S. Gaither Obituary

Sylvia Louise Gaither, age, 98, of Unionville, died on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Heartfields Assisted Living, Frederick.

Born on June 24, 1926, in Mt. Airy, she was the daughter of the late Charles J. and Ethel Cooper Martin. She was the beloved wife of the late John D. Gaither III. The couple was married on August 17, 1946, and shared 63 years of marriage before his passing in 2009.

Louise or Weezer, as she was affectionately known, attended Liberty High School before leaving to contribute to World War II efforts by working at Glenn L. Martin in Baltimore. A dedicated and hardworking woman, she later became a devoted farm wife, working alongside her husband on the Gaither family farm. She also served her community by driving a school bus for Frederick County Public Schools and working as a substitute postmaster at the Unionville Post Office. In her retirement years she and John spent their winters in Melbourne, Florida.

An active member of her community, Louise was a member of Linganore United Methodist Church and Linganore Grange #410. She was also a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Plymouth Chapter 41 of Union Bridge. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, and, most of all, spending time with her cherished family.

Louise had been a resident of Heartfields Assisted Living since October 2023.

Surviving are her children, Joan LaClair and husband Donald of Summerfield, FL, Susan Turner and husband Kenneth of Henrico, NC, Gary Gaither and wife Carolyn of Unionville and David Gaither and wife Vicky of Cedar City, UT; grandchildren, Jennifer Newman, Michael Gaither, Candice Reaver, Scott and Eric LaClair; great-grandchildren, Joann, Anthony and Jordan Gaither, Rosie and Josh Gaither, Hunter and Jaxon Reaver and Gabriel LaClair; sister, Betty Young of Unionville; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by sons, John D. IV and Michael Richard Gaither; and grandson, John P. Gaither.

A special thank you to the staff at Heartfields Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care during her time there.

A visitation will be held at Hartzler Funeral Home-Liberytown, 11802 Liberty Rd., Frederick on Wednesday, May 14 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be on Thursday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor William Carpenter will officiate. Interment will follow in Linganore Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Linganore United Methodist Church, 8919 Clemsonville Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791 or Linganore Grange, 13639 Unionville Rd., Mt. Airy, MD 21771.

Leave a message or memory on her "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. S. Louise Gaither