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Obituaries For Thursday, July 5
Funeral services for John Stephen Wilburn, 84, of Hermitage, Tennessee will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:30 am in the Chapel of Presley Funeral Home with interment to follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday 4-7 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Wilburn passed away quietly in his sleep on Sunday, July 1, 2018. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 18, 1933, where he was raised by his mother and his grandmother, Alma Bear. He was an alumnus of Wentworth Military Academy. At age 18, John joined the U.S. Army and became a paratrooper in the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. He volunteered to serve in the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was soon deployed to Korea where he saw front line combat duty during the Korean War. He later served as a jump instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia, before returning to Ft. Campbell. John worked for a time for his uncle, Jack Bear, in residential construction, where he became a skilled carpenter – a skill that he continued to use throughout his life. He became a field representative and salesman for the AC Sparkplug Division of General Motors Corporation, becoming a regional sales manager. He left GM for a regional manager position with the Murray Corporation, an automotive parts manufacturer. During this time, he purchased an auto parts retail store in Tullahoma, Tennessee. After a few years as a small business owner, John went back into sales, selling Mack Trucks for the Neely Coble Company of Nashville, Tennessee. Covering central and western Kentucky, his success led to a management position with the company’s Bowling Green service center, and subsequently to management positions with commercial truck distributors in Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. He continued a career in sales through his late 70’s. Over the course of his career, John lived in eighteen cities, finally settling in Nashville. John loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and sportsman, and enjoyed boating and watersports. He was adventurous, as well, as evidenced in his building and driving a hydroplane race boat, being a certified scuba diver, and holding a private airplane pilot license. John held a special place for his pets – especially his companion Princess. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Nashville Humane Society.
Funeral Service for Mark Twain Hensley, age 54 of Sparta, will be 11:00 am Friday, July 6, 2018 in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in the Old Zion Cemetery. Mark passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018 at his residence. He was born November 23, 1963 in Sparta to the late Richard and Ann Marshall Hensley, he was also preceded in death by his brothers: Plummer and Jeffrey Hensley, Sister: Patricia Ann Hensley, first wife: Tammy Gibson Hensley and infant son: Elijah Jessie Hensley. He is survived by his daughter: Ciara Hensley Herron of Quebeck; Special Granddaughter: Ramey Hensley; 3 Sisters: Betty Pallotta and Mary Guy both of Sparta and Margaret Davis of Cookeville; 3 brothers: Bobby Hensley, Sr., Jackie Hensley, and Horace Hensley all of Sparta; Special Mother-in-law: Polly Smith Gibson of Sparta; Along with many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends after 5:00 pm on Thursday. Bro. David Lee England will officiate the services.
Funeral services for Colonel Morris Lafever, USA (Ret.), age 87 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 beginning at 11:00 am from the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Hillier Duke officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, with Full Military Honors. Morris passed from this life at the age of 87 Monday, July 2, 2018, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born Tuesday, January 13, 1931 to Joe J. and Kate (Foster) Lafever in the Wolf Creek Community in DeKalb County. Morris was a graduate of Baxter Seminary (1949) and Tennessee Technological University (1953). While at Tech, he completed the Army ROTC program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1953. He served as an Army Officer for 23 years until his retirement in 1976 with the rank of Full Colonel. During his military career, he served overseas in many countries including South Korea (2 Tours), West Germany, South Vietnam, Thailand and Iran. He was assigned to many Command and Staff Positions in addition to serving as a Communications Advisor to the armies of Vietnam, Thailand, and Iran. As a result of his service, he was decorated with the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medal (2 times), Army Commendation Medal (2 times), and the Joint Service Commendation. Upon retirement from military service, he established and operated the Lafever Insurance Agency in Cookeville for more than 38 years with his sons. Morris married the love of his life,Katie Lee Clemons, in 1957 and they shared their life together for more than 60 years. Morris and Katie Had 3 Sons, David, Steven, and Daniel. He is survived by his Wife: Katie Lafever of Cookeville; 2 Sons: David M. Lafever of Chattanooga, Daniel S. Lafever of Cookeville. In addition to his parents Morris was preceded in death by a Son: Steven Lafever, and a twin Sister, Doris Lafever Nabors (Cookeville). The family will receive friends Thursday, July 5, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm , and again on Friday, July 6, from 10:00am until time of service at 11:00 am.
