Kenneth S. Deptol

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of our beloved family patriarch, Kenneth S. Deptol, age 83, of Edgewood, Maryland. Ken was the heart and anchor of our family, and his gentle, loving spirit will be deeply missed. We find comfort in knowing he is now reunited in heaven with his cherished wife of 45 years, Maria. The loss of his son, Tim, earlier this year weighed heavily on Ken, and we are certain Tim was there to greet him with open arms.

After falling ill shortly before Thanksgiving, Ken passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland. Until that time, he was able to live at home and enjoy a long—though never long enough—life. Born in Patton, Pennsylvania, Ken was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Grozanick) Deptol and the devoted husband of the late Maria (Chung) Deptol.

Ken was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served with distinction for over 20 years, including two tours in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery against hostile forces. He was a courageous and highly skilled Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, working alongside the Secret Service during the Carter Administration in the late 1970s. He received numerous commendation letters throughout his career including from Presidents Johnson and Carter.

Ken’s service took him across the globe, and during his travels, he met his beloved wife, Maria, in Korea. Together, they lived many places but ultimately called Edgewood home. Together, they built a beautiful life in the United States, rooted in love and family.

Ken was a man of many talents, admired for his bravery, strength, and steadfast devotion to his family. He never passed up the chance for a trip to the casino, especially when shared with Maria—a pastime they both treasured. A true enthusiast of coin collecting, Ken developed an impressive expertise in the hobby and also amassed an extensive collection of baseball and arcade cards. Throughout his life, Christmas held a special place in his heart which he passed down to his boys; he was renowned for his thoughtful and generous gift-giving, always going above and beyond to spread joy and create cherished memories for his loved ones. 

Ken’s spirit will live on in his son, Thomas Deptol; sisters, Marilyn Dye and Barbara Duffy; and grandchildren, Laura, Ryan, Cyrus, and Kaitey.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Deptol; brothers, Ronnie, Ted, and Joe Deptol; and sister Carol Ellerbee.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or to Purple Heart, P.O. Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.