Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

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

On Friday, January 7, 2011; beloved daughter of Milton and Elsie Gilley; Loving wife of Mark E. Gifford; mother of Marissa, Maxwell and Matthias Gifford; sister of Gregory Babrisky and Rebecca Gilley; granddaughter of Malcolm Clough and great- granddaughter of Vesta Goodwin. She is also survived by numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces , nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 16 at 11am from Bell Branch Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2365 Bell Branch Rd., Gambrills, Md. 21054. In lieu of flowers Donations may be made to the Gifford childrens college fund C/O Elsie and Rebecca Gilley, Acct# 5313030609, PNC Bank, 6196 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, Md. 20745 Please sign the guestbook.

William Anthony Santacroce “Bill”, 85, passed peacefully on January 6, 2011 at Heart Homes at Bayridge in Annapolis, ending a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bill was born on October 4, 1925 in Baltimore to the late Serafino and Eva Santacroce. After high school, he joined the Army Air Corps and served in Europe during World War II. Bill returned from the service and made his home in Forestville where he and his late wife of 35 years, Antoinette, raised five children. He had a 38-year career as a civilian aircraft mechanic at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs. Those who knew Bill will remember him for his passion for flying; love of fishing, crabbing and gardening; and mostly his fierce love and devotion to his family.
 
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by his oldest son, John, his youngest son, Louis, and his only sibling, John Santacroce of Baltimore.
 
Bill is survived by one son, Frank Santacroce and his wife, Leslie, of Edgewater, two daughters, Eva Sansone Giannusa and her husband, Philip, of Port Jefferson, NY and Gina Burkett and her husband, James, of Silver Spring; eight grandchildren, Jack and Louis Santacroce of Edgewater, Michael Santacroce of Severna Park, and Megan Vito and her husband David, of Charlottesville, VA, Zachary Sansone of New York, NY, John Giannusa of Port Jefferson, NY and Louis and Lauren Burkett of Silver Spring; and one great-granddaughter, Emilee Santacroce of Millersville.
 
Friends are invited to Bill’s Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, January 10, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Road, Edgewater, MD. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Maryland, Inc., 6934 Aviation Blvd. STE N-R, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.

Don E. Riddle, Sr., age 90, a resident of Hyattsville, MD for many years died on January 6, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of natural causes.

Born on May 3, 1920 in Clarksburg, WV, Don graduated from Mt. Rainier High School and served in the United States Army Signal Corp from 1942-46 during which he participated in the invasion of Normandy. Don worked for C & P Telephone Company for 39 years and was one of the founders of Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. After retiring from C&P in 1979, Don continued to work full time as Vice President of Homestead Gardens until 2005. Don was a member of Masonic Lodge 14 in Washington, D.C., St. Marks Episcopal Church in Fairland, MD and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He enjoyed working, gardening, fishing and crabbing.

Don is survived by his wife of 69 years, Evelyn A. Riddle; two sons, Don E. Riddle, Jr. of Annapolis, MD and Gerald L. Riddle of White Post, VA; one brother, Francis F. Riddle of West Virginia and is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to Don’s Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm, where services will held on Monday, January 10, at 10am. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Arrangements for Mr. Houck are pending. Please check back for an updated obituary.

Deborah Diehl, 53, a 3-year resident of Maryland died on January 6, 2011, at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md.
 
Born September 29, 1957, in Chicago, Ill., to Don and Jean Tyrrell, formerly of Peoria, she was employed by the United States Navy, retiring after 23 years on November 5, 2010, as a Lieutenant Commander, Nurse Corps. Deborah graduated from Scottsdale High School in Arizona in 1975, attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and The Ohio State University in Columbus. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
 
LCDR Diehl enlisted and graduated from Recruit Training Command, Orlando, in 1980 and was then stationed in New Orleans. She went on to graduate from Naval Hospital Corps "A" School, Great Lakes, Ill., in 1981 and was assigned to the Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Station San Diego as an Emergency Medical Technician for the duration of her four-year enlistment.
 
