Deanann Louise "Dee" Clayton

12-2-1977 to 9-22-2011

Deanann Louise “Dee” Clayton, 33, of Shawneetown, died at her home on Thursday, September 22, 2011, 3:14 p.m. after a battle with kidney cancer. She was born December 2, 1977 in Eldorado, Ill, to Willard Dean and Margaret Ann "Margie" (Scherrer) Clayton. She worked at the family business, Shawneetown Harbor Service, as a secretary.  Dee was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown.  After she successfully lost one hundred and ten pounds of weight, she became a proficient athlete.  She cycled to victory at the TBRA Tennessee State Mountain Bike Championship, competed in the Hell of the South road race in the previous year.  One race was a hundred miles long, Dee completed it in four hours and thirty minutes.

She was very active in several charities and fund raising

 events, especially the Susan G. Komen Evansville Race for

 the Cure.  For the  last  four years including this year she

 was top individual fund raiser for the Race for the Cure.  She

 will greatly be missed by her friends, family, and the

community.  Dee is survived by her mother, Margie Clayton of Shawneetown; one brother, Gary Wayne and Hollie Clayton of Shawneetown; grandparents, Bill and Louise Scherrer of Shawneetown; one uncle, Bill and Chris Scherrer of Shawneetown; one aunt, Norma Gene and George Patton of Shawneetown; two nephews, Kaleb and Cade Clayton; and several cousins.  She was preceded in death by her father; and grandparents, C.L. and Josephine Clayton.  Visitation for Dee will be held on Friday, September 24, 2011, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  at  the  Vickery  Funeral  Chapel  in  Shawneetown, with  prayer service  at  6 p.m.   Funeral  Mass  will  be  held Saturday, September 25, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at the St.  Mary Catholic Church in Shawneetown with  Father  Steven  Beatty conducting Mass.  Burial will follow at Westwood Cemetery in Shawnee.  Donations in Dee's memory may be made to the

Shawneetown Beautification Committee.  Internet condolences may be made at the website,

www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com

 Pamela Fiesler

April 28, 2011

Mrs. Pamela Fiesler of Newnan, GA, passed away April 28, 2011. She was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Wright and is survived by her husband, Steve Fiesler of Newnan; daughter, Casey Fiesler of Newnan; mother, Bertie Wright of Newnan; sisters, Becky Barden of Lincolnton; Barbara McDonald of Newnan and sister-in-law, Robin Lanton of Williamson. Memorial services will be held Monday, May 2, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Carroll officiating. Those wishing may send an online condolence at: www.parrottfuneralhome.com. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, P.O. Box 3516, Oak Brooks, IL 60522 (www.kidneycancer.org).

Memory

by Casey Fiesler

You don’t remember every time you’ve smiled

Or every meaningful embrace

You don’t remember every spoken kindness

Or the planes of every face

But the things that we forget, sometimes

Are the ones that stay recalled

By the ones who saw, and felt, and heard

We can’t forget it all

Your mother won’t forget the day

You came into the world

And most of the ones after that

Since you’re still her little girl

The man you chose to share your life

Remembers every touch

And the way that after all these years

You loved him just as much

Your daughter cherishes each lesson

All you taught is still worthwhile

And every person in this room

Well, they won’t forget your smile

Who sang with you, and walked with you

And prayed with you, and talked with you

And drove with you, and smiled with you

And sat with you, and cried with you

And loved with you, believed with you

Survived with you, and lived with you

The things that you can’t take with you

The memories we make with you

They’re still here, and so are you

In every person in this room

And I won’t cry, I’ll praise that truth

Until the day I’m mem’ry too

And all of us, we’ll live on through

The ones we leave behind… thank you.

And the memories we’ve yet to make

We know you have a view

And the old ones never fade away

We remember them – for you

 

Robert Eugene Wisehart

12/11/1939 – 05/01/2010

It’s been almost a year since my dad died; time flies by whether you want it to or not.  And a lot has happened in that year.  In the past year, I’ve seen a strong man grow weak and I’ve seen a young woman grow strong.  One of my best friends graced us with twins and my brother-in-law got engaged.  Other friends got jobs or got pregnant.  Everyone has managed to keep moving and at times, I’ve just floated along in their current without screaming, without crying and kept a smile on my face.  And I finally figured out that Dad would have genuinely smiled.  He would have loved all of it… so in his honor I figured that, as hard as it is for me to talk about at times, I should memorialize that funny, silly, wonderful and special guy. I don't often say out loud how much I miss talking to him but I do.

My dad was diagnosed with RCC in late January of 2010. As with a lot of kidney cancer patients, by the time they found the cancer there wasn't much that could be done. But I find that I don't want to talk about Dad's experience with cancer... I'd much rather tell you a little about his life. Talking about the cancer continues to give it power, I don't want to give it any more of that....

Dad was born on December 11th, 1939 to James and Thelma Wisehart. He was their second child and their first son. All told Grandma and Grandpa had 9 children. Dad was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest sister (Jo) and his youngest sister (Terry). At last count there were enough "Wiseharts" to fill up a couple of movie theaters ... We're a big family.

