We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Thelma F. Smith

FROSTBURG, Md. – Thelma F. Smith, 85, formerly of Ocean Pines, passed away, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007 at the WMHS-Frostburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Frostburg.

Born Aug. 26, 1922, in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late James W. and Adelaide R. (Miller) Crismer.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Conrad A. Smith, in 1990 and her sister, Adelaide C. Harner.

Smith was retired from the Baltimore County Bureau of Land Acquisition.  She was a member of the Holy Savior Parrish in Ocean City where she was a volunteer and she was the president of Ocean Pines Pinochle Club and was a member of the Red Hat’s Society.  She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and she was a volunteer with the Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Surviving are her daughter, M. Kathryn Burkey and husband John of Cumberland; niece, Teresa Leppo and husband Wayne and their children of  Hampstead; and nephews, Thomas J. Harner and wife Teresa and their children of Baltimore and Timothy P. Harner of Baltimore.

Services were held.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the WMHS-Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 539, Cumberland, Md. 21502.

Elizabeth M. Gerlach

BERLIN – On Aug. 25, 2007, Elizabeth “Betty” M. Gerlach passed away.

She was the devoted wife of the late Donald Gerlach and beloved mother pf Donna Meukum and her husband Paul, Cynthia Cheneworth and her husband Larry, and the late Brian and Mark Gerlach. She was the loving daughter of Thelma Gatewood and the late William Gatewood; dear sister of Beverly D’Ascenzo; and loving mom-mom of Trisha, Bobby, Lauren, Jennifer and Reid.

She formerly lived in Mystic Harbour after retiring from the phone company. She was employed at Atlantic General Hospital. She was one of the original majorettes with the Baltimore Colts Band.

A memorial service will be in Ocean City at a later date.

Catherine L. Rogers

BISHOPVILLE – Catherine “Kate” L. Rogers, 79, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007 at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del.

Born in Whaleyville, she was the daughter of the late Grover C. and Daisey Evans Littleton. She is survived by her son and his wife, George E. Littleton and Erma; daughters, Sandra L. Mitchell and her husband Randall of Frankford, Del. and Janet L. Blackburn and her husband Eddie of Millsboro, Del.; and brother, Joe Jerome Littleton of Millsboro, Del. She is also survived by three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.

Bruce L. Grant

BERLIN – On Sept. 2, Bruce L. Grant, loving son of Dolores "Dee" C. Grant (Nee Evans) and the late Melvin "Mel" Leo Grant, Sr., died.

He was the brother of: Melvin "Lee" Grant, Jr.

Funeral services were held.

Ginger Lorane Carter

SALISBURY – Ginger Lorane Carter, age 74, died on Friday, Aug. 24, 2007 of renal failure at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years Jim of Ocean Pines; three sons, Nick and his wife Carol of Valencia, Calif., Michael and his wife Diana of Ashburn, Va. and James, Jr. of West Palm Beach, Fla.; one daughter, Lee Ann Jones and her husband Howard of Wimbledon, England; and 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at Vienna Baptist Church, Marshall and Ware Street, Vienna, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation, 113 West Main St., Salisbury, Md. 21801. Arrangements are by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.delmarvaobits.com.

Karl V. Esmark

BERLIN – Karl Volquardsen Esmark died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Trenton, N.J. on April 4, 1922, he was a graduate of Trenton Central High School, Rider College, Trenton State University, and Columbia University Teachers College.

Esmark was a veteran of WWII, serving part of his time aboard the USS minesweeper "Sylvester" off the Atlantic coast. When he left the Army, he held the rank of sergeant, having spent a total of five years and 19 days in the military.

His life was devoted to his country, family, education and the church. For many years, he served in various communities as a teacher and school principal for 32 years. He also helped organize various educational associations for school administrators. He was the church school administrator for many years at the First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, N.J. At Faith Chapel in Libertytown, Md., he was an adult Sunday School teacher, pianist and Elder.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Emma. He was the devoted father of three sons, Keith Jacob Esmark, Kenneth Alan Esmark and his wife Lois, and Rev. Dr. Karl Reed Esmark and his wife Elizabeth. Grandchildren include Eric and his wife Nina, Karla, Aaron, Carol, and Katie Esmark, and step-grandchildren Jeff, Rich, and Capt. Valerie Rarick and great grandson Parker Alan.

A funeral service was held at the Faith Chapel in Libertytown. Friends are invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Faith Chapel, The Salisbury Zoo, or the Showell Volunteer Fire Department. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.delmarvaobits.com.