Archived

Bruce Lane Craig
Mr. Bruce Lane Craig, 53, of Coventry, R.I., went on to be with the Lord, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
He was born April 30, 1955 in Blowing Rock, N.C., the son of Lewis A. Craig and the late Dorothy Moore Craig.
Mr. Craig was saved, and joined Sandy Flat Baptist Church at an early age.
He is survived, loved, and dearly missed by his wife of 26 years, Deborah Jordan Craig; one son, Matthew James of the home; and one daughter, Rebecca Dorothy of the home; his father and step-mother, Lewis and Ruby Craig; two sisters, Barbara Craig Hudspeth and husband, Terry, and Deborah Craig Thomas; two step-brothers, Richard Coffey and Tommy Coffey; one step-sister, Joyce C. Watson; one sister-in-law, Louise Craig; and several supportive nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was loved and preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Moore Craig; his brother, Marshall L. Craig; his paternal grandparents, A.B. and Ethel Ford Craig; and his maternal grandparents, Will and Clara Estes Moore.
A funeral service will be held in Rhode Island at the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home Chapel, on October 3, 2008. The family will receive friends from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with the funeral service immediately following. Officiating will be Father Mark Gallaway.
A memorial service will be held in his honor, on Oct. 5, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Abington Rd. Baptist Church in Lenoir, N.C. Officiating will be the Rev. Raymond Coffey and the Rev. Jack Lewis.
Burial will follow at the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery at a later date.

Beulah G. Ragan
Mrs. Beulah G. Ragan, 100, of 135 Leola Street, Boone, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Feb. 22, 1908 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Beulah Missouri Gross.
Mrs. Ragan was a homemaker and a member of Greenway Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Ms. Melba Brown of Boone; one grandson, Gerald Brown of Boone; one great-granddaughter, Melissa Goodpasture and husband, John, of Asheville; and two nieces, Glenda Arthur and husband, Bill, of Vilas, and Barbara Tuttle of Winston-Salem.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Justin B. Ragan; one son, Harold Ragan; her father and mother; and one sister, Margaret Walk.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2008, at Greenway Baptist Church. Officiating was Dr. David Luster. Burial followed in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the Ragan family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com. Hampton Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

October 1, 2008
Molly Hayes Heninger
Mrs. Molly Hayes Heninger, 82, of Chilhowie, Va., passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at Smyth County Community Hospital.
Survivors include two sons, Jimmy E. and Linda Heninger, Salem, Va., and Gary and Mary Heninger, of Chilhowie; one daughter-in-law, Janis Humphries; four grandchildren, Beth, Leigh Ann, Jamie and Garrett; four great-grandchildren; and also several special friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland L. Heninger Jr.; and one son, Wayne Heninger.
Services were conducted at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at Chilhowie Christian Church with the Rev. Frank Branson and the Rev. Jerry Creasy officiating.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m., prior to the funeral service, at the church.
A graveside service was conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Middle Fork Cemetery.
Williams Funeral Home in Chilhowie, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.

Ruby Shull Michael
Mrs. Ruby Shull Michael, 93, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 15, 2008.
She lived in Vero Beach, Fla., for the past six years. She spent the majority of her life in Watauga County. Mrs. Michael held a college degree and a Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University. She taught school for 30 years in Watauga County and Caldwell County.
Mrs. Michael was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church for many years. She loved and followed the teachings of her Lord Jesus Christ and she was indeed a servant and inspiration to all who knew her. A willing minister of God has gone home to be with her Savior.
Survivors include a son, Charles B. Michael and wife, Marcia, of Vero Beach, Fla.; a daughter, Gwyn M. Costner of Chimney Rock, N.C.; three sisters, Mary Lee Edmisten and husband, Ed, of Sebastian, Fla., Nancy Danner of Sylva, N.C., and Della Critcher and husband, Jim, of Boone, N.C.; two grandchildren, Jennifer M. Rickell and husband, Mark, of Nashville, Tenn., and Charles B. Michael, Jr. and wife, Amy, of Burlingame, Calif.; four great-grandchildren, Kannon and Kendall Rickell, Charles B. Michael III, and Loren Emerick.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Harry Michael; an infant daughter; her mother and father, Robert B. and Lena Shull; brothers, Robert B. Shull, Jr. and Rufus A. Shull.
The family will receive friends Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
A remembrance and celebration of her life will be held at Three Forks Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., at 11 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Three Forks Baptist Church Building Fund.