Dad grew up in Indiana and upon graduating from high school, joined the Navy. He served four years aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier as the ship's photographer. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1963. In 1965, he joined the Washington Township Fire Department. He was an Indiana State Certified Master Firefighter in Tactics, Arson and Fire Prevention. During his career, he served as an Arson Investigator and Assistant Chief. He retired as a Lieutenant after 32 years. I believe, in the truest sense of the word, my dad was a hero.

Dad loved Nascar and Colts football. He loved his family and he particularly loved playing jokes on all of us. He was an honorable man and he was a brave man. He was well loved and had a fantastic life... we miss him a whole, whole lot. 

Laura Sue Wisehart

Dave Herin

David Vance Herin, Jr
Corpus Christi, TX
VANCE
Dr. David Vance Herin Jr., adorable husband; loving son, brother, and grandson; best friend; and brilliant scientist. While holding the hands of his wife and mother, David passed away on Feb 19, 2011 in Minneapolis, MN after a determined battle with kidney cancer. He was 35.
David was born on Jan 1, 1976 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated from Mary Carroll High School in 1994 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. David graduated from Baylor University where he earned a B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology in 1998. In both high school and college, David played the sousaphone in the marching bands. He then went on to receive a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2005. In 2008, David moved to Minneapolis, MN to join the faculty at The University of Minnesota Medical School in the psychiatry department as an assistant professor.
David had a bright smile and a booming voice. He befriended many throughout his life. His infectious kindness was a constant reminder that he would do anything for anyone. David was only diagnosed a little over a year ago with cancer. In that short time, he married his Love, continued his passion of researching and lecturing on drug dependencies and traveled all while fighting this disease with the most positive attitude one can imagine. We would like to thank the wonderful medical staff that cared for David at the Masonic Cancer Center, The UMMC Fairview Hospital, Fairview home hospice nursing staff and M.C. Little Hospice Center. David was loved by so many and will be forever missed. His father, Judge David V. Herin and grandparents, Julia and Leo Duran, and Robert Herin preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn B. Herin; mother, Cynthia D. Herin; sister, Monica Semlar; grandmother, Betty Mills; an aunt and uncle as well as many dear cousins.
Visitation will begin at 12noon, Friday, February 25, 2011 at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Home, 1222 Morgan Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 with a Rosary to be recited 7:00pm that evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 3502 Saratoga, Corpus Christi, TX 78415 at 10:00am, Saturday, February 26, 2011. Burial to follow at Seaside Memorial Park Cemetery, 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. After the burial, we will gather for a reception with additional details to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials in his name to the Center for Addiction Research at The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX 77555-0615 or the Kidney Cancer Association (www.kidneycancer.org).

Phillip Lamar Hembree September 23, 1959 - November 22, 2010

The following obituary was submitted by our good friend Mickeral. 

Phil Hembree lived near Raleigh NC, his dad and sister Chrys live in the same county as Mickeral.  He had a large tumor found on kidney, lungs and liver – all mRCC - and only lived eight weeks after his diagnosis. His wife died of cancer approximately 18 months earlier. 

The family requested memorials be made to KCA.

Phil's Obituary

Phillip Lamar Hembree, 51, of Holly Springs died Monday, November 22, 2010. He was born September 23, 1959 in Atlanta GA.

Phillip is survived by his daughter Aimee McLellen and her husband Tra of Woodstock, GA; mother Dorothy Jackson of Atlanta; father Bill Hembree of Atlanta; three sisters Jackie Stonica and her husband Scott, Debbie Medina and her husband Nico, and Chrys Elliot and her husband Danny; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held in Georgia.

Memorial contributions may be made in Phillip’s name to the:
Kidney Cancer Association
PO Box 3516
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3516
or www.kidneycancer.org.
Online condolences at www.apexfuneral.net

Thomas D. Russo Sr

9/25/36 - 3/4/10

Missed by his loving and devoted family:

Claire Russo (wife of 50 years)

Tammy Russo (daughter)

Thom Russo Jr (son)

Caesar (his canine son)

From the Funeral Prayer Cards:

(The following describes what I know my daddy wants.)

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one,

I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave behind when life is done.



Tammy Kissing Daddy

My Daddy was an incredible dancer.  He had a natural sense of rhythm and moved gracefully and creatively.  When I was young, he shared that talent, teaching me to dance.  To learn to copy his moves, I placed my feet on top of his and away we went.

Once I had a sense of the fundamentals, I moved my feet off my father’s.  From that point on, he said that I led when we danced.  Whether it was because that’s the role I’d learned by hopping atop Dad’s feet, or if that’s always been my natural inclination—who knows.  But as is Dad’s way, he simply laughed it off.

Regardless, I loved dancing with my Daddy and searched for opportunities to do so:  the occasional restaurant featuring a live band, my cotillion, at San Francisco’s Ferry Terminal Building, during my cousin’s recent wedding. 

In between dancing opportunities, and especially in the past few years, I stopped leading just long enough to recognize and ponder the many amazing attributes that define Daddy.

