Obituaries for Dec. 28

Today's obituaries recognize: Jean Carrigan, Donald Fitzgerald, Nancy Fox, Nancy Kirchoff, Leona Neserke, Jane Redding, Roosevelt Sterling, Athena Talios, Minerva Taylor and Jerry Wilson

Jean Carrigan

Jean Irene Carrigan, 81, of Kent Island died Dec. 26 in her home.

Mrs. Carrigan was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Parma, Ohio, to the late Axel Larsen and Paula Christensen. She graduated from Lehman High School in 1945, then moved with her family to Washington, D.C. She married Philip F. Carrigan on Sept. 21, 1947.

Mrs. Carrigan worked for the C & P Telephone Company as an operator until leaving the workforce to become a full-time homemaker. She resided in Hyattsville until Mr. Carrigan retired and they moved to Kent Island in 1988.

She was an active member of Galilee Lutheran Church in Chester, the Women's Guild and the Queen Anne Carry-On Group. She was also a volunteer with the Lutheran Mission Society in Annapolis, MD.

Mrs. Carrigan enjoyed crafts, gardening, and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in 1996; and one brother, Robert Larsen.

Survived include three sons, Dale Carrigan of West River, Dann Carrigan of Broadkill, Del., and Dean Carrigan of Atlantic City, N.J.; one daughter, Diane Secary of Church Hill; one half brother, Richard Larsen of Cleveland, Ohio; and one granddaughter.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Galilee Lutheran Church, 1934 Harbor Drive in Chester.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Queen Anne's, Inc., 423 Thompson Creek Road, Stevensville, MD 21666 or to Galilee Lutheran Church, 1934 Harbor Drive, Chester, MD 21619.

Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com.

Donald Fitzgerald

Donald James Fitzgerald, 77, a resident of Bowie for 42 years, died of lung cancer Dec. 25 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. He had been ill for 12 years.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born Jan. 15, 1930, in Yonkers, N.Y., to the late Garrett E. Fitzgerald and Mary Margaret Fitzgerald. He graduated from Regis High School in 1948 and from Manhattan College in 1956.

He worked in the FBI as a special agent for 28 years, from 1953 to 1981. He was the first agent on the scene at the Watergate break-in and served as a Spanish Linguist during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He completed multiple tours as a linguist in Puerto Rico and served many years as FBI Liaison to Capital Hill. After retirement from the FBI, he worked as an independent consultant for the CIA.

Mr. Fitzgerald served in the Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952, when he was honorably discharged with the Korean Service Ribbon with a star, the United Nations Service Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.

He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church for 42 years, where he served as the lecturer for several years. He was also a member of the Bowie Boys and Girls Club for 20 years, where he coached baseball and basketball. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Society of Retired Former Special Agents of the FBI.

He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1990, Carole A. Fitzgerald; and three brothers, Garrett, Robert and Joseph Fitzgerald.

Survivors include four sons, Donald W. Fitzgerald of Pasadena, James P. Fitzgerald of West Chester, Pa., Thomas S. Fitzgerald of Crofton, and John B. Fitzgerald of Huntington; two daughters, Carolyn F. Gabelman of Gambrills and Theresa F. Santilli of Centreville, Va.; two sisters, Rita Muller of Florida and Dorothy Benson of New Jersey; and 21 grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road in Bowie.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3300 Moreland Place in Bowie.

Interment will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1041 Route 3 N., Gambrills, MD 21054.

Nancy Fox

Nancy Adela Avila Fox, 69, of Annapolis and formerly of Valdosta, Ga. and Havana, Cuba, died of pulmonary fibrosis Dec. 25 at her son's home in Crownsville.

Born Nov. 7, 1938, in Havana, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Loyda Gonzalez Avila and Ignacio Edgar Avila. She graduated from Valdosta State College with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish. Two years later she earned a Master's degree, also in Spanish.

She was raised in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where she learned English. When she was 22, she moved to New York City where she taught herself Spanish Gregg Shorthand and worked as a bilingual secretary at Shulton, Inc. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a bi-lingual secretary for the Peace Corps.

