James William Ryan
James William Ryan, 77, died September 13, 2003 following a short illness. He was born in Louisiana and had been a resident of Harrison, Arkansas for the past 10 years. He was a veteran of World War II having served aboard the Aircraft Carrier Belleau Wood. Mr. Ryan is survived by his wife, Nell Ryan of The Home; two step-sons, Ray Holt and his wife and Ross Holt; two sisters, Mae Dugan of Ruston, LA and Martha Ryan of Syracuse, NY; and a number of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at the Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Ruston, LA from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2003, followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service and burial at the Bistineau Baptist Church Cemetery on LA Highway 7 South of Sibley, LA.

Nancy Ann Williams Howell
Services for Nancy Ann Williams Howell, 62, of Homer, LA will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2003 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home - Homer Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Robert McGaha assisted by Rev. George Ridge. Interment will be in the Corinth Cemetery under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home of Homer. Mrs. Howell died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at her residence in Homer. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her father, Jurel Williams and mother, Lola Stewart Williams. Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Thomas G. Howell; three sons, Thomas L. Howell and wife Trenna of Arcadia, David Howell of Homer, and Joe Kevin Howell and wife Salina of Quitman, LA; one daughter, Delorus Menere and husband Jim of Ventura, CA; one brother, Charles Williams and wife Betty; one sister, Odessa Roberts (late Dallas Roberts), all of Homer; seven grandchildren, Lynn Howell, Karen Howell, Mary Howell, Austin Howell, Thomas L. Howell, Jr., Dylan Howell, and Caitlin Howell; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be Andy Roberts, Dale Roberts, Mike Roberts, Mike Tooke, Jason Williams and Thomas Ruple. Family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First Pentecostal Church of Homer.

James Hewell Heard, Sr.
Funeral services were held for James Hewell Heard, Sr., on Monday, September 15, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hodge Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dwayne Boudreaux officiating. Mr. Heard passed away on September 12, 2003 after a brief illness. Interment was in the Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA. If desired, memorials may be sent to the Hodge Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Drawer 340, Hodge, LA 71247. Hewell was born in Alexandria, LA on January 7, 1922, and graduated from Ruston High School. His attendance at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute was interrupted by World War II and service in the Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force, 95th Bomb Group. Hewell served as a navigator on a B-17G Flying Fortress, flying 35 combat missions in the European Theater. He was a member of the exclusive Caterpillar Club, having saved his life by parachute. He married Helen Wingert in 1944 while stationed in Rapid City, SD. After he was discharged in 1945, he resumed his studies at Tech and graduated in 1947 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Hewell moved his family to Hodge, LA in 1950, where he supervised the power plant for the Continental Can paper mill, later known as Stone Container, for 37 years. He also served in the Air Force Reserve for 20 years and retired with the rank of major. Hewell loved to read and to increase his knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. His almost flawless memory was amazing to everyone who knew him, and he was always eager to share what he had learned. He was an avid fan of old movies and the Lady Techsters basketball team. Hewell was preceded in death by his parents, Francis H. and Bessie Welch Heard, his brother, Ragan Heard, and his wife Helen Wingert Heard. He is survived by two sons, James H. "Jimmy" Heard, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Hodge, LA, and Michael F. Heard and his wife Jo Ann of St. Louis, MO; one daughter, Robin E. Heard of Camp Hill, PA; one brother, Jarrell "Jerry" Heard of Minden, LA; three grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Richard Johnson, Wilfred Foster, Robert Gaulden, Barry Doner, Travis Hall and Robert Lynn Harvey. Honorary pallbearers were John Hamilton, Ron Piper, Allan Beers and Troy Moore.

