Mr. Danny Jay Shaw, age 73 of Boy Scout Rd. Blairsville, GA., and also of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., passed away peacefully on Saturday December 7, 2019 in the Erlanger Baroness Hospital from a stroke following an extended illness. Mr. Shaw was born on September 27, 1946 in Dennison, OH., the son of the late Jack Shaw & late LuLa  Bradley Shaw. Danny served as CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) for 20 years. He was an avid traveler, boater, snow-skier, and NASCAR fan. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching old cowboy movies. He is preceded in death by two brothers, Jim & Tom Shaw. Mr. Shaw was of the Protestant faith .

Surviving Mr. Shaw is his loving wife and best friend of 52 years, Patricia “Pat” Steffens-Shaw of Blairsville and Ft. Lauderdale, FL; sister-in-law, Pam & Frank Terranova of Blairsville; brother-in-law, Craig Steffens of McCaysville, GA; sister-in-law Brenda Shaw of Marietta, GA; nephew, Jimmy Shaw of Ft. Lauderdale; niece Christy & Johnny Cox of Coral Springs, FL; niece Jody Drum of Marietta, GA; nephew David and Sonya Senterfitt of Martinez, GA., and several beloved nieces & nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday December 19, 2019 at Coosa United Methodist Church in Blairsville, GA., with Rev. Bill Burch officiating. The family will meet with friends at 1:30 followed by a memorial service at 2:00. A private interment will be held at a later date at Coosa United Methodist Church. Also, a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and will be announced. Flowers are accepted, or if you wish the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or the American Cancer Society in Danny’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Evelyn Ann Denton Ledford, age 70 of Hiawassee, passed away Saturday November 30, 2019 at Union General Hospital. Mrs. Ledford was born January 20, 1949 in Towns County to Cleveland and Monda Lowe Denton. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Church of God. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Evelyn loved gardening, her flowers and cooking. She worked hard all of her life to care for her family.

Survivors include her husband, Monroe Ledford; son and daughter in law, Ronnie and Renee Ledford of Hiawassee; sister and brother-in-law, Burnette and C.J. Nichols of Clayton, GA; granddaughter, Haley (Michael) Barrett; granddaughter, Kendra Ledford; great grandson, Grayson Barrett; nephew, Colby Nichols; and aunt, Della Dickard. Many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday December 2nd at the chapel of the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee with Rev. Glen Eller officiating. Music will be provided by Sheila Eller. Interment will follow in Boyds Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers: Knox Garrett, Michael Barrett, Colby Nichols, Robert Bradshaw, Jerry Owens and Eric Owens.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee Sunday evening from 6 until 9 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Mrs. Gayle Elizabeth Kniffen, age 79, of Game Bird Lane, Murphy passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Union General Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Kniffen was born on January 12, 1940 in Binghamton, NY to the late Agnes Gillespie Lewis and the late Frank L. Lewis. Gayle was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She loved the mountains and loved all wildlife. She was of the Protestant faith.

Surviving Gayle are her loving husband and best friend of sixty-two years, Charles Kniffen of Murphy; her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Jon Tokarski of Katy, TX; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Marie Kniffen of Palm Bay, FL, and Richard and Rachelle Kniffen of China, MI; two sisters, Donna Williams of FL and Ila Brown of Hayesville; five grandchildren, Cheyenne, Shannon, Cameron, Brendan and Haley; several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

No services are planned as per Gayle’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation in Gayle’s memory.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

William (Bill) Joseph Klug Jr., a former south Florida banking executive, died on Sunday October 27, 2019 in Hiawassee. He was 96.

Bill Klug was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 16, 1923, to William Sr. and Augustana (Gussie) Klug. After graduating from high school, he went into the U.S. Army to serve our country during World War II. During the war, he served in General Patton’s Third Army Group in Western Europe.

After the war, Bill settled in south Florida (the “old” Miami and  for a time, Cape Coral) and entered the banking business fashioning his career there from being a teller to being president of a bank and many of the intermediate positions within the banking industry.

There Bill also found the love of his life, Lorraine Coon, and their three children, Jeff, Jane, Linda, soon followed, and Schnapps too (the family dog). During this time Bill developed his three lifelong passions, golfing (some playing and a true fan of the game), gardening, and the Florida Gators; particularly the football team.

After retiring, Bill and Lorraine toured the nation’s sites from their Road Trek van. Their travels included time spent in and near Hiawassee and it was not long before they decided on Hiawassee as where they wanted to live in retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Klug; their children, Jeff Klug of Hiawassee (formerly Miami, Florida), Jane Pratt (John Clarke) of Holmes Beach, Florida, and Linda (Jeff) Rabin of Lighthouse Point, Florida; and grandchildren, Charles Jerome (C.J.) Pratt, Elizabeth Pratt, William (Will) Pratt, Carly Rabin, and Julie Rabin. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister Katharine Palumbo.

Bill Klug will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Humane Society or other charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hayesville on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 11:00am.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces Memorial Services for Marlon Gerald Gibson, age 40, of Blairsville who passed away on Friday October 18, 2019.

“Waldo” (Marlon) loved his children and had a heart for animals. He spent a lot of his time with both. Known to be a hard worker and loyal man, Waldo was a friend to all he crossed paths with. He enjoyed the solitude of music- listening loud and often! Waldo connected song lyrics to the phases of his life. He would interpret each and every word with the emotions that he felt.

He loved California and spoke for many years of making a life out there “one day”. He finally made that happen.

Marlon leaves behind two children, Anastyne Faith and Corbin Macrae; his mother, Cordie Ann Gibson; sister, Alicia Gibson Ralston; and brother, Randy Allen. Many extended family members and friends also survive. Marlon was preceded in death by his father, J.L. Gibson; and grandparents, Elmer & Gladys Pickelsimer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. The family will gather with friends from 10 a.m. until the service begins.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Cochran Funeral Home, P.O. Box 338, Blairsville, GA 30514 to help defray funeral expenses.

Mr. Michael W McCray, age 60, of Hayesville, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019. Mr. McCray was born January 18, 1959, in Murphy, NC, to the late Theron McCray and Ellavee Canup McCray. He was a member of Fires Creek Baptist Church, enjoyed working outside, and loved spoiling on his pet bird ‘Baby.’ Mr. McCray was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Ware, brothers, Clifton McCray, Roy McCray, and Ronald McCray.

Survivors include his wife, Anna M. McCray, sisters, Arthel Davis, Clara Davis, Helen Oliver, Anna Lou Ware, and Betty Carter, brothers, Everett McCray and Ralph McCray.

Funeral services: Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Fires Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Dallas Crowder and Pastor Dennis Ash officiating. Music provided by Matthew Roach, Johnny and Joan Roach, Cordel Lands, and Bronson Kirby. Interment will follow in the Fires Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jessie McCray, Dewayne McCray, Derick McCray, Greg Carter, Bob Davis, and Barrett Davis. Honorary pallbearers: Ray Ware, Rex Davis, Tony Lands, and Bennie Kirby.

The family will receive friends at the Fires Creek Baptist Church, Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 pm and Sunday, October 20 1:20 till 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.