Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Sheryl Ann Barklage Akin, born September 20, 1972, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, June 18, 2026. She was 53 years old.
A celebration of Sheryl’s life will be held 2:00 P. M. Sunday, June 21, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Ricky Bruner officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Sunday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.
Though her time on earth ended far too soon, she filled her years with love, service, adventure, and deep devotion to the people she cherished most.
Sheryl proudly served her country in the United States Air Force. She carried that same strength, courage, and determination throughout her life, including during her courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Even in difficult seasons, she remained focused on what mattered most to her—faith, family, and the people she loved.
Sheryl was also a devoted teacher who loved her students deeply. Teaching was more than a profession to her; it was a calling. She found joy in encouraging children, celebrating their progress, and speaking life and confidence into them. Her care for children extended far beyond the classroom, and she often thought about and cared for her students long after the school day ended. The impact she made on countless young lives will continue to be felt for years to come.
A lover of adventure, Sheryl embraced life fully. She treasured traveling with her daughter, Katie, grandson, Colten, family, and loved ones, creating memories that will be cherished forever. Whether exploring the rainforests of Puerto Rico, standing in awe of the Grand Canyon, enjoying cruises with those she loved, snowmobiling through the mountains of Colorado, or soaring above North Carolina in a hot air balloon, she approached life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and gratitude for every experience. She believed life was meant to be lived and memories were meant to be made.
Even in her final months, Sheryl continued making memories with those she loved, refusing to let her illness define her life. Her strength, resilience, and determination inspired those around her and reflected the courage with which she lived every chapter of her life.
While Sheryl enjoyed seeing new places, her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She loved deeply and generously, always putting the needs of others before her own. She was immensely proud of her grandson, Colten, and one of her greatest motivations throughout her illness was her desire to see him graduate from high school. Being able to celebrate that milestone surrounded by family and loved ones brought her tremendous joy and peace.
Sheryl is survived by her beloved companion, Rick Sterner, whose unwavering love, support and devoted caregiving provided comfort, strength, and companionship throughout her cancer journey; her daughter, Katie Birchler; her grandson, Colten Birchler; her mother, Sidonna Brown; her sister, Shelley Bartlett; her nephew, James Bartlett; her nieces, Luv DuBose and Hope Bartlett; and her beloved cats and kittens, who filled her home and heart with companionship and love.
Sheryl had a special place in her heart for animals, particularly the many rescued and adopted cats she lovingly cared for throughout her life. Her home was often a refuge for animals in need, reflecting the compassion and kindness she freely gave to both people and pets.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donation of cat food and cat litter. Sheryl leaves behind twelve beloved cats who will continue to be cared for by her family, and contributions of food and litter will directly support their ongoing care. Providing for these animals would be a meaningful way to honor Sheryl’s generous heart, her love of rescue animals, and the compassion she showed throughout her life.
Though her family grieves her loss deeply, they find comfort in knowing she is now free from pain and resting in the presence of Jesus Christ. Her legacy of courage, service, compassion, faith, adventure, and unwavering devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.
CW3 (Ret.) Daniel J. Ziemba, United States Army, 82, of Geneva, Alabama, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama.
Dan was born in Lackawanna, NY, on April 21, 1944, to the late Joseph and Clara (Zablonski) Ziemba. He graduated from St. Francis High School of Athol Springs, NY, in 1961. During his 22 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army, Dan served as an infantryman, aircraft maintenance technician, door gunner, and helicopter pilot.
Among his many decorations were the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Aviator Badge, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star representing five campaigns. After his military retirement, Dan continued his passion for aviation, working as an aircraft inspector and maintenance technician until the age of 76.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine; his brothers, Ronald (Margaret) and Gerard; and his second wife, Sharon Ziemba (Broxton).
He is survived by his loving first wife, Virginia A. Ziemba (Brown) of Rogers, AR; his son, Mike (Dawn) of Rogers, AR; his daughter, Deanna of Centerton, AR; and his grandchildren, Lee, Rosalynn, Madison, and Camryn; and his great-grandchild, Elijah. He is also survived by his sister, Justine of Orchard Park, NY; his brothers, James (Renata) of Red Oak, TX, and Joseph (Maria) of Cazenovia, NY; sons of his late wife Sharon Ziemba, Brad (Haley) and Scott; and grandchildren, Layla, Aiden Seay, Hunter, Hayden, and Halli.
Dan had several interests that kept him busy. He loved to work on vehicles as well as airplanes well into his later years. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves and SEC college football alongside his close friends, Max and Carol Ausley. Dan was also passionate about supporting numerous charitable organizations, especially those benefiting his fellow Veterans.
