Obituaries for the week of July 21

Published 6:46 pm Monday, July 18, 2022

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David Allen Anderson

David Allen Anderson, 92, passed away at Cadence Assisted Living in Clemmons on July 17, 2022. He was born on March 16, 1930, near and resided in Valley City, North Dakota. The youngest child of Carl and Constance Olive Ludvigsen Anderson. Predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret, and siblings Lloyd, Carol Eide, Neal and Beatrice Menconi. He is survived by his daughters, Evelyn Anderson  (Jerry L. Hajek) and Karen Taquey (Tony); and his adored granddaughter Margaret “Maggie” Taquey.

He and his siblings spent summers working on the extended family’s wheat farm. Working from the age of 7 on the farm, David learned mechanics and farming. After graduating from College High School in Valley City in 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was trained in photography. Navy testing showed David’s educational attainment was equivalent to a junior in college due to his intelligence and excellent high school preparation. David was accepted into the last class of cadets to become naval aviators without a college degree. Completing rigorous Officer Candidate School to receive his commission as an ensign, he entered the even more demanding course of naval flight training at the “Annapolis of the Air” fight school nicknamed “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” at NAS Pensacola. The difficult program and academic rigor are designed to psychologically challenge and test the breadth of ability, mental stability and intellectual prowess. The ability to handle extreme stress under pressure is required to become an excellent naval aviator.

Upon receiving his Navy Gold Wings, his assigned squadron towed fleet practice targets off Guam during the Korean War. In the Navy for over 14 years, he only spent one night at sea, that while attaining his carrier landing certification.

Leaving active service, David became an airline pilot for United Air Lines in 1954 quickly reaching the rank of captain in 1966. He was a proud member of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Residing in New Jersey, David flew multiple aircraft over his career, his favorites being the DC 8, DC 10 and 747.  His exceptional spatial sense, love of flying, conscientiousness and skill provided thousands of passengers safe travels domestically and to the Far East routes including Hong Kong, Seoul and Taipei.

Throughout the 1970s, David owned various private planes and performed acrobatic flying in air shows. Concurrently he formed an aerial photography business taking amazing photos in the New Jersey/New York area.

His second love was golf, so after retiring in 1987, David happily relocated to Mocksville and joined Hickory Hill Country Club. In the early 1990s, he moved to Bermuda Run. At Bermuda Run Country Club, playing  golf most days, and gin games in the clubhouse. David loved to dance, swing and classical music and was a proficient trombone player. He loved to travel, ski, play tennis, garden, fish, read, play board games and was a phenomenal card player.

A loving and excellent husband and father, his real joy was his granddaughter.

A devoted Christian, he became a covenant member of Christ Church. His faith in our Lord Jesus Christ guided his life. David was a man of character and integrity. But more, a man who loved deeply and well. David’s 92 years were full of dedication to duty, hard work, a tremendous sense of fun, adventure and most of all love.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Christ Church, 2252 Queen Street in Winston-Salem.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church or Medi Home Health of Lexington.

Maurice D. Hall

Mr. Maurice D. Hall, 91, of Lewisville, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Maurice was born in Cherokee County on Jan. 4, 1931, to the late John Vinson Hall and Mamie Cordie Burch Hall. In addition to his parents, Maurice was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mabel Jones Hall; and one brother, Roy Vinson Hall and wife, Ellen. He is survived by his nieces, Judy Wasinger of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Sharon Gibson of Lafayette, Colorado; and great-nieces, Rachel Potter of Erie, Colorado and Neah Fraser of Chula Vista, California. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville with Rev. Christa Warise and Rev. David Fuentes officiating with music provided by Rosita Fuentes. Maurice and Mabel will be buried side by side near Mabel’s parents, brother and aunt.  Maurice served in the United States Navy from 1949-1950 and remained in the reserves for six years following active duty. He worked for Southern Railway for 37 years before retiring in 1987. His employment with the railway allowed him the opportunity to live in various cities in the United States including Asheville; Hendersonville; Belleville, Illinois; Meridian, Mississippi; and Cincinnati. Southern, Norfolk and Western railways merged in 1982 and Maurice retired from the then Norfolk Southern Railways. He and Mabel moved to Lewisville following retirement to be near her family in Burlington. This also allowed them to attend their beloved Wake Forest Demon Deacons football and basketball games.  Maurice and Mabel joined Ardmore Baptist Church in 1988 and were active members as long as their health permitted. Maurice helped answer phones at the church during the week and assisted with Wednesday night dinners at the church. He and Mabel enjoyed serving dessert and drinks for their fellow church members before Wednesday night Bible study and would help clean up if time allowed. They participated in the Meals on Wheels program, running the coliseum route for 19 years. He also worked as a driver with Ardmore Transportation services led by Nell and Charles Hege. This service provided transportation for people to doctor appointments, hair appointments, bank services and trips to drug and grocery stores. One of Maurice and Mabel’s favorite times of the week was Sunday lunch after church with their dear friends, Patty Stockner, Carroll and Beth Haire, Leon and Lynda Phillips, and Richard and Regina King and their son, Christian. They also enjoyed playing bridge with many friends. For the last few months of Maurice’s life, he was lovingly cared for by the Rev. David Fuentes and wife, Rosita as part of their life-long ministry. David preaches via the internet in Spanish to churches in South America three times a week. David and Rosita have a close family of five children and six grandchildren, all of whom considered Maurice and Mabel as part of their family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to West Side Baptist Church, 595 South Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Wake Forest University, Office of University Advancement, Box 7227 Winston-Salem, NC 27109. Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel is serving the Hall family.

