Obituaries
Hilda Bell Rotureau JUN 10, 1934 - JUN 20, 2012
Hilda Bell Rotureau Savannah- Ms. Hilda Bell Rotureau, 78, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Savannah, GA. She was a native of Newport News, Virginia and a longtime resident of Savannah. She attended Mercer University in Macon where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Georgia in Athens. In 1986, she became a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist for the state of Georgia. Ms. Rotureau worked for ten years at Tidelands Community Mental Health Center on the children's unit, in private practic ...
Eugene H. Michael SEP 08, 1929 - JUN 20, 2012
Eugene H. Michael 82, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Savannah, GA. Mr. Michael was born in Hazelton, PA on September 8, 1929, the son of the late Peter Eugene and Helen Kehoe Michael. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served with the B Company of the 3rd Infantry. Following his military tenure he worked for the Armstrong Company where he held various production jobs. He later worked for St. Mary's Church and ultimately worked for Ehrlich Pest Control Services where he served as an exterminator for 19 years. Mr. Michael was a life member of the Lancaster Moose Lodge #299. H ...
Gene Swanzy OCT 04, 1931 - JUN 20, 2012
SAVANNAH – Gene Swanzy died Wednesday morning, June 20, 2012, under the care of Hospice Savannah, surrounded by his wife and friends. He was born in Columbus, Mississippi and lived most of his life in Northern Virginia before retiring to Savannah, Georgia. He served in the United States Air Force where he began a career in broadcast engineering, radio/television management and telecommunications. He attended various USAF technical schools and received his B.S. in Physics from Shurtleff College, Alton, IL, in 1952. His 60 year career includes the following: Chief Engineer at Southern Illinois B ...
Frances Vivian Perkins NOV 01, 1930 - JUN 19, 2012
SAVANNAH - Mrs. Frances Perkins, 81, passed away on June 19, 2012 under the care of Hospice Savannah, with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Floyd E. Perkins, and is survived by her daughter, Renay Perkins; her son, Mickey Perkins; her brother, Buck Ormston; grandchildren, Michelle and Ben Cahan; Katie and Andrew Myers, Jennifer Sharpe, Cole Perkins, and Amber Perkins; and great-grandchildren, Sage Cahan and Emma Myers. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 22, 2012, at the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, with a Memor ...
Jarmila Melen Tomecek Jamie SEP 24, 1926 - JUN 19, 2012
Jarmila Jamie Melen Tomecek, age 85, died Tuesday, June 19, 2011 after a short illness. Jamie, as she was known, was born in Lom u Mostu, Czechoslovakia Now Czech Republic on September 24, 1926 to Antonin and Bozena Melen. She left Czechosolvakia in 1969 with her husband, Milo Sr., and son, Milo Jr., for a better life in the United States. The transition was not an easy one, leaving your homeland and moving to another country where you did not speak the language. She did adjust, however, and learned to love her new life. Jamie worked for twenty plus years for Southside Animal Hospital in Sava ...
Anthony Ortiz JUN 13, 1948 - JUN 17, 2012
Anthony Ortiz, 64, passed away, Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was born in New York City and attended school in Queens. After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps serving during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge from the military, Mr. Ortiz earned a degree in criminal justice from John Jay College in New York City. While he was employed with the City of New York working in a drug and maintenance program, he met the love of his life, Lora Warner. They moved to Savannah in 1983 and Mr. Ortiz began working as a printer for International Paper. After he retired from Intern ...
John Angelo Agrilla, Jr. JUL 13, 1933 - JUN 17, 2012
John Angelo Agrilla, Jr. TSgt, USAF, Ret., 78, passed away, Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, son of John Angelo Agrilla, Sr. and Gracie Rockafella Agrilla. During high school, he was drafted into the United States Air Force where he served as a gunner during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He retired after 21 years of service as a Tech Sergeant. After his military career, he moved to Atlanta where he worked in sales for Polaroid. He then joined Parsons, Brinker and Hoff as a safety consultant which was the company instrumental in the c ...
Ouida-Anne Gage Bayfield JAN 29, 1939 - JUN 15, 2012
Ouida-Anne Gage Bayfield Ouida-Anne Gage Bayfield 73 died Friday, June 15th at her home in Savannah. At the time of her death she was sitting in the sun on the back deck of her house. She was drinking iced tea, reading a magazine and enjoying her flowers. Her Irish Setter, Trula, was, as usual, by her side. Ouida was born in 1939 in Melrose, MA but grew up in the Haverhill area. She loved ballet but at the age of 18 she left Bradford College to join the Water Follies. She swam at the Brussels World's Fair and all over North America. She was also a stewardess for Northeast Airlines, a travel ag ...
