Donald A. Frechette
Donald A. Frechette, age 73, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Feb. 5, 2001, at a local hospital.
He was born on Nov. 13, 1927, in Lowell, Mass., to Aime and Irene Frechette, and had been living in this area since 1966. He was a member of Mary Esther Baptist Church. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years, and also retired from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., civil service.
He was known locally for his craftsmanship with wood. He was a member of the Association Christ for the Nations of Dallas, Texas; DAV Chapter 72; the Prison Ministry and Prison Fellowship.
Donald was a loving father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Frechette was preceded in death by his father, Aime Frechette; and sister, Claire Gramacha. Survivors include his daughters, Bonnie Mitchell and husband Dale of Fort Walton Beach, Donna Callahan of Navarre, Fla., Kathy Frechette of Fort Walton Beach, and Gloria Murphy of Townsend, Mass.; and son, Michael Frechette of Fort Walton Beach.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Mortuary on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at McLaughlin Mortuary. Burial will follow at 1:15 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with full military honors.
McLaughlin Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.
Charles Ellsworth Ray Sr.
Charles "Chuck" Ellsworth Ray Sr., born on Christmas Day, 1927, passed over on Feb. 4, 2001.
One of 12 children, he was from Zanesville, Ohio. While serving in the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., he met and married a local Destin, Fla., girl, Alma Shirah (Ray) and made Destin their home. They were married for 51 years.
He served in both the Marines and the Air Force. As a young man, Chuck was a Golden Gloves boxer, but his first love was bowling. He attended Destin Presby-terian Church and became a member in 1996.
He is survived by his wife, Alma; four children, Sabra, Charles Jr., Jack and Mechelle; eight grandchildren, Joshua Ford, Jessica Alvarez, Jenny Lynn Ford, Lindsey McEwan, Cassandra Hughes, Rachel Ray, Elizabeth Ray and Megan Ray; two great-grandchildren, Austin and Ayden Alvarez.
The family also wishes to acknowledge the loving care of Marie Brown and Hospice of Northwest Florida to Chuck during his illness.
A private service in the Gulf will be held with only the immediate family.
For friends and family, a memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at First Presbyterian Church of Destin.
Flowers are gratefully declined, and those wishing may make a contribution in his memory to either their favorite charity or to the American Cancer Society.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Van Duyn Wheeler
Patricia Van Duyn Wheeler died in her home Jan. 30, 2001, in Bluewater Bay, Fla., where she had been living for the past year.
Mrs. Wheeler was born in Taylorsville, Ill., on June 30, 1922, and grew up in Cincinnati. She attended DePauw University in Indiana where she met her husband Earle Judson Wheeler, with whom she lived for 58 years.
The Wheelers have five daughters and one son: Mrs. Pamela Keck of Indianapolis, Mrs. Carol Holtmeier, Nancy Koeppe and Holly Koeppe of Cincinnati, Maryann Wheeler of Frankfort, Ky., and Mr. Earle Judson Wheeler III of San Francisco. They have nine grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Keck, Laura and Brian Holtmeier, Emily and Samantha Koeppe, and Julie, Jenny and Elizabeth Koeppe.
The Wheelers moved from Cincinnati to South Walton County in 1986, living first in Freeport and then Destin, Fla. Mrs. Wheeler was a loving, caring, devoted mother and also a very compassionate Christian committed to serving others in many ways while living in South Walton County. She spent many volunteer hours working in Sharing and Caring, the public library, reading to residents of a nursing home and serving in a local garden club.
As a very active member of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., who directed the Altar Guild, participated in the Wednesday Prayer Group, and the Flower Guild. At St. Jude's Church she was a member of the Wednesday Sewing Guild.
A memorial Eucharist will be celebrated for the life of Patricia Wheeler on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, 200 N. Partin Drive, Niceville, Fla. The Rev. Carl Bright, rector of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach and the Rev. Arnold Bush, rector of St. Jude's Episcopal will be conducting.
A funeral service is planned in the near future at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 8101 Beachmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45255, where she served on the Altar Guild for 20 years.
James F. Bannan
James F. Bannan (CWO, U.S. Army retired), born May 2, 1920, passed away suddenly on Feb. 2, 2001, at Westwood Retirement Center.
Jim was a well-known gun enthusiast and an expert on the Thompson Sub Machine gun and Colt handguns.
He is survived by a stepson, Richard Strength of North Carolina; and stepdaughter, Nancy Barrington of Colorado.
