Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Diane Hatley, 73, a resident of Harwood, MD and previously of District Heights, MD, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2021.  Diane was born on June 17, 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska and her family moved to District Heights, MD in 1949.  Diane graduated from LaReine High School in Suitland, MD in 1965.   From there she attended the Washington School for Secretaries in Washington, DC.  After a three-year courtship, she married Bruce Hatley in 1968, and they settled in District Heights, MD.  She worked several years at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC and then resigned to be at home to raise her family.

Diane and Bruce moved to Harwood in 1996.   Diane was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville, MD where she served as an Extraordinary Minister for Holy Communion and volunteered in the parish’s adult Scripture study and faith enrichment programs.  In addition, Diane was a youth catechist for their Vacation Bible School.

Diane was a wonderful painter and loved arts and crafts.

Diane suffered two strokes in 2011 and remained in Genesis Spa Creek long term care facility in Annapolis, MD until her passing on April 15.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Jane Scott, and her sons James Brian Hatley and John Bruce Hatley, Jr.  She is survived by her husband Bruce Hatley and five children: John Hatley and wife Martina, Dawn Kirk and husband Paul, Steven Hatley and wife Casei, Sean Hatley, and Jimmy Hatley.  She is also survived by her six grandchildren:  Patricia, Kylie, William, Erin, Stella, and Paislee; and four siblings: James Scott, Paula Felt, Jennifer Mathews and Regina Piazza.

Friends are invited to celebrate Diane’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, April 20 from 4 to 7pm.  Mass of Christian Burial and interment will be private.
 
Condolences may be offered using the Memory Wall tab on this page.

Roselee Hinkle Blowe, 86, of Riverton WV passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Edgewater, MD on April 15, 2021 surrounded by family. 

Roselee was born November 2, 1934 in Riverton, West Virginia daughter of Roy and Ruby (George) Hinkle.

She was a strong and loving mother and grandmother.
She loved being with her children and grandchildren. Her hobbies included, NASCAR racing, football, hunting, cooking, gardening, and making jewelry. She enjoyed caring for the family farm in Riverton, West Virginia.

She is survived by her children, Donna Griffith (Bill) of Edgewater, MD. Vicki Thiel (Claude) of Port Charlotte, FL. Edie Squires, Eddie Blowe (Denise), Roselee Blowe all of Edgewater, MD. Daughter in law Carolyn Blowe of Lexington, SC and daughter Patti Davis of Port Charlotte, FL. She was affectionately known as Grandma Sugar to her ten grandchildren, Chad, Candy, Michael, Tommy, Jenny, Nicki, Deaven, Kasey, Kyle, and Ashely. Eleven great grandchildren, Drew, Madison, Breana Rose, Kailyn, Victor, Liam, Evie, Noah, Caleb, Sawyer, and peanut Hanks.

Roselee is also survived by her brothers Glen (Bud) Hinkle of Olney, MD, and William (Bill) Hinkle of Petersburg, WV.

She was predeceased by her husband Wm Thomas Blowe Jr. and Kent Lightner. Also, her son Wm Thomas (Tom) Blowe III. 

Services will be held on Monday April 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin, WV followed by a graveside service in North Fork Cemetery in Riverton, WV.

Memorial contributions in Roselee’s name may be made to St. Jude Hospital at <a href="https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html">stjude.org</a>

Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the link on the left side of this page.


Louise C. Dunlap, a passionate environmentalist renowned for her focus on energy development, coal mining practices and their effects on the environment died Thursday, April 15.   She was 75. Dunlap passed away of acute myeloid leukemia peacefully with family by her side.

