Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Jose Zamora Rodriguez, Jr. of Churchton, MD died Monday, November 14 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired cartographer from the World Bank.
 
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 19, at 11AM at St. James' Parish on Route 2 in Lothian. Inurnment immediately following service in the church cemetery.
 
An online guestbook is available for your convenience by accessing the link at the top of this page.

On Sunday, November 13, 2011, the beloved mother of nine Children. Family and friends are invited to Modesta's Life Celebration of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 16, 17, and 18 from 2 to 9pm at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, November 19 at 9am St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd. Oxon Hill, MD. Interment private.

Travis Matthew Gafford, an army colonel who retired in 1975 and later became an executive with several private sector companies, died peacefully with his family in attendance at Bethesda Naval Hospital, on Saturday, November 12, 2011.
 Col. Gafford, was born in Uvalde, Texas, and spent his early life growing up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He entered the army in 1950 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry via an ROTC commission received at the University of Denver, Colorado. He was educated at New Mexico State University, University of Denver, George Washington University, and various military schools and colleges. He was most proud of attending the Military language school where he learned to speak, write, and read Mandarin Chinese. 
He held a variety of infantry, intelligence, operational, and planning assignments, and also served at the Pentagon with the Army Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His overseas assignments included stays in Japan, Okinawa, and Taiwan. In addition, he served his country with pride and distinction by completing two tours of duty in Vietnam, and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
 After retiring from the Army, he moved to the Chicago area and worked for The National Alliance of Businessmen, Sears Roebuck Company, and Graham Associates.
 Travis Gafford enjoyed life to the fullest and was a devoted family man who cared deeply about his survivors. They include his wife Lois of Tantallon, Fort Washington, Md.; sons Richard of Bowie, Md., and Michael of San Francisco, Ca.; daughters-in law, Patricia and Cherisse ; three grandchildren, Kristin, Travis, and Daniella; and one great-granddaughter, Miyah.
 A memorial service will be held on November 21, 2011, at Andrews Air Force Base Chapel One. Viewing will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, with the service immediately following. Interment with full Military Honors will take place on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 3pm at Arlington National Cemetery. . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation at http://fisherhouse.org
 Please sign the guestbook located to the left.

All services are private for Mr. Martinelli. Please sign the guest book at the link above.

Copy and paste the link to your browser:
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/07/AR2007120702231.html
 
On Thursday, November 10, 2011; the beloved husband of Jean Piquette; father of William A. and Robert L. Piquette; grandfather of Richard W., Melinda and Lori Piquette and Lisa Walsh and the late David Piquette. Relatives and friends are invited to Richard's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Monday, November 28, 2011 from 10:30 am until time of service at 11:30am. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Please sign the guestbook located at the bottom left of this page.

Violet B. Hiponia, “Nannie”, a lifelong resident of Annapolis died on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at her daughter’s residence with her family at her side.

Violet was born March 28, 1917 to the late Burton and Eleanor M. Francisco. In 1930, she met her husband, Salvador while he was stationed at the Naval Academy. Violet enjoyed crafts, reading, chocolate, family reunions and cooking Filipino food. Her family was always the most important thing in her life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Salvador Hiponia, whom she married on February 27, 1931 and who died on March 11, 1967.

Violet is survived by a son, Joe Hiponia and his wife, Debbie of Annapolis; four daughters, Dolores Sheckells of Annapolis, Maria Pettit and her husband, Bob of Deale, Anita Pryor and her husband, Bud of Ocean View, DE and Verna Radcliffe and her husband, Bill of Laytonsville; also survived by 20 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Friends are invited to Nannie’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater on Sunday, November 13 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis on Monday, November 14 at 10:30am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Violet’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Jack Fowler Nigh, 80, a 28-year resident of Dunkirk, MD and previously of Huntingtown died on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 in Annapolis of colitis.
 
Born March 25, 1931 in Tulsa, OK, he graduated from high school in Tulsa and attended college for 2 years. Jack served in the U.S. Navy submarine service for nine years on the U.S.S. Skipjack. He loved woodcarving and was a member of the Anne Arundel Carver’s Club.
 
Jack is survived by his wife, Anne Nigh; one son, Michael A. Nigh of Portland, OR; two daughters, Patricia N. Cornelius of Portland, OR and Michelle N. (Michael Shamus) Corbett of Black Mountain, NC; two sisters, Donna Nigh Jones of Dallas, TX and Anna Ruth Holland of Houston, TX; also survived by his grandchildren, Michael, David, Katie, and Courtney Nigh, Brigid Alifair and Fiona Maeve Corbett.
 
