Obituaries from Gazette.net, March 2002: 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 *********************************************************************** *****Mar. 6, 2002***** Mary Alice Bidwick Mrs. Mary Alice Bidwick, 67, died of cancer at her Rockville home on Jan. 29. Born Nov. 16, 1934 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., she was a housewife, the mother of five children, and a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Rockville for 45 years. Survivors include three daughters, Patricia Bidwick of Germantown, Kathleen Pang of Olney, and Mary Sanford of Silver Spring; two sons, Albert J. Bidwick III of Brookville, and Bernard Bidwick of Damascus; and 13 grandchildren Funeral arrangements were handled by De Vol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg. Burial is at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Rockville. Lois D. Spano Mrs. Lois D. Spano, 78, died March 2 at Maplewood Park Place in Bethesda. She had cancer. Mrs. Spano was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Bethesda where she served as liaison with the Washington National Cathedral and on the Altar Guild and Garden Guild, among other activities. She was a member of the National Cathedral Association, P.E.O. Sisterhood and League of Women Voters. Born in Jefferson City, Mo., to Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Heisinger, she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri and a master's degree in teaching from Webster University. She taught geography for 20 years in the Kirkwood and Webster Groves public schools in suburban St. Louis, Mo., retiring in 1981. After retiring from teaching, Mrs. Spano was a producer of KMOX Radio in St. Louis, a freelance writer, and a member of the National Press Club. In 1982 she moved with her husband to Washington, D.C. and later to Montgomery County. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, John J. Spano of Bethesda; two daughters, Martha Harris of Alexandria, Va., and Susan Spano of Los Angeles, Calif.; a son, John J. Spano Jr. of Malibu, Calif.; and one granddaughter. Arrangements were handled by Pumphrey's Funeral Services in Bethesda; A memorial service was held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Bethesda. Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to a memorial fund in her name at the church. Wanda N. Wagner-Gernhofer Wanda N. Wagner-Gernhofer, 80, of Hedgesville, W. Va., died Feb. 18, 2002, at Outlook Pointe, Martinsburg, W. Va. Mrs. Wagner-Gernhofer lived in Montgomery Village for 14 years until she moved to West Virginia in 1998. Born Aug. 11, 1921, in Montgomery, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Herbert M. and Mable Fallin Newell. She was a member of Hedges Chapel, Hedgesville, W. Va. While living in Montgomery Village she was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Gaithersburg. She is survived by one daughter, Brenda W. Rahn of Hedgesville, W. Va; one son, John Garland Wagner of Towson; four grandchildren, Debora Rahn Fleming, David Clarence Rahn, Bethany Rahn Foundas and Isaac Christopher Wagner; five great grandchildren; three stepchildren; seven step grandchildren; two sisters, Edith Newell Woodson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Juanita Hayes of Bradenton, Fla. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lt. Hampden N. Dent, U.S. Army Air Corps; her second husband, Major Isaac Clarence Wagner, U.S. Air Force; and her third husband, Lt. Commander Russell K. Gernhofer Sr., U.S. Navy; and one brother, Herbert Moses Newell Jr. Funeral services were held Feb. 23 at Hedges Chapel, Hedgesville, W. Va. The Rev. Marcus A. Earp III officiated. Burial was in Hedges Chapel Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hedges Chapel, 5031 The Woods Resort, Hedgesville, W. Va. 25427. Lyndon Sheridan Cox Lyndon Sheridan Cox, 70, formerly of Silver Spring, died Feb. 21, 2002, in Durham, N.C. He worked for the Department of Defense. He is survived by his wife, Robbie, of Chapel Hill, N.C.,; children Debbie Mowery and her husband Ron of Chantilly, Va.; Jeannine Jordan and her husband Harold of Charlotte, N.C.; Douglas Cox and his wife, Monica of St. Paul, Minn.; eight grandchildren; and a sister. Contributions may be made to the memorial fund at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705. John W. McClintock John Wagner McClintock, 88, of Silver Spring died Feb. 26, 2002, at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda. A retired Aviation Machinist's Mate Chief Petty Officer, he was stationed in 16 different locations throughout the world during his 21-year Naval career. After retiring form the Navy, he worked for the Department of the Army in St. Louis, MO., for 16 years. This employment included one year in country support for U. S. Army forces stationed in South Vietnam. He was born Dec. 17, 1913, in Grafton, Ill. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary A. McClintock; daughters, Gerarda M. Mukri of Silver Spring and Cindy A. Bloecher of St. Charles, Mo.; and by six grandchildren.. A memorial Mass was held March 6 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Silver Spring followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice, 1450 Research Blvd., Suite 310, Rockville, Maryland 20850. *****Mar. 13, 2002***** Linda R. Johnson Linda Rose Johnson, 76, of Damascus, died March 10 at her home. She was the wife of William T. Johnson Sr. Born March 8, 1926, in the province of Parma, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Costante and Clementina Zucconi. Mrs. Johnson worked as a nurse's aide for Montgomery County Public Schools. Surviving besides her husband are five children: Lee Martinson of Walkersville; William T. Johnson Jr. of Potomac Falls, Va.; Michael J. Johnson and Kevin P. Johnson of Gaithersburg; and Thomas P. Johnson of Ivyland, Pa.; and 12 grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, 9250 Damascus Road, Damascus. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring. John W. Kitterman John W. Kitterman, 84, of Germantown, died March 6 at his home. He was the husband of Mary Graves Cattleman for 60 years. Born Nov. 21, 1917 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Fred and Lyndall Kitterman of Cedar Grove. Mr. Kitterman worked for the federal government for 29 years and retired in 1971 from the National Security Agency, where he served as deputy director of security. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of captain. He served on the boards of the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry and Youth for Christ for many years. He was an active member of Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg. Surviving besides his wife are four daughters, Janet Bonner and her husband Mike of Germantown, Patty Charles and her husband Richard of North Carolina, Judy Leaman and her husband Daniel of Germantown, and Linda Davidson and her husband Robert of New York; eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He was predeceased by one brother, Richard Kitterman, and one sister, Martha Horton, in 1994. A memorial service was held Monday at Church of the Redeemer. Burial was private. Memorial donations may be made to Church of the Redeemer, 19425 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Benjamin C. Davis Benjamin Cole Davis, 3, of Germantown, died March 8 at home from complications of a congenital heart condition. Born Aug. 12, 1998, in Maryland, he was the son of Steven and Susan Noble Davis. He was a preschooler at Montgomery County Beginnings Preschool at Lake Seneca Elementary School. Despite his illness, he learned to do many activities and skills. He loved people and enjoyed playing with his favorite toys and interacting with his family, teachers, friends and classmates. Most recently, his life has contributed to a new discovery in genetic science and will help with the diagnosis and possible prevention of these specific disorders in the future. Surviving in addition to his parents are grandparents Kenneth G. and Gayle Davis of Linville, Va., and Jack and Lita Noble of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and great-grandparents Wilson and Hazel Lee of Linville, Va. Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County Beginnings Program, c/o Steven and Susan Davis, 19709 Webster Court, Germantown, MD 20874. Wanda N. Wagner-Gernhofer Wanda N. Wagner-Gernhofer, 80, of Hedgesville, W.Va., died Feb. 18 at Outlook Pointe in Martinsburg, W.Va. Mrs. Wagner-Gernhofer lived in Montgomery Village for 14 years until she moved to West Virginia in 1998. Born Aug. 11, 1921, in Montgomery, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Herbert M. and Mable Fallin Newell. She was a member of Hedges Chapel, Hedgesville, W.Va. While living in Montgomery Village she was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Gaithersburg. She is survived by one daughter, Brenda W. Rahn of Hedgesville, W.Va; one son, John Garland Wagner of Towson; four grandchildren, Debora Rahn Fleming, David Clarence Rahn, Bethany Rahn Foundas and Isaac Christopher Wagner; five great grandchildren; three stepchildren; seven step-grandchildren; two sisters, Edith Newell Woodson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Juanita Hayes of Bradenton, Fla. Eric Berry Eric Berry 50, formerly of Gaithersburg died at his home in Brunswick, Maine on Feb. 15, 2002. He was the son of the late Sadie L. Berry and the late Arland Berry. He had battled Parkinson's disease for 13 years. He was a 1969 graduate of Gaithersburg High School. He was a graduate of Frostburg State College. He taught band and music at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Md. He also taught at South Portland High School in Portland, Maine. He is survived by his sister, Diane More of Adamstown; two sons, James of New Hampshire, and Ben of New Jersey; and a daughter, Stephanie of New Jersey. A memorial service will be held on July 20 in Brunswick, Maine. Donna G. Davis Donna G. Davis, formerly of Gaithersburg, died Jan. 27, 2002, in Hospice Community Care, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., daughter of the late James and Rhue Hammer Gray. She was a graduate of Swissvale High School, attended University of Pittsburgh and was a graduate of Pittsburgh Academy. She lived in Clarks Green, Pa., for 40 years before moving to Maryland and then back to Pennsylvania. Before retiring, she was employed as a legal secretary by law firms in Scranton, Pa., and the Washington, D.C., area. She wrote poetry that was published and was a former member of Abington Players and Rockville