Lisbet H. Kroha
Lisbet H. Kroha, age 91, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at what was her home for the last six years, the Fort Walton Beach Health and Rehab Center.
She was born in Neustadt, Germany, and moved to this area in 1936 from Dresden, where she was a registered nurse. She and her husband, Curt, operated the Beacon Tea Room in downtown Fort Walton Beach and served Sunday dinners to the public from their home, Casa Anita, overlooking beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay in Villa Tasso, Fla., in its heyday as a resort area in the '30s. She also was a dietician at Fort Walton Beach's first hospital and until the age of 70 worked for civil service.
Liz and Curt owned Fort Walton Beach's first jewelry store, Kroha's Jewelers, and were also proprietors of the Indianola Inn for several years. Liz, as she was affectionately known, was locally famous for her butter cookies and other baked delights. Her main enjoyment in life was doing for others and the world is a better place for her having been here.
Mrs. Kroha was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach; charter member of Fort Walton Beach Eastern Star Chapter 202; and charter and life member of the Order of the Amaranth, Eglin Court 53; member of Fort Walton Beach Senior Citizens; Royal Neighbors of America; AARP; Pacesetters Extension Club; United Methodist Women; NARFE; National Association of Senior Friends; Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary; Panhandle Animal Welfare Society; honorary member of the Florida Sheriff's Association; Fort Walton Beach Women's Club; and numerous other clubs and organizations.
Flowers will be accepted, or for those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to any of the above organizations or to Hospice.
Mrs. Kroha is survived by her daughter, Anita Kroha of Fort Walton Beach; son and daughter-in-law, Curt V. and Andrea Ferrara Kroha, residing in England; sister, Irma; brother-in-law, Hermann Giser of Schorndorf, Germany; and nieces and nephews residing in Germany. In addition to her "family" of wonderful friends in this country and at the Fort Walton Beach Health and Rehab Center.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Beal Memorial Cemetery, with First United Methodist Church officiating and a remembrance ceremony by members of Eastern Star and Amaranth.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Ray Houchins
Ray Houchins, age 100, formerly of Niceville, Fla., died Feb. 20, 2000, in Richmond, Va.
Mr. Houchins was born in Keysville, Va., on July 10, 1899. When he was five years old, the family moved to the Philadelphia area where Ray spent most of his life. At an early age he went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. At age 17 he left the railroad company to enlist in the U.S. Army in World War I.
After the war ended, he returned to the company where he served in a variety of assignments for 47 years. After retirement from the railroad company he worked for TV Guide until he and wife Maude moved to a retirement community in Deltona, Fla. In 1981, Maude died after 61 years of a very happy marriage.
In 1985, Mr. Houchins and longtime companion, Mary Wells, moved to Niceville, where they had many friends. They were both very involved in activities at Niceville First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Houchins is survived by Mary Wells of Richmond, Va.; son, Ray Houchins Jr. and daughter-in-law Gladys; granddaughter, Barbara Conner; and great-grandson, Seamus; granddaughter Karen Grimes; and great-grandson, Sean, all of Philadelphia.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family and Mrs. Wells have requested memorials be made to Niceville First United Methodist Church.
Joseph Haddad
Joseph Haddad, age 79, a resident of Destin, Fla., died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, due to cardiac pulmonary arrest.
Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Beach Drive, Destin, on Wednesday, March 1, at 10 a.m., with viewing from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church.
A native of Shelton, Conn., Mr. Haddad was preceded in death by his parents, Samaha Moses and Hasma Samaha Haddad; sister, Evelyn Freije; and brother, Dr. Fredick Haddad.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Sovia Haddad of Destin; daughter, Leila Della Camera of Berlin, Conn.; stepdaughters, Barbara Blackley of Niceville, Fla., Teresa Parker of Columbus, Ga., Nancy Davis of Columbus, Ga., Kim Sovia of Homestead, Fla.; and stepson, Charles Sovia of Destin.
Mr. Haddad was a 1942 graduate of Duke University. He served in the Pacific Theater, U.S. Army from 1942-1946, when he was discharged as a first lieutenant. He then entered Duke Law School and again was called to serve his country during the Korean conflict and was discharged in 1952 with the rank of captain.
He was the New England District Sales Manager for a noted pharmaceutical company. In 1960 he formed his own company, Haddad Pharmaceutical Company Inc., a private formula. In 1970 he became a tax assessor for the state of Connecticut, where he retired in 1986.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus, Troop 11893, of Destin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church Building Fund, Destin.
Russell Douglas Stewart
Russell Douglas Stewart, age 80, of Pensacola, Fla., died Feb. 28, 2000, in a local hospital.
Born in Iquique, Chile, he moved to Atmore, Ala., when he was nine months old. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in chemical engineering and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He took pride in having been an Eagle Scout and having served in the 145th Division of the field Artillery during World War II. In 1953 he joined Chemstrand, later known as Monsanto, and retired in 1979. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and was active in numerous civic and social organizations.
Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances Ferguson Stewart; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Keith Clark of Shalimar, Fla., Sug and Steve Cheatwood of Atlanta, and Molly and Jack Nobles of Pensacola; grandchildren, Kim Pennington and husband Ty, Keith Clark Jr., Ryan Nobles, Whitney Nobles and Meredith Nobles, and Stewart Cheatwood; sister, Alida Stewart Newton; brother-in-law, Dr. Emmet F. Ferguson Jr.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at First Baptist Church of Pensacola with Dr. Robert Mills officiating.
A visitation will follow the ceremony at the church.
Pallbearers are Stewart Cheatwood, Keith Clark Jr., the Hon. Emmet F. Ferguson III, Bruce Newton, Jim Newton, David Nobles, Bill Nobles and Ty Pennington.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Fred Braden, Bill Burns, Walt Cline, Lou Dequine, John Lee Downing, Tom Herrin, Russ Hudson, Charles Johnston, Roger Murray, Ben Penddleton, Relfe Pruett, Edgar Smith, Dr. Keener Tippins and John C.F. Wood.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund or to "Friends of the Library."
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Karen Mae Owen
Karen Mae Owen, affectionately known as "Mama O" to hundreds in the Twin Cities softball community, went home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, March 2, 2000, in Pensacola, Fla.
Bill's wife and best friend for 31 years of marriage was totally committed to God and family. Throughout 27 years working beside Bill as team mom, scorekeeper and assistant coach, Mama O showered the Lord's blessing of love, hope and encouragement upon players of the over 60 softball and basketball teams.
In addition to husband Bill, Karen is survived by her precious children, Jason of Dallas, Texas, Jamie and Jordyn of Niceville, Fla.; mother and father, Clarice and James Harris of Richardson, Texas; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Doris and William Owen of Owosso, Mich.; sisters, Sherrie Knox of Richardson, and Jimmie VanHiel of Ontario, Calif.; brother, Jon Harris of California; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jackie and James Newport of Corunna, Mich., Marcia and Bruce Owen of Schwartz Creek, Mich., and John Owen of Owosso; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at Rocky Bayou Baptist Church, 2401 N. Partin Drive, Niceville. They will include a special tribute to Mama O from her softball children. Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens, Niceville.
To honor the life of this special lady, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the "Mama O" Softball Scholarship Fund, Vanguard Bank, Niceville. This fund will provide support to one athlete each year from Niceville and Choctawhatchee high schools - athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship and Christian integrity.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, is in charge of arrangements.
Dolores Holshouser Rieger
Dolores Holshouser Rieger, 69, died on March 2, 2000.
Mrs. Rieger resided in Glen Carbon, Ill. She was born July 10, 1930 in Granite City, Ill. to William and Margaret Holshouser. Mrs. Rieger was a billing clerk in the water department of the Village of Glen Carbon for 21 years and retired in 1993. She was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville, Ill. She was an avid bowler and bowled in many leagues at Montclair Bowl and Camelot Bowling Alley.
She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Rieger, who passed away Jan. 24, 1996, one brother Robert Holshouser, one sister, Kathryn Cimiotta, and an infant son.
Her surviving sons are Joseph Rieger and his wife Laura of Springfield, Ill., William Rieger of Apple Valley, Calif., Ron Rieger and his wife Gail of Troy, Ill., Dave Rieger and his wife Yvonne of Troy, Ill., and Don Rieger and his wife Debbie of Hamel, Ill. Mrs. Rieger's surviving daughter is Sharon K. Tosovsky and her husband Tim of Edwardsville, Ill. Her surviving brothers are William Holshouser and his wife Margaret of RedBud, Ill., John Holshouser and his wife LaVerne of Niceville, Fla., James Holhouser and his wife Betty of Caseyville, Ill., and Edward Holshouser and his wife LaDonna of Glen Carbon, Ill. Her surviving sisters are Elizabeth Stevens of Fairview Heights, Ill., and Carolyn Lee of Troy Ill.
She is also survived by 12 grandchildren
Rieger's wake service will be held Sunday, March 5, 2000, at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Friends may call the Laughlin Funeral Home after 4 p.m. for visitation hours. Her funeral service will be held Monday, March 6, 2000, at 10 a.m. Pallbearers will be William Holshouser, John Holshouser, James Holshouser, Edward Holshouser, Evern Rieger, and John Rieger.
Bernice W. Watson
Bernice W. Watson, age 81 of Valparaiso, Fla., died Friday, March 3, 2000, at the Manor at Bluewater Bay. Bernice was born on April 1, 1918, in Pensacola, Fla., to Mae and Lovelace Whitmire. She had lived in Valparaiso for the past 51 years. She was retired from the Vanguard Bank and Trust with 28 years of service. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Niceville, Fla. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years Albert A. Watson in May of 1996.
Survivors include her daughters Marsha Mulder of Niceville, Fla. and Sandra and son-in-law Edwin Bond of Chantilly, Va. Granddaughters are Wendy DeMayo of Fairfax, Va., and Lisa Gorey and husband Duane of Panama City, Fla. Grandsons are Matthew Mulder of Los Angeles, Calif., and Robert DeMayo Jr. of Salt Lake City, Utah. Great-granddaughters are Mackenzie and Emily Gorey. Her Aunt Alma Massey of Mobile, Ala. And several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Twin City Funeral Home, Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Funeral service will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Niceville at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2000, with the Rev. Ed Chandler officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
Floral tributes are acceptable or memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Niceville, Fla., 214 S. Partin Dr. in memory of Bernice W. Watson.
McLaughlin Twin City Funeral Home is entrusted with services.
Russell J. Willis
CMSgt. Russell John Willis, (U.S. Air Force, Retired), age 63, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away Sunday morning, March 5, 2000. Mr. Willis was born March 5, 1937, in Lowell, Mass., to Agnes Theresa Willis and the late Joseph Robert. He retired from the Air Force in 1986 and was last stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla.
Mr. Willis is preceded in death by his father; brother, Jimmy Willis; and sister, Alice Willis. He is survived by his wife, Beth Willis of Mary Esther; mother, Agnes Willis of Lowell, Mass.; daughter, Deborah Wardlaw and husband Jim of Mandeville, La.; daughter, Teri Fite and husband Vance of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter, Judy Price and husband Bruce of Choctaw Beach, Fla.; daughter, Kim Ovalle and husband Terry of Niceville, Fla.; daughter, Patty Holley and husband Geroame of Ebro, Fla.; daughter, Vanassa Willis of Panama City; son, Mark Willis and wife Misty of Shreveport, La.; four brothers, Joseph, Eddie, Hugh, and Michael Willis; three sisters, Ann Willis, Mary Overon, and Alyce Lytle; and 16 grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Willis will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery with Full Military Honors. The family will greet friends at the funeral home Monday evening, March 6, 2000 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
William R. Bray
William R. Bray, age 83, of Monroeville, Ala., died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at the Monroe Manor in Monroeville.
Mr. Bray was born in Houston on July 16, 1916, to William C. and Clara Randall Bray. Mr. Bray was a retired engineer with civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a member of New Beginnings Church in Crestview, Fla.
Mr. Bray was preceded in death by his first wife, Iska Drennan Bray; and by his second wife, Juanita Y. Bray.
Survivors include his two sons, Randall D. Bray of Valparaiso, Fla., and William O. Bray of Monroeville; grandchild, Verna Leah Bray. Extended family members include Mr. and Mrs. Robert Snowden, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Rickles, Mrs. Dolores Livingston, Bryan Rickles, Todd Snowden and Scott Snowden.
Graveside services will be conducted at Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, with the Rev. Bo Newberry officiating. Interment will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Lloyd J. Locke
Lloyd J. Locke, age 73, of Crestview, Fla., died Friday, June 9, 2000, in Anchorage, Alaska.
He was born in Laurel Hill, Fla., and was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla. Mr. Locke was a member of First Baptist Church in Crestview. Lloyd was retired from the U.S. Air Force, serving in the World War II and Korean wars. After the wars ended, he was an EOD spe#####t and retired with over 21 years of service. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman after his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Jessie and William and Mable. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mary E. Locke of Crestview; son, William James Locke of Laurel Hill, Fla., Henry Locke of Titusville, Fla., and Clyde Locke of New Freedom, Pa.; sisters, Mae Orr of Pensacola, Fla., and Johnnie Lee Paquin of Chatom, Ala.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel.
Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Crestview at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, with the Rev. Francis Picker officiating. Burial will follow in Almarante Cemetery in Laurel Hill, with full military honors.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Leonard W. James
Retired Lt. Col. Leonard W. James, age 77, a U.S. Air Force veteran with 28 years of active duty service to his country, serving in three wars, passed away peacefully at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Saturday, June 10, 2000, after a lengthy illness.
He is survived by his wife, Frances A. James; stepsons, Joseph M. Nunnelley III and wife Susie, James Russell Nunnelley and family; sisters, Dorothy Norton of Phoenix, Ariz., and Helen Kimbell of Montrose, Colo.
In accordance with Leonard's request, private military services will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at a later date following cremation.
"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth ...
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod ...
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida in his memory.
Darcie L. Stoudmire
Darcie L. Stoudmire, age 67, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Thursday, June 8, 2000, at Emerald Coast Center.
Darcie was the oldest of 12 children born to Brother Jimmie C. and Cubedine Brooks of Elba, Ala. She was born on Feb. 27, 1933.
She leaves to cherish her memory five children, Mickey (Liz) Mount, Jackie (Ricky) Jones, Terrol Neal, Alvin Brooks, Jimmy (Tonya) Lindsey; six sisters, Mary Warren, Jeanette Brooks, Gracie Scaifes, Rosetta Baker, Annie Richardson and Ollie Peterson; four brothers, Roy Brooks, Thomas Brooks, Freddie Brooks and Grady Brooks; a special daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Scott; and a special son-in-law, Ricky Jones; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Thanks to Dr. Ming Chang, Emerald Coast Hematology-Oncology, and to Hospice of Northwest Florida.
Services will be conducted at Beulah Baptist Church, 109 McGriff St., at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 14. There will be no wake.
Arrangements by Gainer Funeral Home.
Lloyd J. Locke
Lloyd J. Locke, age 73, of Crestview, Fla., died Friday, June 9, 2000, in Anchorage, Alaska.
He was born in Laurel Hill, Fla., and was a lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla. Mr. Locke was a member of First Baptist Church in Crestview. Lloyd was retired from the U.S. Air Force, serving in the World War II and Korean wars. After the wars ended, he was an EOD spe#####t and retired with over 21 years of service. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman after his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, Jessie and William and Mable. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mary E. Locke of Crestview; son, William James Locke of Cocoa, Fla.; daughter, Charlene K. Daugette of Crestview; brothers, Charlie Locke of Laurel Hill, Henry Locke of Titusville, Fla., and Clyde Locke of New Freedom, Pa.; sisters, Mae Orr of Pensacola, Fla., and Johnnie Lee Paquin of Chatom, Ala.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The family received friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel.
Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Crestview at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Francis Picker officiating. Burial will follow in Almarante Cemetery in Laurel Hill, with full military honors.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Marian E. Henry
Marian E. Henry, age 90, of Destin, Fla., died Monday, June 12, 2000.
She was the daughter of the late Francis and Cora L. Cook Ellis. Mrs. Henry was born on March 28, 1910, in Richmond, Va. Marian was married in 1932 to Lawrence Lee Henry, who preceded her in death in 1973. She was employed by civil service for 26 years.
Marian made her home in the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., area for the past 26 years.
She is survived by her three daughters, Shirley J. Gordon of Fort Walton Beach, Jo Ann Struzinski of Palm Bay, Fla., and Linda L. Henry of Lake Wales, Fla.; brother, Norman Ellis of Baltimore; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Relatives and friends are invited.
Arrangements are entrusted to McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach.
Noel Gallagher-Neal
Noel Ilana Gallagher-Neal, born April 14, 2000, to Alisa Gallagher and Jon Neal of the Fort Walton Beach/Gulf Breeze, Fla., area returned to Heaven on June 11, 2000. Cause of death was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
She is loved and missed by her grandmother and grandfather, Denise and Tim Hillis; and her uncles, Jason Gallagher, Timmy Hillis; and her aunt, Shandra Hillis of Gulf Breeze; her grandfather, Michael Gallagher; and her uncle, Sean Gallagher of Fort Walton Beach; her great-grandmother, Trudy Edwards of Fort Walton Beach; her grandmother and grandfather, Cindy and Ed Neal; her uncles, Ryan and Tyler Neal of Santa Rosa Beach; her uncle, Scott Neal of Gulf Breeze; her uncle, Stacy Neal of Chanler, Ariz.; her aunt, Rachel Neal of Clarksville, Ind.; her great-grandparents, L.B. and Ina Bunch of Clarksville; and her great-grandmother, Geraldine Antle of Carmal, Ind.
Services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, the parents request donations be sent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, c/o Little Lambs Children's Academy Play-ground Donation, 4257 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561.
Rose Lawn Funeral Home, Gulf Breeze, is in charge of arrangements.
