Charles Michael Yount
Charles "Chuck" Michael Yount, age 73, of Niceville, Fla., passed away at a local hospital Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2000.
Chuck was born on Oct. 17, 1927, in Vandergrift, Pa., to Oscar Clyde and Jennie May Young. He served in the U.S. Navy as a radarman aboard several ships during World War II and later graduated from Bliss Electrical School in Tacoma Park, Md. Chuck made his career as an electrical engineer in Maryland while working for various defense electronics manufacturing companies. He retired in 1989 and moved to the Niceville area, where he enjoyed several years of pleasure updating and maintaining his sailboat named the "Bonnie-Jean."
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Marian Jean; and son, Kenneth Michael. He is survived by his son, Mark, wife, Kay and their children Cheri, Lauren and Katie of Niceville; son, David, wife Jane and their children Melissa Tiffany and Nich of Frederick, Md.; daughter, Michelle Johnson and her sons Christopher and Ryan of Victoria, Texas; brother, Capt. Tim B. Young, U.S. Navy retired, and wife Connie of Charlottsville, Va.; aunt, Florence Williams of Silver Spring, Md.; uncle, Joe Yount, wife Veda Mae of Vandergrift; and other relatives throughout the northeast.
Chuck's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many friends at The Manor of Bluewater Bay Nursing Home and Twin Cities Pavilion Retirement Home, who have provided excellent care and expressions of love over the last several years. Chuck truly enjoyed his time with them.
Interment and a private family memorial service will take place in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at a later date.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Donald Sandstrom
Donald Sandstrom, age 44, lost his valiant struggle with cancer in the early morning hours of Feb. 3, 2000.
His family surrounded him with love as he drew his last breath in the comfort of his home. Donald was a devoted father, husband, brother and friend.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Gaye; his devoted children, Charles and Alana, and stepson, Pearce; his father, Clarence Sandstrom and wife Betty; brother, Kerney Sandstrom and wife Carla; sister, Susan Getzug and husband Joel; mother-in-law, Betsey Gibson; grandmother-in-law, Alice Corzilius; sisters-in-law, Cindy Boggs and husband Michael, Jill Kowrach and husband Gary, and Joy Gibson; brother-in-law, Scott Gibson and wife Karla; numerous nieces and nephews; many good friends, especially Steve and Valeta Hodges; and a beloved extended family.
Those who knew him best will miss his full head of long hair, his dashing smile and great sense of humor, and his ability to pick up his harmonica or guitar and join right into any song.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at St. Simon's-on-the-Sound Episcopal Church with Father Jim Spencer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Donald's name to any AmSouth Bank, Account No. 3401012754, to help with funeral expenses.
"We know you are playing your own music now; save one more song for us. You will be missed forever. We love you."
James Michael Hutchins
James Michael Hutchins of Lodi, Calif., died Feb. 1, 2000, in Pomona, Calif.
He graduated from Lodi Union High School in 1962 and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1962. Mr. Hutchins rose through the ranks from airman to senior master sergeant, and was commissioned as an officer in 1980, retiring as a captain in 1986. His assignments included Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, Calif., Canon Air Force Base, Clovis, N.M., Hurlburt Field, Fla., Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss., Royal Lao Air Base, Pakse, Laos, and Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, Calif.
Mr. Hutchins graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1980 as a physician assistant, practicing in the Air Force and several southern California locations. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 131, Woodbridge, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his father, Alton C. Hutchins, in 1987, and his mother, Mildred H. Hutchins in 1996.
Burial will take place in Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi after cremation.
Angelia E. Hester-Maraj
Angelia Elizabeth Hester-Maraj, age 27, passed away Feb. 3, 2000, in a local hospital.
Angelia was born in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on Oct. 21, 1972. She attended Choctawhatchee High School and some classes at Okaloosa-Walton Community College. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach; a true movie buff; loved cats; and enjoyed reading medical books. Angelia worked for Big Dogs Sportswear at the Sandestin outlet mall, and Papa John's Pizza in Fort Walton Beach.
She is survived by her husband, Wade Maraj of Fort Walton Beach; father, John Hester of Chula, Ga.; mother, Kay Hester of Sylvester, Ga.; brother, David Schien of Sylvester; brother, James Hester; sister, Tonya Hester; sister, Crystal Hester, all of Chula; grandparents, James and Thelma Hester; aunt, Miriam Laird and husband David; cousin, Daniel Dowden, all of Fort Walton Beach; and many extended family and friends.
A memorial service for Angelia will be conducted at 5 p.m. Saturday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael McVay officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach Building Fund, in memory of Angelia Elizabeth Hester-Maraj.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Eutaw Carlos Bodie
Eutaw Carlos Bodie, age 65, of Pensacola, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, after a lengthy illness.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila; son, Barry (Emma); daughters, Dawn Clark and Denise Moran; brother, Denver (Mary) Bodie; sisters, Wyona (Clint) Stokes, Virginia Betz of Tama, Iowa, Georgiann (Doug) Wilder of Mishawaka, Ind.; grandchildren, Kerry, Tracy, Molley, Chrissy, Mandy, Zachary and Courtney; great-grandchildren, Mikey, Miranda, Katie and Haley; and a special friend, Evelyn Bonadonna.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at McNeil-Keyes Funeral Home in Pensacola.
