Obituaries
James A. Butler OCT 29, 1958 - AUG 22, 2014
SAVANNAH - James Allen Butler, age 55, died August 22, 2014 at Candler Hospital surrounded by his wife and very close, special friends. He was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota on October 29, 1958 and grew up in Tempe, Arizona. During his high school years he was third in the state of Arizona in the Pentathlon Competition. He graduated from Marcos de Niza High School. After attending Community College and joining the Army, he became a helicopter pilot, specializing in instruction of flying CH47 Chinook for 20 years. He served his country for 23 years in Oklahoma, Korea, Alabama, South Carol ...
Rosalie Petrosino Schwind MAR 15, 1919 - AUG 22, 2014
R. Patricia Schwind A New Yorker by birth, Rosalie lived in Savannah, GA since 1986 with her beloved husband, George, who passed away in November, 1991. They both resided at the Landings on Skidaway Island, and remained there until 2006, when Rosalie moved to Savannah Square. A graduate of Rider College, Rosalie was a talented artist who expressed her skills through various mediums, which included floral arrangements, watercolors, and oils. While in Savannah, she volunteered at St. James Catholic Church and at Memorial Hospital. Surviving are her two sons, George Schwind of Glen Ellyn, Illinoi ...
Kathy Wimer Nelson OCT 16, 1963 - AUG 22, 2014
Kathy Wimer Nelson, 50, died Friday, August 22, 2014 of complications from a sudden illness. She was born in Newton, New Jersey, October 16, 1963. She graduated from Norfolk High School in Norfolk, NE in 1982 and received a degree in elementary education from Kearney State College, Kearney, NE in 1987. She was a teacher in Omaha, NE, San Diego, CA, and Morgantown, WV. For the past 15 years, Kathy lived happily in Savannah with her husband Danny B. Nelson and their son Cooper, age 8. She was a devoted wife and mother who shared her talents and joy for life with her family, friends and Isle of H ...
Edward J. Woodhouse FEB 21, 1923 - AUG 21, 2014
Edward John Woodhouse, 91, died on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Savannah Square, after a lengthy decline in health. Ed was born in Brooklyn, New York to Albert John Woodhouse and Ruth W. Lippincott but called Savannah home since 1947 when he visited here with his good friend and future brother-in-law, J. Haynes Waters, Jr. When he met Haynes’ sister, Helen Waters, he never went back North. Helen and Ed were married in September, 1948, enrolled at the University of Georgia and graduated, and shared life for 61 years until Helen died in 2010. Ed’s Air Force career took them all over the United ...
Herman Joseph Methfessel JAN 06, 1929 - AUG 21, 2014
Herman Joseph Methfessel of Savannah, Georgia, known for his quick wit and sense of humor, died peacefully on August 21, 2014. He was 85. Herman was born in New York on January 6, 1929, the son of Nancy MacDonald Methfessel and Herman Joseph Methfessel. Herman joined the United States Air Force after graduating from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. He was a distinguished fighter pilot in the Korean and Vietnam wars, helped develop the first computerized air defense missile system, served as a staff officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and retired from the Air Force in 1972 with numerous A ...
John Ely Simpson, Jr. JUN 07, 1959 - AUG 20, 2014
SAVANNAH - John Ely Simpson Jr., died peacefully on August 20, 2014 of complications from diabetes. Born in Savannah on June 7, 1959, Ely was the son of Marjorie McKinnon Simpson and the late John Ely Simpson. Ely graduated from Savannah Country Day School in 1977. In 1981, he graduated with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Ely took great pride in his work as a landscape professional throughout his life, and he had many friends and interests. He was a passionate supporter of the University of Georgia fo ...
Robert Freeman Trenaman SEP 30, 1933 - AUG 19, 2014
Robert Freeman Trenaman, 80, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was born in Kokomo, Indiana, son of Robert Wilcher Trenaman and Miriam Freeman Trenaman. He was a graduate of Palm Beach High School and then attended the University of Florida graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Upon graduation, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. After the military, Mr. Trenaman continued his education at Georgia Tech. He then started a career as a Certified Public Accountant in Savannah and C ...
Linda Cubbedge Langston FEB 24, 1950 - AUG 18, 2014
Linda Cubbedge Langston, 64, passed away August 18, 2014, at Hospice Savannah. She was born February 24, 1950, in Savannah, to the late Wilbur and Nira Cubbedge of Rocky Ford. She grew up on Wilmington Island, and after graduating from Savannah High School, Linda received a BA (Political Science) from Armstrong State College, and a MA (Political Science) and Ed.D (Adult Education) from The University of Georgia. She was an educator during her life working at Calvary Day School/Savannah (1973-74); Savannah State College (1974-75); and Gainesville Junior College/Gainesville College (1976-2001) [ ...
