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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled May 27, 2013

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled May 27, 2013

James Younce, D. May 27, 2013

James Michael Younce, age 63, of 638 Buckeye Ridge Road in Zionville died at his home Monday, May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day).

James was a veteran of the US Army having served in VietNam.

James is survived by a son, Chance Younce; his fiancee, Nancy Allen; two special nephews, John and Michael Younce; and a life long best friend John Brown all of Zionville.

A celebration of James Younce life will be conducted at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 4200 Morganton Road, Suite 300, Fayetteville, NC 28314

On-line condolences may be sent to the Younce family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Lenora Kay Ward, D. May 24, 2013

Lenora Kay Ward
Lenora Kay Ward

Ms. Lenora Kay Ward, age 42, of US Hwy 321 North, Sugar Grove, passed away Friday, May 24, 2013 at home. Born June 13, 1970 in Watauga County, she was the daughter of the late Victor Cecil and Ida Rebecca Wood Ward. Kay was a graduate of Watauga High School and Caldwell Community College. She was an employee at Belk.

She is survived by her brother; Victor Ward of Sugar Grove, aunts and uncles; Gertrude Wood of Mountain City, Dennis Edsel Wood and wife Ann of Sugar Grove and Alfred and Shirley Wood of Mountain City, and numerous cousins.

Funeral services for Ms. Lenora Kay Ward will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Ray Greene. Burial will follow in the Greene Valley Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon prior to the service from 1 o’clock until 3 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times friends may call at the home of Edsel and Ann Wood, 1009 Howard Edmisten Road, Sugar Grove. Online condolences may be shared with the Ward family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ward family.

David Wilder, D. May 23, 2013

David E. “Dave” Wilder, age 64, of 5504 Over Creek Drive, Elkton, FL and Watauga County, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013.

Dave is survived by his wife, Carolyn Eury Wilder, of the home; one daughter, Andrea Wilder of Vermont; three step-daughters, Chandra Hendrix and husband Chip Walker, of Ferguson, NC, Kristen Hendrix Pealer and husband Jeremy, and Keely Howser of Wilmingon, NC. He is also survived by one grandson and four step-grandchildren, Jacob and Adelaide Walker of Ferguson, NC and Logan and Kaia Pealer of Wilmington, NC.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ernest David Wilder and Alice Thelma Parker Wilder.

A memorial service for David E. “Dave” Wilder will be held in Watauga County at a later date and will be announced by Hampton Funeral Service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Wilder family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Wirtz, D. May 19, 2013

Joseph Wirtz
Joseph Wirtz

Mr. Joseph John Wirtz, age 65, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, passed away Sunday May 19, 2013, in Boone, NC. Born October 23, 1947, in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, he was a son of the late Ervin and Betty Keyes Wirtz. Joe was a U.S. Army veteran and served in Vietnam 1970-1971. He retired as Human Resource Director from Pitco Frialator, Bow NH, had his own HR consulting business, and was very active in related professional organizations in Concord and Manchester, NH. He loved traveling, spending 10 years living and traveling with his wife and cats in their RV across the US and Canada. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and supporter of Habit for Humanity. He graduated from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona in 1969 and from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1972.

He is survived by his wife, Terri Wirtz; siblings Mark Wirtz, Liz Wirtz Suprenand and husband Dan, Dan Wirtz and wife Christine, all of Fond Du Lac, Tim Wirtz and wife Cindy of Watonga, OK, and Mary Wirtz Skinner and husband Mike of Heath, OH; nieces and nephews Amy Collett and husband Chad, Missy Late and husband Travis, Kelly Stauffacher and husband Kent, Tiffany Wirtz, Holly Minion and husband Andrew, and Tammy Skinner; sisters-in-law Bernadine Tompkins, Jean Critchlow, Joan Parrish and Laureen Ipsen, one aunt, Edna Smith, and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to RV Care-A-Vanners, Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498.

Online condolences may be shared with the Wirtz family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory of Boone, NC, is serving the Wirtz family.

Rachel Greene Klutz, D. May 18, 2013

Rachel Klutz
Rachel Klutz

Rachel Greene Klutz, age 88, of 2143 Hwy 194 N in Boone died Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Mrs. Klutz was born March 28, 1925 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Benjamin Burgin Greene and Bessie Barnes Greene.

