Frank Falduto
Frank Falduto, 70, of Destin, died Friday, Nov. 2, after a brief battle with cancer.
Born July 1, 1931, in Coccorino, Italy, and residing in Destin and Fort Walton Beach for the past 23 years, he was preceded in death by his parents, Francesco and Caterina Falduto of Coccorino, Italy.
He was a loving, faithful and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. Fishing was his passion, spending many hours along the Okaloosa Island Pier and trolling the Gulf of Mexico with his cherished friend, Wayne Lewis. He touched many lives with his generosity and kindness and will be sadly missed by those who knew him.
He had an accomplished career first as an engineer working for NASA on Gemini and Apollo missions and as an aerospace engineer as director of quality assurance at Eglin Air Force Base until his retirement in 1994.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Olympia; sisters, Anna, Maria, Carmela and Caterina; his brother, Joe; his six children, Andrea, Lino, Katherine, Eleonora, Frank and Maria; grandchildren, Gino, Styles, twins Alessandro and Rosselino, and Hasty; and daughter-in-law, Renee.
Memorial services were scheduled for Tuesday at Resurrection Catholic Church in Destin. Services also are scheduled in Coccorino, Italy.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society and Covenant Hospice.
James Caldwell
James Richard “Dick” Caldwell, 90, passed away Nov. 1 at his home in DeFuniak Springs.
He was born on Feb. 3, 1911, the son of Emmett Blanchard and Ettie Seale Caldwell. He and his family moved to DeFuniak Springs from Thomasville, Ga., and Caldwell accepted a position with Fisher Hardware. Dick’s specialty was paint, and he gained a reputation as the “authority” on paint and paint products. He was employed by Fisher Hardware until his retirement.
He was a member of the DeFuniak Springs Kiwanis Club; was associated with the Boy Scouts of America; was active in the DeFuniak Springs Historical Society, and served as commander of the American Legion.
In addition to his civic involvement Caldwell was a member of First United Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs, where he was depended upon greatly by the pastors who served the church as being “the man to contact” concerning anything to do with the infrastructure of the church, fellowship house or parsonage. Dick probably knew more about the physical properties than anyone else and everyone in the congregation knew it and freely called upon him. His presence will be greatly missed by every member of First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Laura Bess Caldwell of DeFuniak Springs; son, James Richard Caldwell Jr. of Tampa; daughter, Carolyn Caldwell Campbell of Pensacola; grandchildren, Steven Caldwell and wife, Catherine, Christa Caldwell, Mike Campbell and wife, Richeal, and Jason Campbell; great–grandchildren, Seth Campbell and Catlyn Caldwell; sister, Elizabeth Panek and husband, Richard, of Fairview Park, Ohio; and sister–in–law, Mrs. Ellis Jones of Gainesville, Fla.
Flowers are being accepted or contributions may be made to the church Dick loved so much — First United Methodist Church in DeFuniak Springs.
Services were scheduled for Saturday at the church with the Rev. Bob Penton officiating. Burial was to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs was in charge of arrangements.
Ethelene C. Wilkerson
Ethelene C. Wilkerson, 88, died Oct. 28 in DeFuniak Springs.
Wilkerson was born on Feb. 12, 1913, in Walton County, where she remained a life–long resident. She was a member of Glendale Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tiller and Honor Lee Straughn Chesser; brothers, Cecil Chesser and C.T. Chesser; sisters, Allie Infinger and Jewell Whitehead; husband, Keesley Wilkerson; and daughter, Kayleen Wilkerson.
Survivors include her sons, Robert G. “Bob” Wilkerson, and wife, Lovelle, of Leonia, Fla., and Jimmy L. Wilkerson of Glendale, Fla.; grandchildren, Angie Rathel and husband, Mark, Hampton Yates Jr. and wife, Angelique, and Jacquelyn Campbell and husband, Scott; and great–grandchildren, David Rathel, Steven Rathel, A.J. Yates, Madison Yates, Jacob Campbell and Brook Campbell.
Services were scheduled for Tuesday at Clary–Godwin Funeral Home with Dr. Mark Rathel and the Revs. Bill Young and Stacy Stafford officiating. Burial was to follow in Gum Creek Cemetery.