Dunlap spent a lifetime advocating for the hard-hit communities affected by the harmful practices of the coal mining industry. Working to secure legislation from 1971 to 1977, her steadfast efforts led to the enactment of the Surface Mine Control & Reclamation Act of 1977, SMCRA. Colleagues said that she led one of most effective campaigns in the history of the U.S. environmental movement: the seven-year national citizens' effort to enact federal legislation requiring the coal industry to protect valuable farmlands, streams and wetlands and to reclaim all surface mined lands. At the bill signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, President
Carter praised Dunlap as "persistent in the face of adversity and disappointment," the Associated Press reported at the time. Her tenacious nature made persistence the ultimate compliment.

During that same period, she co-founded and became President of the Environmental Policy Institute and the Environmental Policy Center in 1972, and which under her leadership, grew into the largest public-interest environmental lobbying organization in Washington. She was the first woman to become chief executive of a major U. S. national environmental organization.

In 1976, she married fellow environmentalist Joe Browder, known for his work to protect the Florida Everglades. Thereafter, she and Browder, an alumnus of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, founded Dunlap & Browder, Inc., an environmental consulting firm with an international clientele. Joe Browder was both her beloved husband and partner, a mutually successful enterprise. Browder died in 2016.

Over the course of her career, Dunlap would serve on the boards of the League of Conservation Voters, the Clean Water Fund, Scenic America, the Environmental Policy Institute and the National Clean Air Coalition, while holding posts with the National Parks Conservation Association and Friends of the Earth, where she focused on legislative issues including energy efficiency and climate.

Most recently, Dunlap was working on the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) statute's next reauthorization in the weeks before her death. She also has been a central figure in the Alternative Fuels element of the Clean Air Act reauthorization.

Environmentalists who knew Dunlap have suggested that Congress pay tribute to Dunlap by renaming the AML reauthorization in her honor. The Interior Department highlighted Dunlap's work in 2016, when the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded her the Environment, Community, Humanity, Ownership Award. Pennsylvania Rep. Matt Cartwright
(D) and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) praised Dunlap as "an inspiring force."

Daughter of generational Lancaster, PA residents James Cecil Dunlap, former President of the Lancaster Livestock Exchange, and Anne Louise Reist, civic activist and Duke University alumna, Dunlap followed in her mother's path by attending Duke University herself where she graduated in 1968. A devout Duke alumna, Dunlap served as a Member of the Advisory Board of Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment as well as on the board of The University Council of Women's Studies. She never missed an opportunity to find herself in Durham.   There she forged many meaningful and life-long friendships and was thrilled when her step-granddaughter, Elizabeth Browder, became a third generation Duke graduate. One of her greatest pleasures was mentoring fresh Duke graduates in the Washington, DC area.

An eternal optimist, Dunlap was deeply committed to her work until the very end. She was fervent in her convictions on behalf of both people and the environment. A naturalist at heart, she adored her home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and was deeply in-tune with the nature that surrounded her there. She relished the sounds of the whistling swans and barn owls. An avid collector, she had a passion for folk art, decoys, gardening and all things beautiful. She was renowned for enchanting family and friends with exquisitely wrapped gifts and always looked forward to holidays spent together. She was a master at painting Easter eggs (Hinkle's Dye a must) and delighted in hiding them in the most obscure of places, creating a sense of magic and adventure for her great nieces and nephews.   She will be remembered for her endlessly positive outlook, generosity of spirit, endurance, humor and a fierce sense of independence. Always with a twinkle in her eye, she had the most genuine of hearts, and she savored time spent with her family, wonderful neighbors and friends.

Dunlap is survived by her sister Constance Dunlap Santarelli and brother-in-law Donald E. Santarelli, Alexandria, VA; niece Louisa Santarelli Koplan, Los Angeles; nephew Alessandro "Sam" Santarelli, Owings Mills, MD; step-children, Monte Browder, Davie, FL; Ron Browder, Jacksonville, FL; and many beloved step-grandchildren and great nieces and nephews.

Gifts in memory of Louise Dunlap may be directed to support Dr. Amy DeZern's research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University. 
Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating that this gift is in memory of Louise Dunlap to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, PO Box 17029, Baltimore, MD 21297-1029.

