Obituaries for Calvert, St. Mary's, Anne Arundel & Prince George's County

Dorothy Lucille Horky, 81, of Lothian passed away May 9, 2026. She was born April 6, 1945, to Frank and Lucille (Myers) Weisbacker. Dorothy grew up in Prince George’s County and moved to the family farm in Lothian in 1963 where she graduated from Southern High School. She married Kenneth Horky on December 12, 1964, and they made their home on the family farm. She worked as a secretary for the Department of Defense and later went to work as a stable hand for the Capitol Police Department, tending to and caring for the police horses, as well as tending horses at a local Horse Farm that rehabilitated Thoroughbred racehorses. Dorothy was a passionate horse lover her entire life. She loved horseback riding, trail rides, and barrel racing. She also enjoyed RV camping, being on the water, boating, crabbing, and fishing.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Horky, daughter Karen Frantz and her husband Gary, grandchildren Jennifer Clark and her fiancé Jake Mastroberti and Alan Clark and his wife Leah, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family.

Ruby Mae Keokuk, 92, of Waldorf, Maryland, peacefully entered eternal rest on May 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on February 1, 1934, in Washington, DC, Ruby lived a long and beautiful life filled with faith, joy, and devotion to family. She was the daughter of Reuben Wilson Anderson and Willie Mae Summers and was raised in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

In her early years, Ruby worked as a seamstress and in window display and retail stores, where her creativity, strong work ethic, and warm personality left a lasting impression on coworkers and customers alike. She took great pride in her work and had a special talent for making things beautiful and welcoming. A devoted caregiver throughout her career, Ruby dedicated her life to helping and comforting others with compassion and kindness. Her gentle heart and caring spirit made a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Twenty-seven years ago, after being placed in hospice care during her battle with multiple myeloma caner, she made a remarkable recovery that was seen by many as a miracle and a blessing from God. Through her strong faith, prayer, and love and support of family, she not only survived but went on to enjoy many more blessed years of life. Those years became a true gift to her family and friends, and she lived with gratitude, grace, and a strong spirit.

Ruby will be remembered for her warm spirit, strong faith, and the joy she brought to those around her. She had a special way of making people feel at home, cared for, and loved. One of her greatest passions was shooting pool. She loved the game, the friendly competition, and the time spent laughing and making memories with family and friends around the pool table. Whether she was lining up the perfect shot or simply enjoying the company of others, pool brought her happiness throughout her life.

She also loved dancing and listening to music, especially the songs from Lou Rawls, including “Lady Love,” and Floyd Cramer’s “Last Date,” often filling her home with rhythm and warmth. She frequently visited the Richard R. Clark Senior Center in LaPlata, Maryland, where she enjoyed socializing and proudly participated in a dance group that brought her great happiness and friendships. In her later years, she found great joy in traveling and creating special memories with loved ones along the way.

Her hands were rarely still, as she found comfort and creativity in crocheting, making treasured gifts for those she loved. Most of all, her faith was her foundation. She spent many peaceful hours reading her Bible and drawing strength from her relationship with God. She cherished time with her family and created a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. Her kindness, wisdom, and gentle presence touched everyone who knew her.

Ruby is survived by her children, Robert Keokuk, II (Denise), Alleta Maria Keokuk, Chavella Keokuk, Watosia Keokuk (Joyce), and Joby Keokuk (Therese); her grandchildren, Sabrina Keokuk-Conway (Collin), Charles Keokuk (Jacqueline), and Samantha Rose Watkins; great-grandchildren, Keenan Keokuk, Chief Keokuk, and Nasir Keokuk; her siblings, Olivia Jones, Sylvia Walker (Jeff), and Renee Price; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her family, she leaves behind her cherished friend Jacqueline Chester (James) whom she loved and raised as family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Keokuk, Jr.; her son, Minyon “Tweedy” Keokuk; her father, Reuben Wilson Anderson; mother, Willie Mae Summers; and sister, Ann Lingham.

To her daughter Chavella, Ruby was more than a mother — she was her steady guide and source of unconditional love. Chavella tenderly shared that “My memory of my mama from 27-years ago when the doctor told us that she had 6-months to live. I prayed to God not to take her because we were not ready for her to leave us. Fast forward my recent visit – we took a journey that will stay with me forever. Together we laughed, found peace, joy, and happiness — this was a blessing for us both. May she rest in heavenly peace.”

To her daughter Alleta, Ruby was sunshine with a side of sass. Alleta lovingly shares that “I know that you were on this earth for 92 years, however, now that I’m older, I realize the journey you embarked was one that required a certain kind of determination to bring oneself together. Some of us don’t come into this world with a certainty that everything is going to be alright.

Mom was a strong woman who was gonna make it alright. It got her where she wanted to be. During my weekly visits, Mom would tell me to “keep God first.” She would tell me that she was going to walk “because with God, anything is possible.” I would roll my eyes and smile while walking alongside her riding in her power wheelchair on our afternoon strolls. Afterwards, she couldn’t wait to go back inside to her favorite spot, her bedroom – all while getting back in the bed and saying “there’s no place like home.” When it was time for me to leave and head home, she’d say “don’t forget – bring me a Mane, (she was saying man).” I would laugh and say OK with a smile on my face. Later on, when I was home, I would view the security cameras and she would be getting in and out of that wheelchair! Rolling around the living room, kitchen, spare bedroom, and back to her spot — she was supposed to be in bed. My nerves said, “get somebody else to do it, she is not going to give me a heart attack…I’m done with that camera!” Joby would be on the camera screaming, “Rooster, get back in that bed!” Ruby would say, “you don’t tell me what to do, I’m your mother!” Ha — seemed reasonable to me, who am I to argue with that logic? Mom was an individual who didn’t take “no” for an answer.

Mom received Jesus as her Lord and Savior early on in her life and we thank you Heavenly Father for giving us free Will to do so. She knew that she had God in her corner regardless of what anybody else thought. In her final days, he showed her and our family his favor.

I was able to get closer to her, to see why and who she was in those 92 years, and to appreciate the person that she became. Thank you Mom for showing me what strength is!!”

On Friday, May 22, 2026, visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 8816 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach, Maryland, with funeral Mass to begin at 11:00AM. Interment will follow at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, 4970 Strauss Avenue, Indian Head, Maryland.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the medical team and staff at the Charles County Hospice of the Chesapeake, Waldorf, MD, who provided comfort and care during Ruby’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Ruby’s honor to the Hospice of the Chesapeake (Charles County) in recognition of their compassion and support. Donations can be mailed to their foundation office: Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or online using the following link: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/.

Though deeply missed, Ruby’s legacy of faith, love, kindness, laughter, and joy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Delaney Grace Lewis passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving parents on May 9, 2026. She was born October 9, 2025 to Clayton and Elisa Lewis. 

Laney was born with a rare genetic disorder that caused her body to not function properly. Even though she faced challenges, her life was a profound testimony of God’s grace and goodness. From the moment she was born, Delaney pointed those around her toward Christ through the strength, joy, and love she inspired in others. Her life was a miracle, and her family remains forever grateful for every precious moment God allowed them to share with her.

Delaney is survived by her parents, Clayton and Elisa Lewis; her brothers, Colby and Jesse Lewis; her grandparents, Dan and Terry Orlandi, and Brooks and Shirley Lewis; and great-grandmothers Mary Jane Freeman and Dora Liggett.

She is also survived by her uncles and aunts, Chris and Cammie Quigley, Josh and Julie Johnson, and Tyler and Megan Collins; as well as her cousins, Jack, Josie, and Logan.

Though Delaney’s time on earth was brief, the impact of her life will be felt forever by all who knew and loved her.

Childcare will be provided at Calvert Grace from 3-5 PM.

Lauren Nuzzi Nicol, 49, of Lothian, MD passed away on May 7, 2026 in her home, and went home to be with her Lord.

Born April 28, 1977, in Bethpage, Long Island, NY, Lauren was the adored wife of Michael Nicol. They were married on December 1, 2012 in Key West, FL, and shared a blessed, joyful marriage and contented, happy home. Lauren was a devoted stepmother to their dear son Matthew Nicol – a current student at George Mason University. She was the cherished daughter of Paul Nuzzi and wife Joanne of Hendersonville, NC; and beloved sister of Justin Nuzzi (and wife Tracey) of Cordova, AK; and Meg Nuzzi Nygren (and husband Eric) of Hendersonville, NC.

Lauren was employed since August, 2011 at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, MD and previously spent nearly 10 years working at Penn State University. Along with her husband, she is a member of the Deale, MD Elks Lodge 2528.

She held an Associate of Liberal Arts degree from the State University of New York at Cobleskill and was a graduate of Andes Central High School in Andes, NY.

There are certain people in this world who brighten the lives of everyone they encounter. Lauren was that and much more. She was dear to her professional colleagues and friends, and a constant source of fun and laughter in the workplace. To her parents and siblings, Lauren was the brightest of lights – loved deeply and treasured uniquely. To her entire extended family, she brought happiness and enjoyment to every family gathering.

And for her husband Michael, Lauren was his “true north” from the very beginning – an unfailing source of encouragement, support, and grounding. She was the best life companion a man could ever wish for, providing the much better half of an effortless and fulfilling marriage. Lauren treasured her time at their home (it was her ultimate “happy place”) and her delightful, creative touches were found throughout. She was her husband’s partner in crime, the love of his life, and his highest aspiration. She will be missed unimaginably but loved eternally.

In addition to those mentioned above, Lauren is survived by her father-in-law David Nicol; brothers-in-law Brock Smith (wife Colleen), Tim Smith, and Zachary Nicol (wife Angela); sisters-in-law Melissa Hall (husband Duran) and Rebecca Frye (husband Steven); Aunts Kathy Cichra (husband Gary), Diane Sellitto, and Patty Reeves; Uncles Paul Sellitto, Dan Calvo (wife Angela), and Wally Nicol (wife Brenda); along with dozens of extended family members whose lives she brightened indelibly throughout her life.

