William Robert Ward Jr.
William Robert "Bill" Ward Jr., age 73, of Mary Esther, Fla., died Oct. 28, 1997.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Wright Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Mr. Ward was employed as a civil service radar technician and was a member of Wright Baptist Church.
He is survived by his stepmother, Jewel Ward of Fort Walton Beach; his wife, Aleane Ward of Mary Esther; son, Steve Ward and wife Francine of California; daughters, Deborah Smay and husband Brian of Duluth, Ga., and Alana Peoples and husband Patrick of Mary Esther; brothers, Jim Ward of Texas, Robert Ward of Florida, Charles Ward of Fort Walton Beach, and Larry Ward of Texas; sister, Betty Wade of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, KayLynn, Matthew, Lori, Laura and Alisha; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, Norcross, Ga.
Jo Elizabeth Hodgden
Jo Elizabeth Hodgen, age 67, of Niceville, Fla., died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997, in a local nursing home.
She was born in Maplesville, Ala., on July 18, 1930, and had lived in this area since 1968.
Survivors include her husband, Mike E. Hodgden of Niceville; son and daughter-in-law, Michael B. and Carol Hodgden of Atlanta; brother, Virgil B. Bates Jr. of Phoenix; sisters, Dutchey Scholl of Tucson, Ariz., and Belita Robertson of Orlando, Fla.; and grandchildren, Maryann Elizabeth and Michael B. Hodgden.
Friends may call at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, with a service following at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Mary Hails Jones
Mary Hails Jones, age 64, of Vestavia, Ala., passed away Tuesday night, Oct. 28, 1997, at her home.
She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Survivors include her children, Katherine Adams of Birmingham, Ala., Mike Jones of Sevierville, Tenn., Steve Jones of Decatur, Ala., Mary Allison Meyer of Sisters, Ore., and Janice Collier of Freeport, Fla.; mother, Mary Everline O'Dowd Hails of Vestavia; brothers, Tom Hails of Panama City, Fla., George Hails of Chicago, Bob Hails of Olney, Md., and Bill Hails of Birmingham; eight grandchildren; and countless friends.
Mrs. Jones was employed for 34 years at U.S. Pipe and retired as supervisor of the sales accounting department. She was a kind and loving person who gave of herself to her children, family and friends without regrets. Everyone who knew her will miss her cheerful countenance and smile. She was a winner.
A funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery.
A vigil service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood, and the visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family suggests memorials be made to St. Vincent's Hospice Program, 2145 Highland Ave., Suite 110, Birmingham, AL 35205.
Services under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, Ala.
Emmitt M. Prince Sr.
Emmitt M. Prince Sr., age 69, of Valparaiso, Fla., died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1997, at his home.
Mr. Prince was a retired manager with Summerlin Auto Parts Stores in Niceville, Fla., and DeFuniak Springs, Fla. A native of Tennessee, he was a U.S. Air Force veteran of Korea and had resided in Valparaiso since 1948.
Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn O. Prince of Valparaiso; son, Emmitt M. Prince Jr. of Valparaiso; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela D. Prince and Curt Spangler of Tallahassee, Fla.; brother, Eddie H. Prince of Columbia, Tenn.; sisters, Peggy Kelley of Columbia, and Nelda Lawrence of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; grandsons, David and William Prince, both of Niceville; mother-in-law, Edna Davis of Valparaiso; and many devoted friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, Nov. 1, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Valparaiso. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Clare Lome Jeffcoat
Clare Lome Tomlinson Jeffcoat passed away Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997, in a Niceville, Fla., hospital.
She was born on Feb. 4, 1915, in Plainfield, N.J., to Fay M. and Vera Lome Tomlinson. She moved to Kissimmee, Fla., in 1933, and married Henry Parker Jeffcoat there in 1937. They lived for many years in Daytona Beach, Fla., where their children were born and she managed the beauty shop in the Sheraton Plaza Hotel.
After moving to Pensacola, Fla., in 1955, she taught beauty culture at Pensacola Vocational School and Pensacola Technical High School. She retired from the Pensacola Historical Museum. Mrs. Jeffcoat moved to Niceville in 1995.
She was preceded in death by her son, Allen Parker Jeffcoat, and her husband. Survivors include her daughters, Dr. Donna Davis and husband Dr. Donald Davis of Hattiesburg, Miss., Leslie Maddocks and husband Ronald of Niceville; grandchildren, Susanna Hudson of Houston, Texas, Allen Kercher of Pensacola, Betsy Tait of Pensacola, Donald Davis Jr. of Hattiesburg, Miss., Mark Davis of Brandon, Fla., and Steven Maddocks of Pensacola; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Watkins of Orland, Maine, and Bette Wall of Chamblee, Ga.; and brother, Alan Tomlinson of Milton, Fla.
Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel in Pensacola with the Rev. Clarence Gentry officiating. Burial will be in Bayview Memorial Park.
Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway, is in charge of arrangements.
Jane Welsh Harrington
Jane W. Harrington, age 80, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in Fort Walton Beach on Oct. 30, 1997, after an extended illness.
She was born on Feb. 3, 1917, in Bogalusa, La., and moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1967. She was a lover and collector of antiques and was loved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Harrington was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Harrington, on Jan. 5. 1997, and is survived by her son, James B. Harrington and Windy Lynn Shelton of Fort Walton Beach; daughters, Janet Harrington Frazier and Judith Harrington Munson and husband Phillip D. Munson, all of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Joy Welsh Christian of Dallas, Texas; and grandchildren, Keith Edward Munson and Jenna Lee Frazier.
Memorial services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home with the Rev. Ashley N. Pogue officiating.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Fred William Martin
Fred W. Martin, Ph.D., age 71, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 24. 1997, in the VA Medical Center in Houston.
Dr. Martin was a retired aerospace engineering professor who taught at Auburn University for 29 years. After his retirement he moved to Fort Walton Beach.
Dr. Martin was born in Portsmouth, Va., on Feb. 26, 1926, to James Joseph and Grace Crossman Martin. He received his degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline M. Martin; son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Angela Martin of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Teri Martin of Alameda, Calif.; grandson, Joshua E. Martin; sister, Grace June Collier of Virginia Beach, Va.; and brother, the Rev. Robert Martin of Front Royal, Va.
A private memorial service will be held at a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.
Edwin M. Gillen
Edwin M. Gillen, age 79, of Destin, Fla., passed away in a Destin Health Care Facility on Oct. 24. 1997, after an extended illness.
He was born in Evanston, Ill., on June 5, 1918, and moved to this area 20 years ago from Deerfield, Ill. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II and a retired cosmetologist. He also retired after 10 years as condo manager of the Holiday Surf and Racket Club and then took up golf and made many friends.
Mr. Gillen is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maye Gillen of Destin; daughter, Kathleen Ann Coffee of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Penny Gillen of Mt. Prospect, Ill., and Donald R. Gillen of Orlando, Fla. He was the adopted son of the late Helmer and Lily Gillen.
Memorial services will be conducted at Destin United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, with Dr. John Friedman officiating, with memorialization to be by cremation.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida or to the building fund of Destin United Methodist Church.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Catherine Babin Houston
Catherine Babin "Jeanine" Houston, a resident of Destin, Fla., died at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997, at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.
She was 66 years old and a native of Plaquemine, La., and a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, La. She retired from the U.S. Marshall Service.
Mrs. Houston was preceded in death by her father, Norman Babin. She is survived by her husband, Clarence "Budge" Houston; mother, Loleda "Niget" Bourgoyne Deviller; adoptive father, Samual Devillier; sons and daughters-in-law, Chip and Karen Houston of Baton Rouge, Lance and Melissa Houston of Marietta, Ga., Todd and Melissa Houston of Sugar Hill, Ga., and Greg Houston of Destin; and grandchildren, Jayme, Becca, Heather, Sam and Delancey.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, with a rosary prayer service at 7 p.m. conducted by Father Roy Marien.
A funeral Mass will be conducted from the Catholic Church of the Resurrection at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, with Father Marien officiating. Interment will follow in Gulf Cemetery in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Leukemia Association Inc., 585 Stewart Ave., Suite 536, Garden City, NY 11530.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Suzanne Carol Hall
Suzanne Carol Hall, "Tinker Bell," born Nov. 2, 1944, moved into God's house on June 6, 1997, at Pinehurst, N.C.
She is very deeply and very painfully mourned by her mother, Pauline Hall; sister, June Keady; very best friend, Richard McGraw; and many dear friends in Florida, North Carolina and New York.
Suzanne worked as a licensed cosmetologist and electrologist, horticulturist, nursery owner, licensed Florida master gardener and chemical applicator, landscape designer and drafter, and prize canary breeder. A great cook and mechanic, Suzanne constantly astounded friends with her many and varied talents.
