Obituaries February 2003

GRISSO, ANNA DOBRZANSKA
ANNA DOBRZANSKA GRISSO on February 26, 2003 and PAUL BENNETT GRISSO, JR. on March 1, 2003 as a result of a tragic crash caused by a drunk driver. Parents of Kasia Grisso and Susan Grisso de Ortega; grandparents of Sebastian and Anna Emilia Ortega Grisso and one expected sibling. They were also survived by Anna's brother, Andrew Dobranski, his wife, Alicia and son, Anthony. Services were held March 8, 2003. Interment with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003.

JENSEN, RONALD CHRISTOPHER
On March 1, 2003, of California, MD. Husband of Karen L. Jensen; son of Grace I. and the late Rockwell "Bud" Jensen; father of Timothy D., Scott P. and Sarah G. Jensen; brother of Mickey Kalweit, Cheryl Sherek, Steve Jensen and Denise Rother; grandfather of Xanthia, Bailey, Jahziah and Ethan Jensen. . Funeral service and interment 3 p.m., Monday, March 10 at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dogs of America.

SULLIVAN, JOAN ELIZABETH
On Sunday, March 2, 2003, of California, MD. Beloved wife of John Lawrence Sullivan; beloved mother of Maura Sullivan of Woodbridge, VA and John L. Sullivan, Jr. of Tampa, FL; sister of Judith Fay Ruger of Sea Girt, NJ, George Fay of Falls Church, VA and Paul Fay of Oklahoma City, OK. Funeral service was held March 6, 2003. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lexington Park, MD. Interment was at church cemetery. Memorial contributions to Animal Welfare League, PO Box 160, Hollywood, MD 20636; or Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Emmett Lloyd Fowler, Jr.,
 Army Veteran
Emmett Lloyd Fowler, Jr. 74, of Welcome died March 2, 2003 at Civista Medical Center, La Plata. He was an Upholsterer, and Seamster for Auto dealerships, Upholsterer National Auto top, Rayco, Wilson Pontiac and then for La Plata Floor covering. He was a member of the American Legion, Southern Maryland Hunt Club, National Rifle Association. He enjoyed flying, motorcycles, boating, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and playing cards. Also being with his friends and family. He was also a veteran having served in the U.S. Air Force. Born March 13, 1928, in Washington, D.C. he was the son of the late Emmett L. Fowler, Sr. and the late Mabel Fowler Wray. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a grandson, James E. Fowler. He is survived by his wife, Katherine E. Fowler, daughter, Donna Kay Fowler; son, Emmett L. III and his wife, Donja, son, Michael L. and his wife, Tina; brother, Ernest Brinkley and his wife, Doris; sister, Minnie Gutridege and her husband, Jack, and sister, Linda Fowler Hinson; seven grandchildren, John Risden, Christopher Risden, Joel S. Mitchell, Emmett L. Fowler, IV, Wesley D. Fowler, Michael L. Fowler, II and Bonnie E. Fowler. Visitation will be Monday, March 10 at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with American Legion Service at 7 p.m. Services will be Tuesday March 11 at Christ Church Port Tobacco Parish at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Joseph Trigg will officiate. Burial will take place at Maryland Veteran's Cemetery, Cheltenham. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata.

Joseph E. "Brickey" Burch
WWII Veteran
Joseph E. "Brickey Burch, 77, of Port Tobacco died March 2, 2003, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. following a short illness. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the army as Private First Class in the 341st Infantry Regiment in the European and Asiatic Pacific Operations Division. He was a member if the rifle squad and trained in the use of small arms, marching in battles such as Normandy and Germany, among others. He was decorated with a Medal for Good Conduct, World War II Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, European Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, Expanded Infantry Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and MKM-MI Rifle Badge, before receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. Upon leaving the army, he returned to the family farm in Port Tobacco to take over his father's trucking service, which hauled grain and livestock for local farmers. He also raised cattle, tobacco, corn and hay. After retiring in 1986, he went to work for Seven Star Aggregates in La Plata before retiring once again to the farm he loved. He always enjoyed fishing and rabbit hunting best. Born January 15, 1926, in Port Tobacco, he was the son of the late Joseph Stewart Burch, and the late Jennie Hunt Burch. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Joseph Payne. He is survived by his wife, Mary Veronica Stone Burch; daughter, Catherine Ann Payne; son, Joseph Jr. and his wife, Linda; son, John and his wife, Judy; son, Kenneth and his wife, Kathleen; son, Robert and his wife, Myra; sisters, M. Gertrude Thompson, and Frances "Sis" Davis; nine grandchildren, Angel Payne, Joey Deane, John Burch Jr., Leslie Burch, Jessica Burch, Leah Burch, Kate Huber, Thomas Burch, and Nicholas Burch; and three great-grandchildren, Heather Deane, Lilly Jo Collins and Jake Collins. A memorial service was conducted on Saturday, March 8. Interment will be on Monday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Charles County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 40, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata.