Velma Reland Hortman Boucher
Services for Velma Reland Hortman Boucher, 91 and 10 months of age of Springhill, LA will be Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in Springhill, LA at Bailey Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Burton Blair officiating. Mrs. Boucher passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2003 following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Boucher had been a resident of Springhill for 73 years. She had been a faithful member of the Springhill United Methodist Church, Baxter Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women. Mrs. Boucher was born in the Hortman Community of Webster Parish on November 12, 1911 to Jesse and Mattie Malone Hortman. She was a graduate of Minden High School, Louisiana Normal (Northwestern) and Louisiana Tech University, where she received a BA Degree in Education. Upon moving to Springhill, she began her teaching career as a seventh grade math teacher and retired as a fourth grade teacher from Browning Elementary after providing thirty-two years of service to the students of Springhill. She was active in several professional organizations including the Webster Parish Retired Teachers. Mrs. Boucher was founder of the Iota Conclave in Springhill of the National Teacher Sorority, Kappa Kappa Iota. She served as President of the local conclave and Secretary for Eta state. Mrs. Boucher was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Hubberd H. Boucher, her parents, Jesse and Mattie Malone Hortman; sister, Audrey Hortman and baby brother, William Hortman. She is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Kay Boucher Garner of Ruston, LA, and Gayle Boucher Wissman and husband Bill of Hovland, MN; three grandchildren, Will Wissman of Colorado Springs, CO, Rebecca Wissman of Grande Maris, NM and Susanna Wissman of Hovland, MN; nephew, Scott Boucher and wife Tracie of Springhill, LA; niece, Sue Boucher Whitlow and husband Mike of Springhill, LA; three great nephews, Grayson Boucher of Shreveport, LA, Mikey Whitlow of Shreveport, LA and Marty Whitlow of Ruston, LA; great niece, Callie Boucher of Springhill, LA; and special friends, Jackie and Richard Johnson of Springhill, LA. A special thanks to these caregivers for loving and devoted care: Allene Modisette (ten years), LaVerne Lee (retired RN), Shirley Giddens, Patsy Roberts and Margaret Stoneciper. Special thanks also to National Home Care Services personnel, Lattie Ivy, Janene Green, RN, Stacey Willard, RN and Jeb Willard, Physical Therapist; WK Bossier primary physicians; Drs. Diana and Kennedy Lim and others, and final care physician, Dr. Gerome Thompson. Those serving as pallbearers are Richard Johnson, John Stevens, Jimmy Morgan, Grayson Boucher, Mikey Whitlow and Marty Whitlow. Honorary pallbearers are Arthur Stevens, J. E. Humphries, Frank Martin, Jesse Boucher and the Baxter Sunday School Class. Visitation will be Monday, September 15, 2003 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Methodist Children's Home, Springhill United Methodist Church, the American Heart Association or the charity of the donor's choice.

Walter Eddie Koss
Graveside services for Walter Eddie Koss, 92, of Tuscaloosa, AL were held Monday, September 15, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. in the Memory Hill Gardens. Officiating was Rev. Bruce Drees. Mr. Koss died September 13, 2003 in the Forest Manor Nursing Home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna C. Koss. Survivors include one daughter, Betty Ann Drees (Bruce) of Buchanan Dam, TX; one son, Edwin Koss of Melbourne Beach, FL; one sister, Sophie Bessette of Moosup, CN; four grandchildren, Becky Drees (Kyle Serikawa) of Seattle, WA, Beth Drees (John Kokinis) of Park City, UT, Elaine Drees (Casey Finstad) of Tucson, AZ and Emily Drees of Houston, TX; and two great grandchildren, Lydia Lutes and Edwin Serikawa. Dr. Koss graduated Phi Beta Kappa (High Academic Honors) in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in 1935. He went on to get his master's degree in Mathematics at the University of Alabama and his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois. He was a Professor of Mathematics for some 45 years, teaching primarily at Texas A&M University for 20 years and Louisiana Tech University for 20 years. He was married to Edna C. Koss for 60 years and they had two children, Betty and Edwin. Mrs. Koss was a registered nurse for 51 years, working in hospitals in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. She was a graduate of David City Hospital in 1934. In recent years, Dr. Koss had set up some 27 endowments at Texas A&M University, University of Alabama and Louisiana Tech University to fund a wide variety of programs including professorships, clinical nursing laboratories, graduate scholarships in Mathematics, undergraduate scholarships in Mathematics and nursing, Cadet scholarships and other programs. Dr. Koss spent some 50 years in a wide variety of activities outside of university academics. He coached boys baseball for 45 years, an avid gardener, a carpenter who built fine furniture and cabinets as well as homes. He also had a great interest in the stock market, University of Alabama and the Atlanta Braves. He was one of the few people in the U. S. who could actually complete a New York Times crossword puzzle. He was a brief teammate of Coach Paul Bryant at Alabama and also visited with him often when Dr. Koss and Coach Bryant were at Texas A&M.