Lauren is preceded in death by grandparents Joseph and Margie Nuzzi, Peter and Harriet Sellitto, Delfino and Susannah Calvo, Louise Calvo, and William and Erma Nicol; mother-in-law Deleen DeMary and stepmother Michele Nicol; and Aunt Wendy Sellitto.

At Lauren’s request, there will be no public visitations or services. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD 20736.

Jean Marie Tyson, 89, of Lusby, Maryland, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family.

Born on December 16, 1936, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Jean was the daughter of the late Lillian Blake Prince and Howard Edwin Pflaumer. She grew up in Weymouth and graduated from Weymouth High School in 1954 before attending Gordon College for two years.

On December 27, 1957, Jean married the love of her life, Thomas Earl Tyson, at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, creativity, and service to others.

Jean was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her children: Micah Tyson of Lusby, Maryland; Emily Tyson of South Bend, Indiana; Matthew Tyson and his wife, Joanne, of Ocean City, Maryland; Laura Jewett and her husband, Spencer, of Caldwell, Idaho; Peter Tyson and his wife, Barbara, of Lusby, Maryland; and Natalie Shaw and her husband, Aaron, of Nampa, Idaho.

She is also survived by her brothers and sister: Howard Pflaumer of Weymouth, Massachusetts; Joan Kessler of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and William Pflaumer of Weymouth, Massachusetts. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lois Sibley.

Jean was blessed with a large and loving family and leaves behind 24 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

A homemaker by vocation and an artist at heart, Jean possessed endless creativity and talent. She loved quilting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, gardening, baking, reading, painting, canning, cake decorating, cross-stitching, antique collecting, and old book restoration. She especially enjoyed creating beautiful things with her hands and sharing them with those she loved. Her family often said that if Jean wanted to learn how to do something, she could do it.

Jean’s warmth, kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her unwavering devotion to family, her generous spirit, and the beautiful life she created for those around her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Worldwide Outreach of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church at www.opc.org.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Shaw, Ben Naval, Spencer Jewett, Micah Tyson, Matthew Tyson, and Peter Tyson.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, in Lexington Park, MD. A private burial for the family will be held at Chesapeake Highlands Cemetery.

Services will be officiated by Rev. Richard Tyson and Rev. Damon Young.

Wayne Thomas Bolton, 64, of Lothian, MD passed away May 6, 2026. He was born April 30, 1962 in Bethesda, MD to Nellie May (Burriss) and Allen Monroe Bolton, Sr. He grew up in Mt. Rainier, MD, was active in H.M.B. Boys Club, and graduated from Northwestern High School where he played football. Wayne was a glazier for 35 years and retired as a Union Glazier for Local Union 963 in the Washington, D.C. area. Wayne enjoyed fishing, spending time with family, cookouts, and playing horseshoes.

Wayne is survived by sons Nicholas Wayne Bolton and Thomas Wayne Bolton, siblings Karen Llanes (late husband Mark), Allen M. Bolton Jr. and wife Theresa, and Kathea B. Anderson and husband Benjamin, and by numerous nieces and nephews, and was known as Pop to many! He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Kay Burriss Brown, and brother Kevin Ray Bolton and late partner Linda Oliver.

A visitation will be held Tuesday May 19, 2026 from 5-6 PM at Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mt. Harmony :Lane, Owings, MD followed by a memorial service at 6:00 PM.

Bonnie Clemmer Trott, age 85, of Lothian passed away May 5, 2026. She was born May 5, 1941in Charleston, WV to Rose Nell (Pauley) Clemmer and James Harold Clemmer.

Bonnie graduated with honors from Elkview High School in Elkview WV in 1959.

In addition to being a full-time homemaker and mother, she worked as a typesetter and proofreader for news publications and later as an administrative assistant for small businesses. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro for many years and served as pianist and organist until her retirement. She joyfully led the women’s ministry and directed the handbell choir. She loved serving the Lord, spending time with family and cultivating lasting friendships. Her sense of humor and genuine care for people made her unforgettable.

She is survived by her husband Marvin (Marty) Trott Jr of Lothian, MD; six children, Stephanie Sprayberry of St. Leonard, MD, Todd Mullins (Lori) of Normal IL, Lana Felder (Dennis) of Ijamsville, MD, Christina Sweetman (Ronald) of North Beach, MD, Penellope McPeters (Danny) of Greer, SC and Stephen Trott (Kelly) of Charlotte, NC; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro in Bonnie’s memory.

Victoria Patricia Tucker (“Pat”) passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on May 4, 2026. She was born on December 12, 1933.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Bertha Tarry; her siblings, Frances, Steven, William, Danica, and Frankie; her beloved husband, Vernon A. Tucker; and her sons, David Phillip Tucker and Mark Patrick Tucker.

She is survived by her daughters, Victoria Cochrane and her husband, Billy, and Constance Tucker; her son, Vernon Tucker Jr. and his wife, Rosie; as well as 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Pat graduated from Calvert High School in 1952 and later worked as a secretary in Washington, D.C. She married Vernon A. Tucker in 1956, and after making their home in Calvert County, she became a devoted homemaker.

Pat loved spending time with her family, especially during holidays and cookouts. She also enjoyed dancing, playing cards, gambling, and cheering for the Washington Redskins.

Frank Samuel Dye, Jr., 73, of Mechanicsville, passed away on May 4, 2026, at his home.

He was born on July 3, 1952, in Richlands, Virginia, to Norma “Jane” (Hicks) and Frank Samuel Dye, Sr. Frank’s family moved to Maryland when he was in the first grade and made their home in Riverdale. He played Varsity baseball and football for Bladensburg High School and graduated in 1971. In 1972, he married Sandra Darlene Knick. He moved from Prince George’s to Charles County and eventually settled in St. Mary’s. In his free time, Frank enjoyed golfing, bowling, and flying general aviation aircraft. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Frank is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Sandra “Sandy” Darlene Dye; his sons Samuel (Brandi) and Michael (Evelyn) Dye; grandchildren Cadence, Caleb, Layla, and Sophia; sisters Patti Reed, Pamela Nicholson, and Jeanette Stanley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Frank Dye, Sr., and his sister, Mary Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s honor to the American Liver Foundation, supporting research and education related to liver cancer, and fatty liver disease. A celebration of Frank’s life will be announced by the family at a later date.

Joyce Broome Morgal, 80, of North Beach passed away May 4, 2026. She was born July 15, 1945 in Washington DC. Joy grew up in North Beach and graduated from Calvert High School in 1963. Shortly after high school, she married Joseph Edgar Fowler and they enjoyed 34 years of marriage until his passing in 1997. Joy was able to find love again when she reunited with Jack Morgal and they married in 1998. Joy owned and operated La Mer Beauty Salon in Rose Haven for over 45 years. She sold the salon to her close friend Tonya Calacino, becoming Roxy’s Salon and Joy continued working there for many years. In her spare time, Joy loved reading, the Washington Redskins, and spending time with her family.

Joy is survived by her husband John William “Jack” Morgal III, son Joseph Fowler and his wife Christina, stepchildren Kami Lee and her husband Chip, John W. Morgal IV and his wife Jackie, Shawn Morgal and his wife Debbie, Ashley Samworth and her husband Andy and Christine Canter, 17 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and her sister Pam Dillon. She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Doris Broome and brother Gary Broome.

Joan Renee Krell, 95, of Severn, formerly of North Beach, Maryland, passed away on May 4, 2026.

Joan was born on July 21, 1930, in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Anna (Leiby) and George Tennant. She grew up in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, where she attended Tamaqua High School, graduating class of 1948. She married her high school sweetheart, William Howard Krell, in November of 1948. They moved all over the country for their work, residing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, eventually retiring to Kinston, North Carolina, before finally settling in Maryland. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before William’s passing in December of 2012.

Joan was an avid gardener and loved planting flowers around her home. She was a loyal fan of both the Nationals, and the former Kinston Indians baseball teams. She especially loved the town of North Beach and was an active member of the community during the twenty-two years she resided there.

Joan is survived by her children, William H. Krell, Jr., Glenn D. Krell, and Linda A. Krell; her grandchildren, Scott, David, Ryan, Jason, Michael, Rachel, and Brian; nine great-grandchildren, and her brother-in-law, Arnold Krell. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Howard Krell; her parents, George and Anna Tennant, and her brothers, Arthur G. Tennant, and Billie Tennant.

A time of visiting will be held on May 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., and from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Ln, Owings, MD 20736.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a small donation in Joan’s memory to your local ASPCA.

Robert “Robbie” Ireland, born on September 24, 1972, in Annapolis, Maryland, passed away on May 3, 2026, at the age of 53. Robbie was a cherished son, brother, cousin and friend who will be remembered for his smile and ability to always make those around him laugh.

Robbie’s passion for horse racing was well-known among those who knew him. He found great joy in the sport, spending countless hours at the track with his cousins and other family and friends.

Robbie was preceded in death by his beloved mother Annie (Moreland) Ireland and his father Howard Ireland Sr. Robbie is survived by his brother, Howard Ireland Jr., known as Sonny. Robbie’s family and friends will forever hold dear the memories they shared with him.

In accordance with Robbie’s wishes, no services will be held. Those who knew and loved him are encouraged to remember him in their own special way, celebrating the life of a man who brought joy and laughter to those around him.

Jon Gilbert “Gil” Clopper, 87, of Solomons, Maryland, formerly of Gambrills, Maryland, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

Born on June 15, 1938, in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Gil was the son of the late Leroy Clopper and Anna Elizabeth (Bloyer) Clopper.
Gil graduated from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, in 1957. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1963. During his military service, he was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

Following his military service, Gil began a long and dedicated career as an Engineer with the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., where he worked for more than 30 years before retiring.
In 1967, Gil married the love of his life, Rosa Lee (Quesenberry) Clopper. Together they shared 59 years of marriage filled with devotion, companionship, and love.