Arlie C. Vestal
Arlie C. "Pete" Vestal, age 83, of Milligan, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, in a Pensacola, Fla., nursing facility.
He was born in Spray, N.C., and lived in this area for 79 years. Mr. Vestal was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence T. Vestal, in December 1999.
Survivors include his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Sandra Lee and Ron Garrett of Baker, Fla.; sister, Naomie Stevens of Eden, N.C.; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at Milligan Baptist Church with the Rev. Ted Jernigan officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Milligan Cemetery.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Maude McVicker Melton
Maude McVicker Melton, age 97, of Baker, Fla., died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home in Crestview, Fla.
Born March 17, 1902, in Baker, Maude was the third child and the last remaining child of James A. McVicker and Jane Peaden McVicker of Baker. She was a lifelong resident of Baker and a member of Pyron Chapel Congregational Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mamie McVicker and Derlie Hartin; and brothers, Reginald, Clyde, Sumpter and Flynn McVicker. Maude was also preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leon Matthew Melton; and a son, Bradford D. Melton.
Survivors include her daughter, Onyx Youngblood of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Mildred and Bill Decker of Bradenton, Fla.; sons and their wives, Maxwell and Ruth Melton of Crestview, Dwight and Verlene Melton of Phoenix, Ariz., Fred Melton of Baker, James and Debbie Melton of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and John and Barbara Melton of Crestview; daughter-in-law, Beverly Melton of Napa, Calif.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Also, her good friend and caretaker, Mrs. Roma Henderson of Crestview.
Maude's early adult career was teaching school. She gave this career up for a more important career of wife and mother in the Depression years. Although her sacrifice was great, she thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of her labor through the success of her children. She will be missed greatly by those who knew and loved her. May the Lord hold and cradle Maude in his arms for eternity.
A time of visitation will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Pyron Chapel Cemetery in Baker.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
George W. "Knute" McCulley
George W. "Knute" McCulley, age 85, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, from a lengthy illness.
He was born in Lithoma, Ga., and moved to Fort Walton Beach in the early 1950s. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 1795 in Fort Walton Beach. He served as past exalted ruler and was a lifetime member. He was a member of the Playground Chapter #72 D.A.V. in Fort Walton Beach.
Survivors include his wife, Jean McCulley of Fort Walton Beach; son, George W. McCulley Jr.; stepdaughter and son-in-law Sharon and Steve Miller of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and sister, Aubrie Ozburn of Fort Walton Beach.
A memorial service will be conducted from the B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 1795 on Okaloosa Island at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2000.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Elks Lodge 1795 in memory of George W. "Knute" McCulley.
Arrangements by McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave. SE, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Harold E. Nelsen
Mr. Harold E. Nelsen, age 77, of Navarre, Fla., died Tuesday, February 2, 2000, at a local hospital.
Harold was born May 9, 1922, in Joliet, Ill., to the late Edward and Pauline Nelsen. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Nelsen was a prisoner of war and he was held captive in Germany at Stalag Luft IV. He was also the recipient of the Purple Heart as well as numerous other medals and awards. Harold was a life member of Mount Joliet Lodge 42 A.F. & A.M.; a life member of the American Es-prisoners of War; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans; a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars; and a member of the Caterpillar Club. He also enjoyed guns and target shooting.
Mr. Nelsen is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 33 years, Marie Nelsen. He is survived by three sisters, Constance Groom and her husband Raymond of Midwest City, Okla., Beverly Biehl and her husband Lloyd of Mary Esther, Fla., and Clara Meyrick and her husband Jack of Mobile, Ala.; brother-in-law Rudy Wirth and his wife Virginia of Naples, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Harold will take place Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, at 2 p.m. graveside in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla. There will be no public visitation prior to the service.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert B. Baggett Sr.
Mr. Herbert B. Baggett Sr., 68, of 4519 Vista Lane, Lynn Haven, Fla., died Thursday evening, Feb. 3, 2000, after a brief illness. Born in Cairo, Ga., he moved here in 1971 and was Baptist by faith.
He was a veteran of Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service. He was also a graduate of Purdue University.
Mr. Baggett is survived by his wife, Barbara Baggett of Lynn Haven, and by two sons and their spouses, Herb Baggett Jr. and wife Janet of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Robert W. Baggett and wife Ronda of Panama City Beach, Fla. Mr. Baggett is also survived by one step-son David Mims and his wife Debbie of Tallahassee, Fla., one brother Allen Baggett of Cairo, Ga., five grandchildren, Heather and Christi Mims and Patrick, Katherine and Hannah Chastain Baggett.
Graveside services will be held Monday, Feb. 7, 2000 at 11 a.m. EST, in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville, Ga. Full military honors will be accorded at graveside. Southerland Funeral Home, 100 E. 19th St., Panama City, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