Stephanie Denise Highsmith FEB 23, 1965 - JUN 14, 2012
Stephanie Highsmith, 47, died suddenly on June 14, 2012 at home. She was born in Gainesville, FL on February 23, 1965. She moved to Savannah with her family as a baby where she spent her entire life. She worked as a waitress for several restaurants including Barnes Family Restaurant and had most recently been self-employed cleaning houses. Stephanie was always known by her family and friends to have a wonderful, outgoing and crazy personality who was always laughing and would keep the people around her laughing as well. She is survived by her two sons, Michael Le and wife, Amy of Savannah and ...
Norene Chamberlin Franz AUG 03, 1916 - JUN 13, 2012
Norene Chamberlin Franz passed away on June 13, 2012 while residing at Bryan County Health and Rehabilitation Center, Richmond Hill, Georgia. She had been under the care of Hospice Savannah since January 2012. Mrs. Franz was born in Kendall, Michigan August 3, 1916 to Vernon R. Chamberlin and Clara Weber Chamberlin. She was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. She was a housewife and avid golfer. She won many tournaments while a member of the Otwellegan Country Club in Plainwell, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 55 years Paul W. Franz. Paul a ...
Dr. Edward Forest Stringer, III SEP 05, 1946 - JUN 12, 2012
Savannah- Edward Forest Stringer, III, MD, 65, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at his home. He was born in Augusta, Georgia on September 5, 1946. Dr. Stringer graduated from Richmond Academy in 1964, University of Georgia, Phi Beta Kappa, 1968, Medical College of Georgia 1972, served his surgical residency at Memorial Medical Center from 1972-1977. He practiced surgery until 1991. From 1983 to 1986 he served as Chairman of the Department of surgery at Memorial Hospital, was Chief of Staff at Memorial in 1987and Vice President of Medical Affairs from 1992-1995 he also was Associate Clinical Profess ...
Edward Sean Roughen JAN 28, 1958 - JUN 12, 2012
Edward Sean Roughen, 54, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at his residence. He was born in Dothan, Alabama and lived most of his life in Savannah. He attended Nativity Catholic School and was a graduate of Benedictine Military School. Sean was a project manager for Computer Service Corporation, former member of Nativity of Our Lords Catholic Church and a member of the catholic faith. Surviving are his parents, Col. Albert H. Roughen and Marie Roughen of Thunderbolt; siblings, Kathleen M. Mistoler and her husband, Dennis of Orlando, FL; Albert H. Roughen, Jr. and his wife, Nita of Eatonton, GA; Sus ...
Marjorie Ann Dotson Gruver OCT 17, 1925 - JUN 11, 2012
Marjorie Ann Dotson Gruver "Margie", devoted mother and grandmother, passed away on June 11, 2012 at the age of 86. She was a descendant of the Seckinger Clan of Salzburgers and a lifelong resident of Savannah. Born October 17, 1925 as the youngest child to Richard "Bummy" & Emma Beulah Dotson in Savannah, she graduated from Savannah High School & later followed the love of her life, Rufus Lester Gruver, Jr. to Washington, DC where they were married on February 17, 1943. She lived in Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA, & Waycross and finally Macon Georgia where she was widowed and return ...
Malberry Smith, Jr. AUG 22, 1915 - JUN 11, 2012
Malberry Smith, Jr. Funeral services for Malberry Smith Jr., a lawyer who practiced in Savannah for more than half a century and a former state legislator, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Wesley Monumental Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Monday at Buckingham South. He was 96. Mr. Smith was a member of half a dozen Savannah firms throughout the years and in the late 1940s, he served in the Georgia state legislature. In 1953, he and his best friend, George Oliver, founded the firm of Oliver and Smith, which was dissolved in 1959 when Oliver was app ...
Benjamin V. "Ben" Smith DEC 15, 1923 - JUN 10, 2012
COFFEE BLUFF - Benjamin V. "Ben" Smith, 88, died Sunday, June 10, 2012 in Savannah, GA. Mr. Smith was born in Statesboro, GA on December 16, 1923, the son of the late Sylvester S. and Josephine Boatright Smith. He attended school until the age of 16 at which time he enlisted in the United States Army. During his military tenure, December 1939 – September 1945, he served as a Paratrooper with the 550th Infantry, Airborne - Division Recon during World War II and jumped over the Rhine on March 24, 1945 – Operation Varsity. He worked for approximately 20 years for Raymond International, Concrete P ...
