Obituaries from Gazette.net, May 1997: Montgomery 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. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** *****May. 7, 1997***** David C. Kukucka David Charles Kukucka, 47, of Germantown, died at his home Wednesday, April 30, from diabetes. Mr. Kukucka was born in 1950 in Fort Mead, Md. He was retired from the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control. Mr. Kukucka is survived by a son, Matthew; his mother Virginia Kukucka of Germantown; and three brothers, Robert, John and Paul Kukucka. Burial was private, but Mr. Kukucka will be remembered throughout the week at Mother Seton Parish services in Germantown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC, 20036. Ida Mae Bell Ida Mae Bell, 90, of Dickerson died Sunday, April 20, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville of kidney failure. She was the wife of the late Grant Bell Sr. Mrs. Bell was born Oct. 12, 1906, and lived in Montgomery County all her life. She performed domestic work and worked for Montgomery County Public Schools for about 10 years. She was active in her church, Warren Historical Site Church on White's Ferry Road, and was its oldest member. Mrs. Bell also spent much of her time with friends at the Owens Park Senior Center in Beallsville. She is survived by six daughters, Eleanor Triplett, Pauline Bell, Lorraine Bell, Sadie Thomas, Elsie Thomas and Myra Thomas; two sons, Grant Bell Jr. and Louis Bell; two adopted children, Viola Warren and Mark Masterson; 28 grandchildren; 11 great-grandch ildren; and 5 great great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Earl. Funeral services were held April 26 at Warren Historical Site Church in Dickerson. Snowden Funeral Home in Rockville handled the arrangements. Elmer M. Lazarus Elmer M. Lazarus, 64, of Silver Spring died April 17 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. He was born Dec. 21, 1932, in Poolesville. He was a son of the late Kenneth M. and Helen Elizabeth Moxley. He was the husband of Carol L. Lazarus. Mr. Lazarus graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville in 1952. He worked and served as an apprentice as an auto mechanic with Norris Brothers before entering the Army, where he served from 1953 until 1955. He worked for the Metro Police Department as a mechanic supervisor after returning from service. He then worked for the National Institutes of Health in ground maintenance, retiring in 1994 as a foreman of heavy equipment after 40 years of service. He was a member of American Legion Post 171 in Damascus and the Wheaton Moose Club. Mr. Lazarus also played the electric bass for 25 years with the Bob Duley Country Stars Band of Rockville. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Ian Lazarus of Silver Spring; four stepchildren, Tom Sullivan and Christopher Sullivan both of Florida, Liza Takounakis of Silver Spring, and George Takounakis of Burtonsville; one grandson, Nathan Sullivan of Fl orida; and one sister, Gertrude Ann Davis of Germantown. He was predeceased by a stepson, Charles Takounakis. Funeral services were held at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville, on April 22. Interment followed at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Montgomery County Jewish Hospice or the American Cancer Society. H. Gaither Ward H. Gaither Ward, 87, of Rockville died April 15 at Shady Grove Adventist Nursing Home in Rockville. He was born Aug. 12 1909, in Barnesville. He was the husband of Eva I. Ward. Mr. Ward was an automobile salesman for Rockmont Chevrolet and formerly for Warfield Chevrolet. He was also the oldest member of Rockville Moose Club 1540. Besides his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Joyce Lowe of Rockville, Bertha Sullivan of Falls Church, Shirley Ward of Rockville and Carolyn Ward of Mt. Airy; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held April 18 at the Devol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg. Interment was at Forest Oak Cemetery in Gaithersburg. Donations can be made to the Shady Grove Adventist Nursing Home. Ida Mae Bell Ida Mae Bell, 90, of Dickerson died Sunday, April 20, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville of kidney failure. She was the wife of the late Grant Bell Sr. Mrs. Bell was born Oct. 12, 1906, and lived in Montgomery County all her life. She performed domestic work and worked for Montgomery County Public Schools for about 10 years. She was active in her church, Warren Historical Site Church on White's Ferry Road, and was its oldest member. Mrs. Bell also spent much of her time with friends at the Owens Park Senior Center in Beallsville. She is survived by six daughters, Eleanor Triplett, Pauline Bell, Lorraine Bell, Sadie Thomas, Elsie Thomas and Myra Thomas; two sons, Grant Bell Jr. and Louis Bell; two adopted children, Viola Warren and Mark Masterson; 28 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 5 great great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Earl. Funeral services were held April 26 at Warren Historical Site Church in Dickerson. Snowden Funeral Home in Rockville handled the arrangements. Mildred Walker Stowe Mildred "Bea" Walker Stowe a 50-year resident of Bethesda, died April 29 of heart failure at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. She was 88. Born June 14, 1908 in Chapel Hill, N.C., Mrs. Stowe