Douglas Ray Schroeder, 71, of Dothan, Alabama, formerly Clear Lake, Iowa passed on to heaven on September 15, 2025 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW in Clear Lake on 10-25-25 from 2-4pm for all to attend, raise a glass and share memories. There will also be a Celebration of Life in Alabama for immediate family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project, Shriners or Children’s Hospital of Alabama as these were all charities he supported.
Doug was born April 21, 1954 in Mason City, Iowa to Ronald and Nancy Schroeder. He was the first born of four children. Doug graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1972 where he met Debbie Dye. Doug and Deb were married in 1973. To this union, two sons were born, Stac and Spenc. After graduation, Doug began working for Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa. He left Winnebago in 1981 and started a new career at Curries Manufacturing in Mason City, Iowa. At Curries, Doug worked his way up from floor production, to plant manager, and ended his career there in 2014 as Shared Services Manager. After retiring from Curries, Doug was offered a position in 2015 at Dunbarton Corporation in Dothan, Alabama. He accepted and moved to Alabama in 2015.
Doug started a new beginning in Alabama with Dunbarton as Director of Operations and worked his way up to Vice President. Doug retired in October of 2020 and finally embraced the retired life after a dynamic career in the manufacturing world that he excelled at. While working at Dunbarton, Doug met Debbie Reynolds-Frechette of Dothan, Alabama. Doug and Debbie began a life together in 2016 and were married in 2021. Doug and Debbie worked together for 5 years. Throughout their years together, they loved spending time with family and friends. They enjoyed trips to the mountains as well as Panama City Beach and Carillon Beach in Florida where they were married. From riding their Harley together to working on projects around the house, Doug and Debbie loved doing life together.
Growing up in Clear Lake, Doug loved heading out to the family farm and spending time with family and especially Grandpa Juhl. Throughout his life, Doug never met a tool he couldn’t use or master. He spent countless hours in his shop as he loved “projects” from woodworking to welding and anything in between. There was nothing he couldn’t build or fix. Everything he touched had to be organized, built right and built to last. He loved cars and working on them. He taught his boys everything he knew about being a hard-working man and strived to instill those beliefs and values in them. He succeeded and they are forever grateful. Doug loved helping his boys from coaching their sports to building classic show cars together. Doug was a charter member of the CLASS Car Club based in Clear Lake and fulfilled every role possible in the club from member to president. He loved attending car shows and showing his 1971 Nova SS. Doug’s love of cars was passed down to his sons and he helped them in any way he could from the garage to the race track. Doug also loved boating on Clear Lake and teaching his boys how to waterski and kneeboard. Christmas time was special at the Schroeder house as Doug would spend countless hours decorating the family home which he built himself with Christmas lights, decorations, and figurines. People would come from all around to drive by and see the house while Christmas cards in the month of December always arrived addressed to ”Clark Griswold and Family”. Doug had countless friends and colleagues and whether he was in Alabama or Clear Lake, he knew when someone needed help and he was always there to lend a hand. Lastly, time with his grandchildren was precious to Doug. Whether having sleep overs, giving rides on the riding mower or just enjoying a meal, each grandchild held a special place in his heart!
Memories will be of great comfort, accompanied by laughs and tears by all who loved him. Left to cherish those memories are his wife, Debbie Reynolds-Schroeder of Dothan, Alabama; sons, Stac (Jessica) Schroeder and Spenc Schroeder; his mother, Nancy Schroeder; sister, Vickie Schroeder; brother Jeff (Mary) Schroeder; stepchildren, Hannah (Brandon) Landrum and Paul Frechette; sister-in-Law Deanna (Lowell) Williams; brother-in-laws, Gary Reynolds, Steve Reynolds, and Mark (Emmie) Reynolds; grandchildren, Emma, Carmen, Grayce, Aubrey, Ivy, Cash, Creeklyn and great-grandson, Enzo; several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Doug was preceded in death by his father, Ron; sister, Kimberly; maternal and paternal grandparents.
Michael Dion McCormick of Black, Alabama passed away on September 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 60.
Dion was born September 06, 1965, in Geneva, AL to the late James William and Edna Smith McCormick. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and spend time outside working on and driving racecars, collecting and just “tinkering”. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor and living life to its fullest. He loved his family and friends with his whole heart. Most of all, he wanted to leave a legacy of love and happiness, even flowing over into his jail ministry. God had blessed him with a gift of witnessing to the unsaved. He will deeply be missed by many.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings.
Dion is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Jeannie Moon McCormick of Black, AL; four children, Amber Hinesley (Audie) of Black, AL, Allex Varnum (Brandon) of Florala, AL, Airen Armstrong (Andrew) and Michael McCormick, all of Black, AL; 11 grandchildren; three siblings, Dolly McCormick and Willard McCormick, both of DeFuniak Springs, FL and Sandy McCormick of Level Plains, AL.
Our family would like to thank Day Spring Hospice and his nurse, Lauren Lynch for their devoted love and care.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from The Garden Cemetery in Darlington, FL with Bro. Ali Harrison and Bro. Brad Wilson officiating.
The family requested in lieu of flowers that those attending the service may bring soft backed Bibles to further his work in jail ministry within the Geneva County Jail.
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.net
Sarah Kissel Gray passed away on September 20, 2025 at the age of 98. A first generation American born in Rockford, Illinois, Sarah was bilingual and proud of her Lithuanian heritage. She was a graduate of West High School of Rockford and Mercy College of Nursing in San Diego where she earned her RN degree. Sarah enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, gardening, and crossword puzzles.
