Madeline "Madge" Moats

Madeline B. "Madge" (Nethken) Moats, of Hagerstown, Md., passed away peacefully at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, on Sunday evening April 13, 2014.

Born May 20, 1929 in Oakland, Md., she was the daughter of  the late Nelson A. and Mollie Grace (Bolyard) Nethken. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Moats Jr.

Madeline was a graduate of Oakland High School in Oakland Md.  As a young woman, she worked at Helbig's Jewelry Store, Naylor's Hardware and several other local businesses in Oakland. She also participated in bond drives and making blankets and gloves for soldiers during World War II. It was at this time, she met her husband Marshall.  On September 17, 1949, they were married in a double wedding ceremony she shared with her sister, Wilda and Bernard Gonder.

Madeline and Marshall moved to Washington Monument State Park where as a park ranger's wife, she served as the unofficial host to the many guests of the park, always available to provide anything needed and mostly wearing her warm, beautiful smile.

She attended Boonsboro Bible Church and was an active member of the community. She was a Sunday school teacher, a PTA member, a Band Booster and loved to sing, garden and spend time with her family.

Madeline is survived by five children, Richard K. Moats of Annandale, Va., Kenneth R. Moats of Boonsboro, Md., Michael D. Moats of Clear Spring, Md., Sharon Moats Salamone and  husband Scott of Sharpsburg, Md., Timothy B. Moats and Jennifer Smircina of Clear Spring; two sisters, Mabel E. Riley of Oakland, Md., and Margaret L. Wilson of Swanton, Md.; eight grandchildren, Joshua A. Moats, Carrie A. Clemons and husband Jeremy, Kristen N. Rosenberg and husband Robert, Andrew Morgan, Justin M. Moats, Jeffrey M. Moats, Jeremy M. Moats, and Madeline R. Moats; three step grandchildren, Scott G. Salamone, Jr.and his fiancée Heather Moore, Scott D. Salamone and wife Kelly and Robin Smircina; 3 great-grandchildren, Aden A. Witmer, Nathan A. Rosenberg, and Coral A. Clemons; and two step great-grandchildren, Alexis M. Salamone and Haylee R. Salamone.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Wilda E. Gonder, as well as two infant brothers.

A funeral ceremony in celebration of Madeline's life journey will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.  Rev. Stephanie A. Steele will officiate.  Final resting place ceremonies will follow at the Boonsboro Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2014 at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are requested for the purpose of funding a memorial bench in memory of Madge and her husband at the Washington Monument State Park.  Checks may be issued to Kristen Rosenberg, c/o Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, Maryland, 21713.