| Graduation Year | Class of 1947 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 07, 2020 |
| About | Harry Edward “Ed” VanFossen, 89, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Ravenwood Nursing Care Center, Hagerstown, MD. He was born August 5, 1930, in Frederick, MD, to the late William E. and Beulah M.(Morgan) VanFossen. He graduated from Walkersville High School in 1947 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948 before turning 18. After Boot Camp in Parris Island, SC, he worked in Supply rising from Private through Tech Sergeant. He received a “Mustang” promotion to 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to Engineers, Supply, and the Office of the Inspector General. He was assigned to east and west coast bases, Okinawa, Hawaii, Vietnam, and HQ Marine Corps. He retired as a Major in 1968. He and his wife raised their four daughters at his many assignments and their fondest memories have always been of their years with the Marine Corps. After retirement, he worked with Good Year Tire and Howard County Public Works while living in Poplar Springs, MD. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed making custom clubs. He and his daughter Dale raised and showed livestock while she was in 4-H. Later, he and his wife moved to Berkeley Springs, WV and Cumberland, MD before they moved to Ravenwood Assisted Living, Hagerstown, MD in 2019. He was a member of the Masons, American Legion, and Eastern Star. He is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Helen Chermaine (Eyler) VanFossen; three daughters, Denise Hanna her husband, Ed, of Cumberland,MD, Drusilla Sealing her husband, Don, of Sykesville, MD, and Donna Kay VanFossen of Hanover, PA; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, one sister, and his daughter, Dale VanFossen. Family and friends are welcome to a viewing on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 11:00am - 12:00pm and a short funeral service beginning at 12:00pm followed by a U.S. Marine Corps military funeral ceremony at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, MD. Interment will take place on a later date at Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery, Flintstone, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ed’s name to the Marine Corps Museum, 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Triangle, VA 22172. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Harry VanFossen, please visit our Tribute Store. |
