BECKNER, Frank J.
Frank Jay Blackner, Jr., 84, of Troutville, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2017 in Fort Hood, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Margaret Blackner; parents, Frank, Sr. and Frances Blackner; brothers, Bob, Ed, Jim, Chuck, Bee, Jerry, and Gene Blackner; sister, Blanche.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Valarie and Jack Johnson of Fort Hood, Texas; Joyce and James Tate of Troutville; son, Leroy Blackner of West Virginia; sister, Dorothy; grandchildren, Christina and Nichole Tate, Faith McGrath, Sierra-Anne Johnson, Layne Cook, Jacob and Evelyn Johnson, Dorothy and Aaron Hawk, Kayla, Esther, and Abagail Blackner; great-grandchildren, Hailey McGrath and Skyler Tate.
Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, February 10, in Mill Creek Cemetery with Pastor Leroy Blackner officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 9, in the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com.
CALDWELL, F. Porter
Fontaine Porter Caldwell, 81, of Fincastle, died Friday, February 3, 2017 at Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Porter was born in Fincastle May 6, 1935 and lived in the area all his life. He was the son of the late Fountain P. and Myrtle A. Taylor Caldwell.
Porter was a coppersmith and owned Caldwell Mountain Copper. He was a former president of the Fincastle Fire Department and was a member of Fincastle Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, Porter was preceded in death by his sister, Myrtle Aleen Caldwell. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Faye Owen Caldwell; and dear friends, Becky Switzer and the Dallas Muncey family of Botetourt.
A celebration of Porter’s life will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 11 at Rader Funeral Home, Daleville with the Rev. Dr. Roy Thomas and the Rev. John Fox officiating. A private burial will be in Godwin Cemetery. His family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Porter’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3959 Electric Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.rader-funeralhome.com.
FLAHERTY, Robert C.
Dr. Robert C. Flaherty peacefully joined his family and the Lord on Friday, January 27, 2017 at his home in Easton, Md.
The youngest of seven brothers and sisters, Bob was born on August 18, 1923 in the small, southwestern Virginia town of Eagle Rock. His parents were Nelson V. and Avis Deisher Flaherty.
After attending Eagle Rock High School, Bob moved on to VPI (now Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg in 1940. With a keen interest in animals and agriculture, Bob became a cadet at VPI and a student in their Veterinary School. In 1942 Bob attended the University of Pennsylvania and received his degree in Veterinary Medicine. After college in 1947, Bob had a brief stint at a small-animal clinic in Towson, Md. He soon headed across the Bay on the ferry to Easton, Md. in 1948 where he began his large-animal practice. At that time and through the 1960s most farmers had dairy cows. They still remember that “Doc” would come day or night if he was needed to help a sick cow or horse.
In 1970 Bob decided to follow a life-long dream to see other parts of the world. He accepted a new role as a veterinarian with the USDA. This allowed Bob to travel to places like Bulgaria, Romania, Israel, Australia and to spend an extended period in New Zealand. Throughout these years his children were also able to travel with him from time to time.
After Bob’s retirement he returned to his home in Easton, Md., and lived out his happiest days by working in his garden and attending to his fruit trees and property on Peachblossom Creek.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father; as well as his brothers, Earl and Tom; and sisters, Janet, Jane, Florence and Ruth; as well as two very special friends, Arthur A. “Pete” Covey and Irvin Schwanninger.
He is survived by his former wife, Janet D. Flaherty of Bethesda, Md.; his sons, R. Kevin Flaherty and his wife Tess of Dallas, Texas, and Stephen C. Flaherty, and his wife Lee Ann of Crisfield, Md.; daughters, Gail F. Scott of Annapolis, Md., and Cynthia F. Julyan, and her husband Mark of Easton, Md.; along with his grandchildren, Courtney J. Flaherty, K. Brooks and wife Paige Flaherty, and Charles L. Scott.
A small family memorial celebration of Bob’s life will be held on February 18 in Eagle Rock.
The family requests that donations in his honor be made to: Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, Md. 21601, or to the Eagle Rock United Methodist Church, 14565 Church Street, Eagle Rock, 24085. For online tributes, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.
