Frederick Kuehl
Frederick G. Kuehl, 93, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Okaloosa Island, Fla., on Dec. 7, 2000.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Olivia K. Kuehl.
He and his wife, Olivia, retired to this area 26 years ago but spent their summers at their family home on the St. Lawrence River in New York state. Col. Kuehl was a graduate of Columbia College and Columbia University in New York City, and for four years was on the football team. At Columbia, he received a degree in mining engineering. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the islands of the Pacific area, designing airfield landing strips on the small islands. Col. Kuehl received many medals and commendations for his work in remote and difficult areas.
He also leaves a son, Dr. Alexander "Sandy" Kuehl of New York; a daughter, Anita Taylor and husband, Tom, of Virginia; two granddaughters, Sarah Taylor of Virginia and Kendall Kuehl Warsaw of New Jersey; great-grandson, Nolan Warsaw of New Jersey; and a brother, E.H. Kuehl and his wife and daughter of New York City.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Kuehl's memory to your favorite charity.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Graham DeVon Monroe Jr.
G.D. Monroe died at the age of 66 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Dec. 7, 2000.
Born in Lillington, N.C., on March 29, 1934, he graduated from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Va., in 1952. In the fall of 1952, he enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated in 1956 with a B.S. in ceramic engineering. At Georgia Tech, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served as vice president of the fraternity his senior year.
After graduation in 1956, he worked for Ford Motor Co. for one year until his commissioning into the United States Air Force on June 1, 1957. He received his pilot wings on Sept. 3, 1958. His Air Force career spanned 23 years and he retired as a lieutenant colonel on Sept. 30, 1980. He was a decorated fighter pilot, spending 12 years of his career flying the F-100.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star for his accomplishments during the Vietnam War. His assignments included two European theater tours, and he completed his illustrious career assigned to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
In small and large ways, he managed to transform the lives of those around him. That transformational power was not so much in the things he did for people. Instead, it was the way he was with people. Many of us are honored to have had the opportunity to connect with G.D. Monroe. We've celebrated his life. And, with gratitude, w will honor his death.
He had resided in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., since 1979.
He is survived by is wife, Jill P. Monroe; his son, Christopher P. Monroe and wife, Jennifer Bell Monroe, and his daughter, Jennifer Monroe Schooley and husband, Capt. Brian K. Schooley. His grandchildren are Brooke Ivy Monroe, Bennett Langston Monroe, Grace Elizabeth Schooley, Aaron Boyd Schooley and Brent Devin Schooley.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at St. Simon's On the Sound Episcopal Church on Monday, Dec. 11, 2000, at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Georgia Institute of Technology, North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30332, att: G.D. Monroe Presidential Scholar Fund.
Hubert M. Metcalf
Tech. Sgt. Hubert M. "Bill" Metcalf, U.S. Air Force retired, age 64, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2000, at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital.
Mr. Metcalf was born on Oct. 1, 1936, in Caryville, Tenn. He was a resident of the Basin Bayou community since 1981.
Mr. Metcalf was preceded in death by his father, Bert Metcalf; and sister, Linda L. Senters.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Effie M. Metcalf of Basin Bayou; mother, Genevieve Cawood and husband C.C. of Middlesboro, Ky.; son, Edward Metcalf and wife April of North Carolina; daughter, Sherry Lynn House and husband Junior of Franklinton, N.C.; stepdaughters, Judy Garvaglia and husband Ted of Freeport, Fla., Debbie Wagner and husband Carl of Tyler, Texas, and Glenna Padgett and husband Keith of Freeport; brother, C.M. Metcalf and wife Wanda of Claypool, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, in Barran-cas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with the Rev. Bush officiating.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel.
Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Stephen T. Fraser
Stephen T. Fraser, age 49, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Dec. 11, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center after a brief illness.
Steve was born at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, N.M., and lived in Shalimar for the past three years.
He worked for 20 years for American Airlines, many of those years as general manager at various airports. He was currently employed with Armstrong Printing in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Steve was preceded in death by his father, Col. David I. Fraser.
He is survived by his mother, Beverly Fraser of Shalimar; son, Scott Fraser of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Heather Fraser of Manlius, N.Y.; sister and brother-in-law, Suzie and Fritz Herrington of Red Bay, Fla.; brother, Sport Fraser of Niceville, Fla.; and brother, Chris Fraser of Navarre, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will have a private graveside service in Red Bay.
Freda O. Chestnut
Freda O. Chestnut died Dec. 11, 2000, at Bay Heritage Nursing and Convalescent Center in Niceville, Fla., after a long illness.
She was born on May 28, 1909, in Aplington, Iowa, the daughter of Louisa Schmer-tmann Ontjes and Andrew L. Ontjes.
She is survived by her three children, Dr. Eugene R. Chenette of Niceville, Fla., Dr. Louis F. Chenette of Indianapolis, and Louise Bogart of Edina, Minn.; and two sisters, Dr. Eunice Schmidt of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Evelyn Paul, who lives in Aplington. Other survivors include seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Eucharist will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Niceville, with graveside services on Thurs-day, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. in Serenity Gardens in Largo, Fla.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Building Fund.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Alan C. Jackson
Alan C. Jackson, age 42, of 1243 Jefferyscot Drive, Crestview, Fla., died Dec. 11, 2000, in Gainesville, Fla.