Hazell R. Hartman

Hazell R. Hartman, 93, of Clemmons passed away peacefully July 13, 2022, after a long battle with dementia. She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Lawrence, and oldest son, Lawrence Kittrick “Rick” Hartman. She leaves behind her children, Ron (Linda) of Clemmons, Keith (Debbie) of Purlear, and Tracey (Brian) of Cocoa, Florida; also, her only surviving sibling, Judy Davenport of Dallas; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. Born June 12, 1929, in East Bend, Hazell was the daughter of the late Henry Evan Ring and Florentine Sabina Baker Ring. Hazell was a resident of Clemmons and a lifelong member of Center Grove Baptist Church until her illness began. She married a handsome WWII veteran and spent her life raising their four children before becoming the caretaker to Lawrence after his series of strokes. She was always there to take care of someone whether you were a member of her family or not. During her life, she had a passion for her work in the church, genealogy, volunteering with the Red Cross, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, and was a voracious reader. Her books were her greatest comfort in her later years. As dementia progressed, she moved to the Clemmons Village 1- Memory Care facility where they took care of her with compassion for years until she passed. The family will be forever grateful for the hard work and service they offered her as the disease progressed. True angels on earth. The matriarch of the Hartman family will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. She was the glue that held everyone together. A small graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Center Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, located at the Center Grove Church Youth Center, 9035 Center Grove Church Road in Clemmons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemmons Village 1, 6401 Holder Road, Clemmons, NC 27012.

Eugene ‘Gene’ Anthony Nitz Sr.

Eugene ‘Gene’ Anthony Nitz Sr., 100, a beloved father, “Papa,” and friend to many was born to eternal life on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at his home in Winston-Salem. Born Aug. 14, 1921, in Cook County, Illinois, he was the oldest of the two children of Peter Joseph Nitz, a mailman, and his wife Frances Koscierski Nitz, a homemaker. Gene grew up in Cicero, Illinois, and delivered newspapers, including “to the gangsters,” for the Chicago Daily during his early teenage years. He graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in 1939 and then attended Morton Junior College. Following Japan’s attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1942. He honorably served in active duty from October 1942 through April 1946, and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1970. His military training and assignments took him to Texas as an aviation cadet, to Mississippi as a ground officer, and later to Florence Army Airfield in Florence, S.C. It was during his time in Florence that he met Vangalier “Van” Poulas at an officer’s club dance held at Coker College, where she attended school. Gene and Van married on Dec. 20, 1944, and began their more than 70 years of marriage full of boundless love for one another, their family, and their favorite pastime of dancing together. Shortly after their marriage, Gene’s assignment took him to Pearl Harbor in 1945, where he worked in operations for six months. He later deployed to Iwo Jima as a bomber pilot flying P-51 Mustang bombers. When he returned from that deployment in 1946, he and Van moved to Chicago, and lived with Gene’s parents while he completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating in 1948. They moved to Winston-Salem in 1952 when Gene began a job with Western Electric, which would later become AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He worked in the company’s defense division for 43 years and, with Van, raised their family of five children. Gene lived a life of devotion to his family, faith, and community. He and Van initially attended St. Leo the Great Catholic Church upon their arrival to Winston-Salem, and in 1967 joined Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Gene was a Eucharistic minister, lector, and active member of the Corpus Christi Prayer Group and Knights of Columbus Catholic men’s organization. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering countless hours as “Mr. Fix-it” at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and School. Throughout his life, Gene “walked the walk” and could always be counted on not only by his family, but anyone in need. He leaves a legacy of love for others, kindness, and integrity. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews, Tommy and Bobby Jurca; his loving wife of 71 years, Van, in 2016; and son-in-law, Don Renegar, in 1999. He is survived by his five children, Patricia Nitz (Antonio de las Morenas) of Winston-Salem, Susan Renegar (Bruce Fenn) of Winston-Salem, Tony Nitz (Carrie) of Greensboro, Jim Nitz (Lisa) of Winston-Salem, and Joe Nitz (Elizabeth Matthews) of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Jurca of Cicero, Illinois; and niece Karen Jurca Levitt (Gary) of Las Vegas. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Gene’s caregivers — Brittany Boitnott, Marcia Calloway, Nadine Chamberlain, Carolyn Cunningham, Brianna Granger, Reese Jackson, Carolyn James, Renee Locklear, Shelly Traxler, and Dr. Ted Toberg and staff — for the loving care they so freely gave him over many years. Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. (5 p.m. rosary service) on Sunday, July 17,  2022, at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home (Silas Creek location). A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2022, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Interment followed immediately at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Gene’s name to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and/or Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School.

