Melva C. Fox
Melva Chapman Fox, 77, of Carillon Assisted Living, Newton, formerly of Startown, died Sept. 6 [2002] at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Born Dec. 12, 1924 in Alexander County, she was the daughter of the late Larkin Spurgeon and Estelle Pennell Chapman.
She was a member of Startown First Baptist Church and had retired from Regency Home Fashions.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Harold Fox.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Steve Deal of Conover, and Penny and George Bollinger of Claremont; a sister, Joan Price of Taylorsville; a brother, Benny Chapman of Winston-Salem; and four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
Rev. Dean Hart conducted Sept. 8 services at Mrs. Fox’s church.
Burial followed in Catawba Memorial Park. Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home served the family.
Memorials may be made to Startown First Baptist Church Building Fund, 4081 Startown Road, Newton, N.C. 28658 or to Carillon Assisted Living of Newton, 1088 Radio Station Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.
Bertha Anna R. Hefner
Bertha Anna Reitzel Hefner, 88, of Brian Center-Viewmont, died Sept. 9 [2002] at Brian Center-Viewmont, following a period of declining health.
Born Mar. 28, 1914 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Norris Columbus and Lovie Ellen Mingus Reitzel.
She was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and was retired from Conover Glove.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Eugene Hefner; a son Dwight Michael Hefner; three sisters and two brothers.
Survivors include three daughters, Rosella Bollinger and husband Howard and Marlene Eckard and husband Wayne of Hickory, and Judy Crump of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister Alma Hefner of Hickory; a brother, Ernest Reitzel of Hickory; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pastor David Guelzow and Pastor Paul Fitzpatrick will conduct Sept. 12 services at 10 a.m. at Mrs. Hefner’s church.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Gene Bollinger, Stephen Eckard, Eric Eckard, Richard Eckard, Jonathan Eckard, Thomas Eckard, Lance Eckard, Daniel Eckard and Shane Christopher.
Hickory Funeral Home served the family.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Mo. Synod, 2304 Springs Rd. NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601 or to Hospice of Catawba Valley, Inc. 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N.C. 28658.
Paul H. Kanipe
Paul Henry Kanipe, 88, of Lincolnton, died Sept. 7 [2002] at Brian Center Viewmont following a period of declining health.
Born Aug. 16, 1914 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late John Robert and Maggie Gibson Kanipe.
He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and was a retired textile worker from Maiden Mills.
He was a veteran of the Army and World War II European Theater.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by former wife Norene Yount Kanipe; three brothers, Worth, Merrill and Azelle Kanipe; four sisters, Clara Frye, Lena Young, Grace Mozeley and Linnie Kanipe.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Pittman Grindstaff Kanipe of the home; son and daughter-in-law Paul G. and Ann Kanipe of Hickory; daughter and son-in-law Joan N. and William Johnson of Houston, TX; daughter and son-in-law Libby and Benny Pittman of Connelly Springs; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews; brother Ray Kanipe of Hickory; three sisters, Berlie Deal of Hickory, Blanche Frye of Valdese and Fairy Burton of Vale.
Rev. Landon Rice conducted Sept. 9 services at Hickory Funeral Home.
Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery.
American Post Legion #48 conducted Military Rites.
Hickory Funeral Home served the family.
Bessie L. Killian
Bessie Loretta Stillwell Killian, 79, of Hickory, died Sept. 8 [2002] at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Born Oct. 6, 1922 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Ellis and Jenny Smith Stillwell.
She was a member of Highland United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, J.P. Killian, and daughter Faye Poovery.
Surviviors include three sons Richard Killian of Layton, Utah, Melvin Killian of Hickory, and James Killiam of China Grove; two daughters Delores K. Price of Hickory and Brenda K. Webb of Hickory; sister Margaret Connelly of Hildebran; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Jim Church will conduct Sept. 12 services at Catawba Funerals & Cremations at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Tony Maynard, Robbie Kight, Matthew Hefner, Randy Stillwell, Noell Stillwell and Larry Stillwell.
