Obituaries: Services Wednesday for Al Maslanka. Notices for William Burkhalter, Bill Cantrell, John Kelly, Terry Neese, Myrtle Roberson and Mary Vail

Alfred (Al) Anthony Maslanka, February 12, 1924-March 7, 2015

Mr. Alfred (Al ) Anthony Maslanka, age 91, of Rome, GA, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2015, following a brief illness.

Mr. Maslanka was born on February 12, 1924 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of the late Maciej and Anna Hurczyk Maslanka. He was preceded in death by his wife Irene Beaulieu Maslanka. Mr. Maslanka was also preceded in death by his brothers Benny, Roman and Stanley.

He graduated from Pittsfield High School and shortly after graduation was drafted by the United States Coast Guard. He served four years during World War II aboard the USCG Faunce as a Radar Operator 2nd Class and was stationed in Greenland and Iceland. Missions included anti U-boat patrol and supply convoy escort. After the war, he went home to Pittsfield and began work at General Electric. He married his wife Irene on November 22, 1952. In 1953 he was transferred to Rome to help start the Medium Transformer Division of GE. Mr. Maslanka was the tank shop supervisor at General Electric. He later was employed at Trend Mills managing the sample department.

Mr. Maslanka was an avid outdoorsman. He loved ice fishing, golf, vegetable gardening, birding, bass fishing and just enjoyed being out on the water. He spent the last good years of his retirement In Ellijay, Georgia. before moving back to Rome. He was able to start up a vegetable garden for the residents at Riverwood Senior Living, where he resided the last 3½ years. He also made sure the birds were always fed in the courtyard.

Mr. Maslanka was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rome. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 4410, a fourth degree member, and also served as Grand Knight of the council.

Mr. Maslanka is survived by his three sons, Marc Maslanka and his wife Nicole, Atlanta, Michael Maslanka and his wife Lynn, Cumming, and Matt Maslanka and his wife Jill, Rome; and his much beloved grandchildren, Max, Maddie, Kate and Abby. He is also survived by his sister, Ludja Gniadek of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Many thanks to Riverwood Senior Living for providing him with such a loving and fun home along with exceptional care for the last 3 ½ years. He loved you all.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Edward Danneker officiating, assisted by Deacon Stuart Neslin and Deacon Steve Thacker. Members of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, will serve as active and honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at a reception at St. Mary’s Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Mary’s School, 401 East 7th Street, Rome, GA 30161. Daniels Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Also today:

William G. Burkhalter, Jr., age 85, of 111 Nelson Street, Silver Creek, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2015, at his residence. Services Wednesday.

William E. “Bill” Cantrell, age 88 of Rome passed away Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2015. Services Tuesday.

Steve F. Jones, age 67, of Rome passed away on March 8, 2015. Services Tuesday.

John L. Kelly, 80, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, died Saturday, March 7, 2015 due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Services Wednesday.

Terry Gene Neese, age 66, of Rome, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015, at a local hospital. Services Tuesday.

Myrtle Diane Sosebee Roberson, age 63 of Rome passed away Saturday March 7, 2015 in a Rome Medical Center. Services Wednesday.

Mary Louise Vail, of Rome, GA, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015, at a local health care center. Services pending.