Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

On February 7, John J. Ventresca, 74, a 17 year resident of Gambrills died at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Born on April 26, 1938 in Yonkers, NY to the late Gino and Edith Ventresca, he graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA. John retired from Ventresca Enterprises, which he co-owned with his brother Gerald Ventresca. He was a musician, playing the trumpet for the Baywinds Band of Annapolis. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing the trumpet, especially in jazz bands and he was an avid golfer. 
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann Ventresca; one son, David Ventresca of Annapolis; and one brother, Gerald Ventresca of Pasadena. 
Friends are invited to John’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, February 15 from 7-9PM where a funeral ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 16 at 11AM. A reception will immediately follow the funeral at South River Golf Links in Edgewater. The interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are recommended to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. An online guestbook is available by clicking the link above.

Eleanor A. Synowiec, 93, died on February 7, 2013 in Jamestown, KY.
 
Born Feb. 21, 1919 in Wheeling WVA, to the late Vasyl and Mary Okruch Pappa, she was the youngest daughter of nine children. In 1941, she married Frank Synowiec Sr. and resided in Coral Hills, MD, then later moved to Hillcrest Heights, MD and Tracys Landing, MD. Eleanor was an amazing Homemaker, Seamstress, Gardener. She was a member of the women’s Guild at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and a devoted Knights of Columbus Lady with husband, Frank.
 
She the beloved mother of Joanne (Ben) Swann of Stuart, FL, Richard (Roberta) Synowiec of Detroit, MI, Frank (Sharon) Synowiec of Annapolis, MD, Patricia (Thomas) Bricken of Fredricksburg VA, Christine (Steve) Meehan of Port Royal VA, Mary (Bill) Miller of Hagerstown MD, Eileen (Phil) Daniels of Jamestown, KY and Karen (John) Giaconia of Martinez, CA; and loving grandmother to 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 5, 11:30 AM, at Our Lady of Sorrows, 101 Owensville Road, West River, MD. Interment church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #8251, P.O. Box 206, Churchton, MD 20733.

Theresa Constance Asman, died peacefully on February 6, 2013, at Anne Arundel Medical Center with all of her children at her side. Born on June 24, 1927, in New Boston, PA, Theresa was currently a resident of Annapolis and was previously a 40-year resident of New Carrollton, MD, where she was a long-time member of the New Carrollton Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, George A. Asman, who owned Asman Custom Photo Service in Washington, D.C. for 46 years. Theresa was a homemaker who raised five children and was a loving and supportive grandmother. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two siblings. She is survived by five children: Mike Asman (finance’ Cathy Schaaf), Greg (Amy) Asman, Connie (Eddie) Trujillo, Barry (Tanya) Asman and Christine "Chrisy" (Matt) Boomer; ten grandchildren: Emily, Connor, and Erin Asman; Elena, Julianna, and Vincent Trujillo; Dean, Bridget, and Sofia Asman; and Sean Boomer; and two sisters: Barbara Markiewicz of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Joanna Schuster of Pottsville, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sunday, February 24, at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp St. Charles at www.campstcharles.com.

All services for Mrs. Whitt are private. Please sign the guest book at the link above.

FRANCIS C. BELCHER
MAJOR (RET.) US AIR FORCE

On February 3, 2013 died at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Charlotte Hall, MD after celebrating his 90th birthday with family and friends. 

Born on February 2, 1923 in Cassandra, PA, Francis’s spent his childhood traveling between military installations with his parents, M/TSgt Benjamin, USMC, and Edith (McCord) Belcher. He graduating from Calvert Hall College High School, and attended the University of Maryland for 1 year, and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1943, rising to the rank of Technical Sergeant while serving as an Avionics Technician during the Pacific Island Campaigns of World War II. Upon returning stateside after the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Gladys I. Vantaman, and then entered the University of Maryland where he earned a Bachelor-of-Arts degree in History. In 1951, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. As an Intelligence Officer with the Strategic Air Command and assigned to the office of Special Investigations, his career included assignments throughout the world to include Spain, Japan and the Republic of the Philippines. In 1968 he retired as a Major and returned to the National Capitol Region where he joined the Defense Investigative Service as a Special Agent. After 20-years of distinguished service, he retired from civil service in1988. In retirement, he remained an avid golfer, a voracious reader, a devout Roman Catholic and a steadfast friend to all he met. A loving patriarch, a patriot, and selfless public servant, Francis was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66-years, Gladys I Belcher, his daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Richard Schoessler of Oxford, PA, his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and CWO5 (Ret.) Robert Gaffney, USA, of Jonesboro, GA, and his son and daughter-in-law Col (Ret.) Michael and Susan Belcher, USMC, of Stafford, VA. He was also beloved by his six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

Family and friends are invited to Francis Life Celebration on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2200 Calloway Street, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give to the Wounded Warriors at WWW.operationhomefront.net/.


Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the guestbook located below.

Sava Spero Tshontikidis, 79, died February 3 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL. Born in Washington, D.C. on August 13, 1933, Sava graduated from the Citadel in 1955 and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. He served as a Captain in the Air Force until he was honorably discharged in 1959. From 1964 until 2009, Sava owned and operated Laurel Dodge, Inc. On May 15, 2004 he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He also earned the distinction of Archon in the Greek Orthodox Church. Sava was a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, the Association of Citadel Men and Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Stella Tshontikidis; three sons, Spero (Caryn), Jerry (Jeanne) and Tom (Sandy) Tshontikidis; a sister, Despina Moschonas; and five grandchildren, Sava Anthony, Alaina, Emma, Yanni and Sava John. Friends are invited to Sava's Life Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 8, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at the address above.

All services are private. Please sign Margaret's online guestbook by clicking the link above.

Jack Preston Purssord, age 3, of Severna Park. Jack is survived by his parents, John-Paul and Beverly Purssord; a sister, Kaitlyn Purssord and a brother, Sam Purssord all of Severna Park. Friends are invited to Jack’s Life Celebration on Thursday, February 7 from 5:00 to 7:00PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 8 at 11:00 AM at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. In lieu of flowers please send donations to either: Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21401 and on memo line write, Jack Purssord/ Chesapeake Kids, or to, Children’s National Medical Center at Children’s Hospital Foundation, ATTN: Meredith Chipman, 801 Roeder Rd., Ste. 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and on memo line write, In memory of Jack. Please sign Jack's online guestbook by clicking the link below.

Raimondo Lubrano, age 58, died on Thursday, January 31 at his residence in Crownsville, after a 3 month illness. Born on April 9, 1954 in Naples, Italy, to the late Enrico and Laura Pugliese Lubrano, Raimondo arrived in the United States in 1970 by jumping ship. He found a job as a dishwasher on Long Island, NY and over the years learned all the phases of the restaurant business, eventually opening his own. He built and operated over 48 restaurants during his career. His latest restaurant was the Italian Market in Annapolis where his many friends and customers would gather to discuss wine and food. Raimondo had two passions; family and work. His family meant everything to him. His wife, four daughters and grandchildren always came first. Working was a means to provide for his family. Raimondo will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, who he married on June 4, 1978; four daughters, Laura Lubrano DiBiasi of Owings Mills, Lucia Assante of Annapolis, Rosa Conte of Lothian and Sabrina Alva of Edgewater; two brothers, Aniello Lubrano of Naples, Italy and Antonio Lubrano of Chester, PA; three sisters, Maria Lubrano of Dunkirk, Carmela Carannante of Davidsonville and Teresa Lubrano of Naples, Italy; three grandsons, Raimondo Anthony Conte, Luca and Vincenzo Pio Assante; four granddaughters, Isabella and Gabriella Assante, Olivia Lucia Conte and Rosie DiBiasi.

Friends are invited to Raimondo’s Life Celebration on Sunday, February 3 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, February 4 at 10:30 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville. Contributions may be made to the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center,c/o Raimondo Lubrano, 1226 Francis Scott Key Ln., Crownsville, MD 21032. 

Immediately following the interment, the family welcomes everyone to attend a reception at Unity Hall at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD.

The family also requests flowers be sent from Black Eyed Susan Florist (410-451-7101)

Mary Ella Clark Matthews was born on January 16, 1924 in Oxon Hill, MD, the daughter of the late Milton John Clark and Mamie Johnson Shorter Clark. 

Mary attended Prince Georges County Public Schools, graduating from Frederick Douglas High School in 1941. She was a devout Catholic, a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church since birth. 

In 1944, Mary married George Matthews. From this union, they were blessed with their daughter, Brenda. In later years, they separated but remained good friends. 

Mary was very outgoing. She loved spending time with her family and social gatherings with friends. An avid sports fan, she loved attending wrestling matches at the Upper Marlboro Race Track to see her favorite wrestlers, Bruno Sammartino and Bobo Brazil and she also enjoyed Roller Derby at the Washington Coliseum and the Capital Centre, cheering on her favorite skaters, Little Richard and Sonia Simms. Mary also had fondness for automobiles, especially her beloved 1969 Buick Electra 225 (the deuce and a quarter), which she drove until the wheels fell off (smile). 