Little Theater. She was an avid reader and a master bridge player. She was preceded in death by a son, Stephen. She is survived by two daughters, Lynne C. Richardson of Dallas, Pa., and Christine J. Davis of Frederick; one grandson; one sister, Fernne Myers of Wyomissing, Pa.; and nieces and nephews. Private funeral and burial were held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements were made through The Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to Wyoming Seminary Lower School Library, 1560 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA 18704; or a local library of donor's choice. Linda R. Johnson Linda Rose Johnson, 76, of Damascus, died March 10 at her home. She was the wife of William T. Johnson Sr. Born March 8, 1926, in the province of Parma, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Costante and Clementina Zucconi. Mrs. Johnson worked as a nurse's aide for Montgomery County Public Schools. Surviving besides her husband are five children: Lee Martinson of Walkersville; William T. Johnson Jr. of Potomac Falls, Va.; Michael J. Johnson and Kevin P. Johnson of Gaithersburg; and Thomas P. Johnson of Ivyland, Pa.; and 12 grandchildren. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Saint Paul's Catholic Church, 9250 Damascus Road, Damascus. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring. Thaddeus Vincenty Thaddeus Vincenty (Szpila), of Washington Grove, died March 6, 2002. He was born Oct. 27, 1920, in Grodzisko, Poland, the son of the late Vincenty Szpila and Apollonia Kulpa. Mr. Vincenty came to the United States in 1947. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1967 as a senior master sergeant. He worked for the National Geodetic Survey, Department of Commerce, as a geodesist until his retirement in 1987. He worked in adapting the three-dimensional adjustment techniques to NAD 83 and also doing many things for the geodetic world. Mr. Vincenty is survived by his wife, Barbara Vincenty; a daughter, Krysia Moore and her husband, Brian, of Mt. Airy; two sons, Michael Vincenty of Frederick and Richard Vincenty and his wife, Marie; three grandchildren, Deanna, Daniel and Alicia, all of Gaithersburg; and several brothers and sisters. Funeral services were held Monday at De Vol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg. Burial in Parklawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Rockville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Unit, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902. John W. Kitterman John W. Kitterman, 84, of Germantown, died March 6 at his home. He was the husband of Mary Graves Cattleman for 60 years. Born Nov. 21, 1917 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Fred and Lyndall Kitterman of Cedar Grove. Mr. Kitterman worked for the federal government for 29 years and retired in 1971 from the National Security Agency, where he served as deputy director of security. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of captain. He served on the boards of the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry and Youth for Christ for many years. He was an active member of Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg. Surviving besides his wife are four daughters, Janet Bonner and her husband Mike of Germantown, Patty Charles and her husband Richard of North Carolina, Judy Leaman and her husband Daniel of Germantown, and Linda Davidson and her husband Robert of New York; eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He was predeceased by one brother, Richard Kitterman, and one sister, Martha Horton, in 1994. A memorial service was held Monday at Church of the Redeemer. Burial was private. Memorial donations may be made to Church of the Redeemer, 19425 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Samuel Norman Jones Samuel Norman Jones, 55, of Adamstown, formerly of Montgomery County, died March 9 at his home. Born Oct. 30, 1946, he was a son of the late Oba Odd and Ida Mae Ricker Jones. He was the husband of Tina L. Jones. Mr. Jones had attended Sherwood High School. He was a self-employed automotive mechanic in Adamstown, and he liked to fish and enjoyed race cars. He was of the Protestant faith. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Maryanne Jones of Gaithersburg; two step-children, Daniel C. Miller and Skylar B. Miller, both of Adamstown; three sisters, Rachel Dove of Florida, Robbie Atkins of Woodbine and Hazel Finelli of Damascus; and two brothers, Oba Jones Jr. of Olney and Robert Jones of Laurel. Funeral services were held March 12 at Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Burial was at Laytonsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11323 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, Md. 20902. Myrtle A. Hoyle Myrtle A. Hoyle, 94, of Olney died March 5 at her home. Born in Oldhams, Va., on Dec. 21, 1907, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Mary A. Brann Dawson. She was the wife of the late Thomas M. Hoyle. Mrs. Hoyle had lived in Fairhaven, Md., for 50 years before moving to Olney in 1997. She had owned and operated the Hoyle Stone Products Co. in Mitchellville. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Brookeville and a member of the Forestville Rebecca Lodge. She liked to read, crochet, play Rummy Cubes and quilt. Mrs. Hoyle is survived by a daughter, Donna A. Seckel and husband Larry of Olney; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Earline Hofstetter of Illinois and Ruby Harris of Virginia. Funeral services were held March 8 at Salem United Methodist Church in Brookeville, followed by burial at Lakemont Memorial Cemetery in Davidsonville. Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville handled the arrangements. Clyde Tavenner Renowned restaurateur Clyde "Jake" Tavenner, 78, of Rockville died after a short illness on March 1 at his home. Mr. Tavenner was a well-known community activist who owned and operated The Silo Inn Restaurant in Olney. He also operated over a dozen theme restaurants during his 35-year career. Through his efforts and the efforts of the Montgomery County License Beverage Association, local alcohol ordinances were modified in 1964 to allow the purchase of cocktails in Montgomery County restaurants. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, of Rockville; seven children, Jacqueline Windrow of Brookeville, Patricia Werner of Chicago, Kathleen Mitchell of Olney, Cecelia Griffis of Potomac, Maureen Katzenberger of Ellicott City, Colleen Tavenner of Havre de Grace, and Thomas Tavenner of Olney; and 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A viewing was held March 3 at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring. A Mass and funeral service were held March 4 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Rockville. A special candlelight vigil was planned for the evening of March 4 at the former Silo Inn property along Georgia Avenue. *****Mar. 20, 2002***** Traci J. Heincelman Traci J. Heincelman, 21, a senior at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, died in a car crash March 10 in Orlando, Fla. Miss Heincelman was traveling on spring break with fellow students from USC. Miss Heincelman was born Oct. 6, 1980, in Takoma Park. She attended public schools in Montgomery County, and in 1998 was valedictorian at Magruder High School in Rockville. While at Magruder, Miss Heincelman won the Magruder Award, was vice president of the senior class, a National Honor Society member, and a three-year varsity cheerleader. Since September 1998, Miss Heincelman attended the University of South Carolina on a McNair academic scholarship. She was studying in USC's marine science program. Miss Heincelman was enrolled in a program that awards a master's degree in biology after five years at USC. She will graduate magna cum laude posthumously on May 11, as she had already accumulated the credits needed for her undergraduate degree in marine science. While at USC, Miss Heincelman was a team leader in the Marine and Aquatic Research Experience program, and she was active in Carolina Productions. She was a Carolina for Kids tutor and provided home schooling to a high school biology student. Miss Heincelman studied at James Cook University near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for one semester, and she had been selected unanimously as the Outstanding Undergraduate in Marine Science at USC for 2001-02 the week before her death. Miss Heincelman had also been nominated for the following other USC awards: Outstanding Woman of the Year; Outstanding Senior Award; the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; and membership in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She had also been named to this year's Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Miss Heincelman is survived by her parents, Ed and Jeanne Heincelman of Derwood; a brother, Marc Heincelman, a student at the University of Pittsburgh; a grandfather, Edward Sakal of Gainesville, Fla.; and grandparents, Norman and Dorothy Heincelman of Muncy, Pa. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Redland Baptist Church, 6922 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Traci Heincelman Memorial Fund, USC Educational Foundation, 901 Sumter St., Suite 607, Columbia, SC 29208. David Allen Coolidge Jr. David Allen Coolidge Jr., 45, a former Germantown resident and activist, died March 10 of a brain tumor at his home in Falls Church, Va. Born Aug. 18, 1956, in Detroit, he was the son of Carol and David Allan Coolidge Sr. A former chairman of the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board and former president of the Germantown Citizens Association, Mr. Coolidge was an advocate for upper Montgomery County from the 1980s through the early 1990s, when he moved to Virginia. He was instrumental in the revision of the Germantown Master Plan, which was approved by the County Council in 1989. He also was one of the people who envisioned a Germantown arts center, now called BlackRock Center for the Arts, which will open this summer. "Dave saw the need to have an upcounty presence in Rockville," said Steve Poteat, former director of the Upcounty Regional Service Center, which Mr. Coolidge lobbied the county to build. "He saw the bigger picture -- that the upcounty and Germantown needed representation." He was active in local politics and served as a precinct chair in Germantown for many years. While living in Germantown, he was a lobbyist for the Justice Fellowship and dealt with social issues related to prison inmates. At the time, he was married to Andrea Coolidge. The