Russell W. Kennedy
Russell W. Kennedy, 81, of Inlet Beach, died Nov. 20.
He was born in Bloomington, Ind., and lived most of his life in Indianapolis and Noblesville, Ind.
Kennedy retired from Western Electric in 1984 and moved here in 1996. He was a member of Point Washington United Methodist Church, a Navy veteran of World War II and was also voted “The Sweetest Man in the World” by his family and friends.
Kennedy is survived by his wife, Lois Kennedy of Inlet Beach; his children, Sarah Ose of Cincinnati, Dr. Thomas Kennedy of Madison, Ind., Dr. William Kennedy of Mount Vernon, Ind., Charles Hanje Goshen, Ind., Robert Hanje of Lexington, Ohio, and Marc Hanje of St. Petersburg, Fla.; three brothers, Dr. Edwin Kennedy of Mason City, Iowa, Joseph Kennedy of Lexington, Ky., and John D. Kennedy of Greenfield, Ind.; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at Point Washington Methodist Church. Contributions may be made in his name to the Point Washington United Methodist Church Building Fund, or to Friends of the Coastal Branch Library.
Ann T. Glover
Ann T. Glover, 70, of Yaphank, New York, passed away, Nov. 19.
Ann is survived by her loving husband, Stanley. She was the devoted mother to Leonard, Laura Greco and Diane Quinn. A dear sister of John A. & his wife, Joanna of Bel–Air, Md.; Charles W. and his wife, Juilene, of Destin; Anthony J. and his wife, Carolyn, Schaefer of Sevierville, Tenn.; Jeanie Puglia of Patchogue, N.Y., and the late Hazel Peach of Springhill, Fla. She was the adored grandmother to Brielle, Matthew, Courtney and Janelle.
Mass of Christian burial was scheduled to be celebrated Nov. 24, at the Mary Immaculate R.C. Church in Bellport, N.Y. Interment was scheduled to follow to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, East Moriches.
Claudia “Chickie” M. Dixon
Claudia “Chickie” M. Dixon, 53, Loves Park Ill., died Nov. 18, at Swedish American Hospital, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was a former resident of Santa Rosa Beach, and owned and operated Dixon Disposal Systems.
She was born on Dec. 3, 1947, in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of Claude and Margarette Lester Knott. She married John W. Dixon in Belvidere, Ill., on Dec. 3, 1975.
Claudia was a member of Living Word Ministries and was active with the Republican Party. She was a former Boone County commissioner. She was active in her church with youth; she enjoyed her friends and was a person willing to do anything for anyone. She also was an avid gardener.
Survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Nicole (Juan) Angeles of Okinawa, Japan, and Christa Dixon, Loves Park; grandchildren, Michael and Alex; parents, Claude and Margarette Knott; sister, Diane (Alan) Lang and Grace (Bobby) Klump, all of Rockford; brothers, Larry Knott and Robert Knott, Rockford, and Greg (Victoria) Knott, Machesney Park; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were scheduled for Wednesday at Living Word Ministries in Loves Park, Ill., with Pastor John McClintok officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
Rev. Wilmer Bishop
The Rev. Wilmer Bishop, 81, of DeFuniak Springs, died at his residence Nov. 17.
He was born June 21, 1920, in Holmes County, the son of James William and Delitha Griggs Bishop. For the past nine years he was pastor of Argyle Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Irene Bishop of DeFuniak Springs; three sons, Wayne Bishop and wife, Angie, of Liberty, Wendell Bishop and wife, Betty, of Leonia, and Douglas Broxson and wife, Jennifer, of Smyrna, Ga.; two daughters, Wanda Paulk and husband, Roy, of Leonia, and Danae Barto of DeFuniak Springs; one brother, Curt Bishop and wife, Margaret, of Pensacola; one sister, Lettie Scroggins of Darlington; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandsons.
Services were scheduled for this past Monday with the Rev. Kenneth Harrison officiating. Burial was to follow in Reedy Cemetery with Jerry Evans Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Tyler Rain Morrison
Tyler Rain Morrison, age 4, of DeFuniak Springs, died Nov. 17, at Sacred Heart Hospital. He lived most of his life with his family in Niceville until the family moved to DeFuniak Springs recently. The son of Bruso Anthony and Jennifer Jo Morrison, he was born March 26, 1997 in Fort Walton Beach.
He is survived by his parents; brother Chance Aron Morrison and sister, Arianna Riane Morrison; maternal grandparents, Virginia Hidalgo and Benton D. Young; uncles, Mark and Danny Givens, Terry Sons, Jimmie A.J. Morrison and Danny and Charles Young; aunts, Nanetta Aucoin, Darnell and Amanda Hidalgo, who are also godmothers; cousins, Michael Calhoun, Jr., Mercedes Grace Calhoun and Shawn, L.J. Vanessa and Vicky Aucoin.
