Michael Warren Cowles
BERLIN — Michael Warren Cowles, 57, of Berlin, passed away on Dec. 23, 2012. He was surrounded by his family and friends.
Michael was born on Feb. 2, 1955 in Washington, D.C. Michael was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He enjoyed his job and in his own words loved "helping others to find hope, sometimes joy, and glimpse at what is possible." He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University in 1997 and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County in 2000.
From 2000-2011, Michael served as a social worker at MedStar Montgomery General Medical Center in Olney, Md. Most recently, he served as a therapist at Go Getters in Salisbury. Michael married the love of his life, Gale, on Sept. 26, 2010 in Ocean City.
Michael is survived by his wife, Gale Cowles; his mother, June Herrity Cowles; and his six sisters, Nancy Smith, Judy Sturm, Cathy Boyce, Margie Hamner, Ruth Soisson and Karen Pullen. He also is survived by seven brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-laws, 16 nieces and nephews, four great nieces and nephews as well as many friends and his most beloved dog Shelby and cat Trickster. He is predeceased by his father Fred D. Cowles.
Michael loved living near the ocean and watching sunsets with his wife Gale. He loved to kayak, body surf, and drive his jeep and surf fish on Assateague Island. Michael had a great sense of humor and loved to play jokes on his family and friends. Michael’s favorite saying was "Life is Good." We will all miss him in this life.
The family will hold a memorial service on Jan. 27, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Garrett Park Town Hall, 10814 Kenilworth Avenue, Garrett Park, Md. 20896.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for a bench in Michael’s name on the Ocean City Boardwalk: Michael Cowles Memorial Fund, Sun Trust Bank, 5702 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842.
Mary D. Zentgraf
CRISFIELD — Mary D. Zentgraf, 78, died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 at Alice B Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield.
Born in Newville, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Walter Knaube and Pearl Nace Knaube.
Ms. Zentgraf owned and operated “A Woman’s Touch Cleaning Service” for many years in the Baltimore area. After re-locating to Ocean City, she opened “Rainbow Learning Center” where she provided loving care and education to many children throughout the years. Her favorite things were spending time with family, flowers and gardening, and living in Ocean City.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Robert F. Zentgraf Sr, in 2003; a brother, Vincent Knaube; and a sister, Janet Kruger.
She is survived by her three children, Donna Nefferdorf and her husband, Bob of Marion, Robert Zentgraf Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Glen Burnie, and Lori Simon of Ocean City; eight grandchildren, Heather Brooks and her husband, John, April Saathoff, Robert Zentgraf III, Justin Zentgraf, Logan Zentgraf, Amber Markov, Bryan Simon and his wife, Stacey, and Bethany Simon; five great grandchildren, Annika Saathoff, Savanna Brooks, Avery Simon, Chloe Simon and Brynn Simon. She is also survived by two sisters, Ardella Gray and Yvonne Ruff, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Berlin First Baptist at 613 William Street in Berlin Md. 21811.
Thelma H. Quillen
BERLIN — Thelma H. Quillen, age 95, of Berlin, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. She was born in Salisbury and was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Katie (Truitt) Hickman.
She had been a seamstress for the former Rombro Brothers Shirt Factory in Willards and the Powellville Shirt Factory for many years.
She is survived by three sons, David A. Quillen and his wife Doris of Ocean City, Michael W. Quillen of Ocean Pines and Richard T. Quillen and his companion Tammy of Bishopville; a daughter, Brenda J. Colegrove and her husband Dale of Salisbury; three grandchildren, Dawn Spencer, Chris Hall and Ryan Hardesty; three step-grandchildren, Shana Jones, Meggan Driscoll and Aaron Colegrove; nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Monday at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville. Burial was in Sunset Memorial Park in Berlin.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hastingsfuneralhome.net
Donald C. Risso
BISHOPVILLE — Donald C. Risso, age 74, of Bishopville and formerly of Baltimore, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 at Salisbury Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Salisbury.
He was born in Baltimore and was the son of the late Angelo and Anna Stalionis Risso.
He had been an inspector with NASA Logistics and was a member of Ocean City Elks #2645, American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City and Ocean City Parrot Head Club. He was also an avid golfer.