Mary's employment began after high school, with Bolling Air Force Base, Aristocrat Cleaners at the Eastover Shopping Center, and the Prince Georges County Board of Education. Due to medical injury she retired in 1976 from Lord Baltimore Junior High School in Fort Washington, MD. 

Some of her hobbies included sewing, cabarets, listening to oldies but goodies, and sponsoring bus trips with her late companion, Ellsworth Smith to Atlantic City & Wildwood, NJ, Dutch Country, PA, New York's Coney Island and Niagara Falls, Canada. 

Mary was also a nurturing soul. When her sister, Margaret's health declined, Mary attended to the care of Margaret until her death in November 2000. She also assisted in rearing her two great grandsons, Marvel and Gregory. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death, by two brothers, Henry (Harry) Shorter, Lenton John Clark and two sisters, Margaret D. Clark and Ruby Elizabeth Clark. 

Mary is survived by her husband, George; loving daughter, Brenda Lancaster, son-in-law, William Lancaster; two grandchildren, Angela Potts (Jeffrey), Gregory Lancaster; four great grandchildren, Michael, Marvel, Rennie and Gregory; devoted nieces, Mary Patricia, Sharonda, Shawnecia Munson and Mary Langley; God-daughter, Cordelia Gough and other relatives and friends. 








Relatives and friends are invited to Mary Ella's Life Celebration at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2401 Brinkley Rd., Fort Washington, MD on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 10am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Kenneth "Cap'n Kenny" Kirchner, a life-long resident of West River, died on January 30, 2013 at his daughter's home.
 
Born December 21, 1929, he was co-owner/operator of Kirchner's Boatyard for 50-years. He was also employed with his brother-in-law, "Boots", as a waterman. Kenneth served in the United States Army from 1953-56 and was also a mate on the North Wales, owned by Walter P. Chrysler, where he met and entertained Elizabeth Taylor. He was a volunteer firefighter with Avalon Shores, serving as their chief. Kenneth enjoyed woodworking, being on the Chesapeake Bay and West River and spending time with his family and friends. He was also an excellent craftsman and painter.
 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Anne Kirchner, in 1993.
 
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Joyce B. Kirchner; a son, Kenneth G. Kirchner of Deale; two daughters, Kendra Linkins of Shady Side and Karen (Greg) Fate of West River; a stepson, Eric Bast of Colorado; two stepdaughters, Sharon Pyle of Baltimore and Kim Taylor of Edgewater; a sister, Miriam ("Boots") Collins of Deale; eight grandchildren, Tony and Stephanie Linkins, Ryan and Kayla Fate, Kevin, Jordon and Elizabeth "Ellie" Kirchner and Nichole Donaldson; and three great-grandchildren, Jenna Gautier and Anthony and Jackson Hadaway.
 
Friends are invited to Kenneth's Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Monday, February 4 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 5 at 1pm. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Attn: Membership Department, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. Online guestbook available by clicking the link above.

On Wednesday, January 30, 2013; the beloved mother of Joan M. Frye and Sharon M.(Don) Denny; grandmother of Lisa M. Skeens, Christa M. Hall, Jon E. and Joanna M. Denny and the late Mark A. Balint and Donna M. Rimmer. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to Ruth's Life Celebration on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 10 am until time of service at 11am at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Margaret Goldring, the beloved daughter of the late William R. and Hattie R. Goldring, departed this life after a long illness on Tuesday January 29, 2013. 

Margaret was preceded in death by, her sisters, Mary Elizabeth Barnes and Lenora Maxine Goldring, brothers, William Joseph Goldring, Sr. and John Allen Goldring, Sr., niece, Sandra Anita Smallwood, nephews, Duane Andre Gaskins, Kalon D. Goldring, James Mckinley Goldring, Jr., and Justin G Knowles. 

Margaret is survived by her siblings, Gloria Robinson, Rita Carr, James, Jerome, Kenneth, Leonard and Brenda Goldring and a host of numerous, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

She was a Registered Nurse.
 
Relatives and friends are invited to Margaret's Life Celebration at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 13715 Notre Dame Pl., Bryanstown, Maryland 20617 on Saturday, Febraury 9, 2013 from 9:30am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment church cemetery.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2013, the beloved husband of Rev. Dr. Carolyn 
Hodge, Doctor of Ministry, father of Tiffany C. (John) Ford, Dr. Angela 
M. Hodge, PhD and Robin V. (Darrick) McNeill. He is also survived by 
four grandsons and two sisters, Ferretta Crummie Belcher and Amanda 
Redd. Relatives and friends are invited to Robert's Life Celebration at 
Evangel Assembly of God, 5900 Old Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD 20748 on 
Monday, February 4, 2013 from 10am until time of service at 10:30am. 
Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD on Tuesday, 
February 12, 2013 at 1pm. Memorials may be made in his name to: I AM The 
Living Word Ministries, Inc., 3540 Crain Hwy, Suite 231, Bowie, MD 20716.

