Archive for July, 2015

Dorothy Kathryn Pasqual (Age 83)

On Friday, July 3, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late Tony Pasqual; mother of John (Elaine) Pasqual, Ann Klingler, Michael Pasqual, Patricia (Philip) Sisson, Mary (Jeffrey) Boichot, Donna (Todd) Harker, Gina (Gerald) Krivda, Elizabeth (Glenn) Fookes, Christina Pasqual, Catherine (Christopher) Heffron and Jennifer (Jay) Brown; grandmother of Jeffrey, Michael (Marianne), Anthony, Erika (Rick), Lauren, Susanna, John, Megan, Matthew, Michael, Mason, Maddox, Kevin, Thomas, Justin, Kaelyn, James, Gina, Joseph, Daniel, Brandon, Haley and the late Christopher Klingler; great-grandmother of David, Christopher, Rebekah and Erik; sister of Charles (June) Susan, Darinka Rush, Olga Vozniak and the late Rose Moresco, William Susan and Margaret Jones. Relatives and friends may call at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 11801 Claridge Road, Wheaton, MD, 20902, Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine Laboure Church Memorial Fund.

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Owen Kulemeka

Owen Kulemeka, an assistant professor in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, died in his Norman, Oklahoma home on June 27 after being treated for a heat stroke earlier in the week.  He was 38.

Owen Kulemeka’s academic specialty was public relations and crisis communication.  In just four years at OU, he had become one of the most popular and admired professors on campus.  In his first year, Owen won Gaylord College’s JayMac Outstanding Teacher award, the only new professor to have ever been selected for the college’s highest teaching honor.  The following year, the Oklahoma Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected Owen for the Most Inspiring Faculty award.  In 2015, Owen was selected as one of the four inaugural Paul Risser Innovative Teaching Fellows, a program designed to help a select group of outstanding teachers on campus develop an innovative course.

Owen pursued scholarship in crisis management and was published in a variety of journals in that field.  In 2009, Owen was selected as the first recipient of the James & Larissa Grunig Research Fellowship given by the Institute for Public Relations that provided him an opportunity to lecture and do research all over the world.  Owen was active in international communication and had worked most recently with the University of Gujrat in Pakistan as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of State to upgrade the mass communication department at that university.

Owen Dekhani Kulemeka was born April 13, 1977, in Malosa, Malawi to Andrew Tilimbe Kulemeka and the late Sheila Dube.  He immigrated to the United States in 1989 to join his father who was a doctoral student at Indiana University in Bloomington. Owen received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Maryland at College Park and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.  While a student he interned at a variety of non-governmental organizations including UNICEF Indonesia, Amnesty International and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.  Before pursuing his doctorate, Owen had worked as a Research Analyst for Kearney and Company, a Public Affairs Writer for the American Insurance Association and a Research Analyst for Cassidy Government Relations, a subsidiary of Weber Shandwick Government Relations, all in Washington, D.C.

Owen is survived by his parents Drs. Andrew Kulemeka and Mary Ellen Scullen, two sisters Moyenda and Chikondi, all of College Park, Maryland and numerous relatives in the U.S. and Malawi.   Owen also considered his students and colleagues at the University as his extended family.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Camillus Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.  A visitation will be held at the Francis J. Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring on Thursday, July 9 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Gaylord College will hold a memorial service on the OU campus early in the fall semester.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Owen Kulemeka Memorial Scholarship fund in Gaylord College at the University of Oklahoma.  Checks should be made payable to the University of Oklahoma Foundation, P.O. Box 258856, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856.  Remembrance comments can be posted at the “Remembering Owen Kulemeka” public Facebook page.

