Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Isabella "Isa" M. White, a 69-year resident of Silver Spring, MD and previously of Washington, D.C., died at her home at Leisure World in Silver Spring, MD on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, from complications of COPD.  She was 91.

Born December 4, 1924, in Washington, D.C., to the late Nicola and Dorotea Vasco Carrera, she attended St. St. Aloysius grade school, Notre Dame High School and St. Paul's High School.  Mrs. White worked for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. and the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Silver Spring, MD.  She was a longtime volunteer at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD and enjoyed music, dancing, and shopping.

Isabella was preceded in death by her siblings, Laura Frick and Victor, Dominic, Vincent, Felix and Henry Carrera.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Paul A. White; her children, Paul M. White of Silver Spring, MD, Dorothea (Kent) Koehler of Silver Spring, MD, Helen Ambrose of Silver Spring, MD, Laura (Joe) O'Hare of Highland, MD and Maria (Paul) Taltavull of Fulton, MD; seven grandchildren, Bryan, Jennifer and Kathleen O'Hare, Joseph and Bridgette Ambrose and Patrick and Michael Taltavull; and two and a half great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, August 5 from 7 to 9PM and at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15663 Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD from 10AM until a Mass of Christian Burial is held at 11AM on Saturday, August 6.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to So Others May Eat (www.some.org) or Little Sisters of the Poor (www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org).  Online condolences and tributes may be left by visiting the link on this page.

John Gust Alvanos, 83, a resident of Annapolis, MD for almost his entire life, passed away on August 2, 2016 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center.  Born on March 9, 1933 in Waynesboro, PA to the late Constantine and Theano Alvanos, John moved with his parents to Annapolis when he was a young child.  He graduated from Annapolis High School and, after serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, finished his education at the University of Maryland with a degree in accounting.  He began his career as an accountant with Exxon in Baltimore before transitioning to and eventually retiring from the Maryland State Auto Insurance Fund. 

In 1959, John married his wife, Celia, whom he first met when she was his sister’s childhood friend. Their paths crossed several times throughout their teen and early adult years until they fell in love and fulfilled their destiny to become husband and wife.
John was a member of Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge and American Legion.  He and his wife loved to travel and took numerous trips, including to Greece and Spain, and often enjoyed cruises, especially in the Mediterranean.  John was also a passionate fan of U.S. Naval Academy sports and arranged his schedule to always be available to work the Academy stadium’s ticket booth.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by two sisters, Viola and Anna.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Celia Alvanos; two devoted sons, Costa (Michelle) Alvanos of Chester Spring, PA and Peter (Barbara) Alvanos of Annapolis; one sister, Eva Arhos of Annapolis; six grandchildren, Jonathan, Christopher, Theano, Kaitlyn, Sarah and P.J. Alvanos.

Friends are invited to celebrate John’s life with his family from 4 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater.  John’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 5 at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Burial will be at St. Demetrios Cemetery in Annapolis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 7500 Greenway Center Drive, Ste. 300, Greenbelt, MD 20770.


Susan Larson Neville, of Annapolis, MD and previously of Grand Rapids, MI died at her home on Tuesday, August 2, 2016.  She was 68 years old.

Born December 8, 1947, in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Lynne and Conrad "Buzz" Larson, she attended Western Michigan University.  Susan was employed as a flight attendant with United Airlines for 43 years.  She loved to “fly the friendly skies" and it allowed her to travel and see the world.  Susan also enjoyed spending time with family, friends and especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Stringfellow and her husband, Mike of Edgewater, MD; two siblings, Skip Larson of Grand Rapids, MI and Trish Mitchell of Hiram, GA; and her beloved grandchildren, Avery and Parker Stringfellow of Edgewater, MD.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. Online condolences and tributes may be made by visiting the link on the left side of this page.

