Mary Ellen Bohrer

Mary Ellen (Hixon) Bohrer, Hagerstown, MD., went to her eternal home on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Sunday, January 11, 1925, at the Hixon family farm near Hancock, MD. She was the daughter of the late Elmer T. Hixon, Sr., and Mary R. (Kellner) Hixon.

She was educated at Tonoloway Elementary School, west of Hancock, and graduated from Hancock High School in 1942. She also attended Hagerstown Business College.

She was employed by Potomac Edison Company, Hancock, MD., as a secretary/clerk until her marriage to Mervin E. Bohrer, Sr. in November 1949. At that time, Potomac Edison didn’t allow married women to work. She then sought employment with Rauth Motors in Hancock.  After raising her family, she became employed with The Hancock Bank, the Peoples National Bank, and eventually retired from Sovran Bank.

She was a member of the Hancock United Methodist Church, where she served as pianist for many years. She was previously a member and pianist of Catalpa Methodist Church for 43 years.

Mary Ellen was a charter member of The Hancock Lioness Club, where she served as chairman of the funnel cake committee.

She loved crocheting afghans, spending countless hours doing this labor of love. She also crocheted countless dish cloths for church fundraisers.

She enjoyed working in her yard and flower beds. While she was raising her family, she spent countless hours sewing, gardening (even driving the Farmall tractor), canning and freezing food. She was known to take care of a few groundhogs and snakes when necessary.

She loved to play Scrabble.

She is survived by three daughters, Nancy E. “Cookie” Shaw Zirkle, Needmore, PA., Mary E. Farris, Hagerstown, MD., and Kay A. “Buster” Nave (Troy), Elizabethton, TN; one son, Mervin E. “Jimmy” Bohrer, Jr. (Karen) Norfolk, VA.; ten grandchildren, Douglas G. Shaw, Jr., Leon W. Zirkle, William “BJ” Zirkle, Gregory W. Zirkle, Rhoda K. Farris Carroll, Ryan K. Farris, Rhonda K. Farris Ensor, A. Dane Bohrer, Kara A. Bohrer, and Faith A. Bohrer; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy E. Ayres, Montgomery, TX; one brother, Lowell T. “Buzzy” Hixon (Linda), Hancock, MD.; numerous nieces and nephews; and one very special nephew, Wayne H. Hixon (Shirley), who was raised as a brother to Mary Ellen.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mervin E. “Jim” Bohrer, Sr. (1994); a daughter, Anne Denise “Neecie” Bohrer (2013); three sisters, Lois A. Wolford, Ruth M. Bivens, and infant Evelyn Mae Hixon; five brothers, Elmer T. “Boogs” Hixon, Jr., Walter D. “Bits” Hixon, Joseph D. “Joe” Hixon, Davis R. “Tater” Hixon, and Gail K. Hixon.

A special thanks to niece Donna Hixon Young for her faithful visits and support.  Also, a special thanks goes to Fahrney-Keedy Senior Living Community of Boonsboro, MD., for the loving and excellent care they gave her and to Hospice of Washington County, which has been a blessing.

Graveside services will be held at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park (Garden of Time), Hagerstown, MD, on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 11:00 am.  Rev. Darryl Zoller will be the officiating pastor.

There will be no viewing or visitation.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary Ellen’s memory to Fahrney-Keedy Senior Living Community, 8507 Mapleview RD., Boonsboro, MD 21713 or to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grove Funeral Home, 141 West Main St., Hancock, MD 21750. Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.grovefh.com.