Maurice E. “Mike” Newnam III

of Easton, Maryland, died Tuesday, October 11, 2022, surrounded by family. He was 89 years old. Born in Easton on August 12, 1933, he was the son of the late M. Everest Jr. and Louise Wright Newnam. He was the stepson of the late Lillian Pritchet Newnam.

After graduating from Easton High School in 1951, Newnam went to Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia to receive his mortuary education. Following graduation, he returned to Easton for a brief time before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years of service.

After serving three years on active duty, he returned to Easton to join the family funeral business known as Maurice E. Newnam & Son. In 1970, he took over ownership of the business to operate under the name “Newnam Funeral Home, P.A.” During this time, he owned and operated funeral homes in Easton, St. Michaels, Sharptown, Centreville and Queenstown. He also was owner/operator of the Newnam Service Inc. Memorial Division.

In 1996, he was the founding partner in the business known today as Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., with several locations on the Eastern Shore and Annapolis. Newnam retired at 70, after 50 years of service. Along with serving the community as a mortician, he served as cemeterian for the Oxford Cemetery, retiring in 2018 after 30 years of service.

Besides his family, Newnam’s main interest in life was serving others, both as a mortician and as a member of several local, state and national organizations, many of which he served in a leadership role, including as NFDA president in 1996-97.

Newnam is survived by his wife, the former Susan L. Hill, whom he married in 1968; a daughter, Michelle L. Lowrey and her husband, Alan, and their four children, Aiden, Suzanna, Elaina and Lucas; a son, Maurice E. “Mo” Newnam IV, his wife, Lora, and three sons, Maurice E. “Max” V, Nicholas and Owen. He is also survived by two very special people, stepson Steven T. Wrightson (Mindy) and stepdaughter Elaine A. Wrightson.