Gifts in memory of Louise Dunlap may also be made to the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds at 9697 Loop Road, Alexandria, PA 16611, attention John Dawes.

The family looks forward to celebrating her life in the near future.


Alvin Ray Espartero, 55, of Gambrills, Maryland died on April 13, 2021. His loss was unexpected, and the family is deeply saddened.

Al was born on May 18, 1965 to Manuel and Corazon Espartero in Washington D.C. Al attended Friendly High School in Fort Washington, MD and was passionate about soccer, the Washington football team, and most of all his friends and family. After graduating high school, Al attended Boston University and finished his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts. He then furthered his career as an IT consultant where he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States for 20+ years. Some of the companies he worked for included Deloitte, KPMG, and PWC. Most recently he especially enjoyed watching golf, football, and hockey. He also loved to watch all his nieces and nephews play in their soccer games.

Anyone who knew him, knew that he was loving, caring, kind and giving. He had an immense passion for his family and was always a source of positivity. Al’s family and friends will miss him more than words can say. He leaves his two parents, Manuel and Corazon Espartero, his sister Arlene Joyner (James Joyner), his brother Arnie Espartero, and his nieces and nephews Cheyenne Joyner, Justin Espartero, Patrick Joyner, Nico Espartero, and Josie Joyner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alvin's Memorial Fund.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-alvin-espartero">https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-alvin-espartero</a>



Jean Stump Garber, age 86, passed away on April 13, 2021.  She was in residence at Heart Homes of Annapolis where she lived for almost 4 years.  She had previously resided in Cocoa, FL with her husband Mike, before he passed away in March 2014.

Jean was born on 3 August 1934 in Copen, West Virginia.  After graduating from high school in 1953, she moved to Washington D.C. where she worked for the FBI.  While there she met and married Michael J. Garber Jr., who was stationed at Bolling AFB.  Their first child, Michael J. Garber III was born at Bolling.  After their first move to Plattsburgh, NY, their second child, Jean M. Garber, was born.  

When Mike retired from the USAF in 1966, the family moved to Phoenixville, PA, where Jean worked at Valley Forge General Hospital as a telecommunications specialist until the hospital closed in 1974.  The couple moved to Williamstown, PA and both worked at Fort Indiantown Gap.  Jean became a telecommunications supervisor and finally retired from the Federal Government after 34 years of dedicated service to the nation. In 1996, she purchased the home in Cocoa, FL, which became their retirement home in 2012 upon leaving Pennsylvania.
Jean was a highly active member of her church, Sacred Heart.  A eucharistic minister, she looked forward to visiting and offering communion to the sick of the parish.  As a member of the Sacred Heart women’s club, Jean helped organize many parties and fundraisers.  She also worked in their thrift store for several years. 
Jean loved to shop for herself and for others.  She was very generous and helped many people.  She was the consummate bargain hunter and often bragged about how little she spent on her great finds.  Her family and friends benefited from her frugal stewardship.  

Jean also loved to travel. She and Mike travelled to Europe when their grandson Michael was born.  She visited Japan to see niece Lisa Rhody. She took trips to Hawaii, crossed the country several times with friends, ventured down to Key West with her sisters and sailed on several cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda.  

Beloved by friends and family, Jean frequently exchanged cards and letters with them. She always had a phone in her hand and loved chatting with friends and family members.  She adored her grandkids and delighted in spending time with them.

She is survived by her son, Michael Garber III, his wife Patricia, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and their sons Michael Garber IV, of Washington DC and Christopher, of Irvine, California; her daughter Jeanie Borowski, her husband Tim and their daughter, Cara, all who live in Oviedo, Florida.  Jean’s twin brother Eugene preceded her in death in 2002.  She is survived by her sisters, Corene Carey of Huntington, West Virginia and Irene White of Weston, West Virginia.  

Jean will be interred with her husband Mike at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. 

