Inez Tyner Sikes
Inez Tyner Sikes, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2000, in a Crestview hospital.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Whitehurst Funeral Home.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Melvin F. Roberson
Melvin F. Roberson, age 72, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away June 13, 2000, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
He was born in Sylacauga, Ala., to the late Frank and Bessie Martin Roberson. Mr. Roberson was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran serving in the Vietnam War. He was of the Catholic faith.
He is survived by his wife, Thelton "Penny"; son, Melvin Frank Jr. and wife Cheryl of St. Petersburg, Fla.; brothers, Wilton of Savannah, Ga., and Billy Joe of Brandon, Fla.; sisters, Ruby Lee Avant of Mary Esther, Elsie Faye Barham of Deer Lodge, Mont., and Mary Dale Woods of Purvis, Miss. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Matthew David and Ashley Lynn Roberson of Seminole, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
The family will conduct a private memorial service at a later date.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of the arrangements.
Wiley Benjamin Hill Jr.
Wiley Benjamin Hill Jr., age 87, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at his home Monday, Aug. 14, 2000.
He was born on Feb. 13, 1913, in Hattiesburg, Miss., and was a resident of this area since 1946 when he moved here from Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. He was an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fort Walton Beach, Second Ward. He spent his growing up years as a military brat at Fort Benning, Ga.
During his working years he was a real estate builder and developer. As a businessman he helped in the early years with the development of Valparaiso and Fort Walton Beach. He was the first president of the Board of Realtors in Fort Walton Beach and was a pioneer in the Multiple Listing Program. He constructed the first two-story building on Main Street in Fort Walton Beach.
He was active in local civic organizations, Lions Club and Toastmasters. He was also a charter member of the local Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County and a lifelong member of the Republican Party.
In 1955, Mr. Hill settled the old Gibson homestead and later developed the property over the next 40 years. Some of his early hobbies were photography, boxing - as a U.S. Army boxer he won several championships - swimming, and he was a marathon runner, winning many races in his age group. He also enjoyed flying airplanes, and in his youth he and his brother paid for his first airplane by barnstorming throughout the country charging $1 for rides. He was an avid tennis and golf player and also enjoyed writing, poetry and public speaking.
His real estate background helped in one of his many church callings by helping to locate and secure land for use as church meeting houses.
Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Opal M. Hill; sister, Beatrice Hunt; brother, Rudolph Hill; and grandson, Cody Hill. Survivors include his three children, Wiley Benjamin Hill III and wife Rebecca of Fort Walton Beach, Margaret Marie Harris and husband Ed of Fort Walton Beach, and Sarah E. Hill and husband Bob Mantovani of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and caregivers: Pauline, Priscilla and Mori.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Lake Drive in Fort Walton Beach, with Bishop Gary Reynolds officiating. Mr. Hill will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Hill's grandchildren.
Floral tributes are acceptable, or those who desire may make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, Fla., in memory of Wiley Ben Hill Jr.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Charles L. Freeman Sr.
Chares L. "Gusto" Freeman Sr., age 68, of Crestview, Fla., died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000, at Crestview Nursing and Convalescent Home.
Mr. Freeman was born on Dec. 15, 1931. He was a native of Talladega, Ala., but made his home in Florida for the past 39 years.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Angela Freeman and their children, Wesley and Rebecca, all of Crestview; daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Terry Weese and their son Drew, all of Atlanta. Other family members include: brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Emelyn Freeman of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother, James Freeman of Talladega, Ala.; brother, Bob Freeman of Sarasota, Fla.; and sister, Florence Freeman Sanders of Torrence, Calif.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
A brief funeral service will be conducted at the end of the visitation period at 7 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home.
Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Talladega at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Miller, Clardy Noel, George Ansley, Curtis Lackey, Red Brown, Bunky Nabors, Lonnie Watts and George Hicks.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
James Armond Plate
James Armond Plate of Niceville, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000.
He was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 5, 1933.