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February, 1, 2012 at 3pm at the Ft. Myer Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1041 Rt. 3N, Bldg. A, Gambrills, MD 21054 or by accessing the link in the right column under Memorial Donations. 

An online guestbook is available for your convenience by accessing the link at the top of this page.

Robert “Bob” Donald Becchia, 57, a 16-year resident of Annapolis, and previously of Flushing, NY, died on November 8 at the Tate Hospice House in Linthicum. 

Born October 2, 1954 in Flushing, NY to the late Hugo Becchia and Anna Wagner, he graduated from Holy Cross High School in Flushing, NY. Robert was employed as a manager at Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante & Café in Annapolis. He enjoyed watching baseball and playing basketball.
 
Robert is survived by two sisters, Joan Papa and her husband Chuck of Callicoon Center, NY and Diana O'Hagan and her husband Thomas, of Lewes, DE. He is also survived by other loving family, Shannon Kraese, Erica Geis of Long Island, NY, Kaitlyn Geis of Queens, NY, Alexandra Geis of Queens, NY and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
 
Friends are invited to Bob’s Life Celebration 1 p.m. until time of service, 3 p.m., Saturday, November 12 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or charity of choice.

On Monday, Novemeber 7, 2011, the beloved wife of the late Earl W. Moos and Millard T. McCoy; mother of Dennis E. (Judith) Moos, Judy M. (Edward) Welton and Millard T. "Tim" (Julie) McCoy; sister of the late Evelyn Gordan Cohan; grandmother of Louis E. (Sheila) Welton, Kristin W. (Nicholas) Eshelman, Brice T. and Trey T. McCoy; great-grandmother of Emil and Kathleen Welton. Family and friends are invited to Arline's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 12 from 10am until 12noon at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Rd. Edgewater, MD, followed by graveside services at 12:45pm at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mary Kambouris Samaras, age 84, a resident of Annapolis for sixty years, died at her residence on Monday, November 7 of natural causes.
 
Born in Beckley, WV on October 28, 1927, to the late Nicholas and Evangeline Kambouris, Mary was a graduate of Beckley College. She married her husband, Chris Samaras on September 2, 1951 and with him and her in laws, Charlie and Bessie Samaras, owned and operated C & C Liquors in Annapolis for more than fifty years. She loved working and especially enjoyed talking with her longtime customers. Mary was a member of Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis where she served as Agia Anna Philoptochos president and assisted on many other fundraising committees. She loved to dance, entertain friends and family and bake Greek pastries and other dishes such as, baklava, kouralakia, kourambiethes and dolmathes. Mary also loved spending time with her family, spoiling her beautiful granddaughters and visiting her sister and friends in West Virginia.
 
Mary was predeceased by her husband Chris Samaras, who died on November 15, 2005.
 
She is survived by her son, Stephen Samaras of Annapolis; two daughters, Daphne Foreman of Crofton and Evangeline Ross of Annapolis; a sister, Katherine Kambouris of Beckley, WV and two granddaughters, Marisa Foreman of Crofton and Katherine Ross of Annapolis.
 
Friends are invited to Mary’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, November 10 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. Funeral service will be held at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401 on Friday, November 11 at 11:00am. Interment St. Demetrios Cemetery. Donations may be made to, Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

David C. Ryan, Jr, 82, of Annapolis, formerly of Cheverly, Maryland died November 7.
 
He was born in Bocas del Toro, Panama in 1929. He graduated from Balboa High School, served in the U.S. Navy (1948-1952) with rank of chief petty officer, as an electronics technician second class. He attended Louisiana State University (BSEE) and subsequently moved with his family to the Washington Metro area in 1958. After working in private sector, the balance of his career was spent with FAA/DOT in the field of systems engineering . He earned both a Masters and PhD from The George Washington University. He retired to the Heritage Harbor community in Annapolis. 

He is survived by wife of 60 years, Vilma Quijano; son David III (Cindy); two daughters, Luce Ulam (Patrick) and Vivian Farley (Jack); seven grandchildren Courtney Ryan, Melanie Ryan, Blake Ulam (Jill), Bridget Grant(Geoff) and Maria Haselbeck (Kirk), Ryan Farley, Christina Farley; and one great-grandchild, Owen Grant. 

Private funeral arrangements forthcoming.

