Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

John Edward Donald, 90, died peacefully on Monday, August 7, 2017, in Riva, MD.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. John and his beloved wife, Luella Rice Donald, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 15, 2016.

John was born on September 6, 1926, in Prince Frederick, MD, the son of the late Paul A., Sr. and Esther M. Donald.  He graduated from Annapolis High School in 1943 and went to work for the Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, until 1944 when he joined the U.S. Navy, serving until May 1946 as a Pharmacy Mate in the Pacific Theater of World War II. 

Returning home, John worked from 1946 to 1984 for the Naval Ship Research & Development Center, working on research and development projects in submarine silencing.  He also attended George Washington University as part of the USNA Physics program, receiving an Associates degree in engineering.  After retirement from NSRDC, he worked for Vector Research in Bethesda until 1987.

John was a life member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, the Annapolis Elks Lodge 366, a member emeritus of the USNA Golf Association, the American Legion Post 7, and the Moose Lodge 296.  He was a former longtime member of Calvary United Methodist Church.  A keen and excellent golfer, he also enjoyed bowling and traveling. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline Cogar and a brother, William B. Donald.

John is survived by wife, Luella Donald; a daughter, Janis Hosmer and her husband, Larry; siblings Paul A. Donald, Jr. and his wife, Anne and Esther Robinson and her husband, Bob; father-in-law of Bill Cogar; and brother-in-law of Geri Donald.  He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Jamie Persels (Tony Gay), Jenifer Batchelder (Chuck),  Joel Persels (Allison), Andrew, John, and Jessica Hosmer; his great-grandchildren, Ashley, Casey, Chad, and Wyatt Cox, Jacob and Payton Batchelder, and Jack Henry and Hattie Luella Persels; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to celebrate John's life at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, from 11 a.m. until his funeral service begins at 12 p.m.  Interment, with military honors, will be held at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s honor to the American Cancer Society, the Melanoma Foundation, or a charity of one’s choice.

An online guestbook is available by visiting the link on this page.

Virginia Mae Root, "Mae", 89, a resident of Southdown Shores in Edgewater, MD for sixty-five years and previously of Annapolis, died at Anne Arundel Medical Center on Monday, August 7 of natural causes. Born on March 27, 1928 in Annapolis to the late Louis and Alice Carlson, Mae was a graduate of Annapolis High School and was retired from Central Special School where she was a special needs assistant. She was a former member of Parkwood United Methodist Church and Mayo United Methodist Church and enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts and movies. Mae loved being around people, especially her family. She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Paul Thomas Root; her daughters, Bonnie Lennartz of Delaware, OH and Barbara Barber of Edgewater, MD and her grandchildren, Christopher Barber, Tommy Christensen, Nichole McWaters, Heather and Tamara Brown and Andrea Dale. Her memorial service will be held on Friday, August 11 at 11 am at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Contributions may be made to Country Home Assisted Living, 4187 Solomons Island Rd., Harwood, MD 20776.

Condolences may be made by clicking the tab on this page.

Fatima Elliott, 90, a 70-year resident of Annapolis, MD, the last 30 of which were in the Heritage Harbour community, passed away on August 6, 2017 at her home.  Born on March 24, 1927 in Florence, Italy to the late Mario and Renata Bellini, Fatima met her husband, Edward Elliott, at a USO dance in Leghorn, Italy where he was stationed following World War II.  After their marriage, Fatima immigrated to the United States and became a hairstylist.  In 1963, she and her husband bought the Beauty Corner Hair Salon on State Circle from its founder, Dorothy Maisel.  In 1966, they relocated the salon to Severna Park. 

Fatima was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis.  In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, painting and quilting.

In addition to her parents, Fatima was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Edward Elliott, her grandson, Christopher Elliott, two brothers, Dante and Piero and her sister, Valeria.  She is survived by her children, Michael Elliott of Annapolis and Patricia (John) Barton of Arnold, MD; three granddaughters, Lucinda, Erica and Rebecca; and two great grandchildren.

A committal service will be held for Fatima at 10:45a.m.on Thursday, August 10 at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

Condolences and tributes may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.

On Sunday August 6, 2017 Rick passed away.  Survived by his mother, Dorothy Baker Snyder, Step Dad, Russel Snyder, Brother Randy, and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation on Saturday Aug 19 at 10 am, service 11am at OXONHILL United Methodist Church, 6400 Livingston Rd, OXONHILL Md. In lieu of flowers, donations to (OHUMC)

Dorothy Edith “Dottie” Rowe, 93, a resident of Baywoods in Annapolis and formerly of Pt. Pleasant and West Orange, NJ, passed away on August 5, 2017.  Born on February 6, 1924 in Newark, NJ to the late Frank and Calcedonia Vitale, Dottie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945 from Douglas College for Women at Rutgers University, then went on to teach Chemistry and Mathematics at junior high schools in Pt. Pleasant and West Orange.  She also tutored home-bound children.  In 1947, Dottie married Frank Rowe and together they raised two daughters.  They moved to the Annapolis area in 1984.  Dottie was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America and received a Certificate of Appreciation in 1970 for her dedicated service to the Girls Scouts of Essex County, NJ.  She enjoyed painting in oil and acrylics, ceramics, table tennis, line dancing and, in her later years, playing canasta and bridge.  She was a life member of the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills NJ and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis.