Gil is survived by his beloved wife, Rosa Lee Clopper of Solomons, Maryland.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Madeline Rophor, Frances Isabel Miller, Robert William Clopper, and Clarence Leroy Clopper.

Services will be private. Gil will be interred at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.

Stormi Love Blevins, passed away May 2, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 13, 2024 to Brandy Blevins. The moment Stormi was born, her family’s world changed, Stormi was the center of attention and their world now revolved around her. She was a happy, bubbly baby who was full of love, life and laughter. She lit up any room she was in and was adored by her sisters, especially her oldest sister, Saniyah. She loved her dog, Diesel, watching TV, playing outside, going on car rides, playing at the park and being in the pool. Her favorite color was pink and she loved having her mom brush and do her hair like her big sisters. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have met her.

Stormi is survived by her mother, Brandy Blevins and sisters Saniyah Lee-Ann Cone, Layla Lynn Blevins, Harmony Lea Beckett, and Reagan Lyric Blevins. Also surviving are her granny Sydney, grandmother Debora, aunt Donna and her husband Ray, uncle Sean and his girlfriend Taylor, cousin Josh, Godmother Tawny Atkins, Godfather Lionell, God brother Terrell and God sister Briell, and many other extended family members and friends. Stormi was preceded in death by her grandfather Jimmy “Pop” Blevins, who brought so much joy to his life.

Michael Robert Beener, 81, of Dunkirk, Maryland, formerly of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away on May 1, 2026, at Calvert Health Medical Center in Prince Frederick.

Michael was born on September 1, 1944, in Waterloo, Iowa, one of three children to Maxine (Mueller) and Robert Beener. Michael grew up in Waterloo and later resided in the neighboring city of Cedar Falls. He graduated from high school in 1962 with a successful sports legacy and an offer for a college football scholarship. He then worked for the United States Post Service in California and returned to work at John Deere in Iowa. He was drafted to serve in the United States Army in January of 1968. By December of 1969, he was honorably discharged into the Army Reserves and returned home to Iowa. On September 5, 1970, he married Christina Weidman.

Michael continued his career at John Deere and later worked for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. He went on to serve his community in different roles for 25 years at the Waterloo Police Department and retired as a captain. After his retirement, Michael and Christina moved to Maryland and resided in Calvert County for the last six years. Michael enjoyed showing horses with daughter Kerri and later caring for his horses. He loved all things water – water skiing on the Cedar River, house boating on the Mississippi River, running a fast jet ski anywhere, fishing in Canada, pontooning, and watching boat activity from his deck on Cottage Row in Cedar Falls and later from favorite restaurants in Solomon Islands, Maryland.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Christina Ann Beener; his daughters Christy Rain (David Gould), and Kerri Pasquale (Anthony); grandchildren Benjamin (Emily), Christopher (Haylie), and Anna (Christian) Rain; Braydon, and Lilia Pasquale; great-grandchildren Wren, Thad, Maisie, and Naomi, and his sister Cheryle Shook. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Maxine Beener, and his brother, Thomas Beener.

The family will be having a reception in the church hall after Linda’s services and would like to invite those who attend.

Joyce Ann Shauver, age 87, of Lusby, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, at Hospice House of Charles County.

Joyce, affectionately known as “Honey” to everyone who knew her, was born on July 28, 1938, in Washington, D.C., to the late Frank Peter Pirrone and Alberta Agnes Vaccaro. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond Dale Shauver, Sr., and her son, Raymond Dale Shauver, Jr.

Honey loved Tennessee and cherished the time she spent visiting her friends there. She was a free-spirited and personable woman who loved meeting new people and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She was passionate about women’s rights and was actively involved with the National Organization for Women, participating in marches throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Honey also loved her grandchildren deeply, enjoyed exercising, cleaning, and staying busy, and was known for being quite the night owl.

Honey was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in time spent with her family. She is survived by her daughter, Anna Marie Morgan and her son-in-law, David William Morgan; her daughter-in-law, Karla Shauver; her grandchildren, Angela Marie Marshall, Travis Darrell Bowie, Sr., Shelbi Marie Shauver, Patrick Aaron Rossi Shauver, Brandon Michael (Alexis) Shauver, and Raymond Dale Shauver III; and her great-grandchildren, Travis Darrell Bowie, Jr., and Mathew Dylan Bowie.

Joyce will be laid to rest at Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery on Thursday, June 18th at 10:30 AM, where she will be reunited with her loving husband.

Honey will be remembered for her loving heart, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Katherine L. Gott, lovingly known to all as “Kitty,” passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30 at the age of 87 at Assisted Living at Yellow Bank.

Born on October 3, 1938, Kitty was the fourth of five daughters of William and Elsie (McKenny) Bowen Degenhard. She was raised on the family tobacco farm on Lower Marlboro Road in Owings, Maryland, alongside her two surviving sisters, Shirley Emrick and Millie Liermann. Life on the farm was rooted in hard work, faith, and family. After her parents divorced when she was eight years old, her mother remarried George Degenhard, and together the family continued working long days raising tobacco, rabbits and chickens while tending a plentiful vegetable garden. Those early years shaped Kitty’s strong work ethic, resilience, and deep appreciation for simple joys and family connections.

Kitty graduated from Calvert High School in 1956, where she was recognized among the top students in her class. During her high school years, she shared a special love with her boyfriend and fiancé Bobby Hutchins. Their future together was tragically cut shore when Bobby was killed in a car accident in Pensacola, Florida while serving in the United States Navy. Though heartbroken by this sudden loss, Kitty continued forward with courage and determination, working full time while helping on the family farm.

In the latter part of 1956, through the invitation of a co-worker, Kitty agreed to go on a blind double date-a decision that would forever change her life. It was there that she met William “Bootsy” Gott, the love of her life. The two were married October 19, 1957, beginning a beautiful marriage marked by devotion, partnership, and enduring love. Together, Bootsy and Kitty made their first home in a mobile trailer in Owings, a season of life Kitty remembered with great fondness. She treasured visiting her family on the farm, gathering with the Gott family on Sundays, tending her flowers, and simply spending time with Bootsy. In August 1959, Debbie was born and the three of them lived in the mobile trailer in Owings. Early in 1964, the three of them moved into the Gott family home to help care for Bootsy mother, Iola. Five months after Iola passed away, Andy was born. The family of four was complete and lived there until the summer of 1977 when Bootsy, Kitty and Andy made the move to Arizona.

Arizona brought Kitty many happy years filled with adventure and opportunity. She worked in administrative positions for various companies until retiring in 2000. Retirement allowed her to fully enjoy the things she loved most-time with family and friends, traveling throughout the Southwest and West Coast with Bootsy, gardening, and browsing for treasures through online shopping. In 2012, Kitty and Bootsy returned home to Calvert County, settling in Prince Frederick, where they enjoyed their later years together.

Above all else, Kitty’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished Mom-Mom, and proud great-grandmother whose wisdom, humor, and steady presence touched generations. Her home was always a place of warmth, conversation, and love.

Kitty is survived by her devoted husband, William A. “Bootsy” Gott; her daughter Deborah F. Gott Weber and husband Karl of Prince Frederick, Maryland; and her son Andrew W. Gott and wife Brenda of Lancaster, California. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Travis Weber, Joshua Weber, Justin Gott, Aimee Gott Rohr, and Caleb Gott and their spouses Renee, Lisa, Saba, Jeffrey and Sofia-all of whom dearly loved their Mom-Mom. She additionally leave behind seven treasured great-grandchildren: Calvin Weber, Adalia Weber, Ruby Weber, Taj Weber, Erica Rohr, Leah Rohr, and Rumi Gott. She is also survived by sisters, Shirley Emrick and Millie Liermann, along with many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss her spirit and passion for living life to the fullest.

Kitty was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Ann and Audrey, both of whom died at a young age and two step brothers, Richard and Paul Degenhard.

Kitty lived a life of perseverance, loyalty, strength, and unwavering love for those around her. Her legacy will live on in the lives she nurtured, the family she cherished, and the countless memories shared by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kitty’s name can be made to Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry at PO Box 1384, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

The services for Kitty will be livestreamed on the Rausch Funeral Home Facebook page and can be accessed by using the following link. http://www.facebook.com/RauschFH

Stephon Maurice Jones, age 40, of Chesapeake Beach MD, passed away on April 29, 2026 at Washington Hospital Center surrounded by family and friends after a heart transplant that had a lot of complications.

Stephon was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Morningside Station 27 since 2008 and Bowie Firehouse Station 39 since 2016. He also worked for PG County 911 Center since 2009 where he moved up the ranks and became a supervisor and most recently a trainer of new dispatchers coming into the field where he helped shaped many lives. Stephon graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in 2003. After graduation he spent time in California and worked other jobs until he knew his career path. Stephon had a fun-filled life where no one he met was a stranger just a new friend he was just getting to know. Stephon enjoyed going on trips, watching movies, playing games, 90’s music, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, good food, and laughing. He was a people person through and through. Stephon could quote movie lines in his sleep, make a friend without trying, he took care of everyone he loved and took time to make everyone feel seen. He touched so many people’s lives just by being him. Stephon had such a big heart he needed a new one to contain all his love. He constantly thought about others, and he had a helper spirit, always there for others. He loved having a good time. He always said he doesn’t like to be the center of attention but somehow was in the center of all the fun being had and made it more special. It was not uncommon for Stephon to take a spur of the moment road trip with a friend to see a sight or have some good hours away. He was incredibly patient, calm and understanding.

Stephon is survived by his wife Nicole Jones, 3 step kids Anthony (AJ), Christian and Jada Martinez, mother Theresa Jones, grandmother Dorothy Brooks, siblings Gloria, Erika, Michael, Antonio, Latisha, Loretta, Courtney, Alonzo, Quantae and Quantress (Booster), aunts and uncles Odessa, Vivian, Rita, Phillip, Mark and Latanya and godmother Gail Ruffin. He also has a host of great aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Carlton Jones, grandmother Estelle Jones, and aunts and uncles Gloria and Gregory.

