Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Ronald â€œRonâ€ Gene Donoway, 69, a resident of Annapolis for over 30 years passed away of natural causes on April 22, 2008 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. 


Born October 28, 1938, in Whaleyville, Maryland. He has a M.S. in Computer Systems from American University that he received in 1972. He has a B.S. in Real Estate Law & Insurance from University of Maryland in 1966. He also has a B.S. in Finance & Accounting from University of Maryland that he obtained in 1966. He retired as a senior systems engineer with the National Security Agency. He later was employed as a principal information engineer with Perot Systems. He served in the United States Air Force in the late 1950's and received an honorable discharge. He was a volunteer as a camp host at Assateague Island National Seashore Park. He was a member of the Phoenix Society, as well as the V.F.W. His hobbies included golf, working on cars, camping and coaching his kids in youth sports for over 35 years. He is survived by his companion Barbara Herold of Arnold, MD; father of Ronald L. Donoway of Ft. Myers, FL, Mark A. Donoway of Sherwood Forest, MD and Eric L. Donoway of Chester, MD; brother of Robert Donoway of Berlin; MD and seven grandchildren. 


Relatives and friends are invited to Ron's Life Celebration on Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 28 at 10am in the funeral home's chapel. Please sign the guestbook.

On Monday April 21, 2008, the beloved husband of Barbara I. Cantrell, loving father of Michael S. (Ann) Cantrell, George W. Cantrell, III and Stephanie F. (Jeffrey) Burgess, brother of James D. Cantrell, grandfather of Delaney, Perry, Hailey and Macy Burgess, Garrett Hall and Taylor Cantrell. Relatives and friends are invited to George's Life Celebration on Friday April 25 from 5 to 8pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home 2973 Solomons Island Rd. Edgewater, MD. Interment private.

On Sunday, April 20, 2008. The beloved husband of Hildegard G. Jett; father of Lee Downing(Deborah) and Thomas W.(Michele) Jett; brother of Downing Kay and Lillian Stevens; grandfather of Andrew, Justin, Paige and Kate. Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 2 at 10:30a.m. at Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist, 10610 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, Md. 20744. Inurnment Arlington National Cemetery.

Therese Bernadette Aumann, a 20-year resident of Greenbelt, MD, died of cancer on April 20 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. Born in Queens, New York, she graduated from high school in New York City. She was a pharmacy assistant at the Giant Food in White Oak, MD for about 16 years. She was an avid reader and gardener and outstanding cook, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was the beloved mother of Eric Aumann and Monica Felter, both of Davidsonville, MD, Kurt Aumann, of Severn, MD, Jeannine Langston of Darnestown, MD and Annamary Holbrook of Riva, MD; grandmother of Michael, Cara, Eric, Justin, Kyle, Bradley, Nic, Daniel and loving adoptive mother and grandmother to many. Family and friends are invited to Therese's Life Celebration at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD 21035 on Friday, April 25 from 10AM until Mass of Christian Burial begins at 11AM. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Therese Aumann to the American Lung Association, Executive Plaza I, Ste. 600, 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 or the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

After a long and brave battle with Leukemia, Giacomo â€œJackâ€ Benito Ferrari gave up his fight and returned to God. He was the beloved Father to his children Joni Metcalf, Jacqueline Ferrari-Wiltshire of Rockville, Christopher Ferrari and Alisa Decatur of Culpeper, VA. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Smith of Edgewater, his ex-wife Barbara Karuzas of Syracuse, NY, his eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in Washington, D.C. after his parents came to the United States from Florence, Italy. He served in the United States Army, owned and operated a restaurant, and was an accomplished wholesale liquor distributor until his retirement. He was a devoted friend and an avid athlete who enjoyed playing golf, softball, football, basketball and bowling. Relatives and friends are invited to Jack's Life Celebration on Wednesday, April 23, from 4 to 7 P.M. at The George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, April 24, at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Road, Edgewater, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

**PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW MRS. JOHNSON"S VIDEO TRIBUTE**

 

On Friday, April 18, 2008; the beloved wife of the late Lee M. Johnson; mother of Margie Lienhart, Donald Johnson, Mary Ann (Mike) Kibler and the late Robert Johnson; grandmother of Tessa, Amy, Beth, Diane and Michael; great-grandmother of Jonathan. Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Johnson's Life Celebration on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 11 am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Columba Catholic School Fund at the church address.

