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Leonard E. Penner
Services will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, for Sollers Point Road resident Leonard E. "Lennie" Penner, 46, who died Dec. 1 [2003] at Johns Hopkins Hospital of Eisenmenger Syndrome, a rare heart disorder.
The service begins at noon at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Ave.
Friends may visit at the funeral home on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
A career tow truck driver, Mr. Penner had last worked for Baltimore Towing Co.
He enjoyed shopping, especially at flea markets, and keeping in touch with his many friends.
Survivors are parents Elwood and Pauline Penner, wife Pamela Frock Penner, children Jennifer and Brandon Penner, sister Mondia Medaros, one nephew and three nieces.
In his memory, the family has established a scholarship fund for his children.
Ronald R. Rodgers
Services will be held Friday, Dec. 5, for former Edgemere resident Ronald R. Rodgers, 70, who died after a long illness Dec. 2 [2003] at his home in Rosedale.
The service begins 11 a.m. at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Ave. Interment will follow at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Mr. Rodgers retired last year after a 49-year career at Bethlehem Steel. At the time of his retirement, he was a supervisor in the tool room. He will be remembered for the coffee he always had ready for his co-workers and the hot dogs piled high with sauerkraut they all enjoyed many mornings for breakfast.
A graduate of Sparrows Point High School, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.
He was an avid gardener, often setting the standard for other tomato growers in the neighborhood. He had also enjoyed watching the Baltimore Ravens and fishing with his grandsons, Steve Noll and John Walker Jr.
Also surviving are three daughters, Rhonda Noll of Rosedale, Robin Contrastan of Glen Burnie and Rande Fitzpatrick of Carney, sister Emmalyne Smyser of Fort Myers, Fla., and brothers Bill and Tony Rodgers of Dundalk. He also leaves behind his former wife, Frances B. Rodgers (nee Bitter).
Mae E. Ruckle
Services will be held Friday, Dec. 5 [2003], for longtime Dundalk resident Mae Elizabeth Ruckle (nee Crago), who died at home Dec. 1 at age 89.
The service begins 11 a.m. at Patapsco United Methodist Church, 7800 Wise Ave. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Friends may visit Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3 and 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Avenue.
Born and raised in New Cumberland, W.Va., Mrs. Runkle and her husband moved to Edgemere in 1935, then to Dundalk several years later.
She was a longtime member of Patapsco United Methodist Church and an avid gardener who was especially fond of growing roses.
Predeceased in 1984 by her husband, Ross B. Ruckle, she is survived by sons Vernon E., Gary C. and Dale B. Ruckle, daughters Arlene M. Ruckle and Linda M. Hazlegrove, sister Ethel Stanley of New Cumberland, W.Va., 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Roof Fund, Patapsco United Methodist Church, 7800 Wise Ave., Dundalk, MD 21222.
Albert J. Brower
Former Eastpoint resident Albert J. Brower, a retired steelworker, died of cancer Oct. 30 [2003]. He was 90 years old and lived in Middlesex.
A member of countless organizations including Dundalk Moose Lodge 1228 and the Sparrows Point Old Timers Club, Mr. Brower also belonged to Charles Evering VFW Post 6506, American Legion Post 148 and the Essex Heritage Society. He was president of Victory Villa Senior Center at the time of his death and had earlier served as president of the Essex Senior Center.
Mr. Brower worked for Bethlehem Steel for 33 years before retiring in 1981.
He served in the U.S. Army for seven years and was a veteran of World War II.
Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Etta Boone Brower, daughters Alberta Brower, Bonita Milbert, Pamela Duty and Dana White, six grandchildren and three great-grandchidren.
His body was donated to the Anatomy Board of Maryland. His ashes will be buried in Butler, Pa.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 43025, Baltimore, MD 21236-0025.
Sylvia H. Burkhardt
Sylvia H. Burkhardt (nee Ptaszynska), 79, a Dunmere Road resident for 50 years, died Nov. 12 [2003] at Franklin Square Hospital.
Born in Baltimore and raised in Canton, Mrs. Burkhardt and her husband, John F. Burkhardt Jr., were married 60 years when he died Jan. 19, 2002.
She enjoyed homemaking, cooking and spending time with her cat, Buster. She also liked playing bingo at Ateaze Senior Center and attending parties at Charles Evering VFW Post 6506. She was a longtime auxiliary member of the Rosedale Loud Mouth Club.
Surviving are daughter Sharon J. Fisher, son John F. Burkhardt III and two grandchildren.
