Sheridan Edward Reaver, Sr.

Sheridan Edward (Ed) Reaver, Sr. passed away peacefully at home from colon cancer on March 3, 2024.

Ed was predeceased by his son, Christopher Reaver, his grandson, Eliot Kelly, his parents, (Sheridan and Helen), 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

He is survived by his loving wife (his high school sweetheart), Helen J (Wivell) of almost 65 years; his children; Janet (Carmel Kelly), Sheridan Edward, Jr (Anne), Matt (Anne), Greg (Tina), Mary Anne (David Shields), Chris’ wife, Mandi, Laura (Ron Dillman), Vince (Cathy), Brian (Susan); 25 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren (2 more on the way); his sisters, Judy Ashcroft and  Kate Brown, sister-in-law, Marlene Reaver, as well as numerous in laws, nieces and nephews.

Ed grew up in Keymar, Md. and attended St Joseph Catholic grade school, Taneytown, and St Joseph High School, Emmitsburg.

His places of employment were Cambridge Rubber Co, Taneytown, Md., then he became a sewing machine mechanic (the best around), working for Sagner’s of Frederick, Md, Waynesboro Knitting Co, Waynesboro, Pa, and Hartz and Co Textiles, Frederick, Md, as well as Eastalco.

He retired from Hartz and Co in 1986 and fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own custom cabinet business for 20 years, which he proudly named Reaver’s Woodworking. His son, Brian, continues to operate the business today.

Ed was a lifelong Catholic with an unwavering faith in God. He was a long-time parishioner of St Anthony’s Shrine. He served on the maintenance committee for many years at St. Anthony’s and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, bowling, playing pool, horseshoes, fishing, playing softball on The Country Cousins team, playing cards with his good friends, The Kreitzs, Snyders, and Pues, as well as his sister, Kate, nieces Vicki and Pam and her husband, Scott, and visiting local casinos. He was a founding father of the annual Wivell camping trip to Savage, Md. which is in its 40+ years.

Ed enjoyed making rosaries, crosses, and other religious items. He also invested in a rock tumbler and, among other items, made each of his granddaughters a necklace and grandsons a key chain. He picked the rocks from his very long driveway where his grandkids spent many, many hours playing together.

His grandkids will always remember “Pappy” for Pappy’s gum box, weekly grandkids day in the summer, molasses bread, sweet, iced tea, and the smell of his Old Spice cologne.

Ed’s favorite TV channel was Fox News. The channel was never turned off unless he was listening to the Grand Ole Opry channel or watching the Orioles or Ravens. The sound of his TV blaring will be greatly missed by all who come to the house now.

One of his most treasured memories was when he and Helen received Holy Communion from Pope St John Paul II during his papal visit to Baltimore, Md.

Ed always spoke fondly of his childhood friends: Roy Chapman, Jimmy Hemler, Herbie Klein, and Freddy Sherman. In later years, he enjoyed the many visits from his good friend, David (Curley) Umbel.

Ed was a self-taught “Jack of all Trades”. He mastered everything he set out to do. Dad was a perfectionist, many times remaking a cabinet even though no one would notice the small defect. He would always say, “I know it isn’t perfect”.

Ed instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong love of family, a devout faith, and a strong work ethic.

His passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him!

The family will receive friends for time of visitation on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Saint Anthony Shrine, 16150 St. Anthony Rd., Emmitsburg, MD 21727, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 9th at 11 a.m. at St Anthony Shine. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mother Seton School tuition assistance fund or St Anthony Shrine, both of Emmitsburg, MD.