Stephen John Mccruden

Stephen John McCruden of Nottingham, MD, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Salisbury, MD, at the age of 35. Stephen was born on January 21, 1976 in Baltimore, Maryland.

If ever the poem "What Are Little Boys Made Of... " applied to anyone, it would be Stephen. He was all boy, and grew up to be the avid outdoorsman and sports lover. He had a bold and unusual charm people were drawn to with the ability to get along with just about anyone. He was happiest when he could freely express himself and follow his own instincts. He had a high school education and worked in general construction, in banking, and as a metal fabricator/welder. He loved his children dearly, hunting, fishing and cooking, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, and being with family and friends.

Stephen is survived by his mother, Paula Morgan Dansker; step-father, Alfred Steven Dansker; father, Stephen Ralph McCruden; four children, Julius C. Isaia, Stephen J. McCruden, Jr., Blake A. McCruden and Katelyn M. McCruden; sisters, Sheri Thoman and Jennifer Martinez; step-sisters, Stacy Menendez and Laurie Taylor; half-sister, Jacqueline McCruden; step-brother, David Dansker; half-brother, Scott McCruden, and fiancAC.e, Jeanna Turnbull.

The family will receive friends at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113 on Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited for light refreshments at Kaufmann's Restaurant, 329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills, MD 21054 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The SJM Children's Trust Fund, P.O. Box 332, Basye, VA 22810.