Suwannee Democrat Obituaries-Oct. 31, 2012

Live Oak —

Madelon Bowen Beecher

Oct. 25, 2012

Madelon Bowen Beecher, 90, passed away Thursday, Oct. 25,2012 following a long illness.

She was born in Quitman, Ga., but grew-up in Monticello, Fla. and moved to the O’Brien, Fla., area 25 years ago from Jacksonville, Fla., She was a bookkeeper for Tri-County ARC, and a member of O’Brien Baptist Church.

Mrs. Beecher is predeceased by her husband, Pershing ‘P.L.” Beecher, son-in-law, Ben Thigpen.

A brother, William Hill Bowen.

Survivors include, two daughters, Peggy Beecher Bradow & Victor of O’Brien, FL, Anna Theresa Thigpen of Buford, GA one sister, Frances Bowen Bowers of Monticello, FL.

Seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were conducted Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 in Daniels Memorial Chapel with

her grandson Mr Robert Bradow officiating. Interment followed in O’Brien Cemetery.

Visitation was held Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers,contributions

May be made to Hospice of the Nature Coast, P.O.Box 641270 Beverly Hills , FL 34464

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory,Inc of Branford in charge of arrangements

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Ward Hellstrom

Feb. 2, 1930 -

Oct. 23, 2012

Ward Hellstrom, 82, of Live Oak, FL died on Wednesday, October 23, 2012 during hip surgery at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville, FL. He was born to the late Edward Klaus and Bernice Hellstrom in Evanston, IL on February 2, 1930, grew up in Wilmette, IL and graduated from New Trier High. He attended Northwestern University for his undergraduate studies, at 6’’8”” tall, played basketball at Northwestern and received a PhD in English from the University of Illinois.

In l96l he became an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Florida and moved through the ranks to full Professor. In l976 he became the Chairman of the English Department at UF and was Editor of the Victorian Newsletter for some 30 years (a journal that circulated to universities and scholars across the country and internationally).

In 1981 he became the Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY and also continued to teach English. In 1991 he left the deanship and returned to full-time teaching and remained until his retirement in 2007.

Ward was a highly respected scholar and well published in Victorian literature though his interest expanded far beyond his field of study. He was a man of knowledge on many subjects, but never flaunted his intelligence. His love for books resulted in a personal library of over 6,000 books, most of which he donated to the WKU Library after his retirement.

He was a champion of equality for women and in the early l970's, as the first youth basketball coach in Gainesville, he allowed girls on his boys' team and he gave them starting positions. The team went from losing all games in the first season to being undefeated in the third season. Many of the players gave Ward the credit for their successes later in life. He fought relentlessly for equal pay for women and helped start Women in Transition at WKU (a support group for older students starting or returning to college).

He was a past President of the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green, served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hospice of South Central Kentucky, and held numerous leadership roles in the academic world.

He was a humanitarian, a voracious reader, an avid fisherman, a devout democrat, and also loved watching his Northwestern Wildcats.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Louise (the former Louise Robinson Brown of Live Oak, FL), her daughter Tammi Beach (Robert) of Bowling Green, KY, his daughter Lory Doty of Gainesville, FL and sons Josh (Leslie) of Gainesville, FL, Nat (Jill) of Hickory, NC, Zach of Gainesville, FL, Tom Benthin (Stephanie) of Glen Ellen, CA and 17 grandchildren. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters. He is already dearly missed. He requested cremation and no public funeral or memorial service. The family will celebrate his life at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Western Kentucky University, College Heights Foundation,1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Daniels Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. in Live Oak, FL is in charge of arrangements.

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Joseph “Joe” Jordan

Jan. 4, 1933 -

Oct. 27, 2012

Joseph “Joe” Jordan, age 79 of Live Oak, Fla., passed away early Saturday morning, Oct. 27, 2012 at Shands UF in Gainesville, Fla. He was a native of Mickleton, N.J. moving to Live Oak in 1969 from Lake City, Fla.

Joe graduated from Gainesville High School in 1950. He was a self-employed insurance agent having founded the Jordan Agency in 1974. He started raising beef master cattle in 1979. Joe dedicated his life to being a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather who also loved his church and doing for others. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

He was predeceased by a son, Joe Henry Jordan and a sister, Jane Karasik.

He is survived by his wife, Julia Jordan, Live Oak; one son, Andy (Ramona) Jordan, Live Oak; two daughters, Cindy (Glenn) Horvath, Live Oak; Lynne (Tom) Buchanan, Louisville, Ky.; his daughter-in-law, Lyn Jordan, Polk City, Fla.; one brother, Rev. Jimmy (Doris) Jordan, Schnecksville, Pa.; one sister, Esther Mulheron, Ft. Washington, Md.; 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Visitation was held Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Herrington officiating. Internment followed in the Live Oak Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Food Ministry, 401 W. Howard Street, Live Oak, FL 32064 or Bellville Community Baptist Church, 14719 40th St., Live Oak, FL 32060.

Please sign the guest book at www.harrisfuneralhomeinc.net.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, FL was in charge of all arrangements.