Viewing and funeral services will be held at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings MD on May 9, 2026, at 12p-1p for viewing, 1p-2p service Followed by burial at Southern Memorial Gardens in Dunkirk MD. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at 2905 Old Largo Rd., Upper Marlboro MD from 5-9 PM.

Larry Paul Sublett, age 74, passed away on April 29, 2026, at his home in Lusby, Maryland, holding hands with his beloved wife, Maggie Sublett.

Larry was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to parents Ditsy and Bob Sublett. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1969 and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy. Serving as a radarman technician, Larry was honorably discharged and awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his service.

In August 1992, Larry married Maggie, with whom he shared a life filled with love, laughter, and travel. He was a proud and loving father to Sarah and Pat Pauletti, Alyssa Newton and Megan Yeh, Robert and Lew Sublett, Andrea Gordon and Jason Eckard.

Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Earl Sublett, affectionately known as “Soupie” and brother-in-law, Tony Bodzer.  He is survived by his sisters Dale Bodzer, brother’s wife Cindy, and by his brother Jeral Sublett and his wife, Ramona.

Larry spent most of his life on the East Coast in the Washington, D.C. suburban area, enduring the traffic while working for numerous print companies and raising his family. He retired in 2012, though retirement simply meant shifting to part‑time work around town and pursuing his many creative interests and travelling abroad.

He found joy in following his daily routine—morning crossword puzzles, coloring and gaming apps, discovering new recipes to cook for dinner, watching news then Jeopardy, and ending the day with some Jameson. Above all, Larry cherished time spent with his family, especially during family game nights he eagerly hosted and games he enjoyed creating. These moments—filled with laughter, competition, and his signature humor—became cherished traditions for his kids and grandchildren, Vance, Graham, Alyssa, Georgianna, and Guinevere.

Larry will be remembered for his quick wit, humor, and enduring love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of creativity, dad jokes and “Larry-isms” that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Rausch Funeral Home in Lusby, Maryland. Family will receive friends and guests from 12 PM until 4 PM.

John Jeffrey Posner, Sr. passed away on April 28, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born May 2, 1960 in Washington, D.C. to Paul and Doris Posner. He grew up in New Carrollton and Bethesda and graduated from Walt Whittman High School in 1978. His family then moved to Severna Park.

John earned an Associate of Arts degree in Music at Anne Arundel Community College. As a lifelong lover of music, John enjoyed seeing all the bands he loved, from legendary bands like The Grateful Dead and Little Feat; blues musicians Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Koko Taylor; to local acts such as The Nighthawks, Skip Castro Band, and Danny Gatton. John loved them all. His absolute favorite is The Allman Brothers Band. In 2023, he and his wife, Valerie, took a memorable trip down to Macon, Georgia to see the Allman Brothers Museum and Rose Hill Cemetery.

Throughout the 1980’s, John played guitar in the Out of Hand Wilson Band with his future brother-in-law Doug Wilson, alongside Frank Boling, Vic DeGeorge and Shawn Vitale. Variations of the band continued playing throughout the years. More recently, John played with other local musicians around Calvert and St Mary’s.

A die-hard fan of Washington sports his entire life, John attended countless games throughout the years, from the Senators to the Nationals, and decades of Redskins games. He was at the final Washington Senators game in 1971 and the first Washington Nationals game in 2005. John also loved fishing in Wachapreague, Va, Chesapeake Beach, MD and Outer Banks, NC.

In 1981, John met Valerie and took her to a Jimmy Buffet concert, and they started a yearly tradition of seeing him in concert with a group of friends. John moved to Calvert County in 1987. He and Valerie married on March 31, 1990, and together they would welcome two children into the world: Johnny in 1992 and Becky in 1995. The two recently celebrated their 36th anniversary together.

John worked at his father’s business for years before starting a small tool and supply company in Calvert County. He went back to what he loved by teaching guitar lessons, eventually deciding to open a music store in Sunderland with Valerie. JPozz Music opened on April 30th, 2016. John and Valerie met many local musicians through their store, some of whom became very close friends. The store continues to be run by Valerie, keeping the love of music that John had as an ongoing theme.

John is survived by his wife, Valerie Posner; son, John Posner, Jr.; daughter, Becky Price; and son-in-law Brad Price. John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Doris Posner; brother, Joe Posner; sister, Jan Hylan; brother, Mike Posner; and sister, Diane Filetto.

John’s Celebration of Life will be held at Mully’s Brewery, 141 Schooner Lane, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 on Saturday, May 9th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Crack Shack BBQ Food Truck will be at the Celebration.

Melvin Douglas Ferris, 75, of Huntingtown passed away April 28, 2026. He was born October 19, 1950 in Cheverly to Marvin and Sue (Morris) Ferris. Melvin grew up in Riverdale, making lifelong friends. He worked as a Pressman for many years. He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and spending time with his friends. He also enjoyed the beach and walking on the boardwalk. He was very involved in the A.A. Program for many years and enjoyed going on retreats and spending time with the friends he met there.

Melvin is survived by his children Sandra Lambeth and husband Jeffrey of Grapevine, TX and Rachael Ferris and fiancé Tyler Boito of Towson. Also surviving are grandchildren Megan, Colby and Conner Prendergast, a sister Faye Reyna and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Marvin Ferris.

Sandra “Sandy” Walker-Telmanowski passed away at her home in Prince Frederick, Maryland on April 28, 2026, at the age of 62.

She was born on October 9, 1963, to James T. Walker, Sr. and Eugenia V. Walker. Sandy attended Calvert County Public Schools and went on to become a dedicated cosmetologist.

Sandy is survived by her sons, Thomas J. Walker and Donald Ray Gibson; her beloved grandsons, Cole, Brayden, Lucas, and Oliver; her siblings, Belinda Walker, James T Walker, Jr., and Lisa Maldonado; as well as many cherished nephews and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents James T. Walker, Jr. and Eugenia V. Walker.

Sandy was an avid outdoorswoman who loved hunting, camping, and animals. She had a lifelong passion for horses, growing up showing and racing them. She also deeply loved her dogs, whom she considered part of her family, and took great pride in training them for showing and hunting.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday June 17, 2026 at the Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, MD from 6 until the time of services  at 7:30 PM. Interment is private.

Margaret Elizabeth “Maggie” Kina, 70, of Owings, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 23, 1956, in Arlington, Virginia, Maggie was the daughter of the late Frederick James Oram and Françoise Marguerite Oram (Terroux).

Maggie worked as an elevator mechanic in Washington, D.C., a job that reflected her determination, independence, and strength.

She found great joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved gardening, knitting, reading, cooking for those she loved, and cultivating her beautiful gardens, including a cherished butterfly garden that brought her endless happiness. She especially treasured the time she spent with her beloved dogs—Charles, Jackson, Dixie, and Layla. She was known for her quick wit, unwavering opinions and generous spirit, often supporting local food pantries and looking for ways to help others in her community. She also had a great passion for antiques and could often be found browsing estate sales and yard sales in search of unique treasures.

Above all, Maggie will be remembered for the kindness and love she shared so freely with her family, friends, and animals. Her presence brought warmth and comfort to those around her, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Karl Alan Kina, of Owings, Maryland; her daughter, Carolyn Lee Kina, of Dunkirk, Maryland; her daughter, Jessica Noel Gillings and her husband, Christopher, of Port Republic, Maryland; her son, Nicholas Christopher Kina and his wife, Kimberly, of Huntingtown, Maryland; and her grandchildren, Isabella Swanson, Logan Gillings, Aaron Gillings, and Gavin Gillings, all of Port Republic, Maryland, and Kade Kina, of Huntingtown, Maryland.

She will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be private.

It is with deep sorrow and great love that we mourn the passing of Russell James Sapp, age 74, of Huntingtown, MD, a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle, who left us peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Washington Hospital Center.

Born in Millen, GA, on December 26, 1951, to Roy Sapp and Rosa Mae Williams Sapp Kea, Russell approached life with equal parts determination, humor, and a knack for turning ideas into reality. Whether building a business, negotiating a deal, or hunting and fishing with the boys, he did it all with confidence – and usually a well-timed joke. Above all else, he was deeply dedicated to his family. Russell showed love not just through words, but through action: providing, guiding, and occasionally offering unsolicited (but often correct) advice. Family gatherings were never short on laughter, storytelling, or spirited debates that Russell fully intended to win. He built not just a business, but a legacy of hard work and resilience – proving that success and humor are not mutually exclusive.

Russell is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Carolyn Robey Sapp, sons, Russell “Joey” Sapp of Huntingtown, MD and Jeffery “Jeff” Sapp (Amber) of St. Leonard, MD, grandson, Silas “Spud” Sapp of Huntingtown, MD, brothers, Richard Sapp (Frankie) of Keysville, GA, Robert Sapp (Donna) of Millen, GA, and Randy Sapp (Lou Ann) of Pensacola, FL, sister, Runnette Sapp Smith of Millen, GA, sister-in-law, Kay Sapp of Warwick, GA, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Sapp, mother, Rosa Mae Williams Sapp Kea, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Irene Robey, brothers, Roy Sapp, Raymond Sapp, and Ruwis Sapp, brother-in-law, Eddie Smith and sister-in-law, Carolyn Sapp.

A memorial visitation will be held at Rausch Funeral Home, at 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The family invites all who knew him to join them in honoring his life and legacy.

Nancy Jean Rawlings, 78, of Prince Frederick, Maryland, passed away on April 24^th, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on August 23, 1947, in Baltimore City, Nancy was the third child of the late Oscar Hammett and Hazel (Reinhardt) Hammett. In 1950, her family moved to their farm in Prince Frederick, where she helped grow tobacco and developed a strong work ethic that stayed with her throughout her life.

