Janet Schmier
Janet Schmier, 63, of Deerfield Beach, Fla., formerly of Middletown, R.I., passed away on Aug. 17. She is survived by her daughter, Marian McCord, and husband Mickey of Apex, and two sons, Aaron Schmier and wife Dawn of Wrentham, Mass., and Marc Schmier of Deerfield Beach, Fla. She also leaves her sister, Gloria Warshawsky and husband Arnold of Howard Beach, N.Y. She was grandmother to Sara, Lena and Will McCord. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Born April 17, 1941 in New York City, she earned a B.A. in education at Brooklyn College and an M.S. in library science at the University of Rhode Island. She worked as a librarian for 15 years at the Tiverton Middle School in Tiverton, R.I.
She was a former president of the Sisterhood at Temple Shalom in Newport, R.I. She was also active in many synagogue activities including the temple choir as well as Hadassah. She liked to play Mah Jongg and cards and also solve word puzzles.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, Aug. 19, at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pay it Forward Foundation, P.O. Box 1364, Cary, NC, 27512; or Beth Shalom, 5713 Yates Mill Pond Road, Raleigh, NC, 27606.
William Jerome Haley
William Jerome Haley, 78, of Cary died Aug. 19, 2004 at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Haley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Cary. He was a devoted father, brother, grandfather and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Bessie Haley, and one brother, James "Rome" Seymour Haley.
He is survived by two daughters, Deborah Carolyn Haley and Pamela Denise Haley; four grandchildren, Gregory Lynn Fowler Jr., Tina Renee Fowler, Alison Haley McKone and Zackery Hayes Smith; brothers, Walter C. Haley Jr., Wiley Glenn Haley and Edward Curtis Haley; and sisters, Margaret Haley King, Jean Haley Stanfield and Betty Ann Haley Coble. A graveside service was held Saturday, Aug. 21, at Ebenezer Community Baptist Church.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary handled arrangements.
Henry Maxwell Hooks
Henry Maxwell Hooks, 68, of Morrisville entered into heavenly glory on Thursday, Aug. 19. He was born on April 23, 1936, to the late William Edward and Mattie Caison Hooks. A native of Columbus County, he graduated from Whiteville High School, then joined the U.S. Air Force, serving his country for more than 10 years.
He returned to North Carolina to begin working with IBM in Research Triangle Park, retiring after 25 years. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Morrisville, serving through the years as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and church trustee, and loved singing in the church choir.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Aug. 22, in the First Baptist Church of Morrisville, with the Rev. Myron Yandle and the Rev. O.T. Hooks officiating. There was a graveside service and burial Monday afternoon, Aug. 23, at the Columbus Memorial Park in Whiteville.
Henry is survived by his widow, Marian Perritt Hooks of the home, and son, Richard Henry Hooks and his wife Jeanne and grandson Walker William Hooks. He also is survived by a brother, David Martin Hooks of Whiteville, and a sister, Helen Mercer of Ocean Isle Beach, and several nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Saturday evening at the Apex Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Morrisville Building Fund, P.O. Box 89, Morrisville, NC 27560; or to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., Fourth Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605.
Andrew Christopher McKenzie
Infant Andrew Christopher McKenzie died on Friday, Aug. 20, 2004 at WakeMed Cary Hospital.
He was born the same day, a beautiful baby boy, to Paul J. and Kathy McKenzie, who survive him. He also leaves behind a sister, Rebecca McKenzie, and a brother, Ethan McKenzie, all of the home. Also surviving are maternal grandparents Bob and Becky Howard of Asheboro; paternal grandparents and their spouses, Linda and David Saleeby of Bethania and Joe and Ann McKenzie of Winston-Salem. Andrew also leaves behind three paternal great-grandmothers, Mary Belle Cash and Mae McKenzie, both of Winston-Salem, and Mary Saleeby of Salisbury, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service was held at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, with the Rev. Steve Bostrom officiating. The family received friends at the memorial service and at other times at their home, 1017 Warren Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peace Presbyterian Church, 1777 W. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27513. Contributions made in memory of Andrew will be used to purchase playground equipment for the church.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary was in charge of arrangements.