Tyler was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, A.J. and Mercedes Morrison.
Visitation was scheduled to be held Nov. 20, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Givens officiating . Burial will be held at Sweeney Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to a special account in Tyler’s name at Vanguard Bank, Niceville Branch, 1001 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Fla., 32578.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville.
Lilyan Hughes
Lilyan Hughes, of Destin, passed away at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13. She was an avid golfer and sailing enthusiast. She also raised registered full size poodles for 50 years.
She was born in New Brusnwick, N.J. in 1920 to Newton Brokaw Smith and Anita Howell Smith at Middlesex Hospital. Lilyan worked for TWA Airlines before marriage.
She resided in the Destin area for the last 20 years. Her husband of 54 years, Lisle Hughes preceded her in death. Her nephew, Newton H. Smith, of Melbourne Beach, Fla., is her surviving relative.
After cremation, her ashes will be scattered in the Gulf of Mexico.
Fred Bowman Bear
Fred Bowman Bear, 68, a native of Montgomery and resident of Destin died Monday, Nov. 12. Graveside services were scheduled for Friday at Greenwood Cemetery, with the Rev. John-Michael van Dyke officiating.
Bear was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Bear and Beatrice Bowman Bear of Montgomery.
He is survived by his sister, Cornelia Bear Givhan of Mobile and his children, Robert Pearson Bear, Beatrice Elizabeth Bear, Fred Bowman Bear Jr.; daughter-in-law, Daisy Emmet Bear; Emelyn Bear Sullivan; son-in-law, John Curran Sullivan Jr.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Glenn Pearson Poundstone, Fred Bowman Bear III, Emelyn Taylor Poundstone, Virginia Meredith Bear and Elizabeth Pearson Bear.
Pallbearers were to be George Mehling, Dr. Louis Cardinal, Fred Givhan, Will Givhan, Edgar Givhan, Dr. Edgar Givhan, Ken Upchurch III, Clinton Berry Jr., Burns Paterson Jr., Brett Blackmon and Dr. Felix Tankersley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alabama Wildlife Federation, 46 Commerce Street, Montgomery, Ala., 36104, or to a charity of your choice.
Hilda E. Renbarger
Hilda Elizabeth Renbarger died Saturday, Nov. 10, in Sandy Ridge Nursing Home in Milton, after an extended illness.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Paul; her daughter, Linda Quinlan of Destin; her son, Tony (Annette) of Pensacola; three grandchildren, Robin Quinlan and Shane (Bridgette) Quinlan of Destin, and Jamie Renbarger of Pensacola; two sisters, Maria Eaton (George) and Josephine Bonfiligio of Massachusetts.
Hilda was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Canvey Island, England. During World War II she served in the Royal Ambulance Service and later received a medal from the queen for her meritorious service. She met her husband, Paul, at a Navy ball in London on New Years Eve in 1943. She told her sister that night she was going to marry Paul and they were happily married for 57 years.
She and a thousand other war brides came over on the Queen Mary to stay with their families while the men fought the war. After living in Norfolk, Va., Trinidad, British West Indies, and Quonset Point, R.I., they moved to Milton in 1957.
Hilda was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Church for 44 years, the Alter Society, a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer with Santa Rosa Mental Health Association, a volunteer with the Medical Assistance Center, and a member of the Historical Society.
She will be remembered by many for her 25 years of service as the school secretary of Barryhill Elementary School where she was the absentee mom to hundreds of children and then their children.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to St. Rose of Lima building fund.
H. Roland Pratt Jr., 72, of Destin, and formerly of Deerfield, N.J., died unexpectedly Friday morning, Nov. 9, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Roland was born in Somers Point, N.J., on May 13, 1929, to H. Roland and Margaret Schaaf Pratt. Roland’s family moved to Delaware where Roland Jr. graduated from Middleton High School in 1946. He then moved to Deerfield, N.J., where he was employed by Seabrook Farms. In 1947, he joined the New Jersey Bell Telephone Co., where he held a succession of management positions until retiring in 1983. He was then named director of telecommunication for the state of New Jersey, a position he held until again retiring in 1993.
Roland led a full and active life in all respects. While in New Jersey, he served as an elder at Deerfield Presbyterian Church and also as a teacher and member of the choir. He was active in his community and, as a member of the Jaycees, was honored in 1965 as the “Outstanding Young Man of the Year.” He served as president of the Upper Deerfield Township Board of Education from 1963-69.
Roland was dearly loved by his family and his many friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie; three children, Richard Roland of Vincetown, N.J., Peggy Ann Bivins of Virginia Beach, Va., and John Alan of Alpharetta, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Lili Page of Pine Mountain, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to either the Waterfront Rescue Mission of Fort Walton Beach or Habitat for Humanity.