Carolyn G. Martin
Graveside services were held September 9, 2003 in Phoenix, AZ for Carolyn G. Martin. Mrs. Martin died September 4, 2003 in Moberly, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, D. C. Martin, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Galloway. She is survived by three children, Dr. Jonathan D. Martin and wife Patty of Macon, GA, Greg Martin of Phoenix, Carol Fretwell and husband Stan of Moberly, MO; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Peggy Ulmer of Ruston; and a brother, James L. Galloway of Broken Arrow, OK.

Ruth (Maw) Brewster Kinman Rushing
Services for Ruth (Maw) Brewster Kinman Rushing, 80, of Choudrant, LA will be held Sunday, September 14, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Choudrant. Officiating will be Rev. James Aubrey Kinman, Rev. Ronald Bartlett and Rev. Tim Johnson. Interment will follow in the Choudrant Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Rushing died Thursday, September 11, 2003 at her residence in Choudrant following a brief illness. Mrs. Rushing was a lifelong resident of Choudrant and longtime member of First Baptist Church of Choudrant where in past years she had served as a Sunday School teacher, church clerk and VBS worker. She is preceded in death by her first husband, James Kinman, parents Hosea and Willie Brewster, brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Margie Brewster, and nephew Larry Brewster. Survivors include her husband, James Rushing of Choudrant, LA; daughter and husband, Joyce Ann and Ron Bartlett of Marshall, TX; step daughter, Evelyn Williams of Monroe, LA; sister, Clovis Morace of Pineville, LA; granddaughters, Lila Kay Bartlett of Marshall, TX, Amy Renee and husband John Ritter of Woodlawn, TX; grandson, Joel Wayne Bartlett and wife Rena' of Ponder, TX; step grandson, Billy Cruise of Monroe, LA; step granddaughter, Stephanie Cruise of Monroe, LA; great grandsons, Joseph Ritter of Woodlawn, TX and Caleb Bartlett of Ponder, TX; step great grandsons, James and John Ritter both of Woodlawn, TX, and Jeff Cruise of Winnsboro, LA; nieces, Delores Dutton of Hobbs, NM and Ellen Cox of Pineville, LA; and sister-in-law, Rosie Jordan of Shreveport, LA. Pallbearers will be Johnny and John Eric McCorkle, Lamar and Drew Spillers, Don Mills, Bill Sanderson and John Emory. Family will receive friends Saturday evening, September 13, 2003 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Thomas Lynn "Big Daddy" Audirsch
Services for Thomas Lynn "Big Daddy" Audirsch, 59, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2003 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Bennie Lemery assisted by Todd Hibbard. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Calhoun, LA, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Audirsch died September 9, 2003 in West Monroe, LA following a work related accident. Mr. Audirsch was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Annie Mae Audirsch, his sister Grace Griffin, and his brother Dale Audirsch. Survivors include his wife, Linda Audirsch of Cartwright, LA; one son, Matt Audirsch and wife Michelle of Cartwright, LA; one daughter, Amanda Davis and husband John of Choudrant, LA; two grandsons, Griffin and Garrett Audirsch; five sisters, Anna Rose Lee of Ruston, LA, Helen Martin of Ruston, LA, Dorothy Thompson of Indian Village, LA, Nadine Miller of South Haven, MS and Janie Ledford of Calhoun, LA; and two brothers, Chester "Sonny" Audirsch of Choudrant, LA and Joe Audirsch of Winnsboro, LA. Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Tucker, Victor Caldwell, Junior Maddox, Art Holdmon, Russell Collins and D'Angelo Digiovanni. The family suggests that memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening, September 12, 2003 at the funeral home. Big Daddy was a big man with an even larger heart. Quick to laugh and always with a story, if you were a stranger, you wouldn't be for long. We cannot describe the void he has left in our hearts. Husband, daddy, grandfather, and friend to all, we love you and will miss your laughter, hugs, and love more than we can say.

