Allie Nichols
Allie Nichols, age 76, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Sunday, April 4, 1999, in a local nursing home.
She was born in Chipley, Fla., and had been a resident of Niceville for the past 38 years.
Survivors include her sons, Steve Hall of Highland Homes, Ala., and Elbert "Junior" Nichols of Niceville; stepsons, Grady Nichols of Lakeland, Fla., and Donald Nichols of Clearwater, Fla.; daughters, Carol Lane of Niceville and Maxine Nichols Cochran of Crestview, Fla.; stepdaughters, Nell Corbin of San Mateo, Fla.; sisters, Gail Smith of Panama City, Fla., Nell Fletcher of Orlando, Fla., and Marsaha Bihlear of Panama City; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in Black Creek Cemetery near Freeport with the Rev. Terry Hanna officiating.
The family requests contributions be made to the American Heart Association.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Rena J. Harvey
Rena J. Harvey, age 61, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away Saturday, April 3, 1999.
Mrs. Harvey was born in Holt, Fla., on April 6, 1937, to Beda and Lela Nelson and had lived in Jacksonville most of her life. She attended St. Matthew's Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, Richard P. Harvey of Jacksonville; and son, Rick Harvey of Orange Park, Fla.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in the chapel of Brackney Funeral Service with the Rev. Russell Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Holt Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
James Harvey Pulliam
On April 2, 1999, Jim Pulliam made his final courageous fight for life.
Earth's battle is over with suffering and pain.
Heaven rejoiced as they announced his name.
A husband, a father, a papa, a friend,
Remembered forever with a love that won't end.
Jim is survived by his wife, Patsy; son, James H. Pulliam II and wife, Diann; daughters, Luann Triliegi and husband, Bruno, and Tommie Trovato and husband, Joe; grandchildren, B.J. Alexandria and Areanna Triliegi, James Thomas and Nicolas Pulliam; in-laws, Josh Hurst, Ann Zimerle, Jerry and Kay Green, Wendell and Nina Wright, Carey and Carol Green and Elna Green; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Pulliam was preceded in death by his father and mother, James T. and Lula Pulliam, and brother, Roy Pulliam.
During his early years, Jim was a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Walton. Currently, The Chapel is considered his home church. Jim was also a Mason and served his country in the U.S. Army before beginning his career. He was employed for more than 30 years at the Daily News in Fort Walton Beach. He worked in the Circulation Department and watched as the paper grew from a single, weekly edition to a full seven-days-a-week production. He was Circulation Director until he developed cancer of the larynx.
Jimmy was a loving husband and father who nurtured his family and instilled values for living a good life. During his children's school years, he was an actively involved parent, serving numerous times as PTO President and Booster Club President. Nothing pleased him more than being part of his children's lives. Their school friends who found a safe haven at Mr. P's shared that same love and devotion.
"King of Cooking" was another title worn by Jim. The kitchen was his domain. There wasn't a gadget he hadn't tried.
A good barbecue was his specialty, but everything he cooked was wonderful.
Jim was loved by his extended family for his loving support and leadership through the years.
Mr. P's love was witnessed by the many lives of which he came in contact.
He always believed in everyone's best, when often the worse was most evident. He will be missed and remembered in our hearts forever.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary, with Father Ken Murie officiating, on Wednesday, April 7, at 10 a.m. Following the services, friends will gather at 915 Sara Drive in Shalimar.
Norman Champigny
Norman Champigny, "Wonder Daddy," only 47 years of age, lost his life suddenly at Keesler Air Force Base on April 5, 1999, due to heart problems during a surgical procedure.
Norman is survived by his loving wife, Cindi; daughters, Pamela Moyer and husband, Christy Champigny and Tiffany Seitz; son, Donald Seitz; grandchildren, Kayla and Vasana McBroom; brothers and sisters, Richard and Vicki, Pat and Louis, Pauline and Bobby, Lillian and Frank, and Bobby.
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Champigny.
Throughout his life, education and work, family and friends were his utmost priorities. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering at the University of Florida in August 1983. In December 1994, he finished his master's degree.
With over 25 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, he retired as a captain in February 1996. Soon after, he became a valuable asset to the Sverdrup Corp., where they created a job for him maintaining 25 different computers at his previous work location; the very laboratory in which he researched, designed, ordered and built.
To his family and friends Norman was only known by the self-appointed name of "Wonder Daddy." He was truly wonderful and everyone admired his way of doing things. Once, he fixed a thousand dollar computer chip for the car with a simple staple. What he did without, he made up for by transforming junk into treasures. Throughout his life he was given hundreds of useless televisions and VCRs. He loved the challenge, happily fixed them, and gave them away.
Many people turned to "Wonder Daddy" for help, be it financial, advice or education. He always had an answer. Even strangers could appreciate his silly nature; it was relieving to many cashiers and attendants.
Most of all, "Wonder Daddy" was a source of energy and love for all of us. Not a day went by without him saying "I love you" at least 20 times.
Although Norman died so young, he lived a fulfilled life with plenty of family, friends and work to love. Foremost, he found true love and great happiness in his wife of 10 years, Cindi. She was his vital link in life, his true soulmate.
There will be a small gathering of close friends and family at Lion's Park on Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m.
Alice L. Kelly
Alice L. Kelly of Niceville, Fla., passed away April 5, 1999.
She was born on April 26, 1922, in Prospect Park, Pa., and had resided in Niceville for seven years.
Mrs. Kelly was a member of Rocky Bayou Country Club and an avid sports enthusiast and needlework artist. She was devoted to her family and her love touched many lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, William Lush, and Alice's daughter, Pamela Jane Duncan.
