John B. Mann

John B. Mann was born on February 28, 1928 to Anthony Mann and Anna Schroeder Mann, and died on September 10, 2025 at 97 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 71 years, Muriel R. Mann, his parents, and his brothers Anthony (Eddie) Mann and William Anderson.

He is survived by his children: Ken Mann (Vicki Sutton), Patty Mann Bronson (Jim), and Maureen Mann Illar (Dave). His legacy includes seven grandchildren: Megan Bronson Howell (Craig), Mark Mann, Matthew Bronson, Kristen Mann (Deryk Angnos), Michelle Illar Kinnally (Jack), Colin Illar (Michaela), and Jesse Bronson. John is survived by nine great-grandchildren: Isabelle Howell, Craig Howell, Charlotte Bronson, Emillya Angnos, Thomas Kinnally, Hudson Howell, Mackenzie Kinnally, Edessa Angnos and Maxwell Illar. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Harriette Rosen Koch.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, John moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan as a child and met his future wife, Muriel Rosen. In 1945 he enlisted in the Navy and traveled the world as a Morse code operator. John and Muriel married in 1950 and started a family on Long Island, New York. In 1961, the family moved to Rockville, Maryland for his career with the State Department which spanned from 1949 to 1987 when he retired from the Senior Executive Service. In 1973 he earned his degree in Public Business Administration from George Washington University, attending night school on the GI Bill as a World War II veteran.

In 1973, John and Muriel purchased a second home in Ocean City, Maryland where they spent summers and weekends for many years. They moved to Old Georgetown Village, Rockville, MD in 1980 and finally to Asbury Methodist Retirement Village, Gaithersburg, MD in 2014. John served on the Board of Directors for the Georgetown Village Homeowner’s Association and the Beach Club Condominium Association. He was the building representative and president of the Wallace building at Asbury.

John eventually withdrew from his activities to focus on Muriel’s care following her Parkinson’s diagnosis. Until Muriel’s death in 2022, he was her devoted caregiver and advocate. In 2014 he wrote and published his memoir "My Recollections" which he dedicated to Muriel. Family, friends and education were highly valued in John’s life. His seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren were his greatest joy.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 from 10-11 am at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 7 at noon at the Guild Chapel, Asbury Retirement Village, 201 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD (use Odenhal Rd. entrance into Asbury). Repast immediately following the service in the Park View Club Room. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John B. Mann’s memory may be made to the US Navy War Memorial https://www.navymemorial.org/general-donation or to JSSA Hospice, 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville, MD 20852 https://www.jssa.org/donate/