Archived

Joseph Harold Calloway
Mr. Joseph “Joe” Harold Calloway, 70, of Fish Dam Creek Road, Millers Creek, died Monday, March 26, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
He was born in Ashe County, May 11, 1936, to James B. and Ina Whittington Calloway.
Mr. Calloway retired from Tyson Foods after 30 years of service, where he was the mechanic for the Roaring River Service Center. Mr. Calloway was a member of Millers Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Wilma Moretz of Deep Gap and Velva Steelman of North Wilkesboro; and one brother, Tim Calloway of North Wilkesboro.
Services were held Thursday, March 29, at 2 p.m., at Blue Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Francis and the Rev. Dean Rector officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mrs. Patricia Hayworth, 1668 Park Vista Road, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro, was in charge of the arrangements.

Ralph Rae Rattray
Mr. Ralph Rae Rattray, 72, of St. Michael, Minnesota, died at his home Sunday, March 18, 2007.
He was born to Raymond and Doris (Ebel) Rattray on Sept. 27, 1934 in Elgin, Ill.
Mr. Rattray graduated from Dundee High School and went on to study dairy and agriculture at the University of Illinois. When his father died he returned home to work the family farm. He then married and was blessed with four sons. He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 10, 1958 to Nov. 12, 1963. He attended Officer Candidate School and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. On Dec. 22, 1977 he married Linda Pabst-Baillies in Burlington, WI and they shared two daughters.
His many career accomplishments began as plant manager for J.W. Peter’s in Burlington. He later accepted a position with Jasper Construction in Boone, N.C. to build the first segmental bridge in the U.S.; this section completed the Blue Ridge Parkway. The completion of this bridge led to an interview with Dan Rather, CBS News.
Mr. Rattray went on to become President of Spancrete (1983-1993); now Hanson Spancrete Midwest of Osseo. While there he built the largest parking structure in the U.S. at the Mall of America.
In 1993 he accepted a position at Fabcon Inc. in Savage. In 2002 he relocated to St. Michael and formed R3 Inc. his own consulting firm.
He was a former racquetball player and enjoyed watching all sports especially those of his own children and grandchildren. He coached both girls and womens softball teams.
Mr. Rattray’s love was his family, friends, work, and good conversation.
In 2005, Ralph underwent kidney transplant. Michael Robeck gifted one of his kidneys to Ralph.
Survivors include his wife, Linda of St. Michael; sons: Randall Rattray and wife, Lori, Ronald Rattray and wife, Christine, Rob Rattray and wife, Dori, and Ross Rattray and wife, Felicia, all of southern California; daughters, Toni of Buffalo, and Dawn Derouin and husband, J.D., of Rogers; sister, Carol Lou Bruhn and husband, Kenneth, of Fox River Grove, Ill.; mother-in-law, Geraldine Pabst of Monticello; sister-in-law, Sherri McKenna and husband, Ken, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; ten grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and father-in-law, Ralph Pabst.
Services were held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2007 at the St. Michael Catholic Church on Frankfort Parkway in St. Michael with Father Michael Rudolph officiating.
Burial was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes.
Peterson Chapel Funeral Home in St. Michael, Minnesota, were in charge of the arrangements.

Barney D. Restivo
Mr. Barney Dean Restivo, 53, passed away Monday, March 19, 2007.
He was born on Oct. 19, 1953 in Boone, N.C., to Bonnie J. Hampton of Boone and Samuel R. Restivo of Silver Creek, N.Y.
Mr. Restivo graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1972. He was a Master Electrician by trade and a fun loving person by nature.
He is survived by a daughter, Leslie Restivo of Boone, N.C.; three sisters, P. Amanda Restivo of Jacksonville, Fla., Sheere Hill and husband, Frank, of Fayetteville, N.C., and Darlene Bohon and husband, Tim, of Lewisville, N.C.; a brother, Charles Restivo and wife, Amy, of Forestville, N.Y.; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends who will miss his charismatic ways.
His love for travel took him from one adventure to another where he never met a stranger. We are thankful for your peace and will miss you until we meet again.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. E-mail arestivo1@aol.com for details.