couple divorced. In 1994 he graduated from law school at Georgetown University and was a public interest law fellow. Until his death, he was director of the Marriage Law Project, a program he founded in 1996 based at Catholic University's law school, which works to reaffirm the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. He is survived by his wife, Joan Orgon Coolidge; three children from his second marriage, Daniel, Sammy and Rose Coolidge of Falls Church, Va.; stepdaughter Jessica Burgard of Baltimore; and mother Carol Coolidge of Falls Church. Mass was celebrated Friday at St. John's Catholic Church in McLean, Va. Burial was at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Benjamin C. Davis Benjamin Cole Davis, 3, of Germantown, died March 8, 2002, at home from complications of a congenital heart condition. Born Aug. 12, 1998, in Maryland, he was the son of Steven and Susan Noble Davis. He was a preschooler at Montgomery County Beginnings Preschool at Lake Seneca Elementary School. Despite his illness, he learned to do many activities and skills. He loved people and enjoyed playing with his favorite toys and interacting with his family, teachers, friends and classmates. Most recently, his life has contributed to a new discovery in genetic science and will help with the diagnosis and possible prevention of these specific disorders in the future. Surviving in addition to his parents are grandparents, Kenneth G. and Gayle Davis of Linville, Va., and Jack and Lita Noble of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and great-grandparents, Wilson and Hazel Lee of Linville, Va. Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County Beginnings Program, c/o Steven and Susan Davis, 19709 Webster Court, Germantown, MD 20874. Robert E. Herlihy Robert E. Herlihy, 61, died of complications from a stroke on March 1, 2002, at his home in Gaithersburg. He was born in Washington, D.C., and spent his childhood in Bethesda. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his discharge, he lived in California, Arizona and Maryland before settling in King George, Va., with his wife Arlene. He worked for the Trail Ways Bus Company when he suffered a stroke in the early 1970s. After Mrs. Herlihy retired from the King George Public School System, they moved to Kissimmee, Fla. Mrs. Herlihy died of lung cancer in 1990. Mr. Herlihy lived briefly in Aruba and then moved from there to Gaithersburg in 1997. He is survived by a brother, Frank J. Herlihy; a sister, Mary Susanne Sakadales; three nephews, James B. Herlihy, Thomas and Steven Sakadales; and a niece, Suzanne Herlihy Young. Edward B. Talbott Edward B. Talbott, 81, of Gaithersburg, died March 12, 2002, at Casey House, Rockville. He was born May 29, 1920, in Baltimore. He earned a bachelor of science degree at the College of Agriculture, University of Maryland, College Park. Serving in World War II, he was an Air Force fighter pilot with the rank of captain. He also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross air medal. Mr. Talbott was an employee of Montgomery County Health Department. Community affiliations include Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels, a volunteer for 16 years; a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Issac Walton League member, Gaithersburg Planning Commission in the 1960s where he served for about 10 years. His hobby was woodworking. Surviving him are his wife of 51 years, Helen W. Talbott of Gaithersburg; two children, Robin Swope and Leigh Grover, both of Woodfield; four grandchildren, Brett Swope, Alex Swope, Nathan Grover and Jane Grover, all of Woodfield. Funeral services were held March 16 at Grace United Methodist Church with private burial in Goshen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels, c/o Cindy Bouldry Ares, 19818 Falling Spring Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. Funeral arrangements by DeVol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg. Mary J. Williams Mary Josephine Williams, 91, of Brookeville died March 16 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. Born Aug. 26, 1910, in Kentucky, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Augusta Leonard Kempt. She was the wife of the late Charles Warfield Williams, who died in 1977. Mrs. Williams lived in the Washington area since 1927. She attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She worked for the American Planning and Civic Association until 1940, when she moved to the Sandy Spring area. She worked as an administrative assistant for W.P. Wilson and Sons from 1949 until 1977. She and her husband were active members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for many years and also belonged to two square dance clubs. She was a member of the Home Interest Club, Mutual Improvement Association of Sandy Spring, Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club and the Brighton Quilters. She was a member of the Woman's Board of Montgomery General Hospital, a charter member of the Sandy Spring Museum, and a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Brighton, where she served for a number of years as Altar Guild Chairman. One of her hobbies was knitting. Survivors include two daughters, Josephine Williams of Brookeville and Susan Maples of