Obituaries for July 31

Thursday's obituaries recognize: Betty Brown, George Franzak Sr. and Agnes Thompson

Betty Brown 

Betty Ruth Brown, 77, a resident of Crofton for 23 years, died of respiratory failure July 28 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Ms. Brown was born Sept. 18, 1930, in Fitzgerald, Ga.

She worked as a court reporter at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., then for the law firm of Hogan and Hartson for 32 years.

An avid gardener, she also loved her beach house.

Survivors include two daughters, Kelly Campion of Bowie and Karen Arnold; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Robert Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road in Bowie.

George Franzak Sr.

George Francis Franzak Sr., 80, of Heritage Harbour for 13 years, died July 29 in Annapolis.

Mr. Franzak was born Nov. 12, 1927, in Milwaukee, Wis., to the late Sophie and Joseph Franszczak. He attended the University of Wisconsin and Spencerian Business College.

He served in the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1951 and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, China Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal with Palm.

He worked for A. O. Smith Corp., and for the education and data centers at IBM Corp. from 1959 to 1984, when he retired to work as a travel agent and manager. He received the IBM Service Award.

Mr. Franzak won 33 gold, 32 silver and 14 bronze medals in shot put, javelin and swimming in the Maryland Senior Olympics.

A cub master and basketball coach, he also volunteered for Helping Hands, St. Joseph's Church, the Caring Network and the Smithsonian Postal Museum and was a member of the Marine Corps League, Annapolis Stamp and Fleet Reserve Clubs, Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

He enjoyed stamp collecting, gardening, woodworking and traveling. He was a fan of the Packers and the University of Maryland football and basketball teams.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Frances Anne Franzak; three sons, Scott Franzak of Mechanicsville, Joseph Franzak of Jefferson and George "Chip" Franzak of Damascus; three daughters, Dianne Jimmink and Joyce Cox of Bowie and Mary Ellen Howell of Mt. Airy; one brother, Leroy Franszczak of King, Wis.; one sister, Betty Heger of Milwaukee, Wis.; and 13 grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1800 Seton Drive in Crofton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228 or to Hospice of the Chesapeake 445 Defense Highway Annapolis, MD 21401.

Agnes Thompson

Agnes Theresa "Freda" Downs Thompson, 55, of Shady Side, died July 28 at Knollwood Manor Nursing Home in Millersville after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Thompson was born March 24, 1953, in Baltimore to Pauline Downs of Millersville and the late John Downs Sr. She graduated from Southern High School in Harwood.

She worked for Nationwide Insurance Co.

She enjoyed cooking, crabbing, gardening and riding her bicycle.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Tyrone Downs; and two sisters, Diane Gray and Geraldine Thomas.

Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Talmadge Thompson of Shady Side; two brothers, John Downs Jr. of Annapolis and Robert Downs of Millersville; and two sisters, Marlene Johnson of Millersville and Deborah Harris of Upper Marlboro.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 6234 Shady Side Road in Shady Side. Arrangements were by Jenkins Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, 158 West 29th St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.