Wilkerson’s grandsons, great–grandsons and son–in–law were to be pallbearers.
Donation may be made to the ARC Group Home in DeFuniak Springs.
Clary–Godwin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Harold Buckingham Sr.
Harold Buckingham Sr., 61, of Seminole, died Oct. 26, while visiting his family in Panama City.
Buckingham was a life–long resident of Seminole and had only been in the Panama City area for a short time. He was a retired utilities worker.
He is survived by two sons, Harold Buckingham Jr., and wife, Julie, and Mike Buckingham and wife, Michelle, all of Destin.
Other survivors include his daughter, Kim Hudson, and her husband, Kip, of Panama City; a brother, William Buckingham of Newport Richey, Fla.; grandchildren, Shannon, Brandon, Courtney, Chelsie, Meghan, Alissa, Clinton, Kyle, Colt and Park; and nieces Debbie Westbrook and Cherie Hill.
Memorialization by cremation was arranged with Southerland Family Funeral Home in Panama City. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Buell Jesse Crosby
Buell Jesse Crosby of Grayton Beach died Oct. 26 after a brief illness.
He was born on July 7, 1919, in Hattiesburg, Miss. He served in World War II and retired from the Social Security Administration before moving to Grayton Beach in 1978. Crosby was a member of Gulfview Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Elleene W. Crosby; two daughters, DeLene Sholes (Tommy), and Suzanne Highland (Robert); sisters, Bertine McDonald of Petal, Miss., and Bonnie and Burl Cooley of Ocean Springs, Miss. His five grandchildren are June Helsley, Tommy Sholes, special friend Jimmy Willard, Carol Stafford (Richard), John Jenkins and Logan Haire (Steve). His five great–grandchildren are Elizabeth Lynn Helsley, Ryan Thomas Helsley, Mary Walton Haire, Cody Haire and Thomas Kennington Stafford.
The family requests memorials be in the form of donations to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, OASIS of Fort Walton Beach or the Red Cross Disaster Fund.
A private memorial service was held by the family.
Ruth C. Baldwin
Ruth Cora Baldwin died Oct. 25 after a long illness and complications from a stroke.
Baldwin was born on March 15, 1925, in Ponce de Leon to the late William (Young) and Johnnie Juanita Andrews. Six siblings preceded her in death — three brothers and three sisters. One grandson and one great-grandson also preceded her in death.
Baldwin met and married Willie Baldwin Sr. in November 1957. They spent many glorious years together until his death in July 1988.
Survivors include one daughter, Doris L. Stocker-Wilson of Navarre; five grandsons, Jeffery B.A. (Brenda) Stocker of Charlotte, N.C., Reginald Shawn (Althea) Stocker of Shalimar, Steven Olando (Love) Stocker of Augusta, Ga., Timothy K.A. Stocker (Beverly) of Atlanta, and Michael Anthony Stocker of Navarre; one stepdaughter; three stepsons; three daughters-in-law; 19 great-grandchildren; a host of stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren; and other special children whose lives were touched by her. She had many other loving relatives and caring friends.
Baldwin retired from federal civil service after serving 20 years as a civilian employee with the U.S. Air Force.
Baldwin helped organize Grayson Chapter, Order of Eastern Star Most Worshipful Prince Hall AF&AM in 1965, where she served as worthy matron. She was a member of the Heroines of Jericho, and Ancient Accepted Daughters of Minerva, Scottish Rite Masons Sister.
Services were scheduled for Friday at the Church of God in Christ in DeFuniak Springs with Minister Walter Ales officiating. Burial was to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach was in charge of arrangements.
Linda Kaye Taylor
Linda Kaye Taylor of Destin died Oct. 24.
Linda was born to Robert A. and Ruey L. Goodwin 59 years ago in Wichita Falls, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert A. Goodwin, and stepfather, James W. Turner.
Her life has had a large impact on all her family and friends, who will miss her immensely. She was the first to give out love and attention to anyone who had a need.
Taylor was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Destin, where she was an elder and over the years she served in almost every ministry of the church. She was the current president of the Old Destin Post Office Museum Society and was a benefactor to Okaloosa–Walton Community College.