Clara Ezekiel Abney Glisson Vogel Drennon SEP 01, 1918 - JUN 09, 2012
Tybee Island - Clara "Dink" Ezekiel Abney Glisson Vogel Drennon, 93, died Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. She was born in Acworth, Georgia, daughter of Robert A. and Henrietta Barnett Abney. Mrs. Drennon lived on Tybee Island since 1956 and built, owned and operated the Royal Palm Motel. She was a member of Trinity Chapel United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, Tybee Island Optimist Club, Tybee Island Garden Club and the Tuesday Night Supper Club. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Henry H. Glisson, William Vogel and Finis Drennon. Surviving are her two ...
James Roy Bates APR 03, 1940 - JUN 08, 2012
James Roy "Jim" Bates, 72, died June 8, 2012 at his residence. He was born in Ironton, Ohio, son of James Edgar and Dorothy Gibson Bates. Pee-Paw lived most of his life in Lakeland, Florida before retiring to Savannah. He was a passionate and humble man that enjoyed his career as a welder and business owner. Pee-Paw was extremely loving and proud of his three children that he reared as a single father. Pee-Paw relished spending all of his time with his grandchildren and was a true family man. Pee-Paw's infectious sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by hi ...
Robert Francis Flaherty AUG 23, 1940 - JUN 08, 2012
Robert Francis Flaherty SAVANNAH – Robert "Bob" Flaherty died peacefully at home after a long illness. He is the son of Mary Fenton Flaherty and Patrick Joseph Flaherty of Boston. Bob was born in Boston, MA, the last of six children. His sister Marguerite and brothers William and Thomas predeceased him. Bob and his wife, Betsy, retired to The Landings in 1997. He graduated from Northeastern University, received his law degree from Suffolk University and a Masters degree in tax from Boston University. Bob was Assistant Treasurer at Commercial Union Assurance Company of London, England. He also ...
Ernest Brooks Haymans AUG 02, 1933 - JUN 07, 2012
Ernest "Brooks" Haymans Ernest Brooks Haymans, 78, died Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Candler Hospital. He was born August 2, 1933 to the late Joseph and Iris Haymans. Brooks attended Armstrong Junior College and was retired from Savannah Electric and Power Company. He was owner and operator of Haymans Electric and was an avid Georgia Bulldog Fan, as well as a Nascar fan. He was also a member and Business Agent for the Local 1208 of the AFL-CIO. He was owner of The Other End Tavern and co-owner of Cleves now Coaches Corner. He loved boating and camping with his children when they were young and sp ...
Nancy F. Jackson NOV 24, 1947 - JUN 07, 2012
Nancy Fay Jackson SAVANNAH - Nancy Fay Jackson, 64, died peacefully on June 7, 2012, after a 35 year valiant battle with Muscular Dystrophy. Nancy was a lifelong resident of Savannah, GA, born on November 24, 1947, to Robert "Bob" & Louise Jackson, who predeceased her, along with her brother Robbie. She proudly graduated from St. Vincent's Academy in 1965 and received her BA in Art History from Georgia Southern in 1970. During her early career, she was a Concierge at The Plaza Hotel in NYC and then became an Art Historian at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. For several years, ...
Jerome Funk MAR 18, 1953 - JUN 06, 2012
Savannah- Jerome E. "Jerry" Funk, 59, died Wednesday, June 06, 2012 at Hospice House. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana and grew up in Kentland, Indiana. Jerry moved to Savannah in 1992 and was employed with Great Dane Trailers for the following five years before going to work with Georgia Ports Authority as a Senior Program Analyst. Jerry enjoyed traveling and was of the Catholic faith. His brother, Steve Funk preceded him in death. He will be forever remembered for the loving husband, son, father and grandfather he was. Survivors include his wife of twenty six years, Linda Funk; three sons a ...
Dorothy E. Brewton AUG 07, 1921 - JUN 06, 2012
Savannah- Dorothy E. Brewton, 90, died Tuesday, June 5, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy was born in Millen, GA on August 7, 1921. She was a lifelong homemaker and a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class at Immanuel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty three years, William H. Brewton and her son, Bill Brewton. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Gene Rogers of Lyons, GA and Linda and Ellis Connell of Savannah; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Cindy & Herbert Burton of Lyons, Wanda & Mark Deen of Vidalia, Tony ...
