Johnson Funeral Service

Emerson Samuel Fike, 96, of Bridgewater, VA, entered into the more immediate presence of Jesus on April 12, 2024. He was born in Easton, MD - the son of the late Albert Jacob Fike and Sallie (Weaver) Fike Myer. Emerson grew up on the family's fruit orchard. He received the call to ministry at the age of 18 from the Peach Blossom Church of the Brethren. He attended Bridgewater College, Manchester College, and Bethany Training School (now Bethany Seminary). He received his ordination at age 21 and was elected as an Elder in the Church of the Brethren at age 25. Emerson served congregations in Maryland, Indiana, and Virginia in both the free and paid pastoral ministry. He helped to develop...

Larry Scott "Scotty" Burtner of Bunker Hill Farms, Mount Solon, died November 13, 2021 at age 73. He was born in Harrisonburg, VA on February 13, 1948, a son of the late Wilma Elizabeth (Craun) and Edward Carl Burtner. On December 16, 1978, he was united in marriage to Patricia (Padi) Kelley, who survives. He was a farmer, managing an operation with turkeys, cattle, sheep and hogs. He was affiliated with Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, Inc., the VA Simmental Association, Virginia Cattlemen Association, Virginia Sheep Producers and the Augusta County Wool Pool. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Mount Solon. Beside agriculture, his interests included...

<u>Margaret</u> <u>Schmidt</u> <u>Garner</u> , 93 Oct 29, 1926 - Jan 5, 2020 Margaret Schmidt Garner, age 93, of Bridgewater, Virginia, passed away peacefully January 5, 2020 at her home. Born October 29, 1926, in Altamont, Maryland, the daughter of William Henry and Dora Steiding Schmidt, she was third in a family of six daughters. Following graduation from Oakland High School, Oakland, Maryland, in 1943, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Bridgewater College in 1946. On June 15, 1947, Margaret married Rev. Glenn S. Garner, who predeceased her on October 15, 2016 after celebrating 69 years together. She continued her education at Bethany Seminary in...

Louise Watson died on December 20 at the age of 100. She was the consummate Southern lady, keeping her smile, disposition, grace, and courage despite the ravages of 15 years living with Alzheimers. Since the death of her husband, Bill, she lived with marvelous nursing care by the staff of the Gardner House and Joy House in the Bridgewater Retirement Community. Louise Watson was born in Wadesboro, N.C., on June 1, 1919. She lived her early life in Deep Creek, N.C., a small community where her father was a wealthy farmer and store owner. He was crushed economically by the depression following 1929 and died tragically shortly thereafter, interrupting the education of his middle daughter,...