May she find rest and comfort in the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the people of St. Vincent in the Virgin Islands. 
Donations can be sent to: Father Paul Borowski, 3112 7th street NE, Washington, DC 20017 (100% of the donations will go to the people of St. Vincent). Please make all checks payable to: The Redemptorists and make SVG in the memo line.


Funeral service will be held at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, 377 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD on Friday, April 16 at 11 am. Interment will follow at Davidsonville United Methodist Church Cemetery in Davidsonville, MD. Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page.

Robert Roy Bold, “Bob”, 75, a resident of Chester, MD and previously of Davidsonville, passed away on April 12, 2021 in Easton, MD.

Bob was born on July 29, 1945 in Washington, DC to the late Edgar and Mary Bold. He served his country proudly in the US Army. He worked as a manager for Verizon for 38 years. He was a member of the Davidsonville Ruritan, the American Legion and a member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ethel R. Bold in 2020.

He is survived by his children, Sharon Bold Merkel and her husband Kenneth, and Daniel Alan Bold and his wife Heather, and one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann Merkel.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bob's life on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 10am at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. Interment will be private.

Please take a moment to leave a condolence for the family by using the tab on this page.

Maryellen Buler, age 77, passed away on Sunday, April 11. 2021 in Wheaton, MD. 

She was born on July 3, 1943 in Washington, DC to Edward and Viola Combs. 

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved husband, Charles Edward Buler; her sister, Barbara Vaught; her sister-in-law, Margaret Rogers; her niece, Mary Rogers and her other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Life Celebration on Tuesday, April 20 from 12 noon until the start of her funeral at 1 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY,  6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, MD. 



On Sunday, April 11, 2021; the beloved wife of the late Joseph W. Harley, Sr.; mother of Joseph W. (Carline) Harley, Jr. and the late Linda Ann Harley; grandmother of Michael D. Butler, Joseph T. Harley, Anthony Dean and LaToya D. Harley. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, eight siblings, many other relatives and friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Honey's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1717 Ritchie Rd, District Heights, MD 20747 from 10 a.m. until the start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD immediately following Mass. 


On April 11th, 2021, Kelvin Leon Lytes at 63 years old, known as “Big K” transitioned from this earth into eternal rest.  He was born on November 25th, 1957. He is survived by his daughters Chesha L Hale, Jean Fluellyn , his grandchild Jarvis Monroe, his sisters Demetria Holloway, Annette Pitts, and his brothers, Jeffrey Holloway, Terrance Holloway, brother-in-law Roland Pitts, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his mother Essie Mae Stewart, his father Roosevelt Lytes.

Kelvin grew up in SE Washington DC. He loved football, especially, the Washington Redskins. He loved music very much. His favorites groups were Earth Wind & Fire, Isley Brothers, Kool & The Gang, and he loved the song “Butterflies” by Michael Jackson as well.  He was fun loving, very creative, love to sing, love to be outside, love to play horses, enjoyed laughter and hanging out with his buddies.  

He will be greatly missed.


Marie Baker, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away with her family by her side on Saturday April 10, 2021. 

She is survived by her siblings, Bern (Cathy) Kulp, John (Kris) Kulp, Liz (Marc) Stokes, Matthew Kulp, Karen Kulp, Andrew (Dina) Kulp; nieces and nephews, Trey, Kari, Christina, Rebecca, Jennifer, Rosemary, Greg, Matthew James, Bethanie, Raulen (Nornee), Kayleigh, Matthew Joseph, Grace Marie, Christopher and Benjamin; great nephews, Troy, Andrew, Emmett, Jacob, Hayes, Luke and Noah.  Preceded in death were her loving parents Bernard and Ruth Ann Kulp and her brothers Francis Peter and James Gerard Kulp.

