Gail Daube Rysinski, 76, of Glade Hill, VA passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025. She was born in Newark, NJ on February 21, 1949 a daughter of the late William Daube and Margaret Rau Daube. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edward “Bob” Rysinski.

She is survived by her daughter Koren Havens Delpopolo and husband Michael Blackwell; sister, Carol Johnson; grandchildren, Ashley Sweigart, Kristopher Sweigart, Anthony Delpopolo; and great-grandchildren, Jordon Matthew Thurston, Adela Sweigart, Abigal Sweigart, Brody, Sweigart, Carter Delpopolo, and Kayden Delpopolo.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, August 1, 2025 at Burch-Messier Main Street Location, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford with a memorial service to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Roger Alfred Ruff, 80, of Bedford, died Friday, July 25, 2025 at his residence. He was born in Bedford on November 19, 1944 a son of the late Alfred Roosevelt Ruff and Mary Agee Ruff. Roger was retired from the Public Works Department of the City of Bedford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Ella Louise Ruff; his daughter, Susan Marie Nester; a son, Roger Michael Ruff and his brother, Robert Wayne Ruff. He is survived by his daughter, Tammy Sue Biggs; Granddaughter, Brandy Danielle Eckart (Matt); Great-Grandson, Ethan Christopher Biggs; his brothers, Buford Ruff and Johnny Ruff; his sisters, Linda Mayhew and Vickie Prince. As per his wishes he will be cremated and no services. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford.

Mary Marguerite Balsamo, of Bedford, Virginia passed away eight days short of her ninetieth birthday. Mary was born in New York City and was the last child born to Harry and Marguerite Reed. Mary is predeceased in death by eight of her siblings; and her granddaughter, Melissa Balsamo.  Mary is mother to Marguerite, Christopher, Joseph; eleven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Mary had many careers and finally settled on being a real estate agent. Mary was extremely successful in real estate. Thirty-five years ago, she moved to Virginia with her devoted husband Joseph Balsamo. After that Mary pursued her Virginia real estate license and secured it, she then decided not to work ever again and enjoy life.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 30, at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nixon Negparanon celebrating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Resurrection Catholic Church Cemetery.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-5867360.

Edward A. Lostoski, 94, of Smith Mountain Lake, VA passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025 surrounded by family.  

Ed was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 30, 1930 to Anthony and Margaret Lostoski. He married Marjorie Marie Kosak on August 25, 1956 and moved to the Washington, DC area.  Ed worked as a mechanical engineer for the government (Department of the Navy, Atomic Energy Commission, and Department of Energy) and private industry for 40 years before retiring to Smith Mountain Lake in 1996.  A 29-year member of Resurrection Catholic Church, Ed served in multiple volunteer positions.  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, volunteering at Lake Christian Ministries, working jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Marge of 64 years; his parents; and three sisters. 

Ed is survived by his seven children, Diane (Scott) Mlynarczyk, Ken Lostoski, Elaine (Rob) Ziemke, Karen (Fernando) DeUrquidi, Steven (Maria) Lostoski, Denise (Eric) Veater, and Greg (Jenna) Lostoski; sixteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.   

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, August 1, 2025 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121 with Father Peter Mlynarczyk (his grandson) presiding. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am in the church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Lindsey Danielle Agee

Born June 19, 1998, died July 22, 2025

Lindsey Danielle Agee, of Rocky Mount, Virginia, passed away at her home on Tuesday, July 2025. She was her mother’s heart and her daddy’s little girl. She was named in honor of her maternal great-grandparents, the late E.B and Lena Lindsey.

Lindsey was a graduate of Liberty High School. She was a Member of the National Honor Society, and a graduate of the Certified Nursing Assistant Program. She graduated from Central Virginia Community College, where she attended on full scholarship. 

Lindsey wore her heart on her sleeve and went out of her way for anyone she knew. She smiled more in one day than most do in a lifetime.

Lindsey worked at Oak Hill Cap and Gown as a Customer Service Representative Supervisor, where she had colleagues, who were also good friends.

She is survived by her parents, Marty and Kelly Vaughan Agee of Bedford; her partner, Leighton Cope of Rocky Mount; her brother, Corey Agee of Bedford; uncle and aunt, Todd and Vicky Vaughan and their children, Emily Vaughan and C.J Weeks; aunt, Susie Fulton and her children, Chris Fulton and Kim Beazley and their children; uncle Rickie and aunt Kim Agee;  aunt, Lisa Mayberry and her children, Whitney Desmond, Spencer Mays, Chase Mayberry and their children; and her fur children, Josie, Wally and Elvis. 

She was recently preceded in death by her uncle, Robert Fulton.