Willene Morris Roberts JAN 09, 1943 - JUN 05, 2012
Willene Morris Roberts, 69, died Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at her residence on Wilmington Island. She was born in Savannah, daughter of the late Gene and Bobbie Bennett Morris. Mrs. Roberts was a graduate of Savannah High School and a homemaker. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, American Legion Post No. 184, Moose Lodge No. 1550 and the W.I.D.E. A-Awake Bowling League and the Victory Senior League. Surviving are her husband, Leon G. Roberts of Savannah; daughter, Marty Futch of Manassas, VA; son, Cliff Puder of Atlanta, GA; sister, Shelma Lewis of Savannah; step-children, R ...
Heyward B. Crosby JUN 17, 1925 - JUN 05, 2012
SAVANNAH – Heyward B. Crosby, 86, passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in Savannah, GA. Mr. Crosby was born in Walterboro, SC on July 17, 1925. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served during World War II in Japan. He was a proud member of the IBEW for 60 years and was honored to have been an electrical supervisor for the original World Trade Centers. He was also a member of the team that dropped the New Years Eve Ball in Times Square. Outside of work, his hobbies included fishing and watching old westerns. Mr. Crosby was an active member of the First Baptist Church of the Is ...
Eugene L. Hammer NOV 23, 1939 - JUN 04, 2012
Eugene L Hammer Jr. Savannah, GA — Eugene Gene L Hammer Jr., 72, passed away at home Monday, June 4 surrounded by loving friends and family after a long illness. Born in Wheaton, IL in November 1939, the son of Dr. Eugene L and Roberta Hammer, he spent most of his childhood in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Growing up, Gene loved tinkering with things, especially cars, and had his first hot rod shortly after he got his driver's license. After graduating from Wilkes College in 1961 with an engineering degree, he moved to New York City. In New York, he met his first wife, Madeline Genise. They married ...
Joseph Kopchick, Sr. NOV 09, 1920 - JUN 03, 2012
Dr. Joseph Kopchick SAVANNAH - Dr. Joseph Kopchick was born November 9, 1920 in Grandville, NY. He put himself through Green Mountain Junior College before graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan. Thereafter, he went on to serve as a Navy doctor in three different hospitals before moving to Muir, MI in 1948 where he opened a family practice that flourished for 51 years. He and his wife had five children, including two sets of twins. For many years he enjoyed traveling, gardening, golfing, and sailing. Dr. Kopchick passed away June 3, 2012 in Savannah, GA where he had been a r ...
Edward B. Jones JUN 10, 1922 - JUN 02, 2012
Edward B. Jones SAVANNAH - Edward B. Jones, former Director of Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, CT, passed away with his family by his side at his home at The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Georgia on June 2, 2012. Mr. Jones was nearing his 90th birthday. Mr. Jones was born in Glenshaw, PA on June 10, 1922. He attended Shaler High School in Glenshaw, Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, VA., and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1949. From 1943 to 1945 he was a Pilot Rating Instructor for aviation cadets in the Army Air Corps. He was recalled into the Air Force and p ...
Winfred Gails Waters MAR 29, 1921 - JUN 02, 2012
Savannah- Winfred Gails Waters, Sr., 91, died Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Tara Nursing Home. Mr. Waters was a native and lifelong resident of Savannah and a graduate of Savannah High School. He worked for Union Camp Corporation for twenty six years before becoming an inspector of construction with Chatham County. He was a member of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension and Acacia Lodge #452 F. & A.M. Preceding him in death are his parents, George C. Waters, Sr. and Freida Gails Waters; brother, G. Calvin Waters, Jr., and sister Bennetta Christiansen Waters. Survivors include his w ...
Jean Keller Fair OCT 23, 1912 - JUN 02, 2012
On June 2, 2012, Jean Keller Fair died peacefully in the presence of her family. She would have been 100 years old in October, 2012. She is survived by her children, Sally Keller, Georgianna Valentino John IV, Charles Hubert Keller, Cheri and Alice Keller. Her grandchildren are Lysa Heslov Grant, George Keller Hagood, Ben Burke Wall, Jr. Kenlea, Allison Wall, Charles Hubert Keller, Jr. Vicki, Miranda Keller Johansson, David Valentino, Alden Patel Neil, John G. Valentino, IV Christie. She was predeceased by her grandson, George Adam Keller. She leaves numerous great grandchildren and nieces and ...