Mary Russell Hogan
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Russell Hogan, 88, of Ruston, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, 2003 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, with Rev. Dale Oden and Dr. Chris Craig officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston. Mrs. Hogan died Tuesday, September 9th at HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital in Ruston, LA. Mrs. Hogan was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, but lived most of her life in Ruston. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University and was a retired employee of ArkLa Gas Company. Mrs. Hogan was a loyal member of First Baptist Church in Ruston and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Hogan was preceded in death by her husband, O. W. Hogan, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Dora Russell, two brothers, J. C. Russell and Ernest Russell. She is survived by her son, Don Hogan and wife Vicki; daughter, Ann Wright and husband Glen; grandsons Russ Hogan, Jeremy Hogan and Patrick Wright; and great grandchildren, Dillon Hogan and Riley Hogan. Mrs. Hogan was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be missed for her sweet smile and generous and loving ways. Pallbearers will be Russ Hogan, Patrick Wright, Charles Alexander, Luther Lewis, Charles Hoffman and Ed Dayton. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 10, 2003 from 5-7 p.m. at Kilpatrick's Funeral Home. The family requests memorials be made to the Lincoln Parish Library, First Baptist Church, or Temple Baptist Church.

Clifton M. Huddleston
Services for Mr. Clifton M. Huddleston, Jr., age 79, of Ruston, LA will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at The Presbyterian Church of Ruston with Rev. Dr. Connie Nieto officiating. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ruston, under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Ruston. Mr. Huddleston died Saturday, September 6, 2003 at his residence. He was a retired Associate Professor La. Tech Special Education Dept., an Elder in The Presbyterian Church of Ruston, served in WWII with the Army Air Corp Glider Pilot Program, was a member of the National Association of Social Workers, a Pupil Appraiser with Lincoln Learning Center, a manufacturer of Dirt Extractor Carpet Cleaning Machines, and a volunteer for Westminster Center at LA Tech. Mr. Huddleston was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Joffre Huddleston. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Beth Huddleston; three daughters, Patricia Stetson and husband Bob of Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Mary Susan Edgerton of Kalamazoo, MI, and Amy Elizabeth Redding of San Marcos, TX; five grandchildren, Jeremy Hoover and wife Lynn, and Faith Hoover both of Albuquerque, NM, Matthew Redding, Rachel Redding and Chelsea Redding, all of Wimberly, TX; one sister, Hazel Wesson of Tyler, TX; two sisters-in-law, Leslie Huddleston and Vickie Huddleston. Memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Church of Ruston General Operational Fund. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Aubrey Carroll Sanders
Services for Aubrey Carroll Sanders will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Alexandria, with the Rev. Dan O'Connor officiating. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Pineville under the direction of John Kramer & Son of Alexandria. Sanders, 85, of Ruston, died Friday at his residence in Ruston. Sanders was a resident of Alexandria for many years and retired as a District Manager for Cotton's Holsom Bakery. He lived in Shreveport, and at the time of his death, was a resident of Ruston. Sanders was also a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his wives, Lola Dupuis Sanders and Helen Llorens Sanders. Mr. Sanders is survived by his two daughters, Fay Sanders of Oconomowoc, Wisc., and Kay Sanders Thiels of Choudrant and her husband Pete. Sanders is also survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Peter J. Thiels, Paul L. Thiels, Joseph C. Thiels, Andrew R. Thiels, Sammy Falletta and Tom Roberts. Friends are asked to call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday at John Kramer & Son of Alexandria. A wake will be held Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The family has requested memorials be sent to American Heart Association, 2304 South MacArthur Drive, Suite F, Alexandria, LA, 71301; American Cancer Society, 605 C Medical Center Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301; or Northwest Regional Hospice, 805 Homer Rd., Minden, LA 71055.