Nancy married Thomas Claude Rawlings Jr. on August 26, 1967. She worked as a cosmetologist before dedicating herself to raising her family as a homemaker.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Rawlings III and his wife, Wendy, of Prince Frederick, MD; her daughter, Lonnie Lynette Voegtli and her husband, Ono, of Elkridge, MD; and her four grandchildren, Timothy Rawlings and his wife Grace, Justin Rawlings, Nathalie Voegtli, and Thomas Voegtli. She is also survived by her brother, Arthur Hammett and his wife, Virginia, of Prince Frederick. In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her siblings, Janice Stallings and Jimmy Hammett.

Nancy was known for her leadership in 4-H, her volunteer work at the Calvert County Fair, her beautiful flower gardens, and her talent for creating handmade, self-designed quilts that will be cherished by her family for generations. She loved tending to her garden and would summon a charm of hummingbirds that graced her kitchen window each spring. Her beloved cats, of which she had many throughout the years, were never far from her lap. An extraordinary homemaker, Nancy, found her greatest joy in the warmth of being surrounded by her family.

A Memorial visitation  will be held on Tuesday, April 28^th, 2026, starting at 10 AM  with Funeral services to follow, 11 AM at the Rausch Funeral Home in Port Republic, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org.

David Lowell Liese, 80, of Huntingtown passed away April 23, 2026. He was born January 24, 1946, in Pennsylvania to Frank and Rose (Bonnema) Liese. Dave graduated from Valparaiso University and later from Cleveland State University with a master’s degree in engineering. He married Janet Cooke on August 22, 1970, and they lived in Cuyahoga County, OH and Accokeek, MD before settling in Calvert County. Dave was a hard worker and enjoyed a successful 51½ -year career as an engineer and project manager for the Department of Defense, retiring September of 2025. Dave had a strong faith and was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. He was a longtime member of Calvert Grace where he enjoyed singing in the church choir. Following his retirement, he started swimming at the pool and had a love of boats, fishing, and being on the water, he even had dreams of building his own boat one day. Dave loved singing, playing music, learning how to compose music, and playing the keyboard. He was an avid reader and enjoyed taking naps, football, cheering for the Washington Redskins and watching Hallmark movies with Jan.

Dave is survived by his wife of 55 years Jan Liese, children Kim Rannacher and her husband Steve of Prince Frederick, David Liese of Baltimore, and Jenny Liese and her husband Justin Jacobs of Lexington Park, grandchildren Sarah Jones and her husband Jamal, Luke Rannacher, Leah Rannacher and Nolan Jacobs, great-grandchildren Adalynn and Jayden, brother Mickey Liese and his wife Marilyn, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Louis Bertrum Buck, 93, of Broomes Island passed away April 23, 2026 in Solomons Nursing Center, Solomons, Maryland surrounded by family. Louis was born on April 17, 1933 in Broomes Island to the late Odie C. and Myrtle I. Buck.  He was married to the love of his life, Ethel L. Buck, for 71 years until her passing in 2023.  Together they had 3 children, Pamela “Pennie” (Chris Pence), Louis “Joe” (Carla), and Andrew “Andy” (Jill).

Through the years their lives were abundantly blessed with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren…all who were dearly loved and bragged on whenever he had the chance.

Grandchildren: Richard Duff (Jaime), Jennifer Buck, Jonathan Buck, Jeffrey Buck,  Joshua Buck (Sara), Matthew Buck (Melissa),

Great Grandchildren:  Dayton Duff, Bria Knott, Stephen Knott (Jessica), Tyler Knott, Samara Duff, Charisma Duff, Richard Duff Jr., Savannah Duff, Presley Duff, Kalynn Kernan, Aryanna Kernan, CJ Kernan, , Kaylee Buck, Jacob Buck, Gabriella Buck, Connor Buck, James Buck, Olivia Buck, Ryleigh Buck, Paige Buck, Lincoln Buck, and Summer Buck

Great-Great Grandchildren:  Charlie Buck, Delilah Ortiz, Dominic Ortiz, Ellie Knott, Evelyn Knott, Maxwell Knott, River Knott, Wrenley Knott, Christopher Sams, Dawson Sams

Louis was employed by Pargas, which changed it’s name to Suburban Propane. He worked there as a young man and moved up through the ranks to become Plant Manager until he retired many, many years later.  After retirement Louis spent his summers on the water crabbing and fishing.  You couldn’t find a happier man than him when he was out on the Patuxent River!

Louis was an active member and also Superintendent of Broomes Island Wesleyan Church for many years.  In 2022 Louis became Catholic and a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Solomons, MD.  He enjoyed weekly mass at the Hermitage Assisted Living and then at the Solomons Nursing Center after he and Ethel moved to that side of the facility.  His love for the Lord was unwavering.

Louis was a great man who enjoyed being with family and friends.  Whenever you saw him he had a smile on his face.  He was a man of wisdom and great humor and could get along with strangers as though they were family.  He will be truly missed.

William (“Bill”) Hatsing Dobson, Jr.
Colonel, United States Air Force Reserves (Retired)
January 20, 1947 – April 22, 2026

Billy. Bill. Colonel Bill. Grampa Bill. Dobson. Mr. Bill.

Bill was born in Meriden, Connecticut, on January 20, 1947 to William Hatsing Dobson and Eleanore Rita (Cook) Dobson. He was born at the Meriden Hospital in a snowstorm, 2 months early. Not entirely a surprise as he was always an impatient man.

He attended Francis T. Maloney High School in Meriden, ran cross country and track and graduated at (or ”near”) the top of his class. As skiing was his passion his selection of colleges centered around campuses located near ski towns. Accepted to University of Connecticut and other colleges but flat-land schools far from the mountains were not considered. He was accepted at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, just outside of Burlington, and began study in the fall and later joined the Ski Patrol, patrolling and maintaining safe slopes in New England such as Killington, Smugglers Notch and Stowe. He continued membership in the Ski Patrol long after retiring from that position as the patrol badge he was issued offered him lifetime free lift tickets in the mid-Atlantic area ski resorts.

After graduation in 1969, Bill entered the ROTC program and went on active duty with the U.S. Air Force stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, serving as a Special Investigator and Counterintelligence Officer. He was released from active duty and was transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1975. Reserve duty served him well and required work around the globe investigating crimes on American bases involving military service members. Duty locations also included Bolling Air Force Base and what is now Joint Base Andrews where he served as the Commandant of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Academy. He officially retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 1999.

While residing in Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado, he opened his own information security company, Divide View Systems (“DVS”), which he continued to operate remotely until approximately 2015.

Bill officially relocated to Maryland in 1996 and moved to Lothian, Maryland, in 2001. While in Maryland he worked for several tech companies in the Washington D.C. area including TrustWave, Fortrex and First Data Corp. providing information security, data protection and addressing privacy concerns locally and around the world.

While the Air Force would not allow Bill to fly due to vision issues, he took up flying in 2000 and obtained his private pilot’s license (and later float plane license and training in DC-3 jets at what Kate referred to as his “summer camps”) and bought a Cessna. He retired from flying and sold the Cessna 172 in January of 2026, after flying numerous cross-country trips, both solo and with Kate and others, including flights over the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and to Nova Scotia and to the Bahamas.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen (“Kate”) Devlin, of Lothian, his brother Robert Dobson (Doreen) of St. Augustine, Florida, his son Jonathan Dobson (Christy), son Matthew R. Dobson (Amanda Gonzalez), daughter Marissa M. Dobson, and grandchildren Brady Lyle Dobson, Lylah Christine Dobson, Hendrix Ace Valadez, Gisela Flor Valadez all of Colorado, and several nieces and nephews.

Bill’s other loves were the Denver Broncos and he was a proud (well… not always!) season ticketholder for over 20 years. Who else would have had his 2 stadium seats shipped to Maryland when Mile High Stadium was rebuilt?

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, June 12, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD 20736.

Henry Hall Conley, 87, of Solomons, Maryland, formerly of Lusby, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, in Solomons, with his wife Jeanne by his side.

Born on September 3, 1938, in Orma, West Virginia, Henry was the son of the late Zelah Hall Conley and Paul Conley. He graduated from Troy High School in 1956 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in 1961.

On June 20, 1964, Henry married the love of his life, Jeanne Hall Conley, in Towson, Maryland. Together they shared over six decades of marriage, building a life rooted in love, family, and shared interests and experiences.

Henry dedicated more than 30 years to the United States Department of Agriculture as a Research Physiologist all the while working weekends and summers as a charter boat captain on the Chesapeake Bay. Upon his retirement in 1993, he pursued charter fishing full time. 

Known to many as “Capt. Hank,” he enjoyed sharing his love of fishing and the Bay with others. He was an active member of both the Maryland and Solomons Charter Boat Associations and was a mentor to many. He captained the Carrie Sue, a boat he designed himself, until retiring from charter fishing in 2016.

Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Jeanne Conley of Solomons, Maryland; his daughters, Suzanne (Robert) Werdann of Weddington, North Carolina, and Carrie Conley of Gaithersburg, Maryland; and his grandchildren, Jack Werdann and Max Werdann.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Conley.

Henry will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his distinguished career, and his deep love for the Chesapeake Bay. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched both on land and on the water.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, May 17th at 4:00pm in the Asbury Solomons auditorium. The family requests contributions be made in Henry’s name to the Asbury Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD 20688.

John David Downey, 87, of Aynor, South Carolina passed away on April 21, 2026. Born on May 14, 1938, in Washington D.C., he was the son of John Ernest and Helen Daisy (Brumel) Downey. John attended Greenbelt High School and later joined the United States National Guard. He served his country for 3 years and drove for the captain of his squad. John was a fantastic shooter at the gun range and enjoyed camping, taking care of his cars and playing cards with friends, especially the game hand and foot. He was a history fanatic and loved watching westerns starring John Wayne, George “Gabby” Hayes, Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy. He married the love of his life; Linda J. Casey in November of 1970 and they have been inseparable ever since. After being honorably discharged from the National Guard, John worked as an electrician for Hawkins Electric Company for 23 years before retiring from the University of Maryland in 1994.

John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Linda Downey as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Downey.

A visitation will be held on May 7, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway, South Carolina.

