Baltimore County, Maryland
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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.

Grace P. Allen

German Hill Road resident Grace Phipps Allen, 87, died Sept. 22 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. She lived with her granddaughter Jackie Or-zechowski for the past 15 years. 

Born and raised in Towson, she lived in Fells Point for many years and sometimes worked as a bartender at a number of neighborhood taverns. 

Other survivors are sons Thomas and William Allen and four other grandchildren she helped raise, Michael Snow, Patty Sikor-ski, Susan Harris and Kelly Snow. She also leaves behind many other grandchildren, great-grandchhildren and other family members. 

She was predeceased by her daughter, Dorothy Snow, and two sons, Robert and Talmadge Allen. 

Services were held Sept. 26 at Bradley-Ashton-Matthews Funeral Home. 
 

Dolores Cashmyer

Former Dundalk resident Dolores Cashmyer (nee Borkowicz), 75, died Oct. 7 at Fallston General Hospital. 

A resident of Walnut Avenue for at least 50 years, Mrs. Cashmyer moved to Abingdon seven years ago to live with with her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Susan Cashmyer. 

She worked on the wait staff at Martin’s North Point Gardens for about 10 years. During that time she earned at least one award for outstanding service and had received many letters of commendation from customers. She also worked for a time at Watersedge Baptist Church’s day care center.

She belonged to Women of the Moose and was a longtime member of Sacred Heart of Mary Church.

She also will be missed by another son, Phillip E. Cashmyer, also of Abingdon, sister Marlene De-Roose of Dundalk, brother Leo Borkowicz of Chicago, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Rose Petusky. Her husband, Elmer P. Cashmyer, died in 1969. 

Her brother, a Catholic deacon, conducted a Cath-olic wake service at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home on Oct. 9 and assisted Msgr. Richard Parks with a Mass of Christian Burial the next day at Sacred Heart of Mary Church. Interment followed at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
 

Lester J. Fischer

Former Danville Avenue resident Lester Joseph Fischer, 72, died Oct. 15 at Mercy Hospital. He lived in Highlandtown at the time of his death. 

Mr. Fischer, who retired from the lumber industry, was a member of the Eagle and UN social clubs in Highlandtown. 

His hobbies included sports, dancing and assembling models of cars, trucks and planes. 

Survivors are his wife, the former Mary Margaret Ausmus, with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage Aug. 25, brother Norman Fischer, sisters Darlene Stiegmann, Doris Ptaszynski and Iris Kairis, great-niece Valerie Mae Martin-Crocker, his godchild, and many other nieces and nephews.

Services were held Oct. 17 at Zannino Funeral Home. 
 

Sue C. Gilbert

Services will be held Friday, Oct. 27, for Sue C. James Gilbert, a lifelong resident of Jones Creek who died of congestive heart failure Oct. 23 at age 57. 

The service begins 10 a.m. at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, 7922 Wise Ave. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

She was a graduate of Sparrows Point High School, and worked for 27 years at Fort Howard VA Medical Center. 

At one time, she was a member of Edgemere Women of the Moose. 

Ms. Gilbert will be remembered for her honesty, strength, generosity and love of life’s simple pleasures. 

She had a great love for her family, especially her nieces and nephews. 

She is survived by brothers and sisters Gary James, Joan Lowery, Brenda Wells, Dixie Economides, Linda Schulte and Wayne James and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation at the funeral home was scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 25 and 26. 
 

Dr. Samuel Hoover

Dr. Samuel H. Hoover, who maintained a Dundalk dental practice for more than 50 years, died Oct. 18 at Broadmead Retirement Community in Cockeysville. Dr. Hoover was 97. 

He and his wife, Elsie Isabel Wright Hoover, gave gifts totaling $2.2 million to Western Maryland College, making them the most generous living donors in the school’s history. In 1975, WMC named its library for the Hoovers. In 1991, the Hoover Library was dedicated in their honor after a $10 million expansion. 

