Obituaries

Margaret E. Lavinus, 86, died on February 7, 2014 in Bishopville, MD surrounded by her family. Mrs. Lavinus was a Pre-school teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Nursery School for 25 years, where she loved teaching children.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, James K. Higgason and John Lavinus; and her sister, Charlotte Allen. She is survived by her children, Linda Shipman and her husband Holton, Mary Bayer and her husband Ted, Susan Higgason and Denaire Healy, and James K. Higgason, Jr. and his wife, Karen. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Daniel Bayer, Jeanne Contardo, John Bayer, and Heather Whitemarsh; and two great grandchildren, Audrey and Charlotte Contardo.

Jon William Rose, 69, of Arlington and formerly of Fredericksburg , died at Inova Alexandria Hospital on February 4, 2014.

Jon grew up in Clarksburg , WV and graduated from West Virginia University with a BA degree in German and an MA degree in German Linguistics. After graduation, Jon enlisted in the U. S. Army and served one tour of duty in Vietnam . His love for German began when he was a senior in high school, living in Paderborn , Germany , and grew stronger throughout his life. Herr Rose lived and taught in Wilhelmshaven , Germany before teaching German at Woodbridge High School for 30 years.

Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B. died on February 21, 2014. Born in Masontown, PA on May 22, 1933, Sister Benedict became a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia at Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow in 1954. Having taught is several Catholic parish schools in the Richmond Diocese and at Linton Hall School in Bristow, Sister Benedict was assigned to Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington in 1973, where she served for 40 years, becoming principal of the school in 1976. When she retired as principal in 2008, she continued to minister in the parish in pastoral outreach to the sick and infirm. [ Sister Benedict loved the cultural diversity of St. Charles Parish and was always in the center of all its activities. When the new parish center was named after her, she was beside herself with gratitude and joy.

One of Sister Benedict’s proudest moments was giving the opening prayer for the House of Representatives in 2003 at the invitation of Congressman Moran. In his remarks Congressman Moran said that Sister Benedict helped build a community of faith in Northern Virginia and that she was an example of why this country runs so well.]

Sylvia J. Melvin, of Manassas Park, VA passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the age 75. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family.

Sylvia was born December 17, 1938, to the late Norman Grubb and Betty Glover. She is survived by her son, Alfred Cecil Melvin, Jr. and wife Natalie of Hawaii; daughter Kelly Diane Melvin and fiancé Steve Coates Sr. of Fredericksburg, VA; son Tracy Lynn Melvin and fiancé Jeanine Houser of Manassas Park, VA; daughter Lisa Marie McMinn and Husband Douglas McMinn of Manassas, VA; sister Sandra Kay Romagna and Brother-in-law John Romagna of Adelphia, MD; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one nephew; one niece; one great-niece; and one great-nephew. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Alfred Cecil Melvin Sr. whom she married on September 12, 1959.

Robert Allen Hiner, 63, of Manassas, passed away suddenly February 13, 2014.

Born November 7, 1950 in Marlinton, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Norman and Orpha Endicott Hiner.

Ramona Villegas, 82, of Manassas, passed away February 10, 2014 at the Birmingham Green Nursing Home.

Ramona was born October 19, 1931 in Puerto Rico. She is married to Felipe Villegas, who survives. There will be a memorial service held at a later date, with interment taking place in Puerto Rico.

Janet Page Morrissett, 44, of Culpeper, passed away February 10, 2014 at the Culpeper Regional Hospital.

Born August 14, 1969 in Alexandria, Virginia, she was the daughter of Ronald and Paula Anders Morrissett.

Born in Washington, DC on January 8, 1958, Francis Parker was the 5th child for Mary and Sylvester Parker.

Francis had fun growing up with his 6 siblings (Jimmy, TT, Melvin, Franklin, Michael and Gladys) in Fairfax. As children, they enjoyed outdoorsy fun and lots of mischief. Francis warmly recalled funny stories of getting into trouble with his mom and having to go pick his own “switch” out of the woods. After spending his early years growing up in the City of Fairfax and attending Fairfax County Public Schools, the Parker family moved to Alexandria, Virginia. There Francis attended Alexandria City Public Schools. Throughout childhood, Francis spent generous amounts of time with his paternal grandmother, Frances. He continued to spend time with her into his early adulthood. While living in Alexandria, Francis met his first love, Paula. Together they had 1 daughter, Crystal. In 1976, Francis joined the Army. He was stationed in Texas and spent 6 months of his active duty in Germany.

Dennis C. Decker of Woodbridge, Va. got his wings on Feb. 19, 2014.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Victor C. Decker Jr. and Betty Lee Ellifritz Couch, and his sister Lisa D. Decker Sibley Hebert.

Francis Xavier Riley, Jr. of Manassas and Fredericksburg, Va. and formerly of Glens Falls, NY died peacefully Saturday afternoon, February 15th, at the age of 87 after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. He was surrounded in comfort and love by the presence of his children as he left this world to join his beloved Demetra, who passed away in 2001.

A veteran of the Second World War and Korea, Mr. Riley served two combat tours during the Korean War and received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during his first tour. Upon his return to the Korean theater he served with the 10th Engineers at the bloody battle of Outpost Harry. Aside from a brief period as a hotel and restaurant owner and manager, he worked his entire career as a superintendent and project manager in the construction field.