Category Archives: In Memoriam

John R. Horvat, Sr., Class of 1969, and Staff 1971-1984, died on Sunday 10/23, from an accident at Seneca Valley H.S., where he worked. Our condolences to the Horvats’ mom Phyllis, John’s wife, Beth Rogers Horvat (1974); and alum sisters Dona ’67, Susan ’71, and Jill ’78. For the Washington Post story, click here. Thank you to all who have been in touch with MSO about this since that Sunday morning. Mr. Horvat touched the lives of so many and will be missed.

Viewing was on Oct. 26 at Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring. The Memorial Service was Oct. 27 at Hughes Methodist Church in Wheaton, with interment at Parklawn Memorial Cemetery. John was buried with Full Fire Department Honors. The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. hosted a reception for family and friends immediately following internment at the Wheaton Moose Lodge. Doug Duncan released an official condolence at 1:38pm 10/24. John spent decades of service with the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Herbert Jones (1968), resident of Damascus, MD for 32 years, died Tuesday morning, September 28, 2004, the victim of a fatal vehicle accident in Gaithersburg, MD. There is a permanent notice and guest book available to leave the family a message. Thank you to Judy Warner Weixel (1984) for letting MSO know of this sad news.

Stephanie Rae Bowman Cowan (1975) passed away on August 19, 2004. There is a notice posted on the San Diego Union-Tribune website.

Thank you to Betty Lopez (1975) for tracking-down this sad news, with the help of Scott Crain (1974) and Joe Russell (1974).

Joe Melanson (1978) passed away on Sunday June 27, 2004. A memorial service was held for Joe on Saturday August 7th at St. Jude’s. You may contact the family via Gail Melanson Carr (1976), Beth Melanson (1979), and Jeanne Melanson Friedman (1979). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 309, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0309.

The online Post-Legacy notice/guest book was available until August 3rd. Our condolences to the Melansons. Thank you to Jim Cyr (1981) and Kristina Donnelly (1978) for letting MSO know, so we could inform all friends and classmates.

From the Melansons: “We thank all of the Peary alumni who came to the memorial service, and those who contacted us and kept our family in their thoughts and prayers. Your support and caring are appreciated more than we can express.”

Will Seng (1977) passed away the morning after Christmas 2003. Our deepest condolences to the Seng family. From the Sengs:

Captain Wilfrid L. Seng, III – Fairfax County Fire & Rescue (20 years)

“Will Seng – loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and great friend of all – passed away at 1:40 this morning, Friday, December 26, 2003. Born on July 5, 1959, Will was 44 years old. Kathy, Joe and Tommy were with him as he peacefully departed this world for heaven. Fighter that he was, Will survived cancer long enough to celebrate Joe’s 15th birthday on the 23rd, as well as Christmas at home. Please remember Will and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Will’s siblings include John (1975), Mike (Good Counsel), Laura Seng Knutsen (1978), and Mary (1979).

Wilfrid L. Seng III, 44, a Fairfax County firefighter who retired in 2003 as shift captain after 28 years as a professional and volunteer, died of pancreatic cancer Dec. 26, 2003, at home in Damascus.

Mr. Seng was born in Bethesda and lived in Maryland throughout his life. While the family lived in Rockville, he attended St. Jude Thaddeus School and graduated from Robert E. Peary High School in 1977. He earned an associate of arts degree in fire science from Montgomery College in 1980. He volunteered with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. He began his career as a firefighter with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in 1980, after graduating first in his recruitment class. He completed his service at Station 30 in Merrifield, Va., in June 2003.

He was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2068.

Mr. Seng and his family moved to Damascus in 1995 and belong to St. John Neumann parish in Gaithersburg.

Mr. Seng joined 12 fellow firefighters who traveled to Florida in 1992 to assist metropolitan Dade County firefighters in repairing damage caused to their homes by Hurricane Andrew. On Sept. 11, 2001, he led one of many rescue teams called to put out fires and aid in search and rescue following the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

Mr. Seng also worked part-time in exterior and interior home renovations, applying his skills as a carpenter, plumber and electrician. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed touring baseball parks throughout the country with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Kathy Cunningham Seng and their two sons, Joseph and Thomas Seng, all of Damascus; his parents, Joseph and Joyce Seng of Mount Airy; brothers John Seng and wife Christine of Rockville, and Mike Seng of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and sisters Laura Knutsen and husband Kris of Lewes, Del., and Mary Seng of Beltsville.

A memorial service was held Tuesday. A graveside inurnment service followed at All Souls Cemetery in Germantown.

Memorial gifts may be made to an education fund created for Mr. Seng’s children: The Seng Children Benefit Fund, c/o Sandy Spring Bank, 26250 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD 20872.

Funeral arrangements provided by Simple Tribute Funeral Service, Rockville.

Published in the Oklahoman on 5/18/2003.
Bonnie L. Ledford Stapp
August 2, 1949 – May 13, 2003

Bonnie L. (Ledford) Stapp, wife of Karl Stapp, passed away at the age of 53 on Tuesday, May 13, in Edmond. She was born August 2, 1949, in Washington, D.C., to Louise and Stanley Ledford. She was preceded in death by both her parents and her brother, William M. Ledford. Bonnie grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and graduated from Robert E. Peary High School in Rockville. She attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving her degree in Education in 1971. She was active in her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, as both an undergraduate and as an alumnae. She
earned her Masters Degree, summa Cum laude in Psychology in 1993 at the University of Central Oklahoma.