Mrs. Burkhardt was buried Nov. 14 at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Arthur Franck
Arthur "Whitey" Franck, 70, a 40-year resident of Del Haven Road, died at home Nov. 23 [2003] of complications of pulmonary fibrosis.
Mr. Franck retired from Sears and Roebuck in 1992 and worked briefly for Century 21 on Merritt Boulevard.
He was a talented waterfowl carver and loved traveling to carving shows. He cherished the time he spent with his new grandson.
He was a longtime member of Sincerity Lodge 181 AF&AM and Henry Brecht Chapter 43 Order of the Eastern Star. Fellow Serenity Lodge members held a memorial service Nov. 25 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, Lurlene (nee Holbrook), he is survived by children Vikki Levy of Millersville, Stacey Smith of Pasadena, John Franck of Palm Bay, Fla., Arthur Franck of Pennsylvania and Richard Franck of Baltimore, six other grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind mother-in-law Irene Holbrook, formerly of Broadship Road.
The Rev. Joseph Skillman of Chris Vicar Lutheran Church, former pastor of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, conducted services Nov. 26 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Ruby Hardy
Baywood Trailer Park resident Ruby Hardy, 87, died suddenly Nov. 3 [2003] while visiting her son in Houston.
The former Ruby Pogue, who was born and raised in Finley, Ill., lived in the trailer park since the late 1950s. Years ago, she worked at Fisherman's Inn and Owens Boat Co.
An active member of Edgemere Senior Center, Mrs. Hardy liked painting and crafts classes, playing cards and bingo and taking center-sponsored trips.
She enjoyed attending services at Penwood Christian Church and visiting her children and their families.
Predeceased in 1998 by husband Charles Hardy, she is survived by seven children, Melissa Spears of Rossville, Jean Johnson of Essex, Jill Downey and Jack Johnson of Arizona and John and Tom Johnson of Texas and Bob Johnson of Kentucky, sister Helen Breaux, also of Texas, and 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Charles Hardy, died in 1998. She also was predeceased by sister Zola Lawson and former husband Ben Johnson.
Services were held Nov. 6 in Houston and Nov. 9 in Convington, Va.
Bernard H. Myers
Longtime Eastfield resident Bernard H. Myers, 81, died Dec. 2 [2003] at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Mr. Myers retired after a 42-year career in the ocean cable and wire departments of Western Electric. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he loved spending time at the family's vacation home in Western Maryland.
In addition to his wife of 28 years, Clara (nee Myers), he is survived by daughter Bernice Habicht, stepchildren Marsha McConnell, Wesley Christensen Jr. and Donald Christensen, 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Dec. 6 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Roy R. Rhodes II
Former Bonsal Street resident Roy R. "Dusty" Rhodes II, 47, died of cancer Nov. 25 [2003] at his home in White Marsh.
Mr. Rhodes worked for Maryland Pool Supply Co. in Baltimore for the past six or seven years and had earlier worked 18 years for Sweetwater Pool Co. in Reisterstown. Before graduating from Patterson High School in 1974, he worked in the cafeteria of the General Motors plant on Broening Highway.
He was a fisherman, a Civil War buff and a NASCAR fan. He played shufflebowl for the Angle Inn and was team captain in the late 1980s.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Joy L. (nee Fuller), children Christopher "C.J." Rhodes, Rachel Rhodes and Ian Rhodes, mother Dixie
Riggleman Rhodes of Kingsville, sister Sherree Germack of Kingsville, stepsister Deborah Schade of Cumberland and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Services were held Nov. 29 at Ruck Funeral Home in Hamilton. Interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
Florence L. Bain
Lifelong Dundalk resident Florence L. Bain died Jan. 23 [2004] of multiple organ failure at Franklin Square Hospital. She was 71.
The former Florence Weber was born in her childhood home on North Point Road, where she lived until she married Karl Bain in 1951. The couple settled on Loganview Drive and raised two children.
Mrs. Bain attended Colgate Elementary and Dundalk High schools. In her youth, she worked at Food Fair and Eddie's supermarket.
She loved to travel and had visited much of the United States and Canada with her husband. She also enjoyed taking trips to Atlantic City - where she enjoyed a long lucky streak with the one-armed bandits, according to her husband - and cherished the time she spent with her three grandchildren.
She took pride in cooking for her family and friends, especially during the holidays.