A private Memorial Service will be held with the Rev. Rick Dellinger officiating. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Bedford County Humane Society.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

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Australia Virginia Orange Fielder, 95, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025. She has now received her angel wings and her crown. She was born on June 6, 1930 a daughter of the late Macon Landon Orange and Alice Orange. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Fielder; beloved son, Stuart L. Fielder; grandson, Brian S. Inge; sisters, Roxie Creasy, Margaret Overstreet, Rebecca Dooley, Juanita Ruff, and Janie Hudson.

She is survived by her two daughters, Pam F. Cyrus and fiancé Sterling Ewers; Janice F. Abbott; grandchildren, Greg Cyrus (Wendy), Kenny Cyrus (Amy), Neil Abbott (Deborah), Erica Whorley (Jonathan), Kelly Gordon (Johnny), Crystal Fielder (Rob); and great-grandchildren, Brooke Cyrus, Scott Cyrus, Ken Cyrus, Abagail Hanson, Jacob Hanson, Brent Abbott, Cameron Bigart, Mikailyn Rommell, Brandon Rommell, Annabelle Whorley, Josephine Whorley, Madeleine Whorley.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford with Rev. Mike Justice officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 12:00 Noon.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

In Loving Memory

Larry William Daugherty
1953 – 2025

We are heartbroken to share the passing of Larry William Daugherty, who entered into eternal rest on Wednesday July 16, 2025 at the age of 71.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1953, Larry was the beloved son of William Shirley Daugherty and Esta Virginia Childers Daugherty, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Tammy Daugherty McKinney.

Larry was honorably discharged from the United States Marines. He was a hard worker working in many roles — owning Chuck’s Market, driving tractor-trailers cross country and later becoming a trusted Uber driver in the Lynchburg area for seven years, safely carrying over 20,000 riders.

He had a passion for life’s simple joys — shooting pool, playing cards with friends, and recalling his younger days of drag racing.

He is survived by his two sisters, Lisa Stevens and Patricia Daugherty, his loving wife of 46 years Janet Bruner Daugherty who remained by his side through life’s every season, where together they built a family rooted in love and strong values; his three children: Bridgette Adkins (Joe), Candice Disney (Joe), and Adam Daugherty (Krystal).

To his grandchildren, he was lovingly known as “Poppa.” He leaves behind nine cherished grandchildren:
Austin Adkins, Carson Adkins, Hutch Kellett, Abraham Kellett, Chase Daugherty, Conner Daugherty, Jaden Smith, Corbin Daugherty, and Cooper Daugherty.

Larry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, faith, and love for his family. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the values he instilled.

Visitation will be held Monday July 21, 2025 12:30-1:30pm at Burch and Messier Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street Bedford with a 2:00pm graveside service with military honors to follow at Virginia Memorial Gardens on 221.

William Leonard Carr

May 22, 1930 – July 15, 2025

William Leonard Carr, 95, went to his heavenly home with his Lord on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Bill was born May 22, 1930 to Charles Leonard and Mabel (Ball) Carr of Port Byron, NY. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Agnes Julia (Dawson) Carr. Also, his sister, Ruth (Dick)Dutcher; sister-in-law, Ruth (Bob) Mills; and brother-in-law, Robert (Doris) Dawson.

He is survived by his children, Sharon (Paul) Schroth of Evington, VA, Katherine (Roger) Stewart of Unadilla, NY and Don (Liza Lamb) Carr of Manlius, NY; eight grandchildren, Tucker Schroth, Marianna Schroth, Tim (Karen) Stewart, Jessica (Bud) Leizear, Jennifer (Brian) Schmoyer, Marc (Lacy) Stewart, Greg (Amaris) Stewart and Evan Carr; eleven great-grandchildren, Joshua and Mitchell Stewart, Johnathan Leizear, Jameson and Silas Schmoyer, Jolene, Lincoln, Michael and Thomas Stewart and Mason and Isabel Stewart. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In 1948, Bill graduated from Port Byron, NY, Central School. He received a BS from Michigan State University and M.Ed. from Cornell University. After graduating from Cornell, he served 2 years as a Lieutenant in the Army.

Bill’s teaching career started in teaching agriculture for 2 years at New Berlin, NY, Central School. He then was a Professor of Agricultural Engineering at Morrisville State College for 33 years. Morrisville College has a scholarship in his name to assist two students each year with their tuition expenses. While teaching at Morrisville he also enjoyed coaching the college ski team that saw success in winning the national championship in 1974 and 1978.

For their retirement years, Bill and Agnes spent winters in Port Charlotte, FL returning to Morrisville, NY for the remainder of the year.

In 2017, they moved to Lynchburg, VA to live in closer proximity to their oldest daughter. Bill said his first love was his wife and family. He recognized the blessing of having a rich and full life.

