Published in The Oklahoman on Nov. 23, 2016– See more at: http://legacy.newsok.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=JOHN-McKINNEY&pid=182690980#sthash.VbsX0sre.dpuf

John S. Hall

San Angelo

John Samuel Hall was born in Huntsville, Alabama on January 4, 1927. He passed away in his home surrounded by his family on March 4, 2017. He fought a hard battle with Alzheimers for 10 years. His wife Mary Lou was by his side, caring for him with dignity and compassion. Most Friday nights they would eat dinner at Henry’s Restaurant sitting at their special table. He was drafted out of high school and he chose the US Marine Corp where he served aboard the USS Franklin during WWII. After returning to high school and graduating he entered the US Air Force where he served 22 years. During that time he served in the Korean War. He was a humble man and a proud American serving his country.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lou Hall. John and Mary Lou have 6 children. Sam Hall of Richardson, Texas, Susan Neighbors of San Angelo, Texas, John and Paula Hall of San Angelo, Texas, Ron and Wanda Hall of Opelika, Alabama, Wayne and Beverly Hall of Odessa, Texas and Kathy and John Wyatt of San Angelo, Texas. Grandchildren are Jeff Neighbors, Janet & Bryan Abernathy, Aaron Hall, Katie & Seth Summerlin, Daniel & Kim Hall, Tammy Hall, Christina & Lamar Lynn, Chad & Amanda Hall, Chase & Anna Hall, Clint & Noelle Hall, Jake Wyatt, Clay & Jill Wyatt, Wes & Stephanie Wyatt, and Boone & Juanita Wyatt. Great-grandchildren are Kaden Abernathy, Mary-Kate Abernathy, Everly Abernathy, Pippa Abernathy, Jackson Summerlin, Ryan Summerlin, Adelaide Summerlin, Olive Summerlin, Lily Lynn, Madison Hall, Reece Hall, Harper Hall, Grace Hall, Adalyn Hall, Taylor Wyatt, Peyton Wyatt, Jersey Wyatt and Kenadie Wyatt.

John was preceded in death by his son-in-law Phil Neighbors.

Visitation will be Friday, March 10, 2017, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Graveside service is in Lawnhaven Cemetery Saturday, March 11, 2017, at 10 a.m. officiated by Taylor Sandlin.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of San Angelo.

Family and friends can sign the online register book at harper-funeralhome.com
Published in GoSanAngelo from Mar. 6 to Mar. 9, 2017
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Richard Wayne Hendrix

SPARTANBURG, SC– Richard Wayne Hendrix, 92, of Spartanburg, SC, died Sunday, March 5, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Dick (known affectionately to family members as ‘Daggie’) was born on April 28, 1924 in Spartanburg to parents Edna Vandora Barnett and William Earle Hendrix, Sr.
He attended high school in Spartanburg and obtained his GED in Corpus Christi, TX. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on June 2, 1941, in Charleston, SC, six months before Pearl Harbor. As an Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class, he served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Franklin and USS Bennington. While on the USS Bennington, he survived a kamikaze attack off the coast of Okinawa. He participated in operations in Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and ‘The Tokyo Invasion’ when Japan surrendered. He earned The American Defense Service Medal, The American Theater Campaign Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with five Bronze Service Stars), The World War II Victory Medal, and The Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on November 20, 1945. Thereafter, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of South Carolina where he obtained his degree in Business Administration.
Dick was a retired businessman and investor. He was extremely inquisitive, always with a keen intellect, was a voracious reader, and was a lifelong student of history with a particular interest in the Civil War. He was a lifelong Gamecock fan and completely devoted to his family and country. He was especially known for his generosity to all the members of his family, whom he deeply loved. ‘Daggie’ was a strong man with a very big heart. In greeting family members, he was often heard to say, ‘Who loves you? Daggie does!’
Dick was married and devoted to his equally devoted and loving wife, Barbara Lynnwood Kennett Hendrix for 68 years. They had three children. He is survived by his two sons, Richard Wayne Hendrix II (Carol Anne) of Atlanta, GA and Mark Norwood Hendrix (Judy) of Cincinnati, OH; his five grandchildren, Richard Wayne Hendrix III, Elizabeth Hendrix, Katherine Hendrix, Ashley Lindsay Smith, and John Charles Lindsay II; five great-grandchildren, Crosland Lamb, Barrett Lamb, Grant Hendrix Smith, Haley Lindsay, and Jackson Lindsay; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered throughout the United States. He was predeceased by a daughter, Beverly Hendrix Lindsay; two brothers, Charles Norwood Hendrix (Spartanburg) and William Earle Hendrix II (Omaha); and sister, Margaret Elaine Wedding (Indian Hills, MD).
The family will receive friends 10:30-11:30 AM Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A service honoring his memory will follow at 12:00 noon at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dale Rawlings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to veterans or hospice organizations.
An online guest register is available at http://www.floydmortuary.com
Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel
Published in Spartanburg Herald-Journal from Mar. 8 to Mar. 9, 2017
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Published in The Record on Mar. 13, 2017– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=john-t-costa&pid=184481302&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.TmnI8Odr.dpuf

