Laura Owens Devers
On Sunday, May 21, 2000, Laura Owens Richardson Devers passed away.
The daughter of Peter Owens and Margaret Moss Smith was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 8, 1897. A widow twice in her life, Laura Devers had three children; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild yet to be born. Educated in Philadelphia, Mrs. Devers as a child lived in the territory of Oklahoma prior to its statehood in 1907. In public life she rose to be a director of Democratic Women in the state of Pennsylvania.
Laura Devers was a member of the secular Franciscan Order for 87 years. She was a member of both the Catholic Daughters of America and the International Order of ALHAMBRA. Cited for her civic, religious and patriotic contributions, she was honored by the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Her life was composed of love, loyalty and the Lord. She lived through three centuries.
Laura Devers is survived by a son, Capt. Edward L. Richardson, Chaplain Corp. U.S. Navy retired of Virginia, a Catholic priest; a daughter, Dolores M. Logue and husband Anthony W. Logue of Florida; granddaughter, Lisa C. Burns and husband Roy Burns and their children, Kathryn and Brenden of Florida; grandson, Capt. Brian E. Logue, U.S. Air Force and wife Jean of California; granddaughter, Kathleen Laura Logue of Florida. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Clare E. Muldowney; and a grandson, Michael A. Logue.
A visitation and rosary will be conducted from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Panama City, Fla. Masses of Resurrection will be recited in Virginia Beach, Va., and Brigantine, N.J. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing, N.J.
Alvin Bishop
Mr. Alvin Bishop, age 55, of Freeport, Fla., went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2000, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Bishop was born on Sept. 13, 1944, in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., the son of the late James and Ola Brown Bishop. He was a lifelong resident of Freeport. Mr. Bishop was Pentecostal by faith and a member of New Beginnings Church of Freeport. He really enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife and children.
Mr. Bishop is survived by his wife of 28 years, Hilda G. Bishop; daughters, Chrisme Carter and Kim J. Bishop; brother, Roy Bishop; sisters, Betty Williams, Virginia Mathews and Ruby Williams; grandchildren, Niki Bishop and Amanda Turner, all of Freeport; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel with the Revs. Louis Taunton and Tony McCullough officiating. Burial will follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Bishop, Chris Williams, Gordy Williams, Buddy Thorn, Chad Bishop and Bart Bishop.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Todd Zick
Gary Todd Zick, age 37, of Crestview, Fla., died Monday, June 5, 2000, as the result of an automobile crash.
Todd was born in Ishpeming, Mich., on April 1, 1963, to Gary A. and Melanie B. Bacon Zick, and was a resident of the Northwest Florida area for the past 17 years. He was employed as a glazier with Fort Walton Beach Glass Co. Todd was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Crestview.
He was a loving husband, father, son and brother. Todd never met a stranger and was known for loving everyone. He was a true friend and loved deep sea fishing, the Minnesota Vikings, and his 1968 Camero. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Pat Zick; parents, Gary and Melanie Zick; son, Brandon Michael Zick; daughter, Misty Shay Harker, all of Crestview; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tim and Stacey Zick of Crestview, and Dustin and Suzanne Zick of Lincolnton, N.C.; maternal grandmother, Violet Robare of Ishpeming; paternal grandparents, Arnold and Evelyn Zick of Morgan, Minn.; nephews, Joshua Rex Zick, Tim Fowler and Tyler Allen James Zick; niece, Chelsy Reann Zick; and several aunts and uncles.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted in the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, with Pastor Andrew Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview.
For those desiring to contribute, a savings account has been opened at First National Bank and Trust for the family of Todd Zick (Account No. 1756826).
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Frederick Irwin
Frederick Irwin, age 77, died on Monday, June 5, 2000.
He was a native of Long Island, N.Y., and had been a resident of Niceville, Fla., for 10 years.
Frederick was a veteran of World War II and became a civilian employee with the Navy and the Veterans Administration for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Barry; daughter, Andrea Moore; son-in-law, John Moore; and grandchildren, Bryan Irwin and Joan Michelle Moore.
A viewing will be held at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home on Friday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Steve Olivier officiating. Burial will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery, Niceville.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Billie J. Hitchcock
Billie J. Hitchcock, age 69, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He was born in Texarkana, Texas, on May 9, 1931. Billie retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970 at the rank of master sergeant.
Survivors include two sons, Billie J. Hitchcock II and Bruce Hitchcock, both of Ohio; daughters, Nancy Anderson of Houston, and Sue Ault of North Canton, Ohio; brother, David Hitchcock of Illinois; sister, Naomi Coco of Marksville, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren.
