Edna Simpler

Edna Hazel "Shorty" Simpler of Millington died Monday, December 25, 2006, in Chester River Hospital, Chestertown. She was 85. Mrs. Simpler was born January 5, 1921, in Cliff City near Chestertown, daughter of the late John W. and Carrie Scheeler Dickerson. She was a lifelong resident of Millington. She entered into vertical contracting with John Truslow''s Hatchery for egg production and produced milk for Breyer''s Creamery. She worked on the family farm and maintained several rental properties for many years. She worked as an evening cook for Bud Hubbard''s Restaurant, Chestertown for about 13 years. In the 1970s, she purchased the Unicorn Store, Millington and the Massey General Store, Massey. Known by most as "Shorty", she introduced the first Crème Freeze to the Millington and Massey areas. She pursued her interests after retiring in the 1980s, including attending Veterans of Foreign War dances and playing bingo and cards with her many friends. She loved flowers and spent many hours working in her flower gardens. Always known for sharing a smile, she also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Simpler was an active supporter of 4-H clubs, school activities, Sudlersville Future Farmers of America Chapter and church youth groups. She was also an active member in the Millington American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Crumpton United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Arthur Simpler. She is survived by four sons, William A. "Sonny" Simpler Jr. of Millington, Kenneth R. Simpler of Millington, Gary A. Simpler of Chestertown and David A. Simpler of Elkton; two sisters, Edith Ryan of Grasonville and Flora Whitleley of Arizona; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 370 W. Cypress St., Millington, where friends may call two hours earlier. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in Chester Cemetery, Chestertown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Crumpton Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 68, Crumpton, MD 21628; or the Crumpton Senior Center, P.O. Box 58, Crumpton, MD 21628.