Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

A complete obituary will be posted here soon. 

Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the Memories tab located on the left side of this page.

A full obituary will be posted here soon.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

Arrangements for Sandy are all private.  Online condolences and tributes may be made by using the memories link on this page. 

Pristita Cabigon Espeleta, age 86, of Fort Washington, MD, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. 

She was born in Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines, the eldest daughter of the late Rogue Cabigon and Felipa Bajit.  She married Avelino Deleon Espeleta in 1958 and emigrated to the United States in mid 1960’s.  Pristita lived in Key West, Florida, Newport, Rhode Island and Washington D.C. before settling in Fort Washington, MD. 

Pristita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, known for her commitment to her family and making her grandchildren and great-grandchildren laugh.  She was an avid gardener, feeding her family with the vegetables she grew and sharing the flowers she lovingly tended.  Her family was her greatest joy and constant purpose.   She retired from the Bolling Air Force Base Exchange as a Department Supervisor and spent her time sewing and cooking for family and friends.  She also enjoyed fishing and crabbing and stated the best fish were caught in the middle of the night.

Pristita is survived by Avelino, her loving husband of 68 years.  She is also survived by her three children, Yolanda Maletto (Robert), Glenn Espeleta (Agnes) and Vivian Gates (Kevin).  She leaves behind her grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer, Kristin, Rachel, Ryan, Jonathan, Dominic, Brendan and Alyssa and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Xavier, Sloane, Roen, Elio, Cooper and Brody. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Pristita's Life Celebration on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 10 A.M. at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Please check back periodically for updated information. 

May we remember Pristita in the ways she would have liked best – by planting something new and by feeding whoever comes to our doors. 

Robert M. Fouts, formerly of Crofton, Maryland, died on June 29, 2026, at the age of 91.  Born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Bob was the only child of the late Ruby and Harbin Fouts.  He served in the Air Force for four years in Texas and Japan, and later attended Tri-State College.  He began his career in radio at a small radio station in Radcliff, Kentucky.  Bob and his late wife, Kay, moved to Maryland in 1967, so Bob could work at the Voice of America in Washington, D.C., as a studio engineer and supervisor for thirty years.  His wife, Patricia Kay, predeceased him in 2023.  He is survived by his three children, Susan Ardoin (David), of Frederica, Delaware, Steven Fouts (Cora) of West River, Maryland, and James Fouts (Genia) of Stafford, Virginia.  Bob is also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one nephew; and a multitude of friends in Crofton and at Brightview Senior Living in Edgewater, where he lived for the past two years.  Bob and Kay were very active in the First Baptist Church of Crofton, having been founding members there in 1967.  Bob was easy to spot standing at six-four and always had a smile and a positive anecdote on hand.  Over the many years at FBC, he taught Sunday school, was on the finance committee, was a deacon, worked the audio equipment on Sunday mornings, and was on the pastor selection committee for two of the four pastors at FBC.  He did not care for sports, but sat through many a soccer or baseball game and dance and piano recitals, all for his children and grandchildren of which he was very proud.  We learned so much from him:  starting with how to shake hands, how to change a tire and check the oil, how to balance a checkbook, how to apologize with meaning, and many, many other life skills that are ingrained in our daily lives.  He loved meeting people and getting to know them.  
A small service at Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery in Crownsville will be planned for the family later this summer.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Baptist Church of Crofton (1690 Crofton Parkway, Crofton, Maryland, 21114) in his honor. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

Ruth Evaline Liechty entered into the arms of her Lord on Sunday, June 28, 2026, surrounded by her children.

Born on March 18, 1936, in Honey Brook, PA, to the late Omar and Mary Fischer Zook, she grew up on a farm in Oley, PA, near Philadelphia. The oldest of eight children, she was followed in age by the late Harold Zook, Lloyd (Ruth Anne), Mervin (Lois), Fern, Ken (Shirley), Omar (Evie), and Donald (Robin).

In her twenties, Ruth worked for the Mennonite Central Committee as a travel agent with Mennonite Travel Services. In 1962, while traveling, she met the late Reuben Laverne Liechty of Leo, IN. They were married on February 9, 1963, in Reading, PA.

For fifty years, they resided on a farm in Leo, IN, where Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, and active member of the community.

She is survived by three children, Gene (Kimberly) Liechty of Raleigh, NC, Elizabeth Liechty of Annapolis, MD, and Trish (Chadwick) Watson of Severna Park, MD; eight grandchildren, Adelaide (Louis) Ciuffetelli, Chandler (Erin) Watson, Grahm (Julianna) Watson, Grace (Danny) Metzger, Gabrielle (Nicholas) Manis, Carter Liechty, Silas Liechty, engaged to Mackenzie Hoey, and Ian Liechty; and six great-grandchildren, James Watson, Haven Manis, Millie Watson, Rose Metzger, Nicholas Manis, and John Watson.

A celebration of life will be held on July 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Cornerstone Community Church, 15419 State Road 1, Leo, IN 46765.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a gift to one of the following charities: the <a href="https://mcc.org/get-involved/giving/designations/give-where-its-needed-most" target="_blank">Mennonite Central Committee</a>, 21 S. 12th Street, Akron, PA 17501; <a href=
https://underwaterhypoxicblackout.org/donate/" target="_blank">Underwater Hypoxic Blackout Prevention</a>, Attn: Isabelle Trogdon, 5125 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092; or <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/" target="_blank">Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation</a>, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.

Please take a moment to leave a condolence for the family by visiting the Memories link on this page.

