Gettysburg Times, July 6, 1971

RALPH I. TOPPER

Funeral Services were held this morning for Ralph I. Topper, 66, who died at his home, Fairfield, R.1, Saturday evening at 6 o’clock.

He was a lifelong resident of Adams County and a son of the late William J. and Anna Mary (Walters) Topper. He had been employed in the orchards of Quinn Topper for many years.

Surviving are three brothers: W. Earl Topper and Clair S. Topper, both of Fairfield R. 2 and Donald V. Topper, Emmitsburg, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg.
Following meeting at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, this morning a requiem Mass was said in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with Rev Fr. John King officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg. Pallbearers were Curtis Topper, Quinn Topper, Charles Troxell, Theodore Cavacos, Harold Scott, and Jacob Baker.

Frederick Post, January 23, 1979

MR. WILLIAM EARL TOPPER

Funeral services for Mr. William Earl Topper, 71, R. 2, Fairfield, Pa who died Thursday, Jan, 18,at his home, were held Monday Jan 22, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg. The Rev. Father Harry T. Kuhn served as celebrant. Bearers were members of the Francis X. Elder American Legion Post 121 and VFW POST 6658, both of Emmitsburg: P.C. Sutton, Francis Little, Joseph Stahley, Thomas Sayler, Allen Bouey and James Pryor III. Legion Post 121 also served as honor guard: Charles B. Harner, Roy T. Harner, Andrew T. Shorb, Herbert Click, T. Eugene Rodgers, Robert Dinterman, Michael A. Orndorff and Robert L. Troxell. The firing squad was supplied troop command from Fort Ritchie and the bugler from Fort Meade. Interment was in new St. Joseph’s Cemetery…

Gettysburg Times, June 17, 1980

CLAIR S. TOPPER

Clair Sylvester Topper, 66, of the Odd Fellows Home in Frederick for the last year and previously a resident of Liberty Twp. in Adams County, died Monday at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

He was the son of William J. and Anna Mary Walter Topper. He was born in Liberty Township and resided there all his life.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Emmitsburg.

Surviving are one brother, Donald V. Topper of Emmitsburg and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, meeting at the Skiles Funeral Home in Emmitsburg at 9:30 a.m. to go to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday evening at the funeral home where the Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m.

Gettysburg Times, June 20, 1980

TOPPER FUNERAL

Funeral services for Clair Sylvester Topper, 66, who died June 16 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital were held Thursday at St. Joseph’s Church, Emmitsburg.

Pallbearers were Allen Bouey, Allen C. Sanders, Francis L. Little, William L. Topper, Thomas F. Saylor and Emmit D. Eyler.

Arrangements were made by the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg.

Gettysburg Times, May 25, 1970

RETIRED MAIL CARRIER DIES

Robert Lawrence Topper, 78, husband of Ethel (Rodgers) Topper, died at his home, 205 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Saturday evening at 7:04 o’clock.

A native of Emmitsburg, he was a son of the late Jacob L. and Addie (Wagerman [sic]) Topper, and had carried mail out of Emmitsburg for 38 years before retiring.

In addition to his wife he is survived by four children: C. Rodgers Topper, Mt. Airy, Md., and Mrs. Dorothy M. Stoner, Mrs. Kathleen Shorb and William L. Topper, all of Emmitsburg; 12 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and four brothers and sisters: Frank Topper and Daniel Topper, both of Emmitsburg; Mrs. Ruth Eckenrode, Hanover, and Mrs. Alice Wood, Baltimore.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, of the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning meeting at the Wilson Funeral Home, Emmitsburg at 9:30 o’clock to go to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for the requiem Mass at 10 o’clock at which the Rev. Fr. John King will be celebrant. Interment will be in new St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Friends may visit…

Gettysburg Times, May 27, 1970

TOPPER SERVICES HELD

Funeral services for Robert Lawrence Topper, 78, 205 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, who died Saturday evening were held this morning, meeting at the Wilson Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, for a requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10 o’clock. Rev. John King was the celebrant and burial was in the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were Harold Davis, Paul Keepers, Gerald Ryder, Eugene Rosensteel, Robert Myers and John E. Chrismer.

News, Frederick, Maryland, November 1, 1973

DEATHS
MR. FRANK S. TOPPER

Mr. Frank Samuel Topper, 78, of Mt. View Road, Emmitsburg, died Nov. 1, at his residence. He was the son of Jacob S. and Addie W. Wagerman Topper. Mr. Topper was engaged in the insurance business for a number of years in the Emmitsburg area. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Emmitsburg, the Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree Knight and was a veteran of WWI when he served in the Army.

Surviving besides his wife, Mrs. Shirley Fay Goss Topper, are one daughter, Miss Patricia Alice Topper, at home three sons, Frank S. Topper Jr., Elmhurst, N.J., John E. Topper, Houston, Tex, Michael A. Topper, Champaign, Ill., eight grandchildren, one brother Daniel Topper, Emmitsburg and one sister, Mrs. Alice Woods.

