Wife

Taking the witness stand to defend himself against charges of abuse and murder in the death of his young son, John J. Griffin said yesterday he had been too busy with work to notice the boy's worsening condition, and that he had not seen any wounds on the child before taking him to the hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead. In the two months preceding the death of Andrew Griffin on Dec. 26, 2007, when he was almost 3 years old, his father said he was so consumed with his job as a computer systems engineer that he sometimes worked 18-hour stints and, leaving home early and returning late, would often not see Andrew for days at a time.

An elderly driver and his wife were rescued from their burning car after the man's improper lane change in trying to exit the Baltimore Beltway led to a fiery crash with two tractor-trailers that closed the highway for hours yesterday, state police said. The driver, 82-year-old William Rush, and his wife were rescued from their burning 2001 Cadillac by an off-duty Baltimore firefighter and an unknown bystander, authorities said. Rush stopped on the outer loop of the Beltway near the Reisterstown Road exit about 10 a.m.; then, while trying to cross lanes to leave the interstate, he drove into the path of a tractor-trailer carrying 24 tons of agricultural lime, according to state police.

On July 3, 2007, IRVING GELLER, beloved husband of the late Dorothy Geller (nee Brody); beloved father of Kay Kenny and her husband John and Eleanor Ashman and her husband Fred; devoted grandfather of Adam Levitt and his wife Michelle, Eitan Ashman and his wife Leora, Yehoushua Ashman and his wife Lani and Yitzchak Ashman and his wife Shevy; loving great-grandfather of Carsyn Levitt, Aliza Sara, Adiel, Ariella and Aviad Ashman, Zahava, Atara and Tikvah...

A former city police officer and his wife were released under federal supervision yesterday after they were charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for filing false reports in connection with fraudulent insurance claims, said a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office. Michael B. Nelson, 26, surrendered to federal authorities yesterday, and his wife, Tierra Spencer Nelson, 23, was arrested at their home Wednesday, said Marcy Murphy, the spokeswoman. The couple, both of whom live in the 5100 block of The Alameda, are charged in indictments with submitting a false auto theft report and a false burglary report to their insurance company to receive at least $10,000 in insurance claims.

On December 19, 2007, MABEL L. KRATSAS (nee Cox); beloved wife of the late Louis Boblitz; devoted mother of Kathleen Jones, Mark Boblitz and his wife Susan and the late Gregory Boblitz; mother in law of Debbie Boblitz; dear sister of Virginia Connelly, Catherine Dobbs; loving grandmother of Melissa Boblitz. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. A Catholic Prayer Service will be held at the Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, 300 Mace Avenue on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Visiting hours on Friday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery.

On June 1, 2007, SHIRLEY MARY WAGNER, of Overlea; beloved wife of Charles Ebba Wagner, Sr., loving mother of Charles Wagner and wife Laura, Mark Keller and wife Angela, Lawrence Wagner and wife Ella, David Wagner and wife Debbie, John Wilson and wife Robin, Joe Roberts and wife Mary, Will Wagner and fiance Shannon; dear sister of Gloriajean Perrone and husband Bill, Lawrence Stickler and wife Lee; cherished grandmother of Stephanie, Jason, Rose, Drew,...

On May 20, 2007, beloved husband of Theresa Tomshack (nee heron), loving father of Cheryl Camp and her husband David, Steven Tomshack and his wife Janice, dear brother of Anthony Tomshack, Jr., his wife Darlene, devoted grandfather of Kiersten and Vanessa Tomshack. Friends may call at Gonce Funeral Service, P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-9 P.M A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 11 A.M. Interment will be Cedar Hill Cemetery.

On July 28, 2007, MICHAEL PASTELAK, (United States Army Air Corps Veteran and Music Educator for Harford County Schools) beloved husband of Doris Marie Pastelak (nee Miller) loving father of Michael Pastelak and wife Bonnie, Jean Prince and husband Tom, Andy Pastelak and wife Deborah, Barbara Sullivan and husband Dan, John Pastelak, Marianne Malloy and husband Harry, Nicholas Pastelak and wife Dianne; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; dear brother of Eugene Pastelak, Jeanette Sikora, and Ann Stettenbauer.

William Wayne Deterer, a once-avid hunter who turned into a wildlife advocate and co-founded a bird and animal rescue center with his wife, died of congestive heart failure Wednesday at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. The Hampstead resident was 73. Known as Wayne to his family and friends, Mr. Deterer was born in Baltimore and grew up in Highlandtown as one of three children of German immigrant parents. He graduated from Patterson Park High School. Mr. Deterer joined the Army after he graduated and was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, until he left the service.