Marie was born on March 12, 1958 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She grew up in Springfield, Ohio, and enjoyed spending time with her cousins, the Reynolds and Littles, forming lifelong friendships. The family moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida and then Fort Washington, Maryland.  She was a long-time resident of Linthicum Heights, Maryland at the time of her passing.

She was a classically trained pianist and played accompaniment for local musical dinner theater.  She lived in New York for many years and later earned her law degree at the American University. Marie loved playing the piano and singing, loved watching the classics and musicals and celebrating the holidays with her family, especially Halloween.   

Marie (Aunt ReRe) was the favorite aunt to her ‘darling’ nieces and nephews welcoming them to her house for cookouts, giant water slide parties, movie sleepovers with all the best snacks.  She was their biggest fan attending concerts, sporting events, dance recitals and later weddings and baby showers. 
 	

Friends are invited to celebrate Marie's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, April 16 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm, with a prayer service beginning at 7 pm. Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Melanoma Research Alliance - https://give.curemelanoma.org/.


On Saturday, April 10, 2021, Mr. Ronnie Baldwin, the beloved son of the late George Herman and Fronia Pierce Baldwin, transitioned from this earth. He leaves to cherish his memories, a daughter, Dana Baldwin; two sisters, Janice G. (Willie) Brown of Greensboro, NC, Fronia Delilah Walker of Dover, DE; and a brother, Benny James Baldwin of Wilson, NC. Preceding him in death were his sisters of Joyce Faye Boyd, Wanda Rose Hamilton, Tanya Yvonne Ruffin and brothers Randolph Baldwin, George Ralph Baldwin, Glenn Russell Baldwin, and Bobby Bunche. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A celebration of his life is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cards are welcomed. 

Adrian Powell, son of the late Clarence and Martha Powell was born on June 26, 1942 in Cincinnati, OH. He attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and was a graduate of Central High School. He entered into the United States Army in 1964 and served for 6 years as a Specialist at Fort Meade Military Base in Fort Meade, Maryland where he met his beloved wife of 55 years, Mrs. Christine Shelton Powell. They married in 1965 in Baltimore, MD and moved to start their family in Washington DC. They later settled permanently in Fort Washington, Maryland. Their union was blessed with two children, Adrian Powell, II and Dr. Jodi Powell Williams. He has been a member of St. Columba Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, MD for over 35 years.  
 
Adrian Powell, an avid supporter of higher education, received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of District of Columbia in 1981. He worked for the U.S. Federal Government for over 30 years and retired from the United States Department of Defense, U.S. Army Publishing Agency in 1998. Adrian loved all of his family and enjoyed spending time with his large extended family. He rarely missed a reunion, holiday, or life event for his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, or nephews. He enjoyed traveling, photography, fishing, good food, and good conversation. He was a strong figure in the youth of his family and encouraged both professional and personal development. One of his greatest joys in life was being a devoted “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren.
 
Adrian Powell is survived by his wife, Christine Powell; two children, Adrian Powell and Jodi Powell Williams (Jason Williams); 4 grandchildren, Jaelyn Jodi Powell, Jasmin Janai Williams, Jason Adrian Williams, Jr., and Jordan Christopher Williams; 3 brothers, Andrew Powell (Terry), James “Pee-Wee” Powell, Steve Powell (Earnestine), and 5 sisters, Patricia Powell, Denise Philips, Theresa Powell-Bivens, Sabrina Calloway, and Lisa Woolfolk; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.


Christina “Chris” Astrid Macmurphy, 65, a 20-year resident of Riva and previously of Clinton, MD, passed peacefully at her residence on April 7, 2021 after a seven-year battle with ovarian cancer.  Chris was born on April 28, 1955 in Aurora, CO to the late Nils and Rosemarie Nilsson.  She joined the U.S. Army in 1980, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and earning the National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and Expert Field Medical Badge before being honorably discharged in 1991.   From 1992 to 2019, she worked as a LPN/Admissions Director at Bradford Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center in Clinton.  She was a member of Joy Reigns Lutheran Church and was known for her vivacious personality, positive attitude, “green thumb” and love of gardening.

