Gettysburg Times, April 24, 1996

DEATHS
LEO B. TOPPER, SR.

Leo Bernard Topper, Sr., 77 of Federal Avenue, Emmitsburg. Md., died Monday, at his home.

Born Feb. 26, 1919 in McSherrystown, he was the son of the late Ray and Stella A. (Wolfe) Topper. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna Mae (Gelwicks) Topper, who died April 14, 1996. They had been married 55 years.

He was also a member of the St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, Holy Name Society, and served as a church usher.

He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Brute Council 1860, Emmitsburg.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a mason by trade until his retirement in 1986.

He is survived by two sons, Philip Topper Sr., of Emmitsburg and Leo B. (Jack) Topper, Jr., of Emmitsburg; seven grandchildren; a granddaughter-in-law; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Inez Gunn of Delanco, N.J., and Faine Rodgers of Emmitsburg; and a number of nieces and nephews…

Church: St. Joseph’s, Emmitsburg.

Interment: New St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions Frederick County Hospice or Church.

Gettysburg Times, April 16, 1996

ANNA MAE TOPPER

Anna Mae (Gelwicks) Topper, 78, of Federal Avenue, Emmitsburg, Md., died Sunday at her home.

Topper was born on May 18, 1917, in Emmitsburg, the daughter of the late James A. and Mary Spaulding Gelwicks.

She is survived by her husband Leo B. Topper, Sr. of Emmitsburg.

Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a charter member of the Auxiliary BFW Post 6658.

She was employed as a cook at Seton Center in Emmitsburg for 15 years and at Freeman Shoe Co. for 10 years.

In addition to her husband, Topper is survived by two sons: Philip Topper Sr. and wife Therese; and Leo B. (Jack) and wife Mary, all of Emmitsburg.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a grand-daughter-in-law, Rachel Topper of Emmitsburg.

Topper was predeceased by a brother, Bud Gelwicks and a grandson, Chad Topper.

She is also survived by a sister Mary H. (Peck) Shields of Emmitsburg.

Funeral services will be held Thursday with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic in Emmitsburg at 11 a.m. with here pastor Alfred R. Pehrson as celebrant.

Interment will be in the New St, Joseph’s Church in Emmitsburg.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Skiles Funeral Home where a Christian wake service will be held at 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Frederick County, 1730 North Market St., Frederick, Md. 21701 or St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box M, Emmitsburg, Md. 21727.

Gettysburg Times, January 3, 1994

Chad Anthony Topper, 25, of West Main Street, Emmitsburg, died Sunday, Jan. 2, as a result of an automobile accident in Adams County.

He was the husband of Rachel Jenkins Topper of Emmitsburg.

Born October 13, 1968 in Gettysburg, he was the son of Philip Topper, Sr. and Therese Wivell Topper.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by one son Andrew Philip Topper of Emmitsburg; four brothers and sisters, Philip D. Topper, Jr. and wife Norrice of Middletown, Md., Richard M. Topper and wife Anne of Frederick, Md., Keith J. Topper of Emmitsburg and Trina M.M. Topper of Emmitsburg, a niece; and paternal grandparents, Mr. Leo Topper, Sr. and wife Anna Mae of Emmitsburg.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, with the family meeting at the Skiles Funeral Home in Emmitsburg at 9:30 a.m. to go to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with his pastor, Rev. Father Alfred R. Pehrson, as celebrant. Interment will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Emmitsburg.

Friends may call…

WILLIAM LAWRENCE TOPPER, 81, of East Main Street, Emmitsburg, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, in Gettysburg Hospital.

Born Jan. 1, 1922, in Emmitsburg, he was the son of the late Robert and Ethel (Humerick) Topper.

Mr. Topper served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Mr. Topper retired as grocery manager for A&P Tea Co. in Frederick, where he had worked for 43 years.

Mr. Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg.

He was a member of the Francis X. Elder American Legion Post 121, VFW Post 6658 and Knights of Columbus Brute Council 1860, all of Emmitsburg. He also was a member of Emmitsburg Ambulance Co.

Mr. Topper is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carmen Elizabeth (Austin) Topper; one daughter, Cheryl Paugh of Falling Waters, W.Va.; two sons, Nevin Topper of Thurmont and Kevin Topper of Fort Worth, Texas; one sister, Kathleen A. Shorb of Emmitsburg; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas L. and Sharon Topper; one sister, Dorothy Stoner; and a brother, Rodger Topper.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, by Pastor William O’Brien. Burial will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, where Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m.

