Obituaries from Gazette.net, December 2003: Frederick Co., MD Permission has generously been granted by Gazette.net to include these obituaries in the MDGenWeb Archives. This publication is available on-line at http://www.gazette.net. Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ********************************************************* *****Dec. 4, 2003***** James M. Allingham James Michael Allingham, 55, of Mount Airy died on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003, at his residence. He was the husband of Geraldine M. Cazzola Allingham for 32 years. Born on Feb. 16, 1948, in Glendale, Calif., he was the son of John and Patricia Clarke Allingham of Chevy Chase. He was a machinist for the U.S. government, retiring in 2001 after 25 years. Mr. Allingham served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Brass Anchor SCUBA Club in Frederick, a sharpshooter with the Isaak Walton League and a life member of the NRA. Mr. Allingham was an outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and was a master scuba diver. He was also an accomplished woodworker. Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are a son, Nicholas S. Allingham of Mount Airy; a sister, Sheila Bushnell and husband Ron of Germantown; and a number of nieces end nephews. The family received friends Friday, Nov. 28, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., in Mount Airy, where the Rev. Allison Quinn of St. David's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. officiated over a prayer service. A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 29, at St. David's Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C. Internment with military honors will take place in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Those wishing to attend should meet at the Administration Building at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hatteras United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 310, Hatteras, N.C. 27943 or to JWLA C/O L. Stouffer, 12802 Independence Road, Clear Spring, MD 21722. Antonia Randle Antonia Randle, 86, of Sykesville, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Carroll Hospital Center, Westminster. Born Sept. 15, 1917, in McKeesport, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Telka Hacakyra Bartoch. She was the wife of the late Charles A. Randle Jr., who died in 1998. She had been employed as an assistant registrar of births in Baltimore City and had retired from the MVA in 1979. She was a member of AARP. She will be fondly remembered by the members of the South Carroll Senior Citizens Association and the Seniors Club at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, especially the Thursday afternoon lunch bunch and her life-long friend Mildred Seth. She loved to travel and dine out, but nothing pleased her more than to be with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are son Charles A. Randle and his wife Betsy of Libertytown; grandchildren Kimberly Randle Smith and her husband Brian of New Windsor, Antonia Randle of Augusta, Ga., Denise Rheubottom and her husband Thomas of Westminster, Beth Randle Masser and her husband Clint of Frederick and Charles "Chad" Edward Randle and his wife Christine of Philadelphia; and by great- grandchildren Mellody and Aleah Smith, Zion Rheubottom and Layne and Kirstin Masser. She was preceded in death by her son, David Randle, and by her brothers Paul and Frank Bartoch. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, with the Rev. Pat Tonry officiating. Interment will be private. Mary I. Schmidt Mary I. Schmidt, 59, of Mount Airy, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of Alfred M. Schmidt, her husband of 28 years. Born May 5, 1944, in Baltimore County, she was the daughter of the late James and Frances Evans Esworthy. Mrs. Schmidt was a seamstress, working at the Mount Airy Shirt Factory and for West Knit in Westminster. She also had worked for both Ames and Pizza Hut in Mount Airy. Mrs. Schmidt was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 191 in Mount Airy where she was a past president, past Western Maryland District President and past Department of Maryland President. She also served as counselor for Girls State for three years. Mrs. Schmidt enjoyed making crafts, especially sewing, and loved spending time with her beloved dogs: bulldogs Buttons and Zipper, and Yorkies T.T. and Peaches. Surviving in addition to her husband are five brothers and sisters, Lee Esworthy and wife Linda of Westminster, Margaret McCarthy and husband Thomas of Boring, George Esworthy and wife Charlotte of Westminster, James Esworthy Jr. and wife Debra of Cockeysville and Brenda Hale and husband David of Reisterstown; nine nieces and nephews; 16 great-nieces and great-nephews; a sister-in-law, Rosalie Robbins of Blairsville, Ga.; and a brother-in-law Roland Schmidt and wife Patricia of Mount Airy. Mrs. Schmidt will also be remembered by her godson, David James Hale. The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 191 conducted a memorial service Wednesday at Stauffer Funeral Home, Mount Airy. Funeral services will be held today at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Franklin Bishop officiating. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Children and Youth Programs, 1589 Sulphur Spring Road, Suite 105, Baltimore, MD 21227. *****Dec. 11, 2003***** Harold D. Brown Harold Dempsey Brown Jr., 44, of Mount Airy, died on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Renee Elizabeth Brown, for 11 years. Born on Feb. 22, 1959, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Harold D. Sr. and Joan M. Brown Brown of Sorrento, Fla. He grew up in Laurel and moved to Mount Airy in 1987. Mr. Brown was a plumber with EMJAY Engineering and Construction for the last eight years. Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are a daughter, Heather Brown, at home; three brothers, Joe Brown and wife Debbie of Clayton, N.C., Mark Brown of Severn, and Timmy Brown and wife Lori of Valrico, Fla.; two sisters, Shelly Ramsey and husband Dave of Mount Airy and Michelle Willet and husband Nick of Woodsboro; his mother-in-law, Carole Rodill of Rockville; and brothers and sisters-in-law Philip Brown and wife Brenda of Laytonsville, David Brown and wife MaryAnn of Rockville, Michele Gonzalez and husband Nelson of Rockville and Heather Berney and husband Ahron of Rockville. Mr. Brown was preceded in death by a sister, Lisa Brown, as well as paternal grandparents Joe and Audrey Brown and maternal grandparents Edward A. and Dorothy Brown. The family received friends Friday at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd. in Mount Airy, where services were held Saturday, with the Rev. Wallace Lusk of Locust Grove Church of the Brethren officiating. Interment is in Popular Springs Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heather C. Brown Fund, C/O SunTrust Bank, 337 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mount Airy, MD 21771. Earl H. Howard Mr. Earl H. Howard, 75, of New Windsor, died on Dec. 7, 2003, at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster. Born March 13, 1925, in Rockville, he was a son of the late Clarence and Virgie Ricketts Howard. He was the husband of Geneva M. Howard. Mr. Howard had attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant during World War II. In 1946, he went to work for PEPCO and retired after 42 years as a general foreman. After retirement from PEPCO, he drove a school bus for Carroll County Schools until he retired because of ill health. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in New Windsor. Aside from his wife, he is survived by two children: Sharon L. Nelligan of New Windsor and Earl H. Howard Jr. of Frederick; six grandchildren: Earl Sue Castillo of Walkersville, Jami Rae Howard of Frederick, Jena Griffin of Frederick, Rachel Erin Nelligan of New Windsor, and Austin Howard Nelligan of New Windsor; a sister: Mildred Collins of Hagerstown; and also nieces and a nephew and four great-grandchildren. Friends were received the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville, on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. today. Internment will be at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. The Rev. Mindy Coats, pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church in New Windsor, will officiate. Bearers are Earl H. Howard Jr., Arthur Nelligan, Austin Nelligan, Ronald Embrey, Luke Castillo and Steve Moore. *****Dec. 18, 2003***** John J. Rooney Col. John Joseph Rooney, 76, died Dec. 10, 2003, at his home in Gaithersburg. He was the husband of Keiko Onodera Rooney. Born March 22, 1927, in Johnstown, Pa., he was a son of the late Charles J. and Margaret Timothy Rooney. At age 17, Rooney joined the Army Air Corps and continued his service until the end of World War II. He re-enlisted in the regular Army and served honorably until his retirement in 1971. While in the Army, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1951. In 1953 he was transferred to Japan, where he served at Camp Zama as a quartermaster. It was during this tour that he met his wife Keiko. In 1959, Rooney was ordered to the Korean War conflict for a one-year tour of duty. After that he was transferred stateside where he continued his education at the University of Syracuse. He earned his master of arts degree in business from there in 1964. Rooney was transferred to the Army Command Center in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked with computers until receiving orders to Vietnam in 1965. After returning from Vietnam, he was ordered to the Pentagon, where he continued his service until 1970. During this period, he earned citations for serving on the Army General Staff in 1968, and was awarded the Legion of Merit by the President of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service from 1952-1970. In 1971, the Rooney family moved to Gaithersburg. Rooney was hired by the Montgomery County Government to run the M.I.S. Section. While employed by the county, he began teaching at American University. After retiring from the county, he was hired by Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., to instruct classes