James Burford Coker
James Burford Coker passed away Friday, June 20.
He was born in Eagle Creek in 1923. He served during WWII in Hawaii as a USMC Staff Sergeant radar technician and rifle instructor. J.B. joined the Alabama Forestry Commission in 1947 as the first forest ranger for Lee County and served as Smokey the Bear for 45 years. He worked closely with Lee County school agricultural educational programs. He also served as a volunteer deputy and police officer for Lee County and Opelika and was a member of the Opelika Civitan Club. He dedicated his life to serving his community and to instilling his appreciation of nature in his children and grandchildren, who learned it well. He was always there whenever they needed him, never too busy, and with infinite patience.
Mr. Coker was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Verna (Webster), parents Ben and Cora Coker, siblings Hugh Coker and Melba Clark, an infant brother, and daughter-in-law Lee Coker. He is survived by his children, Mike Coker and Candy Speir, grandchildren Charlie Coker; Ryan (Amanda), Richard (Julie), and Russell Speir; great grandson Sikes, step-great grandson Laird, and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a private service for the immediate family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bethany House. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Hollis Mark Sweeten
Memorial service for Hollis Mark Sweeten, 59, of Opelika was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Dr. Rusty Sowell officiated.
Visitation was held Saturday from 12-2p.m. prior to the service at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Mr. Sweeten passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014 at East Alabama Medical Center. He was born January 10, 1955 in Ft. Benning, GA. Mr. Sweeten was a U.S. Navy Veteran.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kitty Perruso.
Survivors include his wife, Lynn Sweeten; stepsons, Lee (Angie) Craft, Chris Craft, Jason (Ashley) Craft; grandchildren, Carlee Craft, Shelby Craft, Brieanna Craft, Tyler Coleman, Brody Craft, Bryson Craft, and Avery Craft; sister, Katrina (Matt) Mills; nephew, Blake Mills; father, Joe Brown; and his dog, Mikey.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed. www.jeffcoattrant.com.
Janet Horn
Funeral service for Janet Horn, 87, of Opelika was held at 2:00p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Reverend David Warren officiated. Burial was held in Garden Hills Cemetery. Visitation was at 1:00p.m. Sunday, one hour prior to the service at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Mrs. Horn passed away at her home Wednesday, June 18, 2014. She was born June 19, 1927. Mrs. Horn was a lifetime resident of Lee County. She was retired from Ampex after 32 years of service, and will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, R.D. and Lottie Mae Freeman; sister, Kathleen Mitchell; brother, Robert D. Freeman; son, Mike Thompson; and daughter-in-law, Joy Thompson.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Horn; son, Van Thompson; daughters, Jane (Steve) Lipham, Debra (Mike) Bennett; daughter-in-law, Diane Thompson; grandchildren, Jeff (Deana) Thompson, Carrie (Nick) Evans, Jared (Abby) Hilyer, Shelley (Jason) Young, Natalie (Aaron) Warren, Katie Caroline Bennett; and 10 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church of Opelika.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.
John Angus Eason
John Angus Eason, 74 of Opelika, Alabama went home to be with the Lord June 18, 2014 at Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama.
He was born September 2, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he lived much of his life. He was a Land Developer, Real Estate Broker and Restaurant Proprietor. He also served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve.
In 1989 Mr. Eason and his wife Sissy moved from New Orleans, LA to Pine Mountain Ga. In 2007 they settled down in Opelika, AL and are proprietors of the Village Cookery, in Auburn, AL.
He has been an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Eason is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary M. “Sissy” Eason of Opelika, Al, 2 sons John A. (Suzanne) Jr. of North Richland Hills, Texas, Michael B. Eason of The Woodlands, Texas; 2 sisters Isabelle (Hugh) Glenn and Dale (Patrick) Reith all of New Orleans, LA; sister-in-law, Suzy (Vincent) Balsamo of Memphis, TN; and 3 grandchildren Sarah, Joshua and Jacob.
Mr. Eason was preceded in death by parents Jessie Angus Eason, Isabelle Reilly Eason and twin brother Albert (Jeanne) Bernard Eason.
A memorial service was held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the First Baptist Church Chapel in Opelika, Alabama. Reverend Chris Duncan officiated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Hospice Advantage EAMC (665 Opelika Road, Suite 200, Auburn, AL. 36830) or Trinity Presbyterian Church (1010 India Rd, Opelika, Alabama 36801).
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements. www.jeffcoattrant.com.
Dean L. Kloepper
Dean Kloepper (85) died peacefully on May 20, 2014 at Bethany House Hospice in Auburn, Alabama. He was born February 10, 1929 in a farmhouse built by his grandfather near Huron, Kansas.
Dean is survived by his wife Neva Kloepper; his three sons: Fred, Joe and Mark; his daughter-in-law Jaine Richards; and his four grandchildren, Kathryn, Laura, Gregory, and Matthew.
Dean received a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas and worked as a chemical engineer in several companies until retirement. During retirement, Dean built a Rutan Long-EZ aircraft which he enjoyed flying for many years, taking friends and family on many memorable trips.
He resided in Centennial Colorado from 1969 until 2010 when he and Neva moved to Auburn to enter independent living at Azalea Place Assisted Living. For the last year of his life, Dean lived with Neva in Oak Park Nursing Home.
Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 10:00 on Saturday, June 21.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.org).
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. www.jeffcoattrant.com.
Steven Gilbert
Steven Dale Gilbert, 59, died on June 19, 2014 in Alexander City, AL. He is preceded in death by his father, Cecil Gilbert and his sister, Carol Sue McHargue. Stephen is survived by his mother, Ann Killingswoth Gilbert.
Below are the words of Steven Gilbert:
Steve is survived by his loving niece, Heather Willis; and great niece, Caroline Willis; and great nephew, Curt Willis; special nephew, Gene Willis and very special cousins,
Julie Bugg, Jody Hillyer, Kaylee and Kyle Bugg, and Kent Bugg, and also Hayden and Hunter Hillyer and Martha and Cary Hillyer who he loved like a brother. Also an uncle and aunt, Henry and Carolyn Killingsworth; and special cousin, Keith Killingsworth.
Steve was born in Langdale, AL and lived in Valley, AL formerly of Roanoke, VA. He was also in the U.S. Air Force.
Graveside service was held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Garden Hills Cemetery. Reverend Jim Dykes officiated. Visitation was held from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local mental health service.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
www.jeffoattrant.com.