U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
George Harris Culver Jr.
Retired Maj. George Harris Culver Jr., beloved husband and father, age 72, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Friday, March 6, 1998, in a local hospital after a long and brave battle with emphysema. Retired Maj. Culver was born in Glen Falls, N.Y., on July 29, 1925, to George and Mary Culver. He has been a resident of the Panhandle for the past 30 years, having been stationed in Panama City, Fla., and Fort Walton Beach.
Retired Maj. Culver has served his country on two occasions, with more than 20 years in the Air Force. The first time, he joined the Air Corps as an aviation cadet and later flew jets. He left the Air Corps in 1945, yet was recalled in 1952 as an aircraft controller and instructor. He retired in 1969, having been stationed stateside from Michigan to Texas, Alabama, Florida, Alaska, and across waters in Japan and the Philippines. Once retired from the military, Mr. Culver worked for Gordons Jewelers as a credit supervisor until he retired completely in 1988.
Retired Maj. Culver was a member of the Retired Officers Club and Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, where he played with same foursome for 20-plus years. He was an artist and loved sharing his gift of pencil sketching with relatives and friends.
Retired Maj. Culver is survived by the two most important women in his life, his loving wife, Betty, of 45 years, and his daughter, Susan Culver Suhr. He is also survived by his loving son-in-law, Maj. Scott Suhr of Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and his brother, Wesley Clinton Culver and family of Little Pines, S.C.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 1998, in the Emerald Coast Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Lung Association or the charity of your choice in the memory of retired Maj. George H. Culver Jr.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of the arrangements.
Cranston Elder
Retired Master Sgt. Cranston Elder, age 64, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, March 5, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was born in Palmetto, Ga., on April 1, 1933, to the late Arthur and Susie Elder.
Master Sgt. Elder had been a resident of the Fort Walton Beach area since 1976, when he moved from New Mexico. He served his country as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. He was a friend of many and helped anyone he could. He loved dogs.
Master Sgt. Elder is survived by three brothers, Hiram Elder of Georgia, Cecil Elder and wife Jean of Texas, and Rubin Elder of Georgia; sister, Ruby Kate McDay of Michigan; nieces and nephews; and two loving friends, Gregory White and Jody.
Memorialization will be by cremation, with the cremains being buried in Fort Barrancas Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
George Thomas Jones
George Thomas Jones died March 2, 1998, after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Tom (as he was known) was born on June 22, 1915, in Mattoon, Ill. He was the only child of Robert Willis and Edna Athey Jones. He grew up in southern Illinois and also Indianapolis. He attended Butler University and was a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia with a degree in journalism. Following graduation he was hired as the editor of a small town newspaper in Missouri and at the time was the youngest editor of all papers in the state.
He served as a finance officer in the U.S. Army during World War II and met and married Doris Martha Erwin of San Benito, Texas, while stationed at Harlingen Army Air Base in Harlingen, Texas. He held many different jobs during his lifetime. He worked for Glidden Paint Co., General Motors, and finally for Allstate Insurance Co., from which he retired in 1981 after 27 years.
He and his wife Doris retired to Hilton Head Island, S.C., in 1983, where they were members of the First Presbyterian Church. They moved to the Renaissance at Sandestin two years ago to be closer to their family.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Doris Erwin Jones; daughter, Annette Linn and husband Tom of Niceville, Fla., and son, Richard Jones and wife Joan of Prairie Village, Kan. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Sean Linn of Albuquerque, N.M., Shannon Mitchell and husband Chuck of West Point, N.Y., Hilary and Parker Jones of Silverton, Ore., and Spencer, Lindsey and Brian Jones of Prairie Village.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville, conducted by the Rev. Davis Rhodes of First United Methodist Church in Niceville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, Box 278, Niceville, FL 32588. His ashes will be interred in the columbarium of First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Laura Ann Peterson
Laura Ann Peterson, age 34, of Atlanta died unexpectedly on March 7, 1998.
She was born at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and was a resident of Mary Esther, Fla., for the greater part of her short life.
She will be deeply missed by her parents, Hal and Lois Peterson; brother, Chip Peterson and wife Deborah; sister, Paula Farland and husband Jay; brothers, Harry Peterson and wife Lisa, and Howard Peterson and wife Sharon. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews whom she cherished dearly, Chelsea and Jared Farland, Allison and Zachary Peterson, Grant Peterson and Alexandra Peterson, who, along with her many close and special friends and co-workers, will miss her always.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Mortuary, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Mary Blanche Powell
Mary Blanche Jarratt Powell, age 86, was rewarded for her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ upon her death on March 9, 1998, and now resides with the saints in Heaven.
She was born on Oct. 14, 1911, in Sardis, Miss., and married Steve Houston Powell on March 1, 1929. They settled in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1949.
She was preceded in death by her husband and by their infant son, James R. Powell. This gracious, hospitable, southern lady and friend of many is survived by her sons, Steve J. Powell Sr. and wife Joann Benton Powell, and Richard H. Powell and wife Cynthia Hesterly Powell of Fort Walton Beach; seven grandchildren, Mariann Powell Alonzo and husband Joseph Alonzo of Point Washington, Fla., Stephanie Powell Engle and husband Douglas Engle of Huntsville, Ala., S. Jarratt Powell Jr. and wife Jeannie Powell of Nashville, Tenn., Drew Benton Powell of Nashville, Rebecca Powell, Robert Powell and Susan Powell of Fort Walton Beach; and eight great-grandchildren, Joey Alonzo, Sarah Engle, David Alonzo, Emily Engle, Justin Powell, Michael Alonzo, John Engle and Annie Engle.