Dale Frederick Voss, 87, died at home in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday, August 2, 2016. After a morning of gardening, he settled down for an afternoon of reading, fell asleep, and never woke up. Dale was kind, thoughtful, charismatic, and energetic, admired and relied upon by all who knew him. The arcs of his life were traced in family, faith, service, language, and education, creating a gentleman of quiet humility, warm humor, and patient devotion.
 
Dale was born in Freeport, Illinois to Fred and Esther Voss on March 24, 1929, the second son of their four children. Dale, his brothers Laverne and Roger, and his sister Maxine joined their church youth group, the Cootie Club, forming friendships Dale kept throughout his life. The Voss kids enjoyed an old-fashioned, small-town childhood, developing a strong work ethic and solid values.
 
Dale’s passion for French started early: he joined the French Club in Freeport Senior High School and co-majored in French at North Central College in Illinois. He was drafted during the Korean War, serving at Valley Forge Army Hospital. Dale taught French at Monroe Senior High School and earned his Masters degree from University of Wisconsin on the GI Bill. In 1961 he moved abroad to Leysin, Switzerland, where he was a summer camp counselor for American dependent children; he was promoted to Camp Director in Fredericksvaerck, Denmark the following year. He was hired by the Overseas Education Department of the U.S. Armed Forces in Poitiers, France, where he served as Head Dormitory Counselor at the American High School from 1962 to 1965. There he met fellow American abroad Marilyn Elizabeth Price, the coworker who would later become his wife. Dale was known for writing letters, and wrote Marilyn regularly after she returned to the U.S. to live in Washington, DC. Their friendship deepened, and when Dale was ready to move Stateside, he chose Greenbelt, Maryland, a Washington suburb. Romance quickly developed, and the two were married in 1966.
 
Dale’s career centered around understanding, supporting, and teaching others. His undergraduate studies were in Psychology; his graduate studies, in Counseling and Guidance; his doctoral studies at the University of Denver and University of Maryland, in Student Personnel. He worked in college administration, serving as Admissions Director of Rockford College in Illinois, Assistant Director of Housing at the University of Maryland, and Assistant Registrar of Anne Arundel Community College. When the family moved to Macomb, Illinois in 1970, he became Director of Graduate and Family Housing at Western Illinois University, serving for 23 years; for 17 of those years, he also taught Psychology at Carl Sandburg Junior College. In 1993 the family moved back to Maryland, this time to Annapolis, and Dale returned to Anne Arundel Community College, where he taught Psychology until 2012. Even after retiring, he still tutored home-school students part-time.
 
Dale’s ultimate role, however, was family man. Dale and Marilyn, known as two peas in a pod, welcomed sweet peas Mary Elisabeth in 1969 and Katherine Anne in 1978. Dale had a natural way with children. A patient and dedicated father, he created many special memories for his daughters. In 2010, he was overjoyed to welcome his grandchild Jacob, to whom he was a devoted Poppy, role model, and best friend. For his large extended family, he always took the time to remember birthdays, send cards, research family histories, and create family trees.
 
Many of Dale’s friends were from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he was an active member of the Respect Life Committee and also the Knights of Columbus, Council 1384. He excelled at planning and implementation, using these skills in many roles including Chairman of Community Activities, such as the popular Annual Bull Roast and the Family Carnival. Beyond church service, his wide and varied interests included politics, gardening, reading, writing, and crossword puzzles.
 
Dale enjoyed a beautiful life with his wife of 50 years, Marilyn; his daughter Mary Elisabeth (Marelise) Voss, her husband James Soriano, and their son, Jacob; his daughter Katherine Anne Voss and her fiancé Christian Elkington; his siblings Laverne Voss, Maxine Patterson, and Roger Voss and their spouses; his beloved extended family; and the friends he treasured from every chapter of his life.
 
A viewing will be held Friday, August 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, Maryland. A funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, August 13th at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Street and Spa Road, Annapolis, Maryland. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dale’s name to Knights of Columbus Council 1384 at St. Mary’s Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401.

