July 2009

Melanie Senn Zueger July 24, 2009

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Melanie Senn Zueger, 48, of Savannah, Georgia, wife of Kenneth George Zueger, died Friday morning, July 24, 2009, at Candler Hospital.
Born in Newberry, South Carolina, she was a daughter of Frank Forrest Senn and Mary Alice Gruber Senn. Melanie was a member of Smyrna Presbyterian Church in Newberry. She was a graduate of Bismarck Junior College with a degree in computer science and the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine with a degree in occupational therapy. Melanie was a licensed and registered occupational therapist in Georgia and South Carolina and was currently with Heritage Park of Savannah.
Surviving are her husband of 30 years, Kenneth George Zueger of Savannah, Georgia, her parents, Frank and Mary Alice Senn of Newberry, South Carolina; her step-son, Nick Zueger and his wife, Jill, of Columbia, South Carolina; two step-grandchildren, Will and Caroline, and her two dogs whom she dearly loved, Kilo and Zulu.
The family did receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Sunday evening at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.
The family did receive friends from 12 until 1 o'clock Monday in Smyrna Presbyterian Church, Newberry.
The funeral service were held at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon in Smyrna Presbyterian Church conducted by The Reverend Scott E. Hill. Interment was in Smyrna Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Remembrances: The Humane Society of Chatham-Savannah, Inc. - 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406-3922.

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Joel H. Derrick July 25, 2009

Joel H. Derrick, 76, of Newberry, died Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
He was born on October 9, 1932 in Pomaria, the son of the late J. Haskell and Julia Jefferson Derrick. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the VFW 6740. Mr. Derrick attended Clemson University, was a devoted fan, and an avid fisherman. He was a member of Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church.
Mr. Derrick is survived by his wife, Peggy Bickley Derrick, of the residence; sisters, Miriam D. Reuter of Prosperity and Virginia D. Hartley of Batesburg; God-daughters, Lynn Bickley of Elgin and Jane Bickley of Newberry; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters; Josie D. Hiller and Christine D. Richbourg; and brothers, Bobby Derrick and Ibra Derrick.
Visitation was held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, July 26, at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral services was conducted at 3:00 PM Monday at Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church by the Rev. Mary Havens. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Butch Price, Thomas Shaver, Terry Shaver, Floyd Sides, Rick Long, Johnnie Dickert, Gene Hartley, and Jeff Bickley.
Honorary pallbearers were Donnie Hawkins, Bruce Reuter, Tony Bickley, Wayne Hiller, Lin Slaton, J.P. Fellers, Dr. Steve Madden, Dr. Mark Ezekiel, Lynn Ackerman, Mike & Karen Brehmer, and members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1307 Drayton St., Newberry, SC 29108 or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Helen Beebe, 181 Trailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at
notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Frederick S. Nixdorf July 21, 2009

Frederick S. Nixdorf, 80, of Chapin, died Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Lexington Medical Center.
He was born in Philadelphia, PA, son of the late Frederick S. and Frances Hall Nixdorf. He was an U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and was retired from Strategic Data Systems. He was a member of Chapin United Methodist Church and the Mid-Carolina Country Club. His hobbies included grilling and golfing and being a good husband.
Mr. Nixdorf is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancee Johnston Nixdorf; 2 daughters, Polly Nixdorf Clements of Saratoga Springs, NY and Jennifer Nixdorf McCalmont and her husband Stephen of Hollis, NH; 5 grandchildren, Kathryn and Timothy Clements and Andrew, Alex, and Austin McCalmont; and a sister, Sherry Scott of Blue Bell, PA.
Memorial services were conducted at 2:00 PM Friday at Chapin United Methodist Church by the Rev. Jody Flowers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church Building Fund, 415 Lexington Highway, Chapin, SC 29036.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin is assisting the family.

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James Ray Holliday July 16, 2009

James Ray Holliday, 82, of Newberry died Thursday, July 16, 2009, at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
He was born on February 18, 1927 in Anderson County, a son of the late James Haskell and Annie Crawford Holliday. He graduated from Boys High School in Anderson and attended Anderson College. Mr. Holliday was the owner and operator of Newberry Square Grocery. He was a member and former Deacon of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, a member of the Neil Truesdell Sunday School Class, and the Forever Young group.
Mr. Holliday was very active in his community. He was a founding member of the Newberry Opera House revitalization and he and his wife served the rural areas of Newberry County as Chairpersons for the Newberry County unit of the American Cancer Society for 20 years. In addition as a special project for more than six years, he enjoyed planting year-round flower gardens at the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Mr. Holliday is survived by his wife, Mildred Koger Holliday; a twin brother, Haskell Roy Holliday of Rome, GA; nieces, Debbie (Paul) Griffin of Marrietta, GA and Susan (Robert) Owens of Roswell, GA; nephews, Frank (Kim) Sligh of Newberry, and Stanley (Sharon) Holcombe of Anderson. He was predeceased by sisters, Harriet H. Sligh and Margaret H. Holcombe.
Visitation was held from 6:00 to 7:00 P M on Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Mitchell VanMetre. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Bill Hendrix, Bill Ehney, Frank Sligh, Stanley Holcombe, Bob Owens, Michael Owens, Frank Owens, Carey Sligh, Derek Sligh, and Bryan Bedenbaugh.
Memorials may be made to Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, 1211 Calhoun St., Newberry, SC 29108; Newberry Opera House, PO Box 357, Newberry, SC 29018; or to a charity of one’s choice.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at
notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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James D. "J.D." Seymore July16, 2009

