OBITUARIES
Brantley Eugene Toomer
May 12, 2025
BRANTLEY EUGENE TOOMER
12/14/53- 5/12/25
Captain Brantley Toomer, aged 71, passed
away peacefully doing what he knew best-working hard and speaking his mind.
Born in Key West, Florida, to Christine and Frank Toomer Sr. Brantley was a lifelong commercial fisherman who spent decades on the water, rain or shine. He knew...
Mary Jane Zabinksi
May 8, 2025
Mary Jane Wood Zabinski - Entrepreneur, World Traveler, Photographer, Animal Lover and Beloved Sister
Born and raised in Niles, Michigan and a longtime resident of the Hilton Head area, Mary Jane died peacefully in Okatie, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerome W. and Priscilla Barbary Wood, her sister Barbara Wood Cook of...
Roger Michaelson
May 8, 2025
Roger Michaelson, 80, passed away on May 8, 2025, with his wife by his side.
He is survived by a large circle of family and friends, including his stepson, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Roger is also survived by one brother.
Roger had many accomplishments in his lifetime. He enlisted in the US Army Dental Corps, at...
Cornelius "Neil" Deir
May 7, 2025
Neil Deir, 87, passed away peacefully at NHC Healthcare Bluffton on May 7th, 2025 after a gradual decline following the loss of his beloved wife Cathe in 2023. Neil was born on April 3rd, 1938 in Queens New York to Cornelius James Deir and Mary Cecilia Deir, née Foley. While he eventually lived in New Jersey, Virginia and South...
Charlotte Strong Cabaniss
May 6, 2025
Charlotte Strong Cabaniss was born on March 18, 1930, in Warren, Ohio. She passed away on May 6, 2025 in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Charlotte was preceded in death by parents and husbands, Dr. Roland K. Strong and Druid W. Strong.
She is survived by friends: Jim and Cheryl Hurley, Celia Varas, Fran Jefferson, and Tawanda...
Raymond Hunter Dominick Iii
May 6, 2025
Raymond Dominick, 79, of Bluffton, SC, died Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at Friends of Caroline hospice.
He was born on October 18, 1945 in Atlanta, GA to the late Raymond H. Dominick, Jr. and Anne Dominick.
He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and the University of North Carolina. Upon earning his doctorate, he...
Irene Reiner
May 5, 2025
Irene Reiner passed on May 5, 2025 in Bluffton, SC. She was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Imre Reiner. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Lynch and her son-in-law Robert Lynch, both of Bluffton; by her grandchildren, Jeffrey Lynch and David Lynch, and by three great grandchildren. She was born on September 21, 1928 in Budapest,...
Donald R. Dwight
May 4, 2025
Donald R. Dwight, a distinguished public servant, newspaper executive, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, passed away peacefully on May 4th at the age of 94. Born on March 26, 1931, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Dwight’s life was marked by dedicated service to his country, state, and the field of journalism.
After graduating from Deerfield Academy in 1949, Dwight...
David Pelham Harrelson
May 3, 2025
David Pelham Harrelson, 83, of Bluffton, SC passed away Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at his home.
David was born October 2, 1941 in Hayden, AL to the late Emmett Harrelson and Maude Steel Harrelson. Upon graduation, David joined the U.S. Navy, graciously serving his country for thirty years. Once retired from the Navy, he then continued his...
Ida Mae Smith
May 2, 2025
Ida Mae Smith was born in Ridgeland, SC on September 3, 1939 to the late Lester Clint Daring and Jennie Woods Daring. Ida and Coleman Simmie Smith, who predeceased Ida, lived in Grays, SC, where she raised her children, Michael Smith (Cathy) and Gerald Glenn Smith (Connie).
Ida was a wonderful mother who cared deeply for her...
Wayne E. Mcdowell
Apr 30, 2025
Wayne E. McDowell, of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away on April 30, 2025, at Coastal Carolina Hospital, Hardeeville, SC surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Thomas and Lela McDowell on November 16, 1938, at home in Derby, Ohio. He was raised in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and attended Pine Run grades 1 – 8 in Dora, PA and...
Donald S. Zuidema
Apr 29, 2025
Donald S. Zuidema, 87, of Bluffton, SC passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at his home.
Don was born May 23, 1937 in Paterson, NJ to the late John Zuidema and Elsie Husselman. He was a high school graduate of Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, NJ. He married his high school sweetheart, Marianne DeJong, on...
Robin Hoffer
Apr 27, 2025
Robin Hoffer, 70, of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully the morning of April 27th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Robin’s life was a tapestry woven with quiet strength, steadfast kindness, and the small, thoughtful gestures that left a lasting mark on those around her. She was a woman who never forgot...
Agnes Jean Connors
Apr 26, 2025
Agnes Jean Connors, 87, of Moseley, VA, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia, with her daughter, Kathy, by her side.
Her siblings that preceded her are: Joan Wentling; Darrell Lauritzen and Mark Lauritzen; she is survived by her siblings Howard Lauritzen; David Lauritizen ; Mary Lou and sister-in-law, Linda Lauritzen.
Jean...
Thomas Edward Burke
Apr 26, 2025
Thomas Edward “Tom” Burke, a Marriott Corporation executive, and a consultant to the Nixon White House and Fortune 200 companies, passed away April 26, 2025. He was 94.
The scrappy Irishman was born in Akron, Ohio July 29, 1930.
Tom joined Marriott in 1969 and rose to become senior vice president and assistant to the...
James Dudley Scott
Apr 25, 2025
James Dudley Scott (Jim) 1940-2025
Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy Shute-Scott, daughters Kris Scott (Focht), Karen Houle, son-in-law Tim Houle, and grandchildren Aiden and Addison Focht. He was preceded in death by his parents, Naomi and Dudley Scott.
Jim was born on April 7, 1940, in Portland, Oregon. He was active in church...
John A. Delnero
Apr 25, 2025
John Anthony Delnero, aged 90, passed away on April 25th, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on December 30th, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, to Peter and Betty Delnero, John lived a life filled with passion for family, friends, travel, food, and reading.
After serving as a Medical Corpsman in the U.S. Army (Private 2nd Class), and obtaining...
Marie (Froehlich) Ruhlin
Apr 24, 2025
Marie Froehlich Ruhlin (1937-2025)
Marie Froehlich Ruhlin, age 88, of Hilton Head Island, SC, passed away peacefully at home on April 24, 2025, after a short illness, in the company of her husband, Richard (“Rich”) Holt, and her close family. She is survived by Rich, her four children Peter (Holly) Ruhlin, Jeanne (David) DeMelim, Robin (Eric) Landau...
Clara Gazzo Labella
Apr 24, 2025
Age 98, Clara died peacefully with her family at her side on April 24, 2025. She was born August 19, 1926, in Pittsburgh, PA the daughter of Benito (Ben) and Antoinette (Annie) Gazzo.
Clara grew up in the Brushton section of Pittsburgh surrounded by uncles, aunts and cousins, many of the cousins sharing the same first name. ...
James M. Hazen
Apr 20, 2025
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of James M. Hazen on April 20th, 2025, due to cardiac arrest. Jim, as he was called, is survived by his loving wife Ann, his son Matthew and beloved daughter-in-law Meghan. Jim is also survived by his sister Jeanne, her husband Dave, his brother Jack and many nieces...
