U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Howard W. Gill
Howard W. Gill of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Jan. 29, 2000, at the age of 92.
He was born on Feb. 28, 1907, in Headland, Ala. At an early age he moved to Baker, Fla., where he attended school, and in 1926 moved to Milton, Fla., where he became assistant cashier of the State Bank of Milton for several years. During the Great Depression the bank voluntarily liquidated, paying off all depositors in full immediately after closing.
For a while he was a bailiff in the United States District Court in Pensacola, Fla., and later, during the Depression, was supervisor of the Commodity Distribution Division of the W.P.A. for three west Florida counties. By 1941 he had married Cleta E. Nixon and had begun a family, and on Dec. 8, the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he moved his family to what was then Fort Walton, and was employed as chief accountant of the Eglin Air Force Base Post Exchange. Later, he and his wife opened an accounting practice in Fort Walton Beach.
He was instrumental in securing the first bank in Fort Walton (which later became First City Bank), the first weekly newspaper (then known as Playground News, which later became Playground Daily News), he was a charter member of the first Kiwanis Club, and contributed toward attracting the town's first couple of physicians who managed to stick it out in such a small town. At the time of his settling in Fort Walton Beach there was only one church in town. It was a Catholic church, and he was a Baptist. Along with several other community leaders he organized the First Baptist Church. He served as a deacon in the First Baptist Church for many years, and was one of the organizers of Cinco Baptist Church.
In 1956 he was elected Justice of the Peace for this area and served 16 years, at which time seven types of courts, including Justices of the Peace, were abolished, and a new system put into effect. He then ran for County Court Judge, was elected, and while serving attended a periodic law course spread out over three years at the law school at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He completed all of the prescribed courses, but chose to retire after 20 years as judge rather than to run for a fifth term.
He is survived by a daughter, Diana Barnes; three sons, Jerry W., J. Michael, and Mark E; five grandchildren, Mickey, Blue, Charles, Erin and Elie; and two great-grandchildren, Harriet and Eric.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Darryl Homberg officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Floral contributions are accepted.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
James G. Bowden
Chief Master Sgt. James G. Bowden, U.S. Air Force, age 61, formerly of Valparaiso, Fla., died in Baltimore on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, after an extended illness.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Bowden of Baltimore; his devoted wife, Hideko and four children; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Trisha Bowden of Maryland Line, Md.; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Doug Woods of Perrish, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Kathy Bowden of Valparaiso, Fla.; and son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Joan Bowden of Baltimore; four grandchildren, David, Lauren, Michael and Alyssa. Also, his faithful dog Sassy.
He will live forever in all of our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Evans Funeral Chapel in Baltimore is in charge of arrangements.
Oliver Emile Fowler
Col. Oliver "Ollie" Emile Fowler, U.S. Air Force retired, age 79, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at his residence.
Ollie was born on June 23, 1920, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to the late James R. and Grace Amo Fowler. Ollie had been a resident of Niceville since 1982, moving here from Lafayette, La. He was a member of Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville; Kiwanis; and past member of Knights of Columbus.
Col. Fowler attended USL in Lafayette and soon began his career in the U.S. Air Force during World War II as a bomber pilot. Most of his career was in Strategic Air Command. He retired from the Air Force in July 1964 from Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, where he was vice commander of the 500th Air Refueling Wing. Before moving to Florida, Ollie was Civil Defense Coordinator for the city of Lafayette and Lafayette Parrish for 17 years.