LCDR Diehl earned her Associate Degree in Nursing in May 1990 and began work on a high-risk Labor and Delivery unit in Texas. She rejoined the Navy in 1992 under the Technical Nurse Warrant Officer Program and was stationed at Naval Medical Center San Diego where she earned the specialty certification for Labor and Delivery. When she was a CW03 she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps at the United States Naval Academy Clinic in 1997. She transferred to Naval Hospital Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., where she worked in the Emergency Department and then assumed the Division Officer position in the Family Practice and Pediatric clinics. In 2000 she took orders to Naval Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Ill., where she served as an instructor, developed curriculum, and supervised the students' clinical rotations. She held a master’s in education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Orders following graduation were to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va. Assignments included Associate Department Head of Command Education and Training and Division Officer of Labor and Delivery. While at Portsmouth she deployed with the USNS Comfort on a four-month humanitarian mission as the Assistant Training Officer. LCDR Diehl’s final assignment was at the Navy Medicine Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education Command in Bethesda, Md., as Program Director for Simulation and Gaming. 

Her personal awards include Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendations, Public Health Meritorious Unit Award, and various service and campaign awards. Her designations include Master Training Specialist and Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer. 

Deborah loved spending time with her daughters, niece, nephew and all her close family and friends. Deborah’s interests included entertaining, gardening, decorating, skydiving, taking care of her animals, and maintaining the many friendships that she developed. Even with all of her moves, she considered herself an Arizonan and was looking forward to spending time there in retirement. 

She was closest to her father Don and stepmother Alice of Sedona, Ariz., her daughters, Jennifer Diehl of Silver Spring, Md., and Lauren Diehl of Milwaukee, Wis.; her sister Susan; brother John, sister-in-law Pamela, their children Pierce and Caroline, all of Davidsonville, Md.
 
Friends are invited to Deborah’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, on Thursday, January 13, 2011, at 5:00 pm. Interment is private. Memorial donations may be made to Fisher House Foundation for wounded warriors. Arrangements by the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, Edgewater, Md.

On Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in Orlando, FL; the beloved husband of the late Patricia and Jane Roberson; father of Patricia Cooper, Charlene Reynolds, Sherrie(Steve) Lee; Terry Lynn Cheek and Sharon(Gerald) Mills; brother of Ada Johnson and Blanche Wallace; grandfather of Brenda, Nathan, Robert, Aaron, Zackary, Shelley, Whitney and Kelley. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, five nieces and one nephew and many friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Roberson's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Tuesday, January 11 from 11am until time of service at 12 noon. *THERE WILL BE A MASONIC SERVICE AT 11:30AM*. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Voward “Vow” Foster, 73, of Edgewater, MD and previously of Adelphi, MD died on January 4, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of heart failure after a 7 year illness.
 
Born May 20, 1937 in McQuary County, Kentucky, he was employed as a Tree Surgeon with the Architect of the Capitol for 38 years. Vow was a member of Chesapeake Christian Fellowship and the College Park Moose Lodge. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, poker, dominoes and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
 
Vow is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruth M. Foster; his children, Deborah (Ray) Hostetter of Edgewater, MD, Sherry A. Foster of Edgewater, MD and Bradley C. (Christine) Foster of Elkridge, MD; his siblings, Elmer Foster of Davidsonville, MD, Arvil Foster of Edgewater, MD, Elsie SanNichols of California, Cornelia Largent of Florence, SC and Dorothy Britton of Annapolis, MD; he is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister, Katherine Dolan.
 
Friends are invited to Vow’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10am at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, 377 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Interment George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi, MD. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201.

On Tuesday, January 4, 2011, the beloved wife of Milton F. Smith; mother of Annemarie Smith; sister of Joseph and Dominic Fornari. She is also survived by other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to Jo's Life Celebration on Friday, January 7 from 6 to 8pm at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, January 8 at 10:00am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2315 Brinkley Rd., Ft. Washington, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Allan Alexovits Alexander, 88, a 12-year resident of Annapolis, MD and previously of Wallingford, CT and Millington, NJ died on January 4, 2011 of Cardiac Arrest at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore Maryland.
 
Born February 5, 1922 in Newark, NJ, he attended Weequahic High School and served in the Army of the United States from 1944 through 1946. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering in Newark, New Jersey, a Masters of Science from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.
 
He was employed as an engineer for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company from 1947 until 1956, and with the New York Telephone Company from 1956 through 1977, retiring as an Assistant Vice President in 1977. In 1978 he joined ROLM New England prior to its acquisition by IBM. He retired from IBM in 1990.
 He was active in education, having been elected to the Passaic Township (now Long-Hill Township) Board of Education, was a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey, and was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 

He attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Stirling, NJ and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crofton, MD. Allan’s hobbies included Computer and Internet technology, constructing websites, Radio and Television Electronics, Music, Reading, and Dancing. He especially enjoyed travelling, having visited all 50 states, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and crossing the Arctic Circle.
 