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Gilbert A. Cole Jr. (Age 94)

Died on Saturday, July 4, 2015, at Aspenwood Senior Living Community. Mr. Cole was born November 2,1920 in the Brookland area of Washington, DC, to Gilbert A. and Hazel Altmann Cole. During WWII he served in North Africa and Hawaii with the Engineer Topographical Unit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After WWII he moved to Silver Spring, MD where he lived until his death. In 1963, he was hired on at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he eventually became Chief of the Reprographics Division.  He retired in January 1980. Mr. Cole was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Silver Spring, and the Father Rosensteel Council of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Jeanette Mund Cole; his brother Nelson A. Cole and his sister Mae W. Parsons. He is survived by his current wife of 14 years, Anna Lesniak Svrcek Cole; his children Stephen (Cynthia) Cole, Kathleen (Robert) LaCroix, Carrie (Mark) Kuhn, Paul (Mary) Cole and Julie (James) Novacek; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren (with # 4 due in August); and his step-children Sophie (Doug) Jordan, Martin (Deanna) Svrcek, Matthew Svrcek, Bernadette Svrcek (Keith) Stevens, Paul Svrcek and Mark Svrcek.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking) Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Historic Church, 9700 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the USO (uso.org/donate) or to a charity of your choice.

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Thomas J. Carolan, Jr. (Age 80)

On Friday, July 3, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Born in Washington, DC, he attended Georgetown Prep, Georgetown University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. A career U.S. diplomat, his overseas postings included Lebanon, Persian Gulf/Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey. Tom served as U.S. Consul General in Istanbul from 1988 to 1992 and retired in 1994 with rank of Minister-Counselor. He subsequently taught history and government at St. Alban’s School. Beloved husband of Marjo Carolan; father of Milou and Philip Carolan; brother of Mary Catherine Malia, Mary Elizabeth Jonsen and James Carolan. Also survived by four granddaughters. Mass of Christian Burial at Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Western Ave. at Quesada St., NW, Washington, DC on Friday, July 10, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to Tom’s Team 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at www.act.alz.org/goto/Carolan

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Judith Therese Holland (Age 75)

On Saturday, July 4, 2015, of Greenbelt, MD. Beloved sister of Maureen (Stephen) McCleary, G. Robert (Sue) Holland, and William G. (Marion) Holland. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church, 135 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD, Wednesday, July 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., where Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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Bessie “Arlene” Miller (Age 93)

On Sunday, July 5, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late John A. Miller; mother of Bruce (Bonnie) Miller, Karen (William) Collins and Craig Miller. Grandmother of Burt (Katie) Miller, Brad (Jaime) Collins and Tammy Russum. Also survived by 3 great-grandchildren. Sister of Mildred Doyle. Funeral Service at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 801 University Blvd, West, Silver Spring, MD, on Wednesday, July 8, at 10 AM. Interment Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Solid Ground Community Church, 113 E. 3rd St., Lewes, DE 19958.

Miguel Luna (Age 82)

On Wednesday, July 1, 2015, of Ellicott City, MD. Beloved husband of Isabel Luna; father of Maria Mercedes, Enriqueta Luna, Graciela Luna, Elsa Marina Luna, Jaime Luna, Ramon Luna, Alfonso Luna, and the late Miguel Luna II.; brother of Hector, Raul and Maria; grandfather of Corina, Arturito, Carla, Jessica, Jessenia, Jonathan, Tania, Cesar, Isabel, Luis, Chantal, Karina, Angel, and Christopher; great-grandfather of Jaimito, Cristobal, and Cassandra. Also survived by numerous family and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, July 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine Laboure, Veirs Mill & Claridge Roads, Wheaton, MD, on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 East Sunrise Drive,Tucson, AZ 85718-3208.

