Clinton Douglas Griffith Sr.
Clinton Douglas Griffith Sr., age 70, passed away July 19, 1999.
Born Feb. 7, 1929, to Peter and Effie Griffith, "Doug" was a lifelong resident of the Baker, Fla., community. He attended Baker School and entered the U.S. Army after graduation. After his discharge from the Army he attended the University of Florida on the GI Bill. He taught vocational agriculture at the Escambia Farms School. Later he was principal and 7th/8th combination teacher at Holt School. Next, he was assigned as assistant principal at Crestview High School. His last 17 years in education was spent at Baker School as principal.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Amarene Thompson Griffith; sons and their wives, Clint and Lorinda Griffith of Memphis, Tenn., Ollin and Darell Griffith of Holt, Fla., and Stephen and Janet Griffith of Birmingham, Ala.; grandson, Adam Griffith, presently attending the University of Florida; brothers and sisters, Mary Sasser of Niceville, Fla., Wendall Griffith of Pace, Fla., Dorthy Lewis of Brewton, Ala., Donald Griffith, Helen Whitfield, both of Baker, and David Griffith of Houston.
Pallbearers will be Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church deacons and his Sunday school class.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Perpetual Cemetery Fund.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 22, at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Cemetery.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Sylvester Cadenhead
Sylvester Cadenhead, born in Galliver, Fla., Aug. 3, 1918, passed away July 20, 1999, at the age of 80.
He was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla. Mr. Cadenhead was the son of Okaloosa County natives Albert and Dora Steele Cadenhead. His grandparents, Greene and Melvinie Cadenhead settled in the northern end of the county in the late 1800s, where many descendents remain. Sylv was a patriot and World War II veteran. He served as district commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars (home Post 7674) before retiring from U.S. Air Force civil service in 1977.
Sylv spent many happy hours fishing the best spots along the Choctawhatchee River, but his greatest joy was time spent with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruth Cadenhead; daughters, Capt. Julia T. Cadenhead, CHC, U.S. Navy and husband Owen Melody of Pensacola, Fla., and Victoria Livingston and husband Edward of Crestview, Fla.; grandchildren, 1st Lt. Jon Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps, of Milton, Fla., and Stacy Livingston of Pensacola; brother, Dewey and wife Joyce Cadenhead of Milton, Fla.; sisters, Evelyn Spurlin of Niceville, Fla., Edna and husband Harvey Williamson of Holt, Gladys and husband James Peoples of Pensacola, and Vivian and husband Angus Harrelson of Crestview; sisters-in-law, Bernice Cadenhead of Freeport, Fla., Nancy Cadenhead of Panama City, Fla., and Virginia Ward of Baker; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, Cedar Avenue, Crestview, with the Revs. Fran Picker, Donnie Cadenhead and George Skipper officiating. Brief graveside rites will follow in Live Oak Park Cemetery in Crestview.
Floral contributions will be accepted and memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 West College Blvd., Suite 5, Niceville, Fla., in Sylvester's name.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
John Alexander
John Alexander, age 71, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away after a brief illness Tuesday evening, July 20, 1999, at his residence surrounded by his family.
Mr. Alexander was born on May 18, 1928, in Mount Airy, Ga., to the late William Herschel and Mary Elizabeth Alexander. Mr. Alexander retired in June 1976 as a senior master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force after 29 years of service with civil engineering at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He then served 14 years with civil service and retired in May 1992 from DRMO at Eglin Air Force Base.
Mr. Alexander was a member of Shalimar Baptist Church; Masonic Lodge in Mount Airy; Retired Association of NCOA; and a lifetime member of VFW Post 7674 and AMVETS Post 78. He was the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and Silver Oak Longevity Service Medal.