Malcolm Gordon Grahame, Jr., known to all as Gordon, was born on January 5, 1925, in Baltimore City, MD to Georgette Allison and Malcolm Gordon Grahame, Sr. He passed away on April 19, 2026, peacefully surrounded by family, marking a life that spanned over a century of family, service, and deep roots.

Gordon spent his childhood in Chicago before moving with his mother to St. Petersburg, FL. As a teenager, he attended Woodberry Forest School in Virginia and later the Florida Military Academy.

In 1943, shortly after his 18^th birthday, Gordon was called to serve his country during World War II. He joined the U.S. Navy as a “Seabee” (Construction Battalion), training at Camp Perry and Camp Parks before deploying to Pearl Harbor, where he contributed to rebuilding efforts following the attack. He later served in Okinawa until the end of the war, returning home in late 1945 and receiving his discharge in April 1946.

After the war, Gordon returned to Florida, where he worked as a fisherman and orange grove picker. It was also in St. Petersburg that he met the love of his life, Martha Williams, at a Methodist church youth group potluck dinner. After three years of courtship, they married and began building a life together.

Gordon and Martha eventually made the pivotal decision in 1962 to move their family to the ancestral Grahame farm in Calvert County, MD. There, they raised their three children, worked the land (raising many a crop and tobacco) and livestock (including Gordon’s favorite – Brahman cattle), and instilled in their family the values of hard work, perseverance, and deep appreciation for heritage. Thanks to their dedication, the family farm, held for over 350 years, remains a lasting legacy.

Faith and community were central to Gordon’s life. He was a devoted member of All Saints Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry including as a Senior Warden, and as a Sunday School teacher in earlier years. He and Martha were supporters of the church’s growth, funding additions to the sacristy and choir room, and installing the steeple bell which Gordon often rang at funerals.

Gordon was a proud and active member of the American Legion Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach for over 47 years, serving on its executive committees and enjoying many evenings of fellowship, dancing, and community events. He was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, in the Farm and Garden Building at the County Fair, and at Flag Ponds Nature Park.

In his own time, Gordon was a constant student of the stock market and an avid reader, reading the Wall Street Journal daily and anything related to World War II.

Gordon’s absence is already deeply felt by all who knew him. He is remembered for his endless supply of tough love, calling everything as he saw it (often making others shake their heads and laugh), and his love of the farm, history, and tradition.

Gordon’s legacy lives on in several generations of descendants: his wife Martha Grahame, daughter Martha Hyde (Tom), and daughter in law Cathy Grahame; his grandchildren: Emily Gilcrest (Matt), Allison Smart (Chad), Drew Grahame, Mason Grahame, (Rachael), and Jack Grahame; and his great-grandchildren: Brooklyn and Ryan Gilcrest, Tate, Nix, and Sloan Smart, and Henry Grahame. He was preceded in death by his sons Malcolm Gordon “Gordy” Grahame III and Andrew “Andy” Grahame.

Harold Vivian Humphreys, beloved brother, uncle, and friend to many, crossed over to Heaven on April 19, 2026.

Harold was born November 8, 1943, in Prince Frederick, Maryland, to H. Vivian and Ida Lois (Bowen) Humphreys.  After Ida Lois passed away in 1947, Harold was raised for a time on Wagon Wheel Farm by his grandparents, J. Lloyd and H. Elizabeth Bowen, with the support of his aunts and uncle, Nina, Celeste, and Lloyd Jr. along with his wife Shirley.  When his father remarried, he found a loving second mother in Edith Humphreys, his devoted caregiver through most of his life.  Older sister Brenda Humphreys Burns became his caregiver in later years, and he enjoyed a close bond with her husband Mike.  Younger sister Joan Humphreys took over as caregiver for Harold in his advanced age.

As a boy, Harold could barely be separated from his bicycle.  When not cruising the country lanes on his bike, he would lose himself in the adventures of the singing cowboys.  He never left that happy trail, carrying his love of classic westerns all through life.  Adult Harold could very often be found sporting a signature western shirt and bolo tie.  John Deeres would become his trusty steeds as he spent many a summer happily tending the grass and doting on his lawn tractors.  Ever the handyman, he jumped at any chance to build and repair.  There was never a problem a little duct tape couldn’t fix.

Harold was a deeply faithful and treasured member of Church by the Chesapeake, serving as an usher, sharing in every opportunity for fellowship, and rarely missing a church dinner.  He served his community over a long career as an assistant to the U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in Broomes Island and Port Republic.  Ever the warmhearted soul, he was sure to encounter old friends or make new ones wherever he went.

Harold is dearly loved and sorely missed.  He is survived by sisters Joan Humphreys and Ann Humphreys; nephews and nieces Robert Burns (Rose), Susan Blackwell (Curtis), Mark Burns (Becca), Whitney Crum, and Tess Butner (Clark); and his many great and great-great nephews and nieces.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday May 30, 3036, 2 PM, at Waters Memorial United Methodist Church, 5400 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery

Carol Ann Grierson, 63, of Huntingtown, passed away peacefully at her home on April 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Carol was born on August 20, 1962, in Washington, D.C. Her family settled in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, where she graduated from Northern High School with the Class of 1980. In March 1986, she married the love of her life, Edward Talbot Grierson, Jr.

After her children enrolled in school, Carol began a long and dedicated career with Prince George’s County Public Schools. She began her journey as a bus driver, and eventually became transportation router and scheduler before retiring in February 2022. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—traveling, gardening, canning, baking bread, sewing, and crocheting—but above all, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren.

Carol is survived by her devoted husband, Edward T. Grierson, Jr.; her children, Edward T. Grierson, III (and wife, Ashley), Lacey A. Keller (and husband, Joey), Jeffrey T. Grierson (and wife, Carrie), and Lindsay R. Kreuter (and husband, Butch); and her beloved grandchildren, Delaney, Tré, Colin, Paxton, Carlee, Raylan, Toby, Valyn, and Brynn. She is also survived by her mother, Jane Robey; her siblings, Danny Smith, Larry Robey, Jr., and Wendy Robey; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Robey, Sr., and her sister, Donna Robey.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Hall at the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department.

Barbara Ann Whittington Chipman, 81, of Deale, MD passed away April 17, 2026. She was born December 3, 1944 in Devon, England to James and Joyce Whittington of Deale MD. Barbara was married to Robert A. Chipman who passed away on February 20, 2026. They were together for over thirty seven years. She came to the United States as a young child in 1947. She graduated from Central High School in 1962.
Barbara worked for the Federal Government for many years and later at the University of Maryland in 1978, and retired from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at Maryland in 2015.

Barbara is survived by her children Alan J. Schunemann, Sherry L. Schunemann, Glenn A. Schunemann, a step-daughter Kathy Fullen, and a granddaughter Jessica Schunemann. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

She was loved by so many and will be missed so much by all that knew her. Graveside services will be held May 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Mount Zion U.M. Church in Lothian, MD.

Jill Mounts Marcelli, 91, of Rowlett, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026 at home with loved ones by her side.

Born on August 1, 1934, in Alliance, Nebraska, to Frank and Wyletta (Cox) Mounts. She was the first of three daughters. Her sisters were Jackie Rehder and Celinda Devish. Jill has lived in Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Virginia and enjoyed a successful career working for Metropolitan Life, 3M, and JCPenney before retiring to Roswell, New Mexico with her husband Giocondo (Jack) Marcelli.  In their younger years together, they enjoyed church, ballroom dancing, and doing crafts.  Jill and Jack loved to travel, especially to visit their large, combined family of children, relatives and friends.

Jill was-an artist from an early age, including painting, sewing, cross-stitch, interior decorating and scrapbooking. She was also the family historian and spent many years of genealogy research into the family ancestry history. She became a guide at the Historic Museum. She was also a member of the Roswell Story League. Jill joined the Roswell Fine Arts League and was among the founders of ‘The Gallery.” Jill attended the Christian Woman’s Club and she served on the board of the Wilson-Cobb History and Genealogical Library for a few years. She and Jack were also members of the Senior Circle. She loved to volunteer at Books Again when needed. Through her continued years of work in genealogy, she became a member of the Roswell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), serving as registrar, and regent, of the local chapter and as New Mexico state historian from 2009 to 2011. She completed 20 years with this organization. Jill and her husband Jack were active members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Roswell.

Survived by her daughters, Dusty James and Celia Ralon Morgan and her husband, Dan, and stepchildren Lou Marcelli, Larry Marcelli and wife, Sherri, Lorraine Taylor and husband Kevan, Gina Theisen and husband, Walter, and Anna Marie Sparrow and husband, Shawn. Jill and Jack (predeceased) were very blessed to have 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and counting.

A message from Jill to all her family and friends, “It was a great ride! I’m now going off to my next adventure. Thanks for the memories.”

Amanda Rae Regan, 37, passed away April 14, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM at Rod n Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach, MD following the services.

Because of Amanda’s vibrant personality and love of life her family requests attendees wear color in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Amanda’s name can be made to the Rockettes Lacrosse program where she was dedicated coach and mentor. https://www.venmo.com/u/Rocketteslax

Vera Ann Sowers McPeak, 87 of Owings, Maryland, passed away on April 14, 2026.

Vera was born a farm girl in Floyd County, Virginia. The 1940s and 1950s was a great time to grow up. She milked cows, picked up hay, learned to grow gardens, tended chickens and performed many other farm chores.

The chore that she truly did not like was washing dishes. She ran and hid when her mother called her to come in and do the dishes. Her mother’s name was Mary Dexter Tolbert Sowers.

She loved her daddy, Tellie T. Sowers. He was a colorful character. A timber cutter who felled trees all over the Blue Ridge Mountains, the steep mountains of West Virginia, and Southern Maryland.

Many times he was gone for weeks and lived in logging camps. Often he came home bearing gifts. She never knew what he would bring home next. Sure, there was the usual good stuff like oranges, tangerines, coconuts, chocolate drops, apples and walnuts at Christmas time each year. Other times his gifts were unusual. And those gifts could be very much alive at that. Nothing even close to puppies or kittens, though she would have liked one of those as well. It was more like rattlesnakes, possums, groundhogs, squirrels, owls or just anything that crossed his path while he tramped through the woods.