Memorials may be made to Highland United Methodist Church, 1020 12th St. Pl. NE, Hickory, NC 28601.
Bonnie H. Killian
Bonnie Mae Hefner Killian, 89, of Hickory, died Sept. 8 [2002] at Brian Center Viewmont.
Born Sept. 4, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Alfred McClellan Hefner and Esther Naomi Miller Hefner.
She was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and was retired from the hosiery industry, furniture industry and farming.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Preston Leroy Killian; a son David Ray Killian, two sisters, Irene Hefner Reeves, Christine Hefner Clontz and a son-in-law Eugene Gregory; three brothers, James Hefner of Los Angeles, Leonard Hefner and Donald Hefner of Hickory; a sister Virginia Hefner Hass of Hickory.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law: Alfred John (Johnny) Killian and Jan of Hickory, Robert Preston (Bob) Killian and Connie of Bethlehem, and James Ruel (Jim) Killian and Phyllis of Bethlehem; daughter Mary Naomi Killian Gregory of Hickory; four granddaughters, three grandsons, six great-granddaughters, four great-grandsons, two great-great-granddaughters, and three great-great-grandsons.
Rev. David Keck conducted Sept. 11 services at Mrs. Killian’s church.
Burial followed in Catawba Memorial Park.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home served the family.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2780 North Center St., Hickory, N.C. 28630.
Sudie P. Lail
Sudie “Tine” Pope Lail, 73, of Conover, died Sept. 8 [2002] at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Born Oct. 11, 1928 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Leroy and Rena Bell Hollar Pope.
She was a homemaker and the former owner of Tiny’s Flower Shop in Conover.
She was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Conover.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Vernon E. Lail, Jr., a brother, Kenneth Pope, and four sisters, Josie Franks, Edith Sigmon, Ester Pope, and Mary Brice Pope.
Survivors include her husband, Vernon E. Lail of the home; sons Jimmy D. Lail and Joe D. Lail of Conover; sisters Ruby Reed and Brenda Abernethy of Newton; brothers Billy Pope, Jerry Pope and Johnny Pope of Conover.
The Revs. James Zimmerman, Kristine Hill and Harold Drum conducted Sept. 10 services at Mrs. Lail’s church.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charlie Abernathy, Jr., Jeremy Pope, Johnathan Pope, Perry Pope, Shane Pope and Carl Pope.
Drum Funeral Home in Conover served the family.
Hector Lemus
Hector Lemus, 29 of Hickory, died Sept. 6 [2002] at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born July 2, 1972, in Guanaguato, Mexico, he was the son of Andres Lemus and Celia Lopez.
Arrangements are being made for burial in Morelia Mich, Mexico.
Drum Funeral Home in Conover, is serving the family.
Dorothy M. Lowe
Dorothy Mae Lowe, 86, of Brian Center Viewmont, died Sept. 8 [2002] at Brian Center Viewmont following a period of declining health.
Born May 29, 1916 in Alexander County, she was the daughter of the late Dock C. and Nancy Josephine Davis Lowe.
She was a member of Tri-City Baptist Church and a former member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She was retired from Hickory Dyeing & Winding as a winder.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by four brothers Leonard, Robert, Walter, and Edward Lowe, and a sister Mrs. Artie Lowe Russell.
Survivors include sister Irene Bowman of Newton, and a number of nieces and nephews and a number of great-nieces and nephews.
Rev. Byron Repass conducted Sept. 10 services at Hickory Funeral Home Chapel.
Hickory Funeral Home served the family.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N.C. 28658.
Marshall W. McAllister
Marshall Walter McAllister, 52, of Lincolnton, died Aug. 27 [2002] at Lincoln Medical Center.
Born July 4, 1950 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Archie McAllister and the late Cora Shook McAllister.
He was previously employed in the textile industry.
In addition to his parents, one sister, Mabel Cloninger preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda W. McAllister of the home; two step-daughters, Tina Schaffer of Taylorsville, and Tammy Sigmon of Newton; brother Archie McAllister of Conover; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burke Mortuary in Maiden, is serving the family.
