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Kathryn Hillyer Barnett
Kathryn Stuart Hillyer Barnett of Raleigh died April 28, 2005 at the Rex Nursing Care facility in Apex, after a long illness. She would have been 91 years old this September. Mrs. Barnett was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but spent almost her entire life in New Jersey, leaving the city for the fresh air of the suburbs as a small child, and remaining there until she went off to college.
Mrs. Barnett graduated from Goucher College in Towson, Md., and then went on to earn her master's degree in English literature from Columbia University in New York, N.Y. On the last evening of her graduate studies, Mrs. Barnett agreed to go out to meet the scholarship student her roommate was in love with. However, the night took an interesting twist and three years later Miss Hillyer, instead, married the late Lynn F. Barnett.
Mrs. Barnett lived in Greenwich Village for the first year of her marriage, but like her own parents, decided to move back to New Jersey when she became pregnant with her first child. She was a devoted mother who stayed home and raised four children in a wonderful, rambling house that offered everything a child could wish for. However, the summers at the Jersey shore provided the happiest time for the entire family, even though for many years the family of seven and two dogs were squeezed into a tiny cottage. The family would leave for the beach only minutes after the school doors closed in June and return the morning that they opened again in the fall. In later years, the family relocated to a home in Mantoloking, N.J., where her children and grandchildren were able to enjoy the delights of summers at the beach.
After the death of her husband in 1972, Mrs. Barnett moved to Colts Neck, N.J., where she lived until moving to Raleigh in 1995.
A woman of unsurpassed humor and fervent passions throughout her entire life, Mrs. Barnett was rarely seen without a book in her hand or at least one dog at her feet. She adored dogs all her life, never going for more than a few weeks without her "best friend" and always showering them with the greatest love and attention. Mrs. Barnett was also an avid baseball fan who loved the N.Y. Mets and a talented artist who dabbled in poetry, creating personal poems for her grandchildren on their birthdays.
Mrs. Barnett leaves two sons, Peter and his wife Caroline of Colts Neck, N.J., and Robert and his wife Virginia of Raleigh; two daughters, Mary Tennaro and her husband Clem of Scituate, Mass., and Betsy Small and her husband Tim of Chesterfield, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.
Apex Funeral Directors are entrusted with the arrangements.
Patricia Ann O'Farrell Johnsson
Patricia Ann O'Farrell Johnsson, 74, of Cary, died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 28, 2005, at her home. A memorial service is planned for a later date.
Mrs. Johnsson is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas C. Johnsson; children, Thomas Johnsson Jr. and wife, Bernetta of Clayton, and Patricia Lynn Jarman and husband, Richard of Clinton; granddaughters, Kristal Jarman and Sarah Elizabeth Johnsson; and brother, Michael G. O'Farrell Jr. and wife, Janice of Mountain Grove, Va.
Apex Funeral Directors Inc., 550 W. Williams St., Apex, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Grace Betts Bender
12/22/25–4/16/05
Grace Betts Bender, 79, died April 16, 2005. Born in Trenton, N.J., Grace was raised in Maplewood, N.J., and attended The Washington School for Secretaries after high school. Married for 60 years to Fred Bender, she was a faithful mother and friend to their children: Joanne B. Growitz, Sarajane B. Diosi, Robert M. Bender and Cynthia B. Scam.
Lovely needlepoint artistry was her favorite. She was executive secretary for years at Darien’s Red Cross Chapter and has been a blessing to 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A service of thanksgiving for her life was held at the Troon Village Clubhouse on Monday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. A service will be scheduled later in the spring at Saint Luke’s Church in Darien, Conn.
Edward Charles Kretz
Edward Charles Kretz, 47, of Raleigh died Thursday, April 21, 2005, at Wake Medical Center. Edward was a master baker and worked for the Fresh Market. A memorial service was held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 25, at Apex Church of Christ.
Edward is survived by his brothers and sisters, Stephen Kretz and Emily Ann Ferrell, both of Rodeo, Calif., and Michael and Nicole Coschigano of Fuquay-Varina; close friend, Brock Hartwigsen; nieces and nephews, Michael, Jason, Andy and Krystal Kretz; and three great-nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Apex Church of Christ, P.O. Box 688, Apex, NC 27502; or to Narcotics Anonymous, NAWS, P.O. Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA 91409.
