Geraldine Biddinger

Mrs. Geraldine Estelle "Jerry" Biddinger, 80, knocked on heaven's door many times during her extended illness of 12 years and on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007 the Lord opened his arms to welcome her. Mrs. Biddinger passed peacefully at the Glade Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Walkersville where she made her home for the past ten years.

She was the wife of Earl D. "Tootie" Biddinger, her roommate at Glade Valley and her husband of 61 years. Born August 18, 1927 in Frederick, she was the daughter of the late William R. Sr. and Bertha Stup Mount.

Mrs. Biddinger graduated from Frederick High School in 1944 and upon graduation she accepted employment at Ft. Detrick in the admininstrative field until she became a farmer's wife, working side by side with her husband in the dairy farming business which spanned more than 50 years. She and her family were honored by the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Association with the "Biddinger Family 50 Years of Farming Service" award.

Mrs. Biddinger provided a loving home environment for many children from the Frederick County Chapter of the Children's Aid Society. She and her husband were awarded the "Governor's Citation," signed by former governor J. Millard Tawes, in appreciation of their outstanding services to the children of Maryland.

She was also employed by Montgomery Wards for 11 years in the catalog department. Mrs. Biddinger was a very caring person who was loved by all whom she touched. She was the backbone that held her family together and she opened her heart and home to all.

She hosted many parties, picnics and gatherings for family and friends. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and friend.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Glenda J. Lepore and husband, Ray, Judy E. Saylor and husband, Michael Alan, all of Johnsville; a son, Garry D. Biddinger, of Walkersville; grandchildren, Marcia Markuski and husband, Paul, of New Market; Brian Saylor and wife, Sandy, of Johnsville; Michael Auldridge and wife, Melissa, of Shepherdstown, W.Va.; Melinda Wells and husband, Keith, of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; Michelle Stine and husband, Mark, of Boonsboro; Jennifer Beneteau and husband, Daniel, of Southgate, Mich.; Michael Tomlin and fianc_e, Leanne, of Hagerstown; Brandon Saylor and wife, Karen, of Frederick; great-grandchildren, Jordan Sheehan, Tiffney Markuski, Brittany, Zachary, and Jacob Saylor; Lindsey, Asher, Luke, Mikayla and Micah Stine; Trent and Tori Wells; Lauren Beneteau; one brother, Herbert Mount and wife, Elvira, of Rocky Mount, N.C.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Mount, of Linthicum Heights; Janet Fogle, of Frederick; Donald and Anna Mae Biddinger, Barbara Schell and special friend, Jerry, all of Jefferson; many nieces, nephews and cousins and her very special life-long friend, Shirley Lakel, of Frederick.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William R. Mount Jr.; mother-and father-in-law, Earl R. and Mildred Biddinger; and brothers-in-law, Edward Fogle and Ray Schell.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 404 S. Main St., Woodsboro, with Rev. Jerry Kline, pastor of Libertytown United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Pallbearers will be son, Garry Biddinger; grandsons, Brian and Brandon Saylor; Michael Auldridge, Michael Tomlin, Paul Markuski, Mark Stine and Daniel Beneteau. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26 at the funeral home.

Mrs. Biddinger's family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Glade Valley and Dr. Alan Gilson for all of their dedicated support and loving care provided during her ten-year residency at their facility.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.hartzlerfuneralhome. com.

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