James “Jim” Walter Lakin, 85, joined his beloved Savior and his deceased wife, Reynette “Renny”, of 58 joyous years, on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

He is survived by his children, Marc David Lakin (Darlene Ray) of Port Saint John, Florida, and Robin Lakin Grantham, of Tallahassee, Florida; grandchildren, Seth David Lakin (Lisa), Luke James Andrew Lakin and Logan Kayne Henderson; and great-grandchildren, Payton Madison, and Jaxon David Lakin.

Jim was a wonderful and complex man. He served in the United States Army for 20 years. During his service, he participated in the Korean War where he took part in the infamous Frozen Chosin Reservoir Campaign and later trained soldiers in the art of “jungle warfare” preparing them for Viet Nam. Additionally, he was greatly decorated during his military service and retired as a Sergeant Major.

Jim was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Titusville, Florida. He gave his heart to the Lord at a very early age, but decided to rededicate himself again in his “old age”.

He will be sorely missed by all. Many thanks to our friends at Vitas Hospice.

WILLIAM RICHARD HUGGINS Atkins William Richard Huggins, 85, of Atkins, Iowa, passed away on April 26, 2021, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Bill led an incredibly full life. A loving husband, wise father, loyal brother, and proud grandfather, Bill was a wonderful storyteller. Whether it was sitting among family and friends or fishing with anyone willing to join along, his keen mind and quick wit entertained multiple generations. An U.S. Army veteran, he served his country in Germany and Austria from 1954 to 1956, which was an unforgettable experience. Bill often shared memories about his overseas adventures. Bill was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post 788 in Cedar Rapids.

He was an active VFW member, where he enjoyed relaxing, attending events, and watching Hawkeye games. Family was everything to Bill. He placed his loved ones at the center of his world. Bill and Janice taught this core value to their children and grandchildren. They traveled to countless athletic and school events, always cheering from the sidelines, stands or auditoriums.

Professionally, Bill was a successful leader and valued employee. He started his career at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids working in the tool and die division. Bill held several positions during his 27 years of employment culminating as head of the Purchasing Department. His career then took Bill and Janice to Indiana, Alabama and Illinois. He retired in 2004 from Richardson Electronics in La Fox, Ill., where he served as the head of engineering. Bill and Jan returned to Iowa in 2005 to be closer to family.

Born on Dec. 9, 1935, to Floyd and Golda Huggins in Bloomfield, Iowa, Bill graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1954. He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Rudd, in 1957. Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janice; three sons, Steve (Cate), Craig (Joan) and Jeff (Catherine); four grandchildren, Nick (Jenny), Zach, Anna and Luke; siblings, Oma Munn, Rose (Rusty) Grinstead, Dwight (Jacquie) Huggins, Ron (Pat) Huggins, Harold Huggins, Max (Tonya) Huggins, Gary Joe (Pam) Huggins and Stan (Deb) Huggins; a stepgranddaughter; three step-great-grandchildren; a step-great-great-grandson; four sisters-in-law, Judy (Jim) Matheney, Donna Jean (Don) Treharne, Joy Iacono and Marietta Huggins; and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Forrest and Hazel Rudd; three brothers, Eugene “Smoke,” Jim and Tom; brother-in-law, Jim Munn; and two sisters-in-law, Marlene Huggins and Betty Huggins.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield, with Pastor Jon Klaus officiating. Burial with graveside military rites performed by Reed-Whisler Post 78 of the American Legion will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. The funeral was live-streamed on the Wagler Funeral Home Facebook page. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Friday with the family present to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Masks were requested for all services. Memorial contributions can be made to VFW Post 788 in Cedar Rapids. Online condolences may be directed to www.waglerfuneralhome.com.

William J. Hoppes: Bill, Willie, or just Hoppes to his friends. Man about town, Army Veteran, world traveler, and father, was born on July 17, 1931 and died on August 28, 2021 at 90 years of age. He passed peacefully in his home which was how he wished to go. He was preceded in death by his wife Bobby Jo Spraggins, his mother Elizabeth (Jackson) Hoppes, his father Arthur Franklin Hoppes, his brother Donald Baxter Hoppes and his sister Shirley Ann Hoppes. He is survived by his son Lawrence Earl Kany and his wife Joyce of Lancaster California, Joseph Franklin Hoppes and his wife Robbie Hoppes of Phoenix, Arizona, his daughter Sharman Marie Hoppes and her husband Bruce Nixon of College Station, Texas, his youngest son Christopher Allan Hoppes and his wife Barbara Hoppes of Yukon, Oklahoma, and his son Paul Spraggins and his wife Jami of Eustace Texas. He is also survived by his sister Betty Jane Powel of Shelby, North Carolina and his brother Harold Hoppes of Las Vegas Nevada, and Patricia (Hoppes) Brown, (ex-wife) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has many much-loved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all of whom will miss him.

