Elijah King Jr., local veterans leader and advocate, passes away

By LYNETTE SOWELL Cove Leader-Press Members of the local veterans’ community are mourning the loss of Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Elijah King, Jr., 64, who died on Sunday in Killeen.

Robert William Ruonavaara

Robert William Ruanovaara, 62, of Copperas Cove, passed away on Feb. 5, 2017 at Copperas Cove Nursing & Rehabilitation Center with his family near. Robert was born on Oct. 9, 1954 in Tacoma, Wash. to Edgar and Dee (Owen) Ruonavaara.

Mildred Faye Smart Crooks

On March 6, 2017, Faye passed from her earthly, non-hearing life to her eternal life where, as a friend said, she would be able to hear a whisper. She was born October 22, 1928, in Izoro, Lampasas County, Texas, to Sidney Dora Belle Bruster Smart and John Calhoun Smart.

Charles E. Sluder

Retired Master Sgt. Charles E. Sluder, of Copperas Cove, died on Sunday, February 26, 2017. He was born on February 8, 1942 in Fort Scott, Kansas to the late Donald and Ada Sluder. Mr. Sluder proudly served in the United States Army until his retirement, including a tour in Vietnam.

John Wordsworth Vodrey III

John Wordsworth Vodrey III, age 65, of Gatesville, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Scott’s Funeral Home. John was born on May 3, 1951 in Bourne, Massachusetts to the late James R. Vodrey and Marvel Barr Vodrey.

Myma J. Heimbuck

Myrna J. Heimbuck, age 73, of Gatesville passed away Monday, February 27, 2017.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Paula Jean Hooten Deakin

Paula J. Deakin, 50, of Kempner passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Scott’s Funeral Home of Copperas Cove. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

Karen Hamilton

Karen Hamilton, age 58, of Copperas Cove passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 Friday, February 17, 2017 at Scott’s Funeral Home of Copperas Cove. Karen was born on February 12, 1959 to Mark and Mary Owen Smith in Ogden, Utah.

John Shade Osborne Jr.

John Osborne, 76, of Burnet, TX, passed away on February 8, 2017, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Kenvir, Kentucky, to John and Roxie Osborne. After graduating from high school, John moved to Texas with his family, then attended and graduated from Hardin Simmons University.

Erika Temple

Erika Temple, a longtime resident of Copperas Cove, was called home by our LORD on January 26, 2017. She was 77 years old and died in Metroplex Hospital.   Born June 9, 1939 in Germany where she met her husband and married him July 9, 1959.