Mr. William Topper

Mr. William L. Topper, 81, of East Main Street, Emmitsburg, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Gettysburg (Pa.) Hospital. He was the husband of Carmen Elizabeth Austin Topper, his wife of 57 years. Born Jan. 1, 1922, in Emmitsburg, he was a son of the late Robert and Ethel Humerick Topper.

He retired from A&P Tea Co. after 43 years of service as a grocery manager. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg. He was a member of American Legion, Francis X. Elder Post 121, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6658, and Knights of Columbus Brute Council 1860, all of Emmitsburg, and the Emmitsburg Ambulance Co.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Nevin Topper, and Kevin Topper; one daughter, Cheryl Paugh; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Kathleen A. Shorb. He was preceded in death by son, Thomas L. Topper and his wife Sharon; one sister, Dorothy Stoner; and one brother, Rodger Topper.

Funeral services were held Sept. 8, with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg. The Rev. William O’Brien officiated. Interment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Gettysburg Times, May 20, 1996

JAMES L. TOPPER, JR.

Military funeral services for James Lewis Topper, Jr., 79, of Sykesville, Md. who died Friday, May 17 at his home were held Wednesday, May 22 with a Mass of Christian Burial at St, Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with his pastor the Rev. Alfred R. Pehrson as the principal celebrant. Interment was in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

The following nephews served as pallbearers Tony Topper, Pat Topper, Mike Topper, Joe Topper, Stephen Topper, Douglas Topper, and Richard Topper.

The honor guard was by the following members of the American Legion Francis X. Elder Post 121 of Emmitsburg; James Pryor III, Thomas Shorb, William Widner, Mark Zurgable, Douglas Adams, John Sutton, Michael Orndorff, Ronald Rosensteel, Edward Pryor, Paul Sutton, Austin Umbel, Thomas Topper, Robert Dinterman, Tom Humerick, Ben Newton, George Lenz and Forrest Knipple.

Funeral arrangements were handled by the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg.

James L. Topper, Jr.

On May 17th, 1996 of Sykesville, formerly of Emmitsburg, beloved husband of the late Adele Myers Topper, devoted father of Mary Margaret Dehart of Sykesville, loving grandfather of Rachel E. Dehart and Michael J. Dehart of Sykesville, dear brother of Gertrude T. Roberts and Curtis D. Topper, both of Thurmont, MD.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at 11 AM from St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM on Tuesday, May 21st at the Sliles Funeral Home, 210 West Main Street, Emmitsburg, where a Christian Wake Service at 8 PM.

The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, May 22, 1996

James L. Topper Jr. 79, construction manager James L. Topper Jr., a decorated Army veteran and retired construction project manager from Emmitsburg, died Friday at his daughter’s home in Sykesville of complications from prostate cancer. He was 79.

Mr. Topper was born in Emmitsburg and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College High School in 1935.

He worked on his father’s farm before enlisting in the Army in 1941 during World War II. He spent most of the next four years in campaigns in North Africa and Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals.

After the war, he was a construction superintendent for Frank F. Favazza and Son and retired as projects manager in 1978.

After the 1987 death of his wife, the former Adele Myers, he returned to work, overseeing construction of Frederick Medical Center.

He was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, where he recently volunteered to manage construction of the church’s parish hall and where services will be held at 11 a.m. today.

He also was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Sons of the American Revolution.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Dehart; and two grandchildren.

Gettysburg Times, June 30, 1980

JAMES LEWIS TOPPER

James Lewis Topper, 75, of 121 DePaul St. Emmitsburg, died this morning at his home.

He was born Emmitsburg and was a lifelong resident there. He was the son of the late John D. and Annie Zurgable Topper.

Surviving are his wife Agnes Wivell Topper; eight children, Mrs. Marie Sellman of Hanover, Mrs. Dorothy Standbach of Baltimore, Mrs. Bonnie Lingg of Emmitsburg, Mrs. Jean Orndorff of Baltimore, Raymond L. Topper of California, Mrs. Diane Papini of Rockville, Md., James P. Topper of Fairmont, W. Va., Mrs. Pamela Cool of Indiana; 19 grandchildren; sister, Mrs. Alice Cool of Emmitsburg.