He is survived by his mother, Florence Plate of Paxton, Fla.; two brothers, Robert of Paxton, and Bill of Earlham, Iowa; three sons, Brian of Altoona, Iowa, Richard of Freeport, and James of Villa Tasso, Fla.; two daughters, Deborah Fruge of Niceville, and Kristine Yand of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; and all the loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Niceville at a date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Paul's in memory of Mr. Plate.
Doris Fay Howell
Doris Fay Howell, beloved wife of Arthur W. Howell, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000.
Doris was born on May 27, 1926, in Niceville, Fla. Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was dedicated to her Lord and family.
Doris was a life member of First Baptist Church of Niceville. She retired from the Okaloosa County school district food service in 1985.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Peggy Ann Stephens. Doris is survived by her husband, Arthur W. Howell; her children and their spouses, Butch and Dian Howell, Donnie and Donna Howell of Niceville, Bonnie and Joey Roberts of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother and wife, Clayton and Lois Spencer; sister, Talmage Hart of Niceville; grandchildren, Michelle, Greg, Sean, Paul, Willie B. Beccalee, Michael and Kenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at First Baptist Church of Niceville, with visitation one hour prior to services. The Rev. Gerald Reeves will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville.
Teresita Blanca Shea
Teresita Shea, 77, of Shalimar died peacefully on Oct. 6, 2000.
She was born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on Jan. 6, 1923 to Teresa Mata de Marino, and Jesus Salvador Mata Doumolin.
In 1941, she became the bride of James H. Shea, Lieutenant, with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Last August, they celebrated 59 years of marriage. Together, they raised five children, and, being in the Air Force, lived everywhere from Massachusetts to Peru.
Terry was happiest with her children. The family moved to this area in 1957. An enthusiastic cook and host, Terry's love of life spilled into her garden where something was always abloom.
Terry is survived by her loving husband, Jim. She will be dearly missed by her three sons, Daniel of Deerfield Beach, David and Douglas, both of Fort Walton Beach; and her two daughters and their husbands, Deirdre and Carl Wimmer of Mary Esther, and Diana and Howard Minnick of Atlanta, Ga.
Granny will be especially missed by grandchildren Kurt, Michael, Christa, Tabitha, Jann, Shea and Reid.
Roy Lee Jones
Mr. Roy Lee Jones, age 78, of Freeport, Fla., died at his residence on Friday night, Oct. 6, 2000.
Mr. Jones was born in Laurel, Miss., on Nov. 26, 1921. He was the son of Icy Mitchem Jones and Roy Lee Jones Sr. He was employed at Eglin Air Force Base for 34 years. Mr. Jones was an avid hunter and tracker, being called on many times by friends and fellow sportsmen to track a wounded deer. He loved fishing and spent much of his retirement enjoying hunting and fishing.
He was very active with his church Youth Group, and the young people of his church enjoyed camping expeditions he had arranged. He was a member of the Masonic order.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys Brown Jones of Freeport; a daughter, Sandra Lee McCallum of Freeport; two grandsons, Ian McCallum of Oakland, Calif., And Roy Jones IV and his wife, Lisa, of Freeport; one great-grandson, Clayton Jones; and a great-granddaughter, Madysen Jones. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Beginnings Church, P.O. Box 1022, Freeport, FL 32439, of which Mr. Jones was a charter member.
Pallbearers will be Tony Gomillion, Howard Suggs, Cliffton Bell Sr., Grover Howard, Glen Caswell, Cliffton Bell Jr., Kale Gomillion and W.L. Billy McLean.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000, from the chapel of Jerry Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Louis Taunton and the Rev. Lowery Brown officiating. Mr. Jones will lie in state one hour prior to funeral time, at which time the family will receive visitors.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home, serving Freeport, is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Roy Lee Jones, 78, of Freeport.
Edgar B. Dees
Retired Tech. Sgt. Edgar B. Dees, age 79, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Oct. 16, 2000, at Destin Healthcare Center.
He was born on Dec. 9, 1920, in Uriah, Ala., son of the late William Thomas and Ruth Alva Dees. He had resided in Fort Walton Beach since 1968.
