Elizabeth Whitaker Connor

Elizabeth Whitaker Connor, 92, of Hendersonville, died on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at her home.

A native of Henderson County, she was born on May 18, 1921 to the late, Ben Whitaker and Maggie Lee Flynn Whitaker. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Averitt F. Connor; her brothers, Hubert and Jack Whitaker; and her sisters, Lois Tinsley and Dorothy Moody. She lived in Tennessee and Kentucky for 20 years, where her husband was pastor of several Baptist churches.

She has been a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville for many years. She was active with the Joy Singers of the Carolina Association and the Live Embers.

She is survived by her daughter, Glenda Corn and her husband, Ronald Corn of Mountain Home; her son, Ronald Connor and his wife Nancy of Kernersville; five grandchildren, Lisa Connor Beneker and her husband, Jeff, Rodney S. Connor and his wife, Dawn, Derron Connor and his wife Andie, Kyle Corn and his wife Cassie and Keisha Corn and eleven great-grandchildren, Emily, Anna, Noah, Sarah Kate, Shepherd and Christian Connor, Destiny, Spencer, Kyla, Levi and Gracie Corn.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel with the Rev. Wally Shamburger officiating. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends beginning one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, 315 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville, NC 28739 or to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

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Gary D. Ball, 40

Gary D. Ball, 40, of Hendersonville, passed away, Wednesday, May 29, 2013.

He was the beloved son of Henry and Gladys Ball of Hendersonville. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Stewart and Hattie Parris and paternal grandparents W.F. and Ruby Ball, and nephew Steven Cody Ball.

He is survived by his son Landon Ball; Gary's fiancée Amanda Sigmon; brother, David Ball and wife Teresa; nephew, Brandon Ball and wife Courtney; and nieces, Ashley and Caylee.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, June 1, 2013 in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Hefner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Gary Duane Ball, 40

Gary Duane Ball, 40, of Hendersonville, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Pardee Hospital.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Robin A. Prather, 58

Robin A. Prather, 58, of Mills River, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2013.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Caleb P. Womack, 20

Caleb P. Womack, 20, of East Flat Rock, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Chad and Betty Golightly.

Caleb is survived by his mother, Dora Womack and her husband Johnny; aunt, Lisa Golightly and husband Greg Freeman; great-aunt, Jackie Morrow and husband Clint; great-uncle Preston Golightly and wife Ann; cousin, Bridgette Kaufman and fiancé Jeremy Brown; and many others that loved him dearly.

A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Entombment will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Robert James Robinson, 83

Robert James Robinson, 83, of Hendersonville was called home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ Sunday, May 19, in the morning. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter H. Robinson and Lorna Tripp Robinson; his son, Mark, Robert's brother, Walter T. Robinson and wife Lynn of Glens Falls, N.Y.

Born in Glens Falls, N.Y., Aug. 6, 1929, he graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1947. He attended Clarkson Univ., graduating in 1953 with a degree in Business Admin. After a tour of duty in Korea with the U.S. Signal Corp, he returned to Glens Falls where he Married Kay Maynard.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, three sons, Jay and wife Sharon of Rougemont, N.C., John of Glens Falls, N.Y., Meagan, daughter-in-law of Randolph, VT., Matthew and Donna of Taylors, S.C, and their their sons, Matthew II, Galen and David; Patty and son Timothy of Center, Rutland, VT. and many cousins.

Robert found great pleasure in his family, Nascar events, traveling and keeping up with the news. He was employed with Commercial Credit Corp. for 27 years, then working an additional seven years before retiring in 2001.

In the First Alliance Church in Hendersonville, he served faithfully as a deacon. Formerly a member of Pine Knolls Church in South Glens, N.Y., he also attended Calvary Bible Church while living in Rutland, VT. for 20
years.

In lieu of flowers gifts may be sent to the charity of one's choice, or to the Benevolent Fund of the First Alliance Church in Hendersonville.

