U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Gary Wayne Bradner
Chief Master Sgt. Gary Wayne Bradner, U.S. Air Force retired, age 53, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away at his home while surrounded by his loving family on May 12, 1998, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Pocahontas, Va., on Jan. 20, 1945, and moved to the area in 1984. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1986 with over 20 years of service to his country. While serving in the U.S. Air Force he served in Turkey, Korea, England, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Indiana. He was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters. Mr. Bradner was with Orlando Technology for 10 years, and was a member of the Gator Lakes Golf Association.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Tina Renae Bradner; brother, Jack Bradner; and his mother, Lena Bradner. He is survived by his wife, Franchesca Bradner of Mary Esther; sons, Eric Bradner of Lakeland, Fla., and Greg Bradner of Hollywood, Calif.; father, Pete Bradner of Pocahontas; mother-in-law, Tena Pozo of Bluefield, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Jenny Bradner; and their sons, Pete and Ray, all of Pennsylvania.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Hospice Chaplain Frank Dole officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Asked to serve as pallbearers are Eric Bradner, Greg Bradner, Scott Nicholson, Bill Pearce, Bill Kiefer and Andrew Demyan.
To all of his golfing buddies at Gator Lakes -- Nick, Cecil, Bill, Gary, Andy, Clyde and all the others -- he enjoyed every hole. A hole-in-one to all.
Gary will be missed by his second families: Nick and Jo Nicholson, Scott, Michelle and Suzy Nicholson, Debbie and Andrew Demyan, Sandy and Don Thompson, Bill and Wanda Pierce, and Sharon and Stu Stanaland.
G.W. was a wonderful father, husband, son-in-law and friend. His spirit and winning smile will be missed by all of us every day. We love you.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
J. Frances Harris Luna
J. Frances Harris Luna, age 65, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., died May 2, 1998, in Pensacola, Fla.
She was born in June 1931 in Tennessee. Mrs. Luna obtained a real estate license; worked in retail sales; and was a doll maker.
Survivors include her husband, E. Rodmon Luna; daughter, Courtney and husband Jim Kerr of Birmingham, Ala., and grandchildren, Shannon and Tayler; daughter, Janett Luna of Santa Rosa Beach; son, John Luna of Orange Beach, Ala., and grandchildren, Eric and Stacie; son, Ernest Luna of Montgomery, Ala., and two grandchildren; son, Rhett Luna of Pensacola, Fla., and two grandsons; granddaughter, Caressa and husband Sam McCormick of Fairbanks, Alaska, and great-grandchildren, Austin and Brittney; and sister, Sonja Gray of Chesapeake, Va.
That Thi Lee
That Thi Lee, age 85, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away at her son's residence with family and friends near on Wednesday, May 13, 1998.
She was born on Oct. 27, 1912, in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. She had resided in the local area for the past 23 years, moving here from Vietnam in 1975. She was Catholic by faith and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. After her husband died when she was only 35 years of age, she worked hard to care for her three small children on her own.
She is survived by her son, Phuoc Van Nguyen and his wife Tinh Lee of Fort Walton Beach; daughters, Thien Nguyen and her husband Nho Ngo of Fort Walton Beach, and Dang Nguyen and husband Hong Nguyen of South Vietnam.
She had seven sisters, two of whom are still living in Vietnam. Grandsons, Loc, Isaac (deceased 1995), and Jon; granddaughters, Lien, Viet, Rosa, Manna and Andrea. Also granddaughters, Diem and Mary; grandson, David. She also has 11 other grandchildren in Vietnam.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel, with a rosary at 7:30 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Raymond Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with services and arrangements.
Harold Amiel Nahrwold
Harold Amiel Nahrwold, age 66, of Crestview, Fla., died Thursday, May 14, 1998, after an extended illness.
He was born in Jersey City, N.J., to Harold H. and Blanche Nahrwold on July 26, 1931. Harold had lived in this area since 1953. He was a life member of the DAV Fort Walton Beach Chapter 72; a former member of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department; and a former member of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department in the 1960s. Mr. Nahrwold was also retired from the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Pansy D. Nahrwold; son, Harold H. Nahrwold; daughters, Susan D. Overly, Diana L. Luke and Brenda L. West, all of Crestview; brother, Robert Nahrwold of Glendale, N.Y.; sisters, Helen Mittemiller and Ruth Pawlick, both of Crestview; and 10 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Chapel in Crestview from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
A memorial celebration of life service will be conducted at McLaughlin Chapel at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, with the Revs. Larry Batson, Buck Dockery and Dale Okas officiating.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Ouida L. Cook
Ouida L. Cook, age 69, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 13, 1998, after a long and courageous battle with heart and lung disease.
She was born on May 22, 1928, at the Hinson Crossroads community of Washington County, Fla., and had been a resident of Niceville, Fla., since 1950. Mrs. Cook retired from the Okaloosa County school district with 23 years of service as a school food service worker with Ruckel Middle School in Niceville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Samantha Howell; brothers, J.D. and Jimmy Howell; and sister, Juanita Bailey.
