Mr. Bernett Joel “Bernie” or “Jergy” Jergenson, Jr. (United States Army, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died late Saturday night January 25, 2025, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan. He was 83 years old.
A memorial service for Mr. Jergenson will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 31, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Mr. Jimmy Owens officiating. Full Military Honors will be presented following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mr. Jergenson was born August 6, 1941 in Benson, Minnesota to the late Bernett Joel Jergenson, Sr. and Lillian Leona Smith Jergenson. He graduated from Benson Senior High School in 1959 where he was on the wrestling team and was the state champion in his weight class. In 1961 he joined the United States Army. He met his wife, Monique, in Paris while stationed in Orleans, France. Mr. Jergenson served as a Military Policeman and was a crew chief on the DHC-3 Otter with one tour in Vietnam. He served most of his military career at Fort Rucker, the Panama Canal Zone and Germany, retiring with twenty years of service. Following his military service, he worked for Civil Service as a heavy equipment mechanic and later worked as a Federal Game Warden. Bernie was a scuba diving instructor and an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman who loved nature. He was an avid pet owner who loved his fur baby, Bernie Jr.
A devoted husband, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Monique Kampf Jergenson of Ozark; one son, Mark Lee Jergenson of Pensacola; one sister, Judith Ann Edwards (Donald) of Benson, Minnesota; two brothers, Joel Jergenson (Sharon) of Willmar, Minnesota and Lee Roy Jergenson (Marilyn) of Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Attn: Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105; or to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
Mr. Roger Arlis “Poochie” Simmons, a resident of Newton, died early Saturday morning January 25, 2025, in Extendicare Health Center in Dothan following an extended illness. He was 87 years old.
Funeral services for Mr. Simmons will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 30, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with full Masonic Rites, Mr. Bimbo Turner officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Community Cemetery in Newton, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Mr. Simmons was born February 25, 1937 in Clayhatchee, Alabama to the late Walter Leonard Simmons and Allen Blondell Bryan Simmons. He graduated from Ozark High School in 1955 and attended the University of Alabama Extension Branch at Dothan, Alabama. He worked as an aircraft mechanic at Camp Rucker and Fort Rucker with Hayes, Page, Northrop, Raytheon, Sikorski and DynCorp. Mr. Simmons retired in April 1999 from the Quality Control Department ending a 43-year career. Mr. Simmons was an active member of Newton Baptist Church where he served through the years as Usher, Adult Men’s Sunday School Class Teacher, Chairman, Board of Deacons, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Lay Leadership Director, Church Training Superintendent and Financial Secretary. He was active in the Newton Ruritan Club where he served as a member of the Board of Directors and as Vice President.
Mr. Simmons faithfully served the Masonic craft for many years. He began his Masonic career in Newton Masonic Lodge No. 224. He was appointed District Lecturer of Masonic District 27 in 1981 and served the Alabama Grand Lodge in that capacity through 1988. He progressed through the Grand Line and was installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Alabama at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in November 2001. Mr. Simmons was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was honored as the President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. He was very active in the York Rite Bodies both locally and State-wide. He was a Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alabama; Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Alabama; and Right Eminent Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Alabama. He and Sally’s (and Princess their prized Chihuahua) most pleasurable past time was traveling in their Motor Home. He served as National President of the National Camping Travelers, Inc. (NCT). This organization is a Masonic Family Camping Club exclusive for Master Masons in good standing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Sally Ann Williams Simmons; and one sister, Mildred Fuller. Survivors include one sister, Helen Marie Cope of Texas; one brother, Ted Simmons of Clayhatchee; four nieces, Renee Deloney (Marley) of Newton, Debra Childress (Willie) of Ariton, Glenda Gammons (Jr.) of Waco, Texas and Pattie Meier (Russell) of Waco, Texas; and two nephews, Russell Simmons (Rebecca) of Ariton and Otto Fuller of Waco, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Bethel Community Cemetery, C/O Mr. Joe Willliams, 2001 County Road 31, Newton, Alabama 36352.