Mrs. Kelly is survived by her husband of 57 years, John E. Kelly of Niceville; son, Kevin E. Kelly of Arizona; daughters, Hollis Ann Applegate of New York, and Alice Linda Kennedy of Texas; brother, Charles Lush of New Jersey; grandchildren, Larrissa and Emmie Robel of New York, Shari Billings of Florida, Regina Recifo, U.S. Marine Corps, California, and Chris Recifo of Germany; and great-granddaughter, Marie-Theres Recifo.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
James Andrew Cherry
James Andrew Cherry, known to his church and his lodge as "Brother Jim," died peacefully on the evening of April 5, 1999.
He was born on Jan. 23, 1919, and lived in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., since 1962. In all of his 80 years, he so devoted himself to his God, his country and his community that many stories of his boundless generosity will long be told in his remembrance.
He was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, serving his nation faithfully in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for over 30 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Destin, with part of his great heart still at Mary Esther Baptist Church. Mr. Cherry was a past master of Alpha Lodge 172 F&AM; York Rite; Scottish Rite Bodies; Hadji Temple Shrine; longtime member of Sabre Jets; and Fort Walton Chapter 202 Order of the Easter Star. He was also a member of the Air Commando Association.
But his most important membership was in the family of God.
Those waiting to join him in Heaven include his wife of 56 years, Helen Cherry; daughter, Mary Ready; son-in-law, Frank Ready; grandchildren, Frank, James and Jennifer Ready; brothers, William and Alan Cherry; and many other family members and friends who loved him.
The words of the Apostle James best sum up his extraordinary life: "Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 8. Masonic last rites services will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel on Friday, April 9, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Boone officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Beal memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
J.T. King
J.T. King closed his eyes and went to sleep on April 2, 1999, at 3 a.m. at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Mr. King was born on Oct. 10, 1919, in Tuskeegee, Ala. He was the son of the late Bennie and Laura Ree King. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with Beulah First Baptist Church when he moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in the early '50s. He worked at Hurlburt Field in janitor service until he retired. He was on the deacon board and senior usher board.
He leaves to cherish his memories a wife, Mrs. Pearle King of Fort Walton Beach; sons, Ronnie King of St. Petersburg, Fla., Donnie King of Pensacola, Fla., and Jeff Harley of Geneva, Ala.; sister, Queenie Shields of Fort Walton Beach; brothers, Alige (Hattie) King and Jasper King of Fort Walton Beach; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Friends may call at Beulah Baptist Church from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 9.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at the church with the Rev. Thigpen officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Gaynell T. Brown
Gaynell T. Brown, age 85, died Tuesday, April 6, 1999, in Niceville, Fla.
Ms. Brown was a lifelong resident of Freeport, Fla. She enjoyed crocheting and gardening and was a very good cook. She was Holiness by faith and befriended many people.
Ms. Brown was preceded in death by her father and mother, Josephus and Ada Hutto Taylor. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Alex Brown. She is survived by one son, RayVaughn Brown of Freeport; daughters, Hattie Edna Caswell and husband G.L. of Chattahoochee, Fla., Johnnie Myrl Lowery and son-in-law Dennis Lowery Jr. of Freeport, and Barbara Sue Madden of Sarasota, Fla.; brother, Benjamin C. Taylor of Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Ruth Lasiter of Indianapolis, Ind., Evelyn Harrison of Niceville, Fla., and Gertrude Dinwiddie of Greensboro, N.C.; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchidren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.C. O'Neal officiating.
A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the funeral home.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy M. Kuchler
Dorothy M. Kuchler (Olsen, Gugliotto) was born in Caspian, Mich., to the late Domenic and Blanche Gugliotto on Jan. 4, 1923. She passed away suddenly in her Destin, Fla., home on April 4, 1999, shortly after attending Easter services.
She was a devoted mother, wife and nurse. Dorothy was a graduate of the Cook County School of Nursing. She dedicated her life to the service of others through her career as a surgical, dialysis (the Milwaukee Veterans Hospital) and floor nurse, in addition to volunteer services through the church, community and the American Red Cross. She continued to be active in church and community, as well as her employment with Wal-Mart in recent years.
She is survived by her sons, Rodney R. Olsen (Candace) of Dewitt, Mich., and Todd K. Olsen (Gale) of Verona, Wisc.; grandchildren, Adam, Tracy and Anthony Olsen of Dewitt, Danielle Olsen of Verona, and Jared Pipes of Kennewick, Wash.; siblings, Beatrice Taube (Walter) of Milwaukee, Eleanor Wollersheim (Lawrence) of Milwaukee, Adeline Kovaleski (Anton) of Green Valley, Ariz., Edward Gugliotto (Florence) of Milwaukee, and Domenic Gugliotto (Anna Mae) of Iron River, Mich.
She will be truly missed by her many nieces and nephews, friends and companion, Ron Kidd.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marcia J. Pipes (Olsen); husband, Frank Kuchler; sister, Viola Medica; and brothers-in-law, Edward Medica, Walter Taube and Lawrence Wollersheim.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 50 Beach Drive, Destin at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Destin; to the American Red Cross; or to a charity of your choice, in memory of Mrs. Kuchler.
Marvin Linwood Boyd Sr.
Marvin Linwood Boyd Sr. of Mary Esther, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999, at the age of 58.
He was a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force with over 22 years of active duty service, and currently employed with civil service at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Mr. Boyd was born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Pinetown, N.C., to Grady and Annie Boyd.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Boyd; sons, Marvin Boyd Jr., Christopher Mullin and his daughter, Carolina Boyd; mother, Annie Boyd; and his sister, Faye McKinley.
His presence and gentle spirit will be missed and always remembered by family and friends.
A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, in McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, with full military honors.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Brach, entrusted with arrangements.
