Franklin Delano Stillrich

Franklin Delano Stillrich, 85, died Monday August 31, 2026, at his home in Frederick.

Born in Frederick on January 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Franz Xavier Stillrich and Mary Marie Biddinger Stillrich.

Frank graduated from St. John’s Literary Institute in 1959. He attended Eastern College of Commerce and Law where he graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts in 1962. He then attended Mount Vernon School of Law and received a Bachelor of Law degree, with honors, in 1965. That same year, he also passed the Maryland Bar Exam and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Maryland.

Frank began his law profession as a partner in Gastley & Stillrich. During this time, he served as City Attorney and began his career with the Office of the Public Defender. He was a member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys, the National Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Maryland Public Defenders Association and a past president of the Frederick County Bar Association. He went on to serve as District Public Defender of both Frederick and Washington counties, a position from which he retired in 2003.

Frank proudly served in the United States Army for four years and was honorably discharged at the rank of SFC in 1971.

He was a lifetime member of Amvets Post #2, American Legion #11, Elks Lodge #684, the NRA and The Frederick County Fish and Game Protective Association (Camp Kanawha) where he was a past president.

Upon retiring, he was able to pursue his passions of hunting and fishing, a love that allowed him to travel between his farm in West Virginia and his campsite home on Lake Okeechobee in Florida. He never tired of hauling a boat or a trailer full of gear and a truck full of family and friends. Watching him back up in a trailer was always the most impressive sight.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 42 years, Jeanette Elizabeth Ausherman Stillrich and his second wife of 3 years, Margaret Ann Slusser Stillrich. Also proceeding him in death were his brother-in-law Richard Ausherman, sister-in-law Judy Stillrich and son in law Michael McAlister.

He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Stillrich, Vanessa Cronise and husband Michael, Erik Stillrich and wife Jennifer and granddaughters Hattie and Abigail Cronise. He is also survived by a brother, John Stillrich, nephews Frank Stillrich II (Micky), John Stillrich Jr. (Amber), Dwayne Ausherman (April), Kevin Ausherman (Amy) along with many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Frank’s name can be made to the Araby United Methodist Church, Frederick Friends of our County Animal Shelter or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8th at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9th at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.