Obituaries

Kirk David Cantrell, 77,

Kirk David Cantrell, 77,

Kirk David Cantrell, 77, of Solomons, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025. Born on August 27, 1947, to the late James and Barbara Cantrell, Kirk lived a life full of love, creativity, and adventure. On March 6, 1977, Kirk married the love of his life, Joyce Manchester. Their union was a true...
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Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan

Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan

Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan, a principal in the Imperial Half Bushel silver shop that was located on Howard Street’s Baltimore’s Antique Row for more than four decades, died at her retirement home residence in Solomons, Maryland on 2 July 2025. She was 91. Nancy had met Naval Academy graduate U.S. Navy Lieutenant J.G. Frederick...
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Peter Vance Ritzel

Peter Vance Ritzel

Peter Vance Ritzel passed away on Wednesday July 2, 2025. Feel free to leave a condolence while their loved ones are writing their obituary. Visitation Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Rausch Funeral Home–Lusby 20 American Lane Lusby, MD 20657 Services Thursday, July 31, 2025 1:00 pm Rausch Funeral Home–Lusby 20 American Lane...
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Gail Dean Smith

Gail Dean Smith

Gail Dean Smith was born October 16, 1927, the son of Thomas and Eunice (Thomas) Smith.  He was born in his mother’s parents’ (Effie and John Thomas) farm home two miles south of Lucas, Iowa.  Gail lived with his parents and two older brothers, Evert and Cecil, on several farms in southern Iowa near...
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Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 83 years old. Born on January 5, 1942, Rose was a proud graduate of the first class of Pallotti High School in 1960. She...
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Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86,

Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86,

Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away at home on July 7, 2025. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and teacher. Born on February 3, 1939, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Bob was the son of Raymond Joseph Hmieleski and Evelyn Koscielniak Hmieleski. He attended Mount St. Mary’s College...
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William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84,

William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84,

William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84, of Forest Heights, MD passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, Opa, and proud Army veteran. He was born in Washington, DC on March 23, 1941, to the late William E. Clarke, Sr. and Mardehl (Mills). Bill is survived by his children:...
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Amy Marie Runco, 64,

Amy Marie Runco, 64,

Amy Marie Runco, 64, of California, Maryland, passed away on July 4, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown after receiving her last rites. Born on September 9, 1960, in Uptown, New York. Amy was the beloved daughter of the late Patricia and Raymond Runco. In 1968, she moved with her family to Southern...
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Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green

Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green

Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green, was born sleeping on July 7, 2025. He was the cherished child of Christina Taylor and Victor Green. Though his time was short, he filled his family’s lives with immeasurable love and joy. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be...
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Betty E. Hoffarth

Betty E. Hoffarth

Betty E. Hoffarth, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, in Maryland, where she had made her home for the past 11 years. She was 85. Born on April 11, 1940, in Minto, North Dakota, Betty was the daughter of Bailey and Aurelia (Blaski) Christie. She carried the...
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David Leroy Raley II, age 47,

David Leroy Raley II, age 47,

David Leroy Raley II, age 47, tragically passed away on July 3, 2025, in Waldorf, MD. He was born in La Plata, MD, on April 23, 1978. He was a cherished son, brother, uncle, father, husband, and friend. David loved his family and friends and had a huge heart. If you needed help, he...
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James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey

James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey

James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on July 9, 2025, in Waldorf, Maryland, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on December 16, 1945, to Samuel Louis Cooksey and Evelyn Lorraine Cooksey (Barron), Jim was a lifelong Southern Marylander. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Lange)...
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Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97,

Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97,

Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97, of Hollywood, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Leonardtown, MD. She was born on February 5, 1928 in Anson County, North Carolina to the late Joe Monroe Keziah, Sr. and Gladys Merle (nee: Martin) Keziah. Thelma was a dedicated and skilled nurse...
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Barbara Jean Bailey, 59,

