Ralph Virts

Ralph Hume Virts, 91, of near Brunswick, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the Ballenger Creek Center, Frederick, MD. He was the loving husband of Florence S. (Michael) Virts for 68 years.

Born on July 9, 1925 near Pt. of Rock on the family farm, he was the third son of late Emory L. and Bertha Mae (Cutsail) Virts.

Ralph farmed at several locations throughout his farming career and retired, in 1967, from farming on a farm he and his wife purchased outside of Brunswick. He then worked for the Frederick Trading Company until his retirement. He was an avid gardener and love the Baltimore Orioles and watching horse races on TV. In the early 1960’s, Mr. Virts was one of the first beef farmers in the Frederick County area to breed and raise Charolais cattle, which are of French origin.

He was a past member of the Petersville Ruritan Club and the New Hope Methodist Church, Brunswick.

In addition to his wife, Ralph is survived by his children, F. Jean 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 Charles Town, WV, Jessie L. Virts Burdick and husband, Paul, of Kearneysville, WV, and Erin Jean Virts of Charles Town, WV; great grandsons, Joseph & Daniel Brennan, Benjamin and Cameron Burdick; nephew, Roland L. Virts and niece, Bonnie Virts Miller, both of Frederick; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and cousins in the Frederick area.

He was predeceased, in addition to his parents, by three brothers, Leon J. Virts (1922-1959), Robert F. Virts (1923-1984), and Emory E. Virts (1927 - 1928); son-in-law, Walter E. Offutt (1943-1988); and nephew, Marvin Lee Virts (1948-2014). He was the last of his immediate family.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the Ballenger Creek Center for their wonderful care and guidance through this very difficult time, as well as the many friends and neighbors who have gone out of their way to help.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1100 North Maple Avenue, Brunswick with Rev. Katie Bishop and Rev. William Carpenter officiating.

The family will receive friends Friday one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the New Hope United Methodist Church of Greater Brunswick, 7 S. Maryland Avenue, Brunswick, MD 21716.

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