Mr. Alexander was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and six sisters. He is survived by his wife, Tommie R. Alexander of Shalimar; daughter, Cathy (Driver) Beaty and husband Don of Fort Walton Beach; son, J. Wayne Alexander and wife Peggy of DeFuniak Springs; daughter, Lisa Martin and husband Scott of Springfield, Va.; brother, Tom Alexander and wife Dorothy of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sister, Elizabeth Loudermilk of Mount Airy; grandchildren, Kara Alexander of Oklahoma City, Okla., Jessica Driver of Fort Walton Beach, John Alexander of DeFuniak Springs, Brett Driver of Fort Walton Beach, Daniel Martin and Sara Martin, both of Springfield; and many extended family and close friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, July 23, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Richard Martin and Don Kirby officiating. Interment will follow, with military honors, in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; Hospice of Northwest Florida, 490 Highway 85 North, Suite C, Niceville, FL 32579; or to the charity of your choice in memory of Mr. John Alexander.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Aurora Larson
Aurora Larson, age 61, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Tuesday morning, July 20, 1999, at her home.
She was born in Calocan City, the Philippines, and moved to Niceville in October 1991 from Angeles City, the Philippines. Mrs. Larson was a homemaker and a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, George Larson of Niceville; sons, Ben Larson and wife Puring; Jimmy Larson and wife Yolly; and Rick Larson; daughters, Yolanda Johnson and husband Bobby, Nancy Schlink and husband Danny, Sandra Zaher and husband John, Laverne Armstrong and husband Pat, and Maitress Larson; brother, Victor Santos; sister, Purita Santos; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 23, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Butler serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery.
Visitation for friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a rosary service at 7 p.m.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Louise Morgan
Martha Louise Morgan, age 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday morning, July 21, 1999, at her residence.
Mrs. Morgan was born on April 9, 1918, in Opp, Ala., to the late John Franklin and Annie Rainer Shine. She was a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, moving here in 1956 from Geneva, Ala. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Senior Friends.
Mrs. Morgan was preceded in death by her husband, P.C. "Tab" Morgan Jr., and her son, Joel Morgan. She is survived by her children, Tim and Nancy Morgan of Pensacola, Fla., Robert Morgan of Fort Walton Beach, and Martha and Gene Harwin of Pensacola; grandchildren, Blaine, Ryan and Kristyn Morgan, Jill (Dewrell) and Donnie Dickerson; great-granddaughter, Shelly Morgan Copeland; and sisters, Evelyn Pierce of Fort Walton Beach, and Mary Gilbert of Shalimar.
A memorial service for Mrs. Morgan will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Thomas Lane Butts officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, in memory of Mrs. Morgan.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Dier
Donald Dier, a retired Exxon Company, USA electrician with 23 years of service and a resident of Destin, Fla., died at 6:20 p.m. Friday, July 23, 1999, at Delta Health Care Center in Destin. He was 72.
He was a native of Baton Rouge, La., and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Zoar Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and I.B.E.W.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Emily Mayeaux Dier and his parents, Blanche J. and Mildred Broussard Dier.
He is survived by his wife, Janice Holley Dier of Enterprise, Ala.; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Connie Dier of Baton Rouge; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Frances Dier of Baton Rouge, Bonnie Cooper of Niceville, Fla., Anne and Dr. Woody Wilson of Shreveport, La.; five brothers and sisters-in-law, B.J. and Patricia Dier of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Pete and Kim Dier of Freeport, Fla., Jack and Linda Dier of Dickson, Tenn., Tony and Cindi Dier of Baton Rouge, Jesse and Annie Mae Dier of Baton Rouge.
Visiting will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, and after 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Religious services will be held at the funeral home chapel Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Kevin Hand will officiate.
Burial will take place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.
Russell W. McDonald
Mr. Russell W. McDonald, age 75, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away on Saturday, July 24, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
Mr. McDonald was born on November 24, 1923, in Woodbine, Iowa. He had been a resident of DeFuniak Springs for the last 36 years.
He was a World War II veteran, a member of the First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs, a past Master of Masonic Lodge 170 F&AM and a past patron on Eastern Star Chapter #115.