Survivors include a sister Martha Calloway of Boone along with a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Klutz, her father and mother, Ben Greene and Bessie Greene, one brother, Warren Greene, three sisters, Estella Shenk, Polly Coffey and Pauline Higgins.

Graveside services for Mrs. Rachel Klutz will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens with Dr. George Miles and Dr. Roy A. Dobyns officiating.

On-line condolences may be sent to the Klutz family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Teresa Jean Halbedel, D. May 18, 2013

Teresa Halbedel
Teresa Halbedel

Mrs. Teresa Jean Halbedel, age 61, of Boone, passed away Saturday morning, May 18, 2013 at Johnson City Medical Center. Born October 3, 1951 in Johnson City, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth E. Baskin and Helen Casey Baskin.

Teresa attended Three Forks Baptist Church and was a former employee of the Department of Social Services. In her life, only her relationship with Christ Jesus came before her husband, children and grandchildren. She had a loving heart and serving others was always at the forefront of her actions. Her most favorite pastime was snuggling with the grandchildren, spoiling them as much as possible and spending as much time with her family as she could. She will be deeply missed!

She is survived by her husband Phil Halbedel of Phil’s Citgo in Boone, three sons; Rev. David Ricker and wife Linda of Boone, Jason Ricker of Boone, and Joe Halbedel and wife Christy of Mooresville, seven grandchildren; Blake, Brittney, Ben and Brett Ricker, Sydney Ricker, Kaitlyn and Savannah Halbedel, her mother; Helen Baskin of Johnson City, one brother; Ken Baskin and wife Paula of Johnson City and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Baskin, a sister, Dianne Baskin and a grand-daughter, Bethany Dianne Ricker.

A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Teresa Jean Halbedel will be conducted Saturday afternoon May 25 at 1 o’clock at Three Forks Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. David Ricker. The family respectfully requests no flowers and suggests memorials to Three Forks Baptist Church Youth Fund, 1922 US Hwy 421 South, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Halbedel family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Halbedel family.

David Woodring, D. May 18, 2013

David C. Woodring, age 88, of 7771 NC Highway 194 North, Boone, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone.

David C. Woodring
David C. Woodring

Mr. Woodring was born August 21, 1924 in Watauga County, a son of the late Charlie Robert Woodring and Ethel Moretz Woodring. He was a retired employee of Bernhardt Furniture in Lenoir.

Mr. Woodring is survived by his wife, Mae Smith Woodring of the home; two sons, LeRoy Woodring of Boone, and Danny Woodring, Sr. of Newton; one granddaughter, Danielle Woodring of Newton; one grandson, Danny Woodring, II of Newton; one sister, Grace Trivette of Boone, and two brothers, Gene Woodring of Lenoir, and Ray Woodring of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Verlie Woodring, and four brothers, Carl, Jake, Bob, and Henry Woodring.

Funeral services for David C. Woodring will be conducted Thursday afternoon, May 23, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Charlie Woodring, Reverend Sonny Hagaman, and Reverend T.J. Jackson. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 7:00 until 8:30 PM.

The family would like to thank the staff on the 200 hall, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation, for kind and wonderful care of Mr. Woodring.

Online condolences may be sent to the Woodring family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dean Coffey, D. May 17, 2013

Rev. Dean Coffey
Rev. Dean Coffey

Reverend Dean Coffey, age 75, of 210 Margot Road, Boone, went home to be with his Lord, Friday afternoon, May 17, 2013, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone.

Reverend Coffey was born October 5, 1937 in Watauga County, a son of the late Wiley Earl Coffey, Sr. and Edna Story Coffey. He was a retired Baptist Minister and served several churches in the area, including Laurel Fork Baptist Church, of which he was a member and sang in the choir. Dean also served in the Navy for two years, prior to going into the Ministry, and retired from the Navy Reserves after 27 years of service. He was also an active member of the Masonic Snow Lodge in Boone.