Dottie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Frank Rowe, her daughter Roberta Filardo and her sisters, Assunda “Sunny” Conti and Ann Farmer.  She is survived by her daughter, Donna Rowe Gray of Washington, DC; sons-in-law, Harold A. Gray and John Filardo, Jr.; four grandchildren, Michael and Peter Filardo, Sarah Wishnick née Gray, and Benjamin Gray; four great-grandchildren, Owen, Robert, Samuel and Bryson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 8 at 10 a.m. at the Hancliffe Home for Funerals, 222 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.  Online condolences and tributes may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.



James Allen Fuss, "Jim," a 52-year resident of Lothian, MD and previously of Washington, D.C., died on Friday, August 4, 2017, at his home following a 12-year battle with lymphoma.  He was 82. Born on December 14, 1934, in Baltimore, MD, to the late John and Louise Fuss, Jim graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1952 and attended the University of Maryland and Georgetown University.  He served in the United States Army from 1958-60 and retired from Chaney Enterprises following a 35-year career.  Jim was a longtime member of the Lothian Ruritan Club, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and choir and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed making people laugh, golfing, solving crossword puzzles, was an avid reader and especially loved spending time with his family. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Beverly Fuss; three children, Jimmy Fuss (Margie) of Lothian, MD,  Suzanne Ryan (Tim) of Ellicott City, MD  and Amy Rossi (Dan) of Tall Timbers, MD; two sisters, Pinky Harding (Bud) of Annapolis, MD and Jane Graham (Gene) of Murfreesboro TN and eight grandchildren, Connor and Ryan Fuss, Nico and Joe Rossi, Keegan, Annie, Georgia and Bailey Ryan. Friends are invited to celebrate Jim's life at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, August 9 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 101 Owensville Rd, West River, MD on Thursday, August 10 at 10:30 am.  Interment will  immediately follow in the church cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 101 Owensville Rd, West River, MD 20754. Condolences and tributes can be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.

On Wednesday, August 2, 2017; the beloved wife of the late John B. McNeill, Jr.; mother of John C. McNeill; sister of Anthony (Elizabeth) Stolfo; also survived her nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. McNeill's Celebration of Life at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2401 Brinkley Rd., Ft. Washington, MD. Interment church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please sign the family's online guestbook by visiting the link on this page.

Tammie Lynn Bevard DiMichele, a 27-year resident of Calvert County, MD, died at the Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center in Pasadena on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, following a two year battle with colon cancer.  She was 53.

Born February 11, 1964, in Washington, D.C. to John and Linda Bevard, she worked at Olympus Gym, Northern High School, and Sucampo Pharma Americas. Besides her children, her greatest love was anything to do with horses.

Tammie is survived by her husband of 32 years, Tony DiMichele; two children, Marc DiMichele of Dunkirk, MD and Brittanie DiMichele of Palm Springs, FL; a sister, Kimberly Bevard; and two nieces, Courtney and Nichole Thompson.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Chesapeake Church of Calvert, 6201 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, MD.  Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to celebrate Tammie's life at the North Beach Volunteer Fire, 8536 Bayside Road, Chesapeake Beach, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

Please take a moment and leave a condolence or light a candle by using the links to the left. You can also order flowers using the Order Flower link.



Audrey May Mandley, 95, a 17-year resident of Annapolis, MD and previously of Kensington, MD, died on Tuesday, August 1, following a 10-year battle with dementia. Born on February 13, 1922, in Washington, D.C. to the late Edward Sullivan and Elizabeth Sullivan Gunther,  Audrey worked on cables for Naval blimps during World War II. After the war, she worked as a bookkeeper for Suburban Bank, The Wildlife Society and The American Institute of Biological Sciences.  Audrey also was a convention planner for the Endocrine Society.  She was a long-time member of Kensington Baptist Church and enjoyed traveling, reading, cooking and ceramics. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Charlie Mandley. She is survived by her children, Rich Mandley of Annapolis, MD and Juanita Botor of Murrell's Inlet, SC; her grandchildren, Ivan Knee of Lothian, MD, Jackie Thames of Seffner, FL, Debra Moore of Lapeer, MI and Julie Duncan Clark of Annapolis, MD, 7 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Friends are invited to celebrate Audrey's life on Friday, August 4 from 5 to 8 pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD and on Saturday, August 5 from 10:15 am until her funeral service begins at 11 am at the Kensington Baptist Church, 10100 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, MD. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122. Condolences may be made by clicking the tab on this page.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Debre Genet MedhaneAlem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church,  4401 Old Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD 20748 at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 

Juanita "Nita" Whitfield, 89, of Annapolis passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.