Suzanne exhibited her great strength of character and will by her complete and successful defeat of the terrible disease of alcoholism in 1992. Suzanne loved all nature and God's creatures without exception; a gentle, kind and selfless child of God; a real life Tinker Bell, casting twinkling stars of happiness and sparkling humor on all around her. She is missed terribly!
Donations in Suzanne's memory may be made to the local abused spouse shelter.
John Nelson Melcher
Col. John N. Melcher, age 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 1997, at his home.
He was born in La Crosse, Wisc., and was a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach. He attended the University of Wisconsin and was a member of Delta Epsilon fraternity. Col. Melcher married Doris M. Minette at Mitchell Field, Long Island, in 1940, a woman he loved dearly and with whom he shared his life.
He served his country with distinction as an Air Force B-17 pilot with 35 combat missions during World War II. He also served his country in many capacities of command in important and strategic areas of defense. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a lifetime member of the Masonic lodge.
He retired from the Air Force in 1964 and devoted the rest of his life to his hobbies of woodworking, travel and golf. Devotion to his family was most important to him. Along with being a longtime member of Shalimar United Methodist Church, he was actively involved with the Sharing & Caring organization.
Survivors include his wife, Doris M. Melcher of Fort Walton Beach; sons, John Melcher and wife Nancy of Roswell, Ga., Thomas Melcher and wife Phyllis of Greensboro, N.C., and Richard Melcher of Denver; grandchildren, Capt. Christopher Melcher of Oklahoma City, Michelle Melcher of Roswell, Ga., and Danielle Melcher of Greensboro; and sister, Betty Sweeney of Athens, Ga.
Memorial funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Shalimar United Methodist Church with the Revs. David Chunn and John Collins officiating. Burial will be at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida or to the Shalimar Methodist Church building fund.
Ethan John Porter
"He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11.
Ethan John Porter came into this world for a short visit on Oct. 22. 1997. Our little angel returned home to be with our loving Father on Oct. 25. Although his time with us was very short, he forever touched our lives with love and joy.
Ethan's Daddy and Mommy, Jimmy and Jackie Porter, and sisters, Haley and Heather, all of Philadelphia, Miss., will deeply miss holding, nurturing and growing with him. Other survivors include his maternal grandparents, George and Jan Omley of Navarre, Fla.; paternal grandparents, J.B. and Ann Porter of Niceville, Fla.; aunts and uncles, Frank and Vivian Sorrells, and Carl and Allison Everitt, all of Niceville, Leigh Ann Mathis of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Gene Porter of Laurel Hill, Fla.; cousins, Travis, Alex, Molly and Jake.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Harris Mathis; and an uncle, John Harris Mathis Jr.
A time of visitation will be conducted from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Charles Barnett officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Valparaiso, Fla.
A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, in Good Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia with Brother Charles Barnett officiating.
He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 19:14.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Miranda Lea Masar
Miranda Lea Masar, age 5 months, passed away Monday, Oct. 27, 1997, in a Gainesville, Fla., hospital.
Miranda was born on May 24, 1997, in Pensacola, Fla.
She is survived by her loving parents, Keith and Lynetta Masar of Mary Esther, Fla.; maternal grandmother, Norma Lewis of Mount Morris, Pa.; paternal grandparents, Frank and Jo Masar of Mary Esther; aunts, Linda, Laura, Loretta, Lenora, Lena and Lisa of Mount Morris, and Brenda of Navarre; and uncle, Frankie of Navarre.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 30, at the mortuary. Graveside services will follow at 1 p.m. in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Miranda's parents wish to express their thanks to everyone who helped care for their little "Mandi."
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Linville Ray Mastin
Linville Ray Mastin, age 73, of Montgomery, Ala., and formerly of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Monday, Oct. 27, 1997, in a Montgomery hospital.
Mr. Mastin was a retired U.S. Air Force technical sergeant and also retired from civil service work at the Army Ranger Camp. He was a member of Wright Baptist Church and had resided in Fort Walton Beach for 42 years before moving to Montgomery one year ago.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian L. Mastin of Montgomery; son, Raymond Mastin of New York State; stepdaughters, Joann Taylor of Fort Walton Beach, Lavada Klein of Baker, Fla., and Sandra Livingston of Holt, Fla.; brothers, Howard Mastin and Charles Mastin, both of North Carolina; sisters, Mary Townsend of North Carolina, Clara Smith of Las Vegas, Ruth Townsend, Juanita Carpenter, Jean Banner and Carolyn South, all of North Carolina; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 30.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Ernest Walker officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at 11:30 a.m. in Beal Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