One such gift left a mark throughout her entire life. It was a pet fox. She was still upset about how things turned out with the fox even when she was in her seventies. She would rather have the fox than the chickens, she said. This story was written by her.

Titled: Sparky, the Red Fox

He was a pretty little red-coated fox with a bushy black tail. He was no bigger than a cat. He soon became used to us and we fed him well. His fur turned bright red and very soft, more so than a cat. We named him Sparky. Dad never said why he dug a fox pup out of its den and carried him home in a burlap sack thrown over his shoulder. When he was half grown, we put a collar on him and tied him to a chain nailed to a dog house where he slept.

Sparky didn’t bother the dogs or the cats, And the dogs didn’t bother him. That didn’t mean his wild instinct was gone.

He did like chicken. They were out the hen house at first light. Sparky slipped his collar during the night. The chickens weren’t missed so much, but seeing piles of feathers in various parts of the woods told how they got there.

Mother didn’t want to lose any more chickens. So Mother told Bob to take care of the fox. And he did with a bullet.

Dad said when he came home from cutting timber in Maryland, he was going to make Sparky a halter. He said Sparky could never run wild now. He wasn’t afraid of people and would cause trouble around the neighborhood.

Bob was her younger brother. They fought more like brothers than brother and sister. One time he was helping his uncle set rafters in a building. He fell through the boards and scraped his back. He ran home. No one was there except his sister. She poured alcohol on his skinned back and it set him on fire. As a kid, she may not have known the pain the alcohol would cause.

When Bob was little he couldn’t pronounce Vera. Her name sounded more like “Bat-Ah” when he said it. The nickname stuck for years.

She married Burell Edgar McPeak in 1955. Their years together totaled over 70. And their family grew to fill a house during that time. Three children of their own, three grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren arrived over the coming years. Over those 70 years that meant a lot of birthdays and holidays to celebrate. She made each and every event very special. Birthday cakes, gifts, and lots of food. The house was decorated all pretty. And she enjoyed hosting each and every event. Her granddaughter, Crystal, enjoyed the family dinners most of all, as a child and as an adult.

She came from a very large family herself. Her maternal grandparents were Dexter Franklin Tolbert and Edna Julina Moles. Her paternal grandparents were Eli Samuel Sowers and Virginia Lily Weddle. She had 19 uncles and aunts. And that meant numerous cousins. Sadly most of the cousins have passed away as well.

In 1963, they moved from Floyd County to Calvert County, Maryland. They lived there the rest of their lives.

For the next fifty years they owned and operated Mc Peak Lumber Company, in later years she helped out. She operated the fork lift, the edger, cut slab wood, and packed lumber until she was physically unable to do so. Calvert Independent, the county newspaper did a feature article about the sawmill and her picture was taken while she operated the edger.

She liked all kinds of animals. And had many close encounters with tame ones. There was a huge work horse on the farm with hooves the size of dinner plates. Her name was Nan. One time Vera was in the stall with Nan. The floor was mushy with several inches of muck. Nan shifted around and stepped on her foot. Down into the muck it goes. Stuck, she was stuck. The horse would not move off of her foot for nothing. She tried everything. She pounded the horse’s sides, her rump, pulled her tail, and screamed as loud as she could to get Nan’s attention. After a scary amount of time being trapped, Nan finally shifted her weight to the other side. That movement was just enough to allow a little girl to pull her foot free.

During her later years, she had many encounters with animals. From snakes to birds to insects. It was mostly the wildlife that ventured into her backyard. These eye-witness accounts she wrote down in little stories. Then on birthdays, she mailed a card and a story to her great-grandkids. One was about a pretty green snake that slithered over her feet one morning. Later, that same snake dropped out of the pear tree and looked her right in the face. Or the crow that swooped down and snatched a piece of cornbread she tossed out. It flew a short distance and buried the cornbread in the dirt to eat later. Then it flew away, thinking its stash was safe. Not so. Another crow watched this burial. It flew down and dug up the cornbread and ate it. She watched a wasp cover her hole in the ground with a dried leaf. She nursed a hawk with a broken wing back to health and freed him. One day she went to her truck and the hawk was perched on the top of the cab. She said he wanted his chicken leg. She fed him raw chicken legs while he was healing up. And she watched two feisty blue jays harass the very same hawk while he was still in the cage. Just to mention a very few of the fun stories she wrote about animal encounters. Animals are smarter than humans, she said.

The truck mentioned was a blue Ford Ranger. Of all the vehicles she drove, this little truck was her favorite. She loved that little truck.

A greenhouse was built for her later in life. She had a very green thumb. She grew a very big garden and canned all of what she harvested.

She liked games. Every Sunday, she and her daughter, Gale, played a good game of Scrabble. It was time she looked forward to. And she liked to play the card game of Rook. She was very good at making that “old crow” work for her.

One granddaughter spent a lot of time with her. She was the oldest and her name was Crystal. She was born in 1979. At the age of four, her grandma taught her to read. The book was all about Jo Boy and his dog Spot. Not many kids can read at four years old. That’s because her grandma loved to read herself. She got a biography of Martha Washington from elementary school and that started her lifelong love of reading. A side note, she and Bob walked three miles to get to school.

Crystal was a very smart girl. One Christmas when she was around three years old, her grandma wanted to take a picture of her in front of the decorated tree. Crystal got stubborn and refused. No coaxing from grandma helped. Defiant, Crystal got tired and decided to stick her finger up her nose. Well, Grandma snapped the picture anyway. Cute little curly-haired blonde with her finger buried deep in her nose. But Grandma was not going to let that behavior go unpunished. She sent away the picture and had a puzzle made of it. Grandma was smart too.

In 1998 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery and chemo treatments, defeated the disease. But it left a toll on her health. Then in 2021 she had a hip replacement which helped her walk better. Six months later she had a debilitating stroke. It took away use of her right arm and hand, caused limited use of her right leg, and totally took away her ability to speak and be understood.

More tragedy followed. The house they lived in for 50 years burned to the ground. Nothing survived except an extensive collection of charred brown Hull dishes that she collected over many years. And Dad’s 1940 Ford Coup escaped the fire.

It took two years to build a new house. Dad wanted her to live long enough so she could enjoy their new house after so much hard work went into building it. And get out of a basement so they could eat together and she could sit on the back deck and watch the wildlife again. And maybe that would bring back more of her old self. The house is finished and waiting on county permits. It wasn’t meant to be.

She was a tough mountain woman, and much loved. Jesus was in her heart and he took her home to heaven. Her family takes comfort in that and will miss her so much.

She is survived by her husband, Burell Edgar McPeak; son, Burell Kenneth McPeak (Jennifer); daughters, Sandra M. Bradley and Vera Gale Jones (Larry); grandchildren, Crystal Cianna Bryant (Gordon), Kevin Shelton Bradley (Ashley), and Jessica Christine McPeak; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Laura, Timothy, James, Joshua, Grace, John, Samuel, and Sadie Bryant, and Levi, Nathan, Felicity, and Annalise Bradley.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in the Jacksonville Cemetery with Gordon Bryant officiating.

John Edward Bell, 78, of Dunkirk passed away on April 13, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on February 21, 1948, in Washington D.C., he was the son of William Noel and Emma Elizabeth (Schofield) Bell. He attended Central High School in Capitol Heights and later joined the United States Army and National Guard. After being honorably discharged, John became an automotive mechanic. He loved old muscle cars, building models and going to the Daytona 500. John was an animal lover at heart and cherished his beloved dogs Coco and Sammie.

John is survived by his children Christina Houck (Charles), Lena Bosquet (John) and Jeffrey Bell (Enas), siblings Marguerite Tate, Barbara Pelletier, Carolyn Vargas, William Bell and James Bell (Joy), along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Emma Bell and siblings Patricia Casselberry, Janice Sands, Joseph Schofield, Joan Koonte.

Edward Joseph Solkowski of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, passed away on April 13, 2026.

He was born on August 18, 1948, in New Jersey, to Sophia (Konici) and Joseph Solkowski. Edward’s family moved to New Hyde Park, New York, where he attended school. After earning his Bachelor of Science from Stony Brook University, he accepted a position as a 9^th grade science teacher in Virginia, then went on to work at the Naval Oceanographic Office in Suitland, Maryland. There, he met Karen Yvonne Farran, and they married in July of 1975, and made their home in Prince Georges’ County, before moving to Calvert in 1977. Edward continued working for the government as a contracting officer and later went to work in private industry until his retirement in 2018.

Edward was a loyal fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Redskins. He coached his son’s recreational sports teams, and enjoyed playing tennis, softball, golf, couponing, and grocery shopping for his family.

Edward is survived by his beloved wife Karen Yvonne Solkowski; his son James “Jimmy” Edward Solkowski (Danny Haigwood); his daughter Lauren Yvonne Solkowski (Robert Noel); grandson Chase Noel, and sister Nancy Jean Solkowski. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Sophia Solkowski, and his brother James Solkowski.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, April 24 from 10-11 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where a memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 AM.

Ann Catherine Baker Broughman, 99, of the Hermitage at Solomons, and formerly of Lusby, MD, passed away on April 12, 2026 at Solomons Nursing Center.

Born on September 11, 1926 in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Leonard Austin Baker and Catherine Louise (Paddon) Baker.  Ann married Charles Robert Broughman on June 5, 1947 and was a homemaker.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Mary Grenier of Broomes Island, MD and her son, Robert Broughman of Springfield, VA; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  Ann was preceded in death on August 6, 1979 by her husband, Charles Robert Broughman; her son, Charles L. Broughman and his wife Catherine; and her siblings, Leonard Baker, Harry Baker, Susan Morgan, Harriet Lyons, Millard Baker, Bobby Baker and Mary Baker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Church, Solomons, MD.  Inurnment will be in New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore, MD.

