Obituaries
Michael Edward Ruddy FEB 01, 1934 - OCT 19, 2014
Michael Edward Ruddy of Savannah, GA, died peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Hospice Savannah, surrounded by family, after a long battle with mantle cell lymphoma. His wife, Barbara, was holding his hand and Daniel Hope's Four Seasons was playing in the background. A perfect way for a gentle giant to move forward. He is survived by his wife of nearly thirty-eight years, Barbara, the love of his life, his three children Kimi Miller, Ian Ruddy and Lisa Wagner and his nine grandchildren Mark, Chris, Jason, Josh, Mara, Eli, James, Joseph and Dominic. Mike was one of six siblings includin ...
Helen Virginia Reynolds AUG 20, 1932 - OCT 19, 2014
SAVANNAH - Helen Virginia Reynolds, age 83, passed away October 19, 2014 at the home of her daughter under the care of Hospice Savannah. Mrs. Reynolds was born in Watertown, Massachusetts and lived in New Jersey and San Diego before moving to Savannah to be close to her family. She was the President of Volunteers at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego for many years as well as a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. She did beautiful crochet work and donated many blankets to the Ronald McDonald House for children receiving treatment. She leaves behind two daughters, Sharon Viles (Nathan) ...
Daniel Winfield Smith, Jr. NOV 03, 1940 - OCT 18, 2014
STATESBORO – Daniel Winfield Smith Jr. died unexpectedly October 18, 2014 at his home in Statesboro, Georgia. He was born on November 3, 1940 in Savannah, Georgia to Evelyn Minick and Daniel W. Smith Sr. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia Southern. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his son, Daniel W. Smith III (Dawn); grandchildren, Anthony, Harrison, and Ethan; sisters, Mary Thomas, Cindy Davis, and Dana Dahringer; an uncle, Tab Smith; an aunt, Ray Lanier; special cousin, Ronny Minick; special friend, Sam DiPolito; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Me ...
Russell L. Fredrich NOV 29, 1930 - OCT 18, 2014
Russell L. Fredrich, 83, died Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was born and raised in New York City, the son of Robert and Anna Fredrich. After High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps and attended basic training at Parris Island, S.C. He served his country during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he settled in Savannah and worked as a sales manager for WTOC Radio. Later, he founded WXLM 97.3 the first FM radio station in Savannah. In 1976, he sold the station and founded Fredrich and Associates, an advertising agency still in operat ...
George Andrew Minster MAR 01, 1919 - OCT 18, 2014
George Andrew Minster passed away peacefully on the morning of October 18, 2014 from natural causes at the age of 95. George was surrounded and comforted by family and friends at Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties in Franklin Ohio. George resided with his granddaughter, Margaret Phillips and her family in Liberty Township Ohio for the past 5 years. George was born in Ruffsdale, PA on March 1, 1919. He was the son of Mary R. Minster and Earnest J. Minster. Like his brothers, Earnest (Ernie) and Robert (Bobby), George joined the US Army in April 1941 and later married, Margaret Elizabeth Grif ...
Robert Thomas Cheely MAY 03, 1942 - OCT 17, 2014
Claxton- Robert Thomas “Bob” Cheely, 72, passed away Friday, October 17, 2014 at Georgia Regents Hospital in Augusta. Bob was born in Savannah and lived for the past seventeen years in Claxton. Surviving is his wife, Linda Cheely; daughter, Amanda Castillo (Rafael); granddaughters, Isabella and Valentina; sister, Carolyn Brannigan and many nieces & nephews. A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Bonaventure Cemetery. Please sign our on line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com ...
Lorane H. Minis MAR 19, 1918 - OCT 16, 2014
Ms. Lorane H. Minis SAVANNAH, GA – Ms. Lorane H. Minis, a pioneering woman executive in corporate America, died October 16, 2014. She was 96. Ambition, energy and intellectual curiosity were the driving forces in Lorane Minis’ life. They carried her from the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression to a demanding and successful career that saw her become the top-ranking woman executive at two Fortune 500 companies at a time when most opportunities were denied to women. In return, she believed in giving back to her community and mentoring young people on the benefits of ethics, thrift and hard work ...
