The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA  30512

www.nganews.com

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

March 29, 2006              Page 9B

major edward earl stratton

We lost one of our treasured World War II Veterans on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, Major Edward Earl Stratton, 84, of Hiawassee, GA passed peacefully at his residence in Hiawassee.  Born in Cordele, GA, Earl served in the Army Air Force piloting The Marauder B-26 (OReilly’s Daughter) on 65 missions over Germany, France and Italy during the war in his early twenties, receiving 3 Bronze Stars, 4 oak Leaf Clusters to Air Medal and Croix de guerre.  He later attended and graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with honors.

He is survived by his wife, Marion Elizabeth Bush Stratton.  Marion is a patient at Chatuge Nursing Home.  Nieces and nephews: Betty and James M. Grimes, of Young Harris, GA; Delores and Curtis G. Logan of Orlando, FL; Herbert and Patricia Stratton of Merritt Island, FL; Linda and Bobby Herman of Savannah, GA; and Patricia Stratton; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Stratton of Merritt Island, FL and a number of great nieces and nephews.  He will be greatly missed.  He made a definite contribution to our country’s freedom.

The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA  30512

www.nganews.com

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

March 29, 2006              Page 9B

mr. joseph w. mcduffie

Mr. Joseph W. McDuffie, age 95, of Hiawassee, GA passed away on Monday, March 27, 2006 following a period of declining health.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Evelyn McDuffie, son Joseph L. McDuffie and daughter, Sandra McDuffie Wilkinson.

He is survived by three daughters, Katherine McDuffie McWilliams, Val Waldrop and Dee Piercy.  One son-in-law, Buster Wilkinson, 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Mr. McDuffie was a 58 year member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Mableton, GA; a member of the Masonic Lodge and a 38 year resident of Cobb County.  After moving to Hiawassee in 2002 he attended Hiawassee United Methodist Church.

Grave side services were held on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. from the Georgia Memorial park in Marietta, GA with the Rev. John Spangler officiating.  In lieu of flowers the family respectfully request donations be made to Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, Mableton, GA or garden plants for Hiawassee United Methodist Church, Hiawassee, GA 30546.

Banister Funeral Home in Hiawassee, GA in charge of arrangements.