Cherished wife, mother, sister, and aunt, Chris is survived by her husband, Shawn of 33 years; their son, Brandon and daughter-in-law, Trish of Searcy, AR and sister, Ingrid Reed (Gene) of Davidsonville, MD.  Services for Chris will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Joy Reigns Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1436, Edgewater, MD  21037.  Online condolences and tributes may be left using the link in the left column of this page.



On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Joan Gamba, age 42, passed away in Windsor Mill, MD. She was born on September 22, 1978 in Clinton, MD to Ralph Gary and Mary Louise Gamba. She is survived by her father, Ralph Gamba; her siblings, Gina, Leah and Peter Gamba; her uncle, Charles (Linda) Gamba; her aunts, Carol (Michael) Cousins and Tracy (Keith) Michaud. She is also survived by her cousins, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date, please check back periodically.  

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America (https://hdsa.org/get-involved/donation-opportunities/)

Mary Louise Dudley of Dunkirk, Maryland passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 in the presence of her loving family and several dear friends. 

She was born on August 2nd in Wilmington, DE and the year will be forever hidden (as she would have wanted). Her imprint on the lives of those that had the pleasure to know her will be remembered through the countless good times, laughter, and wild streaks they shared together. 

She joins her beloved husband, Lee Dudley, in the Kingdom of Heaven just a few short months after his own passing in December 2020.  As a couple, they were affectionately nicknamed "Peas & Carrots" and provided an outstanding example of a loving marriage to all that knew them. She was also preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruth Barone; and sister, Victoria Barone. 

She is survived by her children, Jenny and Lee Card, Todd and Lora Whitmore, stepchildren Gwennevere and Michael Dudley; and sister Ruth Caruso.

She took great pleasure in loving all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandchildren, Jessica and David Stucky, Benjamin Chisolm, Nathan Chisolm, Chelsee Whitmore, Mark Whitmore, Jennifer and Najee Foster and Luca Duffy; 

Great-Grandchildren, Carter Stucky, Cole Stucky, Brighton Foster, Maxton Foster and Baylor Whittington. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm, Saturday, May 1st at The Barn at Honey Harvest Farm, 5801 Brooks Woods Rd., Lothian, MD 20711. 

Mary was passionate about rescuing animals, both wild and domestic. In her memory, donations can be made to: All Creatures Great & Small Wildlife Rescue, 10111 Silver Twine Lane, Columbia, MD 21046.Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page.

On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, Marion Cieplak, Jr., age 68, of North Potomac, MD passed away in Middle River, MD.

Beloved husband of Lilly Cieplak; father of Christina Cieplak and Marion "Alex" Cieplak III; brother of Valeria Skarbek, Stanley (Rusty) Cieplak, John Cieplak, Mary Alice Cieplak, Dr. Patrick (Karen) Cieplak, Leon Cieplak and Bernard (Lisa) Cieplak; brother-in-law of Alexander Momchilovich; beloved son of the late  Marion B. and Marie Viola Cieplak, Sr. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Marion's Life Celebration at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Piscataway (Main Church), 13401 Piscataway Rd., Clinton, MD 20735 on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 11 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial starts at 12 noon. Interment immediately following the mass in the church cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Marion "Alex" Cieplax III, 8004 Bellefonte Lane, Clinton, MD 20735

All services are private. Condolences may be left by using the condolence tab on this page.

Richard Di Pietro, 68, a 16-year resident of Olney and previously of Silver Spring and Edgewater, MD, passed away at his home on April 3, 2021 following a 4-year battle with cancer.  Born on July 8, 1952 in Hyattsville, MD to the late Enrico J. and Mary Frances Di Pietro, Richard graduated from Southern High School and attended Anne Arundel Community College, where he excelled athletically.  He was the owner of Association Management, a home improvement company that specialized in roofing. Association Management would proudly serve the DMV for over 30 years, providing jobs for hundreds of individuals while regularly receiving accolades and being named as Washingtonian’s best roofing company.

