Fred Ackerman Beam
Fred Ackerman Beam, age 68, of Destin, Fla., passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 1998. He was born in Montgomery and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School. Mr. Beam received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Auburn University and spent his professional life in Birmingham as a CPA and partner with Weinberg, Ward and Beam. He was a member of many professional organizations and was elected to a term as president of the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants. He was a longtime member of Trinity Methodist Church, where he served on the board of stewards. Mr. Beam also served in the Navy and remained in the naval reserves until his retirement. He is survived by his wife Blanche R. Petro Beam; daughter Kathy Beam Peeples and husband Stephen; son Fred Jonathan Beam; stepson Paul E. Petro (Dutch) and wife Jennifer Ann Bruce Petro; stepdaughter Dr. Susan Petro; grandchildren Samantha Leigh Peeples, Jordan Karl Peeples, Athena Dominique Dees, and Alexandrea Elizabeth Petro; sister Marianne Beam Brunson and husband Donald; niece Marianne Brunson McLemore and husband Bill, and their children Elizabeth and William; nephew Donald H. Brunson III and wife Lynn, and their children D.H. and Beau; and numerous friends.
Both the visitation and funeral service will be held Thursday, January 8, at the Santa Rosa Community Church at 9 and 10 a.m. respectively. A graveside service will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Ala., at 3:30 p.m. Flowers may be sent to the Greenwood and Serenity Funeral Home and Cemetery at 909 Lincoln Road in Montgomery. Pallbearers will be Harold Eskew, Paul E. Petro, Fred Denton, Jack O'Brien, I.W. May and Joe Kazmalyinski.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
L. Carole Jenefsky
Mrs. L. Carole Jenefsky, age 62, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died on Jan. 6, 1998, at her home with her family by her side. She was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and had resided in Fort Walton Beach since moving here from San Diego, Calif., in 1986.
Carole was a Silver Life Master member of the American Contract Bridge League and played bridge regularly at the Fort Walton Beach Duplicate Bridge Club and the Emerald Coast Bridge Club in Destin. She will be remembered by many for her love of the game and for the bridge skills and knowledge she shared with all who sat at her table.
She is survived by her children: Cheryl and Hans Etmans of San Diego, Calif., Marc Jenefsky and Nga Bui of Seattle, Wash., and Dr. Cindy Jenefsky and Diane Schlactus of Oakland, Calif., and her siblings, Shirley and Frank Szemere of Fort Walton Beach and Richard and Debbie Weprin of Dayton, Ohio.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998, in the Heritage Gardens Cemetery in Niceville, Fla., with Rabbi Mitchell Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, Fla. 32548 in memory of Mrs. Carole Jenefsky.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
General J. Sellers
Mr. General J. Sellers, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, at the Crestview Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. Mr. Sellers was born in Samson, Ala., on Dec. 10, 1915, to John E. and Lelia Sellers and had been a long-time resident of Crestview. He was a member of the Southside Baptist Church and was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Campaign. Mr. Sellers was preceded in death by his wife, Katie Carrie Sellers on July 19, 1984; his parents, four brothers and one sister.
Survivors include six daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy Lynn Sellers of Crestview, Rhonda and Bill Brooks of Mobile, Ala.; Voncile and Landrum Edwards, Carolyn and Wilburn Fleming, Juanita and Tom Smith, and Miriam and Fred Sieron, all of Crestview; two sons and daughters-in law, Royce W. Sellers of Crestview and Robert and Bama Sellers of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; one brother and sister-in-law, Cleveland Lamar and Bell Sellers of Dade City, Fla.; seventeen grandchildren, Mark August Sieron, Royce W. Sellers, Jr., Quintin Sellers, Pamela Sellers McJunkin, Tana McLaughlin, Theresa Toolan, Tommy Toolan, John Toolan, Stephanie Thetford, Nikki Campbell, Melanie Barbour, Lanny Edwards, Jr., Miranda Sellers, Garrison Brooks, Amber Brooks, Lindsay Chessher, and Courtney Chessher; and twelve great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be conducted from the Whitehurst Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998, from 6 until 9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Randy Huckabee and the Rev. Tommy Batson officiating. Interment will follow the service in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of the Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 West James Lee Blvd., Crestview, Fla.
Lucille Henry
Lucille Henry, 78, of Baker, Fla., passed away at her home on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998. She was born in Dothan, Ala., but had lived most of her life in the Baker area. Mrs. Henry was a homemaker and a member of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Baker.