The Samuel and Elsie Hoover Scholarship Fund at WMC was established in 1994 to assist “students demonstrating a commitment to higher education, scholastic aptitude in their chosen field of study, and genuine need.” The scholarship is awarded to 12 students each year. The Hoovers had no children. 

Born in Phoenix, Md., Dr. Hoover was a graduate of Sparrows Point High School. He earned a doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1925. In 1979, Western Maryland College presented him with an honorary doctor of science degree. 

During World War II, he served as a draft board chief dental examiner. He was later honored by President Truman for his distinguished service to medicine. 

He retired from his Dunleer Road dental practice in the mid-1970s. 

Dr. Hoover belonged to the Rotary Club of Dundalk, Patapsco Masonic Lodge 183 and Sparrows Point Country Club. He was a charter member and former commodore of the Sparrows Point Yacht Club. 

He also was a member of the Boumi Temple Shrine, Baltimore Country Club, the National Hereford Cattle Association and the Baltimore County Zoning Appeal Board. 

His many professional memberships included the Baltimore County Dental Association, of which he was a charter member and first president, the Maryland State Dental Association and the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners. He was made a fellow of the American College of Dentistry in 1973.

Predeceased in 1995 by his wife, he is survived by one brother, Walter F. Hoover. 

A graveside service was held Oct. 25 at Parkwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in the near future at Western Maryland College’s Baker Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hoover Library, Western Maryland College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157 or to Broadmead Residents Assistance Fund, 13801 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030.
 

Elsie H. Jaworski

Longtime Eastwood resident Elsie H. Jaworski (nee Wojtowicz) died Oct. 19 at her daughter’s home in Eldersburg, Md. She was 94.

A longtime member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, she also belonged to the Polish Women’s Alliance and the Polish Falcons. 

She loved baking and decorating cakes for her family. She also enjoyed tending her garden and sewing. 

Mrs. Jaworski worked in the cosmetics and boys departments of Hochschild-Kohn’s department store in Eastpoint Mall for 17 years. During the holidays, she worked as Santa’s helper in the mall. 

She is survived by daughters Alfreda Fontz of Howard County, Marcella Ilioff of Eldersburg, Patricia Otradovec of Dundalk, brother James Wojtowicz of Inverness, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by four sisters and two brothers. 

A Christian wake service was held at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home on Oct. 22. A Mass of Christian Burial on Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Fatima Church was followed by interment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
 

Phillip C. Keck

Dunbrin Road resident Phillip Chris Keck, 44, died of AIDS Oct. 2 at the Loch Raven Center in Towson. He was 44 and had earlier lived on McShane Way for five years. 
He graduated from high school in Wellsboro, Pa., then moved to Baltimore about 15 years ago when McCrory’s transferred him to manage its Dundalk Village Shopping Center store. He later worked as manager of a Horn and Horn restaurant in Lanham, Md. 

He loved woodworking, refinishing furniture and making lawn decorations.

He was a member of Crossroads Community Church. He volunteered at a food stand at Baltimore Ravens games to benefit Dundalk United Methodist Church.

For the past nine years, he had discussed his illness with high school groups throughout Baltimore County. 

Survivors are his mother, Theda Keck, and brothers Bruce Keck of Wellsboro, Pa., and James Keck of California. He also will be missed by dear friends Stan and Jan Akers and their children, Chris Akers and Mitch Sklar. He was predeceased by his father, Bruce Keck, and five brothers and sisters. 

The Rev. Gene Gunter of Crossroads Community Church conducted services Oct. 3 at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment was private. 
 

Joseph A. Lingerman Sr.

Joseph Arthur Lingerman Sr., 71, a Dundalk resident for 40 years, died Oct. 6 at Eastpoint Nursing Home.

Mr. Lingerman, who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, belonged to Dundalk American Legion Post 38 and held lifetime membership in Disabled Veterans of America. He also belonged to Dundalk Moose Lodge 1228. 

He worked in the tin mill at Bethlehem Steel for 30 years until he retired in 1986. 

Born in East Baltimore and raised in a family of 10 children, he played on a number of softball teams until he was in his 40s. He later coached girls and ladies softball for Patapsco Neck-Norwood Rec Council. 