On Tuesday, January 29, 2013; There will be a visitation on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 10 am until time of service at 11 am at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, MD. Please leave your thoughts and memoires by signing the guestbook located below.

LaNelle Agnes McConnell, 85, of Annapolis, died on January 28, at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Born January 3, 1928 in Allentown, PA to the late Alfred and Margaret Geitzenauer, LaNelle graduated from Allentown High School in 1945. She then received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in Allentown, PA. LaNelle was a registered nurse in the US Navy Nurse Corps from 1949-1951 and then for Anne Arundel Medical Center from 1965 to 1986. She was a member of the American Legion Post 7 and the South County Senior Center. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting, volunteering and spending time with her family. 
LaNelle is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul L. McConnell, Sr. and one brother, William Geitzenauer.
 She is survived by four sons, Paul L. McConnell, Jr. of Wiltshire, England, William J. of Hummelstown, PA, James R. of Longmont, CO and Michael A. McConnell of Harwood; two daughters, Margaret A. McConnell of Stevensville and Mary Parsons of Annapolis; one sister, Mae Fodor of Naples, FL; ten grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. 
Friends are invited to LaNelle’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater on Thursday, January 31 from 5PM to 8PM where a funeral ceremony will be held on Friday, February 1 at 12PM. Interment MD Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21401. An online guestbook is available by clicking the link below.

On Sunday, January 27, 2013; the beloved husband of Shirley A. James; father of Dennis R. and Karen P. James. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Msgt. James was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and flew 60 missions in the European Theater during WWII. A Life Celebration will be held on Monday, September 23, 2013 from 10:30am until time of the Memorial Service at 11:30 am at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one's favorite veteran's charity in his memory. 

Obituary
 


Raymond Frederick James was born on February 27, 1921 in Fairview, WV. He was one of six children. Fourteen years later the family moved to Gilmore, MD. 

Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April 1939 and was sent to Ft. Slocum, NY for basic training. 

Following basic training he was transferred to Wheeler Field, HI and traveled via ship, the USS Republic, through the Panama Canal to San Francisco where he saw the World’s Fair. Following Wheeler Field his next assignment was at Hickam Field in Hawaii. 

On December 7, 1941, he was in charge of quarters at Hickam when the attack on Pearl Harbor began. The air crews ran down the flight line trying to save the aircraft but they were already too badly damaged. After the attack, the main focus was getting the aircraft ready to fly. Ray’s unit, the 58th Bomb Squadron was the first to get 3 aircraft loaded with bombs and ammunition permitting them to search for the enemy aircraft carriers. 

After returning to the states in 1944, he trained on B-26s and was then transferred to Sardinia, Italy. He flew 60 combat missions over Italy, Germany and France and was due to rotate back to the states when the war in Europe ended. 

Ray received many awards, including the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters.
 
Ray met and married his wife Shirley at Bowling Field where their son Dennis Robert was born in 1950. Karen Patricia was born 11 years later in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while Ray was on a three year special assignment. 

Ray served a year in Vietnam and retired from the Air Force in July 1966.
 
After his retirement, he worked at the Library Of Congress.
 
After he retired from the Library Of Congress, he developed a passion for racquet ball which became a very important part of his life.
 
He will be missed and remembered fondly by everyone.

On Saturday, January 26, 2013; the beloved husband of Neonencia Torrillo, father of Jovito, Romeo and his wife Debbie and Henry Torrillo; grandfather of Camille Louise, Joshua and Nicole Torrillo. He is also survived by two sisters Isabelita Cunanan and Josephine Rivera. Relatives and friends are invited to Alfonso's Life Celebration on Friday, Feburay 1 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 2 at 11am at St. Columba CAtholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment St. Mary's Catholic Church Picataway Cemetery, Clinton, MD. Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the guestbook located above.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2013 of Bryans Road, MD at Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton, MD; 
She was born in Washington, DC on August 17, 1922 to William F. and Mabel Lee Ferris. She spent most of her life in Washington, DC until she married Hugh P. Robey and they moved to Charles County, MD.
 
Before her retirement, she was Director of Admissions for George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. 

After retirement she spent her time playing Bingo with her friends and vacationing at the Beach with her family and friends. One of her favorite hobbies was reading and she loved to watch the Orioles. 

She was a longtime member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. 