In 1962 she married the late Robert M. Fox, whom she met in Cuba. They lived in Annapolis, where she worked at the Naval Academy and Anne Arundel General Hospital until their divorce in 1978.

She moved to Valdosta, Ga., where she worked as a Medical Transcriber for 10 years until she became disabled with Multiple Sclerosis. She taught at Valdosta High School, Georgia Military College and Valdosta State University for several years, and taught English as a Second Language to many migrants in South Georgia.

She was preceded in death by one grandson, who died in 2006.

Survivors include three sons Robert L. Fox III of Baltimore, Michael David Fox of Millersville and Andrew Boscoe Fox of Crownsville; one daughter Angela Heather Fox Wood of Georgia; one brother, Ralph Avila of Valdosta, Ga.; one sister, Eunice Owensby of Hendersonville, Tenn.; and three grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at Hardesty Funeral Home, 12 Ridgely Ave. Services will follow at 12:30 p.m.

Interment will be in Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Nancy Kirchoff

Nancy K. Kirchoff, 75, a resident of Frankford, Del. for five years and previously a 33-year resident of Severna Park, died of leukemia Dec. 25 in her son's home in Bel Air after an illness lasting 18 months.

Mrs. Kirchoff was born Jan. 12, 1932, in Manheim, Pa. and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Sacred Heart Academy in Lancaster, Pa.

She taught Sunday School at Cure of Ars Church in Keawood, Kan., was a Boy Scout leader in Overland Park, Kan., and was the past president of Severna Park Women's Club.

She enjoyed baking, gardening, and most importantly, being a grandma.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Walter A. Kirchoff; five sons, Walter P. Kirchoff of Wimberly, Texas, Jeffrey N. Kirchoff of Conyers, Ga., Kevin S. Kirchoff of Bel Air, David S. Kirchoff of Ridgefield, Conn., and Brian D. Kirchoff of Severna Park; one daughter, Colleen M. Warner of Allentown, Pa.; 20 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Melson Funeral Services, Bethany Chapel, 361 West Ave. in Ocean View, Del.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach, Del.

Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, Del.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 1 Charles St., Suite 234, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Leona Neserke

Leona Helen "Lee" Neserke, 84, a resident of Arnold for 22 years and previously of the Baltimore and Northwood Areas, died suddenly of unknown causes Dec. 24 in her home.

Mrs. Neserke was born Aug. 27, 1943, in Baltimore, and graduated in 1941 from Eastern High School in Baltimore.

She worked with her husband, Dr. Irvin Neserke, at the Baltimore Aardmore Veterinary Hospital from 1949 until his death in 1971.

She was a member of St. Andrew by the Bay in Arnold and was previously a member of the St. Matthew's Parish in Baltimore. She was a Girl Scout leader in Baltimore.

She was an excellent seamstress, and was especially skilled in smocking. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, she enjoyed spending time with her daughter and family, gardening, and crossword puzzles.

Survivors include one daughter, Donna Flickinger of Arnold; one sister, Doris Doran of Bel Air; and three grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hardesty Funeral Home, 12 Ridgely Ave. Prayers will begin at 3 p.m.

Funeral services and interment are private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA, P.O. Box 3471, Annapolis, MD 21403.

Jane Redding

Jane Renninger Redding, 86, of Annapolis and previously of Severna Park and Towson, died of natural causes Dec. 25 at Spa Creek Center in Annapolis.

Mrs. Redding was born June 14, 1921, in Glenside, Pa., and graduated from the Ogontz School in Rydale, Pa. with a degree in home economics.

She was a faithful member of Carmel Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, and Babcock Presbyterian Church in Towson.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and was a proud homemaker. She enjoyed vacationing with her husband at Lake Winnepausaukie, N.H., Florida, and Ocean City, N.J., reading, studying her Bible, playing bridge, horticulture, music, ballet, and visiting with her grandchildren and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, James Karcher Redding.

Survivors include three daughters, Evie E. Redding of Annapolis, Darthea R. Olander of Glencoe, and Katherine A. Snyder of West Chester, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road. Inurnment is private.