Mary Blanche was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach for 49 years, where she fulfilled her calling as an intercessory prayer warrior. She faithfully supported numerous ministries, including the 700 Club, Radio Bible Class, Ben Haden, In Touch, and avidly watched her TV minister, Dr. Charles Stanley.
Funeral services will be conducted at First United Methodist Church, 102 First St., Fort Walton Beach, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Revs. Jim Ross, Dallas Little and Syd Lock officiating. A visitation will also take place at the church beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral.
Pallbearers will be Charles O'Neal, Julian Katz, John McGee, Allen Reynolds, William J. Roberts III and Patrick O'Neal.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Benevolence Fund of First United Methodist Church are suggested.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Ernest Haskell Austin
Retired Master Sgt. Ernest Haskell Austin, age 73, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Saturday, March 7, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was born on April 7, 1924, in Costa Mesa, Calif., to the late Haskell and May Brown. Master Sgt. Austin had been a resident of the Fort Walton Beach area since 1959 after moving here from Germany. He served his country for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force during the Panama Canal incident, Berlin Airlift in Germany, Japan/Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War.
Master Sgt. Austin is survived by his wife, Marianne Austin; sons, Michael and Donald Austin, all of Fort Walton Beach; several brothers and sisters; and grandchild, Donald Austin Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Air Force Enlisted Widow's Foundation, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, Fla., in memory of Retired Master Sgt. Ernest H. Austin.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley J. Phillips
Shirley J. Phillips, age 73, of Niceville, Fla., died Saturday morning, March 7, 1998, at The Manor in Bluewater Bay.
She went peacefully in her sleep after many months of trying to recover from heart surgery and related problems. Shirley was a resident of Niceville since 1954 and tried to keep up with town meetings and helped former elected official, Granny Edge, get to all her functions around town and the state. She was owner/operator of Phils Taxi in the late '60s to the late '70s.
Shirley was best known for her honesty and humor around town and was extremely proud of Niceville and all it people. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Annita Phillips; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Kenny Payne; sister and brother-in-law, Mariom and Grant Sickles; grandson, Nicholas Phillips; granddaughters, Shannon Hill and Kristin Schobert; sister-in-law, Doris Phillips; great-grandsons and granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.
The funeral service will be held at the United Pentecostal Church of Niceville at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13, with the Rev. Kenneth W. Boller officiating. Interment will follow at 1:15 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., where Mrs. Phillips will be laid to rest with her husband, Thomas M. Phillips Jr.
Flowers may be sent to 1217 Fink Road, Niceville.
Ernest Haskell Austin
Retired Master Sgt. Ernest Haskell Austin, age 73, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Saturday, March 7, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was born on April 7, 1924, in Costa Mesa, Calif., to the late Haskell and May Brown. Master Sgt. Austin had been a resident of the Fort Walton Beach area since 1959 after moving here from Germany. He served his country for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force during the Panama Canal incident, Berlin Airlift in Germany, Japan/Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War.
Master Sgt. Austin is survived by his wife, Marianne Austin; sons, Michael and Donald Austin, all of Fort Walton Beach; several brothers and sisters; and grandchild, Donald Austin Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Air Force Enlisted Widow's Foundation, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, Fla., in memory of Retired Master Sgt. Ernest H. Austin.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Raymond C. Strunk
Raymond C. Strunk died Sunday, March 8, 1998.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1917, in Missoula, Mont., and graduated in 1935 from South High School in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota, majoring in banking and accounting.
For the duration of World War II, he served in the Navy Air Corps, then transferred to the U.S. Air Force until his retirement in 1973. He married Helen Scott of Arcadia, Fla., in 1954. Her death occurred in 1977.
Following his retirement from the Air Force he devoted his time transporting wheelchair patients to doctors, dentists, therapy, church, concerts, picnics, etc. He was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church; Legion of Mary; prison ministry; and was for many years a church organist. He also made rosaries and sent over 12,000 to missionaries worldwide.
He is survived by one sister, Sister Marie Raymond Strunk of Cheyenne, Wyo.; sister-in-law, Sonnie Turner of Arcadia; nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents, Raymond C. and Mary M. Strunk; and a brother, William E. Strunk.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 13, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Catholic Church with Father Joseph Callipare and Monsignor Cunningham officiating.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home is entrusted with services.
Clinton Taylor
Clinton "Clint" Taylor, age 74, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Wednesday, March 11, 1998, at his home.
He was born in Berry, Ala., to Grover C. and Effie Watkins Taylor. Mr. Taylor moved to Florida in 1956 from Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he was a teacher and coach. He was a teacher and school administrator until he retired as principal of Richbourg Middle School in 1978. Mr. Taylor served in World War II in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Taylor of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Lucie Taylor of Westville, Fla.; daughter, Judy Taylor of Marannia, Fla.; and sisters, Daisy Conrad of Alabaster, Fla., and Alice Cannon of Gulfport, Miss.
Funeral services will be conducted from Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13, with the Rev. Kenneth Cadle and Ron Meade officiating. Burial will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