Joseph J. Steckler
Mr. Joseph J. Steckler, 85, of Keswick, Va., passed away peacefully at Hospice House on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was a retired Pastoral Minister from Boca Raton, Fla.
He was born on March 19, 1923 in Evansville, Ind., the son of Urban and Helen Steckler.
Mr. Steckler grew up in Evansville but spent much of his childhood at The Shriners Children's Hospital in St. Louis, receiving pioneering treatments which enabled him to walk. He entered St. Meinrad Seminary at the age of 14, where he completed secondary and post secondary education, graduated and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Evansville Diocese in 1949.
Father Steckler served as an Associate Pastor for St. Joseph Church in Evansville, St. Mary's Church in Washington, Ind., and The Assumption Cathedral in Evansville. He then served as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Oakland City, Ind., St. Peter's Church in Linton, Ind., and St. Mary's Church in Washington, Ind.
His admiration and affection for the Shrine never wavered and as a priest he worked tirelessly to bring the Church and Shrine together in service to humanity. He was named an honorary member of the Shrine and "The Shriner Priest" was an active participant and frequent speaker at local events and national conventions throughout the 1960's.
Mr. Steckler received a dispensation to leave the priesthood in 1970 and worked for the next several years in higher education, where he met his wife Ann, a college instructor. They married in 1973 and he adopted her son, Fred. The family resided in Boca Raton, Florida, where they were active in the newly established Ascension Catholic Church. In 1983, Mr. Steckler was asked to serve as Pastoral Minister to the Ascension Church community and he served in that role until his retirement in 1992.
After retiring, Joe and Ann moved to the mountains of North Carolina and enjoyed many wonderful friends and happy years in the Valle Cay Community, near Boone. In 2004, the Stecklers moved to Keswick, Va.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Ann; his son, Fred, and Fred's partner Robert Murphy of Washington, D.C.; his sister, Patricia, of Boca Raton, Fla.; many nieces and nephews; and a large circle of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Urban, Paul, and Jerry.
Services will be held in Charlottesville, Va., and Boca Raton, Fla.
The family expresses unending gratitude to the hospice staff and volunteers, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, VA. 22903.
Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Va., is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Andrew Wolschlag
Mr. Richard Andrew Wolschlag, 82, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., died Friday morning, Sept. 26, 2008, at his summer home on Beech Mountain, N.C.
He was born Jan. 12, 1926 in Clinton, Iowa to Andrew and Bertha Breit Wolschlag.
Mr. Wolschlag founded Weld Loc Systems in Alliance, Ohio and Container Strapping in Jacksonville, Fla. He enjoyed the game of golf and was an avid tennis player throughout his life. Mr. Wolschlag served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was of the Catholic faith.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Phyllis Wolschlag; his son, Mark Andrew Wolschlag and wife, Mary; and two grandchildren, Andrew and Emily Wolschlag, all of Cary, N.C. Two nieces also survive, Debbie Sessner of Seattle, Wash. and Patricia Derrick and husband, Tom, of Rehoboth Beach, Dela.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 48 years, Phyllis Eileen Ferguson Wolschlag; and one sister, Virginia Klobe.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 436, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.
Online condolences may be sent to the Wolschlag family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory in Boone is serving the Wolschlag family.