On Monday, August 1, 2016; the beloved wife of the late Philip J. Genua, Sr.; mother of Philip J. (Rosalyn) Genua. Jr., Ronald (Robin) Genua and John (Terre) Genua; grandmother of Philip III, Constance, Christina, Patrick, Ronald, Jr and Adam; sister of Margaret Mellott, Yvonne Zamer and Sam Habib. She is also survived by her six great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Friends may call at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2210 Calloway St., Hillcrest Heights, MD on Friday, August 5, 2016 from 10:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Charles County, hospiceofcharlescounty.org

Services for Mrs. Vaughn are pending.

Please visit the link on the left side of this page to leave condolences and tributes.

Elaine Lauretta McRoy,
Elaine Lauretta McRoy of Bowie, Maryland, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Elaine was born on July 3, 1928 in Oak Park Illinois, to George and Louese Kuester Gerhert. She worked in the insurance industry before marrying Clyde W. McRoy of Ashland, Wisconsin, in 1948. The couple lived in Milwaukee until relocating for Clyde’s work to the Washington, DC metro area in 1965.
Elaine was devoted to her husband of 53 years, Clyde, until his passing in 2006 and always put her family first. A resident of Bowie, MD for over 50 years, she enjoyed long lasting friendships with many neighbors and friends. Gifted with a green thumb, she tended a thriving backyard landscape and spoiled an ark of pets over the years, including a squirrel and multiple cats and dogs. For the past 4 years her constant companion has been her Coton de Tulear, Stella.
She is survived by her children; Scott and his wife Rita McRoy of Crownsville and Dr. Lynn McRoy and her husband Clinton Clapp of Wilmington, NC, her younger sister; Marjorie and her husband Jack Meuren of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, her five adored grandchildren, Casey, Connor and Curtis McRoy and Annalise and Colin Sheppard.
A private interment will be held at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. To honor her memory, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

Leonard William “Lenny” Kayton, 66, a 39-year resident of Riva and previously of Deale, MD, passed away on July 31, 2016 at his home.  He was born on March 16, 1950 in Annapolis, MD to Charles and the late June Wood.  After graduating from Southern High School in 1968, Lenny served in the U.S. Navy as a Boiler Technician 3rd Class.  Upon discharge, Lenny went on to a 40-year career at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he was a Stationary Engineer.  He enjoyed farming and woodworking, and treasured spending time with his family.

Lenny is survived by his wife, Paula Kenny Kayton; two sons, Craig Jonathan (Dawn Lusby) Kayton  and Kevin Matthew Kayton, Sr. of Riva; one daughter, Kristina Kayton (Andrew Caleb) Loignon of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Chase (Trish) Wood and Hugh (Joan) Wood of Deale, MD; five sisters, Diane (Todd) Hays of Port Republic, MD, Penny (Jerry) Seidman of Salem, VA, Alice (Mark) Nicholson and Marybeth (Thomas) Evans of Friendship, MD and Jenny (Nick) Tasheuras of Huntingtown, MD; four grandsons, Bryan Bartlett, Kevin Kayton, Jr., and Andrew and Jackson Kayton, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Friends are invited to celebrate Lenny’s life with his family on Thursday, August 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a funeral service beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. Burial will take place on Friday, August 5 at 10:45 a.m. at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lenny’s name to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 236, Edgewater, MD 21037.
Online condolences and tributes may be offered at www.KalasFuneralHomes.com.






Diane Marie Robbins of Takoma Park, Maryland died Sunday, July 31, 2016, of heart failure.
 
Born November 11, 1945, in Monticello, Maine she was the daughter of the late Leslie and Phyllis Wade.
 
