Margaret Shifler

Margaret Palmer (Pond) Shifler, 56, of Boonsboro, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2010 in Osaka, Japan while traveling with her husband.

Born on August 27, 1954 in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Robert B. and Mary "Dolly" Wright Pond.

She was a 1973 graduate of Westminster High School.

On October 2, 1976 she married David Shifler.

Margaret was an active member of the Benevola United Methodist Church in Boonsboro.  She served on numerous church committees, the New Creation Choir and was the lay representative for the Baltimore-Washington United Methodist Conference.

She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #89 in Hagerstown.  Throughout her 38 years of membership, she served in many capacities including Past Matron.

Margaret was an employee of the Washington County Public Schools and worked as a lunch aide at the Boonsboro Elementary School for 15 years.  Known as the "lunchlady", she loved working with the students.

She is survived by her husband of 34 years, David Shifler; her two daughters, Elizabeth Wolfensberger of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and Rebecca Powell of Evans, Colorado; her son, Andrew Shifler of Boonsboro; and her granddaughter, Malena Powell of Evans, Colorado.  She was the youngest in a family of six and is survived by her siblings, Robert Pond, Jr. of Towson, Maryland, Mary Jo Winter of New Windsor, Maryland, Bertie Pond, William Pond and Edward Pond, all of Westminster, as well as her uncle, Earl Odell and her aunt Peggy Wright Odell of Virginia.  She had 19 nieces and nephews, 9 great-nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her aunts, uncles, a niece and a great-nephew.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the Benevola United Methodist Church, 19925 Benevola Church Road, Boonsboro.  Rev. John H. Dean will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro.  The family will be available to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorial Donations may be made in honor of Margaret Shifler to the Benevola United Methodist Church, 19925 Benevola Church Road, Boonsboro, Maryland, 21713.