Lawrenceville, Ga., six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. March 23 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, New Hampshire Avenue and Brighton Dam Road in Brighton. Burial will be private at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 131, Brookeville, Md. 20833; Sandy Spring Museum, 7901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring, Md. 20860; or The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park St. S.E., Vienna, Va. 22180. Arrangements were made by the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Philip Benenson Philip Benenson, 92, of Silver Spring died Feb. 10, 2002, at home. He was a claims adjudicator for the U.S. General Accounting Office before his retirement. Mr. Benenson worked on major claims by and against the federal government, including those by the Seminole Indians to require the federal government to honor treaty provisions, and claims by the government against individuals for fraud. After retirement, he worked as an advisor to the local planning commission, and helped to author a long-range plan for the recreation areas along Sligo Creek Park. He also assisted his wife with research for her business as a travel agent. A New York City native, he moved to Washington D.C. where he attended Western High School and George Washington University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1940, he married Sylvia Finkle, a childhood friend since elementary school. They were together until her death in January 2000. Mr. Benenson is survived by a sister, Martha Benenson of Silver Spring; a brother, Thomas Benenson of Sea Cliff N.Y.; sons Peter Benenson of Berkeley Calif. and James Benenson and daughter-in-law Janet Benenson of Westlake Village Calif., a daughter, Anne Benenson of Pleasant Hill Calif.; niece and nephew Shirley and Paul Browner of Silver Spring; several grand-nieces and nephews; and many extended family and friends. A memorial service was held at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton. Alan Henney Alan G. Henney Sr., 70, of Takoma Park, died Feb. 28, 2002, at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park. Henney was a research physicist in the Navy for 36 years, through the end of the Cold War. He helped design stronger ships to protect America's sailors and received several awards and commendations for his service. Originally from Washington, D.C., Henney made Takoma Park his home in 1950. For more than half a century he supported city businesses, fought for affordable housing, promoted ethnic diversity and collected for charity. Henney enjoyed planting trees with his son Alan, Jr., who said he hopes he can continue in his father's footsteps. A resolution was passed at the March 11 Takoma Park City Council meeting celebrating Henney's life. He is survived by his wife Dagmar, of Takoma Park; and his son Alan, also of Takoma Park. *****Mar. 26, 2002***** Ruth E. Russell Ruth E. Russell, 102, the director of memberships for the Senior Citizens of America during the 1960s, died March 17 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. Mrs. Russell grew up in Cleveland and Canton, and attended Mt. Union College in Ohio. She had been active in the Church of Divine Science, and lived for many years at the Waverly House in Bethesda before moving to the Mariner Nursing Home in 1997. There are no immediate survivors. Her husband, Ralph, her son Denver and her daughter, Doraine, preceded her in death. Chambers Funeral Home in Riverdale handled the arrangements. Mary Bennett Hargett Mary Bennett Hargett, 84, a longtime Washington-area resident and past regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, died March 18 at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Born in Evansville, Ind., Mrs. Hargett's family moved to the Washington area in 1920. She grew up in Brookmont in a house built by her father on the banks of the C&O Canal. She graduated from Western High School, and attended George Washington University where she met her future husband. The couple were wed in 1939 and moved from Washington to Bethesda in 1954. Mrs. Hargett served as an interior decorating consultant for Woodward & Lothrop in Chevy Chase for more than 20 years. She was also a past regent for the Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Under Mrs. Hargett's leadership, this group was responsible for financing the move and restoration of Bethesda's well-known "Madonna of the Trail" statue that honors pioneer women. Mrs. Hargett also enjoyed travel, the study of European and American history, gardening, sewing, and bird watching. She had a special fondness for animals, and in addition to many family pets, she fostered orphaned birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Mrs. Hargett's husband, Capt. Oscar S. Hargett, Jr. (USNR), died in 1998 shortly after the couple's 59th anniversary. Mrs. Hargett is survived by two daughters, Jane Martens of Potomac and Laura Ruffley of Gaithersburg; three sons, Richard Hargett of Georgia, David Hargett of Annapolis, and James Hargett of Wheaton; her sister, Emily Bennett of Brookmont; her brother, Nelson Bennett III of Virginia; and four grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by Gawler's Funeral Home in Washington, D.C. Memorial contributions may be sent to Second Chance Wildlife, 7101 