Diane graduated from Bridgewater Classic Academy in 1963.  In November of that year, she joined the United States Navy.  She was very proud and passionate about her commitment to her country.  She was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star and a National Defense Service medal with the bronze star during her Naval career, after being stationed at Anacostia, and Coronado.  She opted to retire and returned to Maryland in 1993.  For the past 23 years, she found her second career as an administrative assistant.  She joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton as a legal secretary in 2003 where she found challenge and enjoyment.  She retired from service in early 2016.
 
Diane was an avid reader whose home always overflowed with books.  She was a skilled knitter, often donating her afghans. She enjoyed her daily cup of orange spice tea and she looked forward to time spent with family and friends near and far.  Diane was tremendously proud of her granddaughter Kayla and would share pictures with all she met.
 
She is survived by two children, her son Michael Witty of Clearwater, Florida, and daughter,  Allison Kimble of LaPlata, Maryland; two brothers Terry Wade of Houlton, Maine, Brian Wade of Oxnard, California and one sister Lezlie Carson of New Brunswick Canada.
 
A memorial service will be heldl at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 10 a.m.  Interment will be held at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham at 1:00 p.m.
 
Memorial  donations may be made to Home for our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780 (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/HomesforOurTroops).

Tributes and condolences may be made by visiting the link on the left side of this page.

Charles "Coke" Coker, 80, a resident of Fort Washington, MD, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Charles was born on July 9, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Charlie Coker and Annie Jean Wills. He served his country in the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant, and retired as Chief of the Physical Protection Branch at the Department of Energy.  He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, and his interests included fishing, bowling, gardening, coin collecting and carpentry.  He was dedicated to his family and was a proud son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Coke was recently preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Betty J. Coker, and brother, Frederick D. Coker and sister Eleanor Coker.  He is survived by his sister, Viola Sims (Linda "Ann", Glenda & Orlando Sims); Children: Bernardine Dooley (Bobby), Judith Coleman (Keith Levy), Valerie Long (Vincent) and Philip Coleman (Tama); Grandchildren: Erick, Shavonne and Jessica Gary, Tiffany and Amber Levy, Vincent, John, Truly, Bethany, Alex, Joseph and Janae Long, Ricardo and Taylor Coleman; Great grandchild: Christian Levy and a host of other family and friends. 

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Coke's life on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.  

Location:		George P. Kalas Funeral Home
			6160 Oxon Hill Road
			Oxon Hill, MD  20745 

Viewing Service:	10:00am - 11:00am
Funeral Service:	11:00am - 12:00am

Interment immediately following the service at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Charles "Coke" Coker c/o Shalam World Outreach, M.D., 8405 Rose Marie Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Online condolences and tributes may be made by visiting the link on the left of this page.


Thomas "Tom" Stephen Doerr, a 25-year resident of Crownsville, MD and previously of Cambridge, OH, died at Anne Arundel Medical Center on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, following a brief illness.  He was 50.

Tom was born March 15, 1966, in Dayton, OH to John Louis Doerr and Nancy Louise Doerr nee Placke.  He graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a bachelor degree in Computer Engineering and from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a master degree in Computer Science.  Tom was employed at the N.S.A. from 1988-2000 and General Dynamics Mission Systems from 2000-16.  He was a member of Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoyed needlepoint, baking, football, "clubbin' cardio", music, singing and playing the bells/chimes.

In addition to his parents, Tom is survived by his wife of 25 years, Rita McCardell Doerr; two loving daughters, Jacqueline Marie and Stephanie Nicole Doerr; and a brother, Charles Lawrence Doerr of Knoxville, TN

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 1, 2016, at 10am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 31 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD.  Interment private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Tom's memory to Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church, c/o Music Program, 1203 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Online condolences and tributes may be left by visiting the link on the left side of this page.

