March 10, 2006

Myrtle Shook Arnett

Mrs. Myrtle Shook Arnett, 81, of Hearthstone Lane, Banner Elk, N.C., died Monday, March 6, 2006, at Cannon Memorial Hospital, Linville, N.C.

She was a native of Watauga County and a daughter of the late James B. and Mattie Rupard Shook.

Mrs. Arnett was a member of White Rock Baptist Church, and was a Christmas Tree Farmer, working along side her husband.

She loved to sew, making quilts and working in her flowers.

Survivors include her children, a daughter, Shelia Clark of Jonas Ridge, N.C.; sons, Jerry Arnett and wife, Shirley; Roger Arnett, Eddie Arnett and wife, Phyllis, all of Banner Elk; a sister, Blanche Townsend of Banner Elk; a brother, Floyd Shook of Banner Elk; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul B. Arnett; sisters, Onie Townsend and Lillie Hodges; a brother, Vester Shook; and a grandson, Steven Arnett.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m., at God’s House of Worship with the Rev. Gary Greene and the Rev. Junior Carver officiating. Interment followed in the White Rock Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Arnett family.

Ann Hunter Dortch

Ann Hunter Dortch (Hunter) died March 6, 2006.

She was born in Greensboro, N.C. on July 3, 1958. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and then UNC- Chapel Hill where she was a member of the varsity tennis team and received a degree in Physical Therapy.

Her interest in the healing arts led her to a degree and license in acupuncture in 2004. Tenderly she cared for her patients and gave each person her undivided attention.

She lived in Boone, N.C. for the past 25 years where she developed a love for the mountains and the people who live there. The garden she tended gave Hunter and many others great pleasure.

Dogs, especially her Beau, and the birds in the feeders and the children in the neighborhood were all dear to her.

Her love of life, laughter and friends drew people to her. Her fluid grace, whether on the tennis courts, ski mountain or golf course always caused others to stop and watch.

Hunter dedicated her life as a freshman in college to serving our Lord, Jesus Christ. A talented musician, her great joy was composing and singing beautiful praise and worship music on guitar and piano. Hunter’s strength and unwavering faith inspired many people throughout her life, but especially during the last three years.

Surviving are her sister, Beth Dortch Beswick and her husband, Pete Beswick; step-mother, Ann Campbell Dortch of Greensboro, and uncle, Redmond P. Dortch of Sebring Florida.

She was predeceased by her parents, Patricia George Dortch and John Johnson Dortch.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone, N.C.

A memorial service at St Mary’s Chapel in Raleigh will be held Thursday, March 23 at 1:00.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials contributions can be made to the Seby Jones Regional Cancer Center, c/o Watauga Medical Center, P.O. Box 2600, Boone N.C. 28607; or to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service in Boone is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Valentine Schworer

Mr. Donald Valentine Schworer, 90, of Sarasota, Fla. and Seven Devils, died Feb. 27, 2006.

He was born Jan. 27, 1916, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. Schworer fell in love with North Carolina while a student at Duke University, where he was a doubles tennis champion.

After graduating in 1938, he started his career with Standard Vacuum Oil Company (now Exxon Mobil) in the Philippines.

The Japanese bombed Manila on Dec. 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor.

Mr. Schworer was imprisoned along with 2,122 other civilian expatriates at Los Banos until Feb. 23, 1945.

While the 11th Airborne liberated the POWs, he was near starvation. Many other internees had succumbed to brutal conditions in the camps.

Mr. Schworer met his wife, Mary Foster, when he returned to Brooklyn in 1945. They married in Manila on August 28, 1946, where his seven children were born.

He continued to work for StanVac in the Philippines until 1962, when he was transferred to New York as a marketing executive.

In 1971 when he retired, he returned to his beloved North Carolina at Seven Devils. They also lived in Sarasota, Fla.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, successful international businessman, and world traveler.

He could light up a room with his charm, humor, and fascinating stories. He was a champion in tennis, golf, softball and bowling.

An avid Blue Devils basketball fan, his interests spanned history to hiking.

He was a member of the Exxon Mobil Retiree Club, Duke Alumni Association, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and The Church of the Redeemer (Sarasota).

Survivors include daughters, Anne Zolnier of Sarasota, Fla., Beth Beck of Naples, Fla., Carla of Los Angeles, Elise Wingert of Louisville, Colo., and Foster Boom of Las Vegas; a son, Douglas of Chapel Hill, N.C.; brothers, John and James Reynolds; and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Foster Schworer; and a son, Edward Schworer.

