Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Christine Ann Schuenze
Vero Beach, Florida
Christine Ann Schuenzel, 87, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Florida.
Christine was born in Mt. Vernon, New York, lived many years in Poughkeepsie, NY, while summering in New Fairfield, CT, before moving to Homestead, FL and finally to Vero Beach in 2007.
She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Christine was a graduate of Alfred University in Alfred, NY, where she was a member of the Sigma Chi Nu Sorority. Christine earned her private pilot's license and her other hobbies included dancing, flying, water skiing and snow skiing.
Survivors include daughters Christine (Donald) Carpino of Omaha, NE, Kathleen (Stephen) Miller of Black Mountain, NC, and Linda (David) Capen of Vero Beach, son John Schuenzel of Miami, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Charles Schuenzel.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or VNA Hospice of Indian River County.
The family received friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2017, at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Mass was celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017, St. Helen Catholic Church, and interment followed at White City Cemetery in White City, Florida.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at strunkfuneralhome.com.
Anne Elledge
Black Mountain
Anne Elledge was the beloved aunt of Ginny Canata, Mary Bristol, Betty Dendy, Sandra Huhn, Patricia White, Linda Sue Hawthorne, Judy Rogers, and Jimmy Elledge.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Walter and Madge Elledge of Fulton, MS; sisters, Grace Curry, Helen Jones, Blanche Fillingame; brothers, James Elledge and Frank Elledge; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Anne began life in Mississippi, first in Corinth and then in Fulton, where she finished high school. Then came a major change from a tiny town to a big world city when her father, a lawyer, took a job during WWII with the US Interior Department in Washington, DC. Anne quickly adjusted and was graduated from George Washington University with a B.S. in education and later a master’s degree in public personnel administration.
She began working for the US Civil Service Commission, and then transferred to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now Health and Human Services), rising in time to be the Director of the Office of Personnel Policy.
Anne found mastering the bureaucracy in our nation’s capital challenging and exciting. However, after 38 years of government service, she retired with the HEW Department’s Distinguished Service Award, and also with the designation by the Public Health Service as an honorary Assistant Surgeon General, the first woman to be so honored.
For the next 20+ years in Washington, she supported much church and other voluntary humanitarian work for childcare of the needy, drug rehabilitation, adult literacy, and Meals on Wheels. Anne was a docent at the National Archives, and an officer of PEO, and organization promoting educational opportunities for women. She also enjoyed traveling to Western Europe (six trips), South America, Africa, and nearly all states and provinces in the USA and Canada.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Anne Moore Elledge died on January 28, 2017 at 3:15 p.m.
A memorial service was held at Highland Farms in Black Mountain on February 4, 2017 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to PEO Educational Loan Fund, 3900 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 or Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries, PO Box 235, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or a ministry of your choice. You can dedicate the gift in memory of Anne Elledge.
harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Cristi Hensley Davis
Black Mountain
Cristi Hensley Davis, 46, of Black Mountain, died unexpectedly, Monday, January 30, 2017.
A native of Buncombe County, Cristi was the daughter of Terry Buckner Moseley (Kelvin) and David Hensley (Karen). She is also survived by her daughters, Caitlin Davis and Kelsey Davis; siblings, Erin Sawyer Whitson (Ryan), Tyler Sawyer; stepbrothers, Seth and Cullen Hensley; grandparents, Jim and Suzie Buckner; granddaughter, Keppley Gregory. She is also survived by aunts, Sandra Buckner, Beverly Buckner (Jerry), cousins, nieces, nephews and many other loved ones and friends who will cherish her memory forever. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Scott and Geneva Hensley.
In this hour of sorrow, the family wishes to acknowledge our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love, sympathy and prayers we have received from our many friends, church family and community.
The immediate family gathered for a private Celebration of Life service on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at Biltmore Church, Arden, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Partnership for Pastoral Counseling, PO Box 19796, Asheville, NC 28815.
Lynne DeLuca
Swannanoa
Lynne DeLuca, age 66, a resident of Swannanoa, North Carolina, went to be with her heavenly family on February 1, 2017.
Lynne was born in New York City May 4, 1950 to Anthony DeLuca and Fay Kalina DeLuca. After graduating from Brentwood High School in New York in 1968 Lynne came South to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education she spent most of her remaining years in the South. She spent three years in Boston, Massachusetts where she earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree from Lesley University. She used what she learned at Lesley to help people handle their lives - both personally and professionally - for the remainder of her life. Her thoughtful, contemplative words will be sorely missed by those of us she helped.
Lynne is survived by her family, Terrance Lonergan, Jeanne Wright and Johanne and Bill Pesce. She is also survived by her nieces Theresa Happe and Elizabeth Pesce and her nephews Fred and Anthony Pesce.
