Samuel H. Adams Jr. died Nov. 11, 2008, at Carroll Lutheran Village.

He was 84 and had been a Catonsville resident for more than 50 years.

The son of Samuel and Frieda (Wittstadt) Adams was born Jan. 22, 1924, in Baltimore.

Mr. Adams graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1942 and was an All Maryland Scholastic Association selection as a halfback on the football team.

The alumnus of the University of Maryland, College Park served in the Army Air Corps as a second lieutenant and a navigator from 1943-46.

Besides being a master general electrician, Mr. Adams directed plant operations at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Dundalk Community College.

He wrote two books on family genealogy.

Mr. Adams is remembered for dressing as Santa Claus in his neighborhood as well as at St. Mark Church and School and Hutzler's department store in Westview Mall.

Other hobbies included gardening, coin collecting and cheering for the Orioles.

June (Stengel) Adams, his wife of 54 years, preceded him in death, as did their children, Joseph and Mary, and his sister, Ruth Bell.

Listed as surviving relatives are eight children: Bruce Adams, with wife Melissa, of Salisbury; Carol Warner, of Ellicott City; Samuel "Butch" Adams, with Michelle, of Westminster; Patricia Cavey, with Anthony, of Woodlawn; Michael Adams, with Beverly, of Elkridge; Thomas Adams, with Sherry, of Bath, Maine; Nancy Hannon, with Kevin, of East Berlin, Pa., and Maryanne Holman, with William, of Taneytown.

Also, 25 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and siblings Charles Adams, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Lorraine Boyle, of Dundalk.

The Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home scheduled visitation hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in St. Mark Chapel.

Mr. Adams was buried in Baltimore National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093.

Mary Burleigh

Mary Burleigh, 79, died on Dec. 25, 2008.

The daughter of Henry and Clara (Hamilton) McCall was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1929.

Mrs. Burleigh and her husband founded Ridgeway Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center more than half a century ago. She worked there as assistant administrator.

More recently, Mrs. Burleigh resided at Glynn Taff Assisted Living, another family-managed facility.

John Burleigh Jr., her husband of nearly 60 years, preceded her in death, as did an infant daughter, Victoria.

Mrs. Burleigh is survived by her children, Marilyn, with spouse Charles Zion, of Pasadena; Susan, with John Murrow, of Catonsville; John, with Carol Burleigh, of White Marsh, and Brian, with Sondra Burleigh, of Westminster, plus granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica Burleigh.

She is also survived by a brother, John Ferrau, with Barbara, and their children.

The MacNabb Funeral Home assisted with final arrangements.

On Jan. 3, Mrs. Burleigh's life was celebrated at Catonsville United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the church at 6 Melvin Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228.

Joseph Ritz Sr.

Joseph Anthony Ritz Sr., of Owings Mills, died Dec. 2, 2008, in Franklin Square Hospital.

He was 86 and spent much time in Catonsville with his devoted companion, Olive Sauter.

The son of Frank and Helen Ritz was born Aug. 12, 1922, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Mr. Ritz served in the highly decorated 412th Thunderbolt-Fighter Squadron, 373rd Fighter Group of the 9th Army Air Force in Europe during World War II.

He owned and operated his own service station besides working as a mechanic for Montgomery Ward.

Mr. Ritz was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Owings Mills Post 521.

He also served as secretary-treasurer, along with holding other senior positions, of Teamsters Local 590 in Baltimore.

Mr. Ritz organized reunions for the 412th Fighter Squadron and the union's Retirees Club.

Irene Ritz preceded her husband in death in 1985.

Brothers Harry, Ed, Frank, Jerry and Jack Ritz, and sister Helen Davis, also preceded him in death.

Surviving relatives include sons and daughters-in-law Joe Jr. with Sue Ritz, of Emmitsburg; Fred with Joyce Ritz, of Spring Grove, Pa.; Tom Ritz, of Owing Mills, and Herb, with Dodi Ritz, of Manchester.

Also, grandchildren Joe III, Elizabeth, Sophie, Alma, Ashley, Zachary and Jeremy, and brothers Ernie, with Joan Ritz, of New Jersey, and Charlie, with Gert Ritz, of Baltimore.

Visitation was held at the Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, Owings Mills.

On Dec. 5, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Glyndon.

Mr. Ritz was buried with military honors in Druid Ridge Cemetery.

Shirley Candeloro

On Dec. 21, 2008, Shirley May Candeloro, 85, died in St. Agnes Hospital.

The former Catonsville resident most recently lived in Westminster.

The daughter of Arthur and Beulah (Fitzwater) Hart was born July 26, 1923.

Mrs. Candeloro worked as a cashier for Acme in Catonsville.

Twice widowed, she was the wife of the late James Sandusky and Joseph Candeloro.

Mrs. Candeloro belonged to the Ladies of the Westminster Elks, the Roadrunners of Arbutus and the Catonsville Senior Center.

She enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas with her family, playing cards and bingo.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law James, with Patricia Sandusky, of Finksburg, and Gary, with Barbara Sandusky, of Westminster; grandchildren Craig Sandusky, with Lisa, of Westminster; Carol, with Tom Hickey, of West Ocean City; Samantha Sandusky, of Cumming, Ga., and Matthew Sandusky, of Westminster.

Also, Ashley, Garrett and Austin Hickey, her great-grandchildren.

The Fletcher Funeral Home, Westminster, assisted the family with final arrangements.

A memorial service will be scheduled.

Donations in Mrs. Candeloro's name may be addressed to Caroll Lutheran Village, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD 21158.

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