman's Carnival.

Luther has received various awards including most recently the 2008 Associate of the Year award by the Maryland Association of Agricultural Fairs and Shows, Inc. And a certificate of recognition from the City of Baltimore by Mayor Sheila Dixon.

Surviving besides his spouse are three children, Gretchen Horine Smith and husband Brian of Thurmont, Luke Horine of Frederick, and Heidi Horine of Frederick; two granddaughters, Samantha and Mackenzie Smith; and one sister, Lois Poffenbarger of Thurmont; two cousins, Anne (Lovell) Sebastyan of Illinois, and John Lovell of Jefferson; three nephews, William Poffenbarger Jr. Of Middletown, Neel Poffenbarger of Myersville, and Matthew Poffenbarger of Lewistown.

Visitation: See above information

Services: Friends may call on Monday December 22, from 3-5 & 7-9pm at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick and on Tuesday December 23 from 10:00am until time of Funeral Services at 11:00am at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 19 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville. The Reverend Mark L. Foucart will officiate. Interment will follow in Glade Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 19 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville, MD 21793.