Thomas and Irene Spilman

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Irene Lillian Spilman, 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, at Heritage House Hospice in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Thomas Keene Spilman, 80, died Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at Heritage House Hospice in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to the late John and Helen Holodick Saraka and was a resident of Church Creek and Taylors Island for over 40 years.

After high school, she moved to Baltimore, where she welded ships during World War II. After the war she worked at the Social Security Administration in Baltimore.

While living in Dorchester County she wrote the South Dorchester Social Section of the Daily Banner for many years, commuted to the State Income Tax Department in Annapolis, worked at Western Publishing in Cambridge, and retired from Dorchester General Hospital after working in the dietary department for many years.

She enjoyed her friends and family, cooking, and games of all types.

Mr. Spilman was born on June 6, 1926, in Baltimore, to the late Keene Cator and Rebecca Turner Spilman.

He joined the Navy during World War II as he loved the water. He found himself dry in Kansas, on a crash crew for military bombers. After the war, his firefighting experience led him to the furnaces at Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point.

Drawn back to the family homestead, where he spent his childhood summers, the Spilman"s relocated to Taylors Island, where they lived for over 40 years. He retired from the state of Maryland as a forest ranger working in fire control.

Mr. Spilman was an avid hunter and outdoorsman as well as a professional and recreational waterman. "Captain Tom" was well known throughout the eastern seaboard for Tom"s Lures, which he designed and hand fabricated. He was a volunteer fireman, and never missed a chance to party.

The Spilmans were communicants of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

The Spilmans are survived by a daughter, Nancy Kesecker of Severna Park; a son, Thomas J. Spilman of Trappe; three grandchildren: Morgan Kesecker of Severna Park, and T.C. and Johnny Spilman of Trappe; Irene"s brothers, John and Norman Saraka, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pa,; Irene"s six sisters, Mildred Silveri of Plains Township, Pa., Evelyn Lisoski of South River, N.J., Winnie Pugh of Wilkes-Barre, Diana Biniek of Mount Holy Springs, Pa., Helen Pugh of Hanover Township, Pa., and Sharon Ashton of Harding, Pa.; Tom"s two brothers, Turner Spilman of Frederick and Dick Spilman of Baltimore; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding them in death besides their parents were Irene"s brothers, Michael and Timmy Saraka and Tom"s brother, Jimmy Spilman.

A memorial service for Mrs. Spilman was previously held in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Memorial services will be conducted 12:30 p.m. June 8, at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., 308 High St., Cambridge, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service with refreshment.

Burial will follow at The Maryland Veterans" Cemetery, Hurlock, with military honors for Mr. Spilman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to the Taylors Island Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 277, Taylors Island, MD 21669; the St. Mary Star of the Sea Foundation, P.O. Box 61, Church Creek, MD 21622; or the Heritage House Hospice Care, 80 East Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

To send letters of condolences, visit www.curran-bromwell.com