Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

On Sunday, November 4, 2012, the beloved husband of the late Sue V. Mills; devoted father of Cindy Sue (William) Bulka and the late Stephen D. Mills; brother of Emma Ennis and Tom (Andy) Mills; grandfather of Kimberly Lepine; great-grandfather of Stephen and Blaise Lepine. Family and friends are invited to Jim's Life Celebration on Wednesday, November 14 from 6 to 8pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (Big Church) 5203 St. Barnabas Rd., Temple Hills, MD where services will be held on Thursday, November 15 at 11am. Interment Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Barnabas Church Cemetery Fund.

Anthony J. Merlino, 90, died Sunday, November 4 at the Morningside House of St. Charles in Waldorf, MD. 

All services will be private. We invite you to sign the online guestbook for Mr. Merlino by accessing the link at the bottom of the left column on this page.

On Sunday, November 4, 2012, the beloved father of Peter G. Kalos; brother of Demetrious Koklas, Peter Kalos and Stephen Koklas. Family and friends are invited to Andrew's Life Celebration on Friday, November 9 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, MD. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 10 at 11am at St. Theodore Greek Orthodox Church, 7101 Cipriano Rd., Lanham, MD. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Theodore's Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Funeral services will be held in New Jersey.

Grace Kathryn Rogers, a lifelong resident of Shady Side, died on November 3, 2012 at Heritage Harbour Health & Rehab Center in Annapolis.
 
Grace was born on December 22, 1914 in Shady Side to the late William A. and Liza Lee. She worked as an aide at the Deale Library and the Lula Scott Senior Center, and also worked for the Anne Arundel Community Action Agency.
 
Grace was a lifetime member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Shady Side, and enjoyed great home cooking, baking cakes and spending time with her family.
 
Grace was predeceased by her husband of 73 years, Clarence Frederick Rogers, three brothers; William S., Alvin E. and Henry E. Lee and one sister; Helen L. Whitby.
 
She is survived by her two sons; William M. Rogers of Shady Side and Howard G. Rogers of Annapolis, 5 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
 
Friends are invited to Grace’s Life Celebration from 6 until 8pm on Wednesday, November 7 and from 10am until her funeral service begins at 11am on Thursday, November 8 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens, Davidsonville, MD.
 
An online guestbook is available by accessing the link in the column on the right side of this page.

On the morning of Friday November 2, 2012, Lorraine Augusta DeMesme surrendered peacefully to God’s call to come home after a short illness. Lorraine fought a good fight and kept her faith. She found peace and rest in the arms of the Lord. 

Lorraine was born on August 31, 1925, in New Orleans, LA. She was a loving daughter of John and Beatrice Boyd (deceased). 

Educated in the state of Louisiana’s public schools, Lorraine graduated from McDonogh High School No.35, city of New Orleans, LA. A few years after graduation Lorraine met and married her late husband Emmanuel J. DeMesme Sr. Soon after marriage, they moved to Washington DC where they started their family. As a dedicated housewife she raised four children in a loving and spiritual home, where her favorite Motown sounds could be heard and the aroma of her gumbo smelled throughout the house. 

Lorraine was an active member of Our Lady Queen of Peace church of Washington DC. She was also an active member of the Sodality and participated fully in church functions. After moving to Oxon Hill, Maryland she joined Saint Columba Catholic Church. She joined the Cursillo Movement in 1999. 

Lorraine worked for the D.C. Treasury Financial Management Office, until her retirement on April 24, 1994. After retirement, Lorraine enjoyed spending time with family and friends. 

Lorraine is survived by her two brothers and three sisters: Bernell Boyd, Norris Boyd (Frankie), Evangeline Dunaway (Isadore), Anita August (Rudolph deceased) and Yolanda Batise (Brian), her children Roy Sr., (Evelyn), Trudy Mitchell (Lawrence Sr.), Emmanuel Jr., (Geraldine), Kenneth Sr., (Gloria Jean). She had eight grandchildren: Roy Jr.,(deceased), Germaine, Kenneth Jr., Rashad and Zari DeMesme, Lawrence Jr., Andrew Mitchell and Lacandress Kizzie, seven great grandchildren, one sister in-law, two brothers in-law, nephews, nieces, and a host of family and friends. 