Friends may call…
Interment—new St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Gettysburg Times, Thursday, July 2, 1998

SHIRLEY F. TOPPER

Shirley Fay Topper, 90, of Mountain View Road, Emmitsburg, Md., died Tuesday, June 30, in her home. Born Jan. 5, 1908 in Champaign, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Harry M. and Margaret Mabel Ackerman Goss. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank S. Topper, Sr., in 1972.

Mrs. Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, Md.; Miraculous Medal Society; and the Legion of Mary. She was an instructor of C. C. D. at St. Joseph’s Church and volunteered at the Mount Alto Restoration Center.

She was vice president of P. T. A. and Cub Scout leader in Illinois. She wrote book reviews for the Emmitsburg Chronicle and publicity work for Emmitsburg Historical Society.

Mrs. Topper is survived by one daughter, Patricia Alice Topper of Emmitsburg, one son, Michael Anthony Topper of Prescott Valley, Arizona; 11 grandchildren; and one brother, William H. Goss of Lopez Island, Washington.

She was predeceased by two sons. Frank Samuel Topper, Jr. and John Edward Topper.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with her pastor, the Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, as the celebrant. Interment will be in the New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg. Friends may call…

Gettysburg Times, June 13, 1963

B. CARROLL TOPPER

B. Carroll Topper, 53, manager of the furniture sales of the Sears, Roebuck and Company store in Reading, died Monday at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Guy J. Topper and was a native of Emmitsburg.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Elsie Topper, two son and a daughter all at home; five sisters, Miss Helen Topper, Miss Adele Topper, Miss Leota Topper and Miss Mary Theresa Topper all of Emmitsburg and Mrs. Hilda da Gullo, Onieda, N.Y.; one brother Vincent Topper, Harrisburg, PA

Funeral services will be held Friday in Shillington. Interment will be St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Star and Sentinel, May 4, 1946

GUY JOHN TOPPER

Guy John Topper, 55, died at his home, 28 West Main street, Emmitsburg, Tuesday at 6:30 o’clock from complication of diseases.

He was a son of the late John L. and Ada (Wagaman) Topper. Mr. Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic church, Emmitsburg, the Holy Name society and was financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus, Brute Council 1860.

Surviving are his widow, the former Stella I. Long; two sons, Carol [sic], Frederick, and Vincent, at home; five daughters Mrs. Joseph Gullo, Onieda, N.Y.; Helen, Adele, Leotta and Mary Teresa, all at home; two grandchildren six brothers, Robert, Emmitsburg; Joseph, Philadelphia; Lester, Baltimore; Benjamin, Canal Zone; Frank, Chicago, and Daniel, Emmitsburg; three sisters Mrs. James Arnold, Emmitsburg; Mrs. Edward Eckenrode, Hanover, and Mrs. Garland Wood, Baltimore.

Funeral services from St. Joseph’s church Friday morning at 9 o’clock by the Rev., Francis X. Desmong. Interment in the church cemetery.

Gettysburg Times, October 1, 1962

MRS. TOPPER PASSES AWAY

Mrs. Stella I. Topper, 78, died at her home, 238 West Main St., Emmitsburg, this morning at 2:40 o’clock after an illness of six years. She was the widow of Guy J. Topper who died in April, 1946.

The deceased was a daughter of the late John T. and Adelaide (Weirick) Long. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, the Altar Society and the Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Surviving are seven children, Carroll, Shillington; Mrs. Hilda Gullo, Onieda, N.Y.; Vincent, Harrisburg; Helen, Adela, Leata and Mary Theresa, all at home; 10 grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Elmert Longg, Emmitsburg; Mrs. Anna J. Dougherty, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Mrs. Lillian Propf, Baltimore, and one brother, Robert Long, Littlestown.

Funeral services Thursday at the late home at 9:30 a.m. followed by a solemn high mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 10 o’clock conducted by Rev. Fr. Louis Storms. Interment in the new church cemetery. Friends may call…

Gettysburg Time, Gettysburg, October 5, 1962, p. 4.

BURY MRS. TOPPER

Funeral services for Mrs. Stella I. Topper, 78, widow of Guy J. Topper, who died at her home 28 W, Main St., Emmitsburg, Monday were held from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, Thursday morning. The Rev. Fr. Louis Storm officiated and interment was in the new church cemetery. The pallbearers were: William Topper, Jack Proph, Carl Proph, Francis Adelsberger, Allen Bouey and Francis Arnold.

Gettysburg Times, August 13, 1980

DEATHS
MARY ADELE TOPPER

Mary Adele Topper, 62, a former legal secretary and librarian with the U.S. Army, died Tuesday at her home at 14 Fairview Ave., Frederick, Md.

Born in Emmitsburg, Md., she was a daughter of the late Guy J. and Stella I. Long Topper. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Frederick, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College, Emmitsburg. Prior to her retirement in 1978, Miss Topper was employed by the U.S. Army for 26 years as a legal secretary and post librarian at Fort Detrick, Frederick.