Michael Kevin Stowe Jr.
Michael Kevin Stowe Jr., 31, of Apex died Monday, Aug. 23, 2004, as the result of an automobile accident.
Michael was born in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Nov. 24, 1972. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, in which he served for the next seven years. After leaving the service, he and his wife moved to the Cary area, where he began his career in the information technology field, first with WorldCom and most recently as a contractor with Duke University in the cancer research department. In 2001, Michael graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor of science in information technology.
Michael loved his career, which was his favorite hobby — working with computers. In addition, he loved photography and being with his friends and family. Most of all he loved being a husband and a dad.
Michael is survived by his loving wife, Stacy Lynn Stowe, 2-year-old son, Cameron Michael Stowe, and unborn child due in February 2005, of Apex; maternal grandparents, Moreno V. Dungan and Barbara L. Dungan of Cary; paternal grandfather, C.G. Stowe of Florida; brother, Mark K. Stowe and his wife, Jodene Stowe, of Mississippi; sister, Shannon Larkham, and step-father, Gary Larkham, of Florida; step-father, Jeff Hemstad and his wife, Gaynel Hemstad, of Nevada; father- and mother-in-law, Julian and Catherine Gomez of Arizona; and a large extended family of loving aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl Hemstad of Florida, and father, Michael K. Stowe Sr. of Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a memorial scholarship fund in the name of Cameron M. Stowe at any CCB branch.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Aug. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Brown-Wynne Chapel, Cary. A graveside service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Apex Cemetery. Services will be conducted by his uncle, the Rev. David C. Dungan of Alabama.
Sweetheart, almost a dozen years, they went by so quickly. If I had only known it would be our last kiss goodbye, I would have kept you with me. Now it hurts so badly, I can barely breathe. Our son keeps calling Da Da, what do I tell him? I will bring your second child into this world without you. My heart, my love, my life, my best friend, and my soul mate. How will I raise these babies without you, how do I go on? I still need you so much.
Your devoted wife, always and forever ... Stacy.
Condolences may be made through MeM.com.
Jack R. Artman
Jack R. Artman, 51, of Cary died Tuesday, Aug. 31, at home. A memorial service celebrating his life and homegoing was held Saturday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. in Crosspointe Church in Cary. Pastor Mark Kitts officiated.
Surviving are his wife, Sandra K. Barnard-Artman, and his daughter, Melissa K. Artman, both of the home. Also surviving are two sisters, Joyce Scott of Indianapolis, Ind., and Jill Boehm of Washington, D.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crosspointe Church and mailed to 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary, NC 27519.
Apex Funeral Directors handled arrangements.
Mary Virginia Burdick Kimball
Mary Virginia Burdick Kimball died Sept. 1, 2004 in Raleigh at City of Oaks Nursing Home.
She is survived by her sons, Bob Kimball and wife, Susan of Raleigh and Ken Kimball and wife, Tina of Corbin, Ky.; and her daughter, Gloria Bridgers and husband, Charles of Nashville, Tenn. She had six grandchildren, Elliott, Ginny, Kenny Ray Jr. and Kyle Kimball; and Charles IV and Kimberly Bridgers; and many other relatives who loved her dearly.
She was married to Boyce for 55 years and now is where she wants to be, with him and with the Lord.
Mama was the kindest, most loving and giving Christian who will never be replaced, and will forever be a witness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Building Fund, First Baptist Church, 99 Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.
The funeral was held at noon Saturday, Sept. 4, in the Apex Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Apex Cemetery.
The family received friends at the funeral home prior to the service.
Harold Wheeler Greene
Harold Wheeler Greene, 90 of Cary, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, in Rex Hospital in Raleigh. He was born on Nov. 6, 1913, in Southampton, N.Y., to Frederick and Minnie Hulse Greene.
Mr. Greene, a resident of Sag Harbor, N.Y., studied woodwind in New York City and during World War II he played with the Army Band. He was owner and operator of Harold Greene Music Service in Sag Harbor. He and his wife, Wanda, moved to Cary in 1996.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Apex Cemetery. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Wanda Springer Greene; a daughter, Donna Owens and her husband, Patrick, of Raleigh; and two grandchildren.
