Wallace Lee Ridenour

Wallace Lee Ridenour, 69, Hagerstown, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, after a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer at Meritus Medical Center of Hagerstown.

Burn July 10, 1943, in Washington County, Md., he was the son of Emory Wallace Ridenour of Hagerstown, and the late Ivy May Reed Ridenour.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Mertz Ridenour, whom he married, May 18, 1963. They were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next month, May 18.

He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

He graduated from Clear Spring High School in the class of 1961, having served as committee chair for their 25th and 50th graduation reunions. He owned and operated Allsafe Fire Equipment, Inc., Allsafe Fire Trucks, and Halfway Self Storage, retiring in 2002.

Lee was a member of many organizations. He was a member of King Magic Ring 94, serving as president, treasurer and historian, as well as performer and collector of magic. He was a life member of IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was a member of Fountain Head Country Club and Beaver Creek Country Club, playing with the MISGA groups at both facilities and also a charter member of the U.S.G.A. Lee and his wife were part-time residents of Cedar Hammock Golf & Country Club in Naples, Florida. He was a member of AARP.

He was a life member of the Volunteer Fire Co. Halfway, MD., Inc.; president of the Washington Co. Emergency Air Unit 25 and member of the Washington Co. Fire & Rescue Assoc. He was past exalter ruler of Hagerstown Elks Lodge #378 Officer of the Year, 2006-07; member and trustee of the MD, DE, DC Elks Assoc., having previously served as treasurer. He is an associated member of the Elks Lodges in Frederick and Westminster, MD.

Lee was a member of the Boonsboro Redmen and since 1980 was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. With his interest in coins, we was a past officer of the Interstate Coin Club and Waynesboro Coin Club and life member of the American Numismatic Assoc. He was a long-time member of the Waynesboro Eagles Club, Inc. and SAL of the Morris Frock Legion #42.

He was a life member of both the North American Rod & Gun Club and the Western Md. Sportsmen's Club. Lee had an interest in shooting sporting clays and belonged to Hill Country at Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.

With an interest in flying, he obtained his private pilot's training under the direction of Tim Bricker, former resident of Hagerstown. He is a member of AOPA and a partner with Falcon Air. Lee enjoyed driving "fast" cars. He completed the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was an avid fan of Jack Nicklaus and the late Micky Mantle.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ivy M. Reed Ridenour.

In addition to his father and wife, he also is survived by his brother, Dennis M. Ridenour and wife JoEllen of Hagerstown and nephew, Christopher Ridenour of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Funeral services will be conducted at Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 10:00am with Pastor Clark Carr officiating. Pallbearers will be members of the Washington Co. Emergency Air Unit 25. Honorary pall bears will be the Past Exalter Rulers of Hagerstown Elks Lodge #378. King Magic Ring will present the "broken wand" ceremony during the service. Hagerstown Elks Lodge #378 will also provide a memorial service.

Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Sunday, April 14, from 2-4 and 6-8pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, Air Conditioning Project, 720 Church St., Hagerstown, MD 21740; or MD, DE, DC Elks Camp Barrett, P.O. Box 258, Crownsville, MD 21032.

The family wishes to thank Drs. McCormack, Waheed, Roza, Wineberg and ALL the staff of wing 5 East at the Meritus Hospital for the excellent care given to Lee during his brief illness.