It was in San Diego that she met Zeb Vance Gray. The pair were married for 60 years when he passed away in 2010. Sarah is survived by daughters and sons-in law Karen and Rick Parisot and Kathy and Carl Roberts; grandsons, Adam Parisot and Vance Roberts; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local food bank.
Mr. Joel William Nicholson of Dothan passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the age of 41.Joel was born October 15, 1983, in North Carolina.
He was loving, and kind, and loved his family beyond measure. His smile could light up a room and his gentle spirit shone through to everyone he met.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Troy Michael Nicholson.
He is survived by his fiancee’ of 25 years, Amber Meeks, mother, Nancy Richardson, sister, Nicolle Evans, father, John William Nicholson, and his children, Rhiley and Carlie Nicholson.
“For everything, absolutely everything above and below, visible and invisible….Everything got started in him and find its purpose in Him.” Colossians 1:16
It is with love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Susanna “Sue” Marie Merritt Hodges, age 68 of Prattville, AL, who passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose generosity, dedication, kindness, and integrity touched everyone who knew her.
Sue was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on March 18, 1957, to the late Irvine L. Merritt and Evelyn I. Reichart Merritt of Venango, PA. Sue was a graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, Class of 1975. She left Pennsylvania for Mississippi to marry MSgt. William M. Hodges (Ret.). After getting married, she worked several years of her career in Ocean Springs and Long Beach, Mississippi. Sue continued her education by attending William Carey University. Being the wife of a military serviceman, she spent three years in Germany, where she traveled throughout Europe and worked for H&R Block preparing taxes. Once back in the States, they settled in Prattville, Alabama, where she worked for and graduated from Huntingdon College with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in accounting and graduated cum laude. Sue then worked for Colonial and Hancock Banks, in risk management and as an internal bank auditor. After several years working for the banks, she retired from Jackson Thornton CPAs with over 20 years in the banking/auditing business. Throughout the years, Sue continued to volunteer her time to help others prepare their taxes and took on the role of Secretary for her neighborhood HOA.
Sue loved being a mom and grandmother to her ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Sue played an integral role in her grandchildren’s lives and upbringing. Sue found joy in life’s simplest moments – reading a good book as an avid reader, bowling with friends as a member of a bowling league, gathering loved ones for home-cooked meals and cookies, time around the table sharing stories, long talks on the phone, time with her grandchildren, and relaxing in the pool.
Sue is preceded in death by her in-laws, Falconer and Frances Hodges, her sister, Hazel Ann Divell and brother-in-law, Fred R. Gossett, Jr.
Sue is survived by her husband of 46 years, William M. Hodges; daughter, Shannon L. Hodges Snider (Perry Jr.); son, Brian V. Hodges (Katy); sisters Mary A. Miller, Ronda L. Walters, Patricia D. Gossett; brother Lawrence I. Merritt (Rose); grandchildren, Donovan Fisher (Brittany), Landon Snider, Zander Snider, Wesley “Hudson” Hodges, Liam Gerlach, Sophia Gerlach, Gabriel Gerlach, Genevieve Hodges, Sebastian Hodges, Francesca Hodges; great granddaughter, Brooklyn Fisher; several nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces and nephews, all who will forever carry her love, lessons, and strength in their hearts.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Bridge Street, Wetumpka, AL. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm at the church prior to services.
Interment will be on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave., Biloxi, MS at 9:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Prattville Youth League of Bama Lanes, C/O Penny Ragland, 1714 E. Main Street, Prattville, AL 36066.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Jan LaRue Goff Anderson, 73, of Donalsonville, Georgia, passed away on September 11, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family.
Jan was born on February 7, 1952, in Sylvester, Worth County, Georgia, the daughter of Jim Andrews Goff and Jimmie Lou McAfee Goff. An only child, Jan found joy and companionship on her parents’ farm, where she spent countless hours playing with all of her close cousins. Jan attended Worth County High School in Sylvester, where she was a cheerleader in high school, and later studied at Valdosta State University, earning her associate’s degree before graduating as a dental hygienist. She worked for more than 20 years with Brooks Dental Associates in Blakely Ga and Dr. Grimsley’s Dental Office in Colquitt Ga, often serving both practices as needed. Patients frequently requested her because of her thoroughness and attention to detail, and she was admired by colleagues for her steady work ethic, and kindness.
Jan was first married to Ronnie David Skipper, with whom she shared the joys of raising a family. Of all her roles in life, none meant more to her than being a mother and grandmother. She was endlessly proud of her children, Joseph David Skipper and Rebekah Ruth Skipper Crawford (Warren), and she cherished her grandchildren, Aidan Joseph Cleveland and Clara Grace Crawford. To them, she was “Mimi,” a name chosen with love that captured their special bond.
A redhead with a fiery temperament balanced by deep empathy, Jan was passionate about raising dairy goats on her small farm, Mayhaw Acres, for over 25 years. Her herd became both her hobby and her companions, answering her playful “maahh-maahh” with eager cries as they barreled toward her. This hobby developed into a ministry that she was able to help so many. She delighted in Christmas, Thanksgiving, and family gatherings, her made-from-scratch turkey dressing, and homemade cakes were always a highlight. She was of the Christian faith, and when she was able, she attended South Mount Zion Church of God. Jan will always be remembered as someone who went out of her way to make sure others were cared for and loved. She placed the needs of those around her before her own, leaving a legacy of selflessness and compassion. Beautiful inside and out, she was kind, empathetic, but never afraid to speak her mind.
In honoring her wishes, a small memorial will be held with close family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at www.theaftd.org.
A special thank you to Seminole Manor Care Team and Georgia Hospice Care for their dedicated care, love and support to her.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