on computers in 1980. In 1984 he returned to the Washington area where he became a full-time professor at American University and Johns Hopkins University. Rooney was also selected as a voluntary consultant for Frederick County government. Rooney's passion outside of work was golf. He was a member of the Montgomery Village Country Club, Oneonta Country Club and Holly Hills Country Club, where he was instrumental in starting up a volunteer staff of marshals for the Kemper Open Golf Tournament. Surviving, aside from his wife, are three children, Patrick Rooney and his wife Kathleen of Germantown; Ruth Hopkins and her husband Gary of Monrovia and Kathleen Greene and husband Johnathan of Gaithersburg; six grandchildren, Brendan, Erinn, Rachel, Emily, Melissa and Michael; four sisters and one brother. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Dec. 15 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Libertytown, with the Rev. John A. Dietzenbach officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. The family request that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to The A.L.S. Association, 615 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Arrangements were made by Olin L. Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. Gertrude F. Sheeler Mrs. Gertrude F. Sheeler, 86, of Sandy Spring died on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Friends Nursing Home, Sandy Spring. She was the wife of Edward E. Sheeler, who died in 1987. Born Jan. 20, 1917, in San Antonio, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Ethel A. Jones Sheeler. Mrs. Sheeler was the Medicare director at Holy Cross Hospital, retiring in 1973 after 25 years. She was a very active member of Ashton United Methodist Church where she served on many committees and was a member of the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Sheeler enjoyed writing poetry, sewing and loved bird-watching. Surviving are three daughters: Diana Bucia of Hagerstown, Constance McKain of Mount Airy and Gwen Johnson and husband Gary of Arlington, Texas; four grandchildren: Diana Hultz and husband John of Hagerstown, Deborah Teed and husband Mark of Laurel, Kathleen Cave and husband Steven of Sykesville and Michelle Clagett and husband Brian of Mount Airy; 11 great-grandchildren: Shannon Johnson, Shelly Johnson, David Johnson, John Hultz, Heather Hultz, Matthew Teed, Anthony Teed, Brian Cave, Jason Cave, Layne Clagett and Samantha Clagett; two great-great-grandchildren, Kayla Rodriquez and Jason Rodriquez; a sister, Margaret Dodson of Points, W.Va. Mrs. Sheeler was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Frakes. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today in Miller Hall at Friends House Retirement Community, 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, with the Rev. Jeff Jones of Ashton United Methodist Church officiating. A private interment will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ashton United Methodist Church, 17314 New Hampshire Ave., Ashton, MD 20861, or Friends House Retirement Community, 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD 20860. Arrangements are being handled by Stauffer Funeral Home, Mount Airy. Robert T. Small Robert Thomas "Rob" Small Jr., 33, of New Market died on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. He was the husband of Debra Ann Donaldson Small for six years. Born on Sept. 10, 1970, in Portland, Maine, he was the son of Robert T. Small Sr. and wife Tatyana of Frederick and the late Cynthia I. Payer Small. He was a mechanic for Greenlink Inc. in Gaithersburg for the past two years. Mr. Small was a jack of all trades and restored old cars. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Small was involved in his son's sports and was a member of the LUYAA Sports Association. He was a great father who loved his children and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Surviving in addition to his wife are two children: Thomas John Small and Faith Elizabeth Small, both at home; brother Christopher Small of Washington, D.C.; step-brother Andy Fadeyev of Sterling, Va.; an uncle, Fred Small and wife Wanda of Honolulu; mother-in-law and step-father-in-law, Jerry and Helen Roberts of Frederick; father-in-law and step-mother-in-law John and Audrey Donaldson, of Frederick; three brothers-in-law, Rick Donaldson of Augusta, Ga., Mike Donaldson and wife Terri of Chesapeake Beach, and Bryan Donaldson of Germantown; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Graveside services and interment were held Friday, Dec. 12, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas and Faith Small College Fund, 10634 Old Barn Court, New Market, MD 21774. Arrangements were made by Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Leonard E. Tolley Leonard Edgar Tolley, 77, of Monrovia, died Dec. 11, 2003, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. He was the husband of Anne Merricks Tolley. Born in Lexington, Va., on Dec. 26, 1925, he was the son of the late Roscoe and Susie Tolley. He served in the Pacific with the U.S. Navy as an aviation mechanic