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Mary D. Staten
Services will be held Thursday, Aug. 10, for longtime Dunglow Road resident Mary D. Staten, who died Aug. 7 at Franklin Square Hospital. She was 87 and the wife of the late State Sen. Roy N. Staten.
The service begins 1 p.m. at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Ave. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Born in Steubenville, Ohio, the former Mary Caldwell moved to the Dundalk area in the 1940s.
For about 30 years, she was on the sales staff of Al's Boy and Man Shop in Dundalk Shopping Center. Like many women of her era, she had also worked in the defense industry during World War II.
She was a lifetime member of the Dundalk chapter of Women of the Moose and had worked her way through the chapter's chairmanships.
She was a meticulous homemaker and years ago was a talented seamstress.
Survivors are daughters Elsie Pural of Millers Island and Yvonne Ashwell of Dundalk, sister Mildred Caldwell Ritchey of Los Angeles and Frances Gibson Glynn of Steubenville, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband of 57 years, she also was predeceased by a grandchild.
Visitation at the funeral home was scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., and for Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dundalk United Methodist Church, 6903 Mornington Road, Dundalk, MD 21222.
George A. Strozykowski
Services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, for George A. Strozykowski, 72, who died Aug. 7 at his home in Edgemere.
The service at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Ave., will be followed by interment at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Mr. Strozykowski re-tired eight years ago after a 40-year career with Capitol Pipe Co.
He was a Baltimore Orioles baseball fan and in recent years enjoyed spending his days with his grandchildren.
A former East Baltimore resident, he served in the U.S. Army's German Occupational Services following World War II. He moved to Edgemere four years ago.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, the former Rosemary Tillman, survivors are sons George John and Albert Louis Strozykowski, daughter Marie Teresa Prietz, two brothers, one sister and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters.
Visitation at the funeral home was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Diana L. Bostwick
South Bend Road resident Diana Lynn Bostwick, 52, died after a long illness Sept. 18 at Harbor View Hospital.
A graduate of Emmerton High School in Harford County, Miss Bostwick was an Avon sales representative for a time. She enjoyed singing, crocheting, making bead jewelry and socializing with her neighbors. She was a quiet, religious person who loved the Christmas season.
She is survived by parents Harry and Dorothy Bostwick, sister Wanda Perey of Clarkdale, Ariz., brother Michael E. Bostwick of Aberdeen and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Rev. David Erickson of Watersedge Baptist Church officiated at services Sept. 22 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Burial followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Mary Ruth Cochran
Mary Ruth Cochran (nee May), 90, died Sept. 19 at her home on River Drive Road.
Born in Martinsburg, W.Va., she was the oldest girl in a family of 12 children. She and her husband, Daniel F. Cochran of Winchester, Va., moved to Jones Creek in the early 1930s.
After working at Rheems Manufacturing Co. during World War II, she later worked for many years in Bethlehem Steel's tin mill.
"My mother was from the old school. She was devoted to taking care of her family and her home. She was gentle, kind and even-tempered," said her daughter, Peggy Dawn Warlick.
She is also survived by sons Daniel Phillip and Terry Cochran, brother John May, sisters Bessie Palmer, Thelma Smallwood and Hilda Rutherford, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased in 1972 by her husband.
Monsignor Thomas E. Tewes of Our Lady of Hope Church conducted services Sept. 22 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Margaret Daffron
Homemaker Margaret Daffron (nee Moran), a longtime resident of Lodge Forest, died Sept. 28 at age 85.
She was a 46-year member of the Edgemere Chapter of Women of the Moose.
Predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Richard H. Daffron, and a son, James R. Daffron Sr., she is survived by son Richard J. Daffron Sr. of Severn, daughter Patricia A. Lee of Simpsonville, Ky., 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by the Rev. Joseph Bonadio was held Sept. 13 at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Interment followed at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 540 E. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212, or St. Luke's Catholic Church, 7517 North Point Road, Edgemere, MD 21219.
Kenneth R. Faircloth
Decorated U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran Kenneth Ray Faircloth, 52, a former West Inverness resident and a member of Patapsco High School's Class of 1966, died suddenly Sept. 5 at age 52.
Mr. Faircloth, who served in Vietnam from July 1969 to December 1970, was the recipient of the National
Defense Medal, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign medals as well as the U.S. Army Commendation Medal and the Air Medal. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 451.