Drama `I Am My Own Wife' at Olney Go see the 2004 Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama I Am My Own Wife, a play that rolls the issues of sex, politics and history into a story about a cross-dresser who lives among Nazis and Communists, at the Olney Theater Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. Shows are at 1:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $25-$41. Discounts are given to seniors and students. Information: 301-924-3400 or go to olneytheatre.org.

On November 8, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; son Vernon, Jr.; daughters, Lisa and Paula and six grandchildren. Interment at Florida National Cemetery.

Suddenly, on November 15, 2007, ROLAND L. FISH SR.; beloved husband of Cecelia M.; loving father of Roland L. Fish, Jr. and his wife Marie, Brian C. Fish and his wife Mary; cherished "Poppy" of David Fish and his wife Deanna, Brandon Fish and his wife Ashley; great-grandfather of David Jr., Athena, Dylan and Brandon Jr.; dear brother of Samuel Fish, Jr. Relatives and friends may call at the family owned AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1328 Sulphur Spring...

On November 6, 2009, ROLAND TALMADGE TALTON, JR., of Bel Air, MD. Devoted father of David Alan Talton and wife Kelly, Annette Talton Fisher and husband Jim, Jennifer Talton Rickey and husband Tim. Loving brother of Bonne Talton Duke, Patricia Talton Crim and Winifred Talton Roloson. Grandfather of James Fisher and wife Jennifer, Jeffrey Fisher, Suzanne Fisher, Jamie Rickey, Seth Rickey, Cassie Rickey, Eve Talton and Claudia Talton. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Beloved companion of Dr. Beverly Stump of Bel Air, MD. Predeceased by wife Hilda Leonard Talton, brother William Jesse Talton and sister Ann Talton Peitz.

On November 5, 2009, GERRY, beloved wife of the late John W. Jones; devoted mother of Larry W. Jones and wife Kate, and Deborah Danforth and husband Robert; grandmother of Jamie and Amanda Lord, Chelsea Hughes, and Jack Nelson; great-grandmother of Kahnen Hughes. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Gonce Funeral Service P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway on Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. Where services will be held on Monday at 12:30 PM. Interment Glen Haven Memorial Park.

On November 1, 2009, BERNICE, devoted wife of Willie Clark. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Thursday after 8:30 AM where the family will receive friends on Friday at 9 AM followed by funeral service at 9:30 AM.

On October 26, 2009, MILDRED BECK; devoted wife of Horace James Beck. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Wednesday after 8:30 AM, where the family will receive friends on Thursday at 11:30 AM. Funeral service will follow at 12 noon.

A man who police said was motivated by a dispute over his estranged wife walked into a direct-mail company Friday in eastern Baltimore County and fatally shot the owner, according to a colleague of the dead man who was a few feet away when the gunman opened fire. As employees fled through a side door, Dennis Leon McLaughlin, 45, walked out the building's main entrance, put the gun to his temple and fired, another witness said. McLaughlin was pronounced dead an hour later at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

, 73, died peacefully at home on October 16, 2009. He was the son of Norbert E Mason and Anna Marie Whalen Mason. He is survived by his wife Carole J. Mason; a son, Todd N. Mason and wife Jocqulyn; daughters Heather L. Vest and husband James; Stephanie A. Staehle and husband Jonathon; and six grandchildren; Karlie, Haley, Natalie, Mason, Todd, and Sophia. A service will be held at Community United Methodist Church, 8680 Fort Smallwood Rd. Pasadena, MD 21122 on November 7, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity in his memory.

On October 24, 2009, RONALD WAYNE SMITH, SR., retired Maryland State Trooper of Abingdon, MD. Beloved husband of Sharon Lee Roz-Smith; devoted father of Ronald Wayne Smith, Jr. and wife Dawn P. Smith; stepfather of Anthony Joseph Spinnato, Jr. and wife Louise J. Spinnato; loving brother of R. Blaine and wife Ella, Barry K. and wife Cathy, and Bruce A. Smith, and wife Kelly and Trudy J. Smith and husband Robert, Deborah L. Mitchell and husband Granville, Christine...

On October 21, 2009 WILLIAM F. FORSYTH, JR., beloved husband of Heidi Forsyth, devoted father of Jamie Forsyth and his wife Laurie and Joshua Forsyth and his wife Kristin, son of William F. Forsyth, Sr. and the late Muriel Forsyth, stepson of Lois Forsyth, loving brother of Mark Forsyth and his wife Kathryn, devoted stepfather of John McElwee and his wife Krissy and Jason McElwee. Devoted grandfather to Bradley Forsyth, Kendall McElwee and Jessica McElwee, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held November 1, 2009 2:00 P.M. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1306 Odenton Road, Odenton, Maryland 21113.