From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Dorothy French, 97, Boone, North Carolina
August 19, 1926 – August 18, 2024
Dorothy French, age 97 passed away Sunday August 18, 2024, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living.
Dorothy was born August 19, 1926, in Cloverdale, Illinois, and lived in many places before settling in Sebastian, Florida for many years. She spent the last six years in Boone, NC.
Dorothy lived a full and long life and enjoyed the many close friendships she made through her teaching years, years in administration and retirement. She loved life with two husbands and friends near and far.
She was a member of St. Sebastian Women’s Guild, Tops and the JA Welcome Wagon.
She was a member of the School Sisters of Francis of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for 33 years. She taught grade school children in the Midwest and worked in the aging field as director of a retirement center in Omaha and later as an area agency director in Des Moines, Iowa.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews who were like her own children, Cheri Todd (Jack), Barb Friederich (Randy), Chris Herman (Danny), Bonnie Melahn (Marc), Lori Westwood and Dan Westwood (Andrea) along with many great nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by her stepchildren, Carolanne French Truesdale (William), Sister Kaye Holland, Joe Holland (Nancy), Peg Watts (Lyle), three Holland step grandchildren, Tyler, Emily and Clare.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ray French, her first husband Bob Holland, his son Paul Holland, brother James Tremel, sister Jeanette Westwood, her brother-in-law William Westwood and their children Steven Westwood and Sandy Briggs.
A celebration of life will be held in Sebastian, Florida at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living, 287 Bamboo Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607 or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina 28607.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Jean E. Bennett, 96
December 22, 1927 – August 18, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean E. Bennett, 96, on August 18, 2024. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James Carella and her brother William Embley; her three brothers, David Downs and his wife Judy Downs, George Embley and Robert Embley.
Jean is survived by her three children, Barbara Dorner of Barefoot Bay; Douglas Bennett and his wife Geri Bennett of Barefoot Bay and Jeffrey Bennett and his wife Darlene Bennett of Levittown, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Please join us for a Memorial Service celebrating her life on September 13, 2024 at 11:30 A.M at Saint Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 901 Clearmont Street, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Saint Elizabeth’s Church at the above address.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Eduardo Rodriguez, 94
May 19, 1930 – August 21, 2024
Obituary pending…
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John Willis Finch, 76
September 26, 1947 – August 21, 2024
John is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; daughter, Tracey Colvin; 3 granddaughters, Brittany Colvin, Haley Mincey, and Raven Mincey; 4 great grandsons, Raiden, Ryder, Rowan, and Adonis; 1 great granddaughter, Cove Ivy; brother, Roy Finch of Folkston, GA; 2 sisters, Maggie Easter of Vero Beach, FL and Brenda Conner of Hilliard, FL. John is also survived by his two best friends, Randy Beaumont and Billy Fretwell.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm, Friday, September 6, 2024 with a Celebration of John’s Life to begin at 5:00 pm at Seawinds Funeral Home in Sebastian, Florida.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Gerald Nathan Volk, 83, Sebastian
May 11, 1941 – August 22, 2024
Gerald Nathan Volk, 83, of Sebastian, Florida went to be with his Savior and Loving Heavenly Father on August 22, 2024 with his family by his side. Jerry was a faithful servant of God throughout his life. Always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed Jerry impacted many different lives all over the world through His strong faith in God, wise counsel, generous support and loving relationships with family and friends. Jerry lived, loved and praised the Lord on this earth and now is in heaven with his Lord.
Jerry was born to Nathan and Jean Volk on May 11, 1941 in Albion, New York. He graduated from Fillmore High School in 1959 and later received his BA in Electrical Engineering from RIT. He married Lucille Hinkle in August of 1963 loving her until December 2014 when Jesus took her home. In December 2015 he married Shirley Williams Combs sharing the last 9 years with her.
He worked for Syracuse Supply Company selling construction equipment and then later started his own company, Prima International Trading in 1984, buying and selling used construction equipment all over the world. He built up the company and worked there till 2012 when he retired to take care of Lucy.
His life was characterized by his love for the Lord, and his desire to help people come to know Jesus. As a result of the success he experienced in business, he was able to be generous in helping to start and build churches, schools, and orphanages here at home and abroad.
Jerry is survived by his wife Shirley of Sebastian, and his two daughters Kathy (Ted) Trojanoski of Sebastian and Cheryl (Jamie) Seale of Fuquay Varina, NC. Bumpa also deeply loved his four grandsons, one granddaughter and one great grandson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7 at 11:00 am at Crossroads Community Church, 1751 Fyler Road Chittenango, NY with a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery. There will also be a memorial service on September 21, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Community Baptist Church, 12534 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Ghana Special Projects Funds – CrossRoads Community Church in Chittenango. Jerry had a passion and heart for Ghana!
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Ward Alfred Freese, 94, Sebastian
December 4, 1929 – August 25, 2024
Ward Alfred Freese, 94, of Sebastian, Florida, passed away on August 25, 2024, at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on December 4, 1929, Ward lived a full and vibrant life marked by his dedication to family, community, and country.
Ward grew up in New Brunswick and Highland Park, New Jersey, before attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. His military service in the United States Air Force, stationed at Montauk, ignited his lifelong affection for East Hampton and its surrounding villages. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he moved to East Hampton with his beloved wife, Judith Ann Lens, whom he married on December 8, 1956.
Ward’s career was diverse and distinguished. He worked as a caretaker at Sea Spray Inn and Bayberry Close, managed aluminum siding and Jalousie window installations, and served as an assessor for the Town of East Hampton. His roles extended to the Frank B. Smith Lumber Company (later Riverhead Building) and as an investigator for Consumer Affairs in Suffolk County. He was also a dedicated member of the Whalers Barber Shop Chorus in Sag Harbor and served as past president of the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton.
A passionate pilot, dedicated sailor, and enthusiastic member of Barbershop and Sweet Adelines quartets, Ward’s interests reflected his love for life and its pleasures. His military honors include the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Ward is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Freese, and their two children: William Freese of Johns Creek, Georgia, and Susan Freese Salaver of Sebastian, Florida. He is also survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ward was predeceased by his sons, Scott Freese and Kenneth Freese.
Ward was an active member of Friendship Community Church in Sebastian, Florida. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate his life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ward’s name to the charity of your choice.
Ward Freese will be remembered for his warmth, dedication to his community, and unwavering love for his family. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Jerry Billig, 81, Sebastian
November 25, 1942 – August 27, 2024
Jerry Billig, 81, of Sebastian FL passed away August 27 2024 at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach FL.
Born in Bloomsburg PA, he was the son of Anna and Paul Billig. He graduated from Southern Area High School in 1960. He was employed as a welder at Clover Farms Dairy in Reading PA until his retirement in 1999.
Jerry enjoyed watching and attending NHRA and NASCAR races. His favorite drivers were John Force and Dale Earnhardt. He helped build the Numidia drag strip and raced a 1969 Camaro called the Juice Machine there in the 1970s. He enjoyed hunting and working on cars, and is remembered for his sharp wit and humorous sayings.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Christine Billig; his daughters Angella (Lew) Blass, Catawissa PA, Barbara Stellfox, Catawissa PA, Paula Billig, Riegelsville PA, and JoAnn (Joey) Richter, Palm Bay FL; and 3 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County.