Dr. Frans van der Bogert
Dr. Frans van der Bogert, 65, of Boone, N.C. died peacefully at his home Wednesday, March 14th, 2007.
He was born on March 25, 1941 in Albany, N.Y. to Giles Yates van der Bogert and Mary Boyd Easton.
Dr. van der Bogert grew up in Schenectady, N.Y. with his parents and two younger brothers, Giles and Edward, to whom he was both a mentor and a friend.
A successful academic throughout his life, he attended Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa. graduating in 1963 with a degree in Philosophy. He then studied at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where he earned his PhD in Philosophy in 1973. Prior to completing his PhD, he taught for several years at both Queens College in New York City and Widener College in Chester, Pa. In 1973, he accepted a position in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Appalachian State University, where he taught for 28 years. Focusing much of his career on the philosophy of art and aesthetics, Frans was also an accomplished artist and poet.
Frans is remembered by family and friends for his intellect, kindness, and wit, and for the fact that he loved learning as much as he loved teaching. His children both fondly remember their father as having an eternal curiosity about life, which made their childhoods rich and fulfilling.
Survivors include former wife, Virginia Craig Branch; daughter, Dr. Carolyn Howes van der Bogert and husband, Dr. Harald Hiesinger; son, Giles Edward van der Bogert; and brothers, Giles Yates van der Bogert II and Edward Easton van der Bogert.
Donations in the memory of Dr. Frans van der Bogert may be made to the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University (423 West King Street, ASU Box 32139, Boone, N.C. 28608).
A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory of Boone, N.C. is serving the van der Bogert family.

March 28, 2007
William E. ‘Billy’ Triplett
Mr. William E. "Billy" Triplett, 56, of Phenix City, Ala., a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
He was born March 16, 1951, in Watauga County, a son of Mary Alice Colvard Triplett Potter and the late William Donald Triplett.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Colvard Triplett Potter of Boone; one sister, Willa Lea of Buena Vista, Ga.; one half-sister, Martha Teague and husband, Jack, of Vilas; two nephews, Chris Thompson and Danny Thompson, both of Phenix City, Ala.; four nieces, Christy Stubbs of Buena Vista, Ga., Melissa Cornett and Melody Howell, both of Vilas, and Miranda Brown of Ferguson. He is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Donald Triplett.
Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock at Middle Fork Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Max West. Burial will be at Middle Fork Baptist Church Cemetery at a later date.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

March 26, 2007
Ethel Fletcher Greene
Mrs. Ethel Fletcher Greene, 83, of Jefferson Road, Boone, died Saturday morning, March 24, 2007.
One of four children, she was born March 22, 1924, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Troy and Ida Robinson Fletcher.
Mrs. Greene was a member of Perkinsville Baptist Church and a former employee of I.R.C., a retail sales associate and a homemaker. She was a published poet, artist, weaver and loved to crochet. Her decades of poetry and paintings embraced the beauty of nature and the Blue Ridge Mountains she loved so dearly. She shared her artistic talents with young budding poets and artists. She often presented friends and family with her works of art.
Survivors include one daughter, Judy South of Boone; one son, Harlen Greene, Sr. and wife, Jan, of Greensboro; three grandsons, James South and wife, Stephanie, of Advance; Lamar South of Winston-Salem and Harlen Greene, Jr. and wife, Roberta, of Raleigh; and one granddaughter, Heather Jones and husband, Tommy, of Salisbury; three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Julia South of Advance and Phoenix Wolfe Greene of Raleigh; and one sister, Ruth Ballard of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roby Don Greene; her father and mother, Troy and Ida Robinson Fletcher; two sisters, Ruby Davis and Loye McGuire; and former son-in-law, Jimmy South.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 12:00 until 2:00. Officiating will be the Rev. Harold Bennett. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 until 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Judy South, 1525 Highway 421 South, Boone.
Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Center Children and Family Services, 507 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

