January 23, 2004 The Republican Newspaper Oakland, Maryland Mildred Opal Fitzwater, 97, Swanton, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2004, in the Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland. Born Nov. 27, 1906, in Pleasant Valley, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Rose Jane (Bernard) Riley. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Arthur G. Fitzwater Sr.; and three sons, Arthur and James Fitzwater, and Douglas Riley. She is survived by three daughters, Helen Friend, Swanton, Eileen Custer, Swanton, and Ada Jane Van Horn, Waldorf; two sisters, Beatrice Straton, Tucson, Ariz., and Lila Killmeir, Frederick; 22 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Friends were received at the Durst Funeral Home, Oakland, where a service was held Monday, Jan. 19, with the Rev. Vickie Minnich officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, North Glade. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad or the Otterbein United Methodist Church Building Fund.