Michael Grattan Luby, 78, a 24-year resident of Edgewater and previously of University Park, died of complications from prostate cancer April 18 at Anne Arundel Medical after a 15-month illness. Born Nov. 11, 1929, in Concordia, Kan., he attended high school in Kansas and Lima, Peru, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Hagerstown in 1947. He attended the University of Maryland University College. He was employed as a senior logistics manager for the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., from 1961 to 1988. He was proud to have been a member of the Apollo Space Program team, developing and supporting the ships that tracked all Apollo space flights. He made significant contributions to the development of modern supply and logistics systems for the Navy, while managing logistical support for the construction and operations major ship classes. Mr. Luby served in the Army Air Corps, and received a medical discharge following a training accident in 1948. Mr. Luby was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville, the University of Maryland's Terrapin Club, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid Maryland football and basketball fan and was a football season ticket holder for over 45 years. He loved history, and had extensive knowledge of the Civil War and the Irish Republican Movement, in which many of his ancestors played a key role. He also enjoyed fishing and loved the Chesapeake Bay. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth "Betty" M. Luby; one son, Michael John Luby of Bowie; and two grandsons. Friends are invited to Michael's Life Celebration at The George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, April 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, April 23 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on May 21, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.

*CLICK HERE TO VIEW MR. OWEN'S VIDEO TRIBUTE*

Franklin D. Owens, 66, a 27-year resident of Arnold, died of heart failure April 17 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Mr. Owens was born July 23, 1941, in Detroit, Mich., and had a passion for working with marble and granite. 

He was a member of Grace Independent Baptist Church, South Baltimore Pigeon Club and the U.S. Parachutists Association. 

He enjoyed sky diving, riding Harley's and Pigeon Racing. 

Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Karen Owens; three sons, Tony Owens of Fayetteville, N.C., Mark Owens of Buford, Ga., and Silas Owens of Arnold; two daughters, Lisa Lyons of Severn and Diana Tyree of Baltimore; three brothers; two sisters; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. 

Family and friends may join in the celebration of his life from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 21 at Grace Independent Baptist Church, 1485 Waterbury Road in Crownsville. 

Interment will be in Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville. 

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

Richard A. Boisse and Maria C. Boisse. Respectively On Friday, April 11, 2008 and On Thursday, April 17, 2008. Richard was the beloved son of the late George and Maria Boisse. Maria was the beloved wife of the late George Boisse and mother of the late Richard Boisse. Their memorial services will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00p.m. at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, Md. Inurnment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions should be made to either the Kidney Disease Program of Maryland, Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, Program Systems and Operations Administration, 201 West Preston St. Room 314A, Baltimore, Md. 21201 or Capital Hospice, 9200 Basil Court Suite 200, Largo, Md. 20774.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, June 17 from 3 to 5 PM at The GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD.

Ruth Olafson Gidcumb, 95, of Edgewater, died of natural causes on April 12, 2008. Ruth was born in Proctor, MN on February 7, 1913, to Icelandic immigrants, Sarah and Theodore Olafson and was the second of four daughters (Christine, Caroline and Florence) who preceded her in death. 


After graduating from high school, she followed her older sister Christine to Washington, D.C., where both worked for the Federal Government. Later her mother and sister Florence followed. Her sister Caroline died in her early twenties. She married Sidney B. Sowers and their union produced a daughter, Arlene. She later married married Calvin A. Gidcumb, whom she divorced in 1969. She retired as a statistician from the VA in 1970. After retiring, Ruth and her sister Christine along with granddaughter, Lynn. Moved from Washington, D.C. to Edgewater. Until her passing, she resided with Lynn and her husband Carl Welch of Edgewater. 


Ruth was devoted to friends and family, was an expert candy-maker, enjoyed china painting, sewing, cooking and all animals-especially cats. She also enjoyed keeping up with her Icelandic Heritage. For many years she was involved with the Eastern Star, the Knights of Pythias, the Londontowne Peppers, the South County Senior Center, the ladies auxiliary of Woodland Beach and Eastport Fire Departments, Ryland Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. and Parkwood Methodist Church in Edgewater. She volunteered for over 13 years at the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. 


She is survived by her daughter, Arlene Sowers Lawson of Upper Marlboro, MD, Lynn and Carl Welch of Edgewater, MD and nieces Bonnie Sundquist Rogers and family of Charlottesville, VA and Marian Arbour Connor of Augusta, West Virginia, and Theodore Arbour and family of Duluth, MN. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Ruth's name to the American Red Cross, PO Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018.

On Saturday, April 12, 2008. The beloved husband of Marilyn E. Gustafson; father of Eric and Adam Gustafson. He is also survived by 1 sister and 5 grandchildren.

All services are private. Please sign Ina's guestbook to share your thoughts and memories with her family.

