Obituaries-V
LIVE OAK ISLAND - Wesley J. Van Sciver, 85, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002. The service will be at 3 p.m. EST Saturday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee, 2810 N. Meridian Road. Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee (877-8191) is handling arrangements. A multiple trans-Atlantic sailor, former test pilot for the Air Force, professor of physics, lover of music and free spirit, Wesley Van Sciver will be remembered by friends and family as someone who lived life to the fullest. He is survived by two sons, Steven W. Van Sciver of Tallahassee and John W. Van Sciver of Denver; a daughter, Rebecca Van Sciver of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; and six grandchildren. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 12/29/2002
CRAWFORDVILLE - Antonio Vargas, 18 months, died Friday, Oct. 28, 2005. The service will be at 1 p.m. EST Wednesday at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191), with burial at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EST Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 712 E. Seventh Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32303. Survivors include his parents, Nick and April Vargas; a brother, Dominic Vargas; his maternal grandparents, Jose and Debbie Alva Jr. of Tallahassee; his paternal grandparents, Lou and Ginny Vargas of Tallahassee; his maternal great-grandparents, Edward C. and Donna Lee Long of Indiana; his paternal great-grandfather, Allan Amorino of New Jersey; his paternal great-grandmother, Virginia Amorino of New Jersey; his paternal great-grandparents, Albert and Anna Vargas of Tallahassee; an aunt, Andrea H. Vargas; and two uncles, Matthew Vargas and Jose Alva III. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 10/31/2005.
ST. MARKS - Owen Roscoe Varnadoe, 85, died Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee after suffering a stroke. The service will be at 2 p.m. EST Saturday at Wakulla Presbyterian Church, 3183 Coastal Highway in Crawfordville. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. EST Friday at the church. Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191) in Tallahassee is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wakulla Presbyterian Church, 3183 Coastal Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. He was born and raised in Lumber City, Ga., and lived in Macon, Ga., until he moved to Shell Point in 1990. He served in the Army during World War II and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve after almost 30 years of service. He was one of the founding members of Wakulla Presbyterian Church and continued to be very active there. He was also an original participant in the community Theater Patrons (Angels). He was married to his wife, Faye, for 51 years and they have one daughter, Sherie Bevis, and her husband, Jimmy, of Shell Island Fish Camp in St. Marks. They have one granddaughter, Emily. He has one brother, J.T., of Musella, Ga. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 3/6/2007.
BRISTOL, FL - Linda Faye Varnum, 54, died Thursday, July 8, 2004. She is survived by her husband, Ray Varnum. The service will be at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday at the chapel of McClellan Funeral Home in Bristol (850-643-3636). Family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. Other survivors include two sons, Dale and Randy Varnum, both of Bristol; a daughter, Belinda Ray Brantley of Bristol; her mother, Volee "Bill" Eubanks of Bristol; two brothers, Teddy Eubanks of Bristol and Jimmy Eubanks of Ocala; and six grandchildren. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 7/10/2004
WOODVILLE - Cajah Floyd Vause, 97, who retired from Capital City Lumber Co., died Tuesday, July 4, 2006. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Pearl Oliver Vause. The service will be at 11 a.m. EDT Friday at Woodville First Baptist Church, with burial at Oliver Family Cemetery in Wakulla Station. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT today at the church. Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191) is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Cajah was born in Aaron. Survivors include his son, Philip Vause (and wife Loyce) of Crawfordville; four sisters, Ethelle Moore, Gwen Rabitaille (and husband Frank), Ruby Nell Andersen and Gladys Strickland; six grandchildren, Cynthia Vause, Philip Vause Jr. (and wife Robin), Shane Vause (and wife Kim), Michele Lawhon (and husband Chris), Michael Watson and Melissa DeLoach; and seven great-grandchildren, Philip Vause III, Mitchell Vause, Taylor Lawhon, Trenton Lawhon, Cajah Vause, Remie Vause and Jessica DeLoach. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Floy Ann Vause, and his brothers and sisters, Lockie Wright, Parker Vause, Frances Thompson, Mary Wooten, Paul Vause and Thomas Vause. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 7/6/2006.