On Monday, November 7, 2011; the beloved father of Brett Banks, Deborah Banks McKoy and the late James Banks; son of the late Charles H. and Mary Elizabeth Banks; brother of Barbara Adams, Pat Colburn, Shirley Vance and the late Steven and Jerry Banks; grandfather of William and Paige. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews, many other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Ken's Life Celebration on Thursday, November 10 from 6 to 8pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD where services will be held on Friday, November 11 at 11am. Interment Park Hill Cemetery, Marbury, MD.

Betty Poston Tucker, 80, of Davidsonville died November 5 after a battle with pneumonia. 
She was born on December 21, 1930 in Washington, DC to the late Sumpter Silcott and Ida Bell Thomas Poston. The youngest of nine children, she attended Eastern High School in Washington DC. After her graduation in 1947, she went to work for the District of Columbia Government. In September 1952 Betty met and married Ellsworth Tucker. She then moved her career to NSA where she retired in 1976. After retirement she worked part-time for the A.A. County Recreation and Parks Department.
She was a strong supporter and leader for women’s athletics. Betty was instrumental in the development and establishment of the Davidsonville Athletic Club and the girls’ basketball and softball programs. She was an avid bridge player, achieving the recognition of “Life Master”. She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends and never missed a Saturday yard sale where she looked for the many bargains to be had. She loved eating crabs and was a diehard Redskin fan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellsworth “Whitey” Tucker; sisters, Virginia “Jinx” White and Jeanne Viqueria; and brothers, John W. Poston and Robert “Bobby” Poston.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan K. Hamilton, and her husband, Greg, of Davidsonville, two sisters, Doris P. Henry of California and Gertude P. Shymansky of Edgewater; brother, Richard S. Poston of Davidsonville and grandchildren, Jeffrey T. Hamilton and Whitney T. Hamilton both of Davidsonville as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to Betty’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, November 9, from 1 to 3PM and from 5 to 8 PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 10 at 10AM. Inurnment at All Hallows Church Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to “Rec Deeds For Special Needs”, 1 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Arrangement are incomplete at this time for Ethel Adkins. Please sign the guest book at the link above.

William Wesley “Bill” Neall, Jr. was born on December 27, 1941. He died at his home in Arnold, MD on November 5, 2011 of natural causes. He was the oldest son of the late William W. and Doris M. Neall of Davidsonville, MD. He is survived by his children, William Neall III, Brian Neall, Michael Neall and Amanda Neall Ritchey. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Neall and his sister, Susan Neall Murnane. He has 9 grandchildren, Michael, Sabrina, Hannah, Brian, Sarah, Troy, Madison, Grace and Charlotte and many nieces and nephews.
 
Bill was a top salesman at Mazo Lerch and Company in the 60's and 70's but was best known for running the Davidsonville Store which he purchased from his father in 1977. He was a quiet man who was generous to strangers and friends alike. He was a 32 Degree Mason and a member Annapolis Masonic lodge. 

In his later years he enjoyed traveling to Ireland, the Netherlands and Costa Rica with his brother-in-law, Timothy Murnane, and a group of close friends. He enjoyed afternoons at the Green Turtle in Edgewater and Mike's Crab House in Riva.
 
Friends are invited to Bill’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 8, from 4 to 7PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 9, at All Hallows Parish, 864 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville. Interment immediately following in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William and Doris Neall Memorial Scholarship Fund, Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012. An online guestbook is available for your convenience at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com

On Friday, November 4, 2011; the beloved husband of the late Mae Wisniewski; father of Robert E. (Betty) West; grandfather of Steven, Bryan, Mark and Victoria West; great-grandfather of Clark and Reed West. Relatives and friends are invited to Ed's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Thursday, November 10 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, November 11 at 10:30am at St. Bernardine of Siena Catholic Church, 2400 Brooks Dr., Suitland, MD. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Mechanicsville VFD, The Arthritis Foundation or The American Heart Association. Please sign the guestbook located above.

On Thursday, November 3, 2011; the beloved wife of the late Terrence W. Banks; mother of Michael (Patty), Patrick (Patricia), Timothy (Cynthia Sanford) Banks and Margaret (Wright) Jolly; grandmother of Kimberly (Doug) Lichtenberger, Andrew (Kathy)and Katie Banks, Tierra Jolly (Nick Paleos), Kathleen (Kris) Maxwell, Gabrielle and Elizabeth Jolly; sister of Daniel (Orpha)Radford, David (Myrt) Radford, Sharon (Richard) Astleford and the late Marilyn Grodem. Relatives and friends are invited to Zoe's Life Celebration on Friday, November 11 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. and from 10am until time of services at 11 am at Brighter Day Ministries (formerly Congress Heights United Methodist Church), 421 Alabama Ave, S.E., Washington D.C. Interment will take place on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 1pm at Arlington National Cemetery. Family requests in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to a charity of one's choice. Please sign the guestbook located to the left.