He was born in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and came to Crestview from Oklahoma. He was a resident of this area since 1996.
Mr. Jackson was city clerk for the past several years.
He was past president of the Crestview Rotary; member of the Chamber of Commerce; and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He was also a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Kristine J. Jackson of Crestview; mother and father, James and Evalyn Jackson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sons, Alan C. Jackson Jr. of Germany, Stephen L. Jackson and James A. Jackson, both of Crestview; and brothers, Jim Jackson of Valdosta, Ga., Bill Jackson of Duluth, Minn., and Norman Jackson of Fort Walton Beach.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Williams Thomas Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth Banes
Mary Elizabeth (Libby Spears) Banes, age 50, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Dec. 11, 2000, at her home in Gulfport, Miss.
She was a loving mother and housewife who fought cancer bravely for 13 years, becoming a symbol of strength and inspiration to her family and friends.
Mary was born in Crestview and was a member of First Baptist Church of Crestview.
Survivors include her mother, Bobbie Jean Skiles, and father, Daniel Leroy Spears; sons, Joseph Michael Banes and Robert Matthew Banes; daughter, Wendy Dell Banes; mother-in-law, Lois Lammey; brothers, Freddie E. Spears and wife Susan, and Ricky L. Spears and wife Mitzi; sisters, Gloria A. Spears and Patsy D. Lawson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
A time of visitation will be held Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Whitehurst Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Whitehurst Fun-eral Home Chapel with the Rev.
Bill Renick officiating. Burial will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Aubrie M. Ozburn
Aubrie M. Ozburn, age 95, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Dec. 10, 2000, at Emerald Coast Health Care Nursing Home.
She was born in Atlanta on Oct. 26, 1905, and was a resident of Florida since 1985. She was a member of Niceville Christian Church.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Knute McCulley. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jean L. McCulley; and nephew, George W. McCulley Jr., both of Fort Walton Beach.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Burial will take place in Georgia later this week.
McLaughlin Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
David T. Pomerenke
The Lord's faithful servant, Dave Pomerenke, went home to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday night, Dec. 12, 2000.
Dave was born in the farming community of Ortonville, Minn., on May 5, 1950, the youngest of seven children. Dave was an outdoorsman who once canoed the 1,000-mile length of the Mackenzie River in the Canadian wilderness. He went to South Dakota State University and was a singer in several Christian folk groups. Dave met Debbie Auchampach in a singing group called "Pass It On," and they married in 1973. Dave was an Air Force officer (major, retired), a T-38 instructor pilot, and an F-15 pilot. Their daughter, Angela, was born in 1982.
In 1985, Dave was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was a "long-term-survivor" of that disease, living the last 11 years with a mechanical ventilator to breathe, and unable to move or speak. Dave supported many local events always escorted by his loving caregiver and wife Debbie. He was often seen in his wheelchair at the OWCC Arts Center, Niceville High School football games, but, especially, at services and events at the First United Methodist Church in Niceville. Dave was a computer expert who used "handicapped software" to write e-mails, programs, and church budgets. He taught a class about "Knowing God" this past fall at church using the voice function on his laptop computer, with some "hands-on" help from a friend.
Dave has been an inspiration to those who have met him, or seen him, or heard about him. He referred to himself as "God's visual aid." Dave lived a life of personal courage and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in extremely difficult circumstances.
David is survived by his wife, Debra, and daughter, Angela of Valparaiso, Fla.; mother, Agnes of Plano, Texas; sisters, Elda Briden of Vandnais Heights, Minn., Grace Suckow of The Colony, Texas, Carolyn Weisheit of Tucson, Ariz., Angie Norrell of Bloomington, Minn., Beverly Waryold of Greenlawn, N.Y., and Connie DesVernine of Mount Airy, Pa.
A celebration of David's life will be held at First United Methodist Church, Niceville, with visitation from 2 to 3 p.m., and the service at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 18, at 11:45 a.m., with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 214 S. Partin Drive, Niceville, FL 32578.
Edward Melvin Booker
Edward Melvin Booker, age 90, of Skinnerton, Ala., died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000, at his daughter's residence in Niceville, Fla.
Mr. Booker was a native of Burnt Corn, Ala., and had worked for civil service. He was a member of the Lone Star Reorganized Latter-day Saints Church.
Mr. Booker is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Marc Strickland of Niceville; brother, Samuel M. Booker Jr. of Peterman, Ala.; sister, Bernice White of Pensacola, Fla.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at Lone Star Reorganized Latter-day Saints Church in Evergreen with Elder Bill Booker officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in Lone Star Cemetery.
A special thanks is given to Hospice of Northwest Florida and Caregivers.
Johnson Funeral Home, Monroeville, Ala., is in charge of arrangements.