Relatives and friends are invited to Lorraine's Life Celebration on Friday, November 9 from 10am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Online guestbook available at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com

On Friday, November 2, 2012; the beloved husband of the late Caroline Josephine Munson; loving father of Michelle and Toinette Munson; grandfather of Nakyta Thomas and Taelor Munson; great-grandfather of Clifton Thomas III and Josephine Thomas. He is also survived by one sister, Gloria Boone and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to James' Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 13 from 10am until time of services at 11am at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society a link for donations is located below. Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the guestbook also located below.

Catherine L. Cantler, “Cathie”, 62, of Edgewater died at her home on November 2, 2012, after a lengthy illness. 

Cathie was born on July 30, 1950 in Annapolis, child of Louis and Elizabeth Cantler. Cathie’s greatest joys were her family and friends. She was a caretaker to all and an avid Chesapeake Bay enthusiast. 

The youngest of 18 children, she is survived by her son, Michael Streit and his wife Sheri of Edgewater, and her beloved granddaughters, Brooke Streit, and Heather Little, both of Edgewater. Also survived by five brothers and five sisters. 

Friends are invited to Cathie’s Life Celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, November 5, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. An online guest book is available by accessing the link at the top of this page.

On Friday, November 2, 2012 of Edgewater, MD; beloved wife of the late Honorable John F. Kelly. Mother of Karen Kelly Pasciuto and her husband Rick, and of John F. Kelly, Jr. and his wife Debbie. Grandmother to Kelly Marie Pasciuto, Tony Pasciuto and his wife Amanda. 

Mrs. Kelly was born May 7, 1933 to Albert and Georgiana Doire in Providence, RI, where she was raised there and is survived by two brothers, Roger Doire and Ronald Doire, both of RI. She is also survived by her husband’s siblings: Maureen Ferrara, Gail Strain, Sarita Brady, Karen Landry and Timothy Kelly, as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, all of RI.

Mrs. Kelly moved to Washington following her marriage to Jack and worked at US News & World Report, while he worked and attended the evening division of Georgetown University School of Law. They later raised their family in New Carrollton, MD before moving to Upper Marlboro, MD. 

She was an avid reader and bridge player, but she loved her Maryland Terrapins and going to Ocean City, MD.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Mandrin House and to Rev. Andy Aaron for their loving care of Claire and our family as she prepared to join our Heavenly Father.

Friends will be received at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Friday November 9 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 and on Saturday, November 10 from 10am until a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 14908 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD, Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20017. An online guest book is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.

On Friday, November 2, 2012; beloved daughter of Emmanuel and Cleta Baliscao; sister of Emmanual Baliscao, Jr. She is also survived by many other aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Sheryl's Life Celebration on Friday, November 9 from 2 to 9pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 10:30am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. Online guestbook available at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com

Son of the late Joseph A. and Avie B. Wood both of Mechanicsville, MD. Beloved husband of the late Rita C. Wood (formally of Lynn, Ma). Father of Michael J Wood, currently of Boston, MA. He is survived by several nieces and nephews both of Massachusetts and of Maryland. He is a World War II veteran where he served as part of 101st Calvary of the US Army. He is a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of Council 11302 Patrick Cardinal O'Boyle and currently a member of Council 4078 St. Pius Council of District Heights, MD. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign of War and American Legion Post 196. A former employee of the District Grocery Stores (DGS) and Pointer, Inc. He is also survived by his long time companion of Mary E. Bennett of Forestville, MD Relatives and friends are invited to George's Life Celebration on Monday, November 5 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 Tuesday, November 6 at 11am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1717 Ritchie Rd., Forestville, MD. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. Online guestbook available at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com

George W. Granofsky, Sr., age 96, a resident of Edgewater, died on November 1 at his home due to congestive heart failure.

Born on May 24, 1916 in Locust Point in Baltimore, Mr. Granofsky served in the U.S. Navy during WW II and then served in the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. from 1949 until his retirement in 1967. After retiring he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for another ten years. Prior to enlisting in the Navy, Mr. Granofsky played string bass in a vaudeville orchestra at the State Theater in Baltimore. Even after retirement he continued to play combo work until age 81.

Mr. Granofsky was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Viola Anna Granofsky and his daughter, Nanette Evans and is now reunited with them in heaven with their Lord, Jesus.

