Edwin Ryle Armacost, age 96, died Tuesday February 26, 2013 at his home in Finksburg. He was born June 7, 1916 in Finksburg, son of the late John Daniel and Lillian Constantine Armacost. He was the husband of Annabelle Madry Armacost, his wife of 68 years.He was a 1935 graduate of Westminster High School. After graduation he worked on the family farm. In 1939, he joined the Maryland National Guard. When World War II broke out, Edwin’s Guard Unit, the 29th Division, went to Fort Meade where they entered the regular Army. From there he was deployed to Death Valley, CA, then to Louisiana for swamp maneuvers, then to Texas for war maneuvers. He then entered the 11th Armored Division where he served for 2 years. From there it was off to Kentucky for gunnery training. He concluded his military service at Fort Benning, GA as a participant in Officer Training School. Edwin received an Honorable Discharge when WW II ended and returned to his home in Maryland. Edwin was a self employed homebuilder and owner of Edwin R. Armacost General Contractors. Following retirement, he and his wife travelled extensively throughout the world. He enjoyed the company of his best buddy, Patches his dog.
He was the builder of the first solar home in Carroll County and built many homes, churches and doctor’s offices in the area.
He was a lifetime member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Finksburg and served as Sunday School Superintendent and choir member over the years. He was the first president of Carroll County Homebuilders, first president of Carroll County Beekeepers Association and life member of Carroll County Farm Museum.
He was a member of the Board of Carroll Hospital Center and also served on the Board of Directors for Union National Bank.
He was a Boy Scout leader, member American Legion Post #31 in Westminster, the Masonic Lodge and PTA President Sandymount School. He was one of the first 5 members of the Roaring Run Lions Club. He was a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor.
In addition to his wife he is survived by children, Nanci Armacost Crock of Finksburg, Mary Anne Conover and companion, Habern Freeman of Port Deposit, Daphne Dukehart and husband, Kevin of Westminster, Dan Armacost and wife, Mary of Finksburg and Jason Armacost and fiance’, Patty MacArthur of Seaford, DE; grandchildren, Adam Crock and wife, Amanda Cobb of Cincinnati, OH, Sean Dukehart and fiance’, Jessica Brunst of Westminster, Tyler Crock of Finksburg, Sybil Alfano and husband, Mike of Myrtle Beach, SC, Meredith Buell of Westminster, Laurel Nalepa and husband, Ryan of Westminster, Christian Neonakis of Owings Mills, Logan Dukehart of College Park, Emily Armacost of Salt Lake City, Utah and Nathan Armacost of Finksburg,
great grandchildren, Olivia Asbury, Alexa Reed and Everett Nalepa; sister-in-law, Doris Armacost of Westminster; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son, Edwin R. Armacost II and siblings, Claude, Charles, Willard and George Armacost, Virginia Shreeve, Glova Kay, Gertrude Smith, Helen McIver and Lillian Moores as well as 5 siblings who died in infancy.
A funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Sunday March 3, 2013 at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3006 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg with Rev. Dr. Wm. Louis Piel officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis Street, Westminster.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3006 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD 21048 or Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.
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