Sylvia “Jeanne”
Hartzog

Mrs. Sylvia “Jeanne” Hartzog of Auburn, passed away Friday, February 12, 2016 at her home in Auburn. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn, Reverend Libba Stinson officiated and burial followed in Town Creek Cemetery. Visitation was Monday, February 15, 2016 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home beginning at 6-8 p.m.
Mrs. Hartzog was an administrative assistant for 29 years in the Industrial Engineering Department at Auburn University. Mrs. Hartzog and her husband were avid campers and members of the Valley Vagabonds, she also enjoyed breeding and showing Persian cats. Mrs. Hartzog was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Auburn and had a very strong will with remarkable resolve, and was a loving, compassionate woman who loved and cared for her family deeply.
Mrs. Hartzog is preceded in death by her parents: John and Allie Perry, her husband, Dr. Wiley G. Hartzog, Jr., and by one of her favorite cats a red tabby and white Persian named “Missy”.
She is survived by her daughter, Alta “Lennie” Lenore Hartzog of Auburn; nieces: Debrah Perry of Scotia, NY, and Renee Perry Corbin of Sylva, N.C.; sister-in-law, Jane Norris Perry; and special friends: Pat Neal and Charlotte Tucker.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Lee County Humane Society, or to the American Heart Association.
The family would like to give special thanks to Pete Marine and Bethany House in Auburn.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home and Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com

Ronald Freeman

A memorial service celebrating the life of Ron Freeman, 65, was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 13, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.  Tom Padgett officiated.
Ron was born February 13, 1950, in Wagoner, Oklahoma, the son of Carl and Marguerite Freeman. He attended Wagoner and Muskogee public schools, earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, studied zoology at the University of Oklahoma, and earned a master’s degree in wildlife ecology from Oklahoma State University.
He worked as a biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation before joining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Brunswick, Georgia, and later in Auburn, Alabama. His work as a wildlife biologist took him to wildlife refuges throughout the southeastern United States where he studied and promoted the conservation of migratory birds, deer, and endangered species.  Ron was a steward of the land and a protector of its inhabitants.  He showed all around him how to appreciate the harmony of nature.  His academic and professional work advanced the study and protection of a number of species, from the coyotes of the Oklahoma plains to the small kangaroo rats along the sandy banks of the Canadian River to the deer and wildlife of the Southeast to the re-establishment of the Eastern indigo snake in Alabama. A walk in the woods with Ron was not only a pleasure but also a lesson in the intricacies of the natural world.
Above all, Ron was passionate about his family. He cherished each moment with them and in recent years delighted in learning to cook and prepare meals for them. He was a lifelong baseball fan and fisherman. He had a keen knowledge of a vast array of subjects sharpened by his extensive love of reading.
Ron is survived by his wife of more than 46 years, Glenda Knowles Freeman; a daughter, Jennifer Sowle (Cameron) of Dallas, Texas; a son, Scott Freeman (Michelle) of Huntsville, Alabama; two grandsons, Jackson and Dylan Freeman of Huntsville; a brother, Bobby Freeman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and a sister, Debbie Stephens of Wagoner, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jackie and Chris Freeman.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges, designated for Blackbeard Island. To donate, visit their website at coastalrefuges.org.  On the left is a link for donations “Join, Renew, Donate…”.  In the comments section, note “In memory of Ron Freeman.” Or mail checks to Friends of Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges, P.O. Box 16841, Savannah, GA 31416.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com.

Harold Gerald
Bracey

Harold G. Bracey, 77, passed away Sunday, February 7, 2016, at EAMC.  He was born in New York on July 30, 1938.
Mr. Bracey is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Patsy Marie Bracey.  He is survived by his son, Michael Bracey (Pam); daughter, Jackie Lawler (Frank); grandchildren, Randy Bracey, Crystal Bracey (Jonathan), Steven Causey (Kayla), Haylee Causey (Danny), Austin Lawler, Jessica Lawler, Haley Lawler and Dalton Lawler; nine great-grandchildren, Shawn, Addison, Braxton, Avery, Wyatt, Cayden, Jackson, Trace, and Zoe; three sisters; and two brothers.
Mr. Bracey had been a resident of Opelika since 1962.  He was a truck driver for 58 years working with Mesa Industries and Fleetwood Transportation.
Visitation was 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with the funeral service starting at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel.  Interment followed in Garden Hills Cemetery.  Pastor Stan Renfroe officiated.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com

Charles Wayne
Benson, Sr.

Charles Wayne Benson, 65, of Auburn “the Duke” passed away February 8, 2016, at EAMC.  Funeral service was 2 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel.  Visitation was 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 11 at Jeffcoat –Trant Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Garden Hills Cemetery.  Dr. Rusty Sowell officiated.
Mr. Benson is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley A. Benson; parents, Evelyn W. Davis Benson and Leonard F. Benson; son, Daniel Benson; brother, Leonard F. Benson, Jr., and sister, Debbie Tucker.  He is survived by his three children, Charles Benson, II, (Mary) of Dothan; Michael Benson (Tina) of Dothan, and Anjeanette Rice (Butch) of Auburn; sister, Sherry Smith of Ritchton, MS, and Pamela Perry (Buster) of Okeechobee, FL; brother, Eugene Benson (Claria) of Chico, CA, sister-in-law; Sandra Smith of Lakeland, FL; several grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces; and nephews.
Charlie starting farming at age 15 and enjoyed working with his animals each day he could.  He acquired many skills and trades during his 30 years of residence in Auburn.  He was employed by Cecil Starr and worked on Sandollar Farm for about 27 years.  After becoming ill and losing his wife in 2014, his last wish was to take his final tractor ride to join her for their 47th anniversary.  He will be will greatly missed by his family and friends.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
www.jeffcoattrant.com