Bill and Agnes desired to have a joint memorial service for them both in Morrisville, NY. This will take place in October 2025 with more details to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Bill and Agnes’ memory to Old Mentz Heritage Center, PO Box 52, Port Byron, NY 13140.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Polly Howell, 93, of Bedford, died peacefully at home on Monday, July 14, 2025. She was born in Cody, along the Halifax and Pittsylvania County lines, in 1932, the daughter of the late Emerson Monroe Waller and the late Lucy Jones Waller. Named “Sterling Mae” at birth, her father said, “I’ll never call her anything but Polly”. And the name stuck.

She is survived by two children, Rick Howell, of Roanoke and Regina Gail Oliver (Jon) of Forest; two grandchildren, Ryan Howell (Lesa) of Roanoke and Nikolas Oliver (Katy) of Lynchburg; a brother and sister-in-law, Bailey and Phyllis Waller of Lynchburg; two sisters-in-law, Susie Waller of Bedford and Tiny Waller of Lynchburg; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Emmette Alfred Howell, who died in 2020. During Emmette’s long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Polly was a fixture at his bedside in the nursing home where he spent 14 years. She was well known to staff and other residents alike.

In the Bedford County community near Pecks Baptist Church along Va. 43, Polly was beloved and respected as a good neighbor and friend to all. She and Emmette had lived there since 1959.

Before her marriage, she’d worked at the Craddock & Terry shoe factory in Lynchburg. Later, after her children were grown, she spent more than a decade working at Universal Electric in Altavista, retiring in 1995.

Polly was a person of strong Christian faith, something she passed on to her children. She was a lady of warmth, humor, and generosity. She literally leaves friends and admirers too large in number to list.

She loved flowers and gardening, producing a flower garden every year that was truly a sight to behold. The home would be surrounded by every imaginable kind of flower. The colorful picture created was good enough to be on a postcard. Think of Polly next time you see beautiful blooming flowers in in the yard.

Polly loved cats; she had recently had to say goodbye to her beloved yellow longhair, Tig; who was her pet for more than a decade. Her current pets, Cocoa and Mama Kitty, will miss her as much as any person.

Often, we wonder: What is the purpose of life? What must we do to give it meaning. Polly answered those questions in a positive way every day by the kind and considerate way she treated people, whether they be friends or strangers. She will be greatly missed and honored forever by those who loved her. The family would like to express overwhelming gratitude to her neighbors and friends, all of whom kept constant communication and support, especially Glenn, Doug, Chance, Kim, Warren, and Teresa. She loved you all.

Her cremains will be interred beside her husband at Mt. Horeb Methodist Church at a later date to be announced.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

James Francis Spaulding II (Frank)

June 11, 1944 – July 10, 2025

James Francis Spaulding II, lovingly known as Frank, of Bedford, Virginia, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, at the age of 81. Born on June 11, 1944, Frank was raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and was a lifelong servant of his church, community, and the world.

Frank graduated from Essex Catholic High School in Newark, NJ, and went on to attend Newark College of Engineering. A man of deep intellect and commitment, Frank served honorably in the United States Navy for 21 years as a cryptologic technician, including during the Vietnam War, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He later earned degrees from the University of Maryland and the University of Southern California.

A devoted Catholic, Frank lived his life rooted in service, humility, and compassion. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. His sense of moral responsibility led him to a life of helping others, and he gave generously of his time and heart to numerous organizations including Shepherd’s Table, Bedford Christian Ministries, Bedford Memorial Hospital, and the Queen of Peace soup kitchen in Washington, D.C., operated by the Sisters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. He traveled to Haiti and established a partnership between his parish, St. John the Evangelist in Clinton, Maryland and the parish on Petite Cayamete Island. He also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor and mentored individuals recently released from prison, helping them find jobs and rebuild their lives. Most recently, he enjoyed volunteering at the schools in which his children work and his grandchildren attend—Westside and Montvale Elementary Schools.

Frank is survived by his dear wife of 58 years, Anita Zoppi Spaulding; his daughter, Jessica Spaulding Trussell and her husband Mark; his son, Kevin Spaulding and his wife Natalie; and his cherished grandchildren, Marley and Pax Spaulding. He is also survived by his brother John Spaulding and his wife Laura, and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews—all of whom he loved dearly and who loved him in return. His favorite place to enjoy time with his extended family was every summer at the shore in Lavallette, New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard J. Spaulding, Sr. and Loretta Spaulding, and by his brothers, Pete Spaulding and Rick Spaulding.

Frank will be remembered for his wit, his dedication to serving others, and his ability to make everyone he met feel seen and valued. He lived his life as a quiet example of love, empathy, and morality. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched.

The family will receive friends Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Burch-Messier Funeral Home 371 W. Main St. Bedford, VA 24523. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford, VA on Monday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Frank’s beloved Haiti through Projectstarfish.net, in honor of a life lived in selfless service.“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23