Betty L. Blickensdorfer
Betty L. Daugherty Blickensdorfer, age 64, of Navarre, Fla., died June 7, 1999, after a courageous battle against heart disease in Gulf Breeze Hospital.
She was born on April 9, 1935, in Kentucky. After college she persued a career as an airline stewardess with United Airlines. She also worked with Northwest Airlines as a reservations agent.
She is survived by her husband of 29 years, William T. Blickensdorfer of Navarre; sister, Mary Snow Kimmel of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; brother, Lindsey R. Daugherty and wife June of West Palm Beach, Fla.; seven nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
William L. Collinsworth
William L. Collinsworth, age 85, of Baker, Fla., died Friday, June 7, 1999, in a Crestview, Fla., nursing center.
Mr. Collinsworth was born in Baker on March 18, 1914, and had been a lifetime resident of Okaloosa County, Fla.
Survivors include his wife, Pearleen Collinsworth of Baker; sons and daughters-in-law, William L. and Faye Collinsworth Jr. of Dublin, Calif., and Earl and Brenda Collinsworth of Auburn, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Lavada and Tony Mason of Laurel Hill, Fla.; daughter, Carol Brown of Laurel Hill; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at Yellow River Baptist Church with the Revs. James Parker and Carson Juda officiating. Burial will follow in Yellow River Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Ranae Johnson
Ranae Johnson, age 41, of Mary Esther, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at her home after an extended battle with breast cancer.
Born on Jan. 16, 1958, and raised in Portland, Ore., Ranae moved to Oklahoma City with her parents prior to graduating from high school in 1976. She met her husband while visiting the Air Force Academy in 1978 and they were married on June 30, 1979, in Oklahoma City. Ranae accompanied her husband on assignment to Hurlburt Field in 1989.
A success at whatever she endeavored, Ranae touched the lives of countless people through her work in business accounting and sales. Choosing to focus on raising two children, Ranae established a successful home-based business. Somewhere along the way, she found the time and energy to earn a BA in management from Troy State University.
Ranae enjoyed brightening the lives of all she met. With a special desire to encourage children in their spiritual growth, she enjoyed serving with Sunday school and children's church.
She is survived by her loving husband, Brian, and sons, Mathew (16) and Daniel (14); her parents, Del and Erma Hershberger of Sun City, Ariz.; her sisters, Rita Hopkins of Phoenix, and Ronda Stafford of Oklahoma City; and her brother, Royce Hershberger of Mica, Wash. Her brother, Randy Hershberger, preceded her in death.
A visitation will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 11.
A memorial service will be conducted at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 12. Inurnment will be conducted at the Air Force Academy at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to WPSM (Christian radio) at 13 N.E. Kelly Ave., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or to the American Cancer Society at 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Adolf vonOven
Adolf "The Dutchman" vonOven, age 79, of Crestview, Fla., passed away very early on the morning of June 8, 1999, in a hospital in Atlantic City, N.J., after succumbing to cancer.
Born in Indonesia in 1920, he later immigrated to the United States of America with his family in 1956 and had resided in Florida for the past 23 years. Mr. vonOven was a veteran of World War II; POW; and retired as sergeant of the Royal Dutch Army.
He is survived by his loving wife, Teddyne (Angel and Teddybear) of 51 years. Surviving children who will miss him dearly are Marian Smith of Poquoson, Va., Ingrid Deegan of Mays Landing, N.J., Yvonne Specht of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Ronald vonOven and Elly Holmes of Crestview, Fla.; 19 grandchildren; 21/2 great grandchildren; and many friends.
Adolf will be remembered for his colorful stories and recycling contributions.
Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Ferron Stepherson
Ferron Stepherson, age 58, of Pensacola, Fla., passed away Monday, June 7, 1999, at her home.
She was born in Baker, Fla., and had lived there most of her life. Mrs. Stepherson was a member of Pensacola First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Survivors include her sons, Wesley Stepherson of Pensacola, and Byron Stepherson of Arizona; daughter, Nina Stepherson of Arizona; brother, Hubert M. "Cotton" Adkinson of Baker; sister, Christine Ries of Mesa, Ariz.; and nine grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, June 11, in Wing Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Donell Harrison
Donell Harrison, age 82, of Laurel Hill, Fla., died Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at Crestview Nursing and Convalescent Home in Crestview, Fla.
Mr. Harrison was born in Laurel Hill on Oct. 8, 1916, to Hugh C. and Cora C. Carter Harrison and had been a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area. Mr. Harrison was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church and Laurel Hill Masonic Lodge 44 F&AM. Mr. Harrison was retired from civil service with 32 years of service.