OZARK…Robin Eastridge, 64, A longtime resident of Ozark, Alabama entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at his home.
Mr Eastridge was born in Beach Groove, Indiana, on Saturday September 10, 1960, to the late Claude and Mary Eastridge.
Mr Eastridge attended Brown County High School in Brown County Indiana. Shortly after completeing school, Mr. Eastridge moved to Ozark in 1983. He was a Millwright for many years and retired from the Millwright union. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church for many years. He enjoyed traveling to Indiana to visit family and friends. He enjoyed playing his guitar, singing and spreading the word God. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent much of his free time enjoying his Grandchildren, and hunting ginseng with his Siblings in Brown County Indiana.
On September 18th, 1985, He married Ruth Ann (Senn) Eastridge, she proceeded him in death on June 4, 2021.
He leaves behind a host of family including his children, Betty Gray, Robert Eastridge, Timothy Pierce; grandchildren Robby Phillips, Katelyn Phillips, and Jimmy Gray- His brothers and sisters , Sarah Eggers (husband Denzel) of Greene County Indiana -Brother Claude Eastridge (wife Debra) of Bloomington Indiana ,Brother Samual Eastridge of New Jersey, Brother Tim Eastridge of Spencer Indiana, Brother John Eastridge of Travelec, Indiana, Sister Rebecca Britt (husband Robert) of Travelec, Indiana, Sister Rosalund MacMillian (husband Scott) of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sisters Kimberly Eastridge and Katherine Royer of Brown County, Indiana
He was Proceeded in death by Sister Casandra Eastridge and great-granddaughter Katie
Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home with Pastor William Parr and Pastor Dewayne Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
Stephen “Stevie” Anthony Manasco, a resident of Dothan, Alabama unexpectedly passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025. He was 58 years old.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at Glover Funeral Home Chapel in Dothan, Alabama. Pastor John Dowdy will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Vivian B. Adams, 2047 Stuart Tartar Road, Ozark, AL 36360 in memory of Stevie for the school he loved so much. Close family and friends will gather following the service at Stevie’s residence.
Stevie was born February 26, 1966, in Dothan, AL to Noel and Glenda Manasco. He was a graduate of Headland High School and was currently attending Vivian B. Adams. In his spare time, he loved Alabama Football, fishing, hunting, puzzles, and attending movies as often as he could.
He is preceded in death by his parents Noel and Glenda Manasco and a niece Chloe Elisabeth Nissen.
Left to cherish his memories are his brother Chris Manasco; two sisters, Tara (Scott) Nissen and Cecelia Powell; Nephews, Ethan and Nathan Nissen; Travis Powell; niece, Deanna Manasco; fiance, Beverly Rogers; special friend, Joe Floyd.
One of Stevie’s heroes was Bear Bryant. He once said, “What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it”. Coincidentally, they both passed away on January 26th.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Robert Earl Chandler Sr., passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025, at his residence in Gordon, Alabama. He was 74. Born on November 2, 1950, in Miami, Florida, Robert was known to his friends and family as a kind and adventurous soul with a passion for the outdoors.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Robert is preceded in death by his devoted wife, Carla Chandler, with whom he shared 36 beautiful years, and a sister, Patricia Wolfe.
Robert leaves behind a legacy of love and adventure with his four sons, Robert Chandler Jr. (Bobby), Rusty Matheney, James Chandler, and Todd Chandler, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will continue to cherish his memory.
He spent years mastering his craft as an auto body mechanic, a trade that not only supported his family but also served as a canvas for his relentless work ethic and eye for detail. His hands, always ready to repair and restore, found the same pleasure in his personal pastimes. Undoubtedly, Robert will be remembered standing by the lake at dawn, rod in hand, or navigating the peaceful woods during hunting season, reveling in the gifts of nature.
Robert’s unwavering kindness and adventurous spirit will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