Nita was born on October 26, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Fred and Jessie Lane. Nita married Charles on Valentine's Day 1947 and raised two children while proudly serving as a Marine Corp officers wife for 30 years. She would continue service to others while working at Meals on Wheels for nearly 20 years.  Nita enjoyed gardening and her Boxers.

In addition to her parents, Juanita was predeceased by her husband, Charles and her brother, George who was killed in action in World War II.

She is survived by her daughter, Lane Whitfield of Annapolis and her son, Charles (Beth Vershure) Whitfield of Tempe, AZ; a grandson, Alexander W. Hutt, of Frederick, and Jessie Whitfield of Tempe, AZ.

A graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at 11 am. If you plan on attending, please arrive at the administration building 45 minutes before the service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle, VA 22172 or Meals on Wheels of Central MD, Attn:  Development Office, 515 South Haven St., Baltimore, MD 21224. 

Condolences may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page. 

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017; the beloved mother of Ana V. Orozco.  Relatives and friends are invited to Ana Julia's Celebration of Life at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 12 to 8p.m. 

La vida de los que confiamos
en ti, oh Dios, no termina, solo
 se transforma; y al terminar 
nuestra estadia terrenal,
 adquirimos una permanencia
celestial. En un nuevo hogar
que Tu has preparado para tus
hijos en donde premias a los
que te han sido fiel. Tu nos das
la esperanza que nos
reuniremos en el cielo con los
que te aman en plenitud de amor.

Agradecemos su compania en estos momentos dificiles.



All services are private. On line condolence may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Wednesday, August 2 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the DeCesaris/ Prout Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 6089, Annapolis, MD 21401 (DPCancerFoundation.org). Condolences may be made by clicking the tab on this page.

Captain Frederic Joseph Grady, III, of Arnold, Maryland passed away on July 31, 2017. Frederic was born in New Hampshire on September 2, 1939 to the late Frederic and Genevieve Grady, Jr. He graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1961.  Enlisted into the Coast Guard and graduated from Officer Candidate School at Yorktown Virginia in 1963.  After 29 years of service he retired from the Coast Guard.  His continued love for the water led him to work at Castle Harbor Marina on the Chesapeake Bay for 15 years.  He was fortunate to love his occupation quoting “I always wake up looking forward to the day.”  
 He was an active member of the Fleet Reserve Club of Annapolis, the American Legion in Crownsville, Massachusetts Maritime Alumni and USCGC Barataria 381 crew reunions.   Frederic loved holidays, especially Christmas and St. Patrick's Day. He enjoyed working in his yard, volunteering for boat shows and traveling the coast of New England. His greatest passion though was spending time with his family.  He was kind, generous, caring and loved by so many.  He is already missed.
In addition to his parents, Frederic is predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Katherine Grady. He is survived by his daughters Marilyn (John) DeYoung, and Katherine (Gregory Jensen) Grady both of Stevensville; his siblings Paul, Vicki, Marty and Bea Grady, all of Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Heather DeYoung and her fiancée, Ian Richards and Michael DeYoung.
Friends are invited to celebrate Frederic's life on Tuesday, August 8 from 5:30 till 8:30 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD where his funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 9 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Crownsville. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Frederic's honor to Season's Hospice, 5457 Twin Knolls Rd., Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21045. 

A graveside service will be held for Ms. Green on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 9:30 am at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. On line condolences and tributes may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.

On Sunday, July 30, 2017; the beloved son of the late James Arneson and Mary Pierce; brother of Jim Arneson.

A Life Celebration will be held at a later date and time. Please check back.