Barbara Jean Bailey, 59,

Barbara Jean Bailey, 59, of Hollywood, MD, passed away on July 9, 2025, while enjoying what she loved most, spending time with her beloved husband, son, and grandson. Born on August 30, 1965, at the Annapolis Naval Hospital, Barb was the daughter to Shirley and Donald Peeling, Sr. She was raised in Hollywood, MD,...
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Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88,

Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88,

Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88, passed away peacefully at Charlo<e Hall Veterans home on June 11, 2025. Born in Guatemala on October 19, 1936, he was the son of the late Norman Lothrop and Lois Moulton Lothrop. Fred is survived by his two daughters Patricia Ann Lothrop of Waldorf, MD, Catherine Lothrop Taylor (Mark)...
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Toni Lorene Mitchell

Toni Lorene Mitchell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Toni, who peacefully transitioned on June 13, 2025. Born Toni Lorene Williams, and later becoming Toni Lorene Mitchell, she was born on December 23, 1957 in Waukegan, Illinois, at St. Therese Hospital. She was 67 years old at the time of...
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Patricia Ann Simonetta

Patricia Ann Simonetta

Patricia Ann Simonetta, lovingly known as Patti, age 54, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her devoted family. Born on May 3, 1971, in Washington, D.C., Patti was the cherished daughter of the late Roger Edelen Simmons Sr. and Barbara Ann...
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Betty Jean Tharp, 84,

Betty Jean Tharp, 84,

Betty Jean Tharp, 84, of Piney Point, MD passed away July 5, 2025 at her home with her loving family at her side. She was born on November 10, 1940 in Winchester, VA to the late Samuel Alexander Bock and Annie Virginia (nee: Lauck) Bock. In 1958 she met the love of her life,...
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Kelli Lynn Simms, 55

Kelli Lynn Simms, 55

Kelli Lynn Simms, 55, of Pomfret, MD passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 6, 1970, in Washington, DC, Kelli was the beloved daughter of Henry and Bernice Hooks. She graduated from McDonough High School in 1989. Kelli dedicated over...
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Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department – Honoring the Life and Legacy of William “Archie” Pilkerton, Jr.

Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department – Honoring the Life and Legacy of William “Archie” Pilkerton, Jr.

William Archie Pilkerton, Jr, 96 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on June 28, 2025 at Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick, MD. Archie was born on December 21, 1928 and was the son of the late William Archie Pilkerton, Sr and Helen Mae Wood Pilkerton. Archie is predeceased by wife Mary Phyllis Pilkerton, whom...
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John Virgina Haws, Jr., 88,

John Virgina Haws, Jr., 88,

John Virgina Haws, Jr., 88, of Deale passed away July 3, 2025 at his home. He was born July 10, 1936, in Round Hill, VA to John V. Sr. and Olive (Trussell) Haws. John moved to Brunswick, MD as a young child and worked on several farms in the Frederick County area as he...
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Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 83 years old. Born on January 5, 1942, Rose was a proud graduate of the first class of Pallotti High School in 1960. She...
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Agnes Delores Scruggs, “Aggie,” 72

Agnes Delores Scruggs, “Aggie,” 72

Agnes Delores Scruggs, “Aggie,” 72 of Dowell, Maryland passed away at Solomon’s Nursing Center on June 27, 2025 in Dowell, Maryland. She was born on July 4, 1953 in Leonardtown, Maryland to Bernard Russell and Sarah Russell. Agnes grew up in Calvert County, Maryland. She attended Calvert High School and like many girls of...
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Robert Lawrence Cory, 99,

Robert Lawrence Cory, 99,

Robert Lawrence Cory, 99, of Dunkirk passed away June 26, 2025. He was born June 16, 1926 in Belleville, NJ to Harold and Maude (Summers) Cory. At the age of 17 Bob joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country for 6 years. During WWII he was stationed on the USS SC743...
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Carol J. Horovitz, 78,

Carol J. Horovitz, 78,

Carol J. Horovitz, 78, of Prince Frederick, MD, formerly of Miami, FL passed away June 25, 2025, in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Carol was born in Prince Frederick to the late Benson Orlando and Esther Lillian Hutchins. She graduated from Nursing School at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. After graduation, Carol and some of her...
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