She was the beloved wife of the late Hugh P. Robey; mother of Sandy San Luis of Ft. Washington, MD, Harry Siebert of Waldorf, MD and Pat Robey of Bryans Road, MD; grandmother of Kimberly(Jeff) Hammett; great-grandmother of Jeffrey and Rebecca Hammett; sister of Beverly Cook of Ranburne, AL; dear friend of Carol Schabenberger of Crofton, MD. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Maddie's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 6 to 8pm where services will be held on Friday, February 1 at 12:00pm. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Elizabeth "Betty" Miller, a 45-year resident of Riva died on January 23, 2013 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of natural causes. Born on July 18, 1930 in Maryland Park, MD, Betty was a employed as a school bus driver with the Prince George's County school system for many years. She enjoyed sewing, travelling and was a collector. 
She was preceded in death by a brother, William Roberts. Betty is survived by her husband, Herbert H. Miller, whom she married on October 20, 1973; six daughters, Deborah Murray of Ocean City, Kay Stawas of Crofton, Dianne Oristian of Centreville, Donna Hagen of Crownsville, Darlene Miller of Chester and Susie Spencer of Centreville; a sister, Sandra Sanders of Lakeland, FL. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
 Friends are invited to Betty's Life Celebration on Friday, January 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD where a funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 11:00 am. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401. An online guestbook is available by accessing the link in the left column of this page.

Joseph Fichera, 92, a 30-year resident of Stevensville died on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 of natural causes.
 
Born February 5, 1920 in Lawrence, MA, he retired from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum as a restoration specialist. Joseph served in the United States Air Force during WWII and the Korean War. He was a member of the Antique Airplane Association and a founding member of its local chapter, the Potomac Antique Aero Squadron. He was also a member of the Quiet Birdmen and the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. Joseph enjoyed restoring antique and classic aircrafts.
 
Joseph is survived by his wife, Anna Fichera, whom he married on January 28, 1956; a son, Joseph R. (Carol) Fichera of Estero, FL; a daughter, Letricia (Frank) Roughan of Castaic, CA; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Fichera of Coral Gables, FL.
 
Friends are invited to Joseph’s Life Celebration on Sunday, January 27 from 1pm until time of funeral service at 3pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 7 at 2pm at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, 11 Museum Drive, Reading, PA 19605.

Larry Wayne Thames, 64, a 25-year resident of Edgewater and previously of Bladensburg, died at his home on January 23, 2013 after a 2 year battle with cancer.
 
Born September 27, 1948 in Ft. Monroe, VA to the late Lawrence and Ruby Thames, Larry was a graduate of Bladensburg High School and he was employed as a mechanic with Steamfitters Local 602. Larry was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the United States Marine Corps and was an interrogator, interpreter, rifle expert and pistol marksman, obtaining the rank of Sgt. E-5. He was a member of Decatur Heights Baptist Church in Bladensburg, the Legion Riders of American Legion Post 226 in Mayo and was a Legionnaire at Post 226. Larry loved motorcycles, especially choppers and Harleys, crabbing, fishing, camping and hunting.
 
He is survived by his wife, Shelley Limerick Thames, whom he married on October 25, 2003; three sons, Timothy Wayne Thames of Edgewater, William Thomas Thames of Mt. Jackson and Scottie Lindsey of Edgewater; a daughter, Brae Lynn Thames of Mt. Jackson, VA,; a brother, Bobby Thames of Edgewater; three sisters, Pat "Sis" Bauman of Sarasota, FL, Carol Clark of Laurel and Michelle Shook of Dillwyn, VA; six grandchildren, Athena N. Lindsey of Edgewater, Nathaniel Thames-Greene, Damien A. and Benjamin D. Lindsey of Edgewater, Trinity M. Thames-Greene of Mt. Jackson, VA and Timothy Thames, Jr. of Edgewater and a granddaughter to be born in February. He was also the devoted uncle to many nieces and nephews.
 
Friends are invited to Larry's Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater on Tuesday, February 5 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm and on Wednesday, February 6 from 11am until time of funeral service at 12pm. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham. An online guestbook is available by clicking the tab above.

Obituaries

John Ventresca

Eleanor Synowiec

Theresa Asman

David Burckman

Virgie Whitt

Maj.Francis Belcher

Sava Tshontikidis

Margaret Hawks

Jack Purssord

Raimondo Lubrano

Mary Matthews

Kenneth Kirchner

Ruth Cummings

Margaret Goldring

Robert Hodge

Joseph Rosier

Joseph Kenny

LaNelle McConnell

M James

Alfonso Torrillo

Madeline Robey

Elizabeth Miller

Joseph Fichera

Larry Thames