Melvin Custer

Melvin R. Custer, Sr., 87, of Swanton died on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, WV. Born on March 7, 1930, in Swanton, he was the son of the late Heyward S. and Effie B. (Friend) Custer. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean War. Melvin had worked for the former Westvaco Paper Mill in Luke, had been a realtor for Friend Realty, was the "Map Man" at the Garrett County Courthouse and, most importantly, was a farmer. He was a member of the American Legion Post #71 in Oakland and the Farm Bureau. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eileen Maxine (Fitzwater) Custer; five children, David Custer of Grantsville, Ralph Custer of Boise, ID, Glen Custer of Swanton, Norma Sisler of Oakland, and Melvin Custer, Jr. of Swanton; grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Amber, Michael, Brandon and Amy Custer, Cameron and Nathan Sisler, and Melanie and Megan Custer; nine great grandchildren; brothers, Hubert Custer and wife Mae of Oakland, Dale Custer and wife Marie of Oakland, Leo Custer and wife Janet of Oakland, Roger Custer of Keyser, WV, and Clarence Custer and wife JoAnn of Oakland; sisters, Mary Custer Bishop and husband Franklin of Mt. Airy, and Shirley Custer Bernard and husband Thomas of Oakland; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Custer Steyer and husband Samuel and Phyllis Custer Knepp and husband Benjamin; and a sister in law, Mary Custer. Friends will be received at the C & S FREDLOCK FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland on Friday, January 5th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, January 6th at 11 AM. Interment will follow in the Garrett County Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be accorded by the US Army and the combined honor guard of the American Legion Post #71 and Deer Park VFW Post #10077.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.