Claxton Vause Sr., 74, of Sopchoppy, died early Friday at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center after a long illness. He was a lifelong resident of Wakulla County, a retired building contractor and a member of Sopchoppy Frist Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Marcia G. Vause of Sopchoppy; two sons, Claxton Vause Jr. of Sopchoppy and the Rev. Pleasant Grant Vause of Leesburg; a daughter, Almyra Mathis of Sopchoppy; a sister, Oscar Dudley of Gainesville; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Sopchoppy First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the West Sopchoppy Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:30 p.m. Sunday until time for the service. Culley & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on March 22, 1980.
HAVANA - Edna Woodard Vause, 74, died Thursday, March 15, 2007, in Tallahassee. Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday at First Baptist Church in Havana, with the internment at Arran Cemetery in Crawfordville. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Faith Funeral Home in Havana (850 539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com). Family will accept flowers however, those wishing to make memorial contribution may make them to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or to the Lighthouse Children's Home 7771 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32309. Mrs. Vause had lived in Tallahassee before moving to Havana in 1994. She was a member and Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church in Havana. Mrs. Vause was a lieutenant in the Air Force. She graduated from Florida State Hospital School of Nursing. She was a office nurse for many years at doctors Fletcher & Lewis in Tallahassee. Mrs. Vause also taught Nursing at Lively Vocational School. She is survived by two daughters, Sonya Vause Coley (and husband Calvin) of Havana, and Mary Catherine Vause of Tallahassee; a brother, Liddon Woodard (and wife Linda) of Tallahassee; three sisters, Lavinia Radel of Havana, Dot Hamm (and husband Benton) of Wewahitcha, and Joyce Deason (and husband Ernest) of Havana; four grandchildren, Ben Taylor (and wife Kim), Dylan Coley, Leah Munroe, and Garrett Munroe; and a great-grandchild Caylee Estelle Taylor. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hansel Vause; her daughter, Rita Vause Motta; and her parents, L.A. and Dorothy Woodard. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 3/16/2007.
HAVANA - Hansel Vause, 77, a retired police officer, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002, in Tallahassee. He is survived by his wife, Edna Woodard Vause. The service will be at 1 p.m. EST Saturday at First Baptist Church in Havana, with burial at Arran Cemetery in Arran. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EST Friday at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (877-8191). Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 116 E. Sixth Ave., Havana, FL 32333. He was a Navy veteran. He retired from the Tallahassee Police Department after 31 years of service and from the Capitol Police after 16 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Havana. Other survivors include two daughters, Sonya Coley (and husband Calvin) of Havana and Cathy Munroe of Havana; two brothers, Johnnie Vause and Roderick Vause, both of Quincy; two sisters, Sadie Butler of Calvary and Ann Moulton of Tallahassee; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren including, Ben Taylor of Tallahassee, Leah Munroe, Garrett Munroe and Dylan Coley, all of Havana. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 12/5/2002.
