MIDLOTHIAN — Alvin Pershing Brode, 90, of Midlothian, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Oct. 8, 2009, at the Western Maryland Health System Frostburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frostburg. He was a loving and thoughtful father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. Born Nov. 26, 1918, in Midlothian, he was the son of the late Howard Brode and Rebecca Jane (Barnes) Brode. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Josephine Hunter; a granddaughter, Wendy (Brode) Burgess; and his wife, Erma (Stevenson) Brode, to whom he was lovingly devoted for 65 years of marriage. He attended Beall High School and had a variety of occupations in his lifetime. He began working in a family owned coal mine as a teenager. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1941 and served in the European Theatre during World War II until his discharge in 1945. Mr. Brode worked at C&P Shops as a machinist, at Morton's Chevrolet as a mechanic, served as a Minute Man and helped his father build homes and churches. Alvin was always available to help with waterline projects in Midlothian. When he worked for the Allegany County Roads Department, he drove snow plows, oiled and paved roads, cleared brush and worked as bridge foreman for many years from which he retired in 1980. Alvin was a member of Trinity Assembly of God Church in Midlothian and faithfully served over the years as a deacon, a trustee, a Sunday school teacher, a prayer warrior, an orchestra member playing his banjo, a member of the visitation team, a strong supporter of missions and a Christ-like example for friends, neighbors, co-workers and family. Mr. Brode is survived by two sisters, Lucille Ritchie, Durant, Fla., and Urith Ritchie, Cumberland; one daughter, Fay Stanton and husband Allen, Midlothian; one son, Howard Brode and wife Nancy, Cresaptown; three grandchildren, Trent Stanton Sr., Midlothian, Daniel Brode and wife Eliza, Winchester, Va., and Amanda Groves and husband Ronald, Kingwood, W.Va.; one stepgrandson, Daniel DeGroot, Barry, N.C.; one godchild, Susan Miller and husband Mitch, Shaft. Alvin is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Misty Brode, Chad Burgess, Janice Burgess, Whitney Paugh, Trent Stanton Jr., Harold Fadeley Jr., Wendy Brode and Brianna Brode; one great-great-grandchild, Destiny Brode; and many nieces and nephews. The family of Mr. Brode would like to thank St. Mary's Day Care in Cumberland, HRDC Lonaconing Day Care, WMHS staff at the hospitals and diagnostic centers, Dr. Janjua, Dr. Roque, and especially, the wonderful, caring staff at WMHS Frostburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their expertise, thoughtfulness and kindness over the last five years. Friends will be received at the Durst Funeral Home, P.A., 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at the Trinity Assembly of God Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jimmie Blair officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Frostburg Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded at graveside by the Farrady Post 24 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Mitch Miller, Larry Ritchie, Rodger Ritchie, Daniel Brode, Trent Stanton Sr. and Ralph Murphy. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Assembly of God, PO Box 607, Midlothian, MD 21543. October 08, 2009, Cumberland Times-News