Survivors include a brother Vincent D. Topper, Harrisburg; and four sister, Mrs. Joseph G. Gullo, Onieda, N.Y.; Helen A. Topper, Mary Teresa Topper and Leota G. Topper, all of Frederick.

Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Stauffer Funeral Home, Motter Ave. Ext., Frederick on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The family…

Frederick News, Wednesday, February 28, 1996

MS. HELEN TOPPER

Ms. Helen A. Topper, 81, of Frederick, died Monday, Feb. 27, at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born Dec. 18, 1914 Emmitsburg, she was the daughter of the late Guy J. and Stella I. Long Topper.

Ms. Topper was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick, and a former member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg.

Surviving are three sisters, Hilda M. Gullo of Jamesville, N.Y.. Leota G. Topper and Mary Theresa Topper, both of Frederick; one brother, Vincent D. Topper and wife Mary E. of Harrisburg, Pa; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Ms. Topper also will be remembered by many dear friends.

She was preceded in death Carroll Topper, and a sister, Mary Adele Topper.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, where friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, March1, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick, with the Rev. Wayne G. Funk as celebrant. Interment will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Emmitsburg Area Historical Society

Mr. Donald Topper

Mr. Donald Vincent Topper, 84, of DePaul St., Emmitsburg, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Gettysburg Hospital, Gettysburg, Pa. He was the husband of the late Kathryn Hull Topper.

Born April 5, 1916, in Fairfield, Pa., he was a son of the late William and Mary Walter Topper. He was a machinist for Landis Machine Co., Waynesboro, Pa., and a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg.

Surviving are a daughter, Shirley Scott of Waynesboro; two grandchildren, Karen Scott of Waynesboro and Vincent Scott and wife Kelly of Chambersburg, Pa.; and one great-grandson, Christopher Scott of Chambersburg. Mr. Topper was preceded in death by four brothers, Ralph Topper, Guy Topper, Earl Topper and Clair Topper.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Oct. 26 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with his pastor, the Rev. James O. Kiernan, as celebrant. Interment was in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Carroll County Times, Wednesday, May 9, 2001

Hazel E. Topper
70, of Beaumont, Calif.

Hazel Eva Topper, 70, of Beaumont, Calif., died Tuesday, May 1, 2001, at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning, Calif.

Born June 18, 1930, in Reisterstown, she was the daughter of the late George and Eva C. Sprinkle Glacken.

She was a homemaker for 50 years.

She was a graduate of Emmitsburg High School and attended Hagerstown Secretarial School. She was a member of San Gorgonio Catholic Church.

Surviving are daughters Patricia Topper of Beaumont, Calif., Barbara Starling of Roseboro, N.C., Marianne Federline and Victoria Hansford, both of Hagerstown; sons Charles M. Topper of Westminster, Brian Topper of Beaumont, and Wayne Topper of Hagerstown; sisters Mary Keckner of Corpus Christi, Texas, Margaret Turner of Rio Hondo, Texas and Grace Bentz of Thurmont; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by son Christopher E. Topper.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with the Rev. James O. Kiernan as the celebrant. Interment will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made c/o Patty Topper, P.O. Box 3154, Beaumont, CA 92223.

Funeral arrangements are by Skiles Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg.

Carroll County Times, February 27, 2002

Curtis D. Topper, 88, of Thurmont

Curtis David Topper, 88, of Thurmont, formerly of Emmitsburg, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at Comfort Companion, Taneytown.

Born May 20, 1913, in Zora, Pa., he was the son of the late James Lewis Topper and Margaret Florence Topper. He was the husband of Anna Myers Topper, who died Oct. 4, 1984.

He had served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He had been a carpenter for John H. Hampshire of Baltimore, retiring in 1975.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, and the American Legion, Francis X. Elder Post No. 121, Emmitsburg, where he served as past post commander. He had also served as a past Frederick County American Legion commander.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Brute Council No. 1860, Emmitsburg, and was a past grand knight.

He was a member of Bishop McNamara Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Frederick.

After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking.

Surviving are children Richard C. Topper and M. Dolores Rodgers, both of Westminster, Anthony D. Topper and Joan F. Tracey, both of Emmitsburg, Michael J. Topper of Hagerstown, Patrick A. Topper of Taneytown, Joseph E. Topper of Manchester, Stephen E. Topper of Lancaster, Pa., Douglas J. Topper of Thurmont, and Susan A. Simmons of Roseboro, N.C.; 33 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by sisters Julia A. Fitzgerald and Gertrude E. Roberts and by brothers Stewart and James L. Topper Jr.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with his pastor, the Rev. James O. Kiernan, as celebrant. Interment will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Skiles Funeral Home, 210 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, where there will be a rosary at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carroll Hospice, 95 Carroll St., Westminster, MD 21157.