during World War II. He started college at Virginia Tech in 1947, where he met his wife. He married Anne on his birthday, Dec. 26, 1949, and graduated from VPI just days ahead of the birth of his son, Tom. The Tolleys' second child, Deborah Kay, was born six years later. Mr. Tolley taught high school in Spottswood and Edinburg, Va., from 1951 to 1956. He and his family moved to the Damascus area where he taught agriculture, vocational agriculture and horticulture at Damascus High in 1956. He retired as the community school coordinator in 1979. He was director of Business of Farming and an advisor to the Damascus High School chapter of the Future Farmers of America; he guided the chapter to state and national awards. Mr. Tolley served with distinction in numerous organizations in Damascus. He became a life member of the Lions Club where he achieved "King Lion." He was a former commander and life member of the Damascus American Legion and served for a time as chaplain of VFW Post 19976. He was active in the Damascus Methodist Church and was a member of multiple organizations, such as the Garden Club (charter member), National Teachers Association, Montgomery County Teachers Association, Montgomery County Cotillion Club, Frederick Home Builders Association and many others. After he retired from the Montgomery County school system, Mr. Tolley and his wife became successful real estate developers and home builders. Survivors besides his wife and children include his brother Joe Tolley; his three sisters, Ruby Thomas Tolley of Alexandria, Va., Virginia Moschler and Florence Mohler; his grandchildren, Suzanne Earl, Scott Leonard Earl, Katherine Tolley and Keely Roen; great-grandson Jude Thomas Roen; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Dec. 16 at Damascus United Methodist Church. Interment is in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church St., Damascus, MD 20872. Arrangements were made by Olin L. Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. Clarence "Tom" Anderson Clarence "Tom" Anderson, 79, of Mount Airy died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at his home in Mount Airy. He was the husband of Fannie Mable Young Anderson for 55 years. Mr. Anderson was born April 30, 1924, in Arbutus, the son of the late Aleck and Bertha Feurherd Anderson. Mr. Anderson co-owned and operated a service station in the Ridgeville area for a number of years. He was retired from King Pontiac Garage in Gaithersburg. He was a member of Poplar Springs United Methodist Church, Prudence Lodge No. 190 A.F.&A.M. in Mount Airy, Maryland Saltwater Fisherman's Association and a former member of the Mount Airy Chapter No. 95 Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Anderson was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Surviving, aside from his wife, are sons Larry W. and wife Charlene Anderson of Monrovia; Fred A. and wife Karen Anderson of Monrovia; brother Aleck Anderson Jr. of Littlestown, Pa.; sisters Irma Anderson and Nettie Potts, both of Hagerstown; grandchildren, Richard, Daniel and Amanda Anderson, all of Monrovia; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers James, Robert and William Anderson. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 17 at Locust Grove Church of the Brethren, Mount Airy, with the Rev. Wallace "Bud" Lusk and the Rev. Charles Leger officiating. Interment is in Locust Grove Cemetery. The family received friends at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, Winfield, where a Masonic memorial service took place Dec. 16. Donations may be made to Locust Grove Church of the Brethren, 13356 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771 or Poplar Springs United Methodist Church, 1661 Frederick Road, Poplar Springs, MD 21797. *****Dec. 24, 2003***** Herbert E. Steele Mr. Herbert E. Steele, 88, most recently of Radnor Valley Farm, Damascus, died Nov. 18 at Kline Hospice House near Linganore. Born Nov. 22, 1914, in Adrian, Mo., he was the son of the late Herbert L. and Lula Burk Steele. He worked for the Department of the Navy, and held positions with the United Nations Relief Association, the United States Information Agency (USIA), and the Atomic Energy Commission, from which he retired in 1970. He graduated from Lee's Summit High School, Lee's Summit, Mo., where he was an outstanding athlete. He attended Park College, Parkville, Mo. and Strayer College in Washington. He was a long-time member and served as an officer in the Lions Club of Damascus. He spent many years as a volunteer at Montgomery General Hospital, Olney. Surviving, in addition to his former wife of 44 years, C. Jean Steele, are two sons, Philip H. Steele of Starkville, Miss., and Dr. David Steele of Frederick; two daughters, Barbara Steele Briggs of Frederick and Carol Lynn Steel of Damascus; six grandchildren, Hillary Briggs, Jeanna, Nathan, Evan and Lauren Steele and Caitlin Shoemaker; one sister, Zelma Steele Pace; and one cousin, Phila Belle Blackwell. The Rev. Franklin Bishop officiated funeral services on Nov. 22. Interment is in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.