He is survived by a daughter, Eileen (Tim) Lyle of Edgewater; two sons, George W. (Dodie) Granofsky, Jr. of Unionville, VA and Alan (Stephanie) Granofsky of Stonewood, WV; eight grandchildren, Scott, Devin, Dustin, John, Nathan, Anna, Daniel and Mary and two great-grandchildren, Skyler and Chloe.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Glenn Elmer Larsen was born in Morgan, Minnesota. His mother, Hazel Sjoboen, and his father Elmer Larsen were farmers. He had three brothers, Lester, Gordon, Roy and one sister, Lavina. 

He went to Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota. After graduation, he attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before he completed his degree, he was drafted into the Korean War and served in the Army as a medic in Germany.
 
Upon his release from the Army, he went back to Union College to earn his BA in business administration. He not only earned his degree, but he met the love of his life, Ruth Darlene McCombs while at college.
 
He married Ruth McCombs in Albia, Iowa, in 1958.
 
After graduation, he went to work for the government as an auditor in Omaha, Nebraska. He took an aptitude test for computer programming. The Treasury Department offered him a position in Washington, DC. He relocated his wife, Ruth and his two little girls, Teresa and Sherril. After being in the Washington area several years, his third daughter Michelle was born.
 
He worked in various capacities at the Treasury Department for 33 years. Retiring in 1997 

He and his family were members of the Pennsylvania Avenue Seventh-Day Adventist church in Washington, DC for 24 years. He was a deacon, elder, and frequent soloist at the church. Later, he and his wife moved their membership to Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, MD.
 
His favorite activity was spending time with his three grandchildren, Eric II, Michael, and Mark Jr. and one great grandchild, Lily. 

He was a devoted family man and his family adored him.
 
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and his three daughters, Teresa Knickerbocker (Eric Knickerbocker, Sherril Hurd (Melville Hurd) and Michelle Fannon (Mark Fannon), his grandchildren, Eric Knickerbocker II, Michael Knickerbocker, Mark Fannon, Jr. and his great granddaughter, Lily Knickerbocker.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) http://www.lls.org/#/waystohelp/donate/ or by mail to : The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Capital Area Chapter 5845 Richmond Highway Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22303.
 


Services and interment private.

Hoit Davison Palmer, 88, a resident of Annapolis and previously of Gaithersburg, died on October 30 of natural causes at Heritage Harbour Health and Rehabilitation Center.
 
She was born on September 25, 1924 in Orange, NJ to the late John C. Davison and Virginia Hoit. Hoit was a 1984 graduate of Hood College in Frederick. She was employed as a librarian for the Montgomery County government, a stewardess for TWA and a Aircraft Riveter for Bendix. Mrs. Palmer was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church. She was a writer, journalist, choir member, bird watcher, photographer and traveler.
 
She was predeceased by her husband, Wade Lugen Palmer, whom she married in 1948 and who died in 1976.
 
Hoit is survived by two sons, Todd Palmer of Ellicott City and Scott Palmer of Annapolis; one daughter, Darcy Palmer Hayes of Annapolis; one brother, John Davison of Cape Haze, FL; and three grandchildren, Lindsay and Lauren Palmer of Ellicott City and Heather Craig of Rockville.
 
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 17 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road, Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1041 Route 3 North, BLDG A., Gambrills, MD 21054.

On Monday, October 29, 2012; the beloved husband of Negede Ayechew. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Novemner 3, 2012 at 10am at Debre Genet Medhane Alem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, 4401 Old Branch Ave., Temple Hills, MD 20748. Interment Washington National Cemetery.

All services will be private. Please sign the guest book at the above link.

Life Celebration will be held at a later date.

On Sunday, October 28, 2012. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11am at Independent Baptist Church, 9255 Piscataway Rd., Clinton, MD 20735. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Christopher Nathan Williams, Jr., "Buddy", 20, a lifelong resident of Riva died suddenly at home on October 25.
 
He was born November 30, 1991 in Annapolis to Rachael and Christopher Williams, Sr., he graduated from South River High School in 2009. Buddy enjoyed motocross racing, music, Redskins football and loved spending time with family and friends.
 
In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by two sisters, Amber Williams-McNeese and Crystal Williams-Duckett, both of Brunswick; two nieces, Emma McNeese and Cadence Duckett; his grandparents, Jane and Hugh Williams of Riva, Leslie Lewtas of Glen Burnie and Virginia and Richard Weaver of Montgomery, PA; and a great-grandmother, Margaret Williams of Poolesville.
 