Arrangements are entrusted to Apex Funeral Home, 511 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55) Apex.
Christopher Monty King
Christopher Monty King, 35, of Cary died in August.
A memorial service will be held today, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church parlor.
Chris will be remembered with love by his mother, Annette King of Cary; his sister, Donna King of Durham; his aunt and cousins; his nieces and nephews; and his many other friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dean Ritter Scholarship Fund, c/o Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 110 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.
Arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.
VAN GORDON PRINCE
Van Gordon Prince, 73, of 210 W. Moore St., died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 at his home. Mr. Prince was born on May 25, 1931 to Lonnie T. and Helen Smith Prince. He was a member of the National Guard for nine years. Mr. Prince volunteered with the Apex Fire Department and Apex Rescue. He was a member of Apex Baptist Church.
A funeral service was held at noon Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004 at Apex Funeral Home, 511 W. Williams St. (N.C. 55) in Apex. The Rev. Phil Qualls officiated. Burial was in the Apex Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine G. Prince; daughters, Sue Harvey and husband, Dan of Knightdale, and Patricia Woody and husband, Carrol of Apex; grandchildren, Karen Harvey and Dean Woody; and sisters, Lillian Johnson and husband, Sherwood of New Hill, and Doris Ferrell and husband, William of Apex.
The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those considering memorial contributions may make them to Apex Fire Department, P.O. Box 250, Apex, NC 27502, or Apex Rescue, P.O. Box 765, Apex, NC 27502.
Ferol Vance Harris
Ferol Vance Harris, 93, a former resident of Washington, N.C., died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at Glenaire North Skilled Nursing Unit in Cary. Ferol was born April 15, 1911, in Pike Road, Beaufort County, N.C. He received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1934 from N.C. State University. He retired after 38 years as a supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers Home Administration. Ferol was a Mason and active participant in church and community organizations in Washington, N.C.
Ferol and his wife Helen moved to Cary in 1986 and became charter residents of Glenaire in 1993. He was also a member of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary.
Ferol is survived by two sons, Jerry and wife Jean of Cary, and Terry and wife Carolyn of Raleigh; one brother, Hilton Harris of Pike Road, N.C.; grandchildren, Judy Vaccaro and husband Vincent, Janet Surrett and husband Roy, Jennifer Coltrane and husband Tom, Christopher Harris and fiancée Paris Leggitt, Lura Kelly and husband Fred; great-grandchildren, Julie Harris, Jasper, Tacy, and Miranda Surrett, Crystal Baker, Jonathan Baker and wife Krystal; and great great granddaughter Alexandra.
Ferol was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Helen Sanders Harris, and his parents, Jesse B. Harris and Jessie T. Harrison Harris. A funeral was held on Sunday, Sept. 12, at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church. Burial followed at Raleigh Memorial Park.
The Harris family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Glenaire North Skilled Nursing Unit for their loving care of Ferol over the past three years.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, 110 S.E. Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511 or Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511 or Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., 4th Flr., Raleigh, NC 27605.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Mem.com.
ELTON EARL TRUELOVE
Elton Earl Truelove, 63, of Apex died Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at Swift Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Sanford and husband Curtis of Fuquay-Varina; son, Al Truelove Jr. of Fuquay-Varina; granddaughter, Summer Sanford of Fuquay-Varina; brother, Eddie Truelove and wife Megan of Raleigh; and sister, Jean Truelove Waters and husband David of Raleigh.
The family received friends Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Apex Funeral Home, 511 W. Williams St., (N.C. 55), Apex.
Donald L. Trasti
Donald L. Trasti passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2004 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by all his family and grandchildren and gracefully went to a better place.
Born on Feb. 28, 1936 in Mason, W.Va., he grew up in Lorain, Ohio. While serving in the Air Force, he met his wife Carol and started a family. His 35-year career with IBM moved him briefly to New York and then to North Carolina, where he and his family have been since 1978. After his retirement from IBM, Trasti continued work as a computer programmer for the state of North Carolina.