The date of a memorial service will be announced.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Horace "Bud" Dill, 81

Horace "Bud" Dill, 81, of Hendersonville, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013 at St. Joseph's Campus Mission Hospital.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Henderson County and the son of the late Leonard and Fannie Vess Dill. He was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters and stepbrothers and sisters. Mr. Dill was employed by the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier for more than 28 years before retiring in 1990. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Church of Christ and enjoyed music, singing, nature and children. He was a lover of life.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Linda Hyder Dill; three daughters, Tina Dill Davidson and husband Terry of Hendersonville, Bonnie Dill Parker and husband Andrew of Franklin, TN, and Ramona Dill Weller and husband Walt of Birmingham, AL; son, Bryan Dill and wife Dana of Frankfort, KY; nine grandchildren, Josh, Phil, Timmy and Elise Carland, Luke and Matthew Parker, Zackary and Davis Drew, and Asher Dill; all of whom knew him as "Daddy Dill", and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Ministers Bryan Dill and Al Bergeron officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to S.E. Children's Home, 115 Childrens Way, Duncan, SC 29334.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

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Nancy Jean Morgan Williams, 80

Nancy Jean Morgan Williams, 80, of Hendersonville passed away Friday, May 17, 2013 at Elizabeth House. She was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Hendersonville and was the daughter of the late Sherman and Edith Capps Morgan.

Nancy was kind hearted. She enjoyed growing flowers of all varieties and watching the many birds that frequented the feeders she kept filled for them. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her loving husband of 60 years, Ernest Eugene "Gene" Williams; her children and their spouses, Michael Williams and his wife Peggy, Linda Williams Harris and her husband Ted, and Holly Williams; her grandchildren, Nathan Williams and his wife Katie, Matthew Williams, Haley Harris Parent and her husband Adam, and Emily Harris; a sister, Olive Morgan Goins; and her constant companions, her faithful dogs, Kris and Amanda.

A private entombment with no local service is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorials be may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, Elizabeth House, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Elizabeth House for their compassionate care.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Luke Morgan Youngblood

FLETCHER — Luke Morgan Youngblood, 10, of Fletcher, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Mission Hospital and is now walking, talking, and singing with his Lord and Savior on the streets of Gold. He was met there by his maternal grandfather, David Stanton "Pappy" and his uncle, Grant Stanton who preceded him in death.

Luke loved gospel music, and especially enjoyed listening to guitar picking and The McKameys, his favorite band. He loved ATV's, mashed potatoes and most of all his family.

He was loved and cherished by everyone who met him and will be truly missed.

He was the precious son of Randy and Penny Youngblood and brother of Logan and Levi Youngblood. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Wayne "Papaw" and Beulah "Mamaw" Youngblood of Fletcher; his maternal grandmother, Ruby "Nana" Stanton of Mars Hill; several aunts and uncles, David and Tammy Youngblood, John and Becky Youngblood, Cindy Stanton, Howard and Gwen Babbitt, Charlie and Melinda Stanton; several great-aunts; great uncles and many cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Fletcher First Baptist Church with the Rev. Roy Waldroup and the Rev. Craig Garren officiating. Burial will follow at Hoopers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. at the church.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

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Charles D. Jones, 80

Charles D. Jones, 80, of Zirconia, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Pardee Hospital.

He was a native of Henderson County and a son of the late Montreval and Cecelia Patterson Jones. Mr. Jones was also preceded in death by his wife, Lois Jones; grandson, Joshua Ford; two brothers; and five sisters.

He served in the U.S. Army and was employed by General Electric for 25 years retiring, as a Supervisor.

He is survived by his son, Michael Jones and his wife Mercedes of Homestead, FL; daughters, Sandra Hall and her husband Rick of Winston Salem, and Kathy Williams and her husband Gregg of Gallatin, TN; grandsons, Joseph and Aron Jones; sisters, Gladys and Mildred Jones; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral Home

To sign the online register book, please visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Brian Keith Beal

Brian Keith Beal, 47, of Hendersonville, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday May 15, 2013. He was preceded in death by his mother, Brenda Callahan Beal.

He is survived by his father, Robert S. Beal, Jr. and his wife, Rita Anders Beal of Hendersonville; three sons, Charles Robert Beal of Hendersonville, Phillip Michael Beal of Hendersonville and Noah Brian Beal of the home; two brothers, Robert S. Beal III and his wife, Sandy of Oriental, John T. Beal of Hendersonville; numerous aunts; uncles; nieces, nephews and a multitude of other family members and friends who were very special to Brian.

A visitation will be held from 5 until 6 p.m. on Sunday May 19, 2013 at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Vincent L. Brown, 97

Vincent L. Brown, 97, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Hendersonville Health & Rehabilitation after an extended period of declining health.

A native of St. Mary's Parish in Albany, Jamaica, he lived in Henderson County over forty years. He was a son of the late Henry and Rebecca Carley Brown, and was also preceded in death by five sisters and four brothers.