Mary Elizabeth Jordan
Mary Elizabeth Jordan, (Bessie) 78, of Oakville, MD, died on March 1, 2003 at the St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.
She was born on June 16, 1924 in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of the late May A. Holt and Pearless Gray.
Mrs. Jordan was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, MD and a pillar of the community. She was a homemaker.
Her children, Phyllis Jordan Hopewell of Mechanicsville, MD, Joan B. Jordan of Oakville, MD, Joseph H. Jordan, Jr., of Oakville, MD, Thelma Jordan Strickland, of Mechanicsville, MD, Rose L. Waters of Columbia, MD, Lawrence A. Jordan of Fort Washington, MD, James G. Jordan of Hinesville, GA, Michael J. Jordan of Leonardtown, MD and Bernadette Jordan Tyer of Valdosta, GA, 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends survive her. In addition to her parents her husband Joseph H. Jordan, Sr. died on November 20, 1980. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday March 7, 2003 with the Reverend John Mattingly the celebrant. Interment followed at the Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Jordan were Thomas Bush, Ralph Barber, Howard Kennedy, Kevin Fenwick, Anthony Fenwick, Preston Tyer and Thomas L. Thompson; honorary pallbearers were James Todd Holt, Preston A. Tyer, Jr., James G. Jordan, Jr., Michael J. Jordan, Jr., Lawrence A. Jordan, Jr., Kenneth Waters, and Joseph Michael Jordan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christmas in April St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 705, Hollywood, MD 20636 and/or the American Lung Association, 14435 Cherry Lane Ct., Suite 310, Laurel, MD 20707-4959.