Edgar retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1972, having served his country honorably for over 30 years. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam. Edgar enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a great love of people as well as a wonderful sense of humor. He was a member of Cinco Baptist Church and was very active with Sunday school.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Eve Dees of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Linda B. Harrison and husband Doug of Yakima, Wash.; son, Donald E. Dees of Yakima; daughter, Jeanie L. Heideman and husband Rick of Weippe, Idaho; son, James W. Dees and wife Joann of Selah, Wash.; daughter, Kellie M. Groth and husband Tom of Selah; son, Michael Hill of Metarie, La.; son, Dr. Jae Nelles and wife Maria of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; son, Chris Dieuaide and wife Robin of Gulf Breeze, Fla. He is also survived by two brothers, Carl Dees of Chesapeake, Va., and Arthur Dees of Mobile, Ala.; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home with the Rev. Guy Kellum officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the hour of services.
Honorary pallbearers wil be the Senior Mens Sunday School Class.
Flowers are gratefully declined and those wishing may make a contribution in his memory to the American Cancer Society.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Tanya L. Radell
Tanya L. Radell of Niceville, Fla., passed away peacefully on Oct. 16, 2000, after an extended illness.
Mrs. Radell was born in Upland, Calif., on Jan. 21, 1934, to Maj. and Mrs. Guy Colby, who preceded her in death. She came to live in Niceville when she and her husband retired in 1984.
Tanya was an instructor in the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-4, and was active with the Elks Lodge BPOE 1795 in Fort Walton Beach. She co-owned and operated Jane's Jewelers until retiring in 1998. Tanya's adventurous spirit led her to realize her dream of traveling the world, and to always live life to the fullest. The dream was cut far too short.
In Heaven, Tanya joins her husband of 37 years and the love of her life, retired Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander Lawrence L. Radell, who passed away in June 1990, and her beloved granddaughter, "Noni," Tanya Lynn BerBerick, who left us in May 1995.
Tanya will be remembered for her courage; she never backed down from anything in her life! Her wisdom; you couldn't get anything past her! Her great sense of humor; her whole face smiled at you! But mostly, anyone who knew Tanya will remember her generous heart. She gave of herself and was always there for anyone who needed her. Tanya believed in helping others, and lived the example we all should follow. She was truly a lady of class and dignity, and she will be so greatly missed.
Tanya is survived by her daughter, Tori Radell-Forsyth, grandson, Cameron L. Goldsworthy and wife Carol; great-grandson, Tyler; daughter, Liana Radell-Dillon and son-in-law Mark H. Dillon; sisters, Ellen Shearer and husband Jim; Terry Eberling and husband Sam; nephew, Brett Spielman, his wife Lisa, children, Carley, Bryce and baby Brittany; nephew, Rodger Spielman; niece, Lorrie Page, her husband Mickey, and their children, Jackie and Bryan Allen; nephew, Robert Young Jr. and children, Jourdan, Joshua and Channing; best friend and business partner, Nan Prettyman; and her faithful companion, Springer Spaniel, "Venus."
Special thanks to Dr. Gregory Turner for his faith and devotion to Tanya, for cheering her up with Mugg's root beer and for never giving up. Also to Mom's favorite nurse, Tera Fujan, for her loving compassion, and her tireless dedication to Tanya's care. You have both been a pillar of strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McLaughlin Mortuary. A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Tanya by giving to the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, or to the Save the Manatee Club for Dana, a manatee little Tanya adopted in 1994.
John W. Grice
John W. "Bill" Grice, age 74, of Crestview, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000, at West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pensacola, Fla.
He was a graduate of Auburn University in civil engineering and a member of Theta Chi fraternity. Bill retired in 1991 as chief of base civil engineering at Hurlburt Field, Fla. He was a former superintendent of public works for the city of Crestview.
Mr. Grice was preceded in death by his parents, Julius G. and Annie C. McDavid Grice Sr.; and by a son, Mike Grice in 1968. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of First Baptist Church of Crestview. Bill was a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area.