He was a devoted family man and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a dedicated Christian and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his loving wife, Willie Harrison of Laurel Hill; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary R. and Betty Harrison, and Don B. and Shelby Harrison; brother and sister-in-law, Austin W. and Mildred Harrison; sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Bill Flournoy, all of Laurel Hill; grandchildren, Kim Harrison, Kelli and Jerry Sanders, Jill Harrison, and Scott and Susan Harrison; great-grandchildren, Ashley Miller, Garrett Sanders and Grant Willis Harrison; and a host of friends.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Friday, June 11, with the Rev. Sammy Hiers officiating. Interment will follow in Almarante Cemetery in Laurel Hill.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Henry Santuci
Master Sgt. Henry "Ted" Santuci, U.S. Air Force retired, age 69, of Destin, Fla., died of Lou Gehrig's disease on Tuesday, June 8, 1999, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife, Janet of Destin; mother, Elisa of Niceville, Fla.; children, Lisa and Guy of Destin, and Gina of San Francisco; brothers, Salvatore of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Ronald of San Jose, Calif.; sisters, Jane of Niceville, and Linda of Killingston, Vt.; and many nieces and nephews.
Henry was preceded in death by his father, Antonio; and nephew, Michael. He was a past commander of the American Legion and trustee of the Elks Club in Destin, and a lifetime member of the VFW.
He was always giving more than he received and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
There will be a memorial in his honor at the American Legion Post 296 in Destin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 13.
Donations may be made to ALS or to MDA.
The National Cremation Society, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Carl F. Runge
Carl F. Runge, age 81, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Friday, May 28, 1999, in Pensacola, Fla.
He was born on Feb. 7, 1918, in Numidia, Pa., the son of the late Elmer and Blanch Zanger Runge. He had resided in DeFuniak Springs for the past 24 years. Mr. Runge served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of AMVETS Post 178, VFW Post 4437, Moose Lodge and Freeport American Legion Post. Mr. Runge was an avid fisherman. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Mr. Runge is survived by his wife of 47 years, Alice D. Runge of DeFuniak Springs; sons, Rodney Pete Bogart Runge and Carl F. Bo Runge II, both of DeFuniak Springs; brothers, Jack and Leroy Runge, both of Numidia; and sisters, Ruby Feese, Delphine Tempton and Pat Welch, all of Numidia; and six grandchildren.
Memorialization will be by cremation. The family will hold a private service and burial.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Ann Couch
Ann Couch, age 73, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Wednes-day, June 9, 1999, in a local nursing home.
Mrs. Couch was born on Sept. 11, 1925, in Culverton, Ga., to the late Marion and Alice (Parham) Walter Sr. Ann moved to the Fort Walton Beach area 15 years ago from Birmingham, Ala. She was an assistant to the Regional Controller of Currency in Atlanta, and also an administrative assistant to a heart surgeon in Birmingham.
Ann was very organized and enjoyed boating, camping, swimming and walking. She also liked crossword puzzles, reading and traveling. Mrs. Couch was a member of the Garden Club and just loved life in general.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lois Pattillo Waller; and brother, Marion "Red" Waller Jr. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, George W. Couch; daughter, Jac-quelyn Webster of Atlanta; son, George W. Couch Jr. and wife Carolyn of Birmingham; grandchildren, Kimberly Ranee Martinez, Jason W. Couch, Charles Steven Johnson, Alicia Johnson and Tanya Carol Powell; and great-grandchild, Bailey Grace Powell.
A memorial service in celebration of Ann's life will take place on Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Friedman officiating.
Floral tributes will be accepted, or contributions in lieu of flowers may be given to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 (244-3813) in memory of Ann.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Dorothy Mott Smith
Dorothy Mott Smith, 78, of Crestview, Fla., passed away on Friday, June 11, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla. Hospital. She was born in Stark, Fla., but moved to the Crestview area 52 years ago, moving from Jacksonville, Fla. She was a member of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Baker, Fla.
Survivors are: husband of 50 years Joe. P. Smith of Crestview, daughter and son-in-law Mary Jo Joseph and Tom Gonzalez of Crestview, brother Wilber F. Mott, two grandsons Michael Shawn Joseph and Tyler Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, June 14, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. from the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Baker, Fla. with the Rev. Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Pilgrim Rest Cemetery with Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 W. James Lee Blvd, Crestview, Fla. directing.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, June 13, 1999, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Mrs. Smith will also lie in state at the church for one hour before the funeral service.