JOAN WALLER LEFFINGWELL

Of Silver Spring died at home, surrounded by her loving family, on June 28, 2015 following a brief illness. She was 80 years old. Joan was born and raised in the Northeast section of Washington DC and lived most of her adult life in Silver Spring, MD. She graduated from McKinley Tech High School and the Washington School for Secretaries. She spent many years in secretarial jobs with several law firms, churches and other professional organizations throughout the Washington area. She is survived by her husband of 54 years William E. Leffingwell and by her two children Wendy L. Wykoff and husband Scott, of Olney, and William Jr and wife Betsy, of Rockville. In addition she is survived by five beloved grandchildren, Christopher and William Wykoff and Sara, Emma and Marty Leffingwell. She is also survived by her best friend of 80 years Joanne Bier Kline. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made in Joan’s name to The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, 600 North Wolfe St. Baltimore, MD. 21287.

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Carmela Arcaro Plunkett (Age 90)

On Friday, July 3, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of Charles Plunkett, Jr.; mother of Charlie (Deb) Plunkett, Ralph “Rocco” Plunkett, Caryn (John) McIntyre, Mary (Fred) Calandra and Joanne (Dave) Sowers; grandmother of Jamie McIntyre, Julie (Cody) Smith, Justin McIntyre, Mandie Plunkett, Joseph McIntyre, Chuck (Becky) Plunkett, JP McIntyre, Al (KC) Sowers, Vicki Calandra, Jackie Sowers, Brad Calandra and Kevin Sowers; great-grandmother of Landon, Mallory and Charlotte Smith and Emma Plunkett; sister of Jennie Arcaro, Dorothy DeGiorgi, Eleanor Horner and Ralph “Buddy” Arcaro, Jr. Also survived by 33 nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Monday, from 7 to 9 p.m. and at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15661 Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD 20906 on Tuesday, July 7 from 10 to 11 a.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Grace Church.

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LaVONNE BLANCHE THADEN (Age 91)

On Sunday, June 28, 2015, of Shady Side, MD, formerly of Berwyn Heights, MD. Beloved wife of the late Malcolm V. Thaden; mother of Malcolm (Lorraine), James (Eileen), and the late Douglas Thaden; grandmother of Jimmy, Mark, Lisa, Bonnie, and Katie; great-grandmother of Tyler and Harper. Sister of Kay Keller, Algy Finke, and the late Doris Johnson, Donaleen Beyer, and Shirley Bush. Relatives and friends may call at St. Mary’s Historic Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD, Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 10:30 to 11 am where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association , 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 www.lung.org/donate or American Heart Association /American Stroke Association , Memorial & Tribute Processing Center, 4217 Park Place Ct, Glen Allen, VA 23060, donatenow.heart.org.

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ALFRED EISNER (Age 83)

On Wednesday, June 10, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of Toshiko Eisner. Also survived by a son, a daughter and two grandchildren. Graveside Service and Interment with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 9 a.m. (Please assemble at the Administration Building by 8:15 a.m.)

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Rev. JOHN R. CLARK (Age 54)

On Wednesday, July 1, 2015, a  Priest of the Archdiocese of Washington.  Beloved son of Linda and the late Sherwood Clark; brother of David Clark, Rebecca Clark, Douglas Clark, Paul Clark, Hope Benatabou and the late Michael Clark.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.  Relatives and friends may call at St. Patrick’s Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD on Thursday, July 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. with Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, Memorial & Tribute Processing Ctr., 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

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ARTHUR BASILIKO

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend went into the arms of Jesus on June 30, 2015. He was 86. Visitation will be held at Immanuel’s Church, 16819 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Monday, July 6, from 10 to 11 a.m.; where a celebration of his life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel’s Church – Mission Fund or YWAM – Tampa, C/O Sanborn, 34077 Eiler Blvd, Webster, FL 33597.

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CAROL HENTSCHEL MAC DONALD (Age 85)

On Friday, June 19, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late Robert Michael MacDonald; mother of  Shawn Victoria MacDonald (Randall Ehrbar), Drew Copeland (Marie Tham) MacDonald, and the late Scott Baruch MacDonald; grandmother of Kyle Copeland MacDonald, Tyler Early MacDonald, Thomas Andrew Myers, and Ruth Ellen MacDonald Ehrbar. Memorial service in the Cook Prayer Chapel at LaCanada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd., LaCanada, CA 91011, Saturday, August 1, at 2 p.m.

