Maurice Blosser Obituary

Maurice Otis Blosser, 79, of Winchester, died Sunday, July 6, 2003 at his home following a brief illness.

Mr. Blosser was born on February 6, 1924 in Winchester, the son of Ray Allen Blosser and Mamie Catherine Triplett Blosser. He was a 1942 Handley High School graduate and served in the U.S. Army, 88th Infantry Divison. A World War II veteran, Mr. Blosser served in Italy and Africa and was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

He returned to Winchester following the war and was employed by Winchester Electric Service for over 50 years.

Mr. Blosser was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the VFW, having been awarded a 50 year pin. He was a member of the Winchester Shrine Club and the Scottish Rite. He had a deep passion for raising money for the benefit of the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. He was a life long member of First Christian Church, where he served as an Elder and trustee.

Mr. Blosser is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, the former Bernice Louise Ritter. Also surviving, are two daughters, Marsha Barley and her husband, Dale of Winchester and Martha Rich of Orange Park, Florida; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Kimble Barley of Winchester, Laura Brooke Rich and Kathryn K. Rich, both of Orange Park, Florida, step-grandson, Brad Barley of Annapolis, Maryland; and two step- great grandchildren, Cameron and Madison Barley of Baltimore, Maryland; and two sisters, Helen Feltner and Sandra Hill, both of Winchester. He is preceded in death by a son-in-law, Major William B. Rich, USMC.

The family will receive friends at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel on Wednesday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. A Masonic funeral service will be held Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.M.

A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with the Reverend James N. Ritter, cousin of the deceased’s wife, and the Reverend Alan Gray, minister of First Christian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post 2123.

Pallbearers will be Robert “Snuffy” Taylor, Carl Napps, William Cline, John David Cline, Gilbert Sellner, Steve Rosenberger, Walter Aikens and William Lee Whitacre.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Norton C. Shull, Jr., Howard Owen Shull, James Gibson Shull, Handley High Class of ’42, members of the Winchester Hiram Lodge #21 and members of the Winchester Shrine Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children Philadelphia, 3551 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140-4131 and to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.