ERA Leader (9/10/2003) Obits, Washington, LA submitted by: Bonnie Dier ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Robert Lee Howard, Jr., 84, a resident of the Pine Community died at 2:15 am Monday, September 1, 2003 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Franklinton. He was a member of Briarwood Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Martin Howard. He was a retired area supervisor with Western Electric (A.T.&T.) and a member of Telephone Pioneers of America. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and Korea and was a member of the Homer Magee Post #113 American Legion in Franklinton and the VFW Post #1400. He was a member of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge #425 and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #211 in Baton Rouge. Following his retirement, he became well known for his hobby of raising and selling parakeets and was a member of the American, New Orleans, and Central Louisiana Budgerigan Societies. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Larry Schilling of Pine; three grandchildren and spouses, Lee Anne and Craig Sciambra of New Orleans, Rachel and Ken Wilson of Bowling Green, KY and Ellen Schilling of Hattiesburg, MS; two great-grandsons, Cameron and Braden Robert Wilson; a sister, Mary Worley of Birmingham, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Robert L., Sr. and Mary Howard; a brother, John Howard; and a sister, Catherine H. Mortilaro. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 9 pm Tuesday and after 9 am Wednesday. A funeral service was held at 11 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Wayne Cook and Dr. Gene Richards officiating. Burial was in the Pine Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mark Worley, Ken Wilson, Craig Sciambra, Billy Henderson, Mike Miller, and Billy Sylvest. Honorary pallbearers were members of Homer Magee Post American Legion. George Donald Reviere, 55, a native and long time resident of Franklinton now residing in Kentwood, died at 1: 50 am Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at his residence. He was a member of Poplarhead Missionary Baptist Church. He was active in Franklinton Little League Football and Baseball serving as coach and board member for many years and he also served in the Louisiana National Guard. He is survived by his wife, Dale Dixon Reviere of Kentwood, two sons, Grant Reviere of Covington and Dustin Reviere of Kentwood; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dana and Warren Lambert of Gibson and Keisha and Jason Seals of Kentwood; a granddaughter, Lauren Seals; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Barbara and Sydney Phillips and Debbie Richardson, all of Franklinton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wince and Hilda Reviere and a sister, JoEllen Reviere. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 3 pm until 10 pm Wednesday and after 8 am Thursday. A funeral service was held at 11 am Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Eld. Ted Phillips officiating. Burial followed in the Strahan Cemetery. The family prefers donation in his memory to the Franklinton Little League Baseball. Pallbearers were Aubrey Jones, Ronnie Thomas, Aubrey Posey, Wayne Mizell, Milton Ray Booty and Jason Seals. Honorary Pallbearers were Lester Jenkins, Edwin Vining, Travis Seals, Levi Sumrall, Alex Sumrall and Bobby Westmoreland John Duel Toney, 73, a resident of Rosarito, Mexico, died August 21, 2003 in San Diego, CA. He was born in Franklinton to Wilbur and Verlie Toney. For 33 years he lived in Plaquemines Parish and was a teacher, guidance counselor, and for 10 years principal at Buras High School. After his retirement he moved to Rosarito, Mexico to enjoy the Pacific Ocean and his two German Shepards, Dusty and Lyka. He is survived by a daughter, Jamie Brill; a granddaughter, Lura Aucoin; and a great-grandson, Jude Aucoin. Also by his former wives, Betty Cowart and Helen Toney and three step-children, Lenny Zenith, Ann Eaker and Susan Cross. A memorial service will take place on September 13, 2003 at 2 pm at the Star Hill Baptist Church, three miles east of Warnerton, LA. A time for fellowship will follow the service which will be held at Gerald's Steakhouse. James Jay McCain Starnes, infant son of Hollie Starnes and Jacob Day, died September 5, 2003 at Lakeview Hospital in Covington. Other survivors include his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Starnes, Mary Etta Martin and Freddie Day; great grandmother, Elvie Warren; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a great grandfather, Jay Warren. Merril C. Hedrick, 89, a native and longtime resident of New Orleans and resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 9:55 am Saturday, September 6, 2003 at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington. He was a retired terminal superintendent for Delta Steamship Lines with 45 years of service. He was also a veteran of World War II serving in the Army Air Corps. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Guy Hedrick of Mt. Hermon; two daughters, Merilyn H. Heinz of Prairieville and Lynnette H. Johnson of Metairie; two step-sons, Frank E. Rose, Jr. of Metairie and Don L. Black of Boulder, WY; two brothers; Norman G. Hedrick and Roy Hedrick both of Metairie; 13 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Earl, Lawrence and Gerald Hedrick. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton after 4 pm Sunday until time for the funeral service at 6 pm Sunday in the funeral home chapel. A graveside service was held at 11 am Monday in Garden of Memories in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society. Pallbearers were Kevin Heinz, Matthew Heinz, Harry Heinz, Bob Johnson, Dan Black and David Black.