Marlen S. Woodall
Marlen S. Woodall died September 3, 2003 at LSU Medical Çenter after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Woodall was born March 27, 1942 in Bottrop, Germany. She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Foster. Survivors include her husband, Willam Woodall of Vernon, LA; two daughters, Rosemary and husband Doug Shaw of Vernon, LA and Tatjana and husband Charles Marsh, Jr. of Quitman, LA; three sons, Robert Foster II and wife Lisa of Simsboro, LA, Michael Foster and wife Lea of El Dorado, AR and Stephen Woodall of Arcadia, LA; thirteen grandchildren; and one brother, Heinrich Spaker and wife Ruth of Bottrop, Germany. A private service will be held for the immediate family.

Elgin Cooper
Services for Elgin Cooper, 80, of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2003 in the First Baptist Church of Dubach. Officiating will be Rev. Barry Joyner. Interment will be in Hamilton Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Cooper died Tuesday, September 2, 2003 in Ruston, LA following a lengthy illness. Mr. Cooper was a native and longtime resident of Hico, LA and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Dubach. He was a member of Homer Masonic Lodge #152. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cooper; three sisters, Marie Huffman, Georgie Heard and Inez Barnett. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Betty Cooper of Hico, LA; one son, Raymond Earl Cooper and wife Mary Jo of Frisco, TX; one granddaughter, Karen White and husband Ryan of Decatur, IL; two great grandsons, Dylan and Rylee White of Decatur, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Larry Barnett, Russ Stoppleworth, Herschel Cooper, Travis Hood, Sonny Barnett and Dale Williams. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dubach. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the funeral home.

Mr. H. Ford Fallin
Funeral service for Mr. H. Ford Fallin will be at 2:00 pm Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at First Baptist Church in Ruston with Reverend Bob Braly and Dr. Arnold F. Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Alexandria. Mr. Fallin, 81, of Alexandria, died Saturday, August 30, 2003 at Dubois Hospital. Following retirement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as forester, Mr. Fallin was an independent tree farmer and forestry consultant. Mr. Fallin was a graduate of the first forestry class at Louisiana Tech University in 1948. He was a member of the Louisiana Tech Forestry Alumni Association, Society of American Foresters Fellow, Charter member of the Louisiana Forestry Association which he was awarded Outstanding Louisiana Tree Farmer in 2000, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association which he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000, Louisiana Campers on Mission Inc., and Forest Farmers Association. Mr. Fallin was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #106 F&AM in Ruston and a member of the Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria. Mr. Fallin served with the United States Army during WWII. He was the Technical Sergeant of the Headquarters and Service Company 863rd Engineer Aviation Battalion. Mr. Fallin was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Philippine Defense and the Good Conduct Medal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Lloyd & Ollie Jane Smith Fallin and his sister, Erline Fallin Webster. Survivors include his wife, Bette Jo Roane Fallin of Alexandria; his daughter, Joanna Alicia Fallin of Dallas; his brother, Daniel W. Fallin of Ruston; his sisters, Mary Lee Fallin Chandler of Shreveport and Alice Fallin Garner of Ruston; and many loving friends and family. Friends may call from 4 pm to 8 pm Monday, September 1, 2003 at Hixson Brothers, Alexandria and from noon until time of service at the church. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be designated to the Louisiana Tech University Foundation for a Forestry Scholarship in memory of Ford Fallin, P.O. Box 10138, Ruston, LA 71272 or to LA Campers on Mission (Mission Fund), 5607 E. Circle Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301.