Ella Radel
Ella Radel, age 70, of Baker, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, in a local hospital in Crestview, Fla. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She is survived by four sons: Curtis and wife Diana Tunnege of Dorcas, Fla., Robert and wife Stella Brown of Baker, Fla., John A. Brown of Baker, Fla., and Fred and wife Carol Radel of Crestview. She is also survived by two daughters: Tina and husband Wayne Waggy of Crestview, Fla., and Linda and husband Scott McVey of Crestview.
Ms. Radel is also survived by three brothers, Johnnie Atwell, D.J. Atwell and Hiram Atwell, all of Crestview, and one sister, Leather Mae Bentley of Milligan, Fla.
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at 2 p.m. from Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charles Meadows and Rev. James Paul officiating. Burial will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery with Whitehurst Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
James Fred Richardson
James Fred Richardson, 76, of Crestview, Fla., passed away at his home on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000.
James was born in Gainesboro, Tenn., on Feb. 17, 1923. He moved to Crestview in 1953, moving from Palm Beach County, Fla., where he was the D.C.T. coordinator at the Lakeworth High School. James worked in the Florida Department of Education and was the director of vocational education for the Okaloosa County School System, which he held until his retirement in 1990. He served on the board of directors with the Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army, 3rd infantry division, 15th infantry regiment, I Company. He was in a number of engagements throughout Europe and received two Purple Hearts and multiple commendations. He was very active in the First United Methodist Church, where he was a member and was a former chairman of the board and faithful usher for many years.
James was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Monroe and Lora Carver Richardson; a brother, Robert, and sister, Mary Jean. He is survived by his wife, Betty Richardson of Crestview; a son, Allen Richardson of Tallahassee, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Scott Newbold of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; a brother, Therold Richardson of Gainesboro, Tenn.; his mother-in-law, Lola Spence, and a sister-in-law, Freida Spence, both of Niceville, Fla.; and one grandson, Kirkland James Newbold of Fort Walton Beach.
Funeral services will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000 with Rev. John Wesley Spivey officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla., with Whitehurst Funeral Home directing.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida or the American Cancer Society.
A time of visitation will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Home today, Feb. 14, 2000, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Arthur Robert Sisson, Sr.
Arthur Robert Sisson, Sr., 85, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, in a local hospital.
He was born in Cleburne, Texas, on Feb. 25, 1914, and was retired as a branch manager with the Addressograph Multigraph Co. and was a member of the St. Rita Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. He had lived in Santa Rosa Beach since 1986, moving from Auckland, New Zealand.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine A. Sisson, of Santa Rosa Beach; sons, Arthur Robert Sisson, Jr., and wife, Diana, of Raleigh, N.C., and Matthew Wright Sisson, and wife, Elaine, of Memphis, Tenn.; niece, Susan Atkinson, of Niceville, Fla.; nephew, Dr. V.C. Seaman, Jr., of Indianapolis, Ind.; and grandchildren, Becky Gray, Jeffery Robert Sisson, and Deborah K. Sisson.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at St. Rita Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach, with Father James J. Flaherty officiating. Burial will be in the Gulf Cemetery in Santa Rosa Beach.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the St. Rita Catholic Church.
McLaughlin Twin City Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Fla., has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Naomi Steele
Naomi Steele, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, in a Fort Walton Beach Nursing Center.
She was born in Montgomery, Ala., and was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County. Mrs. Steele was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Jack "Papa" Steele, who passed away on Jan. 12, 2000.
She was a loving mother to her children who survive her. Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Pete and Patty Steele of Crestview, Fla., and J.J. and Dawn Steele of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; one son, Bea Steele of Crestview, Fla.; one daughter and son-in-law, Jackie and Bob Holloway of Pensacola, Fla.; former daughter-in-law, Lou Ann Steele of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Imogene Adams of Crestview, Fla.; sister, Billye Gamble of Montgomery, Ala; 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted from Whitehurst Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Jim Ross, Rev. Fran Picker and Rev. Claude Tucker officiating.
Friends may call at the funeral home for a time of visitation on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Whitehurst Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
For those who desire, memorials may be made in the memory of Naomi Steele to the charity of choice.
Aubrey L. Bush
Aubrey L. "Buck" Bush, 65, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Friday, Feb. 11, 2000, in a local hospital. He was born Sept. 5, 1934 in Bogalusa, La. and had been a resident of the local area for the past 15 years after relocating from Picayune, Miss.
Bush was the owner of Danny's Fried Chicken in Niceville and cousin of present owner Randy L. Bush.
Bush is preceded in death by his parents, A.A. "Shorty" and Irma Galloway Bush.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Shackley Bush; father-in-law, Arthur Shackley; son, David Bush; daughters, Nan Bush Suckow and Kellie Bush Necaise; sister, Joan Bush Allison and husband Joel. Five grandchildren also survive.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000 at the McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home Chapel.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ralph L. Parrett
Ralph L. Parrett, age 68, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Ralph was born on April 10, 1931, in the Appalachian section of eastern Kentucky. He completed high school in Kentucky, then in 1947 moved with his family to Birmingham, Ala. He worked in Birmingham and Detroit prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in March 1951. He served four years in Texas, California, Korea and Vermont. He was discharged in 1955 and started college on the G.I. Bill. He graduated from Auburn University in March 1959 with a degree in electronic engineering.