A production supervisor for Shasta Beverages, he had worked in the beverage industry for many years. He was a devoted family man and an avid golfer, boater and fisherman.
Survivors are his wife, Lorrie Bjork Faircloth, daughters Kristen L. Tutchton of Orlando, Fla., and Joie L. Lori of Abingdon, mother Lillie Mae Faircloth of Linden, N.C., brother Terry Faircloth of Dundalk, sisters Janice Guldan of Linden, N.C., and Delores Lejk of Bel Air, four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other family members. He was predeceased by his father, Harold Faircloth Sr., and brother Harold Faircloth Jr.
Services were held Sept. 9 at Schimunek Funeral Home in Perry Hall. Interment followed at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Drive, Baltimore, MD 21236-0025.
Clyde M. Goodson
Eder Road resident Clyde Mahlon Goodson, 70, died after a long battle with cancer Sept. 19 at Gilchrist Hospice.
Born and raised in Eastview, Mr. Goodson retired from Bethlehem Steel. He had earlier worked for Rheem Manufacturing.
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Germany and was a member of Gray Manor VFW Post 9743, where he was past commander and had held many offices.
He was a member of Our Lady of Hope Church and the Battle Grove Democratic Club.
His favorite activities were dining with friends at the Golden Corral, eating crabs with family and friends and browsing flea markets.
He is survived by sons Gerard C. and Keith M. Goodson, daughter Donna M. Biondo, brothers Will-iam, Thomas and Lowell Goodson, sisters Niala Goodson and Janet Ratsch and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Dolores Iszkiewicz Goodson, and brother Aaron Goodson.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 22 at Our Lady of Hope Church. Interment followed at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
George J. Henderson Jr.
Jaydee Avenue resident George Joseph Henderson Jr., 72, died at home of lung cancer Sept. 13.
Born and raised in Canton, Mr. Henderson attended Patterson Park High School, then served in the U.S. Navy for three years.
He worked at The News American until it closed, then worked at the Sunpapers until he retired in 1992.
His favorite pastimes were fishing and crabbing on the Wye River. At one time, he was a member of American Legion Dundalk Post 38 and Edgemere Moose Lodge 537.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, the former Erma Lohman, he is survived by son Mark S. Henderson, daughter Barbara Ellen Palmer and two grandchildren.
Services and entombment were held Sept. 16 at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Thomas D. Melvin
Thomas David Melvin, 72, who lived in Jones Creek and Edgemere all his life, died after a brief illness Sept. 29 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Born and raised in Jones Creek, Mr. Melvin attended Sparrows Point High School, then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
The Ruth Avenue resident was a member of the Henry Gunther VFW Post in Canton.
He retired in 1996 from the Baltimore County Department of Aging after a long career as a driver for SeniorRide and CountyRide programs. He had earlier worked for National Perforating Co. and Bethlehem Steel and as manager of the White House Tavern.
He loved Orioles baseball and was a big fan of football and Johnny Unitas. With an unbridled enthusiasm for all sports, he made sure he regularly advised his grandchildren of any games he thought should not be missed. He also enjoyed playing pinochle, following weather reports and listening to talk radio.
In addition to his wife of almost 48 years, Marie A. (nee Kocur), he is survived by five children, Thomas Melvin of Todd's Farm, Gary Melvin of Eastwood, Michael Melvin of North Muskegon, Mich., Rosanne Deludos of Dundalk and Michelle Gautier of Glen Burnie. He also leaves behind sister Anna Shkor of Edgemere, brother John Melvin of Jones Creek and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Ellen Sims and Margaret Fitzgerald.
A Mass of Christian Burial conducted by the Rev. David Kruse was held Oct. 2 at Sacred Heart of Mary Church. Interment followed at Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery.
Ansell L. Parsons
Former Gray Manor resident Ansell Lee Parsons, 78, died Sept. 8 at Riverview Nursing Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was a member and deacon of Penelope Baptist Church and a 1940 graduate of Hickory High School in his hometown of Hickory, N.C. As a young man, he was an amateur boxer and at one time had an opportunity to play minor league baseball. Instead he moved to Baltimore, where he met and married Filomena Stavola of Highlandtown. They lived on Parkwood Road for 50 years.
