Obituary for Virginia Michael Feldhaeusser at Berkeley Springs (2024)

On April 16th, 2024, Virginia Michael (May) Feldhaeusser passed away. She was born in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, on May 25th, 1940, to Emil R. & Myrtle Michael. Over the years, she became one of six children, including four brothers and a sister. As a young child and later as a young woman, she worked to help her family and herself, picking strawberries in the summer to buy shoes in the fall, painting with her mom for their family-owned business, Michaels Paint Store, and growing crops to can at the cannery just down the street. If she missed the bus, she had to walk to school in a foot of snow. She graduated from Berkeley Springs High School in 1958. She enjoyed going to Hanco*ck to see the shops, spending time with her siblings, having fun with friends, and talking with her mother. Growing up in West Virginia, she cheered for the Mountaineers every chance she had.

In 1959, she married Charles Burke and was then blessed with their first child, Phillip Burke, entering one of the best parts of her life: motherhood. A few years later, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina, for Charles's work, and soon after, they had their second child, Steven Burke. During her time in Columbia, she worked at Monroe Electronics, became a Gameco*cks fan, watched SNL with her family, had a love for animals (including their boxer, Boxie), went to the beach, and visited West Virginia. She had a real passion for being a sports mom and didn’t mind letting the referees know that.

In the years to follow, she remarried Werner Feldhaeusser and had their two children, Jennifer and Michael. Soon, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she eventually settled in Stone Mountain. Her love for her children was never-ending, and she would always attend their games & activities if she wasn’t working. She worked as a newspaper carrier for the AJC until her retirement in the late '90s. She took her first flight overseas to Germany, seeing the Berlin Wall prior to its removal, touring the country, and tasting the delights of German food. Every summer she would go to Hilton Head, which was a home away from home for us all; she loved the beach and all the fresh seafood.

During her retirement she had the opportunity to visit Cooperstown, catch a showing of the Phantom of the Opera at the Fox, and even though she couldn’t swim, she went on her first cruise. She was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought joy to her life. Over the last twenty years, she and her daughter Jennifer lived together and enjoyed their time seeing family, taking unique adventures, and eating everything along the way until the very end. She was a devoted family member and with each visit home to West Virginia, the song "Country Roads" played in the background and brought a smile to her face.

Virginia was hardworking, never resting until the job was done. Known as a fantastic cook, she loved to host or be part of any family gatherings during the holidays. You always knew that whether you went to her house, or she came to yours, she was bringing the fixings: her favorite liver and onions, various casseroles, or her guilty pleasure of chocolate. She always welcomed all who came to her door with an open heart, knowing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was one to get in there and help, not stand around and wait to be asked; it was always "what can I do?” Her mind was sharp and detailed, remembering things you would often forget. She was always kind to others, respectful, and courteous, but could put her foot down if she believed. She enjoyed the great outdoors whether in the mountains, at the beach, or biking in the park. She was also an avid sports fan, always supporting her favorite teams: the Atlanta Braves, WV Mountaineers, SC Gameco*cks (football and basketball), and the Georgia Bulldogs. She was a bright light in our lives that will be missed every day.

She is preceded in death by her parents Emil R. Michael and Myrtle May (Hetzler) Michael, brothers Emil R. Michael Jr., Robert L. Michael, Wayne H. Michael, daughter-in-law Pat Burke, and both husbands Charles Burke and Werner Feldhaeusser. She is survived by her four children Phillip Burke, Steven Burke & fiancé Julie Babbitt, Jennifer Feldhaeusser, and Michael Feldhaeusser & wife Brittany Feldhaeusser, siblings Walter William Michael and Joyce Ann Schultz (Michael) and husband Larry Schultz, grandchildren Jessica Burke & husband Ty Smith, Sarah Lorick (Burke) & husband Brian Lorick, Ashley Lee (Burke) & husband Michael Lee, Natalie Burke, Chaney Burke & wife Brooke Burke, Maren Feldhaeusser, and 9 great-grandchildren Skyler Lorick, Connor Smith, Logan Lorick, Luke Smith, Cliff Smith, Boston Lee, Everett Lorick, Magnolia Lee, and Blakley Burke. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Services for Virginia Feldhaeusser will be held at the Greenway Cemetery in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia on May 4th at 11am. The site is located on Greenway Trail near Johnsons Mill Road.

Following the service will be a lunch at Trinity Asbury United Methodist Church to celebrate her life with family and friends. The church is located at 106 Wilkes Street, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Virginia’s memory may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America on her tribute page (support.lupus.org/goto/virginia).

birthdays, and more. She was a bright light in our lives that will be missed every day.

Services for Virginia Feldhaeusser will be held at the Greenway Cemetery in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia on May 4th at 11am. The site is located on Greenway Trail near Johnsons Mill Road.

Following the service will be a lunch at Trinity Asbury United Methodist Church to celebrate her life with family and friends. The church is located at 106 Wilkes Street, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Virginia’s memory may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America on her tribute page (support.lupus.org/goto/virginia).

Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.