Obituaries
Sister Mary Aurelia Benedetto FEB 29, 1924 - NOV 23, 2010
BALTIMORE, MD — Sister Mary Aurelia Benedetto, 86, of Baltimore, Maryland, died while on a visit to friends in Columbus, Georgia on November 23, 2010. She was the youngest of seven children of Elizabeth and Aristide Benedetto. She was born in Macon, Georgia on February 29, 1924, attended St. Joseph's School and Mt. de Sales Academy in Macon, then entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1941. She taught at Blessed Sacrament School, Savannah, Holy Family School in Columbus, and Mt. de Sales High School in Macon between 1947 and 1973. She served as the local superior of her religious community in Macon, ...
Ralph Gustav Widmer SEP 15, 1930 - NOV 23, 2010
SAVANNAH, GA – Ralph Gustav Widmer, 79, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at Hospice House. The Springfield, MA native lived on Cape Cod, in Chatham, MA, for nineteen years before moving to Savannah five years ago. He worked for many years with the General Electric Company, later retiring from Associated Electric Co., Inc. Surviving are his wife, Suzanne C. Widmer of Savannah; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracy A. and Michael Mullen of Greenwich, CT; his son and daughter-in-law, Russell J. and Kimberly Widmer of Merritt Island, FL; four granddaughters, Sarah and Caroline Mullen and Lindsay and ...
Walter Edwin Werner, Jr. MAY 02, 1928 - NOV 22, 2010
BLUFFTON, SC - Walter E. Werner Jr., "Ozzie", 82, died unexpectedly on November 22, 2010, while in retirement in Sun City Hilton Head, South Carolina. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Ozzie attended Shady Side Academy before leaving Pittsburgh to begin the family tradition of attending Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA. After graduation he attended the University of Pittsburgh where he played football and continued a family tradition of membership in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Ozzie was honorably discharged from the US Army after service at Fort Knox, KY. After college Ozzie became ...
Ronald Gene Ernst FEB 26, 1944 - NOV 19, 2010
Ronald Gene Ernst, 66, died Friday, November 19, 2010 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was born in Flint, Michigan and was a graduate of Flushing High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving aboard an EAG 154 during the Cuban Crisis and was also a veteran of the Vietnam War. After the war, Mr. Ernst served as a policeman in Cocoa Beach, Florida and Flint, Michigan and then worked as a photographer for the Grand Blank News. After the Grand Blank News, he served as a photographer with the Detroit News and the Decatur Herald and Review where he received many awards bo ...
David Edwin Bormes MAY 11, 1940 - NOV 18, 2010
David E. Bormes May 11, 1940 – November 2010 My Captain You can captain a boat, You can captain a plane And you are a dead eyed dick In the hunting game. You can build a house Without even a plan. And you are every woman's dream Of a handy-man. You can fish like a pro And with the right crew, Bring in the catch Tuna, Marlin, and Wahoo. You can weave a tale Most will never forget; But they will believe it And not regret. You're an entrepreneur Extraordinaire With that midas touch And some to spare. You have a generous soul I can't deny. You're my best friend On whom I can always rely. You're th ...
John Eugene Gnann MAR 20, 1948 - NOV 17, 2010
SAVANNAH – John Eugene Gnann, 62, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice Savannah. The native and lifelong resident of Savannah was a graduate of Groves High School. He retired from BellSouth after thirty-four years of service and later worked for Ramsey Enterprises. Mr. Gnann was a veteran of the United States Navy and a member of the Telephone Pioneers. Surviving are his wife, Annette P. Gnann of Savannah; two sons, Matthew E. Gnann of Atlanta and Nicholas L. Gnann of Savannah; a step-son, Jason B. Foster of Forsyth, GA; two ...
Brandi D'Nay Keel JUN 18, 1986 - NOV 17, 2010
SAVANNAH-Brandi D'Nay Keel, 24, passed away at her home. She was born June 18, 1986 in Savannah, Georgia. Brandi was a young, beautiful woman full of life and energy who was always quick with a smile and long with a hug. She cheerfully affected the lives of those around her and she will be sorely missed. Surviving are her mother, June Keel; father, Datus "Ronny" Keel, Jr., and his wife, Barbara Keel; Maternal Grandmother, Shirley Cooper; Maternal Grandmother, Chin Nittinger; Maternal Grandfather, Gene Nittinger; Maternal Grandfather, Alan M. Cooper; Paternal Grandfather, Datus D. Keel, Sr.; s ...
Dennis K. Smugle APR 01, 1939 - NOV 16, 2010
Savannah- Dennis K. Smugle, 71, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at Memorial University Medical Center. He was a born in Pennsylvania and moved to Savannah in 2004. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1961 he retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Washington DC with thirty five years of service. He was a member of the American Legion Post 154 at Tybee Island and the German Country Club. He enjoyed fishing and reading, but his favorite place to be was in his recliner, with the remote and his faithful companion "Kit", watching the Military Channel. He leaves his wife of 44 years, Jud ...
