Michael Ryan Quinlan
Michael Ryan Quinlan, age 56, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital on Feb. 4, 2000.
Born in Pensacola, Fla., he was raised in Fort Walton Beach. He graduated from Choctawhatchee High School, Pensacola Junior College, and Florida State University, where he was a pole-vaulter on the track teams. He loved the beach and helped replant sea oats on the beaches after Hurricane Opal. He was a lifeguard on the beaches from Destin to Pensacola and saved many lives.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence N. Quinlan Jr. He is survived by his mother, Rosanne Quinlan; two children, Robin and Shane Quinlan of Destin, Fla.; brothers, Terrence Quinlan of Milton, Fla., Lance Quinlan and wife Charlotte of Shalimar, Fla., Kevin Quinlan and wife Sue of Pitsboro, N.C.; sister, Annelise Highley and husband Charles of Boca Raton, Fla.; along with 11 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 110 S.W. St. Mary Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a contribution to your favorite charity.
Terry Arnold Bryant
Master Sgt. Terry Arnold Bryant, U.S. Air Force retired, born in Amonate, Va., on Sept. 30, 1936, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in Niceville, Fla.
He honorably served his country for over 25 years, most of which was as an airborne radio operator. He was stationed in Japan, Turkey, the Panama Canal Zone, Harlingen, Texas, New Hampshire and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., during his career.
He loved his family, country and God. After his retirement, Terry spent over 10 years happily working with Gary Miller Custom Homes. He always took great pride in any job he did.
No kinder or loving husband could be found, leaving his wife of 42 years, Colleen. Also surviving are his mother, Amanda Bryant of Tazewell, Va.; daughter, Cheri Anne Evans; son, Jonathan Bryant; granddaughter, Sarah Evans, all of Niceville; granddaughter, Miri McClung of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Donald Bryant; sister-in-law, Audrey Bryant (wife of his late brother, Jim Bryant, who preceded him in death in August) both of Tazewell.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.
Funeral services will be conducted at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church in Niceville at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, with the Rev. Larry Corder officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at Heritage Gardens Cemetery in Niceville.
Floral contributions are acceptable or memorial contributions may be made to the Terry Brant Education Trust Fund, c/o Vanguard Bank, Valparaiso, FL 32580.
A special thank you goes to all the family at Gary Miller Homes, all our brothers and sisters at Rosemont Baptist Church, Pastor Sharber Smith and all our new friends, and Pastor Larry Corder at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church.
To know Terry was to love Terry.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Walter Joseph Smock
Walter Joseph Smock, age 45, of Navarre, Fla., died Jan. 23, 2000, at home after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was formerly from Toms River, N.J., and moved to Navarre in 1995. Mr. Smock was a project supervisor and environmental scientist with EA Engineering, Science and Technology. He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Independence during the Lebanon crisis.
He was a master builder and owner of his own construction company. He also was a volunteer fireman with the Navarre Beach Fire Department and a member of the American Legion. He was a musician and most recently played in the North Western, Florida Ohana. He was a previous member of and an eucharistic minister at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Barnegat, N.J., and a member of St. Peter Catholic Church of Mary Esther, Fla.
Mr. Smock was a devoted husband, father and friend to many.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jacqueline Lynn Smock; daughters, Jennifer Marie and Veronica Gene Smock; son, Walter Douglas Smock III of Navarre; mother and stepdad, Doris and Ed Woolley of Clearwater, Fla.; brothers, Larry Smock of Ventnor, N.J., and William Smock of Point Pleasant, N.J.; sisters, Beverly Palmer of Howell, N.J., and Patricia Johnson of Moorestown, N.J.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Peter Catholic Parish in Mary Esther. His burial was previously held in Toms River.
Harley T. Rushing
Harley T. Rushing, age 76, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, in Columbia, S.C.
Mr. Rushing was born on March 16, 1923, in Walton County, Fla., to Neopolian and Lena Stewart Rushing. He was a resident of Newberry, S.C., for the past 48 years. He was Baptist by faith and attended the Church of God of Prophesy of Newberry.
Mr. Rushing was preceded in death by his brothers, Merdock Rushing and Vessie Manuel Rushing; and sister, Maudie Elizabeth Rushing. He is survived by his wife, Velerie (Erie) Rushing of Newberry; son, Stinette H. Rushing and wife Ann of Newberry; brothers, Louie M. Rushing and Ralph R. Rushing, both of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and Roy Rushing of Calhoun, Ga.; sisters, Verle Wilson of Destin, Fla., and Florene Werder of Eugene, Ore.; and grandchildren, Larry Joe, Barry Andrew and Bobbie Jean.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Comander Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Glen Spence officiating. Burial will follow in Euchee Valley Cemetery.
