Obituaries from Gazette.net, July 2004: 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 ********************************************************* *****July 1, 2004***** Elizabeth J. Angel Elizabeth Jane Gerig Angel, 88, of Frederick, formerly of Olney, died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at Frederick Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Born June 15, 1916, in Fort Wayne, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Ezra Stanley Gerig and Rose Sherzinger Gerig. Mrs. Angel was a registered nurse and attended Northwestern University as an art major. She received her nursing degree from Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Ill. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Olney and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Laytonsville. Surviving are husband Paul H. Angel Jr. of Olney; two daughters, Kathryn A. Whitcomb and husband John M. of Holyoke, Mass., Rosemary A. Wolfe and husband, Charles "Rick," of Frederick; three sons, Paul H. Angel III and wife Linda of Prince Frederick, Jonathan M. Angel and wife Lindy of Middletown and George S. Angel and wife Barbara of Laytonsville; and seven grandchildren, Benjamin L., Samuel P. and Daniel J. Whitcomb, Derek M., Paula Ann, Alex G. and Cory R. Angel. She was preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn Marie Gerig Nisbet of Waxhaw, N.C. There will be a family service in Fort Wayne, Ind., followed by interment at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association or the Special Olympics. Local arrangements made by Keeney & Basford Funeral Home. Natalie C. Jackson Natalie C. Jackson, 45, of Frederick died on Tuesday, June 22, 2004, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of Victor C. Jackson for 21 years. Born on Oct. 5, 1958, in Frederick, she was the daughter of Catherine Duppins Atkins of Frederick and the late Loraine Hill. Mrs. Jackson was a mortgage processor for CitiBank in Frederick for seven years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and spending time with her family. Surviving, in addition to her husband and mother, are two daughters Takisha Atkins and Turquoise Jackson, both of Frederick; two brothers Gary Atkins and Charles Atkins, both of Frederick; great-aunt Marie Cornish of Baltimore; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 25, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, with the Rev. Jeff Bowersock of Frederick Baptist Temple officiating. Interment is in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. Roberta A. Kutlik Roberta Ann Peters Kutlik, 61, of Sykesville, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at her home. She was the wife of Joseph "Ed" Kutlik of Sykesville. She was born Aug. 24, 1942, in Banner Elk, N.C., the daughter of the late Anne Lucille Gragg Peter and Walter J. Peters. Mrs. Kutlik worked as a social worker for Baltimore County until 1981 before moving to England where she was involved in various civic and social organizations. Funeral services were conducted on June 28, at First United Presbyterian Church, 65 Washington Road, Westminster, with Rev. Walter W. Peters officiating. Interment is in St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church Cemetery, Libertytown. Arrangements by Burrier-Queen Funeral Home and Crematory, P.A. Jules R. Panneton Jules Robert Panneton, 87, of Mount Airy, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at Our Family Assisted Living, Mount Airy. He was the husband of Esther Annette Grandmont Panneton of Mount Airy for 64 years. He was born Dec. 14, 1916 in Manchester, N.H., the son of the late Ovila Panneton and the late Clara Panneton. Mr. Panneton was a retired analyst from NSA Department of Defense. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Mount Airy, and St. Luke's Catholic Church, Ocean City, where he was an usher and lay leader. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Robert J. Panneton of Houston, Texas, Paul E. Panneton of Sykesville; daughter Annette Fleishell of Sykesville; sisters Beatrice Gelinas, Eva Berube and Rita Werderman; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on June 26, at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Interment is in Parklawn Cemetery, Rockville. Those desiring may make contribution to Hospice of Howard County, 5537 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045. Arrangements by Burrier-Queen Funeral Home and Crematory, P.A. Charles E. Pryor Mr. Charles Edward Pryor, 53, of Montgomery Village died June 22, 2004, at his home. Born Oct. 5, 1950 in Olney, he was the son of Estelle Fisher of Germantown and the late Walter Pryor. He was the husband of Mary Jane Pryor. Mr. Pryor was a truck driver and was a member of Pleasant Grove Community Christian Church in Damascus. In addition to his wife and mother, survivors include four children, Charla M. Pryor and Charles E. Pryor Jr., both of Montgomery Village, Donna Scott of Frederick and Crissy Manis of Gaithersburg; seven sisters, Sheila Tyman and Rose Pryor of Frederick, Drucilla Fisher, Priscilla Dunston, Kimberly Riggs and Melissa Fisher, all of Germantown, and Amy Hackett of Mount Airy; four brothers, Walter Pryor and Richard Orams of Frederick, Jerry Pryor of Germantown and Dwight Fisher of Silver Spring. Funeral services were held Saturday at Pleasant Grove Christian Community Church, Damascus. The Rev. Lawrence Bryant, pastor, officiated. Interment was in All Souls Cemetery, Germantown. Arrangements were made by Olin L. Molesworth P.A., Funeral Home, Damascus. Valentine J. Williams Valentine Joseph Williams, 87, of Mount Airy, formerly of Laytonsville, died Friday, June 25, 2004, at his home. He was the husband of Edith A. Williams. Born on Jan. 12, 1917, in Loogootee, Ind., he was the son of the late John E. and Ella Williams. Mr. Williams entered St. Meinrad's Seminary, a preparatory school for the Catholic priesthood, and graduated from Butler University. He won the Kappa Delta Pi award, a national collegiate championship for debating. He attended University of Michigan graduate school and taught for two years at the Arsenal Technical High School. He was president of the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are five step-children, James McManus of Mount Airy, Joyce Wilcoxon of Mount Airy, Bryan McManus of Damascus, Sheryl Jones of Damascus and Gary Perno of Ijamsville; seven children, 41 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and two sisters, Martina Williams and Sister Margaret Seton of Indiana. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., today, at the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville. Arrangements were made by Olin L. Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus. *****July 12, 2004***** Louise Ercolani Mrs. Louise Ercolani, 89, of Lorien Assisted Living, Mount Airy, died Saturday, July 3, 2004, at the Montgomery Hospice Casey House in Rockville. She was the wife of the late Fred Ercolani. She was born Feb. 6, 1915, in Pottstown, Pa., a daughter of the late Gaetano and Madeline Andalora Lunnetta. Mrs. Ercolani was a homemaker and lived for more than 40 years in Rockville. She moved to Lorien in Mount Airy two years ago. Surviving her are three children: Alfred Ercolani of Sandy Spring, Dan Ercolani of Rockville and Gloria Jean Crites of Mount Airy; a son-in-law, Richard Crites, and daughter-in-law, Judy Ercolani; six grandchildren, Lauren, Kelly, Justin and Jordan Crites and Jill and Al Ercolani; two sisters, Grace Mathis and Lena Bender and one brother, Carl Lunnetta. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 12, at Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church Street, Damascus, with the Rev. Frances Stewart officiating. Internment will be in Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville. The family request that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church St., Damascus, MD 20872. There will be no viewing or visitation at the funeral home prior to funeral services. Arrangements by Olin L. Molesworth P.A., Funeral Home, Damascus. Robert E. Grow Mr. Robert Edwards Grow, 56, of Mount Airy, died Friday, July 2, 2004, in Alexandria, Va He was the husband of Bette Davis Grow for 34 years. Born on Dec. 30, 1947, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Mabel Edwards Grow Kennon of Mount Airy and the late Robert M. Grow. An electrician for 35 years with IBEW Local 26, Mr. Grow truly enjoyed his work. Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are four children, Ryan R. Grow, Caren C. Robinson and husband Gene, Kevin K. Grow, and Sean S. Grow, all of Mount Airy; three grandchildren, Kaitlin and Samuel Robinson both of Mount Airy and Dylan Burns of Walkersville; a sister, Victoria L. Miller of California; and his mother-in-law, Thelma S. Davis of Mount Airy. Services were held on Tuesday, July 6, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Mount Airy. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 17025, Baltimore, MD 21297-0191. Arrangements were made by Stauffer Funeral Home in Mount Airy. Karen M. Vajo Karen Mae Vajo, 58, of Columbia died Sunday, July 4, 2004, at home, of cancer. Born Nov. 15, 1945, in Newark, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Max G. Kaufmann and Rosemary E. Windell. She was the wife of Victor S. Vajo for 38 years. She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen L. and Tammy L. Vajo of Sykesville; daughter and son-in-law, Tara L. and Richard C. Sherwin Jr. of Sykesville; and sister Paula Hisel of Lizella, Ga. She dearly loved her five grandchildren, Alec, Emily, Justin, Jake and Ashley, who provided her much joy and happiness and gave her the strength and motivation to survive her most difficult time in life. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer in 1994, she enjoyed working at Howard Community College and valued the dear friends she made there. She was very proud of her volunteer work at the Claudia Mayer Cancer Center where she was happy to help those, who like herself, were trying to live life to the fullest while battling cancer. She also volunteered at Wilde Lake High School where she launched the Chemical Free Graduation Cruise to keep the students safe on graduation night. Memorial donations in Karen Vajo's name can be made to the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center, 5900 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044. Arrangements were made by Slack Funeral Home, Ellicott City. *****July 16, 2004***** Earl B. Green Earl B. Green Sr., 61, of Thurmont, died on Saturday, July 11, 2004, at Gettysburg Hospital. He was the husband of Evelyn M. Hewitt Green for 44 years. Born on Aug. 11, 1942, in Thurmont, he was the son of the late Marshall B. and Edna R. Smith Green. He was a home improvement contractor and had also worked for 22 years at Hoke Furniture Store in Thurmont. Mr. Green was a member of the NRA and AARP. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed to hunt and fish. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are three sons: Earl B. Green Jr. of Thurmont, Curtis R. Green and wife Shirley of Rocky Ridge and Terry L. Green and wife Beverly of Thurmont; five grandchildren: Terry L. Green Jr., Chad R. Green, Jennifer M. Green, Lindsay R. Green and Bradley C. Green; two sisters: Clara Ziegler and husband Harry of Thurmont and Ethel Donnelly and husband Howard of Sabillasville; three brothers: Franklin Green and wife Evelyn of Waynesboro, Pa., George Green and wife Bonnie of Thurmont and James Green and wife Sandy of Sabillasville; a sister-in-law, Joan Green of Thurmont; a brother-in-law, Charles Welch of Thurmont; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He will also be remembered by special friends Dick Brice and Jerry Hewitt; special niece, Edna Wolfe and special great niece, Kelly Wolfe. Mr. Green was preceded in death by a brother, William Green and two sisters Patsy Welch and Pauline Willard. Funeral services were held Wednesday at Stauffer Funeral Home in Thurmont, with the Rev. Michael Fauconnet of Thurmont United Methodist officiating. Interment will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. Grace D. McMahon Grace Duvall McMahon, 85, of Frederick died on Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Sunrise Assisted Living, Frederick. She was the wife of the late Benjamin B. McMahon Jr., who died in 1969. Born on June 14, 1919, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Duvall. Mrs. McMahon was a secretary for the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of the Washington School for Secretaries and was also at one time an executive secretary with John Hancock Insurance Co. Mrs. McMahon was a volunteer of the year at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. She enjoyed traveling throughout the world and was an avid bingo player and reader. Surviving are two sons Douglas D. McMahon and wife Karen of Long Beach, Calif., and Glenn S. McMahon of Raleigh, N.C.; a daughter, Lynn M. Herbert and husband Francis of Monrovia; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Private graveside services and interment will take place at a later date at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702 Arrangements are being handled by Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick. Ruth E. Offutt Ruth Elizabeth Offutt, 91, of Frederick, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at Glade Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Walkersville. She was the wife of the late Ralph W. Offutt Sr. Born April 7, 1913, in Frostburg, she was a daughter of the late George and Estelle Porter Filsinger. Mrs. Offutt was the owner and operator of Ruth's Beauty Salon in Gaithersburg for 40 years. She was a charter member of Forest Oak Temple/Pythian Sisters of Gaithersburg, a charter member of the Gaithersburg Soroptomist Club, the State of Maryland Cosmetology Association and a member of Montgomery United Methodist Church in Damascus. Surviving her are two children: Ralph W. Offutt Jr. and wife Suzanne of Derwood; Ruth Ann German and husband Ray, of Frederick; one daughter-in-law, Peggy Harper Offutt of Stephens City, Va.; seven grandchildren, Drew Offutt of Rockville, Lisa Sessa of Gaithersburg, Pam Loomis of Germantown, Barry Offutt of Romney, W.Va., Claudia Kay Cole of Novi, Mich., Renee German of Frederick and Troy German of New Market; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; one brother, George Filsinger of Lakeland, Fla.; and one sister, Barbara Tomsic of Frostburg. She was preceded in death by a son, George W. Offutt, grandson Jeffrey W. Offutt, and three sisters Emma Bennett, Margaret Holsinger and Francis Lewis. Services were held at Montgomery United Methodist Church in Damascus on Saturday. Burial followed in Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to Forest Oak Temple/Pythian Sisters or to Montgomery United Methodist Church. Olin L. Molesworth P.A., Funeral Home in Damascus, handled arrangements. *****July 23, 2004***** Georgetta Watkins Mrs. Georgetta Watkins, 81, of Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at Frederick Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Nevlon "Buck" Watkins, who died in 2001. Born Aug. 2, 1922, in Frederick County, she was a daughter of Charles A. and Beulah Mae Rippeon. She graduated from the Long Corner School in Mount Airy and married Buck Watkins the following year. Mrs. Watkins was a lifelong active member of the Ridgeville Howard Chapel Methodist Church, serving at various times as the president, vice president, recorder, and secretary of the WSCS, as well as serving as a counselor to the Methodist Youth Fellowship, taking Methodist youth (who knew her as Miss Etta) on camping excursions. She was also active on the Church History Committee. In addition to her duties as a homemaker, Mrs. Watkins was a substitute first- grade teacher, then a full time first-grade teacher. She also worked for JC Penny, and raised 13 foster children. Mrs. Watkins is survived by four children, George Watkins of Mount Airy, Brenda Kisner and her husband Ernest of Damascus, Deborah Kilby and her husband Frank of Mount Airy, Lorraine McManus and her husband Robert of Pennsylvania; a sister, Eloise Poole and her husband Preston of Mount Airy; brother-in-law Albert Watkins and his wife Loretta of Damascus; son-in-law, William C. DuVall of Frederick; grandchildren Leah Reinke and her husband Mike, Kathryn Watkins, Terri Bowman, Emily Watkins, Joseph Kisner, Lisa Watkins; and a great- granddaughter, Caitlin McClelland. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Millie Rippeon, and by a daughter, Shirley DuVall. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Ridgeville Howard Chapel Methodist Church, 1970 Long Corner Road, Mount Airy. Luncheon will be served in the Church Fellowship Hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ridgeville Howard Chapel Memorial Fund, at the memorial service or sent c/o Doris Utz, 1433 Long Corner Rd., Mt. Airy, MD 21771. Arrangements by Resthaven Funeral Services, Skkot Cody P.A. in Frederick.