U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Albert O. Rossi
Albert O. Rossi M.D., went to be with his heavenly father Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999.
Dr. Rossi was born in New York City to the late Ottavio and Alfonsina Rossi. He graduated from Newtown High School in Elmhurst, N.Y. Dr. Rossi served with distinction during World War II in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wakefield and received his medical degree from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1949. He served his internship at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y., followed by a practice that included the general practice of pediatrics at Plandome Manor in New York as a staff physician with both the L.I. Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, N.Y., and Vanderbilt Clinic at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.
Dr. Rossi also served a residency in psychiatry and neurology at the Psychiatric Institute of New York City, followed by a career that included the Middletown Psychiatric Center of Middleton, N.Y., as a consultant in forensic psychiatry to the staff of the Orange County DA's office in Goshen, N.Y., a consultant in geropsychiatry to the New York State Health Facilities Association, and as medical director of both the Hillcrest Nursing Home of Milford, Pa., and Montgomery Nursing Home in Montgomery, N.Y.
He also served as a lecturer in forensic psychiatry at Orange County Community College, administrative law department, Middletown.
Among his many achievements and memberships are 15 published scientific papers, primarily in child and adolescent psychiatry; a principal speaker at the annual council of exceptional children in Pittsburgh; panel participant in psychopharmacology held at Harvard Medical School and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor on adolescent drug abuse; general member of the American Psychiatric Association; member of International Chemotherapy Society; member of the International Society for Neurochemistry; member of Association for Children with Learning Disabilities; American board eligible in both psychiatry and neurology; qualified in psychiatry by the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene; Board of Psychiatric Examiners by diploma on March 19, 1970; member of American Gerontological Society; member of American Geriactic Society; FDA approved clinical investigator for new drug applications with both McNeil Labs and Sandoz; held a U.S. civil service commission GS-15 psychiatrist rating; and a New York State Medical Society specialty rating in psychiatry and pediatric neurology (SI).
Survivors include his wife, Rosalinda; his children, John Rossi, Maria Rossi and Josephine Rossi, all of Bluewater Bay in Niceville, Fla., Robert Rossi of Cuyler, N.Y., Adrienne Reynolds of Kellogg, Idaho, Barbara Cournoyer of Middletown, N.Y., and Celia Cunningham of Newburgh, N.Y.; grandchildren, Janell, Carrie, Deena and Amy of New York, Tanya and Marcus of Idaho; sisters, Rose Marie of Huntington, N.Y., and Roberta Carney of Satellite Beach, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Yolanda Martoglio of West Caldwell, N.J.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. A prayer service with rosary will be conducted at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 8 a.m. with the Revs. Daniel J. Butler and Dominic Phan Sa officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., beginning at 11 a.m. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 222 N.E. hospital Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Sheila K. Gray
Sheila K. Gray went to be with her Lord on Monday afternoon, Jan. 18, 1999.
She was employed as a speech therapist by Nova Care Inc., where her gentle, Godly spirit made her loved and admired by her co-workers and her patients. An active member of First Baptist Church of Niceville, Sheila will be remembered as a wonderful mother and pre-school worker whose love for children made her a favorite of children and parents alike.
Sheila was born in Fulton, Miss., to Holland and June Little on June 18, 1955, and made Niceville her home since 1990. She is survived by her husband, Rickie Robert Gray; and four daughters, Callie Valinda, Kristen Laurel, Kaitlin Nicole and Caroline Elizabeth; parents, Holland and June Little; sister, Andrea Johnson of Fulton, Miss.; and brothers, Rodney Little of Nebraska, and Michael Little of San Marcos, Texas.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gray will be conducted t 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at First Baptist Church of Niceville with Pastor Gerald Reeves officiating. Interment will follow in Itawamba Memorial Gardens in Fulton at a later date. The family will greet friends at the church one hour prior to services.
Floral tributes will be accepted or donations may be made to the Sheila Gray Memorial Fund, c/o First Baptist Church of Niceville.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Gustav W. Karlson
Gustav Walfred Karlson, age 88, of Shalimar, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 18, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mr. Karlson was born in Hoboken, N.J., on Sept. 7, 1910, to Julius and Mary A. Balmer Karlson. He had been a resident of the local area since 1978, and was preceded in death by his wife, Helen K. Karlson; and his sister, Edith Derrevere.
Mr. Karlson was retired in 1972 after working over 40 years as a spe#####t on the New York Stock Exchange. He enjoyed bowling, traveling, and at one time raised daschunds for show. Mr. Karlson served in the U.S. Army during World War II; and was a Mason.
Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Carol Karlson of Shalimar, and Bruce and Sandra Karlson of Navarre, Fla.; and grandchildren, Kelly and Allan Karlson and Stephanie and Alex Karlson.