James D. “J.D.” Seymore, 83, of Newberry, died Thursday, July 16, 2009, at White Oak Manor.
He was born on March 5, 1926 in Ninety Six, a son of the late Wyly Hoyt and Mary Dominick Seymore. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and retired after more than 20 years from the National Guard. He worked for Kendall Mills, Oakland Plant and was a member of West End Baptist Church where he served as Deacon for a number of years.
Mr. Seymore is survived by his wife, Ruth Bradley Seymore; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda & Donald Knight of Newberry; grandchildren, Alisha Davenport and Kenneth Tucker of Newberry, Timothy Tucker and Stacey Brooks of Lexington, and Anita Fulmer and Alison Boland of Little Mountain; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Shirley Tucker and two sisters, Ruby and Barbara.
Visitation was from 6:30 to 7:30 P M on Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, at West End Baptist Church, Newberry, by the Rev. Kevin Carter. Interment were in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Kenneth Tucker, Timothy Tucker, Eric Davenport, Warren Fulmer, Brian Boland, Cody Price, Clay McConnell, Matthew Boland, Kolby Tucker, Liam Davenport, and Michael Brooks.
Honorary pallbearers were the staff of White Oak Manor, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to West End Baptist Church, P.O. Box 906, Newberry, SC 29108 or to White Oak Manor, 2555 Kinard St., Newberry, SC, 29018.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at
notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Lt. Colonel Louis Rock Lagasse July 7, 2009

Lieutenant Colonel Louis Rock Lagasse, 73, of 87 Drayton Court, Prosperity, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Palmetto Richland Medical Center.
He was born in Cohoes, NY, a son of the late Louis Joseph and Aurore Guerin Lagasse. He retired from the U.S. Army after 23 years of Service. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and also served in Saudi Arabia and Germany. At his retirement he was serving as the Assistant to the Comptroller of the U.S. Army in the Pentagon. He also retired from Calculon, Inc. and was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.
Lt. Col. Lagasse is survived by his wife, Joan Miller Lagasse; 2 sons and their wives, Steve and Dianne Lagasse of Chapin and Brian and Margaret Lagasse of Huntsville, AL; a brother and his wife, Ronald and Donna Lagasse of Scotia, NY; and 9 grandchildren, Cindy Lagasse, Christopher Lagasse, Stephanie Lagasse, Hannah Lagasse, Joseph Lagasse, Patrick Lagasse, Matthew Lagasse, Meghan Lagasse, and Timothy Lagasse.
Funeral Mass was conducted at 10:00 A.M. Friday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church by the Father Andrew Vollkommer. The interment services were conducted at 2:00 PM Friday in Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M Thursday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Visitation did follow the Rosary and lasted until 9:00 P.M.
Pallbearers were his grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Honor Flight, 551 Granby Lane, Columbia, SC 29201.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin is assisting the family.

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David Willis Martin July 5, 2009

David Willis Martin, 39, of Columbia died Sunday at his residence
He was born in Wichita, KS on May 24, 1970 a son of Colette R. Martin and the late Michael E. Martin. He was a computer technician and recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary with the SCANA Corporation. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps having served in the Gulf War. He was also a member of the Marine Corp League. David had a love of photography but his true passion was his family.
In addition to his mother of Irmo, Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Christy Lynn Martin; two daughters, Shelby L. and Rowan P. Martin of the home; a half-sister, Veronique Arrowood of OK; and a half-brother, Eric Helfgott of Columbia. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Willis and Mildred Martin of Newberry.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in West Columbia. A private interment service were conducted.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, Mid Atlantic Affiliate, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, PA 23058-5216.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin is assisting the family.

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Harmon E. Brehmer July 6, 2009

Harmon E. Brehmer, 74, of 3270 Sandy Run Creek Rd, Kinards, died Monday at Lexington Medical Center.
He was born in Clinton, SC on April 13, 1935 a son of the late Harmon E. and Ruby Fellers Brehmer. He was a graduate of Newberry College and retired from Champion International Corporation. He was a member of Silverstreet Lutheran Church.
Mr. Brehmer is survived by his wife, Louella Hamm Brehmer; two sons and daughters-in-law, Harmon E. and Cathy Brehmer, Jr. of Newberry and Karl S. and Debbie Brehmer of Irmo; five grandchildren, Thomas Brehmer, Andrew Brehmer, Kim Willis, Michelle Baker and Dan Santis; and seven great grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his brother, Henry F. Brehmer.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Silverstreet Lutheran Church by the Rev. Floyd E. Sides and the Rev. J. Harry Crout. Interment will be in Silverstreet Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.
Pallbearers were his nephews, Henry Brehmer, Jr., Mike Brehmer, and Steve Brehmer and great nephews, Neal Brehmer, Kevin Brehmer and Lance Brehmer.
Honorary pallbearers were Jake Epting, Maffett Fant, Harold Ruff, Bob Jolly, Wayne Kesler, Randolph Johnson, Ted Timmerman, Tom Hawkins, Jimmy Longshore and Jimmy Bowers.
Memorials may be made to Silverstreet Lutheran Church, General Fund, 120 Long Street, Silverstreet, SC 29145.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Thomas Jefferson McKie, Jr. July 3, 2009

Thomas Jefferson McKie, Jr., 96, of Chapin, died Friday, July 03, 2009 at Generations of Chapin.
Mr. McKie was born on January 26, 1913 in Augusta, GA to the late Thomas Jefferson and Janette Bonds McKie. He served as a machinist mate in the United States Navy and was a Veteran of World War II.
Pursuant to his wishes no formal funeral services will be held.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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