York Road

On November 5, 2007, MELBOURNE T.L. DOWNING, SR.; beloved husband of the late Dorthy E. Downing (nee Cook); devoted father of Melbourne T. L. Downing, Jr. and his wife Janet A. Downing, and Wesley E.F. Downing; dear brother of the late Rev. Frank A. Downing; loving grandfather of Deborah Downing and Patricia L. Downing. Also survived by five great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (Beltway Exit 26) on Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-9pm, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00am.

Landscape architect Roland Oehme's dream is modest: He wants to be able to bike from his home in West Towson to the center of the Baltimore County seat without risking his life. So far, it's easier said than done. On a recent bike ride into the heart of town, he said, he barely avoided a wreck on Bosley Avenue -- a "treacherous" mix of six lanes of cars whizzing past at 50 mph, impatient drivers and traffic lights that don't allow walkers or bikers enough time to cross. Over the past week, Oehme's cautionary tale mingled with concerns and suggestions from about 150 residents and business owners, spawning a series of recommendations that would make Towson more pedestrian- and bike-friendly -- and more attractive for shops and outdoor dining.

On September 21, 2007 Roberta Florence raecklein Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home Inc. 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26) on Monday and Tuesday from 3-5 & 7-9 PM where a Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

On September 6, 2007, ROSALIE MAE HOPPER. Beloved sister of the late Dorothy Wehren, Naomi Hopper, Florence Hopper, Morris Hopper, Jr., Shirley Krom, and Calvin Hopper. She is survived by many loving and devoted nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26A), Sunday, 2 to 5 P.M., where a funeral service will be held Monday at 11 A.M. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The family suggest memorial contributions in her name to St. Johns United Methodist Church, 216 W. Seminary Avenue.

On October 6, 2007, CARLE ELIZABETH GAINEY. On Thursday, friends may call at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services EAST, 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 2:00-8:00 P.M. On Friday, Mrs. Gainey will lie instate at Huber Memorial Church, 5701 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 10:30-11:00A.M. with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 433-7500.

On February 24, 2007 BURNIE BAXTER DOZIER, SR. loving husband of Blanche S. Dozier. On Thursday, friends may call at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services (East), 4905 York Road where the family will receive friends from 3:00-8:00 p.m. On Friday, services will be held at Huber Memorial Church, 5700 York Road where the family will receive friends from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. with services to follow. Inquiries to 410-433-7500.

On December 4, 2007, BERKLEY BRICE TONGUE. On Wednesday, friends may call Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 3-8 P.M. On Thursday, services will be held at Huber Memorial Church, 5701 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 10-10:30 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 433-7500.

On April 4, 2007, MARGARET ELIZABETH MEHRING; beloved daughter of the late Daisy Thompson Mehring and John H. Mehring; devoted aunt of Mary Louise Mehring and George C. Mehring, Jr. Friends may call at the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., 6500 York Road (at Overbrook), on Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 10 A.M. at the funeral home. Interment Baltimore Cemetery.

On June 9, 2007, WALTER MARKS GORDON, beloved husband of Doris M. Gordon, (nee Airaksinen) loving father of Stephen, Dennis, Donald, Jeffrey, Barry, Bradley Gordon and Julie Neal; dear grandfather of Christina, Lisa, Bradley Jr, Lorien, Allison, Beau, Carson, Paige, Ryder and Logan; dear brother of Jo Gordon Rudd, Robert Glenn Gordon and the late James Edward Gordon, Sallie Lee Holt and Mattie Sue Gordon. Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home Inc., 1050 York Road, (beltway exit 26 A)

On February 3, 2007, C. RICHARD Friends may call at the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, 6500 York Road (at Overbrook) on Wednesday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. A memorial service will be held Thursday, 1 P.M., at Towson Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Baltimore, 555 W.

George L. Gruebel, The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc., 10 West Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Sunday from 7 to 8 P.M. with Masonic rites service at 8:00 P.M. by the Mt. Moriah Lodge #116 with a funeral service to follow. Graveside services will be held on Monday, November 2nd, in the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests for memorial contributions to be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 43025, Baltimore, MD, 21236.

* Shawa Road from McCormick east to York Road, closed at 6 a.m. and reopened at noon. * York Road north of Ashland Road to McCormick, closed at 7:45 a.m. and reopened at 10 a.m. * York Road southbound at Shawan, closed at 7:30 a.m. and reopened at 10 a.m. * Beaver Dam Road eastbound at Ivy Hill, closed at 7:30 a.m. and reopened at noon. * McCormick Road between Shawan Road and Beaver Dam Road, closed at 7 a.m. and reopened at noon. * Gilroy Road between Beaver Dam Road and Shilling Circle, closed at 6 a.m. and reopened at noon.

* Shawan Road from McCormick east to York Road, closed at 6 a.m. and reopened at noon. * York Road north of Ashland Road to McCormick, closed at 7:45 a.m. and reopened at 10 a.m. * York Road southbound at Shawan, closed at 7:30 a.m. and reopened at 10 a.m. * Beaver Dam Road eastbound at Ivy Hill, closed at 7:30 a.m. and reopened at noon. * McCormick Road between Shawan Road and Beaver Dam Road, closed at 7 a.m. and reopened at noon. * Gilroy Road between Beaver Dam Road and Shilling Circle, closed at 6 a.m. and reopened at noon.

It was one week ago when my colleague, Baltimore Sun Business Editor Tim Wheatley, was killed in a crash with a United Parcel Service truck at the intersection of York and Corbett roads in northern Baltimore County. In an instant a vital, healthy man of 48 with a wife, three children and the deep respect of his professional colleagues became a statistic to be entered into a national database. The next day I traveled to that intersection to try to find what answers, if any, could be gleaned from visiting the site and driving the roads and putting myself in the position of Tim and the UPS driver as they approached the point of collision.

On October 4, 2009, HELEN SHOCK (nee Parangosky); beloved wife of John B. Shock, Jr.; devoted mother of Susan Johnson and her husband Richard. The family will receive friends at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26), on Thursday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 P.M., where a Memorial Service will be held Friday 3 P.M. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD, 21093

On October 5, 2009 C leo Evans Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26) on Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. at which time a Funeral Service will be held. Interment Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Cleo's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Drive, Baltimore, MD 21236. www.ruckfuneralhomes.com

On September 29, 2009 Rennert M. Smelser, Friends may call at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road (beltway exit 26) on Friday from 1 to 3 P.M. Service and interment private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Gilchrist Hospice Care, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, Md. 21031 or the charity of your choice.

On September 26, 2009, THEODORE LYLE BURESH, beloved husband of Stella Jo Buresh (nee Kelley); devoted father of David Lyle Buresh and his wife Carolyn, Sue Butler Italiano and her husband John, Scott Allen Buresh and his wife Peggy; dear grandfather of Megan, Abby and Emma Buresh, Stephen and Nicole Italiano, Maddie Katya, and Olivia Buresh. Friends may call at the family owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., 6500 York Road (at Overbrook) on Monday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM. Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3rd, 10 AM at Valley Baptist Church.

On September 12, 2009, DOROTHY ELAINE JOHNSON (nee Carroll). On Thursday, friends may call Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services (East), 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM. On Friday, Mrs. Johnson will lie in state at Govans Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 AM with services to follow. Inquiries to (410)433-7500.

On September 12, 2009, DOROTHY ELAINE JOHNSON. On Thursday, friends may call Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services (East), 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM. On Friday, Mrs. Johnson will lie in state at Govans Boundary Parish United Methodist Church, 5210 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 AM with services to follow. Inquiries to (410)433-7500.