Kenneth J. "Kenny" Eshelman, 82, a resident of Solomons Nursing Center in Solomons, MD, and former long-time resident of Oxon Hill, MD, died February 12, 2010 at Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick, MD.

Mr. Eshelman was born January 18, 1928 in Reading, PA, and was a graduate of Reading High School. He attended the School of Music of Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and was a member of the Ringgold Band and the West Point Band. He served for twenty years as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Band, stationed in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Airmen of Note and the Singing Sergeants. He was discharged from the military on March 31, 1966 after having played Taps at Arlington National Cemetery for over eight hundred funerals of U.S. veterans. He was last employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C., and had retired to Florida for twenty years. He had lived for seven years at the Chapline House retirement community in Prince Frederick, MD, and had been a resident of Solomons Nursing Center for the past six months.

Kenny is survived by two sons, Richard J. Eshelman and wife Michelle of Huntingtown, MD and Curtis C. Eshelman of West River, MD, and by two daughters, Lynne C. Downs and husband Donald III of Huntingtown and Lori A. Flemens and husband Kevin of Sunderland, MD. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Krysten Sneade, Justin Eshelman, Andrew Mona II, Devyn and DeAnne Catterton, Dominic Downs and Chase, Lindsey and Gillian Eshelman, and by a brother Richard D. Eshelman and wife Sandra of Womelsdorf, PA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer F. and Emily Hinkel Eshelman, and by a brother Curtis L. Eshelman.

Inurnment Services with military honors will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday March 3, 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium. Family and friends will gather at the cemetery Administration Building at 10:30.

Arrangements by Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mount Harmony Lane, Owings, MD.