He was the beloved husband of Helen Jeanette Alexander (Nov. 1, 1921 – July 24, 2009), whom he married in November of 1944; devoted father of Allan Richard Alexander of Vancouver, WA, Robert James Alexander of Tampa, FL; and Stephen Bruce Alexander of Annapolis, MD. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. 

Services celebrating Al Alexander’s life will be offered at locations nearby his three sons at later dates.
 Inurnment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. 
Memorial Contributions may be made to: American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

Mary Jo Dwire Meizner, 80, a resident of Annapolis, previously of Edgewater, died January 1 of natural causes at Ginger Cove Health Center.
She was born November 11, 1930, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of George John and Agnes O’Connor Dwire. She graduated from Mount St. Gertrude Academy in Boulder, and in 1951 graduated from the University of Colorado where she majored in drama and journalism.

Mary Jo married Charles A. Meizner in 1952. A freelance writer, publicist and journalist, Mary Jo worked for the Evening Capital for a number of years, and contributed to the Anne Arundel Times. She was seen on-stage and behind the scenes at Colonial Players in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. In addition to writing and acting, Mary Jo enjoyed photography, sailing and world travel. She wrote lively and humorous accounts of adventures like starting a vineyard on a small farm in New Jersey in the mid-1970s, sailing with friends in Greece in the 1980s, boating in the Pacific Northwest and traveling across Siberia by train in the 1990s. 

A charming and gracious woman, Mary Jo was devoted to husband, friends and family.
She was a longtime member of Delta Gamma Sorority, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Catholic Church in Edgewater, the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, the Annapolis Yacht Club and the American Association of University Women. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, “Chuck.” 

She is survived by her daughters Kathie Meizner (Parker Orr) of Silver Spring, Maryland and Karen Meizner ( Russell Bowman) of Haines, Alaska and four grandchildren.
A reception with the family will be held Thursday 2-4:00 p.m. at the Kalas Funeral Home in Edgewater. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 7, at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Church in Edgewater. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave. Annapolis, MD 21403 or Ginger Cove Foundation, Employee Scholarship Fund, 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401. Online guestbook available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com

On Sunday, January 2, 2011; the beloved wife of Paul S. George; mother of Chenelle George; daughter of Florence Walters; sister of Yvonne DeSuza and Kathleen Nolan. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Evette's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Monday, January 10 from 11am until time of service at 12 noon. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the SPCA/HS of Prince George’s County, PO Box 925, Bowie, MD 20718

Lillian Inez Rich-Martin, age 76, a resident of Edgewater, MD for thirty four years, died on Sunday, January 2 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a three month battle with lung cancer. Born in Washington, D.C., Lillian worked as a clerk with the Maryland Automobile Insurance Company and in her spare time enjoyed flea markets, old movies and her pets. She was the best Mom and Grandmother in the world. Lillian was pre-deceased by her husband, Donald Rich, who died in 1981; and by two brothers, Donnie and Jimmy Rodgers. She is survived by a son, Donald Paul Rich of Somerset, NJ; two daughters, Patricia Rich of Beckley, WV and Donna Robinson of Seattle, WA; two brothers, Charles Wayne Rodgers of Lothian, MD and Ernie Rodgers of Mt. Airy, MD; a grandson, Tony Raffo of Seattle, WA; three granddaughters, Chrystal Oates of Prince Frederick, MD, Tricia Dove and Sabrina Rich both of Edgewater, MD, she is also survived by five great grandchildren. Friends are invited to Lillian’s Life Celebration at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, January 6 from 6:00 to 8:00PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21401.

Rose Irene Vance “Rene”, 86, an 8-year resident of Gambrills and formerly of Ocean City, MD, died on January 1, 2011 at the Renaissance Gardens at Greenspring in Springfield, VA. She was born on March 12, 1924 in London, England where she was educated. After moving to the United States, Rene worked as a county court clerk. She loved working with students at Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and being a room mother at her children’s school. Rene was a wonderful cook and made all holidays special for her family and guests in her home. She was a caring mother and loving friend who always enjoyed social gatherings and sharing good laughs with others. 