He came to the United States in 1956 working as a farm laborer. He was a butler serving several prominent families in the area, and also worked at the Woodfield Inn. He was Quaker by faith, attending various churches in Henderson County. He loved gardening and people in general. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. A special thank you goes to the staff of Hendersonville Health & Rehabilitation and Four Seasons Hospice for their excellent care.

Survivors include special friends, Charles and Madeline Royes.

A memorial graveside service will be at 12:00 pm Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Rev. Billy T. Waters will officiate.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Christine Gundermann, 91

Christine Emma Stumpf Gundermann, 91, of Hendersonville died peacefully Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Medical Center of Carolina Village.

Christine was born March 24, 1922, in Vienna, Austria, to Arnold and Friederike Stumpf. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Isolde; and her beloved husband, Alex, whom she married in May of 1948. Christine is survived by her niece, Madeleine Mad, husband, Franz; and their families in Austria.

Christine was a talented and active gardener, and enjoyed music and singing. She was always creating something wonderful from broken items and making them into new and beautiful pieces of art.

People who knew her will remember her wicked and sharp sense of humor. Christine will be missed by her close friends, Trix and Bob Tracey, Frank and Gitty Schields, from Carolina Village, and Bill and Debbie Kodros from Chapel Hill, NC.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Carolina Village Medical Center and Four Seasons Hospice, for all their love, attention, and caring for the comfort of our Christine.

A Memorial and Internment Service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville at a date to be announced.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Mark Edward Lewis, 59

Mark Edward Lewis, 59, of Hendersonville died Sunday, May 5, 2013, at Beystone Health and Rehab. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 7, 1953.

He was a 33 year member of Alcoholics Anonymous and was a domestic violence counselor for many years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Lewis Jr., and a stepson, Peter Hagen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria K. Irrgang; adoptive mother, Joan Lewis; biological mother, Margaret Spradling; stepson, Charles Hagen; six stepgrandchildren, Jeremiah Hagen, Hannah Marie Hagen, Michaela Hagen, Olivia Hagen, Jonathan Hagen, Quinten Hagen; half-sister, Connie Lynch; adoptive siblings, Karen Stork and David Lewis; sons, Todd Lewis, Scott Lewis, Matthew Wise.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Upward Road Seventh Day Adventist Church. Burial will be at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Robert A. Patton

A funeral service will be held for Robert A. Patton of Hendersonville, at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Cane Creek Baptist Church.

Interment will be at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Lessie Russell Hill, 92

Mrs. Lessie Russell Hill, 92, of Hendersonville died Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Pardee Hospital.

She was born Feb. 25, 1921, in Greenville County, SC, to the late Hardy Russell and Julia Gordon Russell and was the wife of the late U. G. Hill.

She worked in textiles, was a laundromat attendant, cared for homes on Lake Summit and was a caregiver at Pardee Hospital.

She is survived by a daughter Frances Hill Roberson and her husband David L. of Forest, Va.; two granddaughters, Julie Roberson of Forest, Va., and Frances Stacey Kashouty of Barbersville, Va.; a great-granddaughter Madalynn Roberson,; a sister Effie Russell of Saluda, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers JB Russell and his wife Rosa and JM Russell.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Tuxedo First Baptist Church. Rev. Mikell Bennett and Rev. Harold McKinnish will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.

Flowers are welcomed or contributions can be made to The Laurels of Hendersonville, Pardee Hospital Foundation or to the charity of one's choice.

An online register book is available by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements

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Pauline E. Poley, 85

Pauline E. Poley, 85, of Hendersonville passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Elizabeth House following an extended illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, she was a daughter of the late Willie and Lillie Darnell Brackett, and the wife of the late Charles C. Poley who died in 1995. She was also preceded in death by her daughters, Joyce Ann Poley, Linda Marie Cordell and Shirley Jean Poley. She attended Bible 2001 Baptist Church. Her life revolved around her family and church.

Survivors include three sons, Ed Poley and his wife Nancy, Clarence Poley, and Michael Dean Poley, all of Hendersonville; two daughters, Patricia Jones and her husband David of Anderson, SC, Florence McCollum of Central, SC; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Leon Brackett and his wife Jane of Marshall, Bill Brackett and his wife Jane of Fletcher; three sisters, Juanita Fowler and her husband Onnie of Edneyville, Sue Mathis and her husband Dennis of Dana, Thelma Martin and her husband James of Dana; and a great number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be at 2 pm Monday in the Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. Revs. Bill Brackett and Kevin Travis will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service in the chapel. Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the WNC Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.

A guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Robert Patton, 66

Robert Patton, 66, of Hendersonville, passed away, Friday, May 3, 2013.

Shuler Funeral Home will announce the arrangements

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John Anthony Ulinski, Jr.

John Anthony Ulinski, Jr., of Hendersonville, died on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.

John was born June 24, 1923, in Buffalo, New York. Born into the Roman Catholic faith, he was educated in parochial schools in Buffalo. He received his B.A. degree from Cornell University, attended Georgetown University Law School, and was a mid-career fellow of Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs.

During World War II he was a cryptographer with the Fifth Air Force. He was awarded the Philippines Liberation ribbon, the American Service medal, the Pacific Service medal, and the World War II Victory medal.

He joined the U.S. Bureau of the Budget in 1948, and in 1951 he worked with the Department of State when President Truman's Point Four program of technical assistance to the developing world was being organized. In 1953 he received a Ford Foundation grant to work with the Governor of West Java in Indonesia, and afterwards joined the U.S. foreign assistance mission in Indonesia. In 1957 he joined the Development Loan Fund, a government bank that financed projects in developing countries. He eventually became its Director of Operations in South and Southeast Asia, overseeing some $630 million in loans to countries in that area. He also negotiated loans for projects in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Ceylon, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, and, principally, India. He was a participant in the international consortium of aid donors to India.

From 1963-1965, he served as the assistant director of the AID mission in New Delhi, India. In 1966, after completing his fellowship at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School, he was appointed Associate Director of the U.S. aid mission to Vietnam. From there he moved to Liberia as Director of USAID. On concluding his assignment in Liberia, he was appointed Director of the Office for Private and Voluntary Cooperation at AID in Washington, D.C., and was concurrently the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. He retired in 1980.

He was awarded the medal for Distinguished Career Service and the Distinguished Honor Award for his government service.

After retirement, he and his wife Anne settled in Hendersonville, where he continued to consult with private groups engaged in development work abroad, particularly the U.S. YMCA and Rotary International. He also served on the board of the Western Carolina Civil Liberties Union, was a board member and treasurer of the Hendersonville Friends of Chamber Music, a founding member and treasurer of the Henderson County Bird Club, and a member of the Henderson County Public Art Committee.

John loved the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and for as long as his health allowed, he traveled with his family every winter to Pea Island to see the migratory birds. He loved literature and was himself an accomplished essayist. He loved music, baseball, and fine food, especially Indian cuisine. He was a gourmet chef who took great delight in preparing and presiding over large family meals.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Franke Ulinski, their five children and eight grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

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Nicholas Rammacca

ETOWAH — Nicholas Rammacca, 81, of Etowah, died peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2013 at Beystone Rehabilitation in Fletcher.

He was born in Manhattan, NY on October 5, 1931 to the late, Alfred and Catherine Rammacca. Nicholas leaves to mourn, his loving and devoted wife, Mary Rammacca. He is also survived by his son, Brent; his adopted son, Paul both of Florida; two half-sisters, Hope and Susan; four step-children, Robert, Barbara, Christina and Dusten; and three step-grandchildren that hold a very special place in his heart.

Mr. Rammacca was a United States Army Veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. After the war he became a hair stylist to the stars in New York. There he owned two hair salons before moving his former wife and sons to Florida where he became a Real Estate investor and owned a cleaning business that he happily named Mr. B's. Nicholas also bought and sold real estate, one of which was a historic property in Florida that afforded him to become a charter member of the National Historic Society in Florida.

In 2003 after the death of his first wife, Nicholas moved to Hendersonville and opened a small Antique shop on 4th Ave. He closed the store a few months later because he felt the market was about to fall. After ten years in Henderson County he met and married his current wife Mary. He was an avid reader, world traveler and loved to visit Antique stores with Mary in his spare time.

Mary would like to extend a very special thank you to the entire staff at Spring Arbor West in Laurel Park; Dr. Jenny Mathews and the staff of Family Health Center; Dr. Donald Culver and the staff at Beystone; Ms. Nichole Bailey of the Henderson County Department of Social Services, we love you and thank you for your love and support; dear friends, Don & Judith Porter; devoted friend, Carl Bartolino in Massachusetts and to all our friends who helped us to walk this long road; Mrs. Pam Pelligran for introducing me to the wonderful group in Fletchers Memory Care. I know understand how dreadful Alzheimer Disease truly is. Thank you all for your support.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Spring Arbor West Assisted Living Facility, 1825 Pisgah Drive (directly behind the Ingles) in Laurel Park.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

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