Friends are invited to Buddy's Life Celebration from 6 to 8pm, Wednesday, October 31, at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christopher Williams Memorial Fund, c/o Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3100, Merrifield, VA 22119.
 
**PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VISTATION HAS CHANGED TO: WEDNESDAY FROM 6-8PM**

On Thursday, October 25, 2012, the beloved father of Diane C. Maurice, Janine M. (Richard) Johansen and Carolyn G. Coppola; brother of the late Raymond R. Maurice. Family and friends are invited to Ron's Life Celebration on Thursday, November 1 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 Friday, November 2 at 11am at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Elks National Veterans Service Comission, C/O the Elks Camp Springs Lodge #2332, 7350 Temple Hills Rd., Temple Hills, MD 20748. Please leave your thoughts and memories by signing the guestbook located below. 

 


Guestbook
 
Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.
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Memorial Donations

Memorial donations may be made to:
National Veterans Service Commission



Services

Life Celebration

 Thursday November 1, 2012, 2-4 - 6-8pm at George P. Kalas Funeral Home,P.A. 
Click for Map and Directions

Mass of Christian Burial

 Friday November 2, 2012, 11:00am at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church 
Click for Map and Directions

Interment

 Friday November 2, 2012, 12:30PM at Resurrection Cemetery 
Click for Map and Directions

On Thursday, October 25, 2012, the beloved husband of Mary K. Johnson; devoted father of Clifford J., Jr., Beverly A. and Vernon J. Johnson; brother of Haywood "Gerald" Johnson. He is also survived by two grandsons and a host of other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to Clifford's Life Celebration on Monday, November 5 from 10am until service time at 12noon at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD

Lenora Maxine Goldring, the beloved daughter of the late William R. and Hattie R. Goldring, departed this life unexpectedly after a long illness on Wednesday October 24, 2012.
 
Lenora was preceded in death by her sister Mary Elizabeth Barnes, brothers, William Joseph Goldring, Sr., John Allen Goldring, Sr., Niece Sandra Anita Smallwood, nephews, Duane Andre Gaskins, Kalon D Goldring, James Mckinley Goldring Jr and Justin G Knowles.
 
Lenora is survived by her siblings, Gloria Robinson, Rita Carr, James, Jerome, Kenneth, Leonard, Margaret and Brenda Goldring and a host of numerous, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
 
Lenora was born at Freedmen Hospital in Washington, DC. She graduated from St. Mary’s Bryantown Elementary School. She attended and graduated from Cardinal Gibbon High School in Ridge, Maryland. She later entered Strayer University and earned a degree in Computer Science.
 
Lenora entered the Federal Government Civil Service, where she worked at the State Department for over 33 years up until she took ill.
 
Lenora loved watching all sports, especially the local teams the Redskins, Wizards, Hoyas and Terrapins. She was always asking “Is there a game on?” 





Relatives and friends are invited to Lenora's Life Celebration at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 13715 Notre Dame Pl., Bryantown, Maryland 20617 on Friday, November 2, 2012 from 11am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon. Interment church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MS Society, www.nationalmssociety.org

Jeanie Thomas
 Loving wife, Mom, Grandmommy, sister, and friend, Jeanie passed peacefully on October 24, 2012. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, John Thomas; her three children and their spouses, Mike and Kati Thomas, Dave and Erin Thomas, and Laura and Pat Harrington; six grandchildren, Ryan, Kasey, Haley, CJ, Nicky, and Kenzie; brother, Robert Kuhns, and sisters, Marsha Oltmann and Linda Kuhns. Visitation on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Service on Saturday at 10 AM at Unity Presbyterian Church, 4401 Brinkley Rd, Temple Hills, MD 20748. Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to Unity Presbyterian Church.

Obituaries

James Mills

Anthony Merlino

Andrew Kalos

Kathleen Spiessbach

Grace Rogers

Lorraine DeMesme

James Munson

Catherine Cantler

Claire Kelly

Sheryl Baliscao

George Wood

George Granofsky

Glenn Larsen

Hoit Palmer

Zawdie Deribie

Leila Conrad

Ellen Szelesi

A. McKnight

John Martinez

Christopher Williams

Ronald Maurice

Clifford Johnson

Lenora Goldring

Jean Thomas