If asked how he died, his family would rather remember how he lived his life. He was a hero in the eyes of his children and grandchildren. He was a kind person who spoke with few words. He was a caring and devoted husband to Carol, his wife of 45 years, a proud father of one daughter and three sons who all grew up to be successful and caring adults, and a loving grandfather to his six grandchildren.
He lived a wonderful life and never lived his days thinking about what could have been, but rather what wonderful things could happen. He had a twinkle in his eyes for the little things that brought him comfort: his writing, his poetry, his pets, his orchids and most recently the hummingbirds that visited his birdfeeder every day this summer. He was devoted to all of his family and friends and this is how he would like to be remembered.
Surviving are his wife, Carol Grogan Trasti; daughter and son-in-law, Donna Trasti Keville and Chet Keville of Cary; son and daughter-in-law, John and Moji Trasti of Apex; son, Dr. Scott Trasti of Chapel Hill; youngest son and daughter-in-law, Erik and Cortney Trasti; his grandchildren, the jewels of his eyes, Christina, Katherine and Christian Keville, and Justin, Gabrielle and Hailey Trasti; and finally, his beloved parrot, Merlin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Swande and Eleanor Trasti, and brothers Richard and Phillip, all of Ohio.
There was a memorial service on Sept. 22 at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Condolences should be sent to Carol Trasti, 1983 Harnett Central Road, Angier, NC 27501.
Faust Potter d'Ambrosi
Jan. 9, 1922-Sept. 14, 2003
America lost another of its "Generation of Heroes" with the passing a year ago of Faust Potter d'Ambrosi. Mr. d'Ambrosi, 81, was born Jan. 9, 1922, to Faust Joseph and Elnora Potter d'Ambrosi in Ithaca, N.Y., and was reared in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mr. d'Ambrosi graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie-Mellon University) in April 1942 with a degree in chemical engineering and a commission in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was immediately ordered to active duty. He served as a line company officer and as a battalion staff officer in a Combat Engineer Group in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He returned to the United States in May 1945. He continued his military service at the Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, Va., as an instructor in mine warfare and demolitions. He reverted to reserve status in 1946 and served until 1959 in the West Virginia National Guard.
On June 1, 1945, he married his first wife, the former Sybil Batchelor of Aberdeen, who was a member of the Navy Waves. They settled in St. Albans, W.Va., where Mr. d'Ambrosi joined the Union Carbide Company. He worked there for more that 32 years, starting in the Chemicals and Plastics Division as a large-scale process development engineer. He progressed through positions of program analyst and controller of the Division's Technical Research Center, where he supervised the installation of a multipurpose computing center and accounting office. In 1961 he transferred to the New York City offices as an economic analyst and concluded his career as director of sales and marketing. Mr. d'Ambrosi was a noted tenor who remained involved in church choirs and community choral groups. He was active in American Legion, serving as a post commander, and Lions and Exchange clubs. He and Sybil retired to Raleigh in 1978 and eventually to Aberdeen. In the Sandhills he was active in Choral Society and community affairs, and was a hospice volunteer and volunteer guide at the Sandhills Nature Center. He was pre-deceased by Sybil in 1992.
He married Louise Lippincott of Southern Pines and they relocated to Ithaca, N.Y., for a period and finally to Hampden, Maine.
Mr. d'Ambrosi is survived by his wife Louise; a daughter, Sybil Elaine d'Ambrosi of Kanab, Utah; two sons, Denis of Manassas, Va., and Donald and his wife, Marie of Apex; two sisters, Elnora Sayre of Eager, Ariz., and Julia Pearson of Houston, Texas; two step-children, Carol Hubert of Wilmington and Robert Givens of Tallahassee, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by a great-grandson, John Ashley Just of Raleigh, in 2000.
Robert A. Bischoff
Robert Arthur Bischoff, 77, died on Thursday morning, Sept. 16, in Cary after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 9, 1927 to the late Frances Harcourt Bischoff and the late Robert Wagner Bischoff, he was raised in Pelham, N.Y. He left high school during World War II to serve in the U.S. Navy, returning after the war to complete school. He graduated from Iona College in 1951 and later attended business school at Columbia University.
He originally worked for Sinclair & Valentine, which was later acquired by Martin Marietta Corp. In 1992, after more than 40 years of tireless service, Mr. Bischoff retired as vice president of finance at Martin Marietta Aggregates.