*CLICK HERE TO VIEW JON'S VIDEO TRIBUTE*

On Saturday, April 12, 2008. The beloved husband of Tamara J. Parreco; father of Kari, Nicholas, and Zachary Parreco; son of A. Philip and Stephanie Parreco; brother of Rick, Nick and Josh Parreco. Also survived by many other relatives and friends. Friends are invited to Jon's Life Celebration at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, 377 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD on Thursday, April 17 at 3:00 P.M.. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations for the care of his children to: Tamara Parreco, 565 Laurel Rd., Riva, MD 21140. Arrangements by GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, Edgewater, MD.

On Friday, April 11, 2008. The beloved wife of the late Jerry T. Finamore; mother of John "Jerry" E.(Betty) Finamore; grandmother of Linda M.(Mark) Purdy and Deborah M.(Rick) Poncheri; great grandmother of Reanna and Jason Poncheri and Michelle Purdy. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to Mrs. Finamore's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 17 from 2:00 to 6:00p.m. at GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, Md. where services will be held on Friday, April 18 at 11:00a.m. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, 516 Trail Ave. P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, Md. 21702

Isaiah â€œIkeâ€ Whitby, 95, a twenty year resident of Edgewater and previously of Philadelphia, PA (born, raised, and lived) passed away at Anne Arundel Medical Center of natural causes after a brief illness on April 10, 2008. 


Born January 25, 1913 in Philadephia, PA, he was a graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia. He worked as a professional firefighter for the city of Philadelphia. Member of the Philadelphia Retired Firefighters Association, Local 22 of IAFF (international association of firefighters), club valiants, inc. (the international association black professional firefighters), Holy Trinity Baptist Church of Philadelphia. He was very dedicated to his family, loved classical music and sports. He is predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Mabel Whitby, who passed away May 10, 2006. Survived by his children, David Whitby of Annapolis, James Whitby of Plano, TX, Karen Whitby of Woodbridge, VA and Linda Whitby of Edgewater. He is predeceased by his son Michael Whitby and one grandchild. Also survived by 3 grandchildren. 


Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Mr. Whitby's life on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 5:00pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 236, Edgewater, Maryland 21037.

Lawrence Duane Hull, 73, a resident of Annapolis for 29 years, died of complications of esophageal cancer April 10 in his home. 


Mr. Hull was born Dec. 6, 1934, in San Francisco. He lived in California, Seattle and Alaska before settling in Annapolis. He earned a bachelor's degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts. 


Mr. Hull worked as a self-employed artist in the engineering and commercial art fields and his artwork was displayed at the San Diego Zoo. 


He served in the Navy for eight years. 


Mr. Hull's hobbies included painting, playing the harmonica and sailing. He sailed to every coastal state in the country and was a member of Singles on Sailboats. He lived on his boat, Sol Del Mar, which was anchored in Weems Creek. 


Survivors include his former wife, Patsy Stephenson; one daughter, Zina C. Clark of Long Beach, Calif.; one brother, Howard Hull of Nederland, Colo.; and three grandchildren. 


Graveside services and interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. 


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice or to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060

On Thursday, April 10, 2008 in Alexandria, VA; the beloved husband of the late Emily Jackson; father of Robert and John(Bonnie) Jackson and Margaret(Charles)Eisenhart; grandfather of Kyle Eisenhart. Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Jackson's Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME,P.A.(A Life Celbration Home), 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 11am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2200 Callaway St., Hillcrest Heights, MD. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

On Thursday, April 10, 2008. The beloved daughter of Harry and Frances Bernat; sister of Renae E. Bernat and the late Corey M. Bernat. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, Md. 0n Monday, April 14 from 7:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. at which time Donna's Life Rememberance will begin. Interment private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Humane Society of U.S., 2100 L St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037.

Rita Mae Kocher Perna, 89, a seven year resident of Annapolis and formerly of Silver Spring for 46 years passed away April 8, 2008 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center of Congestive Heart Failure after a 4 month illness.

Born May 26, 1918 in Hazleton, PA, she graduated from Hazleton High School in 1936. Rita was the venerable â€œRockâ€ in the lives of her family and friends, a steady guiding force who helped each of us down life's path. Through all of our trials and tribulations, she was always there for us and for this, we thank her. We will always love and honor her memory. She was a writer and inspirational speaker. Rita had been a member of Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, MD for 40 years. For many years she was a lay speaker in the United Methodist Baltimore Conference; author of The Secret of Living (1996), and of monthly columns in the Washington, D.C. Salvation Army newsletter.

In Annapolis she was active in Christian Writers Group, â€œDaughters of The Kingâ€ prayer circle and the adult Sunday School of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, as well as the Cardiac Exercise Group of AAMC and class of '39 wives of the Naval Academy. She was a member of â€œNaomi Sistersâ€ at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis.