Apex Funeral Directors has handled arrangements.
Daniel K. Dolecheck
Daniel K. Dolecheck, 63, lost his fight against cancer Wednesday April 20, 2005, at his home in Cary.
Dan is survived by his wife of 20 years, Enid Dolecheck; brother, Ron Dolecheck of Las Vegas, Nev.; twin children, Dale Dolecheck of San Antonio, Texas, and Danelle Boldt of Albany, Ore.; and stepchildren, Stacey Coonrod of Portland, Ore., and Steven Coonrod of Apex. Dan also had seven grandchildren. Dan lived in Albany, Ore., until 1986, at which time his job brought him and his family to North Carolina. He became an avid sporting clays shooter and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was a vice president of Casey Industrial, where he had been employed for more than 30 years. His role with Casey allowed him many opportunities to travel the world.
His heart and home were always open to friends and family; upon arrival you could count on food and beverage. He loved sharing his knowledge and expertise while assisting with all the neighborhood projects. Also known as "Papa, " he prided himself on being a loving grandfather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may go to Duke Community Hospice Services, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704.
Family and friends gathered Monday, April 25, at 2 p.m. to remember him at the Apex Funeral Home. Following was a celebration of his life, held at MacGregor Downs Country Club.
Audrey Maynard Grindle
Audrey Maynard Grindle, 85, of Morrisville died Friday, April 22, 2005, at Rex Nursing Care of Apex. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 25, at Apex Funeral Directors, conducted by the Rev. Bob Weatherspoon. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial followed in the Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ernest Grindle; daughter, Rosemarie Stanley and husband, David of Morrisville; granddaughter, Amanda Stanley Gilliam and her husband, Johnny; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Grindle was preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made to one’s favorite ministry.
"To the world she was just another person, to her family and friends she was the world."
Randall Gene Taylor
Randall Gene Taylor, 44, of Cary, an avid fisherman, died in a boating accident April 22, 2005, in Carteret County. He was employed with Apex Systems. Mr. Taylor was born in Sanford on Feb. 26, 1961 to Ellis Britt Taylor and Nellie Jackson Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ellis Britt Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Dillon Taylor of Cary; son, Zachary Gene Taylor of Cary; daughter, Jennifer Ann Taylor of Cary; mother, Nellie Gillis of Sanford; and brother, Ellis "Butch" Taylor Jr. of Garner.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. Interment followed in Wake Memorial Gardens, Cary.
The family received friends Monday evening, April 25, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. A rosary service was held at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrews Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, Apex, NC 27502.
Allen Dempsey Hearn
Allen D. Hearn, 76, of Apex died Tuesday morning, April 26, 2005, at WakeMed Cary Hospital. He was a longtime employee of Triangle Brick Company. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, April 28, at 2 p.m. in the New Elam Christian Church Cemetery on Pea Ridge Road in Chatham County. Surviving Allen are a sister, Florence Pettigrew of South Mill; and a brother, Clarence Hearn of Apex. He also leaves behind numerous loving nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends immediately following the graveside service.
Those desiring to do so may make memorials to the New Elam Christian Church Cemetery Fund. Arrangements have been handled by Apex Funeral Directors, 550 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55) in Apex.
Judy Diane Spencer Edwards
Judy Diane Spencer Edwards, 57, formerly of Cary, passed away April 3, 2005 while vacationing in Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Spencer, in 2001. Surviving: husband, Ray Dean Edwards of Verdi, Nev.; mother, Colleen Booth Spencer of Cary; brother, Reggie Spencer of Cary; sister, Kathy Wiley of Cary; and one niece, Sabrena Little of Cary.
A memorial service will be held at Reedy Creek Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 15.
"Oh Mom, please don't cry, I am in Heaven on high. Someone took my life away, they didn't want me to stay. I had so many exciting things to do, I was planning to come to see you." Your loving daughter, Diane.