was a teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools and received the designation of master teacher. She retired in 1965 after teaching at several schools in the county including Richard Montgomery High School and Western Junior High School. Mrs. Stowe was secretary of the Bethesda Public Library Association Board during the formative years of the library when it fire established a permanent location in Bethesda on Moorland Lane in 1950. She was also an active member of the Bradley Elementary School PTA, the Montgomery County PTA and served as vice president for the Montgomery County district of the Maryland State PTA from 1948 to 1950. A member of the Montgomery County League of Women Voters, Mrs. Stowe worked toward the establishment of an elected school board in Montgomery County until it was incorporated as an amendment to the county charter. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, David H. Stowe of Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, Md.; two sons, David H. Stowe Jr. of Moline, Ill. and Richard W. Stowe of Silver Spring; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by MacNabb Funeral Home in Catonsville, Md. L. Wayne Mullinix L. Wayne Mullinix, 53, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., formerly of Gaithersburg, died April 30, at Cape Canaveral Hospital. Born in Frederick, he was a son of J. Leonard and Roberta Jones Mullinix of Fort Pierce, Fla., formerly of Cedar Grove. Mr. Mullinix was a 1961 graduate of Damascus High School. He was retired from the Montgomery County Public Schools after 30 years of service. He was past president and zone chairman of the Damascus Lions Club and a member of Damascus United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Sandra Mullinix; two children, Greg Day of Mount Airy and Tamara Skeeter of Frederick; four grandchildren; and one brother, J. Larry Mullinix of Damascus. Memorial services were held at Lakewood Park United Methodist Church, Fort Pierce. Local arrangements were made by the Molesworth Funeral Home in Damascus. Memorial contributions in Mr. Mullinix's name may be made to Lakewood Park United Methodist Church, 5406 Turnpike Seeder Road, Fort Pierce, Fla., 34951. Bessie Baugher Bessie Baugher, 96, of Damascus, died Wednesday, April 30, at home. She was the wife of the late Charley W. Baugher. Mrs. Baugher was born on July 21, 1900, in Greene County, Va. Survivors include a daughter, Bernice Collins; two sons, Douglas Baugher and Brenton Baugher; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and one sister, Virginia Shifflett. Mrs. Baugher was predeceased by two sons, Daniel Baugher and Charles Baugher. Funeral services were held on May 3 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, with the Rev. Wallace Lusk officiating. Burial was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mount Airy. *****May. 21, 1997***** James L. Seabolt Sr. James Lyde Seabolt Sr., 61 of Ijamsville, died Sunday, May 11, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Mary Ruth Jones Seabolt. Born April 8, 1936, in Lee County, Va., he was a son of the late Charles Franklin Seabolt Sr. and Ethel Caroline Ramsey Seabolt. Mr. Seabolt was an outdoorsman and an Army veteran. He worked as a roofing subcontractor and was the maintenance foreman for Montgomery College, Rockville. Surviving besides his wife are five children, Martin Seabolt and Rozene Brigham, both of Damascus, Veronica Holmes of Frederick, and Debbie Cissel and James Seabolt Jr. of Ijamsville; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Charles F. Seabolt Jr. of Colorado, Loy E. Seabolt of Rockville, Melvin L. Seabolt of Keedysville and Campbell W. Seabolt of Gaithersburg; and two sisters, Audrey Schrayer of Dickerson and Stella Lamb of Walkersville. Mr. Seabolt was predeceased by a son, David; a brother, Woodrow R. Seabolt; and two sisters, Georgia M. Seabolt and Betty R. Lamb. The family received friends on May 13 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick, where funeral services were held on May 14. Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Memorial contributions in Mr. Seabolt's name may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, Md, 21702. Lloyd A. Phebus Lloyd A. Phebus of Damascus died Saturday, May 10. He was the husband of Mary Briggs Phebus. His first wife was the late Gladys M. Phebus. Surviving besides his wife are four children, Patricia M. Welsh, May Ann Knill, Barbara E. Carter and Janet L. Norris; a stepdaughter, Marie Kisner; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The family received friends on May 13 at the Collins Funeral Home, Silver Spring, where funeral services were held on May 14. Burial was in Fort Lincoln Cemetery. A memorial service was held on May 18 at Montgomery United Methodist Church, Damascus. Memorial contributions in Mr. Phebus' name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Unit, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20902. Emory W. Mowel Emory W. Mowel, 56, of Clarksburg, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Tuesday, May 13, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville. Born March 19, 1941, in Maryland, he was a son of Leonia W. Atkins of Sandy Spring and the late William D. Mowel. Surviving besides his mother are his stepfather, Frank Atkins of Sandy Spring; five children, Linda Bentley of Clarksburg, Leona