Obituaries May 2003

COLLINS, LOUISE (Age 82)
Of Prince Frederick, MD, formerly of Hartfield, VA and widow of Otto H. Collins, Jr., died Sunday, May 25, 2003. She was a member of Lower United Methodist Church and Donna Chapter #176, OES. Survived by her daughter, Bonnie Lee Jarvis of Bogota, Columbia; son, Gary W. Collins of Prince Frederick, MD; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28 at Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield, VA. Interment church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Alzheimer's Research, 640 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Arrangements by BRISTOW-FAULKNER FUNERAL HOME, Saluda, VA.

BLOCKER, JOHNNY B.;
WWII US Army Red Ball Express Trucker
SPECIALIST 6TH CLASS JOHNNY B. BLOCKER of Waldorf, MD, died on May 10, 2003 of natural causes at the Civista Medical Center in La Plata, MD. Born in Columbia, SC in 1922, Mr. Johnny B. Blocker enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and remained on active duty until 1967 when he retired from the service. During his service during the war, he was assigned to an elite trucking unit known as the "Red Ball Express" that provided supplies to the front line troops such as ammunition, petrol, food and never failed to deliver the much needed supplies. If not for drivers like him and others, Gen. Patton could not have advanced as fast as he did with his armored division. Further during the course of performing his duties, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions against the enemy. He also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB) while assigned to an infantry unit along with the Purple Heart. The late Mr. Blocker is survived by his wife of 60 years, Geraldine Blocker; daughter, Jackie Rice; sons, Jonathan, Paul and Ronald Sr. Blocker. Also survived by one sister, Margaret Johnson; one brother, Gregory Blocker and a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Blocker will lie in state on Tuesday, May 27 at the ADAMS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., Rte 381 Brandywine Rd., Aquasco, MD from 10 a.m. until Mass of Burial at 11 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at 2 p.m.

BUCK, PARRAN B., JR. "Tick"
On Friday, May 23, 2003 of Prince Frederick, MD. Beloved husband of Ruth E. Buck of 54 years; loving father of Linda Higgs, Darol Buck and Lisa Gallegos. He is also survived by his sisters, Inez Lango and Phyllis Connor; brother, Robert Buck; grandchildren, Chris Higgs, David Buck, Kyle and Kory Gallegos. Family will receive friends at RAUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 4405 Broomes Island Rd., Port Republic, MD on Tuesday, May 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., where funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 11 a.m. Interment Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice, PO Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

CAMPBELL, RUTH A., R.N.
On May 22, 2003 of La Plata, MD. Beloved wife of James W. "Jim" Campbell; mother of Louis Watts, James and John Campbell; sister of Dr. Joseph Sheriff and Mary Jane Lint. Also survived by six grand- children. Friends received on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m. at Good Samaritan Presbyterian Church, Rt. 5, Leonardtown Rd., Waldorf, MD. Interment private. Memorials are requested to Good Samaritan Presbyterian Church, PO Box 925, Waldorf, MD 20604. Arrangements by RAYMOND FUNERAL CHAPEL, La Plata, MD

BERGER RUDOLPH ELFSTROM, JR
BERGER RUDOLPH ELFSTROM, JR., unexpectedly passed away on April 3, 2003. He was born on February 8, 1931 in New Ipswich, NH. He was a graduate of Towle High School in Newport, NH. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Chaminade University in Hawaii. Following high school he joined the Navy where he achieved the rank of Commander (CDR) and served for 26 years until retirement. He served in the US Navy's Medical Service Corps (MSC) for most of his military career. His duty stations included Cherry Point, NC; Norfolk, VA; Boston, MA twice; Rockville, MD; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Newport, RI; Patuxent River, MD and Washington, D.C. His last duty station was as the Regional Hospital Coordinator at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Following his Naval career, he became a successful restaurateur, owning and operating two restaurants for 12 years. He is survived by his wife, Lee; four sons, Gary, Bear, Greg and Glenn; their four wives and seven grandchildren; his sisters, Lillian Zullo and Shirley Patten of Newport, NH. He was preceded in death by his parents, Berger and Mamie and sister, Nancy Collins of Newport. Friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Sunday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at LEE FUNERAL HOME, INC., Branch Ave. and Coventry Way, Clinton, MD. Interment Monday, June 2, with Full Military Honors, at Arlington National Cemetery. All are requested to assemble at the Administration Building at 10:30 a.m.

LANGLEY, WILLIAM VINCENT
On May 23, 2003, of Cobb Island, MD. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Langley; his children, Mary L. (Richard) Kerner, David W. Langley and Duane R. (Kathy) Middleton; grandchildren, Joshua, David and Joel Middleton and John Kerner. Friends may call on Wednesday, May 28, at the AREHART-ECHOLS FUNERAL HOME, 211 St. Mary's Ave., LaPlata, MD, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. where prayers were said at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Issue, MD, at 12 Noon. Interment church cemetery.

Ruth “Becky” Proffitt
Ruth “Becky” Proffitt, 76, of Leonardtown, MD died on Thursday May 22, 2003 at the St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.  She was born on February 16, 1927 in Leonardtown, MD, the daughter of the late G. Roger and Margaret Belle Yates Wathen. She is survived by two daughters, Jannette P. Norris and husband Jay Harry Norris, III. of Leonardtown, MD and Patricia A. Miesowitz and husband Patrick of Smethport, PA, five sisters, Mary Rita Delozier of Compton, MD, Catherine “Kate” Hayden, Ramona Hayden, Alice Cromwell and Frannie Owens all of Leonardtown, MD, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren also survive.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday May 27, 2003 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. The Reverend Rory Conley was the celebrant. Interment will follow in the Old St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The United Cerebral Palsy, 21815 Three Notch Road, Suite H, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A full obituary will follow.