Graveside services were held March 4 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church Cemetery in Valle Crucis, conducted by the Rev. John C. Zellner, accompanied by singer Andrea McDonough.

Donations may be made to Church of the Redeemer, Memorial Fund for Donald V. Schworer, 222 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Fla. 34236.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home were in charge of the arrangements.

Jane R. Wideman

Mrs. Jane R. Wideman, 87, of Gap Creek Drive, Fleetwood, died Monday evening, March 6, 2006 at home. 

She was born in Ocala, Florida, the daughter of the late Charles C. and Mayme Ferrell Ruprecht. 

Mrs. Wideman was a master gardener and a horticulturist. 

Surviving are one son, Steve Wideman and wife, Lorraine, of Boone; five grandchildren, Amber, Benjamin, and Kyle Wideman,  all of Boone; Tina Jowers and Nichole Ditto of Springfield, Missouri; and one great-grandchild, Kishawn Wideman of Boone. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Wideman; and one son, Gene Wideman.

Services will be private. 

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wideman family.

March 8, 2006

Michael Alexander Kolb

Mr. Michael Alexander Kolb, 49, of Raleigh, died Saturday morning, March 4, 2006 at Wake Medical Center. 

He was born Jan. 10, 1957 in New Bern, N.C., the son of the late Alexander Karl and Amy Rhodes Kolb. 

Mr. Kolb was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in New Bern. 

Surviving is one sister, Pattie Newsome and husband, Glenn, of Todd.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander Karl and Amy Rhodes Kolb. 

Services will be private.

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1075, New Bern, N.C. 28653.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Kolb family.

Ortha Harmon Turner Watkins

Ortha Harmon Turner Watkins, 80, formerly of Akron, Ohio, passed away Feb. 22, 2006, in Gladwin, Mich.

She was born July 1, 1925, in Saltville, Va., to Albert “Alvin” Eli Harmon and Elizabeth “Sis” Guy Harmon.

Ortha worked for Goodrich Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, and playing Bingo. She was loyal to her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca Turner Heckman of Gladwin, Mich.; three grandchildren, Jennifer Radcliffe of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Sherri Chancey of Belpre, Ohio, and Jason Radcliffe of Kalkaska, Mich.; three great-grandchildren, Sarah Radcliffe of Lake Oswego, Ore.; Crystal Chancey and Luke Chancey of Belpre, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Bradley Allison of Morganton, N.C., Carol Powers of Tannersville, Va., Frankie Newcomb of Stonesville, N.C., Glenda Bryant of Austinville, Va., Ralph Allison of Virginia Beach, Va., Polly Puryear of Mocksville, N.C., Dean Harmon of Akron, Ohio; David Harmon of Beech Creek, N.C., Reba Gray of Cecelia, Ky., and Andrew Harmon Jr. of Louisville, Ky.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd A. Watkins; her sisters, Pauline Chapman and Irene Allison Stines; and her brothers, Lester Harmon and Andrew Harmon.

Memorial services were private.

Condolences may be mailed to the Hall Funeral Home, 440 E. Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624.

Hall Funeral Home of Gladwin, Mich., were in charge of arrangements.

March 6, 2006

Mrs. Mary Louise Philips Kirchman

Mrs. Mary Louise Philips Kirchman, 84, formerly of Phoenix, Ariz., died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, at her home.

She grew up in Union City, Tenn., attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and received a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of South Alabama.

Mrs. Kirchman spent most of her life working to improve the lives of the physically and mentally disabled. She had been the executive director of GARC in Mobile, Ala. and worked as the director of programs for the disabled in Northeast Georgia. She retired with her husband, Oldrich Kirchman, to Boone, N.C., where she was an active member of Hopewell Methodist Church. She later moved to Phoenix, Ariz. and was instrumental in the establishment of Coolwater Christian Church where she remained an active member.

Survivors include her three daughters, Lady Terry and husband, Edward, of Randallstown, Md., Elaine Stephens and husband, Edward, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Gail Gerding and husband, Mark, of Johnson City, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oldrich Kirchman.

Services will be conducted on March 14, at 11 a.m. at Hopewell Methodist Church in Boone, N.C.

In memory of Mrs. Kirchman, donations may be sent to Horses Help, P.O. Box 71005, Phoenix, Ariz. 85050.

Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, Tenn., are in charge of the arrangements.