He is survived by his wife, Linda W. Risso of Bishopville; devoted friends, Charles and Sharon Marble of Ocean Pines; a sister, Bernice Remond of Calabash, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Ronald J. Walter of Ocean View; a brother-in-law, Ronald B. Ahrens of Huntington Beach, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Diane L. Leitch of Lewes; and 17 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerome P. Risso.Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2002 Clipper Park Rd., Suite 110, Baltimore, Md. 21211, Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave., Ocean City, Md. 21842 or Ocean City Parrot Head Club, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 5067, Ocean City, Md. 21842.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hastingsfuneralhome.net
Mary C. Blackwell
SELBYVILLE — Mary C. Blackwell, aged 85 passed away on Jan. 1, 2013.
She was a seamstress in the town of Selbyville, Del. for 40 years. She was born in Canton, Ohio in on Feb. 27, 1938.
She and her late husband Linwood Blackwell helped open and run the Ocean City airport. She is survived by a brother, Larry Motter of Ocean City; three daughters, Catherine Hearne, Pittsville, Md., Evelyn Andrews, Elkton, Md. and Kathleen Liller, Delmar, Del. She had eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was famous for her banana nut cake and her generosity She will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park on Friday Jan. 4, 2013 at 1 p.m.
Donations may be made to Mary Catherine Blackwell Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of Ocean City, 627 William Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.
Arrangements by Burbage Funeral Home.
Suzanne L.B. Haslam
OCEAN CITY — Suzanne Lynn Brenner Haslam, age 62, of Ocean City, passed away on Monday, Dec. 24 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
"Sue" is the daughter of Col. Robert N. Brenner, Jr, USA, Ret. of Berlin and Patricia Z. Brenner of Ocean City. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Rob) N. Brenner, III; a sister-in-law, Kimberley A. Brenner; and her niece, Summer J. Brenner; and her faithful canine companion, "BB".
Sue was born in Williamsport, Pa. Prior to moving to Worcester County over 30 years ago, Sue resided in Baltimore County. She graduated from Dulaney High School, and Catonsville Community College. She spent several years in corporate marketing, prior to opening, and operating a retail business, One Plus One, in Cockeysville.
She owned and operated her own business, Haslam Resort Realty and was its broker. In addition to marketing real estate, managing condominiums for condominium associations and rental properties, Sue was an Associate Broker with Prudential/Penfed Realty.
Her energy, enthusiasm, leadership, community activism and her commitment to excellence led to many recognitions, including being named Coastal Association of Realtors’ Realtor of the Year. She was a past president of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and served on their Board for a number of years. She maintained membership and active participation in a great many professional and civic organizations including Coastal Association of Realtors and Greater Ocean City Association of Realtors for over 20 years, including serving on their boards and chairing many of their committees.
Sue’s zest for life, and desire to contribute to making the world a better place saw her devoting her time, her energy and volunteerism to family, friends and her community. Yet, she managed her time so as to pursue her love of learning and self- improvement, swimming, horseback riding, vintage collectibles, and the adventure of traveling.
God blessed this Girl Scout with many gifts and talents, among which was her positive attitude, her kind and generous nature, which through word and deed, set an example for all.
A memorable service is planned for Feb. 16. Details to follow.
At Sue’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Worcester County Humane Society, PO Box 48, Berlin, Md. 21842.
Arrangements were in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
Delores “Dea” Green
OCEAN CITY — Delores "Dea" Green, age 61, died peacefully at her home on Monday Dec. 31, 2012 surrounded by family.
Born in Washington D.C., she was the daughter of the late Jack and Dorothy Wert. She is survived by her beloved husband, Doug Green of Princess Anne.
Dea was a graduate of the Academy of Holy Names, Silver Spring, Md., class of 1969. She graduated magna cum laude from Salisbury University with a degree in accounting. She worked for over 30 years at Faw, Casson & Co.-Ocean City, as a CPA, becoming a partner with them in 1995.
Dea’s passions in life were family, her town of Ocean City, and traveling abroad where she just fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to Italy. Her positive outlook on life was contagious to all who knew her. To her the glass was always half-full.
Along with her husband, Dea is survived by her son, Chad Vent, and his wife Angel of Ocean City, and two grandchildren, Gavin and Summer; four brothers, Wesley Wert and his wife Angela, Michael Wert and his wife Michele, Matthew Wert and his wife Amy and Ted Wert and his wife Scarlet; three sisters; Patrice Bryant and her husband Rick, Jackie Petersen and Laura Vance, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, John Wert, in 1998.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, Jan. 5 at noon at St. Luke Catholic Church in Ocean City. Friends may call at 10:30 a.m. to noon at the church. Interment will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in Princess Anne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org)or Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org). Arrangements are being handled by Hinman Funeral Home in Princess Anne.