With a bigger-than-life personality, Richard filled every room he entered.  He was an avid golfer, winning several awards including first place in the 1991 World Amateur Handicap Championship.  He also enjoyed a good game of chess, playing poker and visiting Las Vegas casinos.  One of his greatest pastimes was horseracing. His passion for horseracing can be traced back to the pages of Sports Illustrated where Richard can be seen on the rail at Pimlico Racetrack as legendary Secretariat won the second leg of the Triple Crown. He loved betting on horses and held the largest, single winning ticket in the history of Maryland horseracing. But that wasn’t his greatest racetrack win; it was meeting his wife, Jennifer, at the Laurel Racetrack.  They were introduced by her father, Jimmy Leonard.  Richard tucked a winning ticket under Jennifer’s dinner plate and that was the beginning of the romance. As much as Richard enjoyed all these interests, his greatest passion was his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Richard is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jennifer Di Pietro; five children, Richard A. Di Pietro, Rachel (Jay) Zelaya, Dominic R. (Samantha) Di Pietro, Richard Di Pietro II (fiancée, Renata) and Jennifer N. (Khalid) Di Pietro. He is also survived by three grandsons, Maddox, Aiden and Ragni and was looking forward to the birth of his granddaughter later this year.

Friends are invited to celebrate Richard’s life with his family from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 11 at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD.  Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 12 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD, with a luncheon to follow at Adam’s Grille & Taphouse in Edgewater, MD. Richard was dedicated to children excelling in life through sports. 

For those unable to attend the visitation, it can be viewed through the Zoom information below (Please remember to keep your microphones on mute):

<a href="https://zoom.us/j/95839453281?pwd=a3RGU2JadnZnVnQ1RkdhbFF2YkJRZz09">The Visitation of Richard DiPietro</a>

Meeting ID: 958 3945 3281
Passcode: 120769


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to <a href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/wrestling-to-beat-the-streets-dc">Wrestling to Beat The Streets DC</a>

Evelyn Koutsos Ross “Lol” or “Lolly”, 79, a resident of Manassas, VA for thirty-six years, died on Friday, April 2 in Annapolis, MD. Lol’ was born on November 9, 1941 in Washington, DC to the late James John and Angelina Cokinos Koutsos.  Lol’ grew up in DC and early in her childhood moved to Silver Spring, MD. She graduated from Northwood High School in 1959.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Maryland.  She graduated with Honors, Summa Cum Laude. Lol’ started her teaching career with Montgomery County Public Schools. Lol’s life took her to Chalfont, PA with her husband Phil, whom she married in 1963.  While residing in Pennsylvania from 1973 to 1984 she worked in sales for Comcast cable.   She obtained her real estate license and sold homes for Eichley and Moffley.  Lol’ worked with the Professional Standards Review Organization, a branch of HEW- Health Education and Welfare. Lol‘ was a former member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.   She loved painting with watercolors. She had several art showings in Pennsylvania where she sold many of her paintings. Lol’ enjoyed nature and beautiful colors.  She was a member of MENSA.  She enjoyed photography, swimming at the pool, walking, and playing canasta and scrabble with her family.  She was very involved in the Northwood Class of 1959 Reunion Committee and enjoyed attending the Reunions.  She loved her family deeply and would do anything for anyone. Lol’ was preceded in death by her husband, Philip “Phil” Ross and her brothers, John and George Koutsos. She is survived by her children,  Angelle “Angie” (Randy) Gambrill and James “Jim” Ross all of Crofton, MD; her brothers, Daniel Koutsos of Halifax, VA and Pete Koutsos (Cindy) of Brookeville, MD; her grandchildren, Kailee Eve Knight, Kyle and Ashley Heffner, and Ryan and Reanna Gambrill, two great-grandchildren (lovingly knew her as Yia-Yia) and many nieces and nephews (lovingly knew her as Aunt Lolly). Friends are invited to celebrate Lol’s life on Monday, April 12 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at The Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons island Rd., Edgewater, MD where her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at 10 am. Interment will follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page. 