To the special people who represent the Motor Unit of the Tallahassee Police Department: John Newland, John Pretti, Ian Lee, Mike Walker, and Allan Smith, and the Honor Guard of Tallahassee: Oscar Brannon, Bobby Custer, John Avery, Wes Hawkins, Sean Wyman, Leroy Peck, Jason Colson, Robert Hamby and Lorenzo Watkins. My father would have been so fiercely proud of the honor you bestowed upon him at his funeral. He was extremely proud of TPD and had the highest respect for all who serve in law enforcement. My family and I could not have asked for a more befitting service. We will be forever grateful and will never forget. This is only a small token of our appreciation in comparison to what you deserve for serving and protecting our great Capital. The family of Hansel Vause. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 3/26/2003. Return to Index
CRAWFORDVILLE - Jennifer Diane Vause, 29, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006. The service will be at 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church in Medart, with burial at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Harvey Young Funeral Home (850-926-3333). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lighthouse Children's Home, 7771 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32309-1417. Jennifer was a lifelong resident of Crawfordville. She was a member of Friendship Primitive Baptist Church, where she was loved by all. She loved fishing for grouper, hunting for deer, watching Jeff Gordon race, and college football. Jennifer graduated from Gretchen Everhart School in 1999. She participated in the Special Olympics and received several gold medals in swimming, golf and soccer. She also served as a page for the Florida House of Representatives. She attended Pyramid Studios, where she performed musicals and painted beautiful pictures. Jennifer was a very special person. She loved and talked to everyone she met. She will be greatly missed. Survivors include her parents, Earl Jr. and Diane Vause of Crawfordville; a brother, Riley Vause (and wife Chrissy) of Crawfordville; a nephew, Dylan Vause of Crawfordville; her paternal grandparents, Earl Sr. and Irene Vause of Panacea; her maternal grandparents, Frank and Connie Mathers of Crawfordville; her maternal great-grandmother, Eula Mathers of Crawfordville; and her devoted dog, Maggie. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 8/21/2006.
QUINCY - Johnny E. Vause Jr., 79, who retired from Niagara Wires, died Sunday, July 30, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Alice Etheridge Vause. The service will be at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday at the chapel of First Baptist Church. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. EDT today at Charles McClellan Funeral Home (850-627-7677) and an hour before the service Wednesday at the church. Survivors include a son, James E. Vause (and wife Sheila) of Quincy; a brother, Roderick Vause (and wife Robbie) of Quincy; two sisters, Sadie Butler (and husband Raber) of Calvary, Ga., and Shirley Ann Moulton (and husband Bill) of Tallahassee; two grandchildren; and three great-grand-children. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Vause Carpenter, and a brother, Hansel Vause. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 8/1/2006.
Leslie Buford Vause, 45, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at her home. She is survived by her husband, Bobby Vause. A private service is planned. Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193) is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, Leslie was a native and lifelong resident of Tallahassee. She graduated from Leon High School and received her nursing degree from Georgia S.W. College. She was the former equestrian coach at Florida State University and was an active partner with Vause's 4x4. Other survivors include her son, Brian Gregory Proch; her mother, Janice Buford; her father, Jack Buford; her brother, Lewis Buford; her sister, Alice Buford; and her paternal grandmother, Marion Buford. All are of Tallahassee. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat from 10/3/2007 - 10/4/2007.
SOPCHOPPY - Marcia Grant Vause, 95, a homemaker, died Sunday, May 16, 2004. The service will be at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday at River of Life Church (the old Sopchoppy First Baptist Church), with burial at West Sopchoppy Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 1 p.m. EDT until the service Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5862. Harvey-Young Funeral Home in Crawfordville (926-3333) is handling arrangements. She was born in Sopchoppy and was a lifelong resident of Wakulla County. She spent most of her life in Sopchoppy. She was a member of the Sopchoppy First Baptist Church and played the piano in various churches in Wakulla County. She last played at Ochlockonee Christian Center. She was in the second graduating class at Sopchoppy High School and was from a pioneer family in Wakulla County. She is survived by two sons, Claxton Vause Jr. (and wife Vonita) of Sopchoppy, and the Rev. Pleasant Vause (and wife Diane) of Tallahassee; a daughter, Almyra Vause Mathis (and husband H.L. "Buster") of Sopchoppy; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Claxton Vause Sr., and a daughter, Betsy Vause. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 5/17/2004.