Cecelia Suphawan Khiao-on Potrepka (Age 18)

 On Saturday, June 27, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved daughter of Somsri Khiao-on and Pensri Chanhom and Daniel M. Potrepka and Paniporn Phiansunthon; sister of Nathaniel S. Potrepka and Stefan C.B. Potrepka;  granddaughter of  M. Gloria and the late Chester A. Potrepka and the late Suphot and Sawat Phiansunthon; goddaughter of  Paul R. Ravita and Katharine M. Ulgen; niece of Chester (Virginia) Potrepka, Eileen (Walter+) Gouveia, Judith (Roger) Van Steenbergen, Jonathan (Debra) Potrepka, Mary-Lee (David) Dube, Carole (Michael) Brailsford, Gloria (William) Greider, Sophie (Pakdee) Tanapura, Opamatoon (Roger) Gaillard, Suwathin Phiansunthon (Susan Miller); cousin of Amanda Gouveia (Keawe, KeKoa, Kona), Jessica (Benjamin) Arsenault, Christopher Van Steenbergen, William Greider, Gregory Potrepka, Jeffrey Van Steenbergen, Matthew Brailsford, Lauren Greider, Andrew Potrepka, Mary Van Steenbergen, Conner Brailsford, David Dube, Melissa Potrepka, Deanna Brailsford, Rachel Dube, Michael Greider, Noravidhya Tanapura, Clarisse Gaillard, Gilbert Gaillard, Erica Phiansunthon

Born at only 2.5 lbs, Cecelia spent her first nine months at Wachira Hospital, then spent her early childhood with her friends Ahnon and Yaso at Pakkred Babies Home in Bangkok, Thailand. Her big sister volunteer Pi Lek noticed that she spent much time crawling on the grass to fix her gaze on a traveling ant. At the zoo, she asked complex questions that most children her age would not think to ask, comparing details about various animals. She was fond of Buddhist temples, swimming pools, and department stores. Cecelia relished the back and forth motion of a swing. She was fascinated by geometric shapes. She had a memory like an elephant, clinging to any promises made.

As they got a little older, Ahnon and Yaso were adopted abroad. Cecelia aged out of the babies home and was sent to Baan Rachawithee where she met her best friends Tukta, Sah, and Joopjang. One by one, each of the four girls was transferred to Baan Rajawadee Ying, a care facility for girls with unique challenges. Cecelia lived there for five years until she was adopted by the Potrepka family in 2009. Pi Lek came to see her off, and sure enough, Cecelia reminded Pi Lek of a promise she had made more than five years before.

Together with her new brothers, she rode her bike, went swimming, built snow caves, played LEGOs, participated in her dad’s Knights of Columbus activities, regularly visited McDonogh where her mom worked and her older brother went to school, and traveled to meet her new relatives and close family friends. Cecelia attended school for the first time in her life, at Eastern Middle School. She retained her culture through visits to Wat Thai Washington DC and Thai Market. In 2011, she met up with Ahnon and Yaso at the biennial Thai Family Reunion in Chicago. Soon after, she proudly became an American Heritage Girl with Troop 1208. Due to her severely delayed education, she switched to Rock Terrace School in Rockville. As her challenges grew exceedingly difficult to overcome, Theresa Keeler LCSW shepherded the family through seeking help for her special needs. At Good Shepherd Services, through the tireless efforts of Eric Sindelar LCSW and the caring GSS staff she loved so dearly, Cecelia blossomed into a young woman who was finally ready to receive her First Holy Communion.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, July 5, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 72 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, MD, on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.  Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Services, 4100 Maple Ave., Halethorpe, MD 21227, www.gssmaryland.org. Online condolences and tributes may be emailed to: cskpotrepka@gmail.com