Clarence A. Aud, 62
Clarence A. Aud, 62, of Leonardtown, MD, died on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, MD.
Born on March 26, 1941 in Great Mills, MD, he was the son of the late Clarence M. and Estelle Combs Aud.
He is survived by eight sisters; Dorothy Schinder of Leonardtown, MD, Myrtle Abell of California, MD, Teresa Trossbach of Hollywood, MD, Mary Schinder of Flags Beach, FL, Marie Trossbach of Hollywood, MD, Frances Trossbach of Leonardtown, MD, Edna Trossbach of Brown Mill, NJ, Bernice Aud of Leonardtown, MD, three brothers; Matthew Aud , Combs Aud both of Great Mills, MD and John Aud of Park Hall, MD. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Tommy Aud. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, MD at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Kevin P. Reilly celebrated the Mass. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be David Aud, Danny Aud, Douglas Aud, Warren Trossbach and Danny Bowles.

Ethel Irene Ryce Snider
Ethel Irene Ryce Snider, 83, of La Plata died May 22, 2003 at Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Clinton. She was a homemaker and a long standing member of Christ Church, Old Durham Parish, Ironside, Maryland. Born July 28, 1919, in Newport, Maryland she was the daughter of the late Samuel Wilson Ryce and the late Mary Elizabeth Della Ryce. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Milford Snider. In addition to her husband she is preceded in death by her sisters, Maude Burroughs, Mattie Hayden, Florence Dameron, Annie Mae Hayden, Hilda Baker and Eva Locke as well as brothers, Sydney Ryce, Herman Ryce and Joseph Vernon Ryce. She is survived by her sons, Larry and his wife, Margaret Snider, of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and William and his wife, Judy Snider, of La Plata; and daughter, Judy and her husband, Jimmy Hamilton of Destin, Florida; 2 sisters, Bessie Graves and Carrie Welch; 8 grandchildren, Christopher Snider, Sandra Snider Didaleusky, Susan Snider Worsley, Kevin Hamilton, Steven Hamilton, Elaine Hamilton Willey, Karen Snider Jones, and David Snider; 8 great-grandchildren, Hannah Snider, Robert and Samantha Didaleusky, Heather and Kyle Worsley, Ashely and Taylor Hamilton and David Hamilton. Visitation will be Sunday, May 25 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata. Services will be Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Christ Church, Old Durham Parish, Ironside, Maryland. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Deacon Eric Shoemaker will officate. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home.
Margaret Alice Cole, 82, of Solomons, MD, died on Friday, May 23, 2003.
Born on March 6, 1921 in Athens County, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Olin Orris Baker and Madge Newton Baker. Mrs. Cole moved to St. Mary’s County from Alexandria, VA in 1969. She was a member of Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California, MD and a life member of the Town Creek Garden Club.
She is survived by a daughter, Sara Margene Carter of Vallejo, CA, a son, Stephen Alan Cole of Summerville, SC, two grandchildren, a sister, Wilma Luella Shields of Huber Heights, OH and a brother, Allen Lewis Baker of Central, SC.
A Memorial Service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. at the Patuxent Presbyterian Church, 23421 Kingston Creek Road, California, MD. The Reverend Michael Jones will conduct the service. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Patuxent Presbyterian Church, 23421 Kingston Creek Road, California, MD 20619.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., in Leonardtown, MD.

Thomas Patrick Cryer
Thomas Patrick Cryer, 40, of Leonardtown, MD, died on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at his residence.
Born on March 22, 1963 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of James Donald Cryer, Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth Durkin Cryer of Leonardtown, MD. Mr. Cryer was a graduate of Chopticon High School Class of 1981, attended the University of Maryland, was a farmer and worked for Atlantis Coastal Trucking, Inc. in Callaway, MD. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed crabbing and fishing and riding with his son on the tractor.  In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Megan Marie Whitson Cryer, whom he married on October 9, 1993, his son Tyler Campbell Cryer both of Leonardtown, MD, maternal grandmother, Margaret Emma Durkin of Baltimore, MD, four sisters; Susan Anne Waring of Lexington Park, MD, Judith Ellen Lynch of Leonardtown, MD, Mary Lu “Cindy” Paulin of Columbus, OH and Mary Beth Cryer of California, and three brothers; James Donald Cryer, Jr. of Leonardtown, MD, William Ford Cryer of Callaway, MD and Mark S. Cryer of Menlo Park, CA.
Serving as pallbearers will be James Marks, Joe Hall, David Cantrell, Ricky Hynsen, Oscar Buckler, Gary Lyon, Raymond Guy, Pat Lyon, Justin Brown and Danny Alioto. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Lynch, Billy Cryer, Mark Cryer, Donny Cryer, David Waring, Willie Willenborg , Dwayne Cantrell, Jesse Lynch, Randy Guy and Russell Holtery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tyler Campbell Cryer Benefit Fund, c/o First National Bank, P.O. Box 655, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Arangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.

Mary Elsie Della
Mary Elsie Della, 91, of Waldorf died at Waldorf Healthcare Center, Waldorf. She was the head housekeeper for the Howard Johnson's in La Plata. Born February 19, 1912, in St. Mary's County. She was the daughter of the late William L. Williams and the Catherine E. Tate Williams. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Gwynn Della and three brothers, Joseph E. Williams, William I. Williams, and John Richley. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Gwynne; sisters, Alice G. Hanks, and Gladys M. Green; four grandchildren, Becky, Linda, Katie and Jenny. Visitation will be Thursday, May 29 from 2-4 p.m. at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata. Services will be Friday, May 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata. The Rev. Salvadore Jordan, S.J. will officiate. Burial will take place at Dentsville Methodist Cemetery, Dentsville, Md. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home.