Lewis Graham Bailey, Jr. APR 14, 1928 - NOV 16, 2010
Savannah- Lewis Graham Bailey, Jr., 82, passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at Hospice Savannah. Graham was born in Savannah April 14, 1928, he graduated from the Citadel with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After which he entered the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and retired from the Army Reserves in 1988. He was a Commanding Officer of the 429 Medical Battalion stationed in Savannah. For fourteen years, he was Assistant Director of Operations with the Georgia Ports Authority, Vice President of Chatham Services which operated East Coast Terminals located on the Savannah River, east of th ...
Jerry Frost NOV 13, 1945 - NOV 16, 2010
Ellabell - Jerry Frost, 65, died suddenly Tuesday, November 16, 2010 in Memorial University Medical Center. Jerry was a native and lifelong resident of Ellabell and was a 1963 graduate of Southeast Bulloch High School. He retired from the Savannah Sugar Refinery, in 2007, after 28 years of service, but continued to work on his family farm until his death. Jerry was a member of Blitchton Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his first wife, of 41 years, Juliette Jones Frost; his parents Troy and Mamie Lou Frost; three brothers, Elmer, Julian and Gene Frost and his sister, Sara Lou F. Shum ...
Edward John Brown, Jr. MAR 05, 1915 - NOV 15, 2010
Edward John Brown, Jr. 95 went to his heavenly rest on November 15, 2010. He was born in Savannah, Georgia on March 5, 1915, son of the late Edward John Brown, Sr. and Emily Margaret Sulter Brown. He graduated from the Marist School in 1929 and from Benedictine Military Academy in 1933, where he was class Salutatorian and achieved the rank of captain. In 1934, he met his future wife, Esther Ryan, at Richard's Business College. They were married in 1941 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. After graduation, he worked for King Dixon as an accountant and for Wilson & Company as a trav ...
Chidi Ezennia Osondu - NOV 14, 2010
SAVANNAH - Father Chidi Ezennia Osondu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, died November 14 in New Delhi, India from complications following the rejection of a transplanted kidney. Father Osondu, 37, was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 2005 in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah. His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anne Church, Columbus, followed by Parochial Vicar at Saint James Church in Savannah. A native of Nigeria and a member of the Igbo tribe, Father Osondu was the first of Luke and Susanna Osondu's seven children. His full first name wa ...
Jackie M. Sommers SEP 06, 1935 - NOV 14, 2010
Jackie M. Sommers, 75, passed away Sunday, November 15, 2010 after a long illness. Born in Screven County, GA, Jackie moved to Savannah as a young boy. He was a graduate of Savannah High School and obtained a business degree from Armstrong State College in 1969. Jackie began his career at Southern Bell, where he worked on maintenance, repair and operations of large telephone systems. He retired from Southern Bell after 25 years of service. Jackie is most known for being an entrepreneur and successful business man. While working for Southern Bell, he purchased and operated a trailer park in Sav ...
John Robert Sciolino, Sr. APR 22, 1941 - NOV 13, 2010
SAVANNAH - John Robert "Bob" Sciolino, Sr., 69, of Savannah, passed away Saturday, November 13, 2010 at home under the care of Hospice Savannah and was surrounded by his family. He was born on April 22, 1941 in Buffalo, NY and has lived in Savannah, GA most of his life. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1992. Bob was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and also a member of American Legion Post 184. He was a sentimental man who loved animals, especially his two dogs. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Alice Sciolino. He ...
James Edward Garvin APR 30, 1955 - NOV 13, 2010
JACKSONVILLE, FL - James Edward Garvin passed into his eternal heavenly home on Saturday, November 13, 2010. He was born April 30, 1955, in Savannah, Georgia, and had resided in Jacksonville, Florida, for the past 34 years. A graduate of Savannah High School and drum major of the SHS marching band, he was widely known for his expertise in the rebuilding, repairing and tuning of church pipe organs. Most recently, he served as the consultant for the construction of a new 60-rank Schlueter pipe organ at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. He received training for his profession from Harrison & H ...
Reginald Moore McDuffee AUG 12, 1932 - NOV 13, 2010
SAVANNAH - Judge Reginald Moore McDuffee, 78, died peacefully Saturday, November 13, at home under the care of Hospice Savannah, after a long illness. He was born August 12, 1932, in Savannah to the late Judge Reginald W. McDuffee and the late Sallie Moore McDuffee. A 1950 graduate of Savannah High School, he attended The Citadel for three years prior to serving two years in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman. He graduated from the University of Georgia and received his J.D. degree from the UGA Law School. Judge McDuffee practiced law in Savannah from 1959 until 1984, when he was elected ...
Ramesh V. Patwardhan, M.D. JAN 20, 1948 - NOV 12, 2010
Ramesh V. Patwardhan, M.D., F.A.C.S., 62, died Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Patwardhan was born in Poona, India on January 20, 1948, the son of Vasant C. and Mandakini Dixit Patwardhan. In 1964, he earned a P.U.C. from Loyola College in Madras, India, followed by an M.B.B.S. from Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India where he also served his internship. He served as Senior House Officer of the Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at All India Institute of Medical Sciences as well as Senior House Officer of the Departm ...
