Michael Stearn Sites, 74

Michael Stearn Sites, 74, of Upper Tract passed away from this life Friday, April 22, 2005, at his residence in Upper Tract.

Mr. Sites was born Christmas Day, 1930, in Harrisonburg, VA, and was a son of the late Joseph E. Sites, Sr., and Olivia Stearn Sites. 

He was a beloved husband, father and brother with a wonderful laugh and a strong shoulder to depend on. 

He graduated from Franklin High School in 1948 and attended Potomac State College.  He served in the army for three years during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.

After taking over from his father in 1965, he ran his family farm in Upper Tract and Onego.  He was Conservation Farmer of the Year in the early 1970s.  

He was a member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Upper Tract and later became a member of the Franklin Presbyterian church.  He served on the Pendleton County Planning Commission for a number of years and was active in the Republican Party. 

He was interested in aviation and earned a private pilot's license.  He read widely and loved tosspend his vacations at historical sites, army truck shows and air shows.  

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Mowery Sites; two daughters, Melissa Sites and husband Ian Blackwell Rogers of Greenbelt, MD, and Michelle Sites of Harrisonburg, VA; one grandson, Jamie Rogers-Sites of Greenbelt MD, two older brothers, Joseph E. Sites Jr. of Petersburg and James W. Sites of Harrisonburg, VA; three sisters, Patricia Niswander of Monterey, VA, Sheila Garrick of Melbourne, FL, and Diana Alt of Rockville, MD; and a great number of much-loved nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Olivia Delena. 

Dr. Richard O. Young presided over the memorial service which was held Tuesday at the Franklin Presbyterian Church 

Memorials donations may be made to Mountain Hospice, Pendleton County rescue squads or the Franklin Presbyterian Church. 

Arrangements were by Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin.  

Paul J. Helmick, 72

Paul Junior Helmick, 72, of Harrisonburg, VA, died Wednesday , April 20, 2005, at his home. 

Mr. Helmick was born May 23, 1932, in Augusta County, VA, and was a son of the late Ezra Philip and Mary Marshall Helmick.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and retired from David A. Reed & Sons as a heavy equipment operator.  

On Dec. 4, 1954, he married Helen Lee Furr, who preceded him in death Oct. 3, 1977.  

Survivors include a son, Paul Joseph Helmick of Harrisonburg, VA; two daughters, Sara Cochran and Connie Strickler, both of Harrisonburg, VA; two brothers, Russell Helmick of Staunton, VA, and Toby Helmick of Stuarts Draft, VA; two sisters, Joanne Simmons of Brandwyine and Betty McCumbers of Revenna, OH; and six grandchildren. 

A graveside service was held Monday at the Augusta Memorial Park in Fishersville, VA, and the Rev. Wayne Wright officiating.  

Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, VA, was in charge of funeral arrangements.  

Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.

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2001, Janet Cooper

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