Gerald Wesley Edenfield OCT 09, 1944 - OCT 16, 2014
Savannah- Gerald Wesley Edenfield, 70, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was a graduate of Savannah High School, served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for IBM Corporation for fifteen years. Mr. Edenfield was preceded in death by his son, Gerald Wesley Edenfield, Jr. Surviving are his wife of fifty one years, Karen Tidwell Edenfield; daughter, Donna Edenfield Mosley (Ben); grandchildren, Tiffany Simons, Staci Smith (RJ), Dora Walker, Jarrod Edenfield, Eddie Edenfield and five great-grandchildren, Bryce, Marli, Hayden, Liam, and Rebecca. The famil ...
Ollie "Tutie" Rowe FEB 15, 1924 - OCT 16, 2014
SAVANNAH – Ollie Gentry Rowe was born February 15, 1924, the third child of Mr. Fred S. Gentry and Mrs. Edna Hillier Gentry. She went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 16, 2014. She was a homemaker and the wife of the late Coy M. Rowe, Sr. with whom she had eight children. Ollie was married to Coy for 63 years until his passing in 2009. She was also preceded in death by a son, Clinton R. Rowe. Surviving children include her daughter Mrs. Edna Rowe Carter and son-in-law, Kenneth B. Carter, Sr. of Mobile, AL; daughter Miss Barbara Rowe Coone of Savannah, GA; son, Mr. Coy McNeal Rowe, Jr. ...
Nancy Charmil Vetter NOV 11, 1936 - OCT 16, 2014
Savannah- Nancy Charmil Vetter, 77, died Monday, October 6, 2014. She was born November 11, 1936 in Miami, Florida and lived in Savannah for over fifty years. Charmil graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1953. She attended the University of Miami and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. After moving to Savannah she worked full time with Palmer and Cay, Inc. until her retirement in 2005. The company was instrumental in furthering her career education and in allowing her many opportunities with varied responsibilities. She was awarded Savannah Insurance Woman of the Year-1968 and Georgia In ...
James E. Willms FEB 27, 1951 - OCT 11, 2014
Savannah- James E. Willms, 63, died, Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Spanish Oaks Retreat under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. Jim was born in Milwaukee, WI, the son of the late Eugene and Juliette Willms. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a veteran of the United States Army where he served as a German translator during the Cold War. Jim loved to live abroad and was able to visit many countries during his life. He was a communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and retired from PPG after 39 years of service as a financial manager. He is survived by his wife of fo ...
Norma Larko JAN 09, 1920 - OCT 10, 2014
Norma Larko, 94, passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Savannah, GA on Friday, October 10, 2014. Originally from St. Joseph, MI, Norma was born on January 9, 1920 to Albert and Minnie Marutz. On May 2, 1947 she married John Larko and they shared 51 years of marriage when John passed away on May 2, 1998. Norma will be remembered for her eternal optimism, unique sense of humor and relentless love for her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children James (Donna) Larko of Grand Rapids, MI, Stephen Larko of Tallahassee, FL, Patti (Jan) Nielsen of Savannah, GA and Jean Root of W ...
O. Landis Hurley MAY 18, 1920 - OCT 10, 2014
Savannah - Owen Landis Hurley, 94, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2014 at The Oaks at The Marshes on Skidaway Island. Landis Hurley was born in Farmer City, Illinois and grew up on the family farm. He attended college at the University of Illinois and played football for the “Fighting Illini” before graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a chemical engineering degree. Mr. Hurley went on to work for Amoco Oil/BP for over 30 years as a refinery manager at Whiting, Indiana; Texas City, Texas; and Savannah, Georgia. Landis enjoyed fishing and golf after retirement as well as mentoring at Bethesda Home ...
John Oliver Paull MAY 30, 1922 - OCT 06, 2014
John Oliver Paull Savannah – John Oliver Paull, 92, died October 6th, 2014 at his home at The Marshes after a prolonged illness. Born in Los Angeles, California, he was predeceased in death by his parents, Ruth Haisley Paull and William Thompson Paull, and by his daughter, Susan Paull Neff. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 1943, he enrolled in the Navy’s V-1 program, and was commissioned an ensign after only 90 days of mid-shipman basic training at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. One of his f ...
