Joseph Ernest "Joe" Comer, 71 of Hughesville, MD died suddenly on November 23, 2008 at Civista Medical Center, La Plata, MD.

Born on October 3, 1937 in Charleston, WV, he was the son of the late Ernest and Rilla Pennington Comer.

Mr. Comer resided in this area since 1960. He retired after 42 years as an Aerospace Engineer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He enjoyed traveling. Some of the places he and his wife visited are the Galapagos Islands, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa, Hawaii, Alaska, China, England, Turkey, and Greece . He and his wife, Mary Jo, were busily planning a return trip to Egypt at the time of his death. He loved history as a child and began teaching history classes about 15 years ago for the College of Southern Maryland. He was a member of the Mt. Zion UMC Chancel Choir, Chesapeake Choral Arts Society, and Joyful Noise, a gospel group.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Jo Comer, and daughters, Joyce Rose, her husband Dale, and Jill Michele Trossbach. He is also survived by his siblings Willis Comer, Tim Comer, Ernestine Toney, Christine Simpson, all of Charleston, WV and Freda Gay of Frederick, MD. In addition he is survived by his grandchildren, Brian & Beau Rose, Steven, Samantha, Matthew, Christina & Christopher Campbell, and Matt & Jessica Trossbach, a great-granddaughter, Elissa Campbell, and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by a sister, Thelma Comer.

Family will receive friends to celebrate Joe's life on Friday, November 28, 2008 from 2-4 & 6-8PM at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 10AM at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 21708 Mt. Zion Church Rd., Mechanicsville, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Africa University Scholarship Fund C/O Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1060, Mechanicsville, MD 20659.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.