He married the late Kathleen Lurenz Bischoff in 1953 and they raised their four children in Pelham, N.Y. He was very active in the community, serving as chairman of the school board, Little League president and as a volunteer fireman. A succession of business-related moves began with the family moving to Olney, Md., in 1974. Mr. Bischoff then relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1982 with his second wife, the late Susan Patterson Hallstein. In 1984, he settled in Cary, where he eventually retired, pursuing his passion for golf and enjoying his many friendships.
A longtime member of MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary, Mr. Bischoff was a member of the Board of Governors and served as treasurer for several years. In 1998, he wed Mary Ellen Matthews of Wescosville, Pa. They often traveled to Ocracoke Island, the Florida Keys and Kennebunkport, Maine. They took great pleasure in regular visits from the children and grandchildren. His vibrant and forthright personality will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Mr. Bischoff is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen Bischoff; four children, Robert of New York, N.Y., Grace of Canaan, N.Y., Ann of Sudbury, Mass., and Patricia of Stamford, Conn.; four grandchildren, Jacob and Zoe Borden, and Noah and Willow Huppert; and his half-sister, Mildred Borbet of Conway, S.C.
The family would like to express its gratitude to William R. Barry, M.D., and his staff at Cancer Centers of North Carolina, and Jay Clarke, M.D., formerly of Wake Radiology/Oncology, and his staff for making the last several years of Mr. Bischoff's life possible, productive and joyful.
Visiting hours were held Sunday afternoon, Sept. 19, at the Apex Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at Saint Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church in Apex.
Donations may be made in Mr. Bischoff's memory to the American Cancer Society, at (800) 227-2345; or to Children's Flight of Hope, 113 Edinburgh South, Suite 210, Cary, NC 27511.
Roberth Wight Trenbath
Robert Wight Trenbath of Cary died at Rex Hospital, Raleigh, on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 after a long illness. He was born Sept. 22, 1937 in New York City to Isabelle Hawk Trenbath and Gerald Stockton Trenbath.
Mr. Trenbath was a graduate of the Loomis School in Windsor Locks, Conn., and attended his father's alma mater, Haverfold College in Haverfold, Pa. He served in the U.S. Navy on active duty for four years and then joined IBM, spending the following years as a computer specialist with various organizations including RCA, NASA, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Siemens and Data General.
Robert was very active in neighborhood and community affairs. He was a member of the Town of Cary's Transportation Task Force for Senior Citizens and Citizens with Disabilities. He was recognized July 26, 2000 for his writing skills and leadership of committee.
Mr. Trenbath is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sondra Franse Qualls Trenbath; stepdaughter, Teresa Qualls Taylor and her husband Richard of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Cynthia Trenbath Porta and husband John of Vero Beach, Fla., and Lynn Trenbath Key and husband Bill of Boca Raton, Fla. He was preceded in death by his stepson, Phil Qualls.
A memorial service was held Monday afternoon, Sept. 20, at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Cary. The family received friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Fourth Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605; or to Greenwood Forest Baptist Church.
Arrangements were handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
Norman Sydney Collyer
Norman Sydney Collyer, 90, passed away Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004 after a long illness. Norman graduated from Cornell University first in his civil engineering class of 1934 and was holder of the Fuertes Medal. He was president of the F. H. Sparks Co. and Collyer Associates High-Rise Construction Co., both of which were responsible for the World Trade Center, Trump Plaza, New York Coliseum and Pan American Building, among many other buildings throughout the United States.
During the 1980s Mr. Collyer was invited by the Chinese government to tour China and assist it in various technological building techniques that he had developed throughout the years.
Recently Mr. Collyer had been a member of the XYZ Club of Cary, the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church in Cary and the Cornell Club of New York City.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen, of Cary; two daughters, Linda Logue and Gale Keenan, both of Cary; two grandchildren, Kim Freeburg and husband, Tony, of Littleton, Colo., and Chris Keenan of Florida; and two great-grandchildren, Sierra and River Freeburg of Colorado.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's St., Fourth Floor, Raleigh, NC 27605. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com.
