Rosella Harman Wiles

Rosella was born on March 13, 1931 in Union Bridge, MD to the late Roland and Viola Steele Harman. She was the third child of four. Rosella graduated from Elmer Wolfe School in 1950. Following her high school graduation, she worked in a local canning factory, and later left Union Bridge for Frederick, MD where she worked at Hood College in the Finance Department, for a short time prior to raising her two sons. Rosella was predeceased by her husband, Ulysses W. Wiles, of 49 years, and by her two older brothers, Roland Monroe Harman, “Moe,” and George Harman and her younger sister LaRue “Polly,” Wetherald, and two sister- in -laws, Ruth Mastrino and Dorothy Wiles. She was also predeceased by two granddaughters, Melissa Ann Wiles and Christina Renee Wilson, and a great grandson, Kobe David.

Rosella was a life long member of the Lutheran Church, beginning at St. James in Union Bridge, and then for almost 70 years, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick, MD. Rosella was a nursery teacher and Sunday School teacher when her children were young. Rosella had such great faith and hope and loved attending her church on Church Street, always at the 8:00 am Sunday Morning Service. She especially loved the church at Christmas and always attended the candlelight, Christmas Eve service, with the beautiful poinsettias, music and message of joy! She also loved the Easter Service and the many Easter Lilies decorating the church.

Rosella retired from the Grocery Store family of the A& P/ Superfresh in 1993 after 30 + years of greeting and meeting so many people in Frederick, and Brunswick, MD and Charles Town, WV.

Rosella leaves to cherish her memories, her two sons, Michael A. Wiles, Myrtle Beach, SC and wife Bridget; and David W. Wiles, and wife Mary Ann, Frederick, MD. Rosella’s greatest joy were all of her grandchildren. She loved having her grandchildren visit and she loved talking to them on the phone! She loved all of her “ grand babies,” as she affectionately called them all, regardless of their age!
Her grandchildren will greatly miss their “Nanny”. She leaves grandson, Zachary. A. Wiles, and Sherry along with her three great grandchildren, Tina and Addison, great granddaughters and Fox, great grandson in Myrtle Beach, SC. She also leaves her granddaughter Amy Wiles and Josh and great grandson Ian, and granddaughter Cathryn Wiles and great grandson Jakobe, in Frederick, MD, and granddaughter Mary Wiles in San Diego, CA. Rosella leaves great granddaughter Brianna Wilson and great grandson, Julian in FL, and great granddaughter Brooke Hoatland and Justin and great-great grandson Noah and great- great- granddaughter Emmy Lane in Myrtle Beach, SC; and great grandson Micah Wilson and Allie and great- great grandson, Oliver in Sneads Ferry, NC.

Rosella also leaves her beloved nieces and nephews, Anita, Barbara, Cheryl, Chrissy, Donna, Helena, George, Kathy, Mary, Sandy, Steven, and great nieces and nephews, Chad, Angie, Carrie, Danny, Alex, Joshua, Leif, Paul, Caroline, Amelia, Ethan, Steven, Eric, Michael and Mark. She was predeceased by nephews, Mick Mastrino, Dwayne Howard and John Howard. She loved all of the family picnics, baking cookies and fruitcakes during the Christmas season.

Rosella read her scripture everyday until this last year, when we read to her. She truly lived as Abraham did with blessings of many, many family members and friends( Genesis 22:17). Lastly we wish to thank all of the staff at Somerford House Assisted Living and Somerford Place Alzheimer’s Care and Hospice and Kline Hospice House for their care with Rosella in the latter part of 2023 and 2024.

Family and friends can gather at Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A., 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701, on Sunday February 25, 2024 from 2pm to 5pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday February 26, 2024 at Evangelical Lutheran Church,  31 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701, at 11am. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

Donations to your favorite charity or to one of several that were near to Rosella’s heartstrings- Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater DC, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Veterans of Foreign Wars.