James Louis Hoffman MAR 18, 1950 - OCT 05, 2014
James L. Hoffman, 64, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2014 at his residence. He was born March 18, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor Degree in Radio Broadcasting. He moved to Savannah to pursue a radio broadcasting career in the early 70's. Beloved and well known as "Rock Jock Jim" to the radio business. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Surviving is his son, Ryan Hoffman of Savannah. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. ...
Patricia C. Eddy NOV 09, 1928 - OCT 04, 2014
Savannah – Patricia C. Eddy 85, died, October 4, 2014 at home surrounded by her husband Ralph, daughter Prudence, and son-in-law Bruce Chong. Patricia is the daughter of the late Norman L. Cloutier and Claire Nolan Cloutier of West Hartford, Connecticut, Rye, New York, and Greenfield, Massachusetts. She was born on November 9,1928 in Hartford, Connecticut, and lived in Savannah for thirty-five years. During WWII, Patricia volunteered for the Voice of America. She graduated from Rye High School, Rye, New York. She was active in The Rye Playhouse. Patricia graduated from Middlebury College, Midd ...
Maj. General Thomas A. Benes - SEP 30, 2014
Thomas Anthony Benes, Major General, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) of Spotsylvania, VA and Prather’s Creek, NC, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at age 63, while at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, following a courageous battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Tom was born on June 8, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI, son of Alois and Pauline Benes. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 30 years, Betty (nee Bishop) Benes. Survived by his mother, Pauline Benes of Milwaukee, WI; daughters, Donna (Frank) Mayes, Kimberly (Terry) Smith; grandchildren, U.S. Army ...
Gloria June Summers Porter JUL 09, 1931 - SEP 26, 2014
Gloria June Summers Porter crossed over on Friday, September 26, 2014. She is survived by her daughter Carol Porter Bailey, grandson Wyman Bailey, granddaughters Emily Ryan Porter and Elena Porter, a sister Shirley Tollison and a brother-in-law Lee Tollison. There will be a graveside memorial service held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Poplar Springs Historic Cemetery in Hiram, Georgia. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Alzheimer's research. ...
Ann Shoemaker Boxxe DEC 20, 1959 - SEP 26, 2014
SAVANNAH – Ann Marie Shoemaker Boxxe, 54, died September 26, 2014, at St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital Savannah after a brief illness. She was born December 20, 1959, in Savannah, GA, and was a lifelong resident of the city. Ann graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy, Savannah, and spent most of her life as a homemaker. During the past 10 years she was the primary caregiver for her mother, Stella Shoemaker, as well as being a loving aunt to nieces and nephews. Ann was especially devoted to her older sister, Joan Aliffi, and regarded Joan as her closest friend. A longtime communicant of Nativity ...
George E. Worthy JUN 27, 1930 - SEP 25, 2014
George Eugene Worthy, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather went to be with The Lord on September 25, 2014. George served as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and enjoyed a 33-year career with Eastern Air Lines, retiring as a Captain. He often remarked on his good fortune at having a career he really loved. He was also active in his community and church, serving 55 years as a teacher and deacon, the last 26 years at First Baptist Church of Savannah. Other passions included golf - which he played every chance he could - basketball, country musi ...
Scott Hoag SEP 16, 1975 - SEP 24, 2014
Savannah- Scott Hoag, 39, passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at his home under the care of Hospice. Scott was born in Findlay, OH and lived the last eighteen years in Savannah. He was a 2003 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Accounting. Over the past years, he worked at various accounting firms and restaurants, and when his health allowed, he was a frequent volunteer at Oatland Island Wildlife Center. Survivors include his mother, Patricia Hoag of Savannah; father, Claude Hoag of St. Louis; sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Brett Tatom; niece, Brianna Tatom ...
John David Woods, Jr. JUL 28, 1928 - SEP 23, 2014
John “Jackie” David Woods John David Woods, 86, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at his residence. He served in the U.S. Army before the Korean Conflict. He was a Catholic Brother for Oblates of St. Francis DeSales in Rome for 17 years, and a Docent for the past 12 years at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah. He worked for Acme Grocery Stores in New Jersey for 19 years. Jackie is survived by his two brothers, William Langheim, of Philadelphia, PA, and Henry Woods, of Tamaqua, PA, and an aunt Lillian Yansick, of New Jersey. He is also survived by a dedicated friend, William Hen ...