Survivors are her husband George Henry of Baker; two brothers, Don Givens of Milligan, Fla., and Ralph Givens of Holt, Fla.; two sisters, Inez Musa of Ludlow, Mass., and Shirlon Fritts of Virginia Beach, Va.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 1998, at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Cemetery with Whitehurst Funeral Home Directing.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tillie Mae Iams
Tillie Mae Iams (nee Powers), age 86, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., departed this earthly home on Jan. 7, 1998, for her heavenly home. She was born Sept. 3, 1911, in Holley, Fla., and lived most of her life in the Fort Walton Beach area. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Ellen Powers, husband George E. Iams, two grandchildren, a sister and three brothers.
She leaves behind two daughters, Velma "Betty" Dietle and husband Albert, Patricia "Pat" Viertel and husband Dean; special niece Barbara Gulley and husband Leonard; grandchildren, John A. Davis, Jr., and wife Debrah, Edward H. Davis and wife Sandra, Stephen W. Davis and wife Kim, Debra D. Norman, John Dietle and wife Bambi, children of Betty, Richard Meier of Fort Walton Beach, Roxanne Spears and husband Paul, Pam brooks and husband Larry, Rusty Wright of Crestview, Fla., children of Pat; two sisters, Essie Cobb of Fort Walton Beach and Margie Hennelly of Shalimar, Fla.; and many great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family as she was the best mother any two girls ever had.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the prayers and love they showed during her illness. A special thanks to her hospice family and the Destin Assembly of God Church. Dr. Donchey and his staff.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Thursday evening, Jan. 8, 1998, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, at 2 p.m. at the McLaughlin Mortuary chapel with the Rev. Joseph Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to Hospice of NW Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Niceville, Fla. 32578 or to the Destin Assembly of God Church, P.O. Box 928, Destin, Fla. 32540, in memory of Tillie Mae Iams.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with the services and arrangements.
Beatrice Frances Harris
Beatrice Frances Droke Harris, age 91, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, in Cincinnati.
Mrs. Harris was the oldest member of the First Methodist Church in Corinth, Miss., where she was a participating member of the Eastern Star organization. She was the daughter of the late John and Jodia Droke.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at McPeters Chapel with Minister Mike Brumley officiating. Burial will be in City Cemetery.
Survivors include her daughters, Jane R. Carter of Boaz, Ala., and JoAnn McKinley of Cincinnati; sister, Gloria Droke Baxley of Corinth; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
McPeters Funeral Home, Corinth, is in charge of arrangements.
Cramer Elliott
Retired Master Sgt. Cramer "Bill" Elliott, age 66, of 108 Dewey St., Warner Robins, Ga., and formerly of Niceville, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, in Warner Robins.
At his request, there will be no memorial service and his body will be cremated.
Master Sgt. Elliott, a native of Graham County, N.C., had moved to Warner Robins in June 1997 from Niceville, Fla. He was the son of the late Samuel Willard Elliott and the late Dixie Calhoun Elliott and husband of the late Dorothy "Dottie" Peysell Elliott.
He was educated in North Carolina and retired after serving for 20 years as a flight mechanic/flight engineer with the U.S. Air Force and had logged over 13,000 flight hours. He then retired from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., civil service in 1986.
Survivors include his brothers, Swann Elliott of Franklin, N.C., and John E. Elliott of Warner Robins; sister, Azalea E. Slaughter of Swannanoa, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Houston County Inc., P.O. Box 1023, Warner Robins, GA 31099-1023, or to Hospice of Niceville, Florida, at 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, FL 32578.
Christopher-Smith Funeral Home in Warner Robins is in charge of arrangements.
Carmalita Dote Finan
In Fort Walton Beach, Fla., at the age of 64, Carmalita Dote Finan, beloved wife of the late Capt. Thomas Russel Finan and devoted mother of Thomas Finan, Taryn Finan Stark, Teresa Finan Archer, Timothy Finan, Tamara A. Finan, Patrick Finan, Maggi Finan Morgenlaender and Dawn Finan-Kolb, her sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, Jason, Kirstyn, Brett, Courtney, Matthew, Thomas, Casey and Carson went to be with her Lord on Jan. 5, 1998. She also leaves seven of nine siblings.