Reverend Coffey is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Fairylee Davis Coffey of the home; one daughter, Lavena Dodd of Boone; two sons, Kevin Dean Coffey of Boone, and Michael Kenneth Coffey and wife Gina of Dacula, Georgia; three grandsons, Derrick Cook and wife Ashley of Cherryville, North Carolina, Dustin Cook and fiancee Janasee Gregg of Newton-Conover, and Logan Coffey of Dacula, Georgia; four granddaughters, Carla Coffey of Union Grove, North Carolina, Casey Trivette and husband Corey of Harmony, North Carolina, Alena Dodd of Boone, and Jasmine Coffey of Dacula, Georgia; five great-grandchildren, Alexis and Gavin Cook of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Hayley Cook of Cherryville, North Carolina, and Skyler and Kinley Trivette of Harmony, North Carolina, and one half-sister, Verdola Coffey of Granite Falls. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Nathen Coffey, and two brothers, Wiley Earl Coffey, Jr., and Kenneth Asher Coffey.

Funeral services, celebrating the life of Reverend Dean Coffey will be conducted Monday afternoon, May 20, 2013, at 3:00 o’clock, at Laurel Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:30 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Dr. Daniel Featherstone. Military graveside rites and, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, and Masonic graveside rites and burial, will follow in the Laurel Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1:30 until 3:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Madeline Stines Mastin, D. May 17, 2013

Mrs. Madeline Ann Stines Mastin, age 57, of Main Street, Elk Park passed away Friday morning, May 17, 2013 at Johnson City Medical Center. Born May 8, 1956 in Avery County she was a daughter of the late Floyd Albert and Edna Cleo Ward Stines.

She is survived by her husband Howard Mastin, three brothers; Melvin Stines and wife Mary of Jacksonville, Florida, James Stines and wife Billie of Boone, and Jethro Stines and wife Gloria of Akron, Ohio, and two grandchildren; Autumn and Cheyenne Church both of Beech Mountain. She was preceded in death by her parents; Floyd and Cleo Ward Stines, one daughter; Edna Victoria Calhoun Church, and four brothers; Edward, Billy Joe, Raymond and Dexter Stines.

Funeral services for Mrs. Madeline Ann Stines Mastin will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Beech Valley Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Quincy Norris. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 o’clock until 2 o’clock prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Beech Valley Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared with the Mastin family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Mastin family.

Joseph Keller, D. May 16, 2013

Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Randall Keller (Randy), age 54, of Peoria Road, Sugar Grove, died Thursday, May 16 2013. Randy was born April 24, 1959, in Watauga County.

Randy was a loving husband, father, grandpaw, brother, and uncle. He was a member of Green Valley Baptist Church. He was truck driver and then later worked as a heavy machinery operator for the N.C. D.O.T.

Randy is survived by his wife, Penny Glenn Keller, one daughter, Michelle Keller, her fiancée Wes Nelson, and grandson Carter Nelson, all of Vilas, N.C., and one son, James Keller of the home; his mother, Birdie Keller of Sugar Grove, and Three sisters: Linda Ward & husband Ken of Sugar Grove, NC, Mary Alice Adams & husband Dale Jr. of Vilas, NC., and Brenda Potter & husband, Jackie of Elk Park, NC, his father-in-law, Lenny Glenn and brother-in-law William Glenn and wife Shannon.

Randy was preceded in death by his father James Dale Keller and his mother-in-law, Margaret Glenn, and his grandparents Otis & Alice Harmon and Joe & Lillie Keller.

Randy also has many nephews & nieces that he loved dearly: Jamie Keller & wife Sharon, Judy Horney & husband Randy, Crystal Presnell & fiancee, Justin , Johnny Presnell, Tony Glenn & wife Stephanie, Jason Adams & wife Krystal, Kayla Potter and Joey Potter. Also many great-nephews and nieces: Ashley, Tylor, & Zachary Keller, Chelsea & Dakota Horney, Madison Warren, Tanner Presnell, Gideon & Melea Glenn, Justus & Malachi Adams.

Funeral services for Randy Keller will be conducted Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2013,at 2:00 o’clock at Green Valley Baptist Church, Peoria Road, Sugar Grove, NC followed by burial in Green Valley Cemetery; Pastor Eric Cornett, Bro. Donny Tester, and Bro. David Ward will be officiating the services.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Saturday evening, May 18, 2013 at Hampton Funeral Service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Green Valley Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Brenda Potter, 629 Buckeye Road, Elk Park, North Carolina, 28622.