Janie G. Culver - SEP 23, 2014
SAVANNAH - Mrs. Janie G. Culver passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. A longtime resident of Savannah Mrs. Culver retired from Southern Bell after 30 years of service and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was a member of Bull Street Baptist Church and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed her retirement years caring for her family. Surviving are her loving husband of 28 years, Jimmy C. Culver; her children, Lynn Zeigler (Don Brannen), Tom Sullivan (Louise), and Carol Sullivan Baker (Andy); ...
James Clyde Hibbard JUN 21, 1933 - SEP 22, 2014
Savannah- James Clyde Hibbard, 81, passed away Monday, September 22, 2014 at Memorial University Medical Center. Mrs. Juanita Martin Hibbard would like to invite all family and friends to a Celebration of Life Service at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Heaven Bound Baptist Church, 1014 Quacco Rd., Savannah, GA 31419. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Heaven Bound Baptist Church. Please sign our on line guest book. ...
Wallace M. Davis, Jr. MAY 20, 1929 - SEP 22, 2014
SAVANNAH - Wallace M. “Wally” Davis Jr. spent his entire professional journalism career — nearly a half century — at the Savannah Morning News-Savannah Evening Press. Whether he was known as by Mr. Davis, Wally or “Scoop,” he was a newspaperman’s newspaper man, long-time associates recalled. Davis died Monday morning at Spanish Oaks Retreat under Hospice care. He was 85. “The only newspaper he ever worked for was ours,” recalled Thomas F. “Tom” Coffey Jr., who retired in 1989 as the dean of the city’s newsmen after five decades at the Savannah Morning News-Evening Press. When Davis retired as ...
Marjorie Pursell Reese NOV 24, 1930 - SEP 21, 2014
SAVANNAH – Marjorie Pursell Reese, 83, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014, at her home. A native of Minneapolis, MN, she attended the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was also a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority in which she was active for many years after graduating from college including serving on the National Panhellenic Council. After graduation Marjorie moved to New York City and served as Director of Admissions at Finch College. She married Robert B. Pursell and they settled in Monmouth County, NJ. Among the most ...
Sandra Scott McGuire SEP 02, 1938 - SEP 21, 2014
Savannah- Sandra Scott McGuire passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014 at age 76 surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wm. M. (Mickey) McGuire and Infant daughter of Savannah, GA, father & mother, Roy and Nena Scott and brother, Jerry Scott of Reidsville, GA, and son-in-law, Paul "Stump" Moore. She graduated from Reidsville High School in 1956. She was very active in sports while attending high school. She had worked for the School Bus Drivers Association and traveled over most the state of Georgia before moving to Atlanta and working for the State of Ge ...
Louise Vaughn Lauretti APR 18, 1959 - SEP 21, 2014
Louise Vaughn Lauretti, age 55, passed away Sunday, September 21, after an unflinching battle with melanoma. She was surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home. Grace, determination, tenacity, courage, humor, intellectual curiosity and profound concern defined Louise’s fight with cancer, just as these principles guided her through each day of a life that has indelibly impacted so many. Louise was born on April 18, 1959, in San Diego, California, the first-born daughter of the late Irene and Don Vaughn. She is one of four siblings, including brothers Donald and Thomas, and sister, Lesl ...
Elizabeth Lois Gunn SEP 29, 1940 - SEP 20, 2014
SAVANNAH - Elizabeth Lois Gunn, 73, died September 20th, 2014 at 12:51 PM. The proud Scot was born in Miami, Florida in 1940 to the late James Faucett and Sarah Cogburn Gunn. She attended Catholic Schools in Miami and graduated from Florida State University in 1962 with honors. She subsequently received three Masters Degrees from Kent State University in Psychology, Social Work, and Military Science. She was the first woman to receive the latter. She was active in the Democratic Party her entire life and organized the first Students for Kennedy organization in 1959. She worked for the Kenned ...