Col. Fowler was preceded in death by his parents; son, Capt. James Bryan Fowler; and sister, Doris Fowler. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Theaux Fowler of Niceville; son, Robert L. Fowler of New Orleans; daughter, Linda C. Williams and husband James of Plano, Texas; son, John L. Fowler and wife Caroline of Cross City, Fla.; son, Michael L. Fowler and wife Demi of Scarborough, Maine; brother, Robert Fowler of Alexander, La.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Col. Fowler will be missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church with the Rev. J. Craig Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:15 p.m., with full military honors.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday and then proceed in procession to the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, in memory of Col. Oliver E. Fowler.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Rosanne Jane Pike
Rosanne Jane Bush Pike of Navarre, Fla., died Feb. 2, 2000, at Bay Breeze Nursing and Convalescent Center in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
She was born in Athalia, Ohio, and had resided most of her life in Columbus, Ohio. Four years ago she moved to Navarre to be close to her children. She was a retired gift shop manager at St. Anthony's Hospital in Columbus and was a member of East Columbus Church of Christ; member of St. Anthony Retirement Group, Karl Road Senior Citizen Center, Cooke Road Senior Citizen Center, and Westerville Senior Citizen Center.
Rosanne leaves to cherish her loving memory a son, James C. Pike and wife Seva; daughter, Connee G. Bevins and husband Jerome K. Bevins Sr.; grandchildren, James C. Pike Jr., Connee L. Pike, Douglas E. Pike and Jerome K. Bevins Jr.; sister, Hazel Dayner; nephew, Dean of Belle Vernon, Pa.; and several cousins.
At her explicit instructions, her cremated remains will be laid beside her husband, James R. Pike, at Union Cemetery in Columbus.
A local memorial service will be held at Lewis Funeral Home in Navarre at 3 p.m. Friday. Pastor John Paul Simon of Gulf Breeze Church of Christ will officiate.
At a later date, her cremated remains will be transferred to Columbus, where a church and graveside service will be presided over by Pastor Gregory Widener of East Columbus Church of Christ. The date and time will be announced later.
The family wishes to thank Pastor Simon and the wonderful people of Gulf Breeze Church of Christ for their dedicated support, prayers and sitting with our Mother during her final days. We also want to thank the nursing staff at Bay Breeze for their excellent care and kindness.
Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Dickens Jr.
Robert "Rob" Dickens Jr., age 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000.
He was born on March 6, 1958, in El Paso, Texas, and attended high school in Garden Grove, Calif.
Rob was an avid fisherman, hunter, off-road enthusiast and gardener. He also enjoyed metal detecting, rock polishing and cooking.
He is survived by his father and mother, Robert and Dallas Dickens; grandmother, Lonie Dickens; brother, Brent Dickens; sister, Dawn Parks; and nephew, Kale Parks.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday for family, close friends and co-workers.
Rob will be remembered always as a peacemaker with an abundance of care and love for everyone he met.
Mertice Hart Brown
Mertice Hart Brown, age 87, of Crestview, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000.
Mrs. Brown was born on Nov. 11, 1912, in Dorcas, Fla., daughter of the late Mallory Pasco and Ida Miller Hart. Mrs. Brown was a member of First United Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star Chapter 203 in Crestview.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Dorace Brown, in 1997.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Edna Belle and Autis (Monk) Atkins of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Adela Brown of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Allen Atkins, Tim Atkins, Bobby Brown, David Brown and Debbie Brown Henderson; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Allie Thompson of Arkadelphia, Ark.; sisters-in-law, Ruth Spann of Dorcas, Fla., and Flossie Blackwell of Milligan, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at the funeral home with the Rev. Wesley Spivey officiating. Burial will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted, or contributions may be made in Mrs. Brown's memory of a favorite charity.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Stephen A. Archbold
Stephen A. "Opie" Archbold, age 31, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died early Monday morning, Jan. 31, 2000, in Walton County, Fla., as the result of an automobile accident.
Born in Bethesda, Md., he moved here in 1987 from Herndon, Va. He was a waiter at the 83rd Central Square in Seaside and at Caf� Sublime.
Stephen is survived by his mother, Audrey Archbold of Coral Gables, Fla., and his father, Emerson E. Archbold of Barnesville, Ohio; brother, Michael Edward Archbold of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Susan Elizabeth Edwards of Coral Gables, Kathy Jean Archbold and Laurie O'Brien and husband Jeff, all of Sterling, Va.; nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Archbold, Joseph O'Brien, Sarah Edwards and Megan O'Brien.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Cross Point Baptist Church in Santa Rosa Beach.