Leonora Tiyugi Canlas, the beloved wife of the late Domingo Canlas.  Born on April 19, 1922 in Manila, Philippines, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in Randallstown, MD, on July 29, 2017.  She married the love of her life, Domingo Canlas, in June, 1946.  Leonora immigrated with her family to the United States in 1974.  She spent most of her life in Oxon Hill and Ft. Washington, MD.  She is also survived by her children, Alfredo Canlas, Fredeswinda Reyes, Edgar Canlas, and Alicia Carlos and grandchildren, Christopher, Amelia, Peter, Nina, Roland, Vincent, Gabriel, John and Michael.Great Grandchildren, Amina, Anthony, Keyano, Giovanni, Elena, Sean, & Maggie.   She was the matriarch of the Canlas family.  Leonora, known as Ima or Lola, by her family was a loving, devoted mother to her children and grandchildren.  She was extremely passionate with cooking, music, sewing, and most of all, her love for her family. She was proud of cooking authentic Filipino dishes and pastries which she often prepared for family gatherings. Her cooking was flavorful and ingredients of LOVE was very apparent.  She was very witty and tremendously sharp, Ima would lively and correctly answer questions for Jeopardy, The Price is Right, and Wheel of Fortune without hesitation.  She was always there to offer valuable advice and guidance to her children and grandchildren.  She was also very proud of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and work ethics.  Her qualities  and character are exemplified in her family, whether it is her strength, her love of animals, humor, kindness, intelligence, sewing, or cooking, Lenora’s spirit lives on in her family.  The impact she had on their lives is very meaningful and her kindness, sense of humor , and love for her family is a legacy that will always be remembered.  She will be missed by all that knew and loved  her.  Rest in Eternal Peace, Ima.


On Saturday, July 29, 2017 of Fort Washington, MD; beloved wife of the late Domingo Canlas; loving mother of Alfredo Canlas, Fredeswinda Reyes, Edgardo Canlas, Alicia Carlos and the late Rolando Canlas. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Canlas' Celebration of Life at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 2 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, August 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's of Piscataway Catholic Church, 13401 Piscataway Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Raymond Eugene “Ray” Chalkley, 83, a 3-year resident of Edgewater and previously a 28-year resident of Bethesda, MD, passed away on July 29, 2017.  Born on February 13, 1934, in Washington, DC to the late Henry and Ruby Chalkley, Ray received a bachelor’s degree from Guilford College and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland.  After serving in the U.S. Army, Ray pursued a career in public education, serving as an assistant principal, basketball coach and athletic director at the Springbrook, Rockville and Thomas S. Wootton High Schools in Montgomery County. He enjoyed philosophy, politics, fine art, books, playing tennis and cooking.
	Ray is survived by his sons, Neal (Nancy) Chalkley of Davidsonville and Phil (Marilyn) Chalkley of Frederick, MD; a brother Edward (Jan) Chalkley of Northport, FL; three granddaughters, Kelsey, Annie and Lizzie Chalkley; his former wives, Margaret Chalkley and Jacqueline Callaway; and his special companion, Pam Meador.
	Friends are invited to celebrate Ray’s life with his family on Saturday, August 19 from 1 p.m. until his memorial service begins at 2 p.m. at the Thomas S. Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD.  Burial will be private.
	In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 7500 Greenway Center Drive, Ste. 300, Greenbelt, MD 20770 or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122.

Condolences and tributes may be left by clicking on the link to the left of this page.


Family and friends are invited to celebrate William's life on Thursday, August 3 from 4 to 6pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD.  Online condolences and tributes may be made by using the link on this page.  

All services for Bonnie will be private. Please take a moment and leave a condolence or light a candle for her family by using the link on the left.

John A. Droter, 83, of Fort Washington, MD, peacefully passed away on July 25, 2017 after a year-long struggle with cancer. Born on Feb. 4, 1934 in McKees Rocks, PA, he was son of the late John and Anna (Hrebenak) Droter and was preceded in death by his younger brother, James. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Hildegard (Rosenberger) Droter; children, Dr. John R. of Annapolis; Dr. Joseph E. and wife, Anne Wallis of Richmond; Linda D. and husband Jim Bailey of Edgewater; Jim and wife, Jennifer of Lititz, PA; grandchildren Caitlin Bailey and Joseph W., Leah, Elizabeth and Anna Droter; and nephew, James Lautenschlager.

A self-made man, Dr. Droter attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating first in his School of Dentistry class, then served in the U.S. Air Force. His private dental practice pioneered in-office sedation dentistry. He embraced every opportunity to fish, play poker, golf, play guitar, pick hard crabs and ski with family and friends; his legendary devotion to skiing continued to age 78! A devoted family patriarch, “Poppy” was an enthusiastic storyteller with a contagious smile and an easy laugh. He said his greatest achievements were his family and dental practice.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Saturday, August 12 at 1pm with a reception immediately following at the Droter family home.  Memorial donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation or Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. 

Obituaries

John Donald

Virginia Root

Fatima Elliott

Ricky Baker

Dorothy Rowe

Remedios Garcia

James Fuss

Margaret McNeill

Joanne Whitcher

Tammie DiMichele

Audrey Mandley

Alemu Woldegebrial

Juanita Whitfield

Ana Carranza

Ruth Gainer

Anita Sukalo

Frederic Grady

Gabrielle Green

Richard Arneson

Leonora Canlas

Raymond Chalkley

William Stone

Bonnie Johnson

John Droter, DDS