Hilbert V. Kiesel of Fort Myers, FL left us to join Our Lord on October 21, 2007, he was 90 years of age. The son of Charles and Lillian Kiesel, he was born in New York State and moved to Fort Myers in 1950. He, his brothers, and extended family members became pioneers in the fledgling shrimp business at Fort Myers Beach. By the end of his working career he had shrimp boats and associated businesses at Fort Myers Beach, FL, Biloxi, MS and Aransas Pass, TX.

Hilbert retired and continued his love of the water, travel and helping others by joining the Royal Palm Yacht Club. During this time he was Fleet Captain for many years. He directed and led many cruises for the Club. Each year he and Dorothy would host the annual, never to be forgotten, “Kiesel Shack Party”. During his “watch” the “Atta Boy” award was established, and is his in perpetuity. This award is given annually to the Captain in the Club, who has done the most to help other boaters.

A founding member of Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Hilbert has passed the legacy of his faith to the fourth generation of his family. He now proudly watches his grandchildren and great-grandchildren attend masses. Hilbert and his wife, Dorothy, received communion several times a week and prayed together daily. He and his brothers were Charter members and now lifetime honorary members of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. Hilbert felt privileged to attend his son, Hilbert D. Kiesel’s initiation into the 4th Degree. A sportsman and hunter all his life he is an honorary lifetime member of the South Shore Marlin and Tuna Club and the Babylon Tuna Club. Hilbert has hunted and fished with his sons and grandchildren all over this country, the Bahamian and Pacific waters, and is a world class record holder in some categories. Since age 60 he has enjoyed many trips as a certified PADI diver.

During World War II Hilbert proudly served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member to the crew of the USS Benjamin Franklin “the ship that wouldn’t die”. While aboard it was bombed by Japanese aircraft, split in half, and towed to shore in two pieces. Since that time he has been a proud member of the “Survivors of the Franklin”. I quote from Dad, “damaged by a Kamikaze in October 1944 and by bombs in March 1945, “Big Ben” paid the highest price in lives among those lost on carriers in WWII. She is primarily remembered for the heroism of her crew in saving the lives of shipmates.”

Following the “Big One”, Dad became a member of the VFW and American Legion.

A familiar figure at many of the area sports fields he proudly followed the progress of his 7 grandchildren as they made their mark on many of the various teams at Bishop Verot and Fort Myers High Schools. During the last 10 years of his daughter, Dorothy’s teaching career, Hilbert was “Grandpa Kiesel” to her students. While volunteering in her classroom he would read and tell stories, listen to the children read and spend individual time with some. The classes all looked forward to Grandpa’s visits. He often brought treats and on Earth Day brought each child a Norfolk Pine to take home and plant.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his three children, Dorothy Lillian Kiesel Poll (George) of Fort Myers, FL and Franklin, NC, Hilbert D. Kiesel (Alene) of Franklin, NC and Thomas F. Kiesel (Ruth) of Fort Myers, FL. Grandchildren, Kristen O’Halloran (Sean), Conrad F. Kiesel, Hillary Kiesel, Jarrett Kiesel (Kim) and Shannon Dorsey (David). Six great-grandchildren whom have brought an inordinate amount of joy into his life. Brother, Charles “Scoop” Kiesel (Lenora), sister, Lillian Wang, sisters in law, Joan Kiesel, Cecilia Kiesel, Linn Rohl, Ann Rohl and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Julia Woolbright, longtime friend, companion and caregiver. Dad’s caregiver Kashima Alexander showed her love and concern in many ways. Hope Hospice and their wonderful staff will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Their help and caring attitudes were invaluable to the family.

Hilbert is now in the presence of his beloved wife of 68 years, Dorothy; brothers, Donald Kiesel, George Kiesel, brothers-in-law, Ted Wang, Henry Rohl and the Honorable Kenneth Rohl all of whom preceded him into Heaven.

Arrangements to be made by Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home.

Due to our appreciation for the overwhelming response of compassion and sympathy extended towards the family at the recent passing of our Mother, Dorothy Elizabeth Kiesel, the services for our father will be private. We know they will be in the thoughts and prayers of many. Those who wish to honor Dad’s memory may make donations to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

A fitting epitaph to our Dad would be, “A Parable to Immortality” by Henry VanDyke.

“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sail to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, “There she goes!” Gone where? Gone from my sight? that is all. She is just as large in mast and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There she goes!” There are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”

Published in The News-Press from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2007 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-press/obituary.aspx?n=hilbert-v-kiesel&pid=96640884#sthash.sPTaARno.dpuf