The family will receive friends at the church, which is located on Highway 393 in Santa Rosa Beach, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Southerland Family Funeral Home, Panama City, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Beulah Grasby Butt
Beulah Grasby Butt of Navarre, Fla., died Feb. 1, 2000, as the result of an accident.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter H. Butt; and grandson, Mark Monteleone.
She leaves four daughters, Lillian Butt of Navarre, Ethel Monteleone of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Arline Bullard of Navarre, and Naomi Phelps of Fort Walton Beach; and 18 grandchildren.
A memorial service for family and friends will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday at Holley Assembly of God Church.
Roy Burden Jr.
Tech. Sgt. Roy Burden Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, age 52, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, in a local hospital.
He was born on July 3, 1947, in Attala County, Miss., to Mary Mildred Burden and the late Roy Burden. Roy retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1986 from Little Rock, Ark., after serving for 20 years and four months. He spent two tours in Vietnam and was later stationed in England after the Vietnam War.
After retiring from the military, Roy moved to Mary Esther and was a Q.A. inspector for Chromolloy of Florida. Roy enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He was a member of Nomad Bass Busters Fishing Club in Niceville, Fla., and he won first place in January 2000 for the "big" fish and most weighed-in fish.
Mr. Burden was preceded in death by his father, Roy Burden, who died in October 1999. He is survived by his wife, Judy Annette Burden of Mary Esther; daughter, Tina Scott of Mary Esther; son, Roy A. Burden and wife Annette of Navarre, Fla.; mother, Mildred Burden of French Camp, Miss.; sisters, Margie Moore and husband Thomas, Annie Ruth Davis and husband Travis, all of French Camp. And Barbara Ryan and husband Bob of Kosciusko, Miss.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Burden, Brandon Lipscomb, Demtri Trocha and Dawson Burden; and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, with full military honors.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Kathryn K. Nadicksbernd
A very gracious lady passed away on Feb. 3, 2000. Kathryn King Nadicksbernd was a native of Cincinnati.
She cherished her family and leaves them a legacy of fond and loving memories. She will be remembered for her tremendous zeal and her amazing ability to enjoy life. Kathryn lived in Fort Walton Beach for the past 50 years and was a pioneer in the development of Fort Walton Beach, as we know it today.
"Miss Kay" was very active in church, civic and community activities. She gave many hours of dedicated and loving service to St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Mary's School. She served as past president of the Fort Walton Beach Hospital Auxiliary, and as past president of the Fort Walton Beach Woman's Club. She was a member of the Elkettes and served as their scholarship chairman for many years.
As an active member of the community, she was instrumental in the development of the first school for retarded citizens - Silver Sands School. She also was a member of the Lioness Club, American Heart Association, the United Services Organization, American Cancer Society, Officers' Wives Club and the Fort Walton Beach Garden Club.
Her devoted husband, William John Nadicksbernd Jr. preceded Kathryn in death. She is survived by a sister, Ellen Burke of Cincinnati; five daughters and a son, Betty Moore (Paul) of Mary Esther, Fla., Carol Richardson (John) of Columbus, Ohio, Geri Coleman (J. Drew) of Pensacola, Fla., William J. Nadicksbernd (Regina) of Fort Walton Beach, Peggy Burgess (Robert) of Pace, Fla., and Sue Sharp (Jerry) of Atlanta. There are 19 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her caregiver, Maxine Briggs.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin Mortuary, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
A funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons, John David Richardson, William J. Nadicksbernd IV and Tanner Ross Sharp, and friends, Timothy Herndon, Ed Keppel and Wayne Walker.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mary's School, Fort Walton Beach; Pensacola Catholic High, Pensacola; or to the Alzheimer's Support Group of Fort Walton Beach.