H. Roland Pratt Jr.
H. Roland Pratt Jr., 72, of Destin, and formerly of Deerfield, N.J., died unexpectedly Friday morning, Nov. 9, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Roland was born in Somers Point, N.J., on May 13, 1929, to H. Roland and Margaret Schaaf Pratt. Roland’s family moved to Delaware where Roland Jr. graduated from Middleton High School in 1946. He then moved to Deerfield, N.J., where he was employed by Seabrook Farms. In 1947, he joined the New Jersey Bell Telephone Co., where he held a succession of management positions until retiring in 1983. He was then named director of telecommunication for the state of New Jersey, a position he held until again retiring in 1993.
Roland led a full and active life in all respects. While in New Jersey, he served as an elder at Deerfield Presbyterian Church and also as a teacher and member of the choir. He was active in his community and, as a member of the Jaycees, was honored in 1965 as the “Outstanding Young Man of the Year.” He served as president of the Upper Deerfield Township Board of Education from 1963-69.
In 1994, Roland relocated from New Jersey to Destin, where he arduously studied and played the game of golf and also enjoyed boating and fishing. He was an active member of the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club and Emerald Bay Golf Club.
Roland was dearly loved by his family and his many friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie; three children, Richard Roland of Vincetown, N.J., Peggy Ann Bivins of Virginia Beach, Va., and John Alan of Alpharetta, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Lili Page of Pine Mountain, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to either the Waterfront Rescue Mission of Fort Walton Beach or Habitat for Humanity.
A memorial service for Roland was scheduled for Tuesday at Destin United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Friedman officiating.
In addition, arrangements were being made for services at Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Deerfield, N.J., where Roland will be buried.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach was in charge of arrangements.
Sidney F. Barley
Sidney Fielden Barley, 80, died Nov. 6.
He was born on July 14, 1921, in Roanoke, Va., and lived most of his life in Freeport. He was a Methodist by faith and a member of First United Methodist Church in Freeport.
Barley was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He also worked as an auto mechanic and after retiring he celebrated 27 years of sobriety and managed the Half Way House for Okaloosa County Mental Health in Fort Walton Beach for seven years following his retirement.
He was very active in senior citizen activities, such as playing Santa Claus for Christmas festivities. He was also known as the local “small engine repairman.”
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Barley. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Olene Barley of Freeport; son, Richard Fielden Barley and Julie of Milton; stepson, Clifford Greg Miller and wife, T.J., of Freeport; daughter, Teresa Coburger and husband, Fallon J., of Pensacola; stepdaughters, Pam A. Costello of Freeport, Susanne (Sam) Phillips and husband, Darren, of Freeport, and Lisa Lynn Cuchens and husband, Alec, of Freeport; 14 grandchildren, Josh Coburger, Chris Barley, Shawn Barley, Matthew (Moe) Miller, Bunny Miller, Paige Godwin, Terra Turner, J.D. Matthews, Ryan Phillips, Jaime Taylor, Brian Chuchens, Wayne Cuchens and Erin Cuchens; and 10 great–grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for Friday at Clary–Godwin Funeral Home Chapel in DeFuniak Springs, with the Rev. Charlie Satterwhite officiating. Burial was to follow in Hatcher Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Jerry Dickey, Tracy Dickey, Mike Helton, Howard Cuchens, Mickey Marse, Aaron Brinson, Bill Griggs and Edward Nezovich.
Clary–Godwin Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs handled the arrangements.
Bedford Bird
Bedford Bird, 90, of Destin, passed away in a Pensacola Hospital on Saturday, Nov. 3.
He was born on July 2, 1911, in Paris, Idaho and had been a resident of the local area since 1980, when he moved here from Annandale, Va.
During his working years, he was deputy director of occupational health. He was a member of the United Mine Workers Welfare Association, Department of Occupational Health, in Tennessee. He served on the board of directors for the American Heart Association and was a national representative for the American Cancer Society.
He also served with the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was an active member in the American Public Health Association. He had been a principal of a junior high school in Soda Springs, Idaho.
He was a high priest and a very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Ward in Fort Walton Beach. He held many callings in the church. Serving the mission presidency and district presidency in Tennessee, he was called as the first-stake patriarch for the Fort Walton Beach stake and through the years was always a faithful, dedicated home teacher.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Bird.
Survivors include his son Terrell (Pat) Bird of Destin; daughters Renne (Fred) Spong of Boulder, Colo., Patricia Vainio of Destin and Karen (Tapie) Rohm of San Bernardino, Calif.; brother Ronald Bird of Columbia, Mo.; 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were scheduled for Tuesday at Destin Memorial Cemetery, with Bishop Ron Rogers presiding.
McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach handled the arrangements.
