Max R. Swan
Max R. Swan, age 71, of Navarre, Fla., died July 28, 1998.
An Open House will be held at 3176 Wells Beach Road in Navarre on Aug. 9 from noon to 6 p.m.
Max is survived by his daughters, Debra J. Williams, Shelly Mosher of Navarre, Margo Milburn of Oklahoma, and Linda Phillips of Arizona; sons, Joe Swan, Tony Swan of Arizona, Troy Williams and Mike Miles of Navarre.
George A. Broxson
George A. Broxson, age 77, of the Pleasant Grove community, Fla., died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998, at his residence.
Born in Walton County, Fla., he was the son of the late James I. and Mary Elizabeth Anderson Broxson. Mr. Broxson was a lifelong resident of Pleasant Grove. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and retired from James Lee Motors of Crestview, Fla., after 48 years of service.
Mr. Broxson was preceded in death by one sister, Nettie Sellars; and two brothers, David I. Broxson and John Harley Broxson.
He is survived by two sisters, Hettie Gomillion and Winnie Fountain; numerous nieces and nephew; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Harrison officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Comander Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Martin Donnell Broxson
Martin Donnell Broxson, age 49, of Milligan, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998, in a local hospital.
Mr. Broxson was a native and lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla., and worked as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic.
He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Broxson; brother, Allen Wayne Broxson; and a sister, Nelda Broxson.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; daughters, Charlotte Broxson and Lisa Broxson, both of Crestview, Fla.; mother, Lorene Broxson of Milligan; and brothers, Waylon Broxson and Elwood Broxson, both of Milligan.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday from the chapel of Brackney Funeral Service with the Rev. James Paul officiating. Burial will follow in Griffith Cemetery.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Nancy Jo Perry
Nancy Jo Perry, age 62, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1998, at a local hospital.
Mrs. Perry was born in Asheboro, N.C., and had been a resident since 1962. She served as a teacher's aide volunteer at Walker Elementary School in Crestview, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Searl S. Stevens Sr. and Hazel M. Stevens.
Survivors include her husband, David M. Perry of Crestview; son, Steven M. Perry of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Lisa D. Fair of Crestview; grandson, Matthew R. Fair of Crestview; brother, Searl S. Stevens Jr.; nieces, Tracie C. Stevens and Elizabeth L. Stevens; and sister-in-law, Debra L. Stevens, all of Rainer, Ore.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home Chapel in Crestview wit the Rev. David VanZandt officiating.
Nancy Jo Perry will be missed by all who knew her.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Pauline Joseph McPherson
On Saturday, Aug. 1, 1998, God called his faithful servant, Pauline Joseph McPherson, home to his side.
Mrs. McPherson brought her love of God and all his children to the members of Northside Church of Christ and all those she came into contact with. A resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for the last eight years, Pauline always brought the word of God and his teachings to those she came into contact with.
Pauline McPherson was born on July 7, 1925, in Wakulla County, Fla., to the union of the late John Q. and Elmore McPherson. Pauline was educated by the Wakulla County school system and also attended Florida A&M University. As a young adult she moved to Lake Walls, Fla., where she spent the greater part of her life.
When her health started to fail she moved to Jacksonville, Fla., to live with John, her brother, and then to Fort Walton Beach to live with her sister.
Pauline left her spirit of strength, faith and love to her family and the minister and congregation of Northside Church of Christ.
Pauline leaves behind to mourn her passing two brothers, John N. and Philip D. McPherson; sister, Ernestine M. Little; several nieces and nephews, including Leonard McPherson, Bertran P. Little, Tawanna Barrington and Philip McPherson; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. O. Fred Liggin Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Virgil Francis Pifer
Virgil Francis Pifer, age 61, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday morning, Aug. 6, 1998.
Virgil was born in Jeanette, Pa., on July 11, 1937, to Alfred C. Pifer and Mary Olif Behanna. He had been a resident of Fort Walton Beach since 1968 and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with 23 years of service. His overseas tours included England, French Morocco, Vietnam and Holland.
Virgil was an active member of the American Legion and the Elks Club 1795. He also belonged to the DAV. Virgil was an avid Viking football and band fan. He enjoyed all sports, especially watching his grandchildren play.
He was a loving and caring husband, dad, grandfather and a good neighbor to all. His friends and family will remember his contagious laugh and enjoyment of life.
Virgil is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Jane (Zajac) Pifer; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Paul Jones of Cantonment, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Denise Pifer of Mary Esther, Fla., and son, Mark Pifer of Navarre, Fla.; grandchildren, Lindsay and Kevin Jones, Christopher, Justin and Cameron Pifer; brothers, Lloyd Pifer of Andalusia, Ala., and David Pifer of New York; sisters, Martha Koran of Wickliffe, Ohio, and Sara Gentile of Parma, Ohio, and Judy Pifer and Barbara Diehl of Jeanette, Pa.
Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Florida Elks Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 49, Umatilla, FL 32784, in memory of Virgil F. Pifer. McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements.
Aunene D. Barnett
Mrs. Aunene D. Barnett, age 91, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away early Saturday morning, Aug. 8, 1998, in a local nursing home. Mrs. Barnett was born March 1, 1907, in Bay County, Fla. to the late Aca and Vannie Barrett. She has been a longtime resident of Fort Walton Beach, moving here in 1946, and an even longer resident of Okaloosa County, since 1939. Mrs. Barnett is Pentecostal by faith and a homemaker.
Mrs. Barnett was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Barnett; daughter, Mary Rogers; and a grandson, Stuart Herrin. She is survived by a son, Lyman Barnett and wife, Doris, of Fort Walton Beach; son, Paul Barnett and wife, Barbara, of Cantonment, Fla.; daughter, Fay Sellers of Fort Walton Beach; brother, Otis Barrett and wife, Phronie, of Point Washington, Fla.; sister, Velma Singletary of Panama City, Fla.; sister, Willie Mae Carroll of Mobile, Ala.; sister, Exa Moore of Panama City; sister, Iris Buchanan and husband, LaFette, of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barnett will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1998 at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joseph Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Monday evening, Aug. 10, 1998 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32547, is in charge of arrangements.
Cecelia S. Blankenbaker
Cecelia S. Blankenbaker, age 56, died at home Saturday, Aug. 8, 1998, after a valiant struggle. She had lived in Fort Walton Beach with her family since they moved from Maryland in 1979. Born in Newport News, Va., Mrs. Blankenbaker was raised in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Kensington, Md.
While in Fort Walton Beach, she worked as a legal secretary and relief secretary for the County and Circuit judges and the Public Defender's office until her poor health forced her to retire. She was active in the Women of the Moose, holding the highest local offices. She was a member of the Academy of Friendship, Star Recorder, and College of Regents. Her hobbies included extensive travel, bridge, reading, and cooking; she wrote a cookbook for family and friends, all of whom were especially precious to her.
Mrs. Blankenbaker is survived by her husband, Ben; her daughters, Kelly A. Royston and Melinda L. Knight, of Minnesota; and sons, R. Scott Blankenbaker, Steven P. Blankenbaker, of Virginia; her sister, Dr. Blair S. Ray and Keith E. Ray, of Winter Haven, Fla.; as well as two nieces and a nephew. In addition, she is survived by her stepsister, Anna D. Lyons, of Virginia; and grandchildren, Cassandra R. Royston; Christopher, Joseph and Matthew Knight; Zachary Blankenbaker, Loretta Blankenbaker, and Joseph Blankenbaker. Mrs. Blankenbaker was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Mary and Henry Dulany, and her sons, Richard W. Royston and Benny Ross Blankenbaker Jr.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home will be the location for the visitation, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1998, concluding with the Women of the Moose service. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1998, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Keith E. Ray, Andy Ray, Kubilay Sarikaya, Vidal Rios, Jack L. Freeman, Bob Vinson, Bill Rice and Henry Brochu. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, Fla., 32578, or to the St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church Building Fund, 28 Southwest Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32548, in memory of Mrs. Cecelia S. Blankenbaker.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 32547, is in charge of arrangements.
Horace Brown
Horace Brown, age 65, of Niceville, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 9, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was a lifelong resident of Niceville; a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy. Horace was the owner and operator of Spence Boat Works for 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Brown; son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Lisa Brown, all of Niceville; daughter and son-in-law, Tricia and Curtis Brown of Midlothian, Texas; grandson, Brent Curtis of Midlothian; sister-in-law, Nettie Brown of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Laura Bell Regans of Niceville; and numerous friends, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home with the Rev. William C. Nester Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Rocky Cemetery in Niceville.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dagmara Thompson
Dagmara Thompson, age 59, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9, 1998, at her residence.
Mrs. Thompson was born on Jan. 30, 1939, in St. Veit/Glan, Austria, to the late Otto and Karoline Schwartz. She moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1969 from Austria. She was Catholic by faith and a homemaker.
Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her children's father, Richard Thompson. She is survived by her daughter, Frances Ricketts and husband Christopher of Niceville, Fla.; son, John Thompson of Largo, Fla.; two sisters and her best friends, Inge Seiser of St. Veit, and Libgart Schwarz of Berlin, Germany; and brother, Irwin Schwarz of Vienna, Austria.
Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, in Sunset Cemetery with the Rev. Billy Grimes officiating. The family will greet friends at the cemetery one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, FL 32578; or to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, in memory of Mrs. Dagmara Thompson.
A special thanks to the doctors and staff of Dr. Chang, Dr. Hsiang, Dr. Haney and to the staff of Hospice of Northwest Florida.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
