Patrick F. Durning
Lt. Col. Patrick F. Durning, U.S. Air Force retired, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2001, in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. He was born in Paterson, N.J., on June 20, 1935. He served in Vietnam and received several medals in his 20 year service, which include: the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal.
Pat was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Janet Mae Durning, and his mother Rose Durning.
He is survived by three children: Patrick F. Durning Jr. of Tampa, Fla., Diana Durning Gladwell of New Orleans, La., and Timothy W. Durning of Tallahassee, Fla.; sister Rosalie Cigol of Shalimar; and brother Neil Van Wezel of Fort Walton Beach. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Jennifer R. Barrios, Russell J. Gladwell, Matthew C. Gladwell and Timothy W. Durning Jr.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday at Hurlburt Field Chapel at 10 a.m. with Fr. Sean Garrett officiating. Burial will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd, N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Mattie Webster McCullough
Mattie Webster McCullough, age 89, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Saturday, May 5, 2001, in a local hospital. Born on December 2, 1911, in Geneva County, Ala., she was the daughter of the late William Henry Bracewell and Elizabeth Lambert Bracewell.
She was a life-long resident of Walton County, Fla. She was Protestant by faith and a member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. Mrs. McCullough was preceded in death by her husband William Asbury Webster and Voy D. McCullough. She was also preceded in death by her two stepsons, Marion Webster and his wife Louise, and Thomas Webster.
Mrs. McCullough is survived by one son and his wife, William E. and Syble Webster of Darlington, Fla.; one daughter, Elizabeth Holley of Greensboro, N.C., one brother, J.W. Bracewell of Polk
County, Fla.; one sister, Bessie Peacock of Polk County, Fla.; 21 grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. McCullough will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, from the chapel of Clary-Godwin Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Wilcox and Rev. James Cambell officiating. Burial will follow in the Gaskin Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers for Mrs. McCullough will be: great-grandsons Donnie Ealum, Mark Ealum, Greg Rushing, Joshua Webster, Cory Webster, Brandon Webster, Mike Webster, Steve Webster, Shawn Webster, Kenneth Webster, John Webster and Benjamin Garcia.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lillian F. Johnson
Lillian F. Johnson, age 91, of Crystal Bay in Sandestin, Fla., passed away Saturday, May 5, 2001.
She moved to this area seven years ago from Montgomery, Ala. Lillian was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. She enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid reader.
Lillian always loved the following verse that portrayed her life:
"We pass through this way but once. Let us beautify the path as we go so that others may know which way we went." Author unknown.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Clifford Johnson; and sister, Louise Lowery. She is survived by a son, William C. Johnson and wife Joan of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; nephew, James Lowery of McCall, Ala.; and nieces, Gaylan Letson of Pleasant Grove, Ala., and Marilyn McCombs of Knoxville, Tenn.
Funeral services are private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Florida Sheriff Youth's Ranch.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Philip W. Jette
Philip W. Jette, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Sunday, May 6, 2001, at a local hospital.
Mr. Jette was retired from the Lebanon school system in Lebanon, N.H., where he was a school bus driver and custodian. Mr. Jette was also a firefighter with the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha Rachel Jette of Crestview; son, Anthony R. Jette of Crestview; daughters, Cynthia M. Trahan of Kennesaw, Ga., and Denise J. Dean of Sandwich, Mass.; sisters, Yvonne St. Jean of Lebanon, N.H., and Helen Bonneau of Burlington, Vt.; and sisters-in-law, Regis Jette of Lebanon, N.H., and Anna (Jette) Pratt of Nashua, N.H.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview.
A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Building Fund; or to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Pre-School Program.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Glenn B. Kemp
Glenn Brockton Kemp, age 79, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, May 5, 2001.
He was born in Atmore, Ala., on Dec. 27, 1921. After attending Perkinston Junior College, Mr. Kemp enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he served as a combat cargo pilot in India. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with one Bronze Star. He flew 96 combat missions before being honorably discharged.
Upon his return to the United States he attended the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in music. After working several years at White Sands Proving Ground, N.M., he spent his remaining work years with Vitro Services in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Mr. Kemp was preceded in death by his parents, R.L. and Leona Kemp; and four siblings, as well as a son, John Rodgers Kemp. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Margaret Rodgers Kemp; sons, Charles and wife Mary of Kansas City, Kan., Thomas and wife Sally of Pinellas Park, Fla., and Robert of Fort Walton Beach. Grandchildren include Andrea Barfety and husband Franck of Mission, Kan., Grant and Spencer Kemp of Pinellas Park, Fla., and Hannah Kemp of Fort Walton Beach. He also has one great-granddaughter, Camille Barfety of Mission, Kan.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore with the Rev. Richard Troost officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578; or to Shalimar Presbyterian Church, 2 Meigs Drive, Shalimar, FL 32579.
Ella Eunice Poole
Ella Eunice Poole, age 92, entered into eternal rest on May 5, 2001, at Fort Walton Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Ella was born on Dec. 12, 1908, in Floyd County, Ga., the daughter of the late Charles and Hattie Hall Rush. Ella worked for civil service as an assembly worker. She was a very loving, caring mother and grandmother and she will always be remembered.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Doris Sue Reeves. Survivors include her son, Jack Borden of Calhoun, Ga.; brothers, Howard Rush, Floyd County, Ga., and Donald Rush of Rome, Ga.; sister, Sue Martin of Lookout Mountain, Ga.; grandchildren, Donna Sue Clanton and Joseph LeLievre, both of Fort Walton Beach; and sister-in-law, Kathleen Rush of Pensacola, Fla.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla., with the Rev. Alvin Early officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville, Fla.
Florence "Janet" Dvorak
Florence "Janet" Dvorak, age 55, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Friday, May 4, 2001, in an automobile accident in DeFuniak Springs.
Janet is survived by her three daughters, Theresa Dvorak Booke and husband Todd of Pompeys Pillar, Mont., Marlena Dvorak of Bozman, Mont., and Bethany Dvorak of DeFuniak Springs; mother, Elizabeth Smith of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sisters, Joyce Kypfer Bisbee of Fort Walton Beach, Janis Buxton and husband Glenn of Opelika, Ala., and Aletah McDonald and husband Roger of Mossy Head, Fla.; and brother, Leonard Kypfer of Fort Walton B each.
On May 4, 2001, our loving mother Janet went to be with the Lord and Savior. Janet was well known for her big heart and open arms. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to all of her children and friends. She will be best remembered for her hugs and smile. We will love you forever and always.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs with Pastor Markus Bishop and the Rev. Uvonne Carroll officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Bethany Dvorak at Regions Bank in DeFuniak Springs.
Bottoms Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Geneva, Ala., is in charge of arrangements.
Robert T. McCoy
Robert T. McCoy, age 64, of Shalimar, Fla., died Sunday, May 6, 2001.
Robert was born to Elwin E. and Margaret McCoy in Providence, R.I. Robert served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he was an air traffic controller. He served in Japan and three tours of duty in Vietnam, where he participated in Operation Homecoming for American POWs. Robert also taught at the Air Traffic Controller School at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Robert attended La Salle Academy and received an associates degree from Mississippi Junior College. He was also vice president of the Okaloosa County Republican Party, and past Grand Knight and past Faithful Navigator in the Knights of Columbus.
Robert retired in 1973 at Biloxi, Miss., where he met and married Elizabeth T. Fellin, an Air Force nurse, in February 1976 and accompanied her to Incirlik, Turkey. Upon returning to the states at Eglin Air Force Base he took time off to help build their house at Country Club in Shalimar. He worked as an insurance agent for Met Life Insurance Co. and had his own tax office in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for three years. In 1994 he joined the staff of the Okaloosa County Tax Collectors Office, where he was employed ever since as a deputy tax collector.
Robert is survived by his wife, Elizabeth T. McCoy; daughter, Petty Officer Estella McCoy, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and stationed in Philadelphia; son, Eric McCoy and wife Angel of Newport News, Va.; brother, Elwin E. McCoy and wife Kathy of Fort Myers, Fla.; four nieces; and three nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at McLaughlin Mortuary.
A Mass of Christian burial will be co-celebrated by Father James Grothjan and Father Thomas Faye at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at Eglin Air Force Base Chapel No. 2. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery in Niceville, Fla.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Anthony G. Taliancich
Anthony G. "Tony" Taliancich of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, May 7, 2001, at home after a short battle with cancer at the age of 62 with his loving wife, Merle, by his side.
He was a Florida resident since 1970 and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran.
Tony was born on Dec. 19, 1938, in Biloxi, Miss., to the late Greg Taliancich and Anne Guillotte. His memories will live on with his loving family.
He is survived by his wife, Merle Taliancich and children; his daughter, Chloe Gay and husband Michael and their children Amber and Anthony of Shalimar, Fla.; sons, Anthony Greg Taliancich and wife Terry and their children Tony, Greg and Matt of Merritt Island, Fla., and Bobby Mac of Milton; Michael Taliancich of Fort Walton Beach and daughter Alyssa; Kenneth Taliancich and wife Angie and their children Tonya and Kenneth Joel of Navarre, Fla.; and stepchildren, June, Garry and Michael (deceased).
He also leaves his sister, Maxine Comeaux and brother Richard Taliancich of Biloxi, Miss.; and a longtime family friend, H.D. Kirk and wife Mona.
Serving as pallbearers are John English, Dean Whitehurst, Bob Englekens, Ed Smith, Ted Highers and Dale Weeks.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, with a rosary service at 7 p.m.
A funeral mass will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Eglin Air Force Base West Gate Chapel No. 2 with Father Thomas Fey officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32568, in memory of Tony Taliancich.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Karen C. Buryanek
Karen C. Buryanek, age 44, of Destin, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 5, 2001.
She was of the Catholic faith. Karen enjoyed gardening, bowling, traveling, and spending time at the beach.
She is survived by her husband of 15 years, George; daughter, Marche Smalcer of Strongsville, Ohio; son, Mark Buryanek of Destin; and parents, Lucille and John Malicki of Strongsville. She is also survived by her brother, John S. Malicki and wife Patsy of Waterford, Mich.; and nephew, John Steven Malicki IV of Waterford.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Father Paul White officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Karen C. Buryanek Memorial Fund, 264 Okeechobee Cove, Destin, FL 32541.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