Survivors include his loving wife, Bobbie J. Grice of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jo Grice of Crestview; brothers and sisters-in-law, Cameron C. and Lois Grice of Greenwood, S.C., and Julius G. and Carol Ann Grice Jr. of Gulf Shores, Ala.; sister, Mary Marshall Grice of Pensacola, Fla.; and grandchildren, Ashley, John and Haley Grice, all of Crestview.
Funeral services will be conducted in the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Fran Picker officiating. A private family interment will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview.
Floral tributes will be accepted, or for those who desire, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Dana O. Dyer Jr.
Dana O. "Bud" Dyer Jr., age 83, of 343 Eastern St., New Haven, Conn., entered into perpetual rest on Oct. 16, 2000.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary G. Dyer of New Haven. Born in Franklin, Maine, on May 17, 1917, to the late Dana O. Dyer Sr. and Helen Marion Bragdon Dyer, he lived in Valparaiso, Fla., for 30 years prior to moving to New Haven in 1994. He was an avionics mechanic in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Bud was a 32nd degree Mason; a member of the Masonic Lodge of Bar Harbor, Maine; Worthy Patron of Harmony Chapter, Order of Eastern Star; and a member of Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor, Maine.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dana O. and Avida Dyer III of Crestview, Fla.; his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Andy Perrone of East Haven, Conn.; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Frank Myers of Crestview. He is also survived by five cherished grandchildren; eight cherished great-grandchildren; and many dear nieces and nephews. Bud leaves three beloved sisters, Lola Abbott of Bar Harbor, Maine, Cleo Dyer of Niceville, Fla., and Wava Ruckel of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Olive Dyer of Middletown, Conn. He was preceded in death by three sisters and a brother.
Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, followed by a service at 7 p.m. at Clancy Funeral Home.
Private graveside services will be held on Saturday at Middletown State Veterans Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to CT Hospice, 61 Burban Drive, Banford, CT 06405.
Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, is in charge of arrangements.
Billy Edwin Johnson
Staff Sgt. Billy Edwin Johnson, U.S. Air Force retired, passed away Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Sewanee, Tenn., on April 6, 1930. He and his family moved to this area in 1967 while he was serving as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force in 1968, he worked the next 22 years for Fairchild Hiller in Crestview, Fla.
Billy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lula; son and daughter-in-law, William "Billy" and Karen Johnson of Mobile, Ala.; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Steve Turner, Teresa and Rob Kropf, and Janie and William Zylak, all residing in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. He is survived by a brother, Alton Bailey and wife Lucille of Pensacola, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Oakland Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Nelson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oakland Baptist Church building fund, 118 Wright Parkway N.W., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
The family will receive friends at their home following the memorial service.
Anna J. Morgner
Anna J. Morgner, age 86, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., ended her earthly journey on Oct. 15, 2000, and is now with her Lord.
Anna was born in Milaca, Minn., to Albert and Sinnie Kiel on March 13, 1914. She grew up in the Milaca area and taught school for many years before moving to Oakland, Calif., in 1944. She was office manager for Ozalid, a paper coating company, and later worked for the state of California.
In the 1970s, she and her husband Richard moved to Fort Walton Beach, where they retired and lived here since.
Anna enjoyed playing the piano and was church organist before moving to California. She was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing, traveling, watching TV sports such as football, tennis, golf and the Atlanta Braves. She also enjoyed church activities with the Young At Heart group at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; stepson, Richard; parents, Albert and Sinnie Kiel; and brother, Woodrow Kiel.
Survivors include her sisters, Sadie Kooiman and Harriet (Ward) Minks of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Loretta Eckstrom of Destin, Fla.; numerous nieces and nephews; stepgrandchildren; other relatives; friends; and a special neighbor, Mert Van Merksestyn.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar. Interment followed in Beal Memorial Cemetery in the "Garden of Faith" area.
Any memorials may be given to the American Heart Association, 4400 Bayou Blvd., Suite 49A, Pensacola, FL 32503, and designated for "stroke research."
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