Paul E. Vause Sr., 89, a retired refrigeration appliance repairman, died Thursday, May 18, 2006. The service will be at 2 p.m. EDT Sunday at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191), with burial at Tallahassee Memory Gardens. Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. EDT today at the funeral home. Mr. Vause was a lifelong resident of Tallahassee. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a chief petty officer. Survivors include a son, Paul E. Vause Jr. (and Linda) of Tallahassee; a daughter, Paula Vause of Tallahassee; a brother, Cajah Vause of Woodville; four sisters, Gwen Rabitaille of Tallahassee, Gladys Strickland and Ruby Nell Anderson, both of Woodville, and Ethelle Moore of Wakulla Station; two grandchildren, Jarrod Heierman (and Leanne) of Tallahassee and Jason Heierman (and Heather) of Crawfordville. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 5/20/2006.
Crawfordville - Sharon Vause, 62, a retired legal secretary, died Friday, July 4, 2003. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, J. Lee Vause. The service will be at 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Riggins Road Chapel (877-8191), with burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Project of Tallahassee, 1700 Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. A 1958 graduate of Leon High School, she was an Avon representative and an artist. She enjoyed children and was a supporter of the Christian Children's Fund. Mrs. Vause was a volunteer guardian ad litem and was "G.A.L." of the year in 1990. She was also a volunteer for the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Other survivors include two sons, Lee Vause Jr. (and wife Wendy) and Todd Vause (and wife Kim), both of Tallahassee; a daughter, Christina Elizabeth (and husband Jose Roberto) of Austin, Texas; and a brother, Richard LaHayne (and wife Kathy) of Batesville, Ga.; a sister, Annette Carpenter (and husband Chris) of Tallahassee; her stepmother, Eldred Karker of Clermont; three stepsisters, Faye LeClair (and husband Jim) of Englewood, Sharon Staton of Clermont and Hazel Forney (and husband David) of Peabody, Mass.; and nine grandchildren, Thomas Vause, Josh Vause, Justin Vause, Maegan Vause, Tylor Vause, Dylan Vause, Jason Roberto, Brando Roberto and Charlotte Roberto. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat from 7/6/2003 - 7/7/2003.
GULFPORT - William Gary Vause, 60, who was dean and vice president of the College of Law at Stetson University, died Friday, May 9, 2003. He is survived by his wife, Maria Celia Vause. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday at Most Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 5800 15th Avenue South, Gulfport, Fla. Family will receive friends from 5 to 10 p.m. EDT, with a wake at 7 p.m. EDT and a rosary at 9 p.m. EDT today at the church. Other services will be at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday at Northwoods Baptist Church, 3762 Capital Circle NW in Tallahassee, burial will follow in the family cemetery in Fort Braden. To provide scholarship's to it's master of laws program, memorial contributions may be made to The Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st Street South, Gulfport, FL 33707. Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (385-2193) is handling arrangements. A native of Tallahassee he was raised in the Fort Braden Community. He received a bachelor's degree and Doctorate of laws from the University of Connecticut and a master of laws and doctorate of judicial science from the University of Virginia. He also held a certificate in Mandarin Chinese from Yale University and served as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in China. He was fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. He joined Stetson's faculty as assistant dean 28 years ago. A prolific author on law and business, he had an extensive background in dispute resolution and was an expert in international trade and investment law. Other survivors include, a brother, Robert L. "Bobby" Vause (and wife Debi) of Crawfordville; a sister, Suzanne Vause Long (and husband John D.) of Tallahassee; two nephews, D. Chad Strickland of Atlanta and John Daniel Long III of Tallahassee. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat from 5/10/2003 - 5/12/2003.
CRAWFORDVILLE - Mary Cornelia Vice, 78, a homemaker, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, in Tallahassee. The service will be at 11 a.m. EST Monday at Harvey-Young Funeral Home in Crawfordville (850-926 -3333), with burial at Vice Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EST Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 241 John Knox Road, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32303, or American Lung Association of Florida, Big Bend Region, P.O. Box 4082, Tallahassee, FL 32315. She was a Christian and had lived in Crawfordville since 1971. She was a loyal Crimson Tide fan and a devoted Atlanta Braves fan. She is survived by two sons, William Vice Jr. (and wife Dena) and Joel Vice (and wife Pat), both of Crawfordville; two daughters, Karen S. Mackin (and husband Jerry) of Crawfordville and Valeta Taylor of Crawfordville; a brother, Lamar Shaw of Crawfordville; a sister, Patricia Sapp (and husband Ralph) of Havana; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William I. Vice Sr., and two brothers, Barney and Bill Shaw. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 2/11/2006.