Mrs. Finan attended Tamalpais High School in California and graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School. She raised eight children after her husband's death and was a remarkable lady. She always had a larger than life smile and a joke to share. She had a passion for designing and sewing children's clothing. She worked for the Fort Walton Yacht Club for 19 years, when her illness forced her to retire.
At the request of Carmalita Dote Finan, a private ceremony will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, where she will be placed beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association in her memory.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Archie L. Johns Sr.
Archie L. Johns Sr., age 59, of Freeport, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998.
He was born on Dec. 31, 1938, in Pensacola, Fla., and had been a resident of this area since 1965. Archie enjoyed the outdoors and especially his friends. Spending time with his grandchildren brought him much happiness.
Survivors include his son, Archie L. Johns Jr. and daughter-in-law, Tracy of Freeport; daughter, Rebecca Johns of Freeport; brothers, Perry T. Johns, Willie Johns, Paul Johns, Robert Johns and Johnny Johns, all of Pensacola; and five grandchildren.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
A funeral service will take place at Archie L. Johns Jr.'s home at 264 Johns Lane, Freeport, at noon on Saturday, Jan. 10. Interment will follow in Hatcher Cemetery in Freeport.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Iva M. Antzak
Iva M. (Frost) Antzak of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997.
She spent most of her life in Saginaw, Mich., graduated from Saginaw High School in 1925, and received her R.N. from the Kahler Hospital School of Nursing (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, Minn., in 1930. On Sept. 21, 1935, she married Dr. Albin F. Antzak. He preceded her in death on June 3, 1980.
Mrs. Antzak moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1990. She and her husband had wintered in the local area for many years before his passing.
She was an active member of The Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, and later First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Fort Walton Beach.
She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Donald E. (Mary Delores) Waller of Saginaw, Mich.; niece, Mrs. Mary Kathleen Millross and husband David and their children, Jason and Mary Beth Lewis of Traverse City; nephew, Lee Waller of Wheeling, Ill., and his children, Todd Waller and Tiffany Pohl. A brother, Russell E. Frost, preceded her in death on July 31, 1977.
A memorial service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with Mrs. Barbara Lester officiating. Inurnment will be in Owens Cemetery in Thomas Township, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund of First Church of Christ, Scientist, 45 S.W. First St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Julia P. Nickell
Julia P. Nickell, age 81, of Niceville, Fla., died Dec. 31, 1997, at Eglin Air Force Base Hopital.
She was born in Los Angeles and moved here in 1987 from Cartersville, Ga. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Orville B. "Nick" Nickell; daughter, Jean L. Moran of Cartersville; brother, Richard S. Harris of Alhambra, Calif.; and three grandchildren.
George Donald Bass
George Donald Bass, Master Sgt., USAF, age 69, of DeFuniak Springs, died Saturday morning at his home. Mr. Bass was born in Opp, Ala., and was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs. He was a member of the Southwide Baptist Church and a member of DeFuniak Lodge #170 F & AM.
Mr. Bass was preceded in death by his parents, Malcom R. and Ilene Donaldson Bass, and by his sister, Miladean Bass.
Survivors include: his wife of 37 years, Juanita Barkley Bass, of DeFuniak Springs; son, Kent H. Bass, of DeFuniak Springs; daughters, Donna Bostwick and husband, Greg, of Tallahassee, and Melinda L. Phillips and husband, Neal, of Spartinburg, S.C.; brothers, Milford L. Bass and John H. Bass of DeFuniak Springs; a sister, Olene B. Harvey, of DeFuniak Springs; and five grandchildren, Christopher N. Bass, Haley N. Bass, Jewel Ann Spense, Davis Phillips and Samuel Phillips.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, in the Clary-Godwin Chapel with the Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Burial will follow in the Alaqua Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 1998.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Southwide Baptist Church.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Orrie E. Donaldson
Orrie Edward Donaldson, age 78, of Fort Walton Beach, died Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, at his home.
Mr. Donaldson was a native of Pensacola and had lived in Fort Walton Beach since 1956. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired from the Florida National Guard after 38 years in the 417th Signal Battalion in Pensacola.
He was employed early in his career at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and later at Eglin Air Force Base until his retirement from civil service in 1977.