Comander Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Julian Thomas Nipper
Julian Thomas Nipper, age 80, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, in a local nursing home.
Mr. Nipper was born on Dec. 21, 1919, in Mobile, Ala., to the late Edward John and Julia Streb Nipper. He was a construction worker for several local area waterfront hotels and had been a resident of Fort Walton Beach for the past 35 years. He was baptized Catholic and enjoyed animals and the outdoors.
Mr. Nipper was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Tolguessey and Claire Fiegle; brothers, Bernard and Vincent Nipper. He is survived by his brother, Edward E. Nipper of Hampton, Va.; his brother, Leo Knipper of Sonoma, Calif.; 21 nieces; many nephews and many grandnieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with Father Kevin Johnson officiating. Mr. Nipper will be remembered at the Friday 8:15 a.m. Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. Mary's Catholic Church; or to Knights of Columbus Council 4444 of Fort Walton Beach, in memory of Mr. Julian Nipper.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Eudoxia J. Yeschenko
Eudoxia Julia "Julie" (Molish) Yeschenko passed away quietly on Feb. 3, 2000, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
She lived a full life to the age of 87 and left her sons, Timothy McCue of Cortez, Colo., and Gerald McCue of White Sulfur Springs, W.Va.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Timofey and Anna Meleshenko; sister, Mary Grimm; brother, John Malishenko; and husbands, Charles McCue and Stephen Yeschenko.
A memorial service was conducted at St. Gregory's Russian Orthodox Church in Homestead, Pa., and at Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Fla., on Feb. 6. Internment will be at a later date.
Mary Evelyn Wise
Mary Evelyn Wise, age 84, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Monday, Feb. 7, 2000.
She was born on May 20, 1915, in Andalusia, Ala., and had resided in this area since 1961 when she moved here from Montgomery, Ala. She was Baptist by faith and a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. She was also a member of Order of Eastern Star.
Mrs. Wise was preceded in death by her husband, Louie Wise; three sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include her sister, Alice T. Harrison; brother-in-law, Jerome G. Harrison, both of Andalusia; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Little Chapel Funeral Home with Dr.. Howard Gates officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
William C. Cruce Sr.
William C. Cruce Sr., age 81, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, in a local hospital.
Mr. Cruce was born on Feb. 2, 1919, in Wood County, Texas, to William and Daisy Cadenhead Cruse. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of World War II. Mr. Cruce was a 25-year resident of the Bridge Creek Community after retiring from International Paper Co. in Natchez, Miss. He was Baptist by faith and served as a deacon of Bridge Creek Baptist Church for the past 25 years.
Mr. Cruce is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ouida Cruce of the Bridge Creek community; sons, Bill Cruce Jr. and wife Debbie of the Bridge Creek Community, and Scott Cruce and wife Dianna of Houston; daughter, Alice C. Walker and husband Rick of Senatobia, Miss.; and grandchildren, W.C. Farmer Jr. of Milwaukee, Dee Cruce and Matt Cruce of the Bridge Creek Community, and Charlie Cruce of Houston.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Bridge Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Hardy Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at Bridge Creek Baptist Church.
Comander Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Willetta H. Shaver
Willetta H. "Willie" Shaver, age 78, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at her home Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000.
She was born on Nov. 26, 1921, in Samson, Ala., and was a resident of the local area since 1953, when she moved here from Samson. She was Methodist by faith. Mrs. Shaver enjoyed archery and was a state champion. She was also a member of the Elks Club.
Willetta enjoyed doing for and helping others. For the past 30 years she enjoyed being a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vern Shaver. Survivors include her son, Joseph W. Johnson and wife Carolyn R. of Fort Walton Beach; stepson, David Shaver and wife Marlene of New Orleans; stepdaughter, Becky Sims of Meridian, Miss.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; niece, Peggy (Jerry) Rose of Panama City, Fla.; and other great-nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Charles Sansom officiating. Burial will take place in Beal Memorial Cemetery. Friends may also call one hour prior to services.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Clifford Franklin Womack Sr.
Clifford F. Womack, born June 19, 1923, son of the late Clifton and Fannie Womack (Simpson) of Greenville, Ala., was called home Feb. 4, 2000.
He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Doris Womack; four sons, Eddie (Barbara) Womack of El Paso, Texas, Donald (Minnie) Womack, Clifford (Jackie) Womack Jr. and Michael (Regena) Womack, all of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; five daughters, Dorothy (Bobby) Allen, of Milton, Fla., Gloria Womack, Janice Womack, Barbara Mobley and Linda Page, all of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Fannie Coffee; mother-in-law, Essie Bogan of Greenville, Ala.; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday 11, at Greater Peace Baptist Church, 102 Fourth St., Fort Walton Beach.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Interment will take place in Beal Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Clanston Seymore officiating.
Gainer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
