Stanley Branner Getz

Stanley Branner Getz was born in Edinburg, Va., on October 18, 1927, the son of Mark B. Getz and Hattie Branner Getz. He passed away on January 19, 2013, at the age of 85. Known from childhood to many friends as ""Ching"", Stanley grew up in Edinburg and married Ellen Wagniere Saum, also of Edinburg, on December 3, 1950. They were married for 57 years until her passing in March 2008. Stanley received a B.S. degree in physics from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., and taught at Edinburg High School for a few years prior to his military service in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from the service, he was employed by the National Bank of Woodstock (now the Bank of America, Woodstock, Va.) where he worked for the following 39 years, serving as the Branch Manager for many of those years. Following his retirement, he spent several years participating in community activities and working in his wood shop, making furniture for his children and each of his eight grandchildren. His final active years were devoted to the care of his wife, Ellen, due to her illness. Throughout his life, community service was extremely important to Stanley. He served two terms on the Edinburg Town Council, was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Shenandoah County Memorial Hospital, was a member of American Legion Post 199 (Woodstock, Va.), and also served on the Board of Directors for the Edinburg Heritage Foundation. He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Edinburg and later the Edinburg Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Of particular note was his lifetime membership with the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Company. Stanley joined the fire company at the age of 15, beginning a relationship that continued until his final days. As an active member of the fire company, Stanley served as Fire Chief for many years and later as Treasurer. He served as an active responder to fire calls for 50 years. Stanley is survived by two children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. They include a son, Stanley Branner Getz, Jr., a daughter, Susan Saum Getz Billett, and her husband, Jeffrey D. Billett. His grandchildren are Kelly Getz Weed, Jamie Getz Kelly, Kevin Getz, Stanley B. Getz III, Emma Getz, Patrick Billett, and Asya Billett. His three great-grandchildren are Riley Weed, Addison Weed, and Hayley Getz. Family will receive friends at Dellinger's Funeral Home, Woodstock, Va., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 25. A short graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Cedarwood Cemetery, Edinburg, Va., on Saturday, January 26. The family invites friends to join them at the Edinburg Fire Hall for an informal reception in honor of Stanley after the service. For those unable to attend the graveside service due to possible inclement weather, the fire hall reception will commence at approximately 11:30 a.m. It was Stanley's wish that donations be made to the Edinburg Volunteer Fire Company in lieu of flowers.

Stanley Branner Getz

January 22, 2013