Mr. Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg; and the Eagles Lodge of Gettysburg.

Funeral services will be held Thursday meeting at the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg at 10:30 a.m. to go to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev, Francis X. Quinn, celebrant. Interment will be in the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Friends may call Wednesday evening at the Skiles Funeral Home with the rosary to be recited 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of other memorials contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Gettysburg Times, Friday, September 14, 1979

DANIEL CHARLES TOPPER

Daniel Charles Topper, 79, 326 E. Main St., Emmitsburg, died suddenly this morning at Annie Warner Hospital after being stricken at home with a heart attack.

Mr. Topper was born in Emmitsburg, where he was a lifelong resident. He was the son of the late Jacob L. and Addie Wagaman Topper. Survivors are his wife, the former Anne N. Adelsberger Topper, and three children, Mrs. Virginia Ridenour, Emmitsburg; Joseph Lawrence Topper, Fort Devons, Mass.; and Mrs. Danielle White, Emmitsburg. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and one sister Mrs. Alice Wood, Sykesville, Md.

Mr. Topper was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, Knights of Columbus, Emmitsburg; and the VFW of Emmitsburg. He also served as a baker for 40 years at St. Joseph’s Central House, Emmitsburg, before his retirement.

Funeral services will be Sunday at the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, at 1:30 p.m. to go to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Carl J. Fries, as celebrant. Burial will be in the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Friends may call…

Gettysburg Times, October 22, 1992

Anne N. Adelsberger Topper

Funeral services for Anne N. Adelsberger Topper, 84, of Emmitsburg, Md., who died Sunday, Oct. 18. at the Michael Manor Nursing Home in Gettysburg, were held Wednesday, Oct. 21, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, with her pastor, the Rev. Father Alfred R. Pehrson, as celebrant. Interment was in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Emmitsburg…

Frederick Post, Thursday, January 12, 1995

MRS. JULIA FITZGERALD

Mrs. Julia Fitzgerald, 94, of Old Emmitsburg Road, died Tuesday, Jan.10, at Gettysburg Hospital, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Fitzgerald, on Oct. 8, 1987.

Born Oct. 17, 1900. in Adams County, PA, she was a daughter of the late J. Lewis and Margaret E. Florence Topper.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, the DAR Antietam Chapter and United Ostomy Association.

Survivors include five daughters, Mary J. “Peg” Arcidiacono and husband Thomas of Hagerstown, Elizabeth F. “Betty” Garner and husband William of Emmitsburg. A. Jeanne “Jane” Virbal and husband Paul of Delmont, Pa., Josephine O’Rourke and husband Edward of Augusta, Ga., and Patricia M. Rocks and husband Hugh of Berwyn, Pa.,; one son, James E. “Jef” Fitzgerald and wife Beverly of Emmitsburg; 36 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; one sister, Gertrude T. Roberts of Thurmont, and James L. Topper of Emmitsburg.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was preceded in death by a son, Richard F Fitzgerald; a daughter, Dorothy M. Coleman and a brother, Steward Topper.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, with the family meeting at the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg at 11 a.m. to go to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Her pastor the Rev. Father Alfred R. Pehrson, will be the celebrant. Interment will be in the New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

Friends may call…

News, Frederick, Maryland, October 4, 1977

MRS. ALICE M. TOPPER

Mrs. Alice M. Stanbaugh Topper, 67, Rt. 2, Emmitsburg, died Monday, Oct. 3, at the Annie M. Warner Hospital, Gettysburg, Pa. She was a daughter of the late Howard and Rosie Knott Stambaugh.

Surviving are her husband, Stewart J. Topper, one son, Delmar F. Topper, Spokane, Wash.; two grandchildren; nine brothers and sisters, Bessie Welty, Hanover, Pa.; Maude Baumgardner, Taneytown; Dewey Stanbaugh, Taneytown; Goldie Crum, Frederick; Bruce Stanbaugh, Frederick; Sam Stanbaugh, Taneytown; Jim Stanbaugh, Albert Stanbaugh, and Bill Stanbaugh, all of Thurmont.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, meeting at the Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, at 9:30 a.m. to go to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Harry T. Kuhn as the celebrant. Interment will be in the new St. Joseph Cemetery, Emmitsburg. Friends may…

Gettysburg Times, February 9, 1998

Thomas L. Topper

A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Lawrence Topper, 45, of East Main Street, Emmitsburg, Md., who died Tuesday, February 3. in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. was held Saturday, Feb. 7. in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, with the Rev. Frank Kilchme, pastor emeritus of Vigilant Hose Company, as principal celebrant. Interment with full emergency service honors was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Emmitsburg.