Bentley, Patricia Rogers, Juanita Reed and Emory Mowel, all of Virginia; 16 grandchildren; two sisters, Patricia Mobley of Gaithersburg and Juanita Bishop of Highland; and a brother, Freddie Mowel of Frederick. The family received friends on May 19 at the Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville, where funeral services were held the same day. Burial was in Forest Oak Cemetery, Gaithersburg. Gene G. Morgan Gene Gary Morgan, 60, died Sunday, May 18, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of B. Jane Morgan. Born Oct. 19, 1936, at Frederick, he was a son of the late Dale and Lottie Rae Benton. Mr. Morgan was a 1954 graduate of Frederick High School. He served in the U.S. Army, Army Security Agency, from 1955 to 1957. He retired from the National Bureau of Standards as a machinist inspector after 36 years of service to the U.S. government. Mr. Morgan was a umpire, NSA and Maryland High School Federation in 1996; assistant softball coach, Brunswick High School, 1993 to 1996; assistant softball coach, Damascus High School, 1992; head softball coach, Thomas Johnson High School, 1991; pitching coach, Damascus Flames, ASA JO 18 and under Tournament Team, 1992 to 1994; assistant coach, Frederick Community College girls softball team, 1997; pitching coach Hagerstown Hurricanes, 1986. Mr. Morgan was a pitcher in men's fast-pitch since 1955, competing in state, regional and national championships with numerous wins at many levels of championships. He was on the U.S. Army European Team for the 332nd Army Security Agency from 1955 to 1957, the National Bureau of Standards softball team from 1959 to 1966, National Bureau of Standards, Montgomery County Men's Fast-Pitch League from 1966 to 1975, Red Barons & Metro Trans- Wheaton Regional Class A Team 1976 to 1979. Mr. Morgan was Tyeryar's pitcher and manager, Frederick County Men's Fast Pitch in 1981, the Thoroughbred's West Virginia Class A Men's League from 1982 to 1984, and Schirks Tri-State Class A League 1985 to 1991. Surviving besides his wife are a daughter, Kelly Ann Morgan of Monrovia; three sisters, Virginia Gue of Monrovia, Joanna Stone of Hagerstown and Kay Pope of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and two brothers, George Morgan of Midway and David Morgan of Annapolis. Mr. Morgan was predeceased by a sister, Evelyn Blank. The family received friends May 20 at the Molesworth Funeral Home. Funeral services are today at 11 a.m. at Bethesda United Methodist Church, 11900 Bethesda Church Road, Damascus. Burial will be in Damascus Methodist Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Morgan's name may be made to Frederick Community College Women's Softball program, 7932 Oppossumtown Pike, Frederick, Md. 21702. Harry R. Fava Harry R. Fava, 78, of Mount Airy, died Saturday, May 17, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of the late Dorothy V. Fava. Born Jan. 11, 1919, at Baltimore, he was a son of the late Dominic and Sarah Guerico Fava. Mr. Fava had been a barber for more than 50 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Survivors include a daughter, Carolyn J. Kerzel of Westminster; a son, Roland L. Fava of Mount Airy; a brother, Joseph Fava of Baltimore; a sister, Jeanette Driver of Baltimore; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family received friends on May 19 at the Molesworth Funeral Home, Damascus, where funeral services were held on May 20, with the Rev. Wallace Lusk officiating. Burial was in Poplar Springs Methodist Cemetery, Poplar Springs. William C. Austin Sr. William C. Austin Sr., 84, of Boyds, formerly of Bethesda, died May 5, at his home of heart failure. Born William Charles Hamlin in 1912 in Marshall, N.C., he was the son of John and Maud Shelton Hamlin. Following his father's death, he was reared by Samuel and Lillie Bayliss Austin in Knoxville, Tenn., who adopted him in 1932. Mr. Austin served in the U.S. Navy from 1930 to 1935 aboard the USS Arizona and USS Tuscaloosa. Hired by the Town of Chevy Chase Village as a police officer in 1939, Mr. Austin retired as Town Manager and Chief of Police in 1978. A Mason since 1943, he was past worshipful master of Bethesda Lodge No. 204; president of the Bethesda Civitan Club in 1952-53; past lieutenant governor Chesapeake District Civitan International; past president of Methodist Men, Bethesda United Methodist Church; Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) commissioner 1959-67; vice chairman of the WSSC, 1963-67; a judge on the Appeals Tax Court for Montgomery County; charter member and former treasurer of the Western Suburban Democratic Club; and a former member of the Executive Committee. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the Montgomery County Council in the 1966 primary election. A poet by avocation, several of his poems have been published. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mildred Warfield Austin and five children: William C. Austin Jr. and Robert Donald Austin of Burtonsville, Edward Samuel Austin of Hawthorne, Calif., James Richard Austin of Rockville and Judy Marie Goff of Granby, Conn.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family received friends May 7 at the Hilton Funeral Home, Barnesville. Burial was in the Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Building Fund, Trinity United Methodist Church, 13700 Schaeffer Road, Germantown, Md. 20874.