Charles Richard Armstrong, 74, a resident of Edgewater, MD, and previously of Bowie, MD, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
Charles was born on February 7, 1942 in Washington, DC., to the late Robert E. and Marie V. Armstrong. He served his country in the United States Army and was a Master Pressman, working at both Todd Allen Printing and Hundley Lithograph. He was a member of the Bowie Lions Club and SHARE. His interests included camping and spending time with family and friends.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Theresa Armstrong, and one brother; Robert Armstrong.
He is survived by his children; Katie Poole of Shady Side, MD and Sean Armstrong of Prince Frederick, MD, his grandchildren; Bryan, Kiley and Kendall Armstrong, Dakota Poole and Brittany Hicks, also survived by his two great grandchildren.

Friends and  family are invited to celebrate Charles life on Sunday, July 31 from 2pm until a memorial service begins at 3pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. Inurnment will take place at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to L- Dubs Love, Inc., P.O. Box 2, Gaithersburg, MD 20884 or online use the make a donation tab on the left side of this page.




On Tuesday, July 26, 2016; beloved wife of the late Henry Ruby; daughter of Elizabeth and Edward Harvey; mother of two daughters and four step children, grandmother of three grandchildren; sister of four brothers, three sisters and a deceased brother; aunt of 18 nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Montgomery Village Hospice. 

Beverly L. Ames, nee Myers, born September 3, 1931 in Annapolis, died peacefully on July 26, 2016 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, following a stroke.

Beverly was the daughter of Harvey F. and Myrtle Carr Myers of Annapolis. She graduated from Annapolis High School as a member of the Class of 1948, and still met regularly with classmates. She married Donald F. Ames on May 20, 1950, and enjoyed 66 years of marriage. She and Don traveled extensively in the United States and the Pacific due to his career in the Navy, and she enjoyed making friends along the way. She was a loving mother and homemaker. Beverly was an avid quilter, and was a founding member of the Annapolis Quilt Guild in 1981. As a guild member, she made many doll quilts and activity bags for children served by charities all over Anne Arundel county. 

Beverly is survived by her husband Don, daughter Brenda Ames-Ledbetter and son-in-law Richard Ames-Ledbetter and daughter Sandra Ames and son-in-law Philip Chimento, along with seven grandchildren and their significant others. She is also survived by siblings Irene White and Joan Myers of Annapolis, and Martin Myers of South Carolina.

Family and friends may visit from 4.30 to 7.30 p.m. on Friday, July 29 at the Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. A memorial service will be held at 11.00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church at 4 Wallace Manor Road, Edgewater, MD 21037.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, Department of Philanthropy, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD, 21122. 

Online condolences and tributes may be left by visiting the link on the left side of this page.

Edward Michael “Bubs” Hafferman, 13, a lifelong resident of Centreville, MD, passed away on July 25, 2016 at his home from a diffuse dramatic brain injury.  

Born on May 11, 2003 in Annapolis, Bubs was a medically complex warrior who defied countless challenges that experts predicted he would not overcome.  At 6 weeks of age, Bubs was classified as a child who would live in a vegetative state due to his rare disability.  At 1 year of age, he was the subject of an article calling him the ”miracle child.”  Bubs had the heart of a lion and was surely the toughest person on this planet.  He taught those who had the pleasure of knowing him how to live to the fullest this crazy thing called LIFE.  Bubs enjoyed the water, eating and car rides.  He had recently completed the 7th grade at Centreville Middle School.  Bubs also enjoyed playing with the toys on his walls and, mostly, hogging all of the attention.  He was ready for whatever life threw at him and enjoyed every moment of every day.  Bub’s smile and his very presence could light up a room and, without a doubt, change your life.  Bubs was so much more than just an amazing special-needs young man, he was an inspiration to us all.	Bubs was preceded in death by his father, George Hafferman and his great-grandparents, Allona and Jack Werner and Larry Bennington.  He is survived by his loving mother and stepfather, Elizabeth and Jessee Taylor of Centreville; two brothers, Anthony Hafferman and Justin Taylor and a sister, Allana Taylor, all of Centreville; his grandparents, Michael and Theresa Lynch of Easton, John and Diane Hafferman of Annapolis, John and Cheryl Taylor of Centreville and Michael and Debbie Casgranda of Annapolis; and his great-grandparents, George and Dolores Hafferman of Kent Island, Frank and Joyce Lynch of Centreville, Marty Bennington of Centreville, Jackie Dunn of Beltsville, MD and John and Aline Taylor of Dagsboro, DE.
	Friends are invited to celebrate Bubs’ life with his family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 28 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater where Bub’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 29.  Burial will be at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville.
	