Septmber 29, 2008
Kenneth L. Abbott
Mr. Kenneth L. Abbott, 83, of Eagle Drive, Boone, died Thursday morning, Sept. 25, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born April 30, 1925 in Montmorency, Mich., a son of the late Buford and Flora Matthews Abbott. He has been a resident of Boone for 28 years.
Mr. Abbott graduated from Saginaw High School, Saginaw, Mich., in 1943 and was drafted immediately into the U.S. Army. In 1944 he was sent to Europe where he served in several combat infantry units in France, Germany and Austria. Following VE Day, he was assigned to the Four Power Occupation Force in Vienna, Austria until his discharge.
Returning to the U.S., Ken attended Michigan State University. He received a degree from Michigan State in 1949. Later he did graduate work at the University of Michigan.
He worked for AT&T and the Bell Telephone System for 32 Years. Most of his work career involved financial and accounting activities. Following retirement, he spent a few years as a consultant to various communications companies around the country. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
While living in the Detroit area, Ken served on several committees and boards. These included the New Detroit Hospital Committee, the Congressional Action Council of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Committee of the University of Detroit. He was a member of the Economic Club of Detroit and the Tax Executives Institute.
Locally, in the Boone area, Ken volunteered with a number of groups, including service on the Board of Hospice of Watauga County, on the Board and Treasurer of High Country United Way, as a member of Boone Planning Commission and as Treasurer of Santa’s Toy Box and as Treasurer of the Boone Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation.
He was a member of Kiwanis for more than 25 years and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Boone for many years. He served as advisor to the Key Club at Watauga High School for a number of years.
Mr. Abbott and his wife, Dorothy, have been members of the ASU Institute for Senior Scholars since its inception in 1986.
He was active in several churches during his life. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Milburn, New Jersey. Also, he was an Elder and Treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and the First Presbyterian Church of Boone.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Abbott of Boone; one son, Calvin Abbott and wife, Lani, of Austin, Texas; three daughters, Julia Canavan and husband, Dennis, of Allegan, Mich., Sue Butler and husband, Al, of Woodstock, Ill., and Carol Warncke and husband, Richard, of Livonia, Mich.; three granddaughters, Bridget Siedlecki and husband, John, Megan Rich and husband, Patrick, and Kendra Warncke; five grandsons, Corey Butler, Graham Butler, Aaron Wine and wife, Kim, Jeremy Wine, and Matt Ryan and wife, Stephanie; one brother, Robert Abbott and wife, Anne, of East Lansing, Mich.; and two sisters, Alleyne Baumgartner of Beaver Falls, Pa., and Margie Bessette and husband, Roland, of Fair Grove, Missouri. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Buford and Flora Matthews Abbott; and one grandson, Patrick Ryan.
The family requests that any donations be sent to the Deerfield United Methodist Church Building Fund.
A memorial service was conducted Monday morning, Sept. 29, 2008, at Deerfield United Methodist Church. Officiating was Pastor Jeff Sweeney.
Online condolences may be sent to the Abbott family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Thomas Preston ‘Perk’ Collins
Mr. Thomas Preston “Perk” Collins of Fullerton, Calif., died Jan. 3, 2008, after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease.
He was born Dec. 20, 1929, in Stokes County, N.C., He was the third son of W.E. Collins and Lola Stone Collins. Mr. Collins grew up in a hard working, jovial, civic minded, close-knit, farm family.
Mr. Collins graduated from Francisco High School where he was voted most valuable high school basketball player in both North and South Carolina.
He was a member of the 1948 basketball team that broke the Journal Sentinel record. In 1949 and 1950 he attended Oakridge Military Academy.
For his final two years of college, he attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1952. He received much recognition as an outstanding athlete.
At ASU, he met and married Betty Jean Jackson in 1954. They have four children and three grandchildren.
Mr. Collins joined the U.S. Army, played basketball and baseball at Fort Jackson, S.C. and coached the W.A.C.’s basketball team.
In the early 1960’s he moved his young family to California to pursue a career in furniture sales. His warm smile and gentle southern drawl worked like a charm in California. For many years the family would drive from California to North Carolina twice a year. They never lost touch with home base and traditions.
His talents were a natural fit to the Southern California youth oriented sports programs.
He was not only instrumental in acquiring land for local baseball fields but was even seen driving the tractor to create the fields. Later on, as a volunteer member of both City and County Planning Commissions, Tom was again instrumental in acquiring land for parks, sports complexes, recreation trails and green-space. A visionary in a fast growing area, he saw the need to secure open space which is still in place today.
Mr. Collin’s passion was to watch the local kids move through the ranks from Pony-league to college ball to the pros.
He would accompany his favorite team from California State University of Fullerton to the College World Series in Nebraska whenever they made it and more recently whenever his health allowed.
He posthumously received a formal accommodation from the Mayor of Fullerton in recognition of his commitment to the careful stewardship of Fullerton land, and for providing outstanding parks and recreation opportunities to the youth of the city.
Survivors include by Betty, his wife of 53 years; and their children, Thomas Jr., William, Betsy, and Holly; and grandchildren, Justin, Riley and Quinn. He is also survived by three brothers, Wesley Collins of Lenoir, John Collins of Clemmons, and Jim Collins of Westfield.
In Tom’s memory, donations will be accepted with gratitude to the Collins Family Memorial Scholarship, in care of the Office of Development, ASU Box 32156, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. 28608.

Geneva L. Earp
Mrs. Geneva L. Earp, 71, of Laurel Branch Road, Vilas, died Friday evening, Sept. 26, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born May 1, 1937 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Audie and Vera Johnson Presnell.
Mrs. Earp was a homemaker and a member of Union Baptist Church.

Survivors include three sons, Larry Earp and wife, Joyce, of Vilas, Junior Earp and wife, Lorry, of Mountain City, Tenn., and Gary Earp of Vilas; one daughter, Debbie Greene and husband, Alex, of Boone; one brother, Ronald Presnell and wife, Cathy, of Boone; and a special friend, Lonnie Arnold of Lenoir.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Harris Earp.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 2008, at 10:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 9:00 until 10:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Derick Wilson and the Rev. Burl Greer. Burial will follow in Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends, Monday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Alex and Debbie Greene, 3900 NC Highway 194 North, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Earp family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Taylor D. Griffith
Mr. Taylor D. Griffith, 64, of Woods Road, Boone, died Friday morning, Sept. 26, 2008, at his home.

He was born May 15, 1944 in New Haven, Conn., a son of the late Wesley and Martha Taylor "Tootsie" Griffith.

