Evelyn Gertrude "Trudy" Laughter Clark, 86

Evelyn Gertrude "Trudy" Laughter Clark, 86, died peacefully at Vista Cove in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on April 22, 2014 after a period of declining health.

She was born July 25, 1927, and lived most of her life in Henderson County. She is the daughter of James Polk Laughter and Mae Belle Byers Nix. She is preceded in death by Guy H. Clark, her husband of 62 years, by her brother James P. (Rooney) Laughter and two sisters Kate Anderson and Edith Corn.

She is survived by her son, Alan B. Clark, and his wife, Cathryn, of Raleigh,and her daughter, Sandra S. Rhoades, and her husband, Floyd, of Indian Wells, Calif. She has three grandchildren Jessica Lynn Clark and Sean Alan Clark and Rebecca Rhoades.

Trudy graduated from Edneyville High School in 1943 and worked in banking for 33 years at State Trust Company, Northwestern Bank and retired as a Vice President of First Union National Bank in 1986. She served as a treasurer of the Hendersonville Business and Professional Women's Club, belonged to the After 5 Christian Professional Women's Club, the Henderson County Democratic Women and was a member of Mud Creek Baptist Church. She was active in the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association and served as accountant for Clark Oil Company. Most of all, Trudy valued her family and above all, she wanted to be remembered as a loving wife and mother.

Funeral service will be held 3 p.m., Sunday, April 27, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel with Rev. Charles Evans officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Internment will follow the service at Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will be hosting a reception immediately following the cemetery service in the Heritage Hall at Pine Park Retirement Community located at 2601 Chimney Rock Rd. in Hendersonville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elizabeth House at Four Seasons, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731 www.fourseasonscfl.org or to Mud Creek Baptist Church at 403 Rutlege Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28739. www.mudcreekchurch.org.

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

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

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John Herman Bradke, Jr., 90

John Herman Bradke, Jr., 90, of Hendersonville went home to the arms of our Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the Elizabeth House.

He was born Aug. 24, 1923, in Vinton, Iowa, to the late John H. and Clistie Brazelton Bradke. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Velma Horack and his brother Robert Bradke

He graduated from the University of Iowa where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity and met his wife, Alice Ann Rusty Reininga. They were married for 64 years this April. Also surviving John are his three sons: Steve and wife Anna, Bill and wife Cathy, and Tom and wife Carol; six grandsons: Brian and wife Tiffany, Sean, J.P., Daniel, Jeffrey and Christopher; two great-granddaughters: Elizabeth Ann and Charlotte Ann; nieces Joann Bowman and husband Ernest and Karen Roseberry, nephew Kenneth Horak, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

John and Rusty lived in Oyster Bay, N.Y., where they raised their family. John was employed in New York City by JC Penny as corporate buyer for their cosmetic departments. John also worked for Faberge Fragrances and Victoria Vogue as their National Sales Manager. He was also very active in their church, and a member of Matinecock Masonic Lodge where he became Master in 1971. John received his 50 year certificate, apron, and pin this spring.

John and Rusty retired to Hendersonville in 1989. John joined and became active in the Civitan Club, serving as President from 1994-1995, and Lt. Governor from 1995-1996. He received Civitan's Foundation Fellow award for working for Civitan International Research Center. John was also a member of First United Methodist Church.

The mountains and waterfalls of western North Carolina inspired him to begin oil painting – his new hobby, in which he became very good. He also really enjoyed playing bridge with friends in Carriage Park. He loved to garden, cook and cruise.

John was a real family man. He looked forward to and enjoyed all visits from his children and grandchildren. He will be terribly missed by his loving family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Mah 20, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 204 6th Ave. W. Hendersonville, with Rev. Dan Martin and Rev. Christy Sharp officiating. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Elizabeth House 571 S. Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731, or to The Civitan Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 762 Hendersonville, NC 28793-0762, or to your favorite charity.

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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Jackie Hunnicutt Norton, 84

Jackie Hunnicutt Norton, 84, of Mills River died Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Memorial Mission Hospital.

She was born in Charlotte on Sept. 13, 1929, to the late Daniel L. Hunnicutt and Mamie Trull Hunnicutt. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Hunnicutt.

Mrs. Norton attended Wingate College for two years; she then attended Greensboro College and graduated with a degree in Religious Education. She was a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization. She was a member of Mills River United Methodist Church, and has been a resident of Henderson County for over 57 years.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Howard B. Norton of the home; sons, Clifford A. Norton and wife, Rita Hoxit Norton of Mills River; daughters, Rebecca Norton Crawford and husband, Carl of Argyle, Texas, Laura Norton Fish and husband Stephen of Hendersonville, Claudia B. Norton of Eugene, Ore., Esther G. Norton of New Orleans, La.; grandchildren, Dennis Cantrell, Mark Cantrell, Christina Grubbs, Emily Houlihan, Ami Fish, Traci F. Edworthy; great-grandchildren, Dallas and Dakota Cantrell, Madison Balding and Kylie Cantrell, Gabrielle Grubbs, Isabella Edworthy; brothers, Bill Hunnicutt and wife, Joan of Charlotte, Morris Hunnicutt and wife, Martha of Edneyville; sister-in-law, Dorothy A. Norton of Winter Park, Fla.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014, at Mills River United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ashley Crowder-Stanley and the Rev. Paige Ann Miller officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to Mills River United Methodist Church, 137 Old Turnpike Rd. Mills River, NC 28759 or Mills River Fire and Rescue, 121 Schoolhouse Rd. Mills River, NC 28759.

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

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

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Frances Peebles Phillips, 92

Frances Peebles Phillips, 92, passed away April 22, 2014 in Hendersonville.

Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors will announce arrangements.

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James David Nagell, Jr., 57

James David Nagell, Jr., 57, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2014, in the chapel of Shuler Funeral Home.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Helmut "George" Hoffmann, 91

Helmut "George" Hoffmann died on Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC, at the age of 91.

Born in Breslau, Germany in 1922, Helmut served his country's Air Force in WWII from 1940 until his capture by Allied Forces in Tunisia in 1943. He was a prisoner of war in San Francisco until 1946 when he returned to his devastated homeland. He married his lifelong sweetheart Ella Mader in October of 1947, and completed studies at the University of Heidelberg while working as Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Events with the American Forces in Heidelberg.

In 1951, he and his wife migrated to Toronto, Canada, where Helmut began his long association with the Massey Ferguson Corporation, starting out with a night job in the machine shop and working his way up, through diligent study and business acumen, to his eventual position of Comptroller of the North American Service Division (1976). He balanced additional translating/journalism jobs, consulting work, moving his family to Des Moines IA and Racine WI, acquiring US citizenship, raising 2 children, and maintaining family ties in Europe.

Upon his retirement in 1984, Helmut and Ella moved to Hendersonville to explore and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. He cultivated many special friendships during these years, particularly with bridge mates. Helmut lived with gentle dignity and thoughtful respect for each person he met, and found that all the challenges, struggles, risks and successes made his a "life worth living."

He was preceded in death by his wife Ella, his daughter Kathleen, parents Franz and Hedwig Hoffmann, siblings Gerhard, Rudi, and Anni. He is survived and will be sadly missed by his son Robert "Peter" (and Sandra) Hoffman of Duluth, Minn.; grandchildren Brian Johnson of Milwaukee, Wisc., Julie Sheriff of Racine, Wisc., Dylan Christensen of Racine Wisc., Samuel and Benjamin Hoffman of Duluth, Minn.; great-grandchildren Gavin and Ava Sheriff of Racine, Wisc.; sisters Heidi and Elizabeth in Germany, nieces Renate Leimgruber, Angelika Melzer, and numerous other relatives and friends across Europe, Canada, and the USA.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for the compassionate care provided by Four Seasons Hospice, first in the home setting and then at the Elizabeth House.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2014, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

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

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

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Jackie Hunnicutt Norton, 84

Jackie Hunnicutt Norton, 84, of Mills River died Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Mission Hospital.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors will announce arrangements.

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Frances Bishop, 80

Frances Bishop, 80, entered into eternal peace with her Heavenly Father Jesus Christ, on April 22, 2014, at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.

A native of Hendersonville, she attended Dana High School. Throughout the years she worked at Ruth Originals and served as a riding assistant for a Henderson County Handicap School Bus. She was also a faithful member of Maranatha Baptist Church. Frances also enjoyed being involved in Parents without Partners of Hendersonville.

Frances was the daughter of the late Cleatus Elmore Sitton and Edna Ballard Sitton.

Frances is survived by her siblings Frankie Sitton, Jim Sitton and Pat Suttles Miller. She was also the loving wife of the late James Lloyd Bishop. Frances is also survived by her three children, Jerry Bishop and his wife Missy Bishop, Audrey Johnson and her husband Gary Johnson and Diane Stepp and her husband Donnie Stepp; six grandchildren Ashleigh Swayze, Lauren Minnick, Elisha Elmore, Chad Johnson, Craig Stepp and Brent Stepp; and six great-grandchildren Porter Swayze, Kylie Minnick, Karlie Johnson, Brock Stepp, Tatum Stepp and Clayton Stepp.

The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014, with Rev. Craig Stepp officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014.

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

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

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Phillip "Pappy" Penland, 53

Phillip "Pappy" Penland, 53, of Fletcher rode up among the angels and became present with the Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Phil was born in 1960 in Asheville to Patricia Ramsey and the late Jim Penland. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his beloved Maw and Paw, Evelyn and James Penland; and his sister, Jane Matthews.

A forever soul mate, loving father, and a proud pappy; he was an active member of Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville. He loved helping Sergio in the food ministry. He was the vice president for several years of the Carolina Faith Riders (A ministry of Mud Creek Baptist Church). He was the owner of Chuck's Plumbing and a master plumber, and he took pride in every job he did.

Phil is survived by his loving wife, Sue Penland; son, Josh Penland and wife, Michelle; daughter, Miranda Penland; two grandsons, Dawson and Gavin Penland (the twinkle in his eyes); brother, Jimmy Penland; sisters, Karen Baldwin and husband, Mickey, Sharon Robinson, and Tonya Heatherly and husband, Woody.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Mud Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Greg T. Mathis officiating. Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park accompanied by a motorcycle escort. All biker's are welcome to ride. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to Dawson and Gavin's education fund at any TD Bank.

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

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

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Victor J. Tirrito, 85

Victor J. Tirrito, 85, of Hendersonville died with his daughter and friend, Sue, by his side on April 15, 2014.

Vic, the oldest of five children, was born on July 20, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York to Cosmo and Catherine Tirrito.

"A beacon of light with an ever present twinkle in his eyes-Vic never met a stranger"

After graduating from high school, at the age of 17, Vic enlisted in the Navy and spent two years in Greenland before completing his service with the rank of Seamen. Upon his return, Vic enrolled in the State University of New York, graduating in 1950 with an Executive Assisting Certificate. From there, Vic had a successful 40+ year career with IBM. In 1990, Vic and his wife moved to Hendersonville to be close to their daughter and the mountains.

Vic was a life long devout Catholic. As a member of Immaculate Conception, he served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, visiting the sick in many locations. He also taught religious education and led the prayer line. Vic believed in education. He started the continuing education program at Rockland Community College and, after moving to Hendersonville, he taught career guidance at Blue Ridge Community College, along with attending courses himself. Vic believed in community service: volunteering with Blue Ridge Literacy Council, the Elks Club, Immaculate Conception, Knights of Columbus - wherever he was needed he would go. Vic believed in physical fitness. Ffor nearly 15 years Vic worked as a fitness coach at the YMCA, retiring at the age of 84. During that time he never hesitated to encourage, mentor and counsel those that came his way - he always made people feel beautiful. Vic believed in family. Vic was married for 54 years to his wife Terry, he loved his children and grandchildren, and he remained very close to his sisters and brother his entire life.

Vic is survived by his daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Michael Pais of Matthews; his son Victor and daughter-in-law Debbie Tirrito of South Hero, Vt.; grandchildren, Rachael Pais, Michael Tirrito and Stephen Tirrito; great- grandchildren, Katelyn, Kristen, Mason, Persephone, Emma, Conner, and Isaac; and siblings and their spouses, Sal and Terry, June and Lenny, Shannon and John and Phyllis; in addition to many, many friends (including the Y's guys and UUs!!) and his beloved little poodle, Marsha. Vic was preceded in death by his wife Theresa, and his brother-in-law, Nick Maldarelli .

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:00 AM Monday April 28, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Candler. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the funeral home. A Prayer service will be held 7:00 PM Sunday at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Gerard House in Hendersonville, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the i Give H2OPE (Providing clean water for all)

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

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Helmut George Hoffmann, 91

Helmut George Hoffmann, 91, of Hendersonville died Sunday, April 20, 2014, at the Elizabeth House.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors will announce arrangements.

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Kenneth Allen Cannon, 74

Kenneth Allen Cannon, 74, of Hendersonville died Friday, April 18, 2014 at Park Ridge Hospital.

