Wilbert Bennett McLaughlin Sr., 82

CRUMPTON, Md. - Wilbert Bennett McLaughlin Sr. of Crumpton, Md. died June 15, 2007, in his home. He was 82.

He was born in Centreville, Md,. on April 18, 1925, the son of the late William Henry McLaughlin and Emma Emory Warner and raised by his grandparents, the late George "Ed" and Frances McLaughlin.

Mr. McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Battle of the Bulge with the Rail Splitters and was later honorably discharged.

He married Anna Mae Griffith on May 23, 1946; they resided in Baltimore, where he drove a truck with Koester Bread Co. and later Schmidt Bread Co. from which he retired in 1991.

He then went to work with Terminal Corp. from 1995 until 2002.

He retired again and soon moved to their weekend home in Crumpton.

Mr. McLaughlin was a member of the American Legion and the Rail Splitters Society.

He enjoyed working and spending time with his family, also crabbing in his younger days.

He was a devoted and well-loved husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 20, 2006; and three siblings, Elmer McLaughlin, Kenneth McLaughlin, and Sylvia Hartman.

He is survived by three sons, Wilbert McLaughlin Jr. of Virginia, Warren McLaughlin Sr. of Baltimore, and George McLaughlin Sr. of Chestertown, Md.; a stepson, Joseph Thomas of Ridgley, Md.; three daughters, Josephine Thompson of Johnson City, Tenn., Bonny Burr of Crumpton, Md., and Wendy Seekford of W.Va.; two sisters, Ethel Sisk of Easton, Md. and Loretta Blizzard of Texas; 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, Md., where relatives and friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Monday.

Interment will be in Crumpton Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Crumpton Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 68, Crumpton, MD 21628.