A private interment will take place at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Heart Fund are suggested.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
Juan Salinas Gonzales
Juan "John" Gonzales, age 72, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center.
The son of the late Jose and Rosita Salinas Gonzales, he was born in Beeville, Texas, on Dec. 27, 1927.
John was employed by the Civil Service Association at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Hurlburt Field for many years. He was also the founder of Northwest Florida Sandblasting. John served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.
John's wife Barbara Ann Gonzales predeceased him in 1992. Survivors include two sons, Juan "Butch" Gonzales and Joe F. Gonzales, both of Fort Walton Beach; daughters, Georgia Leyser of Pass Christian, Miss., and Cindy Gaskin of Fort Walton Beach; brother, Epigmanuel Gonzales of Grulla, Texas; sisters, Noberta Rogers of Destin, Fla., and Maria (Socorro) Farias of Garciaville, Texas; nine grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach with the Rev. Kevin Johnson officiating.
Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
James B. Hogue
Lt. Col. James B. Hogue, U.S. Air Force retired, age 82, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Monday evening, June 5, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Mr. Hogue was born in Wilmar, Ark., on April 30, 1918, son of the late Jesse and Lettie Brantley Hogue. A resident of the Fort Walton Beach area for the past 50 years, he was retired from the U.S. Air Force after 32 years of military service.
Survivors include his wife, Beth of Fort Walton Beach; son, James R. Hogue of Plano, Texas; daughter, Libby Thompson of Marietta, Ga.; brother, John O. Hogue of Lovington, N.M.; sister, Helen Hogue of Jackson, Miss.; two sets of twin grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Lt. Col. Hogue entered military service in 1938 when he joined the 206th Anti Aircraft Artillery, Arkansas National Guard, at Monticello A&M College. He was commissioned a second lieutenant at Camp Davis, N.C., in August 1942. James transferred to the United States Infantry in 1944 and saw action in the Pacific as a platoon leader and company executive officer with the 27th Infantry Division before occupying Japan at the end of World War II.
Lt. Col. Hogue was discharged for a short time in January 1946, joining the Air Force during the same month. He retired from Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., in December 1970. Lt. Col. Hogue was a member of BPOE Lodge 1795; VFW Post 7674; and Moose Lodge 2193.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday with a fraternal Elk service at 6:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary. A funeral service will be held at 8 p.m. with Chaplain Joel Underwood officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elk Youth Camp, P.O. Box 49, Umitilla, FL 32784.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
Michael A. Kane
Michael A. Kane, retired colonel U.S. Army, age 83, died June 3, 2000. He was the beloved brother of John Kulawciz (Natalie, deceased), Harry (Jean) and the following deceased: Mary, Alex, Stephen, Paul and Andrew; dear uncle of Nancy Williamson and Kathleen Costantino; and great uncle.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday at the funeral home at 1 p.m., with interment in St. Theodosius Cemetery.
Mallchok Funeral Home, Parma, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements.
Marshall Edward Decker
Marshall Edward Decker, age 41, of Crestview, Fla., died Monday, June 5, 2000.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Kelly D. Decker. Marshall was born in Swenden, England, on Sept. 16, 1958, and was a 1977 graduate of Niceville High School. He was employed with Honda of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Survivors include his wife, Aliene Decker; and stepson, Anthony R. Rihanek of Crestview; father and mother, Charles G. Decker and Ren'ee Decker of Niceville, Fla.; brothers, Wayne G. Decker of Orlando, Fla., Darrell Decker of Destin, Fla., and Keith E. Decker of Niceville; and sister, Lanya R. Lester of Ramstein, Germany.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at First United Methodist Church in Niceville with the Rev. Rurel Ausley officiating. Following the service, Mr. Decker's remains will be cremated and burial will be in Heritage Gardens Cemetery in Niceville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, is entrusted with arrangements.
Royal Ernest Irish
Royal Ernest Irish, age 87, passed away peacefully at Destin Health Care and Rehabilitation Center on June 7, 2000.
Mr. Irish moved from New York to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 22 years ago. Mr. Irish retired from General Electric and was the former owner of Georgia's Union 76 in Fort Walton Beach. He was of the Catholic faith.
Mr. Irish was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary. He is survived by his son, Phil Irish and wife Ruhsar of Fort Walton Beach; granddaughter, Melisa Collett of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandson, Jason Irish; and granddaughter, Jasmine Irish, both of Fort Walton Beach. He is also survived by his son, David Irish; granddaughter, Heather Irish; and grandson, Shawn Irish, all of Albuquerque, N.M.; and sister, Veronica Backenstoe and husband Warren of Zionsville, Pa.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