Lynne was a Baha’i for over 40 years and will have a Baha’i burial. She will be buried in a simple pine box in the green section at Green Hills Cemetery among the trees with the sound of sweet birds chirping all around her. That was as close to the heavenly world we could put her on this earth. A simple service was held at the graveside at Green Hills Cemetery at 25 New Leicester Hwy in Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 3 p.m. A Memorial Service was held at Harwood Home for Funerals at 208 W. State St. Black Mountain, North Carolina on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Worldwide Orphans Foundation, 515 Valley Street, Suite 201, Maplewood, NJ 07040-1389; and The Center for Family Justice, 753 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604. And for Baha’is donations may be made to the International Baha’i Fund.
Harwood Home for Funerals in Black Mountain is assisting the family. To leave condolences visit harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Chris Wilson
Black Mountain
Chris Wilson, 44, of Black Mountain, passed away January 30, 2017.
Chris proudly served six years in the US Air Force, serving two tours in Afghanistan and one tour at the 9/11 memorial.
He is survived by his mother, Jeannette Wilson; aunts, Juanita Biggs and Gail Wilson; uncles, Charles Wilson and Bobby Biggs; and numerous cousins.
A graveside service with military honors was Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11 a.m. at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Skyland with Rev. Randy Gragg and Rev. Gene Biggs officiating.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Katherine Houser Hefner
Hickory
Katherine Houser Hefner, 87 of Hickory, passed away February 2, 2017 at her daughter's residence.
Born Katherine Houser on June 14, 1929 in Lincoln County to the late Noah Cletus and Etta Belle Detter Houser.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Lee Hefner; brothers Ralph Houser, Ray Houser, Harold Houser, Gordon Houser, Earl Houser, and Daughty Houser and a son-in-law Thomas Presnell.
Katherine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her life was devoted to taking care of her husband of 57 years and her family. She helped Vernon train the beagle puppies that they raised together and canned vegetables from the garden.
She is survived by a her daughters Revonda Presnell of Hickory and Judy Eubanks of Black Mountain; granddaughters
Denise Barber and husband Travis of Lenoir, Valerie Eubanks of Edgewater, NJ, Kelly Harris and husband Tony of Connelly Springs and Traci Kleve of Fort Worth, TX; grandsons Brian Weaver of Statesville, and Bill Eubanks and wife Helen of Fort Collins, CO; great-grandsons Dylan Weaver of Statesville and Tyler Barber of Lenoir; great-granddaughters Alyssa Weaver of Statesville, Kristin Barber of Lenoir and Emily Kleve of Fort Worth, TX; sisters Rita Bivens and husband Carl of Vale, Juanita Undorfer of Miami, FL , and sister-in-law Betty Houser of Vale. She is also survived by special family members of Mickey Lafone (Scotti, Taylor, and Bailey) and Kenny “Buddy” Lingle and wife Lisa, plus numerous nieces and nephews that were all loved.
The family received friends Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 2-2:45 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home.
Funeral Services were Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 3 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor William Church officiating. Burial followed at Grace Lutheran Church. Pallbearers will be Dylan Weaver, Bill Eubanks, Travis Barber, Kenny Lingle, Steven Lingle, and Mickey Lafone.
Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Catawba County, PO Box 63, Hickory, NC 28603 or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Online condolences may be left at hickoryfh.com, Hickory Funeral Home.
David R. Reising, Sr.
Black Mountain
David R. Reising, Sr., 83, peacefully went to be with the Lord, Friday, January 27, 2017 at Mountain Ridge Wellness Center. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Erma Lee (Swift); his daughter Debbie Clark & husband Phillip; his son David, Jr. & wife Melanie; his son Jim; granddaughter Tracie Worley & husband Jimmie; granddaughter Jennifer Chilton; grandson-in-law Bill Chilton; granddaughter Monica Davis & husband Chad; granddaughter Mistie Cogbill & husband Phil; granddaughter Malarie Clark & husband Russell; grandson Daniel Reising; and great-grandchildren Hunter, Justin, Clark, Grant, Lillie, Maia, Bailee, Will, Max, and Dessie. He is preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio but lived most of his early life in Miami, Fla., he worked for his father at Reising-Son Plaster & Stucco on art deco hotels on Miami Beach with the Local 7 Union of Bricklayers, Masons & Plasterers. In 1972 he moved his family to the Broad River Community in Black Mountain where he began D&R Drywall. He was a well-loved and respected member of the construction community for 40 years. He was an active member of Bat Cave Baptist Church and loved his family, lawnmower, and his cows.
A visitation was Feb. 5 at Bat Cave Baptist Church at 2:00 pm with a service following at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be designated to the Building & Grounds Fund for Bat Cave Baptist Church.
Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.