Marian Louise Ohm Wathen
Marian Louise Ohm Wathen, 83 passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Solomons Nursing Center of complications of Parkinson’s disease and a recent stroke.
She was born on February 21, 1920 in Washington, DC, the daughter of the late Clarence W. Ohm, Sr. and Pearl G. Martin Ohm.
In 1942 she married James R. “Spriggy” Wathen of Compton. They moved to St. Clements Shores in 1949, where she resided until her illness prompted her move to Cedar Lane Apt. in Leonardtown in 1996.
A graduate of Eastern High School, she was also a licensed cosmetologist. She was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as Postmaster at the Compton Post Office from 1957 until her retirement in 1981. After her retirement she was an active member of the American Red Cross, frequently assisting with the local blood drives. She was an active member of the Triangle Homemakers Club in Compton. She loved boating, ice skating in her younger years. Her favorite hobbies were sewing and crocheting. She liked to travel and her favorite trips had been to Disney World with her great-grandchildren in the last few years. She was a devoted Sunday School teacher at St. Paul’s Methodist Church for many years.
Surviving her are her daughter and son-in-law, Beverly Sue Guy and Joseph “Teeny” Guy of Medleys Neck, Grandson Randy Guy and wife Sandy, Grandson Kevin Guy and fiancée Tammy Gash all of Medleys Neck and her adored great grandchildren, Austin Guy and Sydney Guy. Other survivors include brothers-in-law Arthur Coker of Camp Springs, Francis M. Wathen and wife Alberta of Compton, sisters-in-law Hilda Merrits of Leonardtown, Jeanne Wathen of Alexandria, VA and Rose Mary Abell of Compton, special nieces and nephews Linda and Bob Sisson, Edward Ohm, Jr., Donna Sloper, Dorothy Cline, Michael Merrits, Beth Marvin, Andrea Buckingham, Pete Wathen, Sharon Oblisk and many great nieces and nephews. Her husband and her siblings, Clarence Ohm, Jr., Edward Ohm, Sr. and Dorothy Coker preceded her in death.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 6th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Stan Cardwell will conduct a Funeral Service was held Friday at St. Paul’s
Methodist Church, Leonardtown, MD. Interment in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Compton. Pallbearers for Mrs. Wathen were Kevin Guy, Randy Guy, Edward Ohm, Jr., Mark Sloper, Michael Merrits and Pete Wathen. Honorary Pallbearers were Buddy Banagan, Jeff Banagan, Kevin Banagan, Scott Greenwell, David Sisson and Sean McNeal. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Methodist Church, P.O. Box 65, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 229, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Hampton Milstead, 89,
US Navy WWII Veteran
Mr. Hampton Bicknell Milstead, age 89, of Hughesville, Md., died Saturday, March 1, 2003, at his residence.
Born November 17, 1913 in Ironsides, Maryland to the late Josephus Milstead and the late Lizzie (Simmons) Milstead. He was a member of the 1932 graduating class of the La Plata High School.
He began his 43 year career with the Maryland State Highway Administration in 1935. Working his way up to Highway Maintainence Supervisor for Charles County. He retired in 1978. Mr. Milstead served as a Motor Machinist Mate in the Navy Sea Bees during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater. He was Honorably Discharged in 1945.
Mr. Milstead was deeply involved in community affairs. He was a Charter Member of the American Legion Jameson-Harrison Post 238 in Hughesville, MD where he served in various positions including terms as Commander and Finance Officer. He truly enjoyed the many years involved in the American Legion work and made many long-lasting friendships. He was a Charter Member of the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and was the Department's Engineer for many, many years, helping to fight numerous fires in the County. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Moose Lodge and 40&8.
Mr. Milstead married Mary Cecilia Huntington on November 18, 1938. This year they would have celebrated their 65th Anniversary.
He survived by his wife Mary Cecelia Milstead; daughter V. Elaine Yeager and her husband Donald F. Yeager of Brandywine, MD; son, David L. and his wife Diane M. Milstead of La Plata, MD; grandchildren Julie B. Milstead, a Senior at Radford University and Lance Corporal Jacob D. Milstead currently serving on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima with the U. S. Marine Corps.
A funeral service was held March 3, 2003 with interment will be at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Md. tomorow, Monday, March 10, 2003 at 11AM with Military Honors.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of Charles County P. O. Box 1703 La Plata, Maryland or the American Legion Post 238 P. O. Box 572 Hughesville, Maryland 20637.

John Joseph Hayden, 84
John Joseph Hayden, 84 of Leonardtown, MD, died on Sunday, March 2, 2003 at his home.
Born August 16, 1918 in Dryden, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph Ignatius and Bertha A. Sheehan Hayden.
Mr. Hayden attended Leonard Hall and St. Mary’s Academy. After graduating he went to work on the family farm in 1957 he went to work at Bee’s Auto Supply as a Parts Manager, then in 1967 he joined his brother Frank Hayden at Haydens Auto Supply until his retirement in 1992.
Mr. Hayden is survived by his wife Mabel Loretta Cheseldine Hayden whom he married on December 29, 1942 in Holy Angels Catholic Church, two sons James R. Hayden of Bushwood, MD, Charles Hayden of Hollywood, MD, five grandchildren, Jamie, Jesse, Jody, Jennifer and Brandon Hayden and one great-grandchildren Mykala Hayden. Four brothers and sisters, Stanton I. Hayden, Sr., Ellen Robinson, Walter Vincent Hayden and Frank A. Hayden, preceded Mr. Hayden in death.. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, March 6th at 10:00 in St. Aloysius Catholic Church with Father Rory Conley as the celebrant. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Hayden were, Jamie Hayden, Jodi Hayden, Brandon Hayden, Jennifer Hayden, Jesse Hayden and Ricky Hayden. Honorary pallbearers were, Bobby Mattingly, John F. Mattingly, Jimmy Nelson, Johnny Alvey and Rob Mattingly. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 229, Leonardtown, MD 20650