Friends and family will hold a memorial service in the chapel of St. Simon's-on-the-Sound Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, with the Rev. James Spencer officiating. Interment of Mr. Karlson's cremains will be in the Columbarium of St. Simon's.
Odie R. Quinley
Odie R. Quinley, age 84, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
He was born in Connecter County, Ala., and was a retired truck driver for Standard Oil Co.
Mr. Quinley is survived by a large number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Donnie Cadenhead officiating. Burial will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Col. Lawrence Johnson Jr.
Col. Lawrence Harris Johnson Jr., U.S. Army retired, died Jan. 14, 1999, after a brief illness.
Col. Johnson was born in Camden, Ala., on Aug. 20, 1923. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and attended graduate school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Col. Johnson leaves as survivors his wife Muriel of Destin, Fla.; son, Lawrence (Hank) Johnson of Falls Church, Va.; and grandson, Lawrence (Mac) Johnson of Memphis, Tenn.
The body was cremated and the remains will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Fort Myer, Va., with military honors.
The National Cremation Society of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
Langston "Rooster" Adams
Langston "Rooster" Adams, age 71, of Crestview, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1999, at Sacred heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
Mr. Adams was born in Holt, Fla., on July 28, 1927, to Edward D. and Lillie Mae Carr Adams and was a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area. He was a retired maintenance supervisor in air conditioning and refrigeration with the Okaloosa County School Board and had been employed with them for 29 years. He was a member of First Assembly of God in Milligan, Fla.
Mr. Adams was a dedicated and devoted Christian; a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Mr. Adams enjoyed people and life and had a great love for his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Diane Adams Weatherford, in 1995. Mr. Adams was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Mary E. Adams; sons and daughters-in-law, Paul L. and Dale Adams, and Warren C. and Tammy Adams, all of Crestview; daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Don Richardson of Clovis, Calif., and Sherry and Randy Anglin of Crestview; brothers and sister-in-law, Dallas and Helen Adams, and Lance Adams, all of Crestview; sister, Jewel Melvin Sumerlin of Milton, Fla.; grandchildren, Jennifer and Dr. Charles Grayson, Julie and Bryan Odum, Truelee and Mark Pierce, Angel and Luis Cartagena, Kristal and Matt Peterson, Karey Adams, Paul Adams, Randy Anglin, Tyler Adams, Laura Anglin and Landon Adams; and great-grandchildren, Jasmine Cartagena, Carly Cartagena, Seth Micah Odum, Sabrina Pierce and Lindsay Grayson.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, with the Rev. Wayne Johnson officiating. Interment will follow the service in Old Bethel Cemetery in Crestview.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home, or for those who so desire, the family suggests contributions to the building fund of Milligan First Assembly of God Church.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home in Crestview.
Thomas C. Spraggins
Thomas C. Spraggins, age 78, of Destin, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999, at a local hospital.
Thomas was born in Haleyville, Ala., on July 24, 1920, to William and Annie Spraggins. He had been living in this area for the past 28 years. Mr. Spraggins was a loving husband, father and uncle, and a good friend to many. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Fern Spraggins of Destin; daughter, Betty Dipiazza of Birmingham, Ala.; nephew, Don Spraggins of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren, Mark and Samuel Dipiazza; great-grandnephew and nieces, Allen Spraggins, Jo Ann Murray and Angel Spalla.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Destin Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements.
Vona Maupin
Vona Maupin, age 75, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999, in a local nursing center.
She was born in Langford, S.D., and had been a resident of Crestview for a number of years.
Survivors include her husband, Stanley Maupin; sons, Donald Mann and Richard Maupin, all of Crestview; one sister in California; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Raymond Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangments.
Roberta L. Willey
Roberta L. Willey, age 71, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999, after a brief illness.
Mrs. Willey was born in Halifax, N.C., on July 17, 1927, to J.D. Leggett and Emma Eddie Leggett. She moved here 28 years ago from Atlanta. She was a member of the Methodist faith and had been employed with Baker Mortgage ##### for over 10 years. She was an avid bridge player and very involved with raising her family.
Mrs. Willey is survived by her husband, Col. Carl R. Willey, U.S. Air Force retired, of Fort Walton Beach; children, Sharon Knapp and Cheryl Wesolowski, both of Fort Walton Beach, William Holcombe of Niceville, Fla., Chip Holcombe of Orlando, Fla., Terry Standish of Niceville, Carlene Parker of Atlanta, and Missy Gleneck of Tallahassee, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service for Mrs. Willey will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Paul D. Wolfe officiating.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, FL 32579, in memory of Mrs. Willey.
Roberta was one great lady.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