Barcellona Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20979. Sari Ida Miller Sari Ida Miller, 84, of Silver Spring died March 17, 2002. She was a substitute teacher for 25 years in Montgomery County Public Schools. Mrs. Miller was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and graduated from Brooklyn College, where she majored in chemistry and biology. During World War II, she worked as a research chemist on polymers for the war effort at the Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C. She also held positions with the Department of the Army and Department of the Navy in Florida. Mrs. Miller was active in Hadassah and Temple Israel for many years. Her husband, Morris, preceded her in death in 1985. She is survived by her children, Jeff Miller and his wife Joanie of Brookeville, Sheila Young and her husband Dick of Great Falls, Va., and Gloria Gridley and her husband J.C. of Rockville; sisters Alice Cook of Baltimore and Belle Frost of Margate, Fla.; and four grandchildren. A service was held March 19 at B'nai Shalom of Olney. Burial followed at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney. Robert E. Reidy Robert "Bob" Emmett Reidy 53, of Frederick, died March 17, 2002, at his home. He was born in Washington, D.C., and spent his childhood years in Clarksburg. He attended St. Martin's Catholic School and graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 1966. He was a Viet Nam veteran with numerous accommodations, including the Viet Nam cross of Gallantry with Palm. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and was an aviator of a Cobra helicopter. Mr. Reidy lived in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following his years in the Army. He returned to Maryland in 1986 and was a self-employed sub-contractor of home automation and security systems and satellite dishes. He was an avid guitar player who enjoyed composing music in his spare time. He loved working on his personal computer and was looking forward to obtaining his Microsoft webmaster Certification. Mr. Reidy was preceded in death by his birth parents, Barbara and Robert Reidy of Miami, Fla., and his loving parents, Jeanne and Chester Johnson of Clarksburg. He is survived by two daughters, Kim Lynette Reidy of Germantown and Devon Lea Reidy of Davie, Fla.; two brothers, Daniel Kelly of McClean, Va., and Timothy Kelly of Beaver Creek, Colo.; and six sisters, Frances Small of Gaithersburg, Barbara Baumgardner of Bridgeport, W.Va., Jeanne Velu of Gaithersburg, Paris France and Judy Swinger of Vero Beach, Fla., and Patricia Arsenault of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services were held Monday at St. Martin Catholic Church with private burial in Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Janet R. Russell Mrs. Janet R. Russell, 55, of Gaithersburg died March 21, 2002, at home of cancer. Born Sept. 4, 1946, in Frostburg, she was the wife of Robert T. Russell Sr. Mrs. Russell worked as the secretary to the deputy director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She received the Eugene Casson Crittenden Award and the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal. Besides her husband, she is survived by one son, Robert T. Russell Jr. and his wife, Debra; one daughter, Dawn R. Hurley and her husband, Ralph, all of Germantown; two grandsons, Tyler R. Russell and Foster T. Russell; one brother, Rev. George Loar of Frostburg; four sisters, Margaret Bradley and Gladys Ordaz of Gaithersburg, Vonna Goodwin of Frederick and Marian Shockey of Inwood, W. Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Tuesday at Epworth United Methodist Church, Gaithersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Unit, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902, or to Heartland Hospice, 4805 Benson Ave., Baltimore, MD 21227. Arrangements were made by DeVol Funeral Home, Gaithersburg. Arthur W. Stang Mr. Arthur W. Stang, 83, of Knoxville, Md., formerly of Gaithersburg, died March 25, 2002, at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown. Born April 21, 1918, in Dawsonville, he was a son of the late George W. and Bertha B. Ward Stang. He was the husband of Evelyn Hough Stang. Mr. Stang served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He worked as a construction superintendent for Worthen and Ward Construction Co. in Gaithersburg for many years. He later worked as a superintendent in construction for Montgomery County Public Schools. He retired after approximately 20 years of service. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Laytonsville and he attended the New York Hill United Methodist Church in Brunswick. His hobbies included fishing and traveling. Besides his wife he is survived by one daughter, Lois Snyder and her husband, Jim, of Laytonsville; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one sister, Bertha Mae Schram of Florida; and one brother, Martin Stang of Georgia. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. today at the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, Md. Burial is in Laytonsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the New York Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 217, Brunswick, MD 21716. Arrangements were made by the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, Laytonsville.