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 635 Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 or online by using the donation link at the left of this page.
	
Online condolences and tributes may be offered at the link on the left.





On Monday, July 25, 2016; the beloved husband of Dolly Ferguson; father of Alan Ferguson; brother of Denise Ferguson and Carlene D. Whitmyer; grandfather of Imani, Justice and Isiah Alan Ferguson. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4700 Wheeler Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. until time of service at 12 noon. Interment private.

James Robert Schraf
April 22, 1933-July 25, 2016

James Robert Schraf, 83 died Monday, July 25, 2016, in Annapolis, Maryland following a lengthy illness.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Dolores (Dennison) Schraf; his sons James R. Schraf (Jean), Richard A. Schraf (Alesia) and daughter Kathleen Schraf Suthard.  He is also survived by two brothers, Donald G. and Timothy V. Schraf, five grandchildren and step-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania and raised in Washington, D.C., the son of Karl and Mildred (Montgomery) Schraf, he was a long time resident of Davidsonville, Maryland.

After his 1951 graduation from Anacostia High School, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955.  He then earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Commercial Science from Benjamin Franklin University and launched a successful career in business that spanned more than five decades.

Beginning in 1960 with his partnership with Ben Posner and Sons, a steel distributor in Washington, D.C., Jim took great pride in the business he helped to nurture and grow into what has expanded to become the current Posner Industries.

Local memberships include The American Legion Cummings-Behlke Post 226 and BPOE Annapolis Lodge 622.

Jim was an avid fan of our Washington Redskins, Senators, and Nationals sports teams and was a member of the Bowie Baysox Founders Club.  Although passionate about his computer (his constant companion) and all of the latest technology, it was his family that brought him his life’s greatest joy.

Friends  may call at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 11am.  Interment immediately following at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, P.O. Box 130, Davidsonville, MD. Online condolences and tributes may be made by visiting the link on the left of this page.

On Monday, July 25, 2016; the beloved husband of the late Anna Belle Dyson Gardiner; father of Brian and Michael T. Gardiner; brother of Fr. Richard Eugene Gardiner, John Douglas Gardiner, Mary Elsie Dyson, and Donna G. Burch; grandfather of Kylie, Dawn, Michael T. Jr. and Cathy Gardiner and Heather Coleman; also survived by two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Thomas's Celebration of Life on Friday, August 5, 2016 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial  will be offered on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 12pm at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2401 Brinkley Rd. Fort Washington, MD. Interment St. Peter's Church Cemetery, Waldorf, MD.  

Constance Marie Shockley, "Connie" , of Chesapeake Beach, MD passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016. Connie was a retired computer technician who could often be found reading, sipping wine and of course on the computer.  She was passionate about her four legged children especially Saba and Cocco, who were often her traveling companions. 

In addition to her parents Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Shockley; and a sister, Vicky Bean. 

She is survived by her partner, James; daughter, Stacey Wells, and her husband, Glenn Wells know to Connie as "Security"; a sister, Mary Anne Cipolari, and her husband, Danny Cipolari better known to Connie as "her baby"; four other siblings, Elizabeth Mathews, Johnny Harrison, Wade Grubic, and Steve Grubic; and of course her beloved Saba and Cocco.

A celebration of life will be held in Connie's honor on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The Knights of Columbus is off Forest Glen Road just outside the beltway. Parking is in the rear, enter the Emerald Room. 
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to, Muddy Creek Animal Hospital, 5558 Muddy Creek Road, West River, MD 20778, 410-867-0770. 