He was preceded in death by his son, Merle Russell McDonald, and his brother Howard McDonald.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara McDonald of DeFuniak Springs; two daughters, Evelyn Harper and husband Gene of Alexandria, Va., and Carolyn Cox and husband David of Milton, Fla.; one son, Rudy McDonald and wife Gloria of DeFuniak Springs; one daughter-in-law, Carol McDonald of Pensacola; two sisters, Claudine Kirby of Oakland, Ca., and Ila Jane Stafford of Grinnell, Iowa; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 26, 1999, in the Comander Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 1999, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bobby Ellisor presiding and a eulogy by Gene Harper. Graveside Masonic Rights will follow at Alaqua Methodist Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Matt Douglas, James McHenry, Odon Russell, Jimmy Garrett, Jim McCall and grandson Angello Seeley. The Masonic Lodge 170 will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Comander Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Elton Ivan Busbee
Elton Ivan Busbee, age 67, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Saturday, July 24.
He was born in Lockhart, Ala., and had lived in Okaloosa County most of his life.
Mr. Busbee attended the Crestview Mennonite Church.
Survivors include his wife June Busbee; one son, Robert Ivan Busbee; three daughters, Susan G. Busbee, Tammy M. Howard and husband Kenny, Jennifer A. Spivey and husband Robert, all of Crestview; six grandchildren; mother Ottawa Goodwin of Crestview; two brothers, Glenn Busbee of Baker, Fla., Gerald Busbee of Pensacola, Fla.; one half-brother, Reese Goodwin of Pensacola, Fla.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Peter and Gwen Saunders of Norwich, England; mother-in-law Eliza LeMay of Crestview; and many uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 27, from the Crestview Mennonite Church with the Rev. Michael Martin officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Shilo Cemetery in Shilo, Ala.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mr. Busbee will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of the arrangements.
John Mohnasky
John Mohnasky, age 76, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 25, 1999, after a short illness.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Christine Bruner Mohnasky, and is survived by his brother, George Mohnasky; sons and their wives, Mark and Darla Mohnasky, Jim and Violet Spear, and Bill and Margaret Spear; grandchildren, Helen Mohnasky Cipher, Christine Mohnasky, Steven Mohnasky, Lawrence Mohnasky, Robert Spear, Mark Spear, Kelly Spear Sullivan, Jonathan Spear and Arlene Spear Waugh, and Tami Spear, Valerie Bockover, Renee Roehrs and Virginia Wright; and four great-grandchildren.
John retired from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Postal Service. He worked as an auxiliary volunteer at Twin Cities Hospital and was recently voted "Volunteer of the Year." John was a member of First Baptist Church of Niceville and American Legion Post 221. His ever-smiling face and good-natured teasing touched everyone who met him.
Friends may visit on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, at First Baptist Church in Niceville with the Rev. Gerald Reeves officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery, with full military honors.
Friends may make donations in John's name to the American Heart Association; or to the Twin Cities Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 2190 Highway 85 North, Niceville, FL 32578.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Ray Beard
Charles Ray Beard, age 81, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Sunday, July 25, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
Mr. Beard is survived by his wife, Rita of Niceville; son, Wayne of Seagrove, Fla., son, Charles of St. Louis; daughter-in-law, Cinthia of Seagrove; grandson, Christopher; granddaughter, Meghan; sisters, Madge, Sara Jo, Mary Dorothy and Eva Ruth.
Mr. Beard retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service. He went on to a second career with Lockheed Missile Corp. Both careers kept him in California most of his life, relocating to Niceville in the fall of 1996.
Mr. Beard was a member of St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Niceville. Throughout his whole life he gave back to each community through the Episcopal Church, Rotary, Masons and Boy Scouts.
He was a great father, man, and leader. He will be missed by everyone he came in contact with.
There will be a memorial service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Niceville, at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
He requested no flowers, but donations may be made to St. Jude's Building Fund.