A man of profound faith, Dan was a devoted member of Devco Baptist Church in Geneva, Alabama. Over the years, he served the congregation in multiple capacities, including Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Discipleship Training Leader, and VBS volunteer. He especially cherished his morning routine of meeting his good friend, Shorty White, for breakfast at Porky Barn to solve the problems of the world.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Devco Baptist Church with Rev. Truman Scarbrough officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. EST in the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, AL with Warren Holloway Ward Funeral Home of Geneva, AL directing.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Ellis, Terry Roney, Britt Ables, Shorty White, Chad Broxton, Lee Ziemba.
Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Max Ausley.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dan may be made to:
Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. “Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com
HEADLAND. . .Cathy Denise Lovvorn Swett, a resident of Headland, passed away early Thursday morning, June 18, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. She was 60.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church of Headland. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.
Cathy Swett was born at Travis Air Force Base in California and was raised in Valdosta, Georgia, daughter of the late George Joseph Lovvorn and Frankie Mae Dunn Lovvorn. She was a graduate of Lowndes County High School in Valdosta. Cathy received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State College and a Master’s Degree in Reading from Concordia University. She retired from the Dothan City School System at Kelly Springs School. In earlier years, Cathy taught at Pine Grove Elementary in Valdosta, DOD School System in Germany, Estrella Mountain Elementary School in Goodyear, Arizona, and A. M. Windham Elementary School in Daleville, AL.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Lowry Lee Swett, Jr.; a sister, Donna Lovvorn Brown Wilson (Eddie), Huntsville, AL.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Jeanette Calhoun Senn, a resident of Oakview Manor Health Care Center, passed away on the morning of June 17, 2026 at the age of 90 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Senn will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 22, 2026, from Center Ridge Baptist Church with Reverend Charlie Sanders officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mrs. Senn was born February 29, 1936 in Ariton, Alabama to the late Johnny Oscar Calhoun and Lula Blackmon Calhoun. She married her husband, Leron Senn a Korean War Veteran, in 1955. During their marriage they were blessed with three sons: Stanley, Nelson and Timothy. Her love and generosity were always focused on her family and friends with no thought for her own needs and comfort. She was masterful at making and giving away pound cakes and pecan pies to all those standing in line for them. She retired from Fort Rucker in 1994 after a long Civil Service career.
Mrs. Senn was predeceased by her husband, Leron, who died in March 2020; by her father, Johnny Oscar Calhoun and her mother, Lula Blackmon Calhoun; a brother, Howard Calhoun; a sister, Anne Powell and a niece, Beverly Stevens. She is survived by her three sons, Stanley, Nelson and Timothy; grandchildren and great grandchildren; a niece, Audrey Powell; several nephews; a sister, June Johnson; and a life-long friend, Anne Crowley.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to Center Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Mr. Nelson Senn, 373 County Road 241, Ariton, Alabama 36311.
Mr. Henry “Jeff” Spurlin, age 77, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away on June 17, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on May 31, 1949, in Meridian, MS, Jeff lived a life defined by hard work, devotion to family, generosity, and faith. He built a remarkable career in accounting, beginning as a line-level accountant with Dumas Brothers and steadily working his way through the ranks. Through dedication, integrity, and determination, he ultimately served as Chief Operating Officer of Bear Archery before retiring, leaving a lasting impact on those who worked alongside him.
Above all else, Jeff loved his family. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Shelia Spurlin, and a proud father to Hank Spurlin, Brandy Stronko, Lucas Spurlin, and John Luke Spurlin. He cherished his role as grandfather to Danielle Marshall, Hank Stronko, Jackson Stronko, and Henry Spurlin IV, and was especially proud to be great-grandfather to Bailey Marshall. He is survived by his brother, Charlie “Donnie” Spurlin, along with numerous extended family members and dear friends.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry Spurlin and Dorothy Spurlin, as well as his siblings, Annie Spurlin and Gene Spurlin.
A faithful member of Wicksburg Assembly of God, Jeff lived his faith through service to others. He devoted time as a volunteer chaplain at Flowers Hospital, offering comfort, compassion, and encouragement to those facing difficult moments. When he was not spending time with family, Jeff could often be found playing his guitar, cheering on Alabama football, and sharing a “Roll Tide.” Those who knew him best will remember him as a hardworking provider, a generous friend, a devoted family man, and a true legend in the eyes of those he loved.
A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Wicksburg Assembly of God, 887 State Highway 103, Slocomb, AL, 36375 with Sorrells Funeral Home of Slocomb directing. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. A livestream feed will be available at wicksburgassembly.com.
Though his presence will be deeply missed, the values he instilled, the love he shared, and the countless lives he touched will remain his enduring legacy.