Arrangements are by Hardesty Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Roosevelt Sterling

Funeral services for Roosevelt "Rosie" Sterling, 63, a resident of Annapolis for 40 years and previously of Rock Hill, S.C., will be held at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at William Reese and Sons Mortuary, 821 West St. Family and friends may visit from 10 to 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the funeral home.

Mr. Sterling died Dec. 24 at Georgetown University Hospital.

He was born Feb. 28, 1944, in Rock Hill to Pearl Sterling of Rock Hill and the late Nathaniel Sterling Sr., and graduated from Emmie Scott High School.

He was a well-known Bellman at the former Statler Hilton, now the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel, beginning in 1967 when the hotel was founded and working for almost 40 years.

He was known for his smile, and enjoyed cooking, watching Westerns, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his former wife, Janet Bass; three daughters, Cynthia Sterling of Severn, Sheron Sterling of Annapolis and Sherleta Sterling of California; two step-daughters, Zaida Robinson of Brentwood and Mary Kay Smith of Forestville; one brother, John David Sterling of Washington, D.C.; one sister, Patricia Sterling of Wilmington, N.C.; his companion, Pearl Gross of Annapolis; and eight grandchildren.

Interment will be private.

Athena Talios

Athena "Tina" Talios, 76, of Annapolis and previously of Richmond, Va., died Dec. 24 in her home after a seven-month illness.

Mrs. Talios was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from high school.

She travelled to Germany, Greece and Taiwan with her husband, who was in the military, and their family.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, George Talios; one son, Nicholas Talios of Annapolis; one daughter, Alexandra Stetler of St. Mary's, Ga.; one brother, George Stathopoulos of Silver Spring; three sisters, Betty Christ of Alameda, Calif., Thelma Yeonas of McLean, Va., and Pauline Ellis of St. Louis, Mo.; and four grandchildren.

Family and friends may visit from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater.

Funeral services will be held at noon Jan. 4 at St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road.

Interment will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 4 in Arlington National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.

Minerva Taylor

Minerva Virginia Taylor, 86, a resident of Annapolis all her life, died of respiratory failure Dec. 26 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Ms. Taylor was born Sept. 23, 1921, in Annapolis, and graduated from Wiley H. Bates High School.

She worked for the county as a data processing clerk.

Ms. Taylor was a member of Asbury Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, a Bible study group, and the Alter Guild.

She enjoyed reading her Bible, spending time with her family, watching the Redskins play, traveling, and word puzzles.

She was preceded in death by one son, Robert Taylor; and one daughter, Patricia Taylor.

Survivors include five sons, Harold Taylor, Gregory and Clyde Green, and Andre Shabazz of Annapolis, and Ralph Green of Upper Marlboro; and one daughter, Anne Green of Bowie.

Family and friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Reese and Sons Mortuary, 821 West St.

A Christian wake will begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West St., where a funeral will follow at 11 a.m.

Interment will be in Bestgate Memorial Park.

Jerry Wilson

Jerry Leo Wilson, 80, a resident of Gambrills for 34 years, died Dec. 25 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

Mr. Wilson was born June 25, 1927, in South Carolina to the late Henry E. and Bertha L. Wilson.

He worked at Safeway for 35 years.

Mr. Wilson was a Mason, and a member of Odenton Lodge 209. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, and the Scottish Rite. He was also a member of the American Legion.

He enjoyed bowling, working in the yard, gardening, and playing solitaire.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Henry E. and Jerry L. Wilson Jr.; four brothers, Charles T. Wilson, James A. Wilson Sr., Henry E. Wilson Jr., and Thomas E. Meachum; and two sisters, Helen Dozier and Mary E. Doyle.

Survivors include his wife, whom he married in 1947, Charlotte M. Wilson; one daughter, Judy Wilson of Gambrills; and one sister, Joeann Sawyer of Virginia Beach, Va.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Donaldson Funeral Home and Crematory, 1411 Annapolis Road in Odenton.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Interment is in Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood.