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Obituaries

Please remember these recently
departed members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in your prayers

Rathaline Olson

Memorial services for Rathaline "Raffie" Olson, 77, of Fairfield Glade, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. For more information, call the Bilbrey Funeral Home obituary line at 787-1900 or visit www.bilbreyfh.com.

James A. Juif

James Anthony Juif, 76, of Crossville, passed away July 3, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade, with Father John Dowling officiating.
Mr. Juif was born March 3, 1934, in Detroit, MI, the son of James Marshall and Bernadette Schmidt Juif.
Before retiring, he was a design engineer at General Motors.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary Juif; sons, James W. Juif, Timothy J. Juif and wife Alison and Robert G. Juif and wife Jennifer; daughters, Marianne E. Masserang and husband Thomas, Kathleen M. Mell and husband Jeff, Ellen M. Alfonsi and husband Tony, Dianne P. Lawson and husband Tommy and Maureen C. Nale; grandchildren, Jason, Ryan, Renee, Jacqueline, Jeff, Katie, Joe, Jake, Ashley, Kristina, Tony, Shana, Nicole, Emma, Quinn Trevor and Tyler; brothers, Robert Juif and Richard Juif; and sisters, Kathleen and Marilyn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael A. Juif.
Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. was in charge of the arrangements.
 

 

Philip A. Melillo

The Honorable Philip Alfred Melillo, 83, passed away July 2, 2010 at his home following a brief illness of congestive heart failure. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 10, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 9, at Bilbrey Funeral Home.


Bruce L.Merrill

Bruce Lauchlin Merrill, 77, of Crossville, passed away June 21, 2010. A memorial service was held June 28 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with Father John Dowling officiating.
Mr. Merrill was born June 9, 1933, in Cheboygan, MI, the son of Frank Merrill and Amelia (Kucharski) Merrill.
He served in the Cheboygan Police Department and was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife, Cecilia J. (Zimmer) Merrill of Crossville; sons, Robert David of Michigan, Alan David of Crossville, Martin David, Glenn Merrill, Eric David, David Merrill and Kurt David, all of Michigan; daughters, Lenore Castillo and Cynthia Merrill of Michigan; sisters, Harriett Milhouse and Nathalie Socha of Michigan and Margie Tate of Tennessee; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Merrill.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Richard A. Bate

Richard "Rick" Arthur Bate, 87, of Fairfield Glade, passed away June 21, 2010. A memorial service was held June 25 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with Father John Dowling officiating.
Mr. Bate was born March 4, 1923, in West Allis, WI, the son of Harry Bate and Genevieve (Marl) Bate.
He was retired from Parker Motor Freight Company and was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Survivors include his grandson, David Westfall of Fairfield Glade; brothers, Skip Bate and John Bate of St. Clair Shores, MI; and sister, Barbara D-Haem of St. Clair Shores, MI.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (LaBeau) Bate; son, Curt Bate; and daughter, Juanita Bate.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements

 

Edmund J.  Schmidt

Edmund J. Schmidt, Jr. loving husband, father and good friend to many passed, away June 20, 2010 in Crossville, from a sudden illness with his wife at his side.
Known as "Eddie" he is survived by his wife, Carol, of 54 years, and three children, Edmund J. Schmidt III, married to Amy of Nashville, Sandra Miller, married to Marc, and Randall Schmidt, married to Julie, of Harahan. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and brother Daniel Richard Schmidt of Atlanta, GA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund J. Schmidt Sr. and Marguerite Schmidt.
He was a graduate of Jesuit High School, Loyola University and Loyola Law School. He served in the United States Army being honorably discharged in 1965 with the rank of captain. He was a member of the Louisiana and Jefferson Bar Associations and past presidents for the Louisiana Finance Association, American Finance Association, and Louisiana Motor Vehicle Association. He served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army. He was long time owner and president of Parish Finance and Parish Insurance. He was active in many civic and social organizations including Pete Fountain's Half-Fast Walking Club, Let's Dance, Four Fins, Jesters of the Court of Two Sisters, World War Two Round Table, Lion's Club International, New Orleans Jazz Club, Colonial Country Club, and many carnival organizations. He was a long time member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Harahan, Knights of Columbus, and The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
While a long time resident of Jefferson Parish, he and his wife moved to Fairfield Glade, TN, in 2007. He became an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where his funeral mass was held on June 22, 2010 and interred in the church columbarium. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass to be held on July 1, 2010 at 5 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church in Harahan.
In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the American Heart Association.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Jeffrey Lemieux

A funeral mass will held on Friday, June 11, at 10 am for Jeffrey Lemieux, son of Ron and Janeene Lemieux. Interment will be in the Columbarium.

 

Nellie R. Boner

Nellie Ray Boner passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2010 at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, Tennessee in the care of hospice. Funeral services will be held at St. Francis Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 12.
Mrs. Boner was born Feb. 14, 1931 in Elkhart, IL. She was the youngest child of
Nellie (Powell) and Julian Bennett.
She attended school at Walnut Grove Grade School and graduated from Williamsville High School in 1948. Nell graduated from Illinois State University in 1952 and began her teaching career in Fairbury, IL. She married Earle Boner on Dec. 27, 1952 in Athens, IL. She then taught school in Mendota, IL, for 39 years. She retired from teaching in 1992 and moved to Fairfield Glade, where she has been an active resident. While residing in Fairfield Glade, Nellie was involved in Neighbors and Newcomers, Ladies Club, Habitat for Humanity, and the Council of Christian Women at St. Francis Church. She was chosen Volunteer of the Month in June 2009 at Habitat for Humanity.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Earle; sons, Kirby (Suzanne) of Tampa, FL, and Martin (Connie) of Abu Dhabi, UAE; and daughter, Kelly (Michael) Conrad of
Metamora, IL. There are six grandsons, Patrick (Mafe) of Washington, D.C., Mitchell (Jacqueline) of Orlando, FL, Vassili Boner of Abu Dhabi, UAE, Matthew, Kyle, and Kirby of Metamora, IL. There are three great-grandsons in Orlando, FL, Benjamin, Andrew, and Wyatt. She is also survived by a brother, Joe (Irma) Bennett of Greenview, IL; a sister, Jane (Ken) Johnson in Lincoln, IL; and several nieces-and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ralph Bennett.
Memorials may be directed to Cumberland County Hospice, WyndRidge Health and Rehabilitation Center, or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements.

  

August J. DeRubeis

August Joseph "Gus" DeRubeis, 86, of Fairfield Glade, passed away May 30, 2010. A memorial service was held June 5 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with Father John Dowling officiating.
Mr. DeRubeis was born May 31, 1923, in Ironwood, MI, the son of Joseph and Josephine (Silveri) DeRubeis.
He was a metallurgical engineer and was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Corinne Marie (Simmons) DeRubeis of Fairfield Glade; sons, Jim DeRubeis of Sylvania, OH, Mark DeRubeis of Jacksonville, FL, Robert DeRubeis of Philadelphia, PA, and Michael DeRubeis of Minneapolis, MN; and sisters, Kathleen McCloud of Philadelphia, PA, and Mary Adamski of Minneapolis, MN.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Colleen Ann DeRubeis.
Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. (www.bilbreyfh.com) was in charge of the arrangements.

 

 

Gerald L. Swisher III

CROSSVILLE — Gerald (Jerry) Lee Swisher III passed away at his home in Fairfield Glade May 24, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial was held May 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade. Crossville Memorial Funeral Home handled the cremation. Interment will be held at Gypsum Valley Cemetery in Gypsum, KS, at a later date.
Mr. Swisher was born Aug. 17, 1949, in Salina, KS, the son of Gerald Lee Swisher II and Rosemary Virginia Hall Swisher.
He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and was an avid and competitive sportsman his entire life, rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs (no matter what) and the Kansas Jayhawks. He excelled in high school as the most outstanding athlete in baseball and basketball with a fondness for football, too. His love for golf brought him to Fairfield Glade. He played with the Hustlers and the Woodsmen golf leagues. He also was a member of the Wednesday Men's Plateau Bowling League. He was also a distinguished member of the "Hole-in-One Club," March 28, 1992, at Delta View Golf Course, Pittsburg, CA.
He served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran. He was a salesman in the building materials industry.
Survivors include his loving wife of 15 years, Carol Bala Lamb, and his "girls," Callie, Precious and Peanut. He is also survived by three sisters and four brothers, Dianne Yeager of Fresno, CA, Rosemary Bargamian of Visalia, CA, Denise Young of Colfax, GA, Greg of Bend, OR, Randy of Auburn, CA, Jeffrey of Santa Cruz, CA and James of Grass Valley, CA; and nine nieces and nephews. He leaved behind a caring family, wonderful neighbors and supportive friends in Tennessee, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan and California.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his youngest brother, Jay Lambert Swisher.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Caris Health Care (Hospice), 60 Ridley St., Ste. 127, Crossville, TN 38555, or Wags and Whiskers Pet Rescue, 121 Creek View Dr., Crossville, TN 38555.
Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Gerald A. Bartos  (Father of Rev Kris Bartos - fill in priest during the summer)

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Bartos, Gerald A., 85, of Pompano Beach, FL, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2010. Gerry was born in Detroit, MI, on March 30, 1925, to Anthony and Mary Bartos. He has been a resident of South Florida since 1985, having previously resided in Warren, MI. Gerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Theresa Diane Bartos; and brothers, Edward Bartos and Norbert Bartos. He is survived by his loving wife, Gean Bartos; sons, James Bartos, Larry (Marcia) Bartos, Rev. Kris Bartos and Gregory (Jeannine) Bartos; and grandchildren, Corey, Gregory and Adriah. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Tuesday, 11 a.m. at St. Coleman Catholic Church in Pompano. Arrangements entrusted to Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 200 N. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33062. (954) 941-4111 www.kraeerpompanobeach.net
Published in Sun-Sentinel from May 22 to May 23, 2010


Dowling, Joseph Stegan

posted April 17, 2010

Click to Enlarge
Joseph Dowling
Joseph Stegin Dowling, 87, Chattanooga, died on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at his home.

Mr. Dowling graduated from Savannah High School and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh. During World War II, he served in the military training fighter pilots and was later licensed as a private pilot.

He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, and a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus.

Mr. Dowling was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Dowling; brother, Reverend William Dowling; sister, Mary Rossiter, and his loving wife of 59 years, Angela Ryan Dowling.

Survivors include his children, son, Reverend John Dowling; daughter, Marie Bergheimer, son-in-law, Alan; son Reverend Kevin Dowling; son, Mark Dowling, daughter-in-law, Paulette; daughter, Barbara Dowling; son, Brian Dowling, daughter-in-law, Beth; daughter, Katherine Northrop, son-in-law, George; grandchildren, Alan Jr., Michael, Angela, Callie, Kate, Natalie, Maggie, and Jack; two sisters, Lillian Odom (James), Ann Farr (Joseph), and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 19, at St. Jude Catholic Church with Fathers John Dowling and Kevin Dowling officiating.

Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 4 - 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church Building Fund or Hospice of Chattanooga.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist. North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.

 

Gerald B. Pitts
June 9, 1931 — March 13, 2010

Gerald B. Pitts, 78, of Fairfield Glade, passed away on March 13, 2010, in Spring, TX. A Mass and luncheon will be held on Monday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Peavine Rd. Everyone is welcome to attend. Another service will be held at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Middletown, CT this summer.

Mr. Pitts was born in Boston, MA, on June 9, 1931, to the late Helen and Joseph Pitts.

He graduated from Boston College High School and served two years in the Army as a medic during the Korean Conflict. He was married to his loving wife, Bev Pitts, for 50 years this past November. They lived in Glastonbury, CT, before relocating to Fairfield Glade in 1997.

Jerry was the Maytag representative in the state of Connecticut for 37 years. Upon retirement, he was very active in the Hackers Golf Group and served as emcee for the Grady Group where he entertained and told jokes until being booed off the stage. Jerry was loved and respected by all who knew him.

He is survived by five children — sons, Ken Pitts of Waterbury, CT, Dave Pitts of Wilton, CT, and Jeff Pitts of Chicago, IL; daughters, Cindy Van Diest of Glens Falls, NY and Diane Ward of Spring, TX; sister, Anne Shannon of Norwood, MA; brothers, Joseph Pitts of Brighton, MA and Albert Pitts of Milford, MA. He also is survived by six grandsons and six granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans or Hospice of Cumberland County or Fairfield Glade Hospice Auxiliary.

 

Emery, John J.
   
 
Dec. 31, 1920 — March 17, 2010

John Joseph Emery, 89, of Fairfield Glade, formerly of Portage, MI, passed away at the stroke of midnight on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2010, with family by his side after a lifetime of dedication and service to God, family, country and Notre Dame. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held Saturday, March 20, at St. Francis of Assisi church in Fairfield Glade. There will also be a memorial service at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Portage, MI, at a later date pending final arrangements.

Mr. Emery was born in Chicago, IL, on New Year's Eve, 1920, to Herbert J. and Marcia (Leach) Emery, the first of five children. The Great Depression soon ensued and the Emery family wasn't immune to the hardships of the time, moving into a small apartment on Chicago's South Side. John helped the family by selling newspapers on the corner of 47th and Greenwood and being a Western Union messenger. It was during his childhood that he developed his life long love of Notre Dame football, listening to Fighting Irish games on the family's living room radio. Consulting no one, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1940. John spent most of WWII in Alaska and wound up his service at the Manistee, MI, Coast Guard station in 1946. It was there that he met the first love of his life, Katherine Korzeniewski. They were united in marriage that year and had their first of eight children a year later.

Two children later and aspiring to a better life for his family, John followed his dream and applied for admission to the University of Notre Dame. To his amazement he was accepted. The family lived in "Vetville" on campus, where other veterans attending Notre Dame on the GI Bill after the war resided with their families. Before he graduated in 1953, two more children were born. The family then moved to Elkhart, IN. During this time, John was employed by the South Bend Electric Company as an account manager. He also sold insurance, among other part time jobs, to support his family, which had grown to eight children. John served his church, St. Thomas the Apostle, in many capacities, among them the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), Holy Name Society, Choir and was Scout Master of the Cub Scout troop.

John moved the family to Kalamazoo, MI, in 1969 when he accepted a position with Klose Electric Co., where he worked as a sales representative until retiring in 1985. His dear wife Kate passed away January 7, 1977.

While attending a Cursillo in Battle Creek, MI, he met Joyce McKay, who had lost her spouse, Donald McKay, after a loving 21-year marriage that also bore eight children. John and Joyce were united in marriage on October 22, 1977.

In the spring of 1991, John and Joyce moved to Fairfield Glade, TN, to enjoy a very active retirement. Their activities included square dancing, card groups, international travel and as always, involvement with their church. John was an essential fixture at all-important family events, traveling around the country to attend weddings, graduations, baptisms etc., and will be dearly missed, especially during the football season. His loyal fanaticism to the Fighting Irish will be an enduring family legacy.

John is survived by his wife, Joyce (Irish McKay) Emery; sisters, Clara (Vern) Klingler of Indianapolis, IN, Marjorie (Stewart) McDonnell of Michigan City, IN, and Barbara Coulomb of Carol Stream, IL; daughters, Karen (Ken) VanderPol of Battle Creek MI, Mary (Gary) Wager of Portage MI, Eileen (Roger) Pressler of Elkhart, IN, Diane (Mike) Slatton of Knoxville and Laura Boughner of Richmond, VA; sons, Bill (Gail) Emery of Portage, MI, and Al (Maria) Emery of Richland MI; and stepchildren, John McKay of Anchorage, AK, Kathy (Jonathan) McKay of Benton, ME, Mary (Robert) Alexander of Plainwell, MI, Ann (George) Bryson of Anchorage AK, Beth McKay of Anchorage, AK, Scott McKay of El Cajon, CA, and Doug McKay of North Hills CA. John is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

 

Bernard Vogel Jr.
Memorial services for Bernard Vogel Jr., 74, of Fairfield Glade, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Final resting place will in the St. Francis Columbarium. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at Bilbrey Funeral Home. For more information, call the Bilbrey Funeral Home obituary line at 787-1900 or visit www.bilbreyfh.com.

 

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 484-3628 Rev. John R. Dowling, Pastor