Funeral services for Lucy B. Wheeler, age 97, of Cookeville will be held Friday, July 6th, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Presley Funeral Home with Randy Bybee officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial. Mrs. Wheeler passed away Monday, July 2, 2018 at her home in Cookeville. She was born Saturday, October 23, 1920 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late Norvel Joe Eller and Mary Jane Choate Eller. In addition to her parents, Lucy B. Wheeler was preceded in death by: Colonel B. Wheeler; son, James C. Wheeler; grandson, Dewayne Grizzle; sisters, Virginia Dyer and Mary Ashburn; brother, Charlie Wheeler Eller. She is survived by: son, Colonel (Ida) Wheeler of Cookeville; daughter, Mary Grizzle of Cookeville; grandchildren, Richard Wheeler, Mark Wheeler, Amy Jo Mansell, and Sharon Rector; great-grandchildren, Jared Wheeler and Shanna Wheeler; two great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 5, 2018, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Friday, July 6, 2018, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Mark W. “SMiley” Goins, age 56 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 beginning at 3:00 PM from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Mark passed from this life Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at his home in Cookeville. He was born Saturday, December 9, 1961 in Woodbury, he was the son of Naomi (Holt) Goins, and the late Bobby Goins. He was a loving Son, Father, Grandfather, and Brother. He was known by “Smiley” for always wearing a smile. He enjoyed life and was always up for a prank on someone. In addition to his Mother he is survived by: 2 Daughters: Kisha Goins of Cookeville, Nicki Goins of Cookeville; 1 Son and Daughter-in-law: Johnathan and Amy Goins of Cookeville; 7 Grandchildren: Christopher Reed, Allie Coleman, Talan Phy, Addison Goins, Braxton Goins, Baylin Sells, and Brody Sells. 1 Sister and Brother-in-law: Lisa (Goins) and Terry Judd; 1 Nephew: Jeremy Judd; 1 Great Nephew: Elliot Judd; Several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. He was preceded in death by his Father and his Grandparents. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, July 6, from 1:00pm until time of service at 3:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family or at the funeral home to help with final expenses.
Funeral service for Wilfred John (Bill) Holland, age 70 Of Sparta, will be held at 11am on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Jack Chadwell officating. Burial will follow in Smith Family Cemetery. Bill passed away suddenly on July 2, 2018 at his home. Bill was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 22, 1948. His family moved to Sanford, FL when he was three years old where he lived until moving to Tennessee in 1978. Bill attended Seminole High School, Sanford, FL and served in the National Guard. He retired from NAPA store in Sparta, TN after 36 years. He was a member of the Eastland Fire Department for 38 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred John Holland, Sr. and Virginia Hilliard Holland and his brother, James Leonard Holland. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Carolyn Smith Holland and son Wilfred John Holland III of Sparta. Two grandsons, Johnathan Coty Holland and wife Michaela Dempsey Holland of Pikeville, and Lucas Cole Holland and wife, Brittney Anderson Holland of Sparta. Bill was a great grandfather of Greyson Alexander Holland and Dustin Cole Holland. Bill is survived by his brothers Thomas Mitchell Holland and wife, Patti of Sparta; Joseph Alan Holland and wife, Susan of Osteen, FL; sister Patricia Holland Levasseur of Ohio and sister-in-law Sue Holland of Sparta. He is also survived by mother in law Peggy Smith, brother in laws Bill Smith, and wife Anita; Tim Smith and wife, Lois; and a sister in law Betty Bryant and husband Eli. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 6 from 4pm until 9pm at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Robert Lee “Bobby” Swindell, Jr. age 85 of Sparta will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the West Sparta Church of Christ with burial in Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends at West Sparta Church of Christ on Friday evening from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Derrick Coble and Carl Sims will officiate the services.
Funeral services for Mr. Dan K. Hearn, age 83 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 7th, at 1:00pm at the Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Hearn passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018. He was born in Houston, Texas, on July 22, 1934, to the late Robert and Zelma Roberson Hearn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Hearn, and sister, Vera Howe. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Eva Hearn; son, Steven Hearn; cousin, Lois Hymel (Fry); and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Scholarship Program at Cookeville First United Methodist Church, 165 E Broad St., Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral services for Doyle S. Harris, age 90 of Algood, will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 beginning at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Mark Gaw officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, with Full Military Honors by the Veterans Honor Guard. Doyle passed from this life Monday, July 2, 2018, at Signature Health Care of Putnam County. He was born Saturday, May 26, 1928 in Barberton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Dock and Ida Myrtle (Swafford) Harris. Doyle was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. He was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church and was U.S. Marine Corps. Veteran. He retired from Tennessee Central Railroad, an avid Golfer, and served on the Board of Putnam County Parks and Recreation. Doyle is survived by his Wife of 16 years: Pamela (Lucas) Harris of Cookeville; 1 Daughter and Son-in-law: Debe and Tommy West of Cookeville; 4 Grandchildren: Bryan and Wife Julie West, Craig and Wife Amber West, Brent Harris and Kelly Poston, Julie Brooks; 1 Great Granddaughter: Clara Elizabeth West. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his First Wife, Betty (Norrod) Harris, Son, Dave Sterling Harris, and Brother, Coyle Harris. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, July 7 from 10:00 AM until time of service at 2 PM.
Funeral services for Mr. Robert Leonard West, 77 of Sparta, will be held at 3pm on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Ryan West officiating. Burial will follow in Peeled Chestnut Cemetery. Robert passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Born Tuesday, December 17, 1940 in Smithville, he was the son of the late Herbert and Cora Wagner West.. He was the husband of Judy Clark West. He worked in a body shop for many years. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was a collector of antique cars. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Judy West of Sparta; sons, Terry West (Rena) of Sparta and Wally West (Gloria) of Smithville; daughters, Michelle Hammock and Angie Trusty both of Sparta; grandchildren, Ryan West, Brittney West, Jacob Hammock, Breanna Hammock, Kyra Hammock, Dawson Hammock, Jessica Cope, Jennifer Hanna, Tiffany Maddox, and Nick Trusty; sisters, Irene Krouse, Geraldine French, and Jenny Koons. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Lee Slatten. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1pm until the time of the service at the funeral home.
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