Mr. Donaldson was a charter member of the Eglin Yacht Club, a member of Elks Lodge 1795 and American Legion Post #235 of Fort Walton Beach, and was a former member of the Fort Walton Yacht Club and Fort Walton Beach Power Squadron.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Sydelle N.; his brother, Charlie S. Donaldson, and his parents. He is survived by son, Barry C. Donaldson, of Key West; son and daughter-in-law, Myles I. and Janice Williams Donaldson, of Neptune Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren, Eli Donaldson, of Orlando, and Anna and Elliot Donaldson, of Neptune Beach; and by his friend and companion, Shirley Howell, of Shalimar.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 1998, at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Funeral services will be held in the McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Florida Elks Children's Home, in care of BPOE 1795, P.O. Box 535, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32549.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with the services and arrangements.
Russell Marvin Read
Russell Marvin Read, of Atlanta, died Jan. 8, 1998, suddenly from a heart attack at University Hospital in Atlanta.
He is survived by a sister, Ms. Anne Pierce, of Derwood, Md.; two brothers, George K. and Charles M. of West Virginia and Florala, Ala., respectively; and also survived by two close friends, Dr. Alfonso Marmolejo, of Atlanta, and Ms. Peggy Wise of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday evening.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Audrey Nadine Fromdahl
Audrey Nadine Fromdahl, age 77, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 9, 1998.
Survivors include her husband, Elton Fromdahl; two sons, Richard and Bill Fromdahl; and daughter, JoAnn Hill.
A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998, at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 201 SE Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32548.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Jesse Baker Haines Jr.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Baker Haines Jr., age 64, of Shalimar, Fla., died in a local hospital Saturday, Jan. 10, 1998.
Born in Staten Island, N.Y., Mr. Haines moved to the area in 1972 from Port Hueneme, Calif. He retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of service as a chief master sergeant.
Mr. Haines was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Beverly Haines. Survivors include: three sons, Keith D. Haines and wife, Chrissy, of Pensacola, Fla., Timothy G. Haines and wife, Cherri, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Thomas J. Haines and wife, Deana, of Pensacola, Fla.; two daughters, Cynthia J. Palmer and husband, Ronnie, of Baton Rouge, La., and Dana L. Haines, of Pinckard, Ala; one sister, June Atchison and husband, Bill, of Cape Cod, Mass.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and special friends, Debbie Weatherington and Richard Wright.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 1998, in the chapel of Little Chapel Funeral Home with Deacon Kenneth Loubriel officiating.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 N. Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangments.
Homer Ernest Eckle
Master Sgt. Homer E. Eckle, U.S. Air Force retired, age 52, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., went to be with Jesus on Jan. 9, 1998, in a local nursing home.
Born in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, on Aug. 30, 1945, he served 21 years in the Air Force and two years with United Nations in Bosnia-Croatia.
He is survived by his wife, Erika Eckle of Mary Esther; his loving mother and stepfather, Mary and Luther Early; loving sisters, Brenda Montgomery and Lena Brien, all of Fort Walton Beach; brother, David E. Eckle of Washington Courthouse; mother-in-law, Frieda Radmacher; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be conducted at Little Chapel Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, with Pastor David Cosma of Central Baptist Church officiating. Burial and memorial services will take place in Highlawn Memory Gardens in Washington Courthouse.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to Hospice of Northwest Florida in memory of Homer Ernest Eckle.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 N. Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Henry S. Lachowski
Henry S. Lachowski, age 70, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away in a Fort Walton Beach, Fla., hospital on Jan. 10, 1998.
He was born in Pennsylvania on April 10, 1927, and moved to this area in 1976 from Hudson, Pa. He was Catholic by faith. Mr. Lachowski was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and worked as a mechanic with International Harvester.
Mr. Lachowski is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Becky Lachowski of Leesville, La., Michael and Lena Lachowski of Sicily, and Barry and Debra Lachowski of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Anne Martin of Pennsylvania; brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Jenny Lachowski of New Jersey; grandson, Zachary Lachowski; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Lachowski will be memorialized by cremation and buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla., at a later date.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth B. Wratten
Ruth B. Wratten, age 76, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 12, 1998.
Mrs. Wratten, a loving mother, wife and dear friend was born on April 3, 1921, in Elizabeth, N.J. She was Catholic by faith.
Survivors include her husband, William H. Wratten of Fort Walton Beach; son, William B. Wratten of Chicago; daughters, Ruth A. Wratten of Fort Walton Beach, and Betty Wratten of Chicago; sister, Katherine Higgins of Roselle, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Graveside funeral services and interment will take place in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at a later time.
Floral tributes will be accepted, or for those who wish, donations may be made to a favorite charity in memory of Ruth.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