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, the beloved wife of George E. Sullivan. Friends may call at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, MD on Wednesday, November 9 from 2 to 4PM. A Graveside service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery on Thursday, November 10 at 10:30AM.

George Marsh Landis
 On Tuesday, November 1, 2011. The beloved husband of Gladys E. Landis for 68 years; father of Allan, Larry and George Landis, III, Kathryn Carter, Debbie Judy and the late Elaine Gussio; father in law of Heather, Vina and Mary Landis, Robert Carter, Roger Judy and Arnold Gussio, also survived by fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. Friends are invited to George’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Saturday, November 5 at 1:00PM. Interment private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the The Alzheimer’s Assn., 1850 York Rd., Ste. D, Timonium, MD 21093. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Jan Nuscher and all of the staff at La Casa Assisted Living for their loving care.

On Monday, October 31, 2011, the beloved son of Dorothy Clark and the late Willie Clark, Sr.; husband of Marie Clark; devoted father of Angela Mallory, Antonio Gooden, Lovie, Dwayne and Sherry Clark; brother of Norman Clark passed away. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a host of other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Clark's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 12 from 9am until service time at 11am at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment in Ardmore, OK.

Richard C Smith, 81, of Annapolis passed on the morning of October 31 after his year-long battle with cancer.
 
Richard was born Aug 15, 1930 in Washington D.C. He lived most of his life in the Washington area, attending Anacostia High School. He began a 43 year career with Safeway Food Stores at the age of 14 interrupted only by his service in the Marine Corps starting in 1951. He was stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. where he served in the ceremonial honor guard and marched in President Eisenhower’s inauguration. He married Frances Dittmer in 1954, graduated from American University in 1956 and began a family in the same year. His job took him and the family to England in 1963 to setup the first Safeway stores in the UK. Richard returned from the UK in 1966 to become the Safeway Distribution Center Manager where he oversaw operations for the entire mid-Atlantic region. 

Richard was a life-long tennis player up through the age of 80. His other interests included vacations with the family at the beach, bike riding, history and reading as well as listening to John Philip Souza.
 Richard is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Frances D Smith, of 56 years; his sons Steven J Smith (Sharon), Kenneth D Smith (Mary), Michael B Smith (Lorna) and Eric C Smith (Julie); his grandchildren Travis, Carly, Samantha, Michelle and Mikey; and his sister Nancy Scott. 

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, MD on November 4th at 2 pm. The family will receive friends immediately thereafter at the church. A private family only service will be held at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Paul Lutheran Church at 31 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, or to Hospice of the Chesapeake at 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.For your convenience, an online guestbook is available by clicking the link in the bottom left corner of this page.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, the beloved husband of Gretta Goshorn; father of Donald, Jr.(Christina) and Deanna Goshorn; grandfather of Megan and Jacob Goshorn. He is also survived by five sisters, four brothers and many other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Goshorn's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Friday, November 4 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. with services beginning at 8pm. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K St. NW #500, Washington, DC 20005, www.Melanoma.org

Leonard D. Matta, a resident of Gambrills, MD for over 40-years died on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of natural causes.
 
Born July 4, 1936 in Duluth, MN, he graduated from the University of Minnesota. Leonard served in the United States Army. He worked for the United States Information Agency of the United States State Department. Leonard enjoyed fishing, watching the Washington Redskins and Capitals and spending time with his grandchildren.
 
He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Matta in 1991.
 
He is survived by a son, L. Mathew Matta and his wife Christina of Gambrills, MD; a brother, Ronald Matta of Duluth, MN; a sister, Marjorie Hopper of Odenton, MD; also survived by two grandchildren, Jonathan and Marguerite Matta.
 
Friends are invited to Leonard’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, November 2 from 5 to 7pm, where services will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 9am. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058. For your convenience, please sign Leonard's online guestbook by clicking the link below.

Obituaries

Wayne Duvall

Jose Rodriguez

Modesta Morales

Travis USA

Renzo Martinelli

Richard Piquette

Violet Hiponia

Jack Nigh

Robert Becchia

Arline McCoy

Mary Samaras

David Ryan

Ken Banks

Betty Tucker

Ethel Adkins

William Neall

Edward Wisniewski

Zoe Banks

Jeannie Sullivan

George Landis

Willie Clark

Richard Smith

Donald Goshorn

Leonard Matta