There will be no services.
Kenneth Albert Allen
Kenneth Albert Allen of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 24, 2001, in a car accident. He was 70 years old.
Ken was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on March 27, 1930. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class at Scappoose Union High School in Oregon. He completed a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force in 1971, serving as a historian and public affairs spe#####t. Ken's service included both the Korea and Vietnam conflicts, culminating as staff writer for over five years on the Airman Magazine.
Ken continued service to his country as a public affairs spe#####t in government civil service, with jobs at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla., and Duke Field at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He retired in 1995 after 20 years of service. Ken was a respected member of the U.S. Air Force and Fort Walton Beach public affairs community. He played a key role in the Special Operations missions conducted by Air Force Reserve members at Duke Field, most notably his efforts during the 1990 Middle East crisis, Desert Storm.
Ken is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lillian Ann; son, Thomas Martin and wife Karen Jane of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Kenneth Edward and Amy Nicole; brother, Ray and wife Norma of California, and their children, Cathy and Mike; sister, Pat and husband Bob Sherer of Washington, and their children, Diane and Doug; and sister-in-law, Tillie Patterson and daughter, Patte.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, Feb. 9, at 1:15 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Operations Fund for Widows, Widowers and Orphans (SOF Warrior Foundation, Mr. Geoff Barker, (813) 828-4318); or to a favorite charity of one's choice.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Joe Harrison
Bobby Joe Harrison, age 54, of Niceville, Fla., passed away at home on Feb. 6, 2001, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bobby Joe was born on April 28, 1946, in the community of Jackson Still, Fla., and lived in Northwest Florida all his life. He attended the First Pentecostal Church of Niceville. Mr. Harrison had a passion for life and loved to catch wild hogs, hunt and fish.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 34 years. He is also survived by two daughters, Melissa Shermer of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Bobbi Shawn Harsch of Lakenheath Air Force Base, England; son, Jacob Harrison of Mossy Head, Fla.; granddaughters, Katie and Emily Shermer; grandsons, Lawson Harsch and Koby Harrison; parents, J.D. and Evelyn Harrison of Niceville; brothers, Tony Harrison of Ocean Springs, Miss., Jackie Harrison of Red Level, Ala., John Harrison of Ponce de Leon, Fla., and Danny Harrison of Lake Charles, La.; sister, Jeanette Clanahan of Navarre, Fla.; and a host of other family and friends.
Our family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation for all the love and support given by family and friends with special gratitude to Dr. Garry Banks, the nurses of Gentiva Home Health Services, the nurses of Hospice of the Emerald Coast, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Funeral services will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic/Head and Neck Cancer Research, P.O. Box 297153, Houston, TX 77297.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamonds' glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the fragrance of morning rain.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die."
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Gilbert H. Quintell
Gilbert H. Quintell, age 79, passed away on Feb. 6, 2001.
He was born on May 9, 1921, and was a veteran of World War II, serving with the 10th Armored Division. Mr. Quintell was the recipient of three Purple Hearts for injuries sustained in battle, including the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne under Gen. Patton. He had resided in Birmingham, Ala., after an honorable discharge and then relocated to Destin, Fla., in the mid-70s.
Gil is survived by his wife, Devola (Dee) Castle Quintell; daughter, Yvonne Quintell Harden; brother, John Quintell of Chicago; and sister, Marcelline Bruck of Chicago and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
He will be always loved and missed by his family and friends.
Mae Miller
Mrs. Mae Miller passed away Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, at Bay Breeze Nursing Home, Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Mrs. Miller was born in Laurel Hill, Fla., on Mar. 10, 1914, to William Lyman and Nettie Mae Phillips. She was preceded in death by her parents William Lyman and Nettie Mae Phillips; sister Hope Scherrer; brothers James Phillips and Monroe Phillips.
Mrs. Miller was a businesswoman and homemaker and resided in Fort Walton Beach for the past 32 years. She was a member of St. Simon's on the Sound Episcopal Church where she served on the vestry and was president of the Women of the Episcopal Church. She traveled throughout the world with her husband before his retirement. She served as a Red Cross volunteer at home and abroad. She was a member of the Cross of Nails in Coventry, England. She served on the Board for the International Woman's Club of the Netherlands in Amsterdam, Holland, and was a member of the Thai American Woman's Club of Thailand in Bangkok. Mrs. Miller was active in the Fort Walton Beach Woman's Club and a member of Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband Bennett Miller of Fort Walton Beach and sister Louise Prescott and husband Earl of Gulf Breeze; nieces Chris Riggs of Fort Walton Beach and Deborah Hagy of Pensacola; Diane Bay of Jackson, Tenn.; nephews Danny Prescott of Mobile, Ala., and Michael Prescott of Gainesville.
