Keith Mallek

Keith B. Mallek, 78, a 48 year resident of Edgewater, died at Heritage Harbour Health and Rehabilitation Center on Friday, September 26. Born May 6, 1936 in Chicago, IL where he was raised by his mother Mercedes and his step father Theodore Anderson. He graduated high school from the North Park Academy in Chicago, IL. Keith then served in the US Air Force from 1957 to 1961. After moving to Maryland, he rose through the ranks from volunteer fireman to the Battalion Chief for Anne Arundel County Fire Department. He was a certified CPR and EMT instructor, former Post Commander of the American Legion, member of the Elks and Masonic Lodges, and member of the Retired Firefighters Association. In his spare time Keith enjoyed camping, using computers and helping other people. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 50 years, Donita Mallek. Surviving him are his two children, Stephanie (Thomas) Wardwell and Gregory Mallek; two nieces, Debra (Ramon) Torres and April (Rodney) Gott and seven grandchildren, Rebecca and Courtney Wardwell, Zachrey, Noah and Hannah Gott, Naomi and Abigail Torres. A public viewing will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 6-8PM at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 3 at Kalas Funeral Home at 11:30AM followed by Interment at MD Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are recommended to the American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Box Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 or firehero.org. An online guestbook is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.