As a licensed professional counselor to abused children, she first worked at Family and Children in Tulsa. She later formed her own company, Transitions, Inc., in Oklahoma City in partnership with Elizabeth Ashton. Additional honors include being named a National Certified Counselor and being certified as a Criminal Justice Specialist. Bonnie is survived by her husband Karl and her three children: Quentin Lobb of Oklahoma City; Joshua Lobb of Portland, OR; and Mary Lobb of Oklahoma City, stepdaughter Sarah Stapp of Oklahoma City. Her family also includes nephews Stanley (and Suzanne) Ledford of Conroe, TX; John (and Kelley) Ledford of Dallas, TX; and niece Megan Ledford of Dallas., TX.

Services were held at the Putnam City Christian Church. Interment followed at the Rose Hill Burial Park. Memorials may be made to the Bonnie Ledford Stapp (Transitions, Inc.) Memorial Fund, c/o Lawyers for Children, Bank One Center, 100 N. Broadway, Suite 2250, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. This fund will benefit Indigent children in need of therapeutic care. Memorials can also be made to the Putnam City Christian Church Youth Fund, 4215 N. Grove, Oklahoma City, OK 73122. Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond was in charge of arrangements.

RONALD J. WORK
May 29, 1953 – August 8, 2002

Ronald J. Work of Bethesda, MD died at Montgomery Hospice Casey House in Rockville, MD. Beloved son of Joan F. Work and the late Barry Work. Brother of Karen Work Seleznow. Brother in law of Steven Seleznow. He is also survived by many, many friends.

The family received friends at Karen Work Seleznow’s (1974) home on Sunday 8/11/02.

There is a remembrance page where you may send a card, flowers, and view/sign the guestbook.

Memorial donations may be made in Ron’s name to the B-CC Rescue Squad, 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814

From Susan Cruzan Cohen (1970), 8/9/02: “[Ron] was an integral part of both the Class of ’70 website and Midnight Sun Online.  I certainly loved him as a friend and judging by the people there throughout the past several days, so did a lot of people.”

HINES, MICHAEL VINCENT

April 17, 1951 – April 6, 2002

Of Monrovia, MD was born in Ankara, Turkey and died at home Saturday, April 6, 2002 after a courageous bout with cancer. Lovingly survived by his wife, Joy E. Hines; daughter, Jennifer Hines Plaisance and husband Shawn; daughter, Hope E. Hancock; son, Heath K. Hancock and fiancee, Sherri Duffus; grandson, Keller J. Hancock; parents, Cdr. Edward C. Hines, Jr. USN (Ret.) and the late Virginia V. Hines, Dottie M. Winslow and the late Mr. Maywood Preston Winslow; sisters, Christy H. Jaap and Amy H. Whittington; brothers, Edward C. Hines III, W. Joseph Hines, Peter J. Hines, James E. Hines, and Stephen V. Hines, seven nieces, 13 nephews, and a host of friends especially Bill W. and co-workers. Michael loved God and the gifts of nature, the ocean, people, animals, snorkeling, biking, and golf. A memorial service will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at South End Baptist Church, 506 Carrollton Dr., Frederick, MD. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation or the Walter Payton Cancer Fund, 3150 Salt Lake Dr., Suite 118, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 or www.payton34.org. DAVIS FUNERAL HOME Smithsburg, MD is handling the arrangements.

This appeared in The Washington Post on 4/9/2002.

Additionally:

Brothers & sisters include Christy (Norfolk Catholic HS 1966), Ted (Norfolk Catholic HS 1967), Joe (Peary 1970), Pete (Rockville HS 1972), Jim (Magruder HS 1974), Amy (Magruder HS 1976), and Steve (Magruder HS 1978).  Services were held April 9th.  Below: Joe with Michael at Joe’s son’s birthday party in August 2001.  Joe is on the left, Michael to the right.

Obituary from The Frederick News Post, February 25, 2002

Mr. Byron Reed Jones, 55, of Walkersville, died Friday, Feb. 22, at Beverly Health Care, Frederick. Born Aug. 16, 1946, in Washington, he was a son of the late William Robert and Virginia Cox Jones. Mr. Jones was a security guard for Inter-Con, usually working in Gaithersburg and Kensington. Prior to the three years he worked for Inter-con, he worked for Allied Security for 15 years. He had served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. Surviving are one brother, William R.E. Jones of Walkersville; one sister, Nancy C. Jones of Frederick; one aunt, Dorothy Mae Robinett and husband Walter of Frederick; four nieces and nephews, Robin Decinti, Carol Marshall, Charles Jones and Renee Smith; and three cousins, Carlyne Raspberry, Debra Sparks and Karen Fink. Mr. Jones was preceded in death by a sister, Wilene C. Jones.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, until the time of funeral services at 10:30 a.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. The Rev. Albert K. Lane III, of Walkersville United Methodist Church, will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Jennifer Weddle, associate pastor. Interment will be in George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi.

Notes: Sister, Wilene Jones, mentioned in the obituary was in the Class of 1967.

Byron’s cousins included Sandy Stachio (1964) and Suzanne Stachio (1963).

Byron is #71 – Photo provided by Linda Kelly Atwell