Survivors include her husband, Robert; mother, Ruey L. Turner; sons and daughters–in–law, Kenneth, James and Stacy, and Matthew and Melinda; brother and sister–in–law, Robert A. “Bobby” Jr. and Patricia P. “Tricia” Goodwin; brothers–in–law and wives, Tommy and Jeani Taylor; and Lloyd and Sandy Taylor; grandchildren, Riley, Morgan and Colton; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled for Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Destin. Burial is scheduled to follow in Marler Memorial Cemetery in Destin.
Visitation is scheduled for 5–7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of First Presbyterian Church of Destin.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach is in charge of arrangements.
Irene Davis
Irene Davis, 77, a life–long resident of DeFuniak Springs, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Tallahassee.
Davis was born on Oct. 24 1923, the daughter of the late J.F. and Elzona Brooks Ward. She was Baptist by faith and was a member of East Baptist Church. She enjoyed having her family together, going to church to serve the Lord and watching the Rev. J.W. Hunt’s program.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Odra Davis.
Survivors include her sons, Timothy Gavin and Jerry Gavin; daughters, Janice Parish, Gwen Shores, Peggy Milner, Wanda Causseaux, Diana Gavin, Tanja Denham, Jeanette Lowery and Renee Hixson; brother, William H. Ward; sister, A.Z. Hunt; sister–in–law, Mae Marshall; 23 grandchildren; 29 great–grandchildren and two great–great–grandchildren.
Visitation was scheduled for Friday at Comander Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at Comander Funeral Home with the Rev. J.C. McLendon officiating. Burial is scheduled to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Comander Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lynn Brack
Lynn Brack of DeFuniak Springs died Monday, Oct. 15, in a local hospital.
He was born on April 17, 1924, in Tampa, the son of William D. and Violet Collins Brack. He was a veteran of World War II, having served his country with the U.S. Navy.
Brack loved fishing and was an avid sports fan, participating on the local level when he coached Little League, and was a past board member of DeFuniak Little League. He was a member of First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs.
Survivors include his wife, Sue Brack; son, Greg Brack, and wife, Janet; grandsons, Alex and Thomas Brack, all of DeFuniak Springs; mother-in-law, Katie Bell Thorn, of the New Harmony community; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins from the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas.
Flowers are being accepted, or memorials may be made in Brack’s memory to the building fund of First Baptist Church.
A time of visitation was scheduled for this past Wednesday in the chapel of Jerry Evans Funeral Home. Services were scheduled for Thursday at First Baptist Church. Burial was to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Jerry Evans Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs was in charge of arrangements.
Ecie Wise Weeks
Ecie Wise Weeks died Oct. 14 after an extended illness.
She was a kind, loving mother and grandmother. She was a resident of DeFuniak Springs for the past 55 years, after moving from Florala, Ala.
She was a member of Baldwin Avenue Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs. She was born on Oct. 20, 1913, in Samson, Ala., to Barto M. Wise and Dillie Yates Wise.
Survivors include three children, Donnie Cooley and late husband, Clarence, Garlon Weeks and wife, Griselda, and Helen Supple and husband, Buddy, of DeFuniak Springs; grandchildren, Pam Cooley Holley and husband, Ben, of Crestview, Lisa Cooley Davis and husband, Mark, of Headland, Ala., Donna Cooley White and husband, John, of Headland, Greg Weeks and wife, Cindy, of DeFuniak Springs, Chris Weeks of DeFuniak Springs, Mark Weeks and wife, Cherelle, of Ocala, Regina Supple Byrd and husband, Kenny, of DeFuniak Springs, Shane Supple and wife, Tina, of DeFuniak Springs, Shannon Supple Seigler and husband, Lyle, of DeFuniak Springs; 12 great–grandchildren; and sisters, Madeline Wise, Laverna Wise Broxson and husband, Eugene, and Inez Mills of Fort Walton Beach.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Comander Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Chumley officiating. Burial is scheduled to follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Contributions my be made to First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs building fund, or to a favorite charity.
Comander Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs is in charge of arrangement