William Prentiss (Billy) Mitchell, Sr. SEP 25, 1954 - AUG 17, 2014
William Prentiss “Billy” Mitchell, Sr., 59 of Tybee Island, Georgia passed away unexpectedly on the evening of August 17, 2014. He was born September 25, 1954 in Ruston, Louisiana son of John A. Mitchell, Sr. and Marjorie Pardue Mitchell. He was a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and was a veteran of the United States Army. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Judy Mitchell, Martha Jane King, Glenda Mitchell; father-in-law, J. W. Strozier, Sr. and brother-in-law, J.W. “Jay” Strozier. Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Charlotte “Chancy” Mitchell of Tybee Isla ...
Kathy Jean Sandvig APR 29, 1951 - AUG 17, 2014
Kathy Walker Sandvig Kathy Walker Sandvig, 63, died Saturday, August 17, 2014 after battling for many years with Multiple Sclerosis. She was born April 29, 1951 to Norman Lee and Margaret Jean Walker. Kathy earned a master’s degree and was a teacher for many years in Dekalb County, GA. She is survived by her husband, Robert Sandvig, of Savannah, her mother, Margaret Jean Walker, of Virginia, two sons, Christopher Snider (Ashley), of Pooler, and Stephen Snider (Heather), of California, grandson, Ridge Snider, her brother, Steve Walker (Katie), and her sister, Karen Cooke, (Rob), both of Virgini ...
Daniel M. Williams, Sr. NOV 11, 1930 - AUG 16, 2014
Savannah- Daniel M. Williams, Sr., 83, passed away Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Oceanside Nursing Home. Mr. Williams was a life-long resident of Savannah. He graduated in 1949 from Savannah High School, and then obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Armstrong Junior College. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired after twenty years with Buiderama. He was a Communicant of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and Ex-Exalted Ruler of the Elks, Savannah Lodge #183. His wife of forty years, Willodean Sharpe Williams preceded him in death. Survivors include his children, Daniel “Rosco” Williams ...
Ake Svenson AUG 31, 1937 - AUG 15, 2014
SAVANNAH - Ake Svenson passed away Friday, August 15, 2014 He was born on August 31, 1937 to Sven and Naemi Svenson in Vaxjo, Sweden and grew up in the city of Orebro, Sweden. Following university studies in St. Gallen, Switzerland, Ake enjoyed a career in international banking that included assignments in Stockholm, New York, Dallas, Brussels and Luxembourg. Before retiring in Savannah, he developed and managed a private bank in Luxembourg for a Swedish Industrialist. Family meant everything to Ake. He met the great love of his life, Kristina in Stockholm, Sweden in May 1966 and proposed to ...
Edmund Walter Ruchalski AUG 26, 1942 - AUG 13, 2014
Edmund Walter Ruchalski died Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at his residence. He was born August 26, 1942 in Camden, New Jersey son of the late Edmund Lawrence Ruchalski and Jean Dyl Ruchalski. He was a court reporter for Chatham County Records Court for over thirty years and was a communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Mr. Ruchalski is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judith Cerbone Ruchalski of Savannah; two children, Karen Ruchalski Mahoney (Timothy Patrick Mahoney) of Savannah; Christopher Jason Ruchalski (Erin Clayton Ruchalski) of Savannah; four grandchildren (light of his li ...
Dorothy Riley Whitfield NOV 19, 1925 - AUG 12, 2014
Dorothy Riley Whitfield, 88, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. She was born in Ashland, Alabama, on November 19, 1925 to Eustace D. Riley, Sr. and Oma Smith Riley. She graduated from Auburn University where she met her late husband Thomas H. Whitfield, Jr. They were married for 53 years. Mrs. Whitfield was a long time member of First Baptist Church of the Islands where she was also a member of the Friendship Class. Mrs. Whitfield is survived by her daughter, Judith Heisler and husband Nathan of Charlotte, N.C.; two sons, Neal Whitfield and wife Donna of Sava ...
William E. M. Belford AUG 07, 1945 - AUG 11, 2014
William E. M. Belford William E. M. Belford, also known as “Dub” passed away peacefully at home with his daughter by his side. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi on August 7, 1945 and lived in Savannah most of his life. A graduate of UGA, he also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cary, and is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and James Forrest, his grandson Taylor, also by his son and daughter-in-law Casey and Sarah Horan, and grandchildren Emily, Isaac, and Leah. Cremation has already taken place and the family will scatter the ...
Robert (Tony) Harrell JUL 22, 1946 - AUG 10, 2014
Robert Anthony “Tony” Harrell Robert Anthony Harrell, 68, died Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. Tony was born July 22, 1946 to the late Hubert and Louise Harrell. He was served in the U.S. Army and was retired from Bell South as an Electronics Technician. He was a resident of Tybee Island for past year and a half, and loved spending time with his family on the Island. He is survived by his former wife, Dee Rice Harrell, four sons, Benjamin Anthony Harrell, (Valerie), Zachary Robert Harrell (Brooke Butler), Matthew Tribble Harrell (Anna Marie), and Jonathan Lynn ...
