All Obituaries

  Jose Angel Cortes died peacefully late Saturday afternoon, January 4, 2020 surrounded by his family at his Niceville, Florida home.  He was 69 years old. Jose was a twenty-four-year veteran of the United States Air Force, serving both domestically and internationally; with tours stationed in New York, Guam, Central Florida, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and North West Florida. His career saw him through the Cold War, First Persian Gulf War and military operations in...

After a long hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s, Col. Ralph Arthur Gauthier, USAF, Retired, 83, passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2020 in Niceville, FL. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Tish, and his parents, Horace Gauthier and Leona Kahler. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Pelker (Dennis) and his four children, John Gauthier (Beth), Renee Carlucci (Robert), Robert Gauthier (Teresa) and Steven Gauthier (Lynn). He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Chelsea, Logan, and...

Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. (Chuck) Schuster U.S. Air Force Retired, age 88 of Valparaiso, Florida passed away on November 8, 2019 after complication from a stroke. Mr. Schuster was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1931 to Anna and Peter Schuster and had been a resident of Fort Walton Beach and Valparaiso, Florida since 1976. He had over 34 years of service to his country in the Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean conflict during which he participated in 116 special...

Clara Luz Jellison, 87 of Niceville, FL. transitioned to heaven on January 3, 2020. Born on January 1, 1933 to Francisco Hopkins and Amparo Alvarez Hopkins in Guama, Cuba. Clara moved to Niceville in 2011, where she continued to touch many lives with her smile and kindness. Clara dedicated her life to her husband and children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great-grandmother. In addition to her love for her family, Clara was a devoted Christian and...

Master Chief Petty Officer (Submarines) USN (retired) William Downing passed away on January 6, 2020 at Somerby in Santa Rosa Beach from complications of influenza. Bill was born in Pueblo, Colorado to William Sr. and Irene Downing and in 1940 moved from Colorado to Hermiston, Oregon. After graduating high school, he attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where his grades led him to drop out of college and join the Navy. Graduating Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, he was...

  Larry E Dandridge was born March 30,1947. He was born to Beverly and Jewel Dandridge in Charleston West Virginia. He was the second son of seven boys and was a product of East High School in Columbus Ohio. He was preceded in death by 3 of his brothers; Mark Rossi, Danny Carl, and James Vincent. He is survived by Bobby, Byron and Victor Dandridge. In 1963 he met and later married his wife Marry Elizabeth Hill and they had three daughters. Dawn Renae Powell, Kim Lynette Adams-Butler,...

  Eva Rae (Plant) Busbee passed away December 27, 2019 of heart issues. She was born in the NW Florida community of Svea, between Laurel Hill, FL and Florala, AL. One of three children born to Forrest and Ethel Plant. She had a long career in banking management and was an officer and longtime member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Garden Club and the Dragon Gale Mah Jonng Club. She was an avid volunteer throughout her children’s school years.   Survivors include her husband of...

  Lam Thi Curry, age 71, of Niceville, passed away on December 27, 2019. Lam was born on August 15, 1948 in Tam Quan, Binh Dinh Province Vietnam. She is the daughter of Vo Van CO and Nguyen Thi Chau. Lam will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and dotting grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren do their many activities. She loved working in her garden and cooking wonderful food for her friends and family. Survivors include her husband,...

  Ben Murray Allen Sr. passed away peacefully on December 26, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. Ben was a native of Niceville, Florida. He was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida on August 2, 1946. He is preceded in death by his father, Melvin (Pap) Allen (of Niceville, FL); mother, Katie Beritiech; his grandmother, who played a huge role in his life, Hailey Allen (of Niceville,FL);  the love of his life and mother of his children, Jewell Allen(Regans); and his son, Ben M....