Nancy Carolyn Strader Church

Nancy Carolyn Strader Church, 94, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 9, 2022, in her home following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lonnie Fred Church. She was born on July 12, 1927, to the late G.C. Strader and Carolyn Upchurch Strader, and was a lifelong resident of the Winston-Salem area. Nancy graduated from City Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse in 1948. Nancy built a career in healthcare, working for City Memorial Hospital, City School of Nursing, Forsyth Memorial Hospital, and Medical Park Hospital. She worked many years as a registered nurse, retiring from her position as night supervisor in 1988.

Family was at the center of her life and she was blessed with a large one. She is preceded in death by her brother, June Strader and her sisters, Ophelia Strader and Lottie Chilton. She is survived by her sister George Ann Strader, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her children are Renée Church Hermann (Rick), and her children Raine Church Bond (Craig), Richard Hermann and Raleigh Hermann; and Mark Church (Connie) and his children, Jessica Treat (Kevin) and Naava Schottenstein (Mike). Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Lilith Bond, Rose Bounds, Landon Church, Connor Church, Brynlee Church and Hawk Schottenstein.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Vogler and Sons Chapel in Clemmons, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com for the Church family.

Marie Brendle Wagoner

Mrs. Marie Brendle Wagoner, 89, passed away Monday, July 11, 2022, at the Yadkin Nursing Center. She was born in Surry County on Sept. 26, 1932, to the late Wesley Harvey and Lilly Snow Brendle. Wagoner was preceded in death by her husband, Adrian Wagoner; two brothers, three sisters, and a great-granddaughter, Bailey. Surviving is a son, Phil Wagoner (Pat); granddaughter, Ashley Lentz (Jimmy); great-grandchildren, Bristol and James; also surviving is a brother, Lonnie Brendle. A private graveside service will be held for Wagoner.

Jeffrey Whitney

Jeffrey Whitney, 61, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Jeff was born in May 1958 to JoAnne and Robert Whitney and spent the majority of his life in Clemmons.

Jeff graduated from West Forsyth High School and attended college at UNC at Chapel Hill majoring in journalism. While in high school, Jeff served as junior sports editor of the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel newspaper. Jeff followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in floor covering sales his entire career. In 1995, he opened his own business, Whitney Flooring, Inc. and later downsized to Whitney Rugs and Boutique.

Jeff was a sports aficionado who dearly loved UNC Tarheels, the Orioles baseball team and Wake Forest football. He treasured every genre of music with Americana being his favorite. Jeff was an avid reader and enjoyed reading his Bible and anything historic in nature or science fiction related. While he had a magnificent green thumb, which was demonstrated by the many grand prize and blue ribbons won at the fair yearly, he was happiest in front of a smoker or a grill, with his music playing loudly and visiting with friends and family. Jeff never met a stranger or missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand. Truly, he loved giving much more than receiving.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Twila, of 24 years, his step-daughters, Angel (Josh) and Jessica; step grandsons, Luca, Mason and Solomon, as well as nephew, Austin; and niece, Haley; along with a very special friend, Frank Vogler. He also leaves behind his Aunt Janice (Tom), his dearly beloved Cousin Anne along with several other cousins and an army of friends who will also cherish his memory. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Martha Parent.

The family celebrated Jeff’s life at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Lewisville. The family received friends after the service.

The family wishes to thank the employees at Trellis Supportive Care plus the many friends who stopped by to help the family during his lengthy illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Canaan United Methodist Church, 1760 Shady Grove Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.