Rudolph Herbert Brushwood MAR 05, 1921 - AUG 09, 2014
Rudolph Herbert Brushwood, 93, of Simsbury, husband of the late Eleanor (Hutchinson) Brushwood, died Saturday, August 9, 2014 at McLean in Simsbury. He was born March 5, 1921 in Savannah, GA, son of the late William Oscar and Alice (Phillips) Brushwood. Rudy was a mechanical engineering graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology and a graduate of the John Marshall School of Law, both in Atlanta, GA. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy in underwater detonation in the Pacific Theater. He was among the first ashore in three invasions, including Iwo Jima, and was part ...
William Tarver JUL 15, 1927 - AUG 09, 2014
William B. Tarver, 87, of Bluffton, SC, passed away August 9th, 2014, at his home after a short illness. Born July 15, 1927 to William B. and Vera (Mason) Tarver he spent his youth in Savannah where he graduated from Savannah High School in 1945. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Navy during World War II where he received flight training. After serving his country he attended Tulane and Clemson Universities obtaining a degree in Chemistry. Married to Helen Dunn DeVere on June 12, 1948 the couple lived briefly in Clemson and Atlanta before settling into the home in Bluffton that they shared ...
William Jacob (Will) Wade DEC 31, 1969 - AUG 08, 2014
William Jacob “Will” Wade 12/31/1969 – 08/08/2014 Savannah, GA - His parents, brothers, a large and very close family, many friends and business associates of William Jacob Wade, are heartbroken to accept and announce the sudden death of one of our own. Affectionately known as “Will”, he was born in Savannah, GA on New Year’s Eve in 1969 and attended local schools including St. Paul’s, Memorial Day, Armstrong State and Georgia Southern University. Will grew-up in and around his family antiques’ businesses and shared a lifetime love of antiques and Savannah’s history. He was co-owner of “Old Sa ...
Ann Farley Cahill NOV 19, 1942 - AUG 06, 2014
Ann Farley Cahill, 72, of Savannah, Georgia passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2014 of complications associated with kidney infection. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah Georgia. A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the fall, 2014. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Aloysious Farley and Dorothy Metzke Farley and brothers, Robert A. Farley, Jr. and John Albert Farley. She ...
Billy E. Smith JUL 28, 1928 - AUG 05, 2014
Mr. Billy E. Smith, 73, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at his home after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Lou Griffin Smith, and his brother, Ron Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, and his loving family. Billy was blessed with 2 sons, Billy Smith, of Savannah, and Jamie Smith, of Jacksonville, three sisters, Carolyn Sloop (Bill), Gloria Smith, Wanda Boss (Jerry), one brother, Larry Smith (Lisa). He is also survived by his step-children, Michael W. Kearney (Bennie), Lisa Kearney (Matt), and Andrea Clague, granddaughter, Niamh Kenny, his m ...
Wilmatine Blackburn Hodges NOV 21, 1925 - AUG 05, 2014
SAVANNAH - Wilmatine Blackburn Hodges, 88, passed away Tuesday, August 5. 2014, at her home on Isle of Hope. Born in Statesboro, Bulloch County, Georgia on November 21, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Furman G. and Lillie Blackburn. Mrs. Hodges was a member of Isle of Hope Baptist Church for fifty-eight years. She was a devoted and loving mother and was employed at Levy’s and Belk department stores for many years. Surviving are a sister, Evelyn Livingston of Charleston, SC; her children, William Hugh Hodges, Jr. (Diane) of Springfield, GA, Robert Allen Hodges of Biloxi, MS, Gwen Monroe of ...
Paul Anthony Paulie Santos, Jr. JUL 01, 1976 - AUG 04, 2014
Paul Anthony Santos, Jr., age 38, was born in New York City Hospital, July 1, 1976 to Nadine Kimbrough and the late Paul Santos, Sr. He departed this life at North Fulton Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, on August, 4, 2014. Paul affectionately known by close friends and family as “Paulie” and “P”, was raised in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. He was educated in the Long Island City, New York school system, attended Glen Mills High School of Pennsylvania, and attended Armstrong Atlantic State University from 2012-2013. He previously resided in Florida, and lived in Savannah, Georgia from 2010-201 ...
Gladys Ross Elliott - AUG 04, 2014
Gladys Ross Elliott, 90, widow of Lt. Col. Laurence E. Elliott, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 04, 2014, at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Elliott was born September 6, 1923 in Deatsville, Alabama to the late John A. and Maggie N. Ross. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, James L. Elliott; one sister, Dorothy R. Daigneau ; and her brother, Jack C. Ross. After graduation from Marbury High School she married her "Buddy" on May 24, 1942 and moved to Savannah in 1955 where she was a homemaker. She and her husband were devoted long-time members of Cokesbury United ...
Gretchen Lee Hayes MAR 05, 1980 - AUG 02, 2014
Savannah, GA - Gretchen Lee Hayes, 34, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. She was born in Fort Madison, Iowa daughter of Joseph F. Rupp and Rebecca J. Clay. Gretchen grew up in Fort Madison and was a 1998 graduate of Fort Madison Community High School. She attended college graduating early with a Bachelor’s Degree from Charleston Southern University in 2001. Gretchen then received a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Clarion University and served as the Child Services Librarian in Mason City, Iowa. In 2010, Gretchen and her family moved to Savannah ...