Stanley Wayne Bowman OCT 19, 1936 - NOV 12, 2010
Stanley Wayne Bowman October 19, 1936 – November 12, 2010 SAVANNAH – Beloved husband and father, Stanley Wayne Bowman, age 74, was peacefully called home to God on November 12. His wife Betty Jo BJ and son Craig were by his side at the time of his passing at St. Joseph's Candler. Stan was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1936 to the delight of his parents, Edna and Paul, and his siblings. As an adult, Stan served in the Unites States Army Signal Corp in Korea, as well as in the Unites States Army Security Agency. After the military, Stan's most notable career achievement was that of News Director an ...
Peggy P. Coe DEC 04, 1924 - NOV 11, 2010
SAVANNAH -Peggy Edna Peer Coe, age 85, with all of her children by her side, passed gently away Thursday afternoon, November 11, 2010 at Hospice Savannah, following her husband's death just seven weeks prior. Born in Arlington, Virginia, Peggy attended Washington and Lee High School, then married and raised her family with her high school sweetheart, Casey, in Falls Church. She was a trailblazer of sorts as she balanced the traditional home and child rearing responsibilities of the '50's and '60's while holding down a full-time career in retail sales and management with Woodward and Lothrop an ...
Peggy Boling Dukes AUG 08, 1954 - NOV 11, 2010
SAVANNAH – Peggy Boling Dukes, 56, died Thursday, November 11, 2010, at Doctor's Hospital in Augusta, GA. The native and lifelong resident of Savannah was a longtime employee of South Coast Medical Group. She was an avid gardener and homemaker and was known for making all those around her happy. She was particularly devoted to her two granddaughters. Peggy is survived by her husband, Alan B. Dukes of Savannah; her daughter, Erica Layne Dukes of Hinesville; her two granddaughters, Victoria Layne Fentress and Elizabeth Layne Dukes; her mother, Lola Boling of Savannah; three sisters, Nancy Bondur ...
Joseph Edward "Jack" Harrison DEC 25, 1920 - NOV 11, 2010
Joseph Edward "Jack" Harrison, 89, of Savannah, passed into eternal glory Wednesday after a brief illness. Son of William H. and Lynn Hill Harrison, Jack was born December 25th, 1920 in Mobile, Alabama. Siblings: He was preceded in death by his sisters Marion H. Hyland and Magdaline Harrison. Jack graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama and attended Spring Hill College before enlisting in the US Army during WWII. He was assigned to the 20th Armored Division and fought under General Patton reaching the rank of sergeant T4. He served three years in combat that incl ...
Lillian Harris Hinely FEB 17, 1938 - NOV 10, 2010
Savannah- Lillian Harris Hinely, 72, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at her residence under the care of Islands Hospice. Lillian was born in Thunderbolt and lived all of her life in Savannah. She attended Commercial High School and was a life-long member of Wesley Oak United Methodist Church. Together, she and her husband owned the Movie House Video Rental Store. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Caring for children provided her with extreme happiness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis James Harris and Anna Beaty Harris and ...
Doris A. Patrick MAY 14, 1931 - NOV 10, 2010
Savannah- Doris A. Patrick, 79, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at Hospice Savannah. She lived most of her life in New Jersey before she and her husband retired to Savannah in 1990. She was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a Communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church where she was active in the Forever Young Group. Doris loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard H. Patrick, Jr. and sister, Michele Powers. She is survived by two sisters, Georgette Dutkiewicz of Charlotte, NC; Julie Powers of Manahawkin, NJ and many ...
Mary Helen Hardy Brightwell MAR 05, 1936 - NOV 09, 2010
Mary Helen Hardy Brightwell, 74, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at her residence with her family by her side. The native and lifelong resident of Savannah was a member of Calvary Baptist Temple where she was the Director of the Girl's Auxiliary and a Sunday school teacher for many years. Ms. Brightwell retired after 23 years of service with the Internal Revenue Service where she received the Gallatin Award bestowed by the Secretary of the Treasurer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie V. Brightwell, Sr. and Mae Pearl Edwards Brightwell and brother, Johnnie V. Brightwell, ...
Robert Strickland, Jr. FEB 22, 1963 - NOV 08, 2010
Savannah- Robert "Bear" Strickland, Jr., 47, passed away Monday, November 8, 2010 at Memorial University Medical Center. Bear was born in Huntsville, Alabama but lived most of his life in Savannah. He was a 1981 graduate of Johnson High School and a Tour Guide with Old Town Trolley Tours. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 693 and a Communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. His parents, Robert Strickland, Sr. and Donna Beardon Strickland, and sister, Michele "Shelly" Strickland, preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Terri Hood; nieces and nephews, Christina, Wesley and ...
Dewey F. Phillips SEP 21, 1921 - NOV 08, 2010
SAVANNAH – Dewey Fillmore Phillips, 89, died peacefully Monday, November 8, 2010, at 10:00 am, under the care of Savannah Commons. He was preceded in death by his wife Neta Hilton Phillips. He is survived by his son, William Ansley Phillips and daughter-in-law Gloria Phillips of Savannah, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at The New Vision Baptist Church of Savannah, Pastor Gary Bradham presiding. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will follow in ...