She is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Michael Archangel Perna, whom passed away in 1990. Mother of Michael (Heath Dillard) Lewis Perna of New York, NY, Roger (Belinda) Dennis Perna of Cincinnati, OH and Elizabeth (Frederick) Anne Leventry of Annapolis. Grandmother of Vincent M. Perna, Rebecca D. Perna, Robin Pass, Roy F. Leventry and Rita Roberge. Proud Great Grandmother of Camille Perna, Lily Perna, Alexa Roberge, Michael Roberge, Zachary Roberge, Kate and McKendree Pass. She is predeceased by her parents George Washington Kocher and Elizabeth Schultz and also by her grandparents John and Susan Schultz and by one sister Dorothy Schoener of Orwigsburg, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Perna's Life Celebration on Friday, April 11 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:30am at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis. Interment Parklawn Memorial Cemetery, Rockville. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Phillips Episcopal Church Columbarium Fund, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or the charity of ones choice.

Peter William Pantazes(Age 63) On Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Gladys Spellman Nursing Center after a long illness. Beloved son of the late William and Nola Pantazes; brother of the late Dimitri Pantazes. He is survived by his nephew William D. Pantazes, his niece Joanna Valerie Pantazes and sister-in-law Voula Pantazes. Family and friends may call at St. Theodore Greek Orthodox Church, 7101 Cipriano Road, Lanham, Md. 20706 on Wednesday, April 9 from 9:30a.m. until services at 10:30a.m. Interment Maryland National Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Theodore Greek Orthodox Church.

Frances Louise Kroto, â€œFranâ€, a 6 year resident of Annapolis, and previously of Chapel Hill, North Carolina for 10 years and a resident of Cleveland Heights, Ohio for 29 years, passed away at her home in Annapolis, from congestive heart failure. She was 88. 


Born January 7, 1920 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, to the late Clarence and Mary Stein, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1941 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education. She became a licensed physical therapist in 1950. Fran was also a homemaker and volunteered at the local YMCA/YWCA as a swimming instructor and lifeguard. 


Fran and her husband Stan and their two children traveled extensively in the 1950's and 1960's in their Airstream trailer. She was an avid swimmer and tennis player to the age of 75. 


She was predeceased by her husband Stanley G. Kroto, who died in September of 2006. They were married December 20, 1950. She was also predeceased by her two brothers Richard and Robert (Bob) Stein and her sister M. Stein. 


She is survived by her two children, George Kroto of Cleveland, Ohio and Laura Riddle of Annapolis, and step-granddaughter Lindsey (Kroto) Elmore and granddaughter Quinn Riddle. 


Services and interment are private. Arrangements are by the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, Edgewater, MD.

S. Neligh Parks, 79, a 44 year resident of Edgewater and previously of Galesville died on April 4, 2008 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of complications from surgery after a lengthy battle with cardiovascular disease. 


Born October 2, 1928 in Broomes Island, he attended Galesville Elementary School and graduated from Southern High School and the Ford Motor Company Marketing Institute. He worked in sales and management with Universal Motors, Koons Ford and eventually became General Manager of Koons Toyota in Annapolis, he retired in 1984. He was a former member of Galesville Methodist Church and the Galesville Lion's Club.He was a current member of Calvary United Methodist Church, West River Sailing Club, West & South River Yacht Clubs, Annapolis Yacht Club, Power Squadron Club, Fleet Reserve Club and the Annapolis Elks. He was an avid boater, he started sailing Chesapeake 20's in the 1940's and power boated until 2000. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, wildlife and ballroom dancing. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Angelyn W. Parks, his daughters Cheryl W. Andrews of Leonardtown, Lou Ann P. Owens of Ridgely, Connie V. Parks of Annapolis and the late Terri Dale Parker; brother of George Parks of Soldatna, Alaska, Ruby Lee O'Dell of Huntingtown and Ruth Ann Fowble of Chesapeake Beach. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. 


Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Park's Life Celebration on Tuesday, April 8 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 9 at 3pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Private. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058 or to Calvary United Methodist Church.

Obituaries

Ronald Donoway

George Cantrell

Edward Jett

Therese Aumann

Giacomo Ferrari

Theresa Johnson

Michael Luby

Franklin Owens

Maria Boisse

Roger Warren

Ruth Gidcumb

Milton Gustafson

Ina Chambers

Jon Parreco

Richard Boisse

Hazel Finamore

Isaiah Whitby

L Hull

James Jackson

Donna Bernat

Rita Perna

Peter Pantazes

Frances Kroto

S Parks