Helen T. Connor
Helen T. Connor of Shalimar, Fla., was released from her pain on Friday, Dec. 28, 2001. Mrs. Connor was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 19, 1909. She resided most of her life in Havertown, Pa., moving to Shalimer two years ago.
Mrs. Connor was predeceased by her loving husband, John J. Connor, and her parents, Charles and Katherine Carroll, and seven brothers and sisters. Our "Aunt Honey" was never blessed with children of her own but gave her love freely and unconditionally to those who survive her, nephews Harry McLaughlin and William and wife Rita McLaughlin of Pennsylvania and nieces Veronica and husband John Connolly of Lansdale, Pa., and Katee Cooling of Shalimar.
Auny Honey also is survived by nine great nieces, four great nephews, three great-great nieces and two great-great nephews, who also received the joy of her love. She was the light of our lives, could always make us smile and truly was our family treasure. She leaves us now to join her husband, parents and seven brothers and sisters. The lady who loved to jig can do so again with no pain. Her family can be led by her brother Bill and parents to sing their Irish tunes once more.
Funeral services will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Havertown, Pa. Heartfelt appreciation to Deacon Charles Wolf for his spiritual care, Mary Caple for her wonderful caregiving and special friends, Bob and Sheila Allman. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the American Heart Association or Covenant Hospice in the name of "our best girl." We were truly blesses because we were loved by her.
A local prayer service will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002, at 4 p.m. at the McLaughlin Mortuary with Deacon Charles Wolf officiating.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with the local arrangements.
Clifford Fuller
Clifford "Cliff" Fuller, 40, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2001. He was known to friends as a very talented artist and musician. He had attended The Art Institute of Atlanta and graduated in 1990.
Cliff was predeceased by his parents, Juanita and Cecil Fuller.
He is survived by his life companion, Betty Guess of Fort Walton Beach, two aunts, Dorothy Carroll and her husband Bill of Birmingham, Ala., and Mary Swindal of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and uncle, Robert Smitherman of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, including David Swindal of Birmingham and many friends, including his best friend, Mike Weaver of Shalimar.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to one's favorite charity.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of the arrangements.
Earl D. "Buddy" McLean Jr.
The community of Columbia and Marion County, Mississippi has suffered a great loss in the death of Earl D. "Buddy" McLean Jr. Mr. McLean died of heart failure on Dec. 29, 2001.
Memorial services will be held at Walker Camp in Marion County at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002.
Mr. McLean was preceded in death by his father and mother, Earl D. McLean and Fay Lampton McLean, his son Earl D. "Danny" McLean III and his brother Robert A. McLean. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, E. Justina, his daughter, Justina W. McLean and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. McLean was born on Jan. 23, 1925 in Gastonia, N.C. and moved to Columbia in 1937. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1943 and Duke University in 1949. He served in the Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946 as a pilot, Second Lieutenant.
He was employed by W. E. Walker Stores Inc., from 1949 to 1964 at which time he became a partner in the T. C. Griffith Agency Inc., until his retirement in 1995.
Mr. McLean was president of Columbia Rotary Club from 1959 to 1960 and was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient in 1988. He was president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce in 1961 and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Jr. Chamber of Commerce that year.
He was mayor of the city of Columbia from 1965 to 1973 and his contributions to the city of Columbia during the civil rights era were of great value to the city.
Mr. McLean received the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award in 1976 and the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Columbia Junior Auxiliary in 1995.
He served as a director of Trustmark Bank from 1970 to 1991, director of Mississippi Power Company from 1978 to 1995 and director of Southern Company from 1985 to 1995.
Memorials may be made to the Danny McLean Boy Scout Memorial Fund, c/o Boy Scouts of America, Pine Burr Area Council, 6316 U.S. Highway 49, Hattiesburg, Miss., 39401. No flowers, please.
Abner Ramsey (Jeff) Stewart
Abner Ramsey (Jeff) Stewart died Friday morning, Dec. 28, at Niceville Twin Cities Hospital. He was 87.
Born Jan. 30, 1914 in Greenville, Ala., he was the loving son of the late Abner Ramsey Stewart and Eunice Simpson Stewart. A former resident of Pensacola, Mr. Stewart lived in Okaloosa County since 1947.
Jeff began his civil service career at Fort Baranccas in Pensacola, where he was in charge of procuring all medical supplies for the hospital facilities. He then worked at Eglin AFB for 38 years, retiring in 1971 as deputy director of research and development procurement. He was a humanitarian, civic leader and sportsman. His hobbies included a diverse array - from scuba diving and fishing to coin collecting and horticulture. He was an avid golfer, "shooting his age" on the Eglin golf course and had two hole-in-ones at Eglin and Rocky Bayou courses. He was also the last surviving member of the charter Choctaw High PTA Officers. Abner was a charter member of the first church in Valparaiso called the Old Community Church. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Jeff was married to Carolyn Carlisle Stewart (deceased May 16, 2000) for 63 years. Survivors include daughters, Martha Stewart Bass and husband Theodore F. Bass of Fort Walton Beach, and Carolyn (Bunny) Stewart Hudson and husband Jimmy R. Hudson of Niceville. He also leaves grandchildren, Cindy Bernice Hudson, Carlisle Bass Shealy and Theodore F. Bass, Jr., all of Fort Walton Beach, and a great grandchild, Courtney Hayden Shealy of Fort Walton Beach. He has two surviving sisters, Margaret Stewart Bonifay of Pensacola and Sadie Evelyn Stewart of York, Ala.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002 at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel in Niceville with a service commencing at 2 p.m., followed by committal services at Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice in memory of Abner Ramsey (Jeff) Stewart.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Pkwy., Niceville, entrusted with the arrangements.
Charles A. Mullen
Charles A. Mullen, age 64, died on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2001, at his Sandestin home in Destin, Fla.
Chuck, as he was known to his family and friends, was an avid golfer, well-respected lawyer, and made a special difference in every life that he touched. He was born in Perry, Iowa, on March 15, 1937, to his parents, the late George E. Mullen and the late Kathryn Swallow Andrews. After graduating from Perry High School, Chuck attended college at Iowa State University, joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and played on the U.S. Marine Corps Golf Team. He went on to attend the University of Iowa where he completed Law School in 1964 with distinction. While attending the University of Iowa, Chuck was a member of the University of Iowa Golf Team.
After graduation from the University of Iowa Law School, Chuck practiced law for 35 years at the Law Firm of Phelan, Tucker, Mullen, Walker, Tucker & Gelman, L.L.P, of Iowa City, Iowa. He was involved in many civic and professional organizations, including his position as the President of the Johnson County Bar Association, on the board of the Lake Macbride Homeowner Association, member of the Iowa State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Peggy Sue Mullen of their Sandestin home; his daughters, Kelly (Mike) Passaneau of Park Ridge, Ill., Linda (Cliff) Cronk of Bettendorf, Iowa, Julie (Dan) Mowery of Mexico Beach, Fla.; his step-children, Rodney (Patti) Faver of Starkville, Miss., Suzie Faver of Nashville, Tenn., Kathy (Elmer) Jones of Niceville, Fla., and Sherri (Chris) Hein of Iowa City. His siblings include Paul (Joan) Mullen of Chicago, Marilyn (Ray) Musell of Westfield, N.J., and Sharon (David) Young of Salt Lake City. Other survivors include his 13 loving grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church (302 E Jefferson St.) in Iowa City on Friday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. Following the service, the family will host a celebration of his life, at the Radisson Hotel (Hwy 1 & 180 Exit 246).
He will be recognized in his hometown of Perry, Iowa, on Dec. 29 at Violet Hill Cemetery.
For a continuation to celebrate Chuck's life, his family and friends will host a service on Jan. 4, 2002 at 4 p.m. at the Beachwalk Cafe (2996 Scenic Highway 98) Destin, Fla. Services will be provided by Father Roy Marion of Resurrection Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society, 4 Jackson St. NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or to the American Cancer Society, 301 S. Clinton Street, 2nd Floor, Iowa City, Iowa 52240; or Covenant Hospice P.O. Box 17887, Pensacola, FL 32522.
Arrangements in Florida are under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville.
Joan L. Dwinell
Joan L. Dwinell, age 72, of Destin, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 24, 2001, in a local hospital.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Richard C. Dwinell Sr.; and stepsons, Richard C. Dwinell Jr. of Destin, and Donald Lewis Dwinell of Floyd Knobs, Ind.
Born in Chicago on April 6, 1929, she attended school there and worked in real estate in the Chicago area prior to moving to Florida. She moved to Fort Myers, Fla., in 1970 and resided there until moving to Destin in 1999.
A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
William Dow Sparks
William Dow Sparks, age 66, a resident of Freeport, Fla., for the past six years, moving from Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., passed away Dec. 24, 2001, in Biloxi, Miss.
He was Methodist by faith and was preceded in death by his father, Ulssyes Sparks, and his mother, Beulah W. Sparks.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sheri Sparks of Freeport; daughters, Cheryl Lynn Sparks of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Margaret Ann Ellington and husband Bill of Macon, Ga., and Pamela Jean Nielsen and husband Christopher of Sacramento; brothers, Douglas Sparks of Toledo, Ohio, and Eugene M. Sparks of Anniston, Ala.; sisters, Barbara Lambert of Freeport, Janet Waugh of Gainesville, Ga., Arlena Holbrook of Ohio, and Betty Reagan of Springfield, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at Clary-Godwin Freeport Chapel, 150 E. Highway 20, Freeport. Burial will follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, in the chapel.
Pallbearers are Douglas Sparks, Eugene Sparks, Chris Nielson, Bill Ellington, Leonard Waugh and Mike Rivers.
Flowers will be accepted.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, Freeport Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Mabel Leonia McCartney
Mabel Leonia McCartney, age 85, passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, in Teaneck, N.J.
She was born to Eugenia and Oliver Johnson on Jan. 9, 1916. Mabel was the eldest of four children. She grew up in Harlem, N.Y., with her parents, her brothers, Louis, Oliver and Alfred, and her sister, Ruth.
Mabel had four daughters and one son/grandson: Charlotte, Gertrude, Carlene, Linda and Irving. Mabel attended cosmetology school and spent many years as a beautician. She later was a librarian for the New York City Board of Education. Mabel was dedicated to the Lord and always involved in the church.
In 1940, Mabel married the late, great, Charles C. McCartney. They lived happily in God and love until his passing in 1977. Mabel and Charles relocated to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1974. She was a much beloved teacher's assistant for the Okaloosa County School District for 20 years and was named Florida's School-Related Employee of the Year in 1994.
Mabel is survived by her daughters, Trudy, Carlene and Linda; her son/grandson, Irving; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Oliver and Alfred; sister, Ruth; and countless relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Granby's Funeral Home, 4021 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY 10466; (718) 519-6047. Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, at Beulah Church of God, 956 Marcy Place, Brooklyn, NY.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date in Fort Walton Beach.
Gladys J. Stephens
Gladys J. Stephens, age 83, of Crestview, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla., after a short illness.
She was a generous and living sister to all. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Crestview. Mrs. Stephens had been an active member of the North Okaloosa Cancer Society. Any memorial donations may be made to that organization.
Gladys was an avid golfress and up until recently was an active member of the Ladies Golf Association of Foxwood Country Club.
She is survived by three brothers and their families, Clyde Jernigan of Baker, Fla., Emmett and Finith of Crestview; nephews, nieces and their families, John Jernigan (JJ) of Crestview, Kenny Jernigan of Mobile, Ala., Cecilia Carpenter of Crystal River, Fla., Leon Raybon of Holt, Fla., Eugene Hart of Crestview, Dean Hart of Baker, Ronnie, Roger and Larry Jernigan of Baker, Phyllis Webster of Crestview, Finith II of Salisbury, Terese Coverstone of Fargo, N.D., Dr. Floyd Jernigan of Waco, Texas, and Revida Bode of Crestview; stepgrandchild, Carmelitta Golhardt of Orlando, Fla.; stepgreat-grandchild, Sammy Stephens of Dothan, Ala. Gladys was preceded in death by his sisters, Effie Hart and Estelle Raybon of Crestview.
The family will receive friends at 5 p.m. Thursday at McLaughlin Memorial Chapel. Friends are welcome to visit from 6 to 8 p.m. at the chapel.
A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at McLaughlin Memorial Chapel in Crestview. Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery with the Rev. Francis Picker officiating.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Frederick A. Nilsen
Frederick A. Nilsen, age 67, a resident of Niceville, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 24, 2001, at a local hospital.
Fred was born on Dec. 30, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Sarah Nilsen; and brother, Carl Nilsen.
Fred was employed by Signal Technology-Keltec Division of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., as a manufacturing engineer.
Fred is survived by his loving wife, Alice; sister, Barbara Collins and husband Hugh of Massapequa Park, N.Y.; son, Frederick J. Nilsen and his wife Debra of Madison, Ala.; daughter, Elizabeth A. Nilsen of Niceville; granddaughter, Allison J. Nilsen of Madison; and stepgrandsons, Baron and Corey Medlen of Madison.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at Holy Name of Jesus Church with the Rev. Daniel Butler officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
Arrangements entrusted to McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