He was born and raised in Shelby, North Carolina. He enlisted in the army at the age of 17 and was a Combat Engineer in the US Army stationed in Austria post WW2. According to his stories he spent half his time in Europe, and the other half in the brig. After the army he apprenticed at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard which led to a career with the Federal Aviation Administration where he advanced to the level of Assistant Depot Chief in Oklahoma City and retired there in 1976. Among his many notable achievements while working for the FAA was the year he spent in Viet Nam during the war installing radar equipment in the various airfields around the country from 1967 to 1968. He took many pictures and enjoyed telling stories of life there and his exploits in Thailand and Southeast Asia, once even attending a party with the Shaw of Iran at one of his palaces. After retirement from the FAA, he took a job with Lockheed and embarked on another adventure to Saudi Arabia. After Lockheed he spent the next 20 years working for the Litton Corporation and then Hughes Aircraft where he helped design the maintenance system for the Phoenix Missile (I think that was supposed to be confidential).

He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1976 in Oklahoma City. He was a very good carpenter as would become evident in the many home remodels he did while living in the homes with his family through the years, a skill he learned from his father while growing up in Shelby. His last employment was with Raytheon which he often said was his favorite because he was hired more as a carpenter rather than a manager, preparing sites by building various storage buildings and offices. He traveled all over the US with Raytheon choosing where he would work and when. In the summer he would work in Wyoming or Maine and the winters Houston or California. But always, on his terms. He finally retired for good in the 90’s, famously saying “I am not too old to work, just too old for anyone to hire.” That was our dad.

He was an electrical engineer by trade but a carpenter, knifemaker and gun enthusiast by choice. He was known as a legendary partier, especially to the tenants of the Athens apartment complex, often supplying them with unlimited beer and wine on the weekends during the summer. He lived there several years while building his house on Dixie Isle in the late 80’s.

He lived, loved and laughed for 90 years. He loved visiting with friends, attending his ham radio club meetings, going out to eat, drinking a good glass of wine or a frozen margarita and eating chocolate! He loved life and lived it to the fullest! He had only one regret, and that was that he didn’t live longer!

In closing, a recent and funny memory was from a few months ago. Us kids were there for a visit and just talking amongst ourselves, Dad had dozed off in his favorite chair as he often did in the final months when suddenly he awoke and abruptly said “speaking of nurses, you know who has a good hospital . . . Bangkok, Bangkok has great hospitals” and then he dozed back off. I will let you use your imagination as to why he was even in a Bangkok hospital. But I hope when you do, you will think that he was doing something on his terms, with a drink in his hand, and having a good time!

Donald K. “Don” Highland 1948—2018
Donald K. “Don” Highland, 69, of Roscoe, died Monday, October 29, 2018, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 11, 1948, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of William and Dorothy (Bouray) Highland. Don proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, 1968 thru 1970. He died of stage IV prostate cancer related to his exposure in Vietnam to Agent Orange herbicide. Don graduated from Boylan Catholic High School, class of 1966. He married the love of his life, Sandra Thibedeau, on June 5, 1971. He was a self-employed expert craftsman and owner of Accents in Wood. Don cherished the time he spent with his grandkids, teaching them to fish and passing on his passion for sports. 

Garry Lynn Fields, 71, husband of Peggy (Horn) Fields, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12th, 2020. He was born on December 8th, 1948 in Martin, Tennessee, son of the late James Ralph Fields and Lona Faye (Carmichael) McPherson. Garry served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. He was a member of The Living Waters Fellowship Church. In addition to his beloved wife, Garry is survived by his son, Garry Nicholas Fields; four grandchildren, Aaron Holder, Wade Fields, Brittiany Olmstead and Brandon Olmstead; two brothers, Larry (Judy) Fields and Ted (Linda) Fields. Besides his parents, Garry was preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa Lynn Kauffman. To abide by current guidelines facing our nation, services will be private at this time. Memorial contributions may be directed to Bluegrass Hospice Care, 1317 US Highway 62E, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031, The Scott County Animal Shelter, 1185 Cardinal Drive, Georgetown, Kentucky 40324 or to the Donor’s favorite charity.

Leslie Robert Fiduccia, age 74, of Liberty Borough, passed away on September 21, 2021, at AHN Jefferson Hospital.  Born April 19, 1947, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Anthony and Elizabeth (Evanko) Fiduccia and husband of the late Donna (Fry) Fiduccia.  Les was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Vietnam.  He was a truck driver for almost 50 years.  In his pastime, he enjoyed walking his dog Lucy, spending time at the casino, and watching Westerns.  His most recent hobby was collecting Harley-Davidson shirts, shot glasses, and coins.  However, his favorite activity was spending time with his grandchildren.  He loved teasing them and making them laugh. Pap made sure he was there for all their significant milestones.

Tony Lanier Ewing, 68, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Ewing was born April 9, 1950 in Cabarrus County. He was a son of the late Frank Bost and Eloise Ewing Myers. He was of the Baptist faith. Tony enjoyed reading his Bible. He loved spending time with his granddaughter, Brittny, was an avid fisherman and enjoyed NASCAR. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Jo Myrick Ewing. Mr. Ewing is survived by his son, Jason Lee Ewing and Pamela of Salisbury; and his granddaughter, Brittny Leigh Mielke and husband Khyle of Statesville. Visitation: The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at Lady’s Funeral Home. Service: A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, at Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Joey Spry will officiate. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove with military rights provided by the Rowan County Honor Guard. Memorials: Memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC, 28625. The family would like to thank the staff of Gordon Hospice House for their compassion and care. Lady’s Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family of Mr. Ewing. Remembrances may be sent to the family online at www.ladysfuneralhome.com.