Obituaries

Catherine Jean Brownlee

Catherine Jean (Fletcher) Brownlee, 74, passed quietly at home near Rehoboth Beach, DE, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her husband Don and daughters Julie and Dina were at her side.

“Jeanne” was born May 29, 1943 in Ripley, WV to the late Othal J. and Doris A. Fletcher. She was a 1961 graduate of Ravenswood High School, and received an Associate In Arts degree from Glenville State College in 1963. Jeanne and Don were married in Ravenswood’s United Methodist Church June 20, 1965.

Throughout her husband’s 20-year U.S. Air Force career, Jeanne was a devoted wife, mother, and active participant in military wives’ activities at assignments in North Dakota, Colorado, California, Maryland, and The Pentagon. More importantly, during Don’s two separate year-long remote tours away from the family, Jeanne embraced her full parenting role for their two daughters in his absence.

Jeanne also found time to pursue a 28-year career as a secretary in the Charles County, MD school system, where she retired in 2008 as the long-standing assistant to the principal at Malcolm Elementary School. She won numerous accolades for her contributions, including recognition for completing the comprehensive requirements for which Malcolm Elementary was awarded Blue Ribbon School status. She was chosen Outstanding Support Person of the Year by the Charles County Board of Education, and received numerous exemplary service and performance awards during her career. She was also President of “American Salute,” a nationally competitive youth percussion and majorette organization in Waldor f, MD, and was recognized by the Nation’s Capital Girl Scout Council for her support to Brownie Troop #1072.

Jeanne is survived by her husband of 52 years, Don; daughters: Julie (Jerry Bramer); Dina (Steven Thorne); brother, Jim Fletcher and family; and granddaughter, Kiersen Thorne.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 5, 3 p.m. at Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958, where friends may visit beginning at 2 p.m. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Catherine Brownlee to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 18947 John J. Williams Hwy., Suite 101, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Please sign Jeanne’s online guestbook at: parsellfuneralhomes.com

Peter Joseph Melvin

Peter Joseph Melvin, 73, of Waldorf, MD, died on July 13, 2017 at University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, MD.

He was born on March 12, 1944 in Seattle, Washington, to the late William Leopold and Virginia Melvin.

Peter was an Astrophysicist for The Naval Research Lab. He earned his PhD from the University of Illinois. He had a passion for woodworking, photography and 3D printing. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by one brother, William Melvin. He is survived by his companion, Lynn Townsend; daughter, Chloe Chudina (Sergey Chudin); step-son, Robert Dennis (Carma Shurley); four grandchildren: Arya Dennis, Nikita, Alexander and Ekaterina Chudin; one brother, Michael Melvin; and one sister, Judy Hebner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 19 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 8855 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco, MD 20677 at 10 a.m. with a gathering time beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s of Piscataway Catholic Cemetery, 13401 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20735.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield MA 01202 and/or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Online condolences may be made at: www.raymondfuneralservice.com

John S. Richardson Sr.

February 28, 1928 ~ July, 4, 2017 John S. Richardson Sr., preceded in death by his wife, Ellen C. Richardson. Survived by son, John S. Richardson Jr.; daughter, Darla Ann Richardson-Schiazzi; grandchildren: Bianca, Carly Ann, Colin, Darren, Lauren, Margeaux, Tracie; 13 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren

Service at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11 a.m. on August 9, 2017.

Joseph “Harvey” Edelen

Joseph “Harvey” Edelen (owner of Edelen Marine Construction, Inc.), 67, of Newburg, MD, died July 14, 2017. Husband of Ruth Edelen; father of Chris, Michelle (David), Nicole (Russell), and Raheem; and grandfather of three.

Friends received on Wednesday, July 19, from 9 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Interment to follow in church cemetery. Memorials to Cobb Island Rescue Squad or Newburg Rescue Squad.

A guestbook is available online at: www.raymondfuneralservice.com

Celestine Mary Fowler

Celestine Mary Fowler, 93, passed on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 of Washington, DC, Celestine was called to be with the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one daughter. She is survived by 12 daughters; three sons; one sister; one brother; 56 grandchildren; 125 great-grandchildren; 32 great-great grandchildren; four God children; as well as a host of relatives and friends.

On Thursday, July 20, family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. until time of Mass 11 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avita Catholic Church, 1244 V St., SE, Washington, DC 20020. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1300 Bladensburg Road, NE, Washington, DC.

Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Service, P.A, White Plains, MD.

Iyla Rae Doukas

Iyla Rae Doukas was born on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 10:12 p.m. in Clinton, MD. She weighed 6 lbs. and 12 oz. She became her Mommy’s forever angel just a few short days later on Monday, July 10, 12:15 p.m. at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.

Iyla Rae was survived by a large loving family including her mother, Catori Doukas; grandparents: Tina and James Doukas of Charlotte Hall, MD; Marvin Austin of West Virginia; proud uncle, Jimmy Doukas of Charlotte Hall; great grandparents Samuel and Patricia Hart of Krebs, OK and Dottie Doukas-Cooper and Norman Cooper of Culpepper, VA.

Friends will be received for a memorial service on Friday, July 21st from 4 to 6 p.m. with prayers at 5 p.m. at the Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., 5635 Washington Ave., La Plata, MD 20646.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Iyla Rae’s name to Children’s Hospital Center in Washington, DC.