Mr. Griffith was a retired manager for Bell South.

Survivors include his wife, Odette T. Griffith; one daughter, Martha Griffith of Boone; two sisters, Ermine Hughes of Leesburg, Fla., and Suzann Bassat and husband, Tony, of Statesville; his father-in-law, Roch Tardif and wife, Terese, of Boone; three nieces, Kim Dabney of Leesburg, Amey Hughes of Mascoutau, Ill., and Kaitlin Tardif of Cape Coral, Fla.; two nephews, Steven Hughes of Leesburg, and Nicholas Tardif of Cape Coral; three great-nieces, Heather Grinnell of Leesburg, Hilary Hughes of Mascoutau, and Suzann Dabney of Leesburg; two great-nephews, Shane Dabney of Leesburg, and William Hughes of Mascoutau; and one brother-in-law, Benoit Tardif and wife, Karen, of Cape Coral.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, William Hughes, Sr., and Daniel Tardif; and two nephews, William Hughes and John Dabney.

A funeral mass will be conducted Monday afternoon, Sept. 29, 2008, at 4:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 3:00 until 4:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Father Joe Mulligan.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 3:00 until 4:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Griffith family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Eileen McMahon Littwin
Eileen McMahon Littwin, 86, of Addolorata Villa, Wheeling, IL, died Sept. 14, 2008.

Born July 17, 1922, in Chicago, she was known as “Winged Grace” for her agility on the basketball court at Immaculata High School. Eileen was a graduate of Chicago Teachers College and a substitute teacher for many Catholic elementary schools in the area. She was beloved for her bright smile, her positive attitude, her quick sense of humor, her singing and piano playing and for her gift for turning common moments into special occasions.

Surviving are one daughter Kathleen Simon and husband Steve of Boone; five sons: John Littwin and wife Barbara of Chicago, IL; James Littwin and Carol Mayer of Barrington, IL; Robert Littwin and wife Peggy of Bartlett, IL; Timothy Littwin and wife Gail of San Antonio, Texas and Joseph Littwin and wife Pamela of Palatine, IL; twelve grandchildren, Patty Whitaker and husband Brad; Joe Simon and wife Amy; Danielle and Julie Littwin; Kristen Gile and husband Nick; Michael Littwin; Lisa Anticevich and husband Clint; David Littwin; Tim Litwin; Tracie Hernandez and husband Chris; Kimberly and Kara Littwin; two great-grandchildren, Dean and Mallory Simon; one brother, Dr. John McMahon and wife Grace; two sisters, Estelle Schaefer and husband Don and Ann Metzger and husband Gene; and by two sisters-in-law, Mary Wells McMahon and Helen McMahon.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John L. Littwin; and by three brothers, Robert McMahon, James McMahon and Rev. Thomas McMahon, C.S.V.; and by a sister-in-law, Dorothea McMahon.

A Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, at St. James Church, Arlington Heights, and burial followed in the All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois. The family received friends at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home from 3 until 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19.

Memorial contributions to the Clerics of St. Viator, 1212 E. Euclid, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 are appreciated.

Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home of Arlington Heights, Illinois served the Littwin Family.

Thomas Arnold Moretz
Mr. Thomas Arnold Moretz, 77, of Granite Falls, N.C., passed away on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, following a two month courageous battle with lymphoma and urethra cancer. He departed this life from the old farm house in which he was born on Roby Martin Road.

He was born March 19, 1931 to the late Christian Rudolph and Eliza Wagner Moretz.

Mr. Moretz owned and operated a lumber and coal yard. In addition, he was a self-employed trucker. He was gifted with great math skills which helped him in being proficient in lumber calculations. He enjoyed spending time on the road in his truck. He was the world’s best in cracking black walnuts, and was often successful in growing tomato plants taller than himself.

A most unique, loved and generous father, brother and neighbor, he will be sorely missed.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas Arnold Moretz, Jr., and his wife, Linda, of Granite Falls and Keith A. Moretz of Washington State; two daughters, Mrs. Denise Martin Baker and her husband, Johnny, and Ms. Clara M. Ingram, both of Lenoir; two brothers, Hoy Austin Moretz and Carroll Rudolph Moretz, both of Lenoir; two sisters Mrs. Norma (Mack) Moretz, and Mrs. Elda (Clifford) Sloan, both of Lenoir; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ingram Moretz; two brothers, Roby Moretz and Horace Moretz; two sisters, Nell Moretz Massengill and Ruth Moretz Dishman.

Services were conducted Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at Yadkin Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert B. Livingston officiating. Burial followed the service in the church cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the Hospice staff and all others who helped in numerous ways.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or to Yadkin Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37, Patterson, N. C. 28661.

On-line condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.