He worked for Vitro Services for 21/2 years, Republic Aviation for six months, and entered civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in May 1962. He retired in June 1994.
Ralph was preceded in death by his father, Luther, in 1972, and by his 16-year-old daughter, Kathy, in 1978, due to leukemia.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lorene (Renie); his beloved mother, Elsie A. Parrett; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Belva Parrett of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Bill Walters of Niceville, Fla.; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Ken Collins of Waterford, Wisc.; granddaughters, Destiny Freeman and Katie Walters; stepgranddaughter, Teresa Reszka; step-great-granddaughter, Francesca Arradondo.
Ralph was an only child and definitely a "people person" with many friends who will dearly miss him. His biggest ego feeder was helping people and enjoying "togetherness" with friends. His philosophy was appropriately penned as follows:
"PRESS ON"
"Nothing in this world can take the place of PERSISTENCE. Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Geniuses will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Author unknown.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Howard Gates, pastor of First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Marvin Arnett, Maurice Forbragd, Aubrey Freeman, Sam Hester, Ken Moses, Dave Perry, Malcolm Todd and Lloyd Turberville.
Flowers will be accepted, or contributions may be made to Emerald Coast Lost Chord Club, c/o Kenneth Weatherwax, Secretary/Treasurer, 811 Holbrook Circle Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Andrew George Bilek
Andrew George Bilek, age 83, of Valparaiso, Fla., passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, at his home.
He was born in Duluth, Minn., on Jan. 5, 1917. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in mechanical engineering and attended graduate school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Bilek moved to Valparaiso in the early '50s where he began work with civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., as a mechanical engineer with the Bombs and Warheads Division of the Air Force Armament Laboratory, where he worked for 38 years until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville, Fla.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Kathleen Bilek of Valparaiso; daughter, Teresa Bilek Colvin and husband Alton L. "Rip" Colvin Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla.; son, Patrick Marcus Bilek of Dallas; and grandson, Andrew Brice Colvin.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville at 10 a.m. Saturday with Father Daniel J. Butler officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home (678-7768), Niceville, is entrusted with arrangements.
Christopher Lewayne Martinez
Christopher Lewayne Martinez, age 34, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and a native of Colorado, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, in a local hospital.
Survivors include his partner, Robert Day; sister, Christine Souder; nephew, Michael Hand, all of Fort Walton Beach; niece, Melody Hand and daughter Kaley of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Christ L. and Dorothy Martinez; Suzanne Tena his biological mother; and brother, Tony Stokesberry.
A celebration of Chris' life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. Please call 609-0740 or 651-2719 for further information.
Kenneth Wayne McCollough
Kenneth Wayne McCollough, age 55, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in a Destin, Fla., nursing home after gallantly battling an extended illness.
Wayne was a Baptist by faith and was baptized in 1962 while stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. He held several jobs during his life, but the one that described him best was that of entrepreneur.
Wayne's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. McCollough, preceded him in death, as did two brothers, Sanford and Scotty McCollough.
He is survived by a son, Kenneth Wayne McCollough Jr. of Sanford, Fla.; daughter, Angela Nix of Milton, Fla.; sisters, Joann-Lindsey Thornton of Mossy Head, Fla., Gail Burke of Destin and Linda Pickett of Red Level, Ala.; granddaughters, Vicky Sue Small and Shelby Ann McCollough; grandsons, Bryan Keith Benson and Dustin James Benson. Other surviving family members include two nephews, Bo Clenney of DeFuniak Springs, and Matt Herring of Destin; and two nieces, Michele Williams of DeFuniak Springs, and Shannon Johnson of Troy, Ala.
It was Wayne's wish to be cremated. That wish will be honored and a private service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
Dannis Campbell Cain
Dannis Campbell Cain, age 81, of Valparaiso, Fla., passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 17, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Mr. Cain was born in Fyffe, Ala., to the late Charley and Ida Campbell Cain. He moved to this area in 1941 and was one of the first personnel assigned to the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where he worked for 38 years before his retirement in 1978. Mr. Cain was a charter member of the American Legion Post 221 in Niceville, Fla.; an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II; a life member of DAV Chapter 112 in Niceville; and member of First Baptist Church of Valparaiso.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Margie Cain.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Gladys Cain of Valparaiso; son, Dannis L. Cain Sr. of Niceville; brother, Pierce Cain and wife Nelwyn of Anniston, Ala.; grandsons, Dannis L. Cain Jr. and wife Suzanne of Slidell, La., and Robert Alan Cain and wife Cherie, stationed with the U.S. Army in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; and great-grandsons, Drew, Brad and Nathaniel Cain.
Funeral services will be held at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Mike Stokes officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Valparaiso.
Floral contributions will be accepted.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