She was the loving wife of Nelson C. Vance, Jr. who died in 1980. She is survived by her children, Michael J. Vance of Delaware, MD, Linda J. Woodside of Gaithersburg, MD, Patricia A. Medley of Davidsonville, MD, Donna L. Herndon of New Bern, NC, and Cynthia R. Luria of Springfield, VA and two brothers, Sydney Ponti of Citrus Heights, CA and John Ponti of London, England. Also survived by 11 grandchildren, Michael John Vance, Jr., Bryan A. Medley, James and William Goff, Ryan and Lindsey Luria, Tammy Hughes, Amy Welther, Jeannette Wood, Jennifer Roberts and Ginger Hudson, and 15 great-grandchildren.
 
Friends are invited to Rene’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, January 5, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037 where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 6, at 11 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.

On Saturday, January 1, 2011, the beloved wife of the late Don Bonifacio; mother of the late Efren Cinco; grandmother of Alfie Stasiuk, Eilleen Glasscock, Nancy Johnsen and Noel Cinco; great-grandmother of Christina and Shannon Johnsen and Omar Cinco. Friends may call at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Monday, January 10 from 4 to 8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, January 11 at 11:00am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2315 Brinkley Rd., Ft. Washington, MD. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, January 27 at 10:00am

Joseph DiNenna “Papa”, 100, a resident of Edgewater, MD since 1973 and previously of Cheverly, MD died at his home on December 29, 2010 of natural causes.

Born September 1, 1910 in Washington, D.C., he worked as a property clerk with the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, DC. Joseph was a life-long Catholic and was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Edgewater, MD. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and his family was his life.

Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Helen DiNenna, whom he married on July 12, 1948 and died May 24, 2001; two sons, Charles and Robert DiNenna.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Jo Rodano of Edgewater, MD and Charlene Spangler of Cambridge, MD; also survived by 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be offered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Road,Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11am. Interment private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

On Tuesday, December 28, 2010, Friends may call at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, Forestville, MD on Friday, December 31 from 10am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

On Tuesday, December 28, 2010 in Crofton, MD. Viewing will be on Tuesday, January 4, from 9am until service time at 10am at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomnos Island Rd. Edgewater, MD. Interment Glen Haven Mem'l Park

Joyce Pierce Brown, 73, a 40-year resident of Annapolis, died December 28, 2010 at the Mandrin Chesapeake Hospice House in Harwood, Maryland. 
Mrs. Brown was born July 28, 1937 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She graduated valedictorian of her 1955 class at Rocky Mount High School. Mrs. Brown received her BS and her Masters of Art in Education from East Carolina University in 1959 and 1964 where she was admitted to Who’s Who in American universities. Mrs. Brown was selected a member of Kappa Delta Pi, honor society for education majors. 

Upon graduation, Mrs. Brown began teaching in Maryland public schools where she taught 24 years in Harford and Prince George’s counties. Retiring in 1984, she began her second career as a substitute librarian for Anne Arundel County Public Libraries until August 2010. In addition to reading she enjoyed water aerobics and her grandchildren.
 
She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel H Brown whom she married in 1970 and remained devoted to until his death in 2004. Her brother, Thomas Everett Pierce, died in military service in 1967.
 
She leaves two sisters, Susie Rhodes of Decatur, TX and her twin sister Janice Green of Bel Air, MD; a daughter, Mary Katherine “Mollie” Smith of Dagsboro DE; also survived by two grandchildren, Julia Marie Smith and Colin Samuel Smith, both of Dagsboro DE.
 
Memorial services will be held at St. Paul's Anglican Chapel, 1505 Crownsville Road, Crownsville, near Generals Highway on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11am. Burial will be private. Arrangements by the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, Edgewater. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the John McGarty Staff Recognition Fund, c/o Anne Arundel County Library Foundation, 5 Harry Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or Hospice of the Chesapeake, c/o Mandrin Chesapeake Hospice House, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Obituaries

Darren Sweet

Melissa Gifford

William Santacroce

Don Riddle

Fletcher Houck

Deborah Diehl

Clifton Roberson

Voward Foster

Josephine Smith

Allan Alexander

Nancy Young

Mary Meizner

Evette George

Lillian Rich-Martin

Betty Kalfus

Rose Vance

Luz Bonifacio

James Desarno

Joseph DiNenna

Rebecca Gaines

Naomi Willett

Madeline Specht

Ida Corame

Joyce Brown