James Edward Koon

Oct. 24, 2012

James Edward Koon, age 69, passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at North Florida Regional Medical Center. Mr. Koon was a native and lifelong resident of Lafayette County, Florida, and was the son of the late Alfred Herman Koon and the late former Loycell Forehand. Mr. Koon was an active member of the Mayo Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and a Trustee. He was a Loving and Devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family. Mr. Koon was a longtime Dairy farmer and also worked for many years with the Farmers Co-op in Live Oak. In his spare time he enjoyed cooking for his friends and family, farming and gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane Winburn Koon, of Mayo, (2) sons, Michael Edward Koon, James Kevin Koon and wife Sonya, a daughter, Cynthia Jane Clay, and husband Ben, one sister, Louise Koon Hewett, and husband Charles, all of Mayo, FL, (10) grandchildren, (1) great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral Services will be conducted at Mayo Baptist Church on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 4:00 pm with Bro. Chip Parker, Bro. David McMullen and Bro. Rick James officiating. Interment will follow in Airline Cemetery. The family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service starting at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mayo Baptist Church Future Growth Fund or the Airline Baptist Church Building Fund.

You may send condolences to the family at: www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com

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Earl Alric Morton

Oct. 28, 1916 -

Oct. 4, 2012

Earl Alric Morton, 95, from Advent Christian Village, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at Haven Hospice in Lake City, Fla.

He was born in Seattle, Wa. on Oct. 28, 1916, where he grew up, attended college and later joined Safeco Insurance Companies, working for them 30 years. He became their district manager in the southern states, spending much of his life in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina. While living in Georgia, he was a realtor broker, helping to develop new suburban areas. After retirement, he moved to Alligator Point, Fla. where he continued to be active as a volunteer fire fighter and first responder for 20 years. Upon being drafted in 1941, he found himself in Hawaii on Christmas eve following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was sent back to the mainland for officer’s training and landed in Normandy, France after the initial invasion on D-Day. He ended up in Germany and was part of the occupation forces. Remaining in the Army Reserves, he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

He has been an active member in DeMolay, Masons and the Shrine. Barrett Lodge recently honored him for 65 years as a Mason. He was awarded Volunteer of the Year, for civic service and honored by the vice concul of France and his contribution of liberating France from the Nazis.

Wherever he has lived he has been active in churches of varying denominations. While on Alligator Point, he was ordained as a Deacon in Mission by the Sea, an interdemoninational church. He moved to ACV Dowling Park in 2004 following the death of his second wife.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mauritz Alfred Morton and Ann Ekstrom Morton, immigrants from Sweden, who became naturalized citizens; also his first wife, Carolyn Butts Morton, and second wife, Elaine Crew Morton. He is survived by his wife, Norma Harder Morton, Dowling Park, Fla.; daughters, Georgia Kerrick, Johnstown, Pa.; Patricia Morton, Amelia Island, Fla.; and Jo Ann Morton, Decatur, Ga; grandchildren Jason Morton, Clearwater, Fla.; Edward (Ted) Kerrick, Washington, D.C., and Aly Morton, Decatur, Ga.

A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Bixler Chapel at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, Fla.

ICS Cremation and Funeral Home, Lake City, Fla. in charge of arrangements.

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Donald Eugene Rose

December 11, 1931

October 27, 2012

Donald Eugene Rose, age 80 of Dowling Park, FL passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Shands of UF in Gainesville, FL. He was a native of Charleston, WV moving to Dowling Park in 2008 from Monterey, VA. He worked as a printer for the Curtis 1000 Printing Company and since retiring he enjoyed traveling. He attended the Beachville Advent Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Rose, Dowling Park, FL; one sister, Angela Shawver, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, November 1, 2012 in the Bixler Memorial Gardens East cemetery with Rev. Bruce Arnold officiating.

Please sign the guest book at www.harrisfuneralhomeinc.net.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, FL is in charge of arrangements.

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Robert Jeseph

Westrich, Sr.

May 26, 1954

October 26, 2012

Robert Joseph Westrich, Sr., age 58 of Live Oak, FL passed away Friday, Oct. 26 2012 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was a native of Cape Girardeau, MO moving to Live Oak in 1986 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Robert was employed by Walmart of Live Oak. He enjoyed collecting antique and model cars, working on his 1965 Ford Mustang and playing pool.

He is survived by his wife, Dollie Westrich, Live Oak, FL; five sons, Robert J. Westrich, Jr. and William J. Westrich both of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Warren Davis, Jr., Live Oak; Michael (Katlin) Westrich, Live Oak and Charles Anthony (Candace Renee Adams) Westrich, Panama City Beach, FL; two daughters, Kimberly Davis (Michael Nail), Live Oak; Tiffany (Marc) Westrich/Jones, Lake City, FL; his step father, Anthony DiMaria, Port St. Lucie, FL; one sister, Shirley Haley, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; thirteen grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, November 3, 2012 in the Brody Harris Memorial Chapel.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc., Live Oak, FL is in charge of all arrangements.

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Dave Pollard

Dave Pollard, 66, O’Brien, Fl passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live & Branford, Fl.

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Irvin Joseph Jacob

Irvin Joseph Jacob, 81, Live Oak, Fl away on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Live & Branford, Fl.