Mr. William I. Vice Jr., age 65, of Crawfordville, passed away Monday, October 3, 2016. A resident of Wakulla County for over 45 years, he was originally from Alabama. Mr. Vice was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide football fan and enjoyed fishing and the outdoors. Along with watching football, he also enjoyed coaching youth football. He also enjoyed attending church at Lake Ellen Baptist Church, where he was a member. Mr. Vice loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He is survived by his wife, Dena M. Vice; sons: Jeremy Vice and Yankton (Liz) Vice, both of Crawfordville; brother: Joel (Pat) Vice of Crawfordville; sisters: Patricia (Ralph) Sapp of Midway, Karen (Jerry) Mackin of Crawfordville, and Valeta Taylor of Tallahassee; five grandchildren and numerous other family members also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. William I. Vice Sr. and his mother, Mrs. Mary Shaw Vice. Funeral services will take place 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016, graveside at Vice Family Cemetery with Pastor Keith Wallace officiating. The family will receive friends at 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Lake Ellen Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Forbes Funeral Home, Macclenny, Published in The Wakulla News on Oct. 6, 2016
Claude Vickers, 74, of Tallahassee died Wednesday. The service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Thomasville Road Baptist Church, with burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Culley?s MeadowWood Riggins Road Chapel (877-8191). Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1982 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee 32308. A native of Gadsden County, he was a longtime resident of Tallahassee. He was formerly employed by Elberta Crate and Box and is an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of Thomasville Road Baptist Church, where he was member of the Ricks Sunday School Class. He is survived by his wife, Blye T. Vickers of Tallahassee; a son, Dennis Claude Vickers of Tallahassee; two daughters, Donna Blye Hodges of Columbia, S.C., and Rhonda V. Register of Tallahassee; two sisters, Carlena Cannon of Calvary, Ga., and Lucy Hunnicutt of Tallahassee; and five grandchildren. Published 17 May 1996 in the Tallahassee Democrat.
CRAWFORDVILLE - Ettore "Otto" Vidas, 90, died Sunday, May 11, 2003. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 3609 Coastal Highway, Medart. The funeral service was May 16 at Orlando-Donsante Funeral Home in Wickliffe, Ohio (440-943-2466), with burial at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. He was born on April 14, 1913, in Portal Bona, Italy. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crawfordville and the Knights of Columbus Council. Survivors include a daughter, Ann L. Johnson (and husband Wesley). He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in 1986; two brothers, Joseph and Mario; and three sisters, Maria, Lucia and Katrina. Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on 6/4/2003.
Havana - Joseph Louis Volsch, 75, who had retired as a service writer for Ford Motor Co., died Thursday, July 10, 2003. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverley Volsch. The memorial service will be at 6 p.m. EDT Friday at Independent Funeral Home in Quincy (875-1529). Family will receive friends after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, East Gadsden Unit, P.O. Box 563, Quincy, FL 32352. He had lived in Havana since 1964. He served in the Army during World War II, raced modified stock cars at Husets Speedway in Sioux Falls and had driven for Avis Rental Cars for the past seven years. Other survivors include a son, Don Volsch (and wife Terri) of Crawfordville; a daughter, Jill Volsch of Havana; two grandchildren, Stephaine Muller and Donnie Volsch; and a great-grandson, Damion Muller. (Editor's note: Because service information changed, we are reprinting this obituary.) Published in the Tallahassee Democrat from 7/12/2003 - 7/16/2003.