Edward John "Pop Pop" Gutzler, 88, of Lexington Park, MD died February 23, 2011 peacefully at home from kidney complications.

Edward was born August 20, 1922, the 9th of 16 children in Thorndale Texas. He was the son of the late Edward John Gutzler and Hattie (Placke) Gutzler. Edward joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 at the age of 18 and served until July 1942. He then joined the Navy in October 1942. He married the love of his life, Rosa Lee Smith on August 14, 1948 in Covington, KY. He served his country honorably for over 30 years with many duty stations from Rhode Island to Hawaii and back again, finally retiring at Patuxent River, MD as a Senior Chief in 1973. He started working a year later as a civil service employee in 1975 and retired from that career in 1987.

He enjoyed gardening, bowling, bird watching, watching baseball and football and was a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Edward is survived by his wife, Rosa Lee (Smith) Gutzler, his children; Donna Wheatley (Harry), Judy Owens (Bud), and Sarah Bolton (Willie) all of Lexington Park, MD, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, sister; Barbara "Snookie" McCord of Kingman, AZ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Fox as well as seven brothers and seven sisters.

Family will receive friends for Edward's Life Celebration on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Lexington Park, MD. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Harry Wheatley, Bud Owens, Willie Bolton, Andrew Owens, Ronnie Barnes, and Mark Simonelli.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1440, California, MD 20619, Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653 or Hospice of St Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.