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan (nee Merritt), son Joseph A. Lingerman Jr. of Edgewood, sisters Hilda Powder of Dundalk, Grace Haines of Essex and Dorothy Ford of Baltimore, one grandchild and two stepgrandchildren. 

American Legion Post 38 conducted ritual services at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home on Oct. 8. The Rev. Paul Witthauer of Our Lady of Hope Church conducted services the next day at the funeral home and graveside at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery. 
 

Charles R. Lowe 

Charles R. Lowe, 66, who played St. Nick for Dundalk’s popular Santa in the Park celebration, died Oct. 10 at Franklin Square Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He also played Santa for Patapsco Masonic Lodge 183. 

A native of Woodbourne, N.Y., Mr. Lowe was 8 years old when his family moved to Baltimore. As a youngster, he played the bugle for the Hamilton Drum and Bugle Corps. 

After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He married the former Paul-ine Bartels in 1957 and moved to Inverness in 1962. Mr. Lowe worked as an electrician for Bethlehem Steel for more than 34 years before heart problems prompted a medical retirement in 1986. He was a member of United Steelworkers of American Local 2609 and Steelworkers Organization for Active Retirees (SOAR). 

He was a longtime member of Gray Manor Lutheran Church and Dundalk-Eastfield Rec Council. 

He enjoyed feeding hummingbirds at his summer home in Goldsboro, Md., and fishing for bass and blue gills. 

In addition to his wife of 43 years, he is survived by sons Charles David Lowe and Bryan S. Lowe, four grandchildren and aunt Lorraine Lowe of Nevada.

On Oct. 11, the Bayside Promenaders Square Dance Club, of which he was a longtime member and past president, conducted ritual services, using the text he wrote in the 1980s for a fellow square dancer’s funeral. 

The Rev. William Wallace conducted services Oct. 13 at First Lutheran Church of Gray Manor. Interment with military honors followed at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens. 

Contributions may be made in his name to First Lutheran Church of Gray Manor, 212 Oakwood Road, Dundalk, MD 21222. 
 

Patricia A. Neeper 

Dundalk homemaker Patricia A. Neeper (nee Duckworth) died unexpectedly Sept. 25 at age 38. 

A Patapsco High School graduate, she liked gardening and watching movies with her children. 

She is survived by her husband, Edward F. Neeper, daughters Theresa, Lisa and Tricia Neeper, parents Rosalie and Harry Duckworth, brothers Keith and Harry Duckworth, sister Rosalie Christensen and many other family members.

Services were held Sept. 29 at Duda-Ruck Fuenral Home. Interment followed at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens. 
 

William E. Smoot

Former Dundalk resident William E. “Bill” Smoot, 64, died Oct. 19 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Smoot lived on Langport Avenue for many years before moving to Salisbury last year. 

A retired inspector at Armco Steel, he owned and operated the Monument Show Palace, which he later renamed the Key Lounge, on Old North Point Road.

He was an avid gun collector and a member of the National Rifle Association.

Survivors are daughters Debbie Smith and Deena Lane of Newark, Ohio, six grandchildren and one niece, Karyn Rosario of Salisbury. He was predeceased by brother Steven Smooth.

A funeral service was held Oct. 24 in Salisbury. 
 

Ernest J. Stricklin Jr.

Ernest John Stricklin Jr., 75, a former Berkshire and Northshire resident, died Oct. 22 at his home in Edgewood. 

Mr. Stricklin retired after a 30-year career with General Motors. 

A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he participated in the Normandy invasion and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He belonged to Mountain Christian Church in Edgewood. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Mary Rode, sons Michael C., Stephen C. and Ernest J. Stricklin III, daughters Barbara A. Baum and Judy L. Stricklin, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other family members. 

The Rev. Bob Green conducted services Oct. 25 at Connelly Funeral Home. Interment followed at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. 

Contributions in his name may be made to the the American Lung Association, 1840 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 17025, Baltimore, MD 21203.


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