He was born on April 25, 1939, in Henderson County to the late Connie Devotion Cannon and Grace Hyder Cannon. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers.

Mr. Cannon was a lifelong resident of Henderson County; he was a charter member of Fair Haven Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for 46 years. He was a skilled rock mason for over 60 years and owned and operated his own business for over 30 years. In addition, he was also employed by General Electric and Cranston Print Works. He was a loving husband, a hard worker, and he was the best daddy and brother, but his purpose on earth was to be a Papaw. He was known as "Papaw" to many other children. One word to describe him is faithful. Not only to his family, but also to his church and to God.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Cannon of the home; two sons, Michael Cannon and his wife, Wanda, Jeff Cannon and his wife, Stephanie; four grandchildren, Natalie, Nick, Chelsa, and Kimberly Cannon; two brothers; eight sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and doctors of Park Ridge Hospital, especially to his nurse, Stephanie Arriaga for their loving care and support.

Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Fair Haven Baptist Church with Pastor Chris Norris, and Brother Phillip Kuykendall officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectively requests that memorial donations be directed to Fair Haven Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 5067 Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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

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

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Evelyn Garren, 70

Evelyn Garren, 70, of Hendersonville passed away Friday, April 18, 2014.

She was the daughter of the late Hayes and Louise Tankersley, and a native of Henderson County. She was a member of English Chapel Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Blaine Garren; sons, Joey Garren and his wife Ruth, Donnie Garren and his wife Donna; grandchildren, Justin and his fiancé Natasha, Kevin and his fiancé Jacqueline, Kelsie, Tristan, Blaine, Kristin, Kara, Kendra, Jacob, and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Paxton, Brianna; sister-in-law, Marie Justice and her husband Carrol; a niece and a nephew; and several cousins.

A funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2014, in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor Mike McMillion officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 2 p.m. in the chapel and at other times at the home of Joey Garren.

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

Forest Lawn Funeral is assisting the family.

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Agnes Marie Van Wieren, 88

Agnes Marie Van Wieren, 88, of Hendersonville died Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Golden Living Center.

Mrs. Van Wieren was born Oct. 22, 1925 in Prospect Park, N.J., to the late Thomas and Cora Van Ostenbridge Dykstra. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Bernard Van Wieren and a son Kenneth Van Wieren.

Agnes worked at Wright Aeronautical and Manhattan Shirt factories during and after WWII. She married May 6, 1949 and became a homemaker. She worked as a nurses aid while her five children where in there teens. Agnes and Bernard moved to Hendersonville in 1983 from Midland Park, N.J., and she continued in home health. She attended Pinecrest Presbyterian Church where she was a member for 30 years. Agnes was involved in the Church WOC "Women of Church," prayer group, choir, and the prayer-chain, and Tops.

Survivors include her children; Lois DeWitte of Edenton, Eileen V. Thomas of Hendersonville, Chris Van Wieren of Hendersonville, and Delores Kinlaw of Charlotte; brothers Tom Dykstra of Georgia and Bob Dykstra of California; sister Carolyn Munster of New Milford, Pa.; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Pinecrest Presbyterian Church with Rev. Rhett Carson officiating. Interment will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2014, at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.

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

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

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Kenneth Allen Cannon

Kenneth Allen Cannon, 74, of Hendersonville died Friday, April 18, 2014, at Park Ridge Hospital.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors will announce arrangements.

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Eula Whitlock Drake, 93

Eula Whitlock Drake, 93, died peacefully on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Elizabeth House.

Eula was born Nov. 18, 1920 in Hendersonville to the late Gary T. and Senora Haile Whitlock. Eula was the youngest of six children. She lived her childhood on South Main Street and was a member of Hendersonville High School class of 1937, the first class of students to attend classes in the "new" building on 8th Avenue from first grade through graduation.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother Russell and sisters Arlene, Ruth, Martha and Gary.

An accomplished stenographer, Miss Whitlock served as executive secretary to Karl Straus at Ecusta Paper Mill during the early war years, and then to local merchant H. Patterson where she met and married Walter Foulds Drake, the "superb clothier of Patterson's Men Shop." Together they started a family and built a little house on North Main Street. Eula continued to work outside of the home serving as secretary to attorney Bob Whitmire, architects Bill O'Cain and Bill Bracket and builder Pete Green. Later on as an antique dealer, she had a keen eye for folk art and primitives and continued collecting and selling through shops in Landrum, Horse Shoe and Hendersonville.