Online condolences may be sent to the Keller family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

John Samuel Hovis, D. May 15, 2013

John Samuel Hovis, 92, of Grand Boulevard, Boone, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Mr. Hovis was born May 9, 1921 in Bessemer City, NC, a son of the late Eva Blanche Ormand Hovis and Samuel Brooks Hovis. He graduated from Bessemer City High School and volunteered for the Army Air Corp in l941. During WWII, John served as a transport pilot carrying troops/para-troopers, equipment, ammunition and other materials of war. He flew C-46, C-47, and C-119 planes in a total of 222 combat missions while stationed at fields including England, Iceland, Sicily and Algeria. John flew in support of the Invasion of North Africa, as a part of the North African theater flying into Algiers, as part of “Operation Torch”, and landing to watch the Invasion & Occupation of Sicily and Invasion of Italy, among others. He remained in the service until 1947, having attained the rank of Major, then spending 20 additional years in the Air Force Reserves. Major Hovis kept track of his surviving squadron members from the 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Group, and was a member of the Reserve Officers Association.

Surviving are his wife, Lucille Sullins Hovis of the home; daughters, Carol Pharr and spouse, Henry, of Charlotte, and Flora Hovis of Spruce Pine; two grandchildren, Athos Rostan III and wife, Jennifer, of Hickory, and Elizabeth Rostan of Charlotte; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Rostan, both of Hickory.

Memorial services for John Samuel Hovis will be conducted Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 2 PM at Boone United Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Jason Byassee.

A reception will follow services at the church. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggest memorials to the Boone United Methodist Church Building Fund, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hovis family.

Viola Smith Johnson, D. May 15, 2013

Viola Smith Johnson, age 87, of Barnesville, Georgia, and a native and former resident of Watauga County, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013. in Georgia. Born January l8, 1926 in the Stony Fork community of Watauga County, she was a daughter of Henry and Ora Greene Smith. Mrs. Johnson was of the Baptist faith. She was a long time employee of IRC-TRW in Boone.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by two sons, Gerald Johnson and wife, Mary, and Sherald Johnson and wife, Christy, all of Barnesville, Georgia; four grandchildren, Johnny Johnson and wife, Maria of Griffin, Georgia, Shawn Johnson and Missy Johnson

Holcomb, both of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Casey Johnson of Salisbury, NC.

Seven great-grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Johnson, Jr. and her parents, Henry and Ora Greene Smith.

Graveside services for Viola Smith Johnson will be conducted Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2013, at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park, officiated by Harvey Bauman.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Johnson family.

Eileen Ebert Schuller, D. May 13, 2013

Eileen E. Schuller
Eileen E. Schuller

Eileen Ebert Schuller, 91, of Boone, passed away Monday, May 13, 2013 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation. Born February 12, 1922 in Keyser, West Virginia, she was a daughter of William and Irene Whipp Ebert.

Mrs. Schuller was secretary to the cashier at the First National Bank in Romney, West Virginia for 27 years, then served as secretary to the president of Barnett Bank in Sebring, Florida for 10 years.

Second to her devotion of family, Mrs. Schuller was a nature lover at heart. From her home at Crystal Mountain, she enjoyed views of Grandfather Mountain and surrounding areas, while tending her flower gardens and feeding birds, squirrels, and an occasional deer or wild turkey.

Mrs. Schuller is survived by two sons, William Schuller and wife, Carol, of Morgantown, W. Va. and Andrew Schuller and wife, Virginia, of Romney, W. Va.;

Grandsons, Brian Schuller and wife, Charity, of Cary, NC, Kevin Schuller and friend, Ashley, of Shorewood, WI, and granddaughter, Rebecca Williams and husband, Chris, of Winchester, Va. ; great-grandsons, Parker Schuller of Cary, and Andrew Williams of Winchester, Va. and great-granddaughter, Lydia Schuller of Wheeling, W. Va.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Schuller; brother, Earl ‘Buddy’ Ebert; and parents, William and Irene Whipp Ebert.

A private family ceremony for Eileen Ebert Schuller will be conducted at a later date at Indian Mound Cemetery in Romney, W. Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation Activity Fund, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Rd, Boone, NC 28607, to Medi-Home Health and Hospice, 136 Furman Road, Suite 2, Boone, NC, 28607, or to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box l835, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Schuller family.


Check out more obituaries in the High Country – Ashe, Avery and Watauga – at https://www.hcpress.com/obituaries.


Listings of Funeral Homes in Watauga County:

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory
194 Queen Street
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-8888
www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Hampton Funeral Service
683 Blowing Rock Road
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-7100
www.hamptonfuneralnc.com