Sophie Shepel, 84, of Frederick, passed away on Jan. 26, 2008 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Michael Shepel, her husband of 43 years, who passed away in 2000.

Born Sophie Dmitrovich, May 10, 1923 in Steubenville, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Rade and Lenka Dmitrovich. Sophie worked at Fort Detrick with USAMRID and retired with 30 years of service. She attended 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in Bachka Palanka, Serbia. She completed her secondary education at Aliquippa High School in Pennsylvania. She went on to graduate from the Franklin School of Science and Arts in Philadelphia. She was a member of St. Catherine’s Eastern Orthodox Church in Hagerstown, and St. Elijah Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, Pa.

Sophie is survived by three children, Marlene Powell and husband, Dennis, of Boonsboro, Susan Lofti and husband, Akbar, of Greencastle, and Robert Shepel and wife, Sandra, of Hagerstown. Also surviving Sophie are her five adoring grandchildren, Kristina, Rachel, Jared, Joshua and Spencer. A brother Jovan (Jim) Dmitrovich and his wife, Elaine. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Jovanka Dmitrovich, Zorka Dmitrovich, and Mary Bjelic.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 at the Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, located at

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church located at

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either St. Catherine Eastern Orthodox Church or St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church.

On Sunday, November 11, His Grace, Bishop TIKHON ordained Adam Sexton to the Holy Diaconate at St. Michael Church in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.

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