The family will receive friends Sunday, Feb. 11, 2001, from 4-6 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, 2001, at McLaughlin Mortuary with Rev. Jim Spencer officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach.
McLaughlin Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.
Adam Wayne Allen
Adam Wayne Allen, age 26, passed away at Westwood Nursing Facility of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in the arms of our Lord on Feb. 9, 2001. He died of extensive injuries from a 1992 automobile accident.
Adam was a student at Choctaw High School and worked as a waiter at Red Lobster of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., before his accident.
He leaves behind his mother Scherie S. Allen of Valparaiso, Fla., his father Charles E. Allen of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., sister Frances M. Chitwood of Nashville, Tenn., grandmother Frances M. Allen of Bowling Green, Ken., grandfather and grandmother Robert L. and Mary R. Young of Niceville, uncle and aunt Richard T. and Tammy Young and cousins Bridget and Nichole Young of Crestview.
A memorial service will be held at Fort Walton Beach First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. Feb. 12, 2001, with Dr. Gates officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Building Fund, or Brain Injury Connection, 257 W. Miracle Strip Parkway, Mary Ester, Fl 32569 or MADD.
Catherine D. Carney
Our Lord called His faithful servant, Catherine D. Carney, home on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2001. She was born in East New York, N.Y., on May 4, 1914, to George and Maria Schwenzer. She was the youngest girl in a family of twelve children. She was preceded in death by her Schwenzer family, her husband of 58 years, H. Raymond Carney, and a great-grandson, Michael Gabriel Mosley.
Catherine went to Business School and worked in New York City before marrying and becoming a homemaker. She had many interests and remained active until suffering a stroke two years ago. Catherine lived most of her married life in Oneida, N.Y. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church, the Alter and Rosary Society, and the Catholic Daughters of America. She was also a member of the Corinthian Club in Syracuse, N.Y.
Catherine and Ray wintered in Fort Walton Beach every year since 1972 and became permanent residents of the area in 1990. They became members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, were charter members of the Fort Walton Beach Senior Citizen's Club, and enjoyed round dancing as members of the "Roundels" dance club. Catherine was an enthusiastic bridge player and was a member of numerous bridge clubs throughout her life. Her other hobbies included reading, handcrafts, and rug hooking.
Catherine's family is her legacy. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Catherine D. and Neils R. Poulsen of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Marianne A. and Peter M. Dunn of Oneida, N.Y., Dr. H. Raymond and Jeannie Carney of Elmira, N.Y., and Margaret M. and John Willie of Cincinnati, Ohio. Survivors also include her 18 grandchildren and their spouses: Marycatherine and Christopher Duval, Neils Jr. and Tina Poulsen, Cheryl and Dale Hamrick, Juliana and Mike Mosley, Robert Poulsen, Elizabeth Poulsen, Elizabeth and Joseph Parker, Deborah Dunn, Andrew Dunn, Lisa and Sean McKeon, Daniel Dunn, Amy Dunn, Kristin Carney, Karin Carney, Sean Carney, Ryan Carney, Jason Wille, Keri Wille, and Robert Wille. Catherine also had 19 great-grandchildren: Jessica, Ryan, and Sean Duval, Michael, Alina, and Mark Poulsen, Niki and Kevin Hamrick, Nathanael, Jeremiah, Jonathan, Rebecca, Noah, and Rachel Mosley, Sarah and Laura Poulsen, and Seth, Matthew, and Catherine Parker. Other survivors include four sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Catherine will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.
The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the Westwood Health Care Facility staff for the dedicated and loving care Catherine received while a resident there. Thanks also to all those at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center who took such great care of her during her final weeks. And a special thanks to Lori Few who has been such a good friend.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home. The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Msgr. Mike Cherup officiating. A great grandson, Sean Duval, will serve as an acolyte. The family would like to invite all friends to join them for a Celebration of Life reception at Soundside, Hurlburt immediately following the Funeral Mass. Internment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Oneida, N.Y., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions could be made to St. Mary's Catholic School, Rocky Bayou Christian School, Paralyzed Veterans of America, or the Westwood Retirement Resident's Association (memo: Health Care Christmas Fund).