He retired in 1987 after a 40-year career as a welder with Boilermakers Union Local 193. He also worked at a grandson's business, ADP Automotive in Essex.
An avid Orioles fan, in his younger years he coached his son's Little League team for Gray Manor Rec Council. In later years, he became interested in old movies, hot rods and collecting baseball caps and coins. He was especially fond of Lobo, his Siberian husky.
He was a generous, kind-hearted, Christian man who never refused anyone a helping hand.
Predeceased in 1989 by his wife, he is survived by daughter Anna Peterson of Essex, sons Franklin Sr. and Franklin Jr. of Dundalk and David Parsons of Essex, sisters Oma Clark of Hickory, N.C., Nellie Sain of Knoxville, Tenn., and Shirley Rish of Aiken, S.C., six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces, neph-ews and other family members. He was predeceased by brother Jack Parsons and sister Wilma Wilson.
Services were held Sept. 11 at Connelly Funeral Home. Interment followed at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery.
Grace C. Traynor
Homemaker and Eastbourne Avenue resident Grace C. Traynor died Sept. 26 at Franklin Square Hospital. She was 81 and a longtime member of Harbor Heights Baptist Church.
A deeply religious person, Mrs. Traynor was a member of her church's board of trustees. She played the piano for Sunday services whenever she was needed and made home visits to fellow parishioners.
The former Grace Christine Simmons was born and raised in Rich Patch, Va. She and her husband, Oscar L. Traynor, moved to Eastbourne Avenue 44 years ago.
A fun-filled, lighthearted person, Mrs. Traynor was known for her kindness and willingness to help others. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors are sons Leonard M., James C. and Larry W. Traynor and Oscar L. Traynor Jr., daughters Linda C. Hessie and Teresa Ernest, sister Reva Sites, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1981.
Services were held Sept. 30 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Charles H. Wills
Purple Heart recipient Charles Henry Wills died Sept. 22 at Franklin Square Hospital. He was 79 years old.
Born in Fort Howard and raised in Edgemere, Mr. Wills attended Sparrows Point High School and played soccer for Dundalk Athletic Club.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of the Army's 961st Field Artillery, he received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a lifetime member of Wells-McComas VFW Post 2678.
He belonged to Edgemere Senior Center and liked fishing and gardening.
He retired from Bethlehem Steel with 39 years of service.
Survivors are his wife of 54 years, Catherine E. (nee Westfield), brothers James B. Wills of Edgemere, the Rev. George A. Wills of Dundalk and Harold R. Wills of Edgemere, sister Rose Marie Patrick of North Point Village and many nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Wills conducted services Sept. 26 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Point Church of God, 7501 Old Battle Grove Road, Dundalk, MD 21222.
Henry J. Zorn
Retired foreman and U.S. Army veteran Henry J. Zorn died April 3. The longtime Dundalk resident was 84.
Born in Baltimore and raised in the Orangeville neighborhood, Mr. Zorn joined the Army in 1942, seeing combat at Normandy and elsewhere in northern France and central Europe.
He later settled on Old Battle Grove Road and worked for Poly-Seal Corp., where he was employed until his retirement in 1983.
He lived for several years after his retirement in Ocean City before returning to Dundalk, where he spent the last four years, in the words of his daughter Jo Anne Baumgardner of Rosedale, “sitting on the porch, smoking his pipe with his dog Jack lying by his feet.”
Mr. Zorn also is survived by his wife, the former Mary Eva Zengel, whom he married in 1944, daughter Mary Etta Marino of Baltimore, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mr. Zorn was cremated April 6 after services at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. His ashes will be taken to France and scattered at Utah Beach, Normandy.
Gerald W. White
A memorial gathering will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the Zu nightclub, 216 German Hill Road, for Gerald W. White, widely known as “Butch Nickel,” who died April 12 after a long illness. He was 41.
Born in Baltimore, he was raised in Gray Manor by Elmer and Lula Nickel, whom he chose to honor with the informal use of their name.
After attending Patapsco High School, he continued to live in Gray Manor, working at the C. Tirschman Pallet Co. on Graves Court.
In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Nickel, he is survived by siblings Robin, Tom and Gary, all of Gray Manor.
Apart from the April 23 memorial gathering, services will be private.