A. Virginia ‘Jenny’ Jordan Greene
Mrs. A. Virginia “Jenny” Jordan Greene, 70, of Hillside St., Lenoir, passed away Friday, March 23, 2007 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, Lenoir.
She was born Jan. 20, 1937 in Morton, Mississippi to the late Grady C. Jordan and Alice Frances Heaney Jordan.
Mrs. Greene was employed with Thomasville Furniture Industries and a member of Confidence Advent Christian Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Pam Greene Gilbert and husband, Robert, of Lenoir; three sons, Tim Greene and wife, Hope, of Granite Falls, Butch Greene and wife, Kathie, of Lenoir, John C. Greene and wife, Tanya, of Lenoir; four sisters, Edna Grayson, Billie Williams, both of Tupelo, Miss., Patsy Larson of Ridgeland, Miss., Anita Gunter of Apocka, Fla.; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2007, 2:00 p.m. in the Pendry’s Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Norm Sherwood officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007 prior to the memorial service at Pendry’s Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations or gifts be made to the Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, Lenoir, N.C., in memory of Mrs. Jenny Greene.
Condolences may be placed online at www.pendrysfh.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Martha Pallecchia
Mrs. Martha Pallecchia, 73, of Danielson, Conn., died Friday, March 23, 2007, at the University of MA Memorial Hospital in Worcester.
She was the wife of Joseph J. Pellecchia, who survives her. They married on Jan. 10, 1953 at Immaculate Conception Church in Southington, Conn. She was born in Waterbury, Conn. On April 22, 1933, the daughter of the late Joseph and Genevieve Murawsky Luty. Her father was the former First Selectman of Southington. She was the middle child of three girls and grew up on her parents’ dairy farm in Southington. She was an enthusiastic dairy farmer. Her love of the farm life led her and her husband to buy their dairy farm in Killingly, Conn. In 1971.
As a youth, Mrs. Pallecchia attended Southington schools and Southington High School. She then attended Hartford Institute of Accounting and was the first woman to graduate from that institution.
After her marriage, she worked for many years in the Southington/Meriden area, contributing her highly valued expertise in financial aspects, as President of Community Home Health Care, member of the Board of Directors of Bradley Memorial Hospital, Treasurer of Mason Manufacturing, Treasurer and first woman executive of Gould and Eberhart, and former owner of DSM Mechanical in Dayville, Conn.
Additionally, she belonged to various community and professional organizations and taught religious education at St. James Church in Danielson. She was a communicant of St. James Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Joseph J. Pellecchia and wife, Joanne, of Trumbull, Conn. And Thomas M. Pellecchia of Thompson, Conn.; four daughters, Nancy Pellecchia Maciag and husband, Peter, of Rockledge, Fla.; Roseanne Bessenaire and husband, Raymond, of Melbourne, Fla.; Audrey Giambattista and husband, Alan, of Dayville, Conn. And Martha Marie Hickernell and husband, Dustin, of Fleetwood, N.C.; two sisters, Barbara Patla and Linda Valencis, both of Southington, Conn.; 17 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Anthony Pellecchia; a daughter, Marjorie Pellecchia; a daughter-in-law, Jody Pellecchia; and two grandchildren, Amy Giambattista and Andrew Giambattista.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 26, and funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, March 27, at 9 a.m. at Gagnon-Costello Funeral Home in Danielson, Conn., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, Danielson, Conn. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Danielson, Conn.
Gagnon-Costello Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Hugh H. Ward
Mr. Hugh H. Ward, 85, of Monroe, Washington, passed away Monday morning, Feb. 19, 2007.
He was born in Sugar Grove, N.C., on Sept. 14, 1921, to Aud and Lula Ward.
After his service as an Army veteran of World War II, he worked at Wolfkill and Pan Alaska in Monroe. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed making people laugh. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his sisters, Mary Louise McGuire and Virginia Byrd of North Carolina; three children, Shari Lynn Kirkpatrick of Rathdrum, Idaho, Merry Carol Hart of Chehalis, Wash., and Robert Lee Ward of Monroe, Wash.
He was preceded in death by Elma Austin, Mr. Ward’s life partner of some 40 years and their extended family.
A memorial service was held Friday afternoon, Feb. 23, 2007, at 1 p.m., at Purdy and Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home in Monroe, Wash., with Pastor Richard Edmonds officiating.
Purdy and Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mae Dehart Wiggins
Mrs. Mae Dehart Wiggins, 88, of Price Edward County, Va., formerly of Hampton, where she lived for 40 years, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
She was born May 30, 1918 in Alarka in Swain County, N.C., to the late Joseph Paton Dehart and Mary Emily Shepherd Dehart.
Survivors include two children, Clara Jean W. Alford and husband, Hoyt, and Charles “Bud” Patton Wiggins and wife, Carolyn; two sisters-in-law, Anna Bell Dehart and Mattie B. Shepherd Dehart; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Franklin Wiggins; her parents, Joseph and Mary Dehart; two brothers, Lon Patton Dehart and Joseph Edward Dehart; and sister-in-law, Amy Messer Dehart.
Services will be conducted Monday, March 26, at 2 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home with interment to follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of the