Linda Smith, beloved Mother and Grandmother, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, June 26th.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Linda's life on Friday, July 3, from 10:00 a.m. until her funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 4012 Birdsville Road, Davidsonville. Interment will immediately follow the service at Saint James Parish Cemetery, 5757 Solomon’s Island Road, Lothian.

A celebration luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall at Grace Presbyterian Church following the interment.

John Townsend Cornelius, 98, a former resident of Galesville, MD, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Bowie, MD. John was born on February 25, 1928, in West Chester, PA to the late Samuel and Miriam Keeler Cornelius. He spent his teenage years living in Washington, DC, attending McKinley Tech High School before moving onto Cornell University. In 1950, he became a State Farm Insurance agent where he worked tirelessly for 50 years and truly captured the definition of a “good neighbor.”

John was a resident of Cheverly, MD from 1954 to 1988 where he and his wife, Bettie, raised their five children. Once they became empty nesters, they moved to Galesville, MD where they resided for 27 years enjoying their time by the water and hosting family and friends for dinners and parties.

Outside of work and relaxing by the water, John loved to travel, spend time with his family and friends, and was a fan of the Washington Redskins, where he held season tickets for over 40 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, delivered meals to needy seniors for Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the Potomac River Jazz Club where he enjoyed live jazz and Dixieland music.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Elizabeth “Bettie” Cornelius; his son, Edward; his grandson, Torey John; and his granddaughter, Tasha Fanska. He is survived by his children, Robert Cornelius of Wheatland, WY, Charles (Regina) Cornelius of Severna Park, MD, Susan Cornelius of Stevensville, MD, and Nancy (Gregory) Lerch of Crofton, MD; his grandsons, Christian, Scott, Thomas, and Jacob; his granddaughters, Sarah, Suzanne, Kerry, and Bethany; as well as 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 101 Owensville Rd., West River, MD on July 2, 2026 from 10-11:00 AM prior to a Funeral Mass which will be offered at 11 AM. Interment will follow onsite at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Cemetery. All are invited to celebrate John’s life in the church hall immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to S.O.M.E. (So Others May Eat) and/or Meals on Wheels. S.O.M.E., 71 O Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 or, online at <a href="https://some.org/">SOME.ORG.</a> Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Attn: Development Office, 515 South Haven St., Baltimore, MD 21224 or, online at <a href=https://action.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/a/mowa-donation-form?ms=ads_gs_search202504_b&source=ads_gs_search202504_b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20508298452&gbraid=0AAAAApqln3NKp35p9U1WNt1BgygbUFd58&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4jSBhCSARIsAOX1E-KtE6pl1ord6Vpm8Ia_khGg_2GG9vt_ptRQDYpTmksSyVFkTqtjqcgaAmcEEALw_wcB">action.mealsonwheelsofamerica.org/donations.</a>

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

Lisa Marie Britton Bowers was born on April 19, 1966, in Annapolis, Maryland. Although Lisa lost her battle against cancer, by the grace of God, she won her war against death having passed peacefully into the eternal presence of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 24,2026.

Lisa loved Jesus and his word. She loved her family and friends. She was a homemaker, but operated a small business from home as a licensed herbalist. Lisa was an excellent cook. She loved exploring nature locally and on trips to West Virginia. She enjoyed crafts and was very creative. She was good at photography and took pictures of most anything and everything. Lisa loved to laugh and most any of George’s stories gave her opportunity. As for a get-away, she treasured the sandy beaches of Florida.

Lisa leaves behind, for a while, George, her beloved husband of 48 years. Also, her children, Savannah, 39, Joshua, 30, and Hannah, 22; as well as her four grandchildren, Sam, 19, Brooke, 17, Charlotte, 12, and Timmy, 8.

Lisa also leaves behind her mother, Dorothy; her brother, Brian; her mother-in-law, Shirley; a large extended family and many dear friends. Her father, Jim and brother, Aaron, preceded her in death.

It was Lisa’s wish she be cremated and her ashes spread among those of her beloved father and brother.

Lisa also specified she did not want a memorial service.

We, her family, truly thank and appreciate all who reached out with words, arms, and prayers of love which were a great support to her through her final days with us.


Laurence Kenmar Adams, Jr., 85, a 35 year resident of Annapolis and previously of Baltimore, died June 23, 2026 in Annapolis.  Born in Baltimore on August 1, 1940 to the late Laurence and Anita Mae Adams, he earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Maryland before embarking on a long career as a roofing estimator.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis, and in his spare time, he enjoyed reading, tennis, the Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terps sports.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather.

Laurence is survived by his significant other, Jean Lilly; his son, David (Stacey) Adams of Edgewater; his grandchildren, Nate and Nora Adams; and his sisters, Sandy Lynch of Sparks, MD and Debbie Kuhn of Ellicott City, MD.


Paul Jackman, 77, a 21-year resident of Harwood, Maryland, passed away on June 22, 2026 in Annapolis, Maryland after a 3-year illness. Born on November 10, 1948 to the late Thelma and William Jackman, Paul was a lifelong Marylander. He served in the United States Army and enjoyed his career as a self-employed handyman. Paul enjoyed spending time with and talking with his friends and family. He is survived by his brother, William Harwood, Jr. of Maryland; his sister, Patricia Daskowski of California; his niece, Patricia Carlisle, and his nephew, Ryan Carlisle.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Paul's life on Tuesday, July 28 at 1 pm at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD 21032.

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

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Celebrating the Life of...

Raymond Plotts

James Diehl

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Christy Thomas

Pristita Espeleta

Robert Fouts

Ruth Liechty

Linda Smith

John Cornelius

Lisa Bowers

Laurence Adams, Jr.

Paul Jackman

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