Pallbearers were Nevin Topper, Kevin Topper, Donnie Paugh, Cecil Ridenour, Todd Crum. Robert Myers, Mike Myers and Mike Dabber.

Honorary pallbearers were Jack Hoke, Kevin Tomaya, Terry Shook, Rick Himes, Dennis Wenner, Frank Davis, Mark Zurgable and Bill Weidber.

Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg was in charge of arrangements.

Frederick News, Frederick, Maryland

Mrs. Sharon Topper

Mrs. Sharon Ann Danner Topper, 43 of East Main Street, Emmitsburg, died Thursday, May 13 at Johns Hopkins Bay View, Baltimore.

She was the wife of Thomas Lawrence Topper, who died Feb. 3, 1998.

Born Nov. 4, 1955, in Gettysburg, Pa., she was a daughter of George L. Jr. and Nancy R. Gerken Danner of Emmitsburg.

Mrs. Topper was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg.

She graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Emmitsburg, in 1973, and Mount St. Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, in 1977.

Mrs. Topper was assistant to the dean of undergraduate studies at Mount St. Mary’s College.

She was member of Vigilant Hose Co. Auxiliary, Emmitsburg; Ladies if Brute Council 1860, Emmitsburg; Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and a cheerleader coach.

Surviving in addition to her parents are two children, Alison A. and Lindsay A. Topper, both of Emmitsburg; one brother, Mike Danner of Emmitsburg; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William L. and Carmen E. Topper of Emmitsburg; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Skiles Funeral Home, Emmitsburg, where a Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 17, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Emmitsburg. Her pastor, the Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, was the principal celebrant.

Interment will be in New St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Topper Children Educational Fund. c o Farmers & Mechanics National Bank, Emmitsburg Office, Center Square, P. O. Box 279, Emmitsburg, Md. 21727.

The Emmitsburg Chronicle, February 14, 1969

TOPPER SERVICES HELD

Funeral services were held from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Friday morning at 10 o’clock for Carroll “Chick” Topper, 50, 221 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, who died Tuesday, Feb. 4. Rev. John F. King officiated and burial was made in the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Military rites were in charge of the Francis X. Elder Post 121, American Legion.

The pallbearers were Francis Brewer, Francis Hemler, Sterling Goulden, Joseph Stahley, Curtis Topper and William Weidner.

The guard of honor, color bearers and firing squad were Thomas C. Harbaugh, commander; Edgar Wastler, Eugene Todgers, Charles B. Harner, Andrew Shorb, William Strickhouser, Allen Davis, Joseph Rodgers, Earl Topper and Curtis Topper.

Emmitsburg Dispatch

Mr. Donald Topper, Sr.

Mr. Donald Francis Topper, Sr., 76, of Federal Avenue, Emmitsburg, died Saturday, June 29, at St. Catherine’s Nursing Center, Emmitsburg. He was the husband of Mary R. Miller Topper.

Born April 20, 1926, in McSherrystown, PA, Mr. Topper was a son of the late James Ray and Stella Wolf Topper. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, American Legion Francis X. Elder Post 121, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6658, and Knights of Columbus Brute Council 1860, all of Emmitsburg. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army infantry. He worked all of his life as a stone mason.

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Sherry Teresa Cain and husband Brendan of Hyattsville, MD, Maria Louise Topper of Emmitsburg, Donald Francis Topper Jr. and wife Diane of Glen Burnie, MD, and Gary Patrick Topper and wife Ruth of Gettysburg, PA; six grandchildren, Ciaran Cain, Timothy Cain, and Mary Catherine Cain, all of Hyattsville, and Seth Patrick Topper, Rachel Topper and Joshua F. Topper, all of Gettysburg; and two sisters, Inez Elizabeth Gunn of Delanco, N.J., and Faine Marie Rodgers of Emmitsburg.

Mr. Topper’s four brothers, Carroll C. Topper, Leo B. Topper Sr., and Raymond Mark Topper and A. Walter Topper had died previously.

Friends recited the rosary on July 1 at Skiles Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 2 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg. Interment was in the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Emmitsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 108 Byte Drive, Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702.