On Tuesday, March 30, 2021; the beloved wife of the late Albert Courtney, Sr.; mother of Albert Wesley (Melinda) Courtney, Jr., Glenn Edward Courtney and Sandy (Lewis) Dillon and the late Karen Fay Courtney; sister of Gail Powell; grandmother of Kelly, Shannon, Amy, Tae, Craig and Kyle. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Fay's Celebration of Life at the Oxon Hill Baptist Church, 6633 Saint Barnabas Rd Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Friday, April 9, 2021 from 2 p.m. until the start of the funeral service at 3 p.m. Interment Ft. Lincoln Cemetery private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Capital Area Chapter, 3601 Eisenhower Ave #450, Alexandria, VA 22304

Bennie Bert Hooks. Jr, went home on Thursday, April 1st, 2021.

Bennie was born into a military family, on Fort Eustis Army Base in New Port News, VA . Dad was an engineer in the U.S. Army for 35 years thru WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.

After traveling around the world, with his only sibling, Mona Lisa and his parents, Mary Elizabeth, and Bennie B, Sr. (Maj.) They decided to live in Maryland.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in graphic arts. Bennie got his dream job with NOAA, making maps an charting weather for our men and women defending old glory around the world, as well as the National weather stations.

Bennie loved dancing, disco, doing lawns in the neighborhood ,gardening, shoveling snow for the neighborhood,  art work of all kinds, his family, his parents, His GOD.

In 2005, Bennie had to stand down from NOAA, because of the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. Short term memory lapse is the first attack. In time the neurological system gets attacked by the perfect system that keeps us healthy, our immune system. M.S. is a genetic disease of our autoimmune defense.

Bennie continued to work at Macy's, dance, drive,  enjoy his family, give care to our Mother during her battle of Ovarian cancer.

He lived his life to the fullest. Still loved his family, still partied. When he could no longer drive, or work, he used Metro Access to get where he needed to go.

Bennie is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Hooks; four children: Maria, Tracey, Bennie III, and Stephen; a loving mother in law, Mrs. Tilda Rogers and his sister, Mona L. Hooks; seven grandchildren,  along with loving neighbors, and friends who loved his sweet nature.


Relatives and friends are invited to Bennie's Life Celebration at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Monday, April 12, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. until the start of the service at 11:30 a.m. Interment Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.

Jason Emory Moreland passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2021. Born on September 27, 1972 in Washington, DC to Mary Frances “Frannie” Bauer Fletcher and the late James Emory Moreland, Jr., Jason was raised in Calvert County and graduated from Calvert High School. He went into the Ironworkers Local 5 apprentice program and has worked in that Local for the last 27 years. He was a devoted son and father and he will be missed by his family and the many friends he has made throughout his life. Jason is survived by his mother, Frannie (Norman Fletcher, Jr.); his daughter, Elyssa Anne Clark and his aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends are invited to celebrate Jason’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, April 8 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm, with a brief prayer service being held 7:30p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 8816 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach, MD on Friday, April 9 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity in Jason’s name. 
Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page.

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Obituaries

Diane Hatley

Roselee Blowe

Louise Dunlap

Allen Carroll

Alvin Espartero

Jean Garber

Charles Pearl

Robert Bold

Maryellen Buler

Juanita Harley

Kelvin Lytes

Marie Baker

Ronnie Baldwin

Adrian Powell

Christina Macmurphy

Joan Gamba

Mary Dudley

Marion Cieplak

Marjorie McDermott

Richard Di Pietro

Evelyn "Lol" Koutsos Ross

Fay Courtney

Bennie Hooks

Jason Moreland