Erma Jean Istvan

Erma Jean Istvan, of Cheverly, Maryland, and a long-term employee of Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the age of 82.  Erma continued to work full-time at Holy Cross Hospital up to the date of her passing.

Erma is survived by her children; daughter Gabriella Kincaid (David), grandsons Michael and Roger, son Geza Istvan, Jr. (Kim), and granddaughters Emily and Morgan.   

Erma was born in Cumberland, Maryland on January 3, 1941, to Della Pearl Schumaker.  Erma was the eldest of two children; her brother Roger Lee Schumaker preceded her in death, as did her mother. Erma married the late Geza Istvan Sr. in 1960.

Though she could not eat them herself, Erma loved baking and creating “experiments” for her family and neighbors to try.  Erma also had a love of the many feral cats that showed up on her patio to be fed.  At the time of her passing, she shared her home with a black and white tabby she named Butter Cup.  Erma also loved crochet, shopping, collecting recipes and telling as many people as possible stories about her grandchildren Michael, Roger, Emily, and Morgan. They meant more to her than anything else.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Gasch’s Funeral Home located at 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781 and a funeral on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Park located at 13800 Bedford Road, NE, Cumberland, Maryland 21502.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate at www.secure.aspca.org