His gentle, loving spirit

On his anniversary a few years back, a co-worker’s dog died giving birth to a large litter.  Dad rushed there and spent the day helping bottle feed the orphan puppies.

His kind soul

Dad described the time he spent as a teenager as a volunteer at a children’s hospital.  He said that too often the children hadn’t seen their families for a long time, and they craved non-medical attention.  When visitors arrived, wearing anything other than white lab coats, these children would reach out and call, “Mommy; Daddy—hug, kiss.”  And my Daddy, this incredibly strong man, would melt into tears at the memory of kids in such need.

His overwhelmingly generous desire to help

When Dad was in the hospital, the cot on which I slept did a number to my lousy back —another legacy from Dad.  When the physical therapist came by, Dad asked her to help with MY back.  He was more concerned with my comfort than with his own.

His love of laughter and of sharing glee

            Evident in embracing the simple pleasures of animated ‘kids’ movies’

His gentle patience

Preferring for others to talk about themselves and genuinely caring about what they had to say

His uncanny ability to see the best in everything and everyone

I’ve heard this refrain from so many of you over the past few days.  My earliest related memory is when my Mom had my very long baby hair cut quite short.  She was apprehensive of Dad’s potential reaction, and even at such a young age, I clearly understood that anxiety.  When we arrived home, Daddy threw me into the air and rained down on me with kisses and hugs, telling me how very beautiful I was.

His proud and passionate dedication to his family

The antithesis of demanding, yet it was crystal clear that Dad was at his absolute best when our family was together.  It was on a family vacation that he discovered his ‘special place’, Taormina in Sicily, which gave him joy, pride and peace.

His natural inclination to appreciate the small stuff in life

When I interned downtown, Dad would pick me up for lunch, bringing pizza bread, and we’d sit by the lake, watching the rolling waves.

His strength and courage

Evident in Dad’s struggles these past years and even more so in his refusal to let any of us know of his fears and apprehension.  All he ever wanted was for his family—and he defined family broadly—to be happy.

His grace and love

Shown as Dad thanked the nurses who woke him for endless tests and blood draws, telling them, “I love you”.

His simple wisdom

Some of the last pearls he left with Thom include “Step by step” and “Because that’s just the way it is.”

His sweet happiness

            Evident by Dad’s smile in every photo we cherish

It’s all of his uplifting values, I believe, that are Dad’s great legacy--the important lessons he’s left behind for all of us.

For years, I’ve been searching for my passion in life—my purpose, my way, my light, my hope, my love.  Mixing metaphors here:  Just as Dorothy found in the Wizard of Oz, I’ve now realized that has been right here with me all along--from the day I climbed on Dad’s feet.  And now that he’s no longer physically here, my goal is to climb back aboard his tootsies and let him lead once again, embracing and living the inspiration that was his life.

I believe with every fiber of my being that Dad is the best of what’s in all of us whom he touched.  So please join me in climbing on his feet. . .I know Daddy’s strong enough to lead us all.

Tammy Russo

Song Request

"Here Comes The Sun"

Beatles

David A. Cavanaugh

September 20, 1965 to April 29, 2010

Loving husband of Tina  Cavanaugh and father of Cassie, Aaron, and Katelyn.

Stepfather to Kathie Whitesel and loving grandfather of Madison, Hailey and Wyatt.

Son of Caroyln Smith and Larry Cavanaugh. Grandson of Joan Atkins. Born and raised in Portland , Indiana. 

He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Elizabeth Cavanaugh, a Grandfather and his Grandmother.

He worked as a Printing Pressman for Colorbox of Richmond, Indiana where he was employed for 10 years. He rode a Harley and enjoyed riding very much. We made many trips to Washington DC, Sturgis SD, Tennesse, North Carolina and so on. He loved riding and owned a 2006 Electra Classic which had 94,000 miles on it (all his miles). He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

David was diagnosed on January 7, 2010, with Renal Cell Carcinoma. He spent the first 7 weeks of the year in the hospital and underwent 5 surgeries during his stay. We lost him April 29,2010. When he found out that he had cancer, he fought it with all he had and never once pulled the pity card. He was a very brave man throughout his battle. He planned his own funeral, picked the music which was all joyful, no sad songs to be played he said. He even asked the funeral director that he and his men wear jeans and t-shirts to his funeral. He wanted nothing fancy at all and wanted everyone to be casual and comfortable. We carried out his wishes. He had a Harley Funeral all the way. We had 63 bikes show up and escort him to the cemetery. He went to the cemetery on the back of a Harley as well. We had a Harley Hearse carry his Casket through town and to the Cemetery. I rode on the back of his Harley with his best friend riding his bike and my bike was right next to us ridden by his Nephew Patrick.  The only thing that we changed for his funeral was we added one last song. We added Frank Sinatra's "I Did It My Way" because he did it his way every step of the way. He will be sadly missed. We love you David and always will love you. We look forward to the day that we will be united again.

~ I love you baby now and always ~

Please see more photos on the Warriors With Wings Blog.