Myrna “Kay” Taylor DuBose, 76, passed away due to complications from congestive heart failure on Friday, July 22nd at Bridgepoint Hospital in Washington, DC. 

Kay was born on July 27, 1939, in McAlester, OK to Veston Auto and Grayce Roberts Taylor. She grew up Tampa, Florida and graduated from Plant High School in 1957. After high school, she attended college at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

Kay married Ronald Curtis DuBose in 1964 in Tampa, Florida. They were married to each other for a total of 25 years.

Traveling the United States as an Air Force wife and mother, she worked in several different careers, from the United States Postal Service to Civil Service Positions, and at Southwest Airlines. Her most beloved career choice was that of Mother. She raised her 3 children while setting up consecutive homes in Oklahoma, New Jersey, North Carolina, Arizona, California, Arkansas, and South Carolina

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Veston and Grayce Taylor, as well as her husband, Ronald. She is survived by her twin brother Milton Kent Taylor of Florida, and her three children, Rhonda Kaye DuBose of Rockport, Texas; Jeffery Thomas DuBose of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Susan Grace DuBose of Annapolis, Maryland. 

A memorial service will be held on June 18th, 2017, in Turbeville, South Carolina on the wedding anniversary that she and Ron celebrated. 

Condolences may be left by visiting the link on the left side of this page or sent to her family at 1783 Forest Drive, Apt 220, Annapolis, MD 21401.


Mary Wanda Kish, 97, a long-time resident of Clinton, MD, passed away on July 22, 2016 at Gilchrist Hospice Care, surrounded by family.  Born on April 2, 1919 in Washington, PA, Mary was the sixth of nine children born to the late John and Rose Kurek.  She outlived all of her brothers and sisters.  

Ambitious, even in her youth, Mary left school early to work and help her family through the Depression.  At the age of 18, she married her husband, Alfred Kish, of McKeesport, PA.  Mary worked at Isaly’s in Washington where she became a manager while also raising her sons and making a comfortable home for her family.  In the early 1960s, Mary and her family moved to Maryland, first to Capitol Heights and, in 1968, to Clinton.  Mary continued her career working in the credit department of the former Montgomery Ward Department Store in Hillcrest Heights and advancing to a loan collections officer at the Bolling Air Force Base Credit Union until her retirement.  As a collections officer, she was known as a “force to be reckoned with.”  

Mary had three great passions, cooking and baking, gardening and, most of all, her family.  She loved to entertain and create lavish meals for her family and friends.  Mary and her husband were always working in their yard, attending to their many flower beds.  Mary supported her sons’ endeavors throughout their lives.  In the 1950s, she was recognized by the Women’s Everyday Club with their Mother of the Year Award.  Mary received the award in New York where she also appeared on the Price Is Right and had lunch with Perry Como.  Mary had a great sense of humor; she loved to laugh and make others laugh too.  She also enjoyed polka music and dancing, knitting and crocheting.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Alfred G. Kish, and three sons, James, Jerry and John Kish.  She is survived by her granddaughter, Christy (Brian) Foreman of Maryland; two grandsons, Jamey Kish and Jason (Christina) Kish of Florida; daughter-in-law, Linda Kish Chester of Odenton; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to celebrate Mary's life with her family on Monday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. until her funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Homes, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD.  Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, MD. 

Online condolences and tributes may be offered by accessing the link in the left column.


Obituaries

Isabella White

Jo Barton

John Alvanos

Susan Neville

Dale Voss

Evelyn Genua

Dorothy Vaughn

Elaine McRoy

Leonard Kayton

Diane Robbins

Charles Coker

Dorothy Troescher

Thomas Doerr

Charles Armstrong

Mary Ruby

Beverly Ames

Edward Hafferman

Cecil Ferguson

James Schraf

June Allen

Thomas Gardiner

Constance Shockley

Myrna Taylor

Mary Kish