As a member of First Baptist Church for over 80 years, Eula served as children's activity leader, teacher and circle member. As a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader she expressed her artistic abilities and playfulness. She was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary in the '50s and '60s, a Pink Lady at Pardee Hospital, and one of the best duplicate bridge players to ever pass through the Opportunity House. She was indeed one of the first generation of super-moms.

Mrs. Drake is survived by daughter Susan Nilsson and husband Jon of Asheville; son Walter Jr. aka "Chip" of Hendersonville, his children Morelia and Sam, and grandson Jonathan all of Washington state; also son David and his companion Patricia of Lexington, his children Susan (Wes) Sellew of Charleston, and Anne (Shawn) Houston and their mother Nancy of Burlington, and grandchildren Fox, Haile and Millie Foulds. Also included as survivor and family is her life-long very best friend Ruth Hendrix of Hendersonville and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2014, in the Chapel of First Baptist Church with Rev. Wally Shamburger officiating.

As a memorial to Eula, please consider adopting a stray animal or making a financial contribution to your local animal rescue group.

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 "Bob" Richard Miller, 79

Robert "Bob" Richard Miller, 79, of Hendersonville died Saturday, April 12, 2014, at the Elizabeth House.

Robert was born Oct. 3, 1934, in Trenton, N.J., to the late Robert Paul and Margaret Albert Miller. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a brother John King and a sister Betty King.

He was an Army Veteran and served overseas. Robert was a painting contractor and started his own business in 1964, "Bob's Custom Painting."

He was the oldest of six children and was always there to help his parents. He assisted with the younger siblings, in so many ways he was their Dad too. He loved deep sea fishing and traveling to Florida. He also enjoyed taking trips to New Jersey and Oregon to visit family and friends. Bob absolutely loved animals of all kinds.

Survivors include a son Bobby Miller; a daughter Missy Childress of Hendersonville; brother Allen A. Duncan of Hendersonville; two sisters Carmen Sidebottom of Moore, S.C., and Sharon Pendleton of Medford, Ore.; two grandchildren, Savanna Parris and Cherie Jordan; one great granddaughter, Clara Parris; other survivors include nephews Todd Hayden, John Whisenant, and Christopher Banks; nieces Karen Pendleton, Teresa Pendleton and Lori Banks.

A graveside service will be held noon Monday, April 21, 2014, at Shepherd Memorial Park with Rev. Ron Brown officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blue Ridge Humane Society, 1214 Greenville Highway Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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

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

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Jeffrey L. "J.T." Thompson, 56

Jeffrey L. "J.T." Thompson, 56, of Flat Rock, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, he was the son of Joe and Marilyn Thompson of Hendersonville.

He was a 1978 graduate of East Henderson High School where he played football and ran track. He retired from General Electric where he worked for 36 years and was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter Kimberly Bucy and her husband Matthew; his grandson Julian Bucy; mother of Kimberly, Karla Thompson Zaborowski; a sister Sharon King and her husband Tommy; a niece Melanie Justice and her husband Jimmy all of Hendersonville; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014, in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Rev. Mark Hunnicutt and Pastor Ivan Blake will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hope Academy, 403 Rutledge Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

To sign an online register book, visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Marion Elizabeth Strassburg-Davis

Marion Elizabeth Strassburg-Davis of Hendersonville died Wednesday April 16, 2014, at her residence.

A native of Detroit, Mich., Marion was the daughter of the late Othmar Christian Geschwind and Martha Elizabeth Beck Geschwind. She lived much of her life in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., before moving to Hendersonville 12 years ago. Mrs. Strassburg-Davis retired from Xerox after 23 years of service. She was a member of Grace Lutheran of Hendersonville, NC.

She is survived by her dedicated and loyal husband Walter; two daughters Jan Strassburg Huntley of Boone and Kathy Strassburg Kwiatkowski of Moscow, Idaho; sons Ken Strassburg of Richmond, Va., and Kevin Strassburg of Quebec City, Canada. Other survivors include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A special thanks to Cam and Les Boyd, of Boyd Cadillac, for their support of Walter during his leave of absence to lovingly care for his wife.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Mt. Clemens, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marion's name may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church,

1245 Sixth Ave. West, Hendersonville, NC 28739. www.gracelutherann.com. 828-693-4890

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

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

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Edna Justus

Edna Justus of Hendersonville died Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Beystone Health and Rehabilitation.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors will announce arrangements.

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