On April 11, 2026, Louis Gerard Amtmann entered into eternal rest. He was born on April 9, 1943 to the late Andrew J. and Rita L. (Schenk) Amtmann in Baltimore (Highlandtown), MD. He was married in August 1966 to his beloved spouse and best friend, the late Rita E. (Kirby) Amtmann. Lou graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School and the University of Maryland with a major in Engineering. He retired with 40 years of credible service to his nation at the National Security Agency (NSA). Lou is survived by his beloved: son Brian (Tracy Astrachan) Amtmann, son David (Patricia McCarthy) Amtmann and daughter Nina (James Lundquist) Amtmann, brother Robert (Jane Hartley) Amtmann, granddaughters Josie, Alexis and Tori Amtmann, grandson Lucas Forand and many nieces and nephews.

Lou was an engineer and life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He was also a gardener, sports enthusiast, bridge player, and jack of all trades. He spent his retirement years devoted to family, friends, church, and community.

Gloria Jean Parks nee Rinker, of Dunkirk Maryland peacefully passed away on April 11, 2026 at home.  Born on April 12, 1944 in Leesburg Virginia, Gloria was the beloved daughter of Gibson and Dorothy Rinker.  She attended Loudoun County High School where as a young woman her favorite pastime was roller skating.

Gloria enjoyed a varied career path that included driving a school bus, waitressing, secretary for Tate Dodge, then she spent 30 years at the District Court of Maryland. Outside of work, Gloria loved to dance! She loved sewing for family and friends, crocheting, needlepoint, ceramics, and listening to live county bluegrass music. Gloria also delighted in her experience as a Longaberger consultant.

Gloria is survived by her husband Samuel J. Parks Jr., her daughter Ginger C. Beck, son Wayne E. Spring, son Thomas G. Spring and son Kevin C. Parks, eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A memorial visiting will be held on Monday April 20th at Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane in Owings Maryland from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, with a service following at 3:30 PM.

Gloria will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Carl David Conner, 73 of Prince Frederick, MD passed on April 11, 2026, at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.  He was born June 27, 1953, in Prince Frederick, MD to the late William Albert and Phyllis Hope Conner.  David is survived by his sister Sarah and her husband John Ogle, brother Ronnie and his wife Terry and brother Timmy.  He was preceded in death by both parents and brothers Billy, Ricky and Donnie.

David had a love for the outdoors, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, camping in the mountains, riding horses, and hunting.  He also loved his Thursday nights playing cards and hanging out with his closest friends.

The family will receive friends from 10AM to 11:30AM with a funeral service beginning at 11:30AM at Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broome’s Island Road, Port Republic, MD.  Interment will follow at Asbury Cemetery in Barstow, MD.

Pallbearers for David include Chaz Osbourn, Conner Kissinger, Greg Carroll, Jimmy Burkman, Doug Dorsey, and Marvin Hutchins.

Honorary Pallbearers, Great Nephews Ricky Wade Osbourn and LJ Ogle.

Lawrence (Larry) Calvert Marquess Jr., 71, of Alexandria, Virginia, died peacefully on April 10, 2026, after battling a recurrence of cancer. Larry was born on December 24, 1954, and was a graduate of St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park (B.A.) and attended graduate school at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He spent over 35 years in financial management at the Naval Sea Systems Command, rising through the ranks over the course of his career.

Larry is survived by his son David Calvert Marquess and daughter-in-law Leora Marquess; his daughter Emily Rose Eldridge, son-in-law Dillon Eldridge, and granddaughter Tatum Rose Eldridge; his former spouse Lisa Gail Marquess; and his devoted partner of more than twenty years, Giuseppe DeBartolo. He was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, partner, and friend.

Larry’s surviving siblings include his sister-in-law, Ann Day; his brother Joseph Day and his wife Lorie Day; his sister Alice Langley and her husband Skip Langley; his sister Shirley Ann Bowen; and his brother Chris Marquess and his wife Bobbi Rausch.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Calvert Marquess, Sr. and Grace Chaney Day Marquess, and his brother Herbert Day.

An avid reader, devotee of music and theater, and college basketball enthusiast, Larry was a lifelong fan of the Maryland Terps. He was a frequent attendee of a broad range of concerts, shows and theater performances, as well as a diligent member of multiple book clubs – most of them scholarly and academic, for which he regularly researched and prepared at the McKeldin Library. Larry was a true music connoisseur with a vast knowledge that spanned roots music, rock, and classic punk – from up-and-coming artists to the greats. He was a passionate cook, always exploring new recipes while preserving family classics. Larry loved traveling with friends and family and discovering beautiful places around the world; and he especially enjoyed vacations at the beach. Larry always relished the company of his many good friends and the wonderful opportunities for fine dining and conversation their getting together afforded them.

In an effort to allow the most participation, we have decided to host two informal events to celebrate Larry.

Memorial services and gatherings in celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Saturday June 6, 2026 from 12-2 PM at the Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl Street SW, Washington DC 20024 and on Sunday June 7, 2026 from 2-4 PM at the home of his brother Chris Marquess, 4775 Williams Wharf Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685.

Please join us as we celebrate Larry.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to MusiCares (https://www.musicares.org/?form=donate) or An Open Book Foundation (https://anopenbookfound.org/).

David John Jones, 83, passed away on April 9, 2026. Born on August 6, 1942, he grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He attended Kalamazoo College, where he met his wife, Judy Jones, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. After earning his BA, he went on to serve in the United States Navy, where his performance earned him an accelerated promotion to Lieutenant. Following his service, he received his MBA from the University of Southern California and built a long career in business and management. He held senior executive roles at companies including Crane Marketing, Farr Company, Toyota Motor Sales USA, and Hydril.

In 1985, he took over ownership of the El Tecolote Cafe in Camarillo, California, which he owned and operated for nearly 25 years. Four years later, he opened a second restaurant, the Cactus Cafe in Ojai, though El Tecolote remained his pride and greatest joy. He valued the regular customers who returned week after week and came to feel like family. Many brought owl figurines from their travels, and over time the collection became a cherished and distinctive part of El Tecolote, something that meant a great deal to him.

Outside of work, he loved being outdoors and was an active member of the Pt. Mugu Jeep Club. Some of his favorite times were spent on overnight off-road trips, including the Rubicon Trail. In retirement, he and Judy traveled across the country by motorhome, continuing his love of camping, sightseeing, and exploring.

In 2014, he and Judy moved to Southern Maryland to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He took great joy in time with his family, especially taking his grandchildren out to lunch, tie-dyeing t-shirts, teaching them to crab, and creating lasting memories with them. On his own, he was happiest kayaking on the lake behind his home, fishing, catching crabs, and attracting birds of every kind to his yard. He especially loved being near the water, and one of his favorite routines was going out to lunch with Judy along the waterfront.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Jones; his daughters, Kristin Jones and Erin Kundolf, and son-in-law Greg Kundolf; his two grandchildren; and his brother, Alan Jones. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Jones and Evelyn (Hamm) Jones.

A private graveside service will be held at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens in Port Republic, Maryland, on April 16.

Carol S. Ferko, a woman known by her devotion to her loving family, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love that spans four generations.

Born October 22, 1935, in the small coal town of Monclo, West Virginia, Carol carried the warmth and resilience of her upbringing throughout her long and meaningful life. Daughter of the late Samuel & Muriel Valandingham, she was one of seven children. She is survived by her two younger sisters, Pam and Dreama, who shared many precious moments with Carol in her final days. She loved all her siblings greatly, as they loved her.

She was the beloved widow of Norman Ferko, with whom she built a life centered on love, laughter, and the joys of family. While she has been reunited with Norman, her spirit lives on in the vibrant family they created together. Carol’s greatest pride was her role as a mother and “Grandma”.

She is survived by her two devoted daughters Kerri Morgan (Don) and Sherri Riess (Steve). Her influence blossomed further through her five granddaughters, Amanda Isaacs (Chris), Brandi Hutchins (Daniel), Melissa Mattingly (Jason), Leah Riess and Casadi Riess, who will forever cherish the lessons and laughter shared with their Grandma.

The true spark in Carol’s later years came from her ten great-grandchildren. She delighted in watching them grow and her memory will be a guiding light for Harper, Jameson, Alanah, Haylee, Sebby, Coleson, Mikey, Miles, Hunter, and Mila.

Carol will be remembered for her quiet strength, her sharp wit, and the way she made every family gathering feel like home. She was a constant anchor for those she loved, and her absence leaves a void that can only be filled by the countless memories she leaves behind.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

A memorial service will be held Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:15am at Cheltenham Veterens Cemetery, 11301 Crain Hwy, Cheltenham, MD 20623.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Parkinson’s Foundation in honor of Carol and Norman Ferko.

With heavy hearts, we celebrate the life of Deborah Jean Isreal, who passed away on April 8, 2026, at the age of 60.

Born on December 1, 1965, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Jeanie lived a life that was anything but ordinary. She brought love, laughter, and just the right amount of spice wherever she went. To know her was to know that she would tell it like it is—and somehow make you laugh while doing it.

She dedicated her life to her family and the people she loved, and while she worked hard, she also knew how to enjoy life—whether it was watching documentaries and soap operas with a full glass of wine in hand, or taking the boys to the track when they were kids, creating memories filled with laughter, excitement, and a little bit of mischief. She believed life was meant to be lived fully.

Above all, Deborah loved her family fiercely. She is survived by her husband, Jerome Isreal; her two sons, Nicholas and Terrel Isreal; and her grandchildren, Ryan Curtin and Abigail Wegner, who will forever carry her love, her lessons, and yes—even her sass—with them. She is also survived by her sisters, Jewel Holloman and Zeta Olander, and her brother, Dondald Daughety.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Brittany Marie Curtin, whose memory she carried with her always.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM at 8325 Mt. Harmony Ln, Owings, MD 20736. In honor of Deborah, the family encourages you to share a story, wear something that makes you feel confident, and don’t be afraid to be a little spicy.