Survivors include her husband of 47 1/2 years, Claude B. Cook of Niceville; son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Mickey Bush of Red Bay, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Harry Tomlin of Crestview, Fla.; brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Polly Howell of Forest Park, Ga.; mother-in-law, Mirtha Cook; and devoted brother-in-law, Tommy Cook, both of Niceville; brother-in-law and wife, Jimmy and Betty Cook of Crestview; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Gore of Castleton, Va., and Laura Hollingsworth and husband Cecil of Nahant, Mass.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
All her family she loved dearly, and to her they were everything.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel on Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Harry Tomlin, her son-in-law, and John McDowell officiating. Interment will follow beginning at 4 p.m. at Hardy Cemetery, near the Hinson Crossroads community of Washington County. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.
Pallbearers for the services are Wayne Watts, Faron Evans, Cecil Ryals, Steve Early, Randolph Smith and Jack Cowan. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Buster Bush and John Geralds, and her great-grandson, Gregory Gilligan.
Floral tributes are acceptable.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Melinda Sue Vinson
Melinda Sue Jones Vinson, age 48, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed from this life into heaven on Friday, May 15, 1998, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
Mrs. Vinson was born in Gainesville, Fla., on Sept. 26, 1949, to William N. and Virginia L. Welch Jones and had been a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area. She was an executive secretary with the State Attorney's Office. Mrs. Vinson was a member of Cinco Bayou Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Melinda will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her mother, Louise Jones of Crestview, Fla.; husband, Don R. Vinson Sr. of Fort Walton Beach; sons, Billy Sweck and Mark Sweck, both of Baker, and Don R. Vinson Jr. of Wadsworth, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Leah and Bob Osterman of Shalimar, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha and the Rev. James Mercer of Mobile, Ala., and Beverly and Mark Huntsman of Houston; and grandchildren, Josh, Kasey and Tamara Sweck and Dawn Rae Osterman.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Melinda Sue Jones Vinson will be conducted at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Crestview, Fla., on Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Doctor Billy Joy and the Rev. James Mercer officiating.Private interment of Mrs. Vinson will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
James C. Powell
James C. Powell, of Fort Walton Beach, died at home, May 15, 1998.
Mr. Powell was born in Pelham, N.C., on Oct. 27, 1938, and was retired from the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; sons, Shawn and Chad; daughter-in-law, Sandra Dee; three grandchildren, Ryan, Amanda and Evan; sisters, Faye Presgraves, Ann Vermillion, and Lillie Owens; brothers, Douglas and William Powell.
He was a loving and generous man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Graveside funeral services and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla.
For those who wish to honor "Pal" in a special way the family suggests memorial contributions be made to PAWS. "Pal" had a great love of animals and will be missed by his faithful companions Angel and Buster.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Jewel S. Melvin
Mrs. Jewel S. Melvin, age 71, of Crestview, Fla., died at her residence on Friday, May 15, 1998. Mrs. Melvin was born in Holt, Fla., on April 1, 1927, to Lewis F. and Lois A. Thomas Summerlin and had been a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area. Mrs. Melvin was dedicated and devoted Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Holt Assembly of God Church and enjoyed gospel singing and holiday family gatherings. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her husband, James H. Melvin, of Crestview, Fla.; Two sons and a daughter-in-law, Dale H. Melvin, of North, S.C., and Eddie and Linda Melvin, of Crestview, Fla.; five grandchildren, Summer Owen, Jim Melvin, Eric Melvin, Amanda Melvin, and Kelly Melvin; and a host of friends.
A time of visitation will be conducted at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 1998, from the Whitehurst Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 1998, at the Holt Assembly of God church in Holt, Fla., with Mrs. Melvin being placed in the church at 9 a.m. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Billy Joy and Pastor Jeff Scurlock. Interment will follow the service in the Old Holt Cemetery.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of the Whitehurst Funeral Home, 436 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview, Fla.
John Gordon Barry Jr.
Col. John Gordon Barry Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, of Shalimar, Fla., died on Friday, May 15, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was born on May 6, 1917, in Baltimore to John G. Barry Sr. and Dorothy Irene Brown. A Shalimar resident for 23 years, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps after law school in 1941.
He was a pilot and intelligence staff officer and served the Joint Chiefs of Staff for many years before retiring in 1971.
He married Merry Beth Eskridge on his birthday in 1944 in Texas. He is survived by his wife of 54 years; his daughter, Patricia, and her spouse, Peter; granddaughters, Ardis and Hannah; daughter, Dr. Laura Barry; son, John Gordon Barry III, and his spouse, Carmen.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to your FAVORITE CHARITY.
Ethel Harding
Ethel Harding, age 94, of Niceville, Fla., passed away in a local health care facility Monday, May 18, 1998.
She was born on Dec. 17, 1903, in Westboro, Ohio. She lived in the local area for the past 52 years, when she moved here from Ohio. She was Presbyterian by faith and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Niceville. During her life in the area she made lots of friends and always enjoyed helping others. Her favorite responses were "Holy Cow" and "For Pikes Peak."
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Violet Jarvis. Survivors include a daughter, Dolores Brandstetter of Cincinnati; brother, William Watters of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; grandchildren, Earl Schubert, Susan Mueller, Barbara Ann Schmetzer, Steven Mueller, Thersa Grannon, Mary Jane Anderson, Donald Mueller and Jeannie Mueller; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Wednesday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at First Presbyterian Church of Niceville, with visitation one hour prior to services. The Rev. Michael Swain will officiate. Mrs. Harding's final resting place will be in Westboro.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