Mrs. Bain was predeceased by sisters Margaret Bland, Isabel, Issay and Annabella Berkle and Dorothy Sullivan.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bain is survived by daughters Loretta Bain and Margaret Butler, sister Mary Kiger, brother Charles Weber and three grandchildren. She also will be missed by son-in-law Mike Butler.
Services at Kaczorowski Funeral Home on Jan. 27 were followed by interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Alfred A. Cicere Sr.
Longtime Watersedge resident Alfred A. Cicere Sr. died Jan. 22 [2004] of respiratory failure caused by a fall at his home. He was 75.
Mr. Cicere served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1946 to '48 and achieved the rank of petty officer second class.
He married the former Grace Hoxter in 1950 and lived on Watersedge Road all of his married life.
He worked in the 56-inch cold strip mill at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant, retiring in 1986 after 38 years of service.
Mr. Cicere was a member of the American Legion and was a former member of the Optimist Club of Dundalk. He enjoyed building model ships and airplanes, gardening and reading about American history.
He was predeceased by brother Nick Ciceri and sisters Mary DiPietro and Pauline Colley.
In addition to his wife of 53 years, Mr. Cicere is survived by sons Alfred A. Jr., Michael A. and Christopher M. Cicere, daughter Monica G. Ludwig, sister Antoinette Pac, brother Frank Ciceri and 11 grandchildren.
Services held Jan. 27 at Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk were followed by interment at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.
Nancy G. Daybrowski
Nancy G. Daybrowski (nee Wharton), a former Edgemere resident for 50 years, died Jan. 15 [2004] at her home in Carney. She was 79.
Born in Anthony, W. Va., she spent her childhood years in New York City and moved to the Baltimore area as an adult, looking for work during World War II. Mrs. Daybrowski - who lost her hearing at age 10 - worked at Rheem Manufacturing during the war, where she met her future husband, Joseph F. Daybrowski, who also was deaf. They lived on Poplar Road and were married for more than 30 years when he died in 1974.
Mrs. Daybrowski also worked as an aide for the Baltimore County Public Library, first at the branch in Towson and then at North Point. During her career with the library she taught sign language classes.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Daybrowski moved into the Edgemere home of her daughter, Martha Wilson, and then moved in with another daughter, Becky Gorsuch, in Carney about three years ago.
She worshiped at Edgemere Free Methodist Church and was a member of Edgemere Senior Center for many years. She was an avid reader who also loved poetry and going on bus trips with fellow senior center members.
In addition to her daughters, Mrs. Daybrowski is survived by a brother, Edward Wharton Jr. of Spartanburg, S.C., four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by a sister, Genievieve Bennett.
Services were held Jan. 19 at Edgemere Free Methodist Church and interment followed at Gardens of Faith Cemetery.
James R. Gernhart Sr.
James Richard Gernhart Sr. died of cancer in his Denton Avenue home Jan. 17 [2004], two weeks before his 60th birthday.
He grew up in a house on Steelton Avenue and lived there with his wife, Carole (nee Haviland), after they were married in 1964. They moved into the Denton Avenue house in 1972.
Mr. Gernhart worked for the Baltimore City Department of Public Works for 39 years, retiring in December 2002 due to complications from his disease. He held numerous positions with the DPW and was an operations engineer at the time of his retirement.
Called "Pop" by many, he earned his nickname because of the fatherly image he portrayed and his kindness, generosity and compassion. "He could look at anyone or anything and find good," said his daughter, Sherri Butschky.
Mr. Gernhart was a family man who loved animals and thoroughly enjoyed the view of the great outdoors from the seat of his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Besides his wife of 40 years and their daughter, he is survived by sons James Jr., Jeffrey and Gary Gernhart and five grandchildren. He also will be missed by son-in-law Todd Butschky and daughters-in-law Christine, Allison and Kathy Gernhart.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Jan. 21, followed by interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Ida Mae Belcher
Cornwall Road resident Ida Mae Belcher, 66, died suddenly at home Jan. 27 [2004].
The Baltimore native, born Ida Mae Shaull, moved with her family to Dundalk in 1971. She later divorced.
Mrs. Belcher was a machine operator for Southern States Corp. for 25 years. At one time a cook for Rickter's Bar & Grill on Belair Road in Baltimore, she also enjoyed making meals for family and friends and was very good at it, according to her son, Bruce Belcher. She enjoyed taking annual trips to Ocean City, Md., and helped neighbors and others any way she could.
Besides her son she is survived by her brother, Calvin Shaull, and will be missed by her aunt, Violet White.
Services were held Jan. 31 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment followed at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
