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Obituaries 04/06/17

Edward J. Kachelein

WATER VALLEY—Edward J. Kachelein, 85, of Water Valley passed away on March 29, 2017, at his residence with his wife, Patricia Carolyn Kachelein, of eight years, by his side.

A time of gathering to honor  his life was held Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow later in the year in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Born in Maple Heights, Ohio, he was a son of the late George and Jenny Kachelein, the youngest of six children. He subsequently joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) where he proudly served his country from 1951-1978 and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. During his tenure in the Marine Corps, he had tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars. 

In 1953, he married Darlene M. (Sass) Kachelein, his wife of 55 years and mother of their four sons. Although his military career took him and his family to several different duty stations, they were long-time residents of El Toro, Calif. Upon retiring from the USMC, he spent the next 20 years working in the private sector for the Siemens, Toshiba and Compaq corporations. At the time of his death, he was a member of North Oxford Baptist Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 55 and the Marine Corps League W.M. Jones Detachment 1431. He was a loving husband, father, mentor and friend to all. He will be missed. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George A. Kachelein.

Survivors include his current wife and loving partner, Carolyn Kachelein; four sons, Michael Kachelein of Calif., Stephen Kachelein of Virginia, Mark Kachelein of Virginia, and Joseph Kachelein of California; a sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Goodwin of Ohio; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Mike Thomas of Memphis and Jeffrey Thomas of Water Valley; and a stepdaughter, Vickie Byrd of Memphis.

Memorials may be made to North Oxford Baptist Church, TOGO Mission Fund, P. O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655.

In honor of Mr. Kachelein’s service to our country the flag of the Marine Corps will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.


Barbara Anthony Phillips

WATER VALLEY—Barbara Anthony Phillips, age 70, passed away April 2, 2017, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Oxford.

Born in Piedmont, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Betty Jean Anthony Mrs. Phillips was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Barbara was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Water Valley.

Visitation was held Tuesday, April 4, from 1 until 2:30 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home.The family then went in a caravan to Oak Hill Cemetery for a 3 p.m. graveside service, officiated by Rev. Bob Hill, Pallbearers were R. J. Potts, Michael Phillips, Dorien Gaines, Connor Potts, Chance Potts, Dylan Phillips, Jim Phillips, and Bailey Tatum.

She was also proceeded in death by her husband, James R. Phillips; two sisters, Doris Lee and Kathleen Ponder; and six brothers, Wayne Anthony, John Anthony, Cecil Anthony, B. F. Anthony, Bobby Anthony, and Jr. Anthony.

She is survived by two daughters, Lisa Potts (Harold) of Water Valley and Teresa Gaines (Lee) of Anchorage, Alaska; two sons, William Phillips (Marly) of Black Hawk and Jim Phillips (Angie) of Gulfport; ten grandchildren, R. J. Potts, Conor Potts, Chance Potts, Corey Gaines, Dorien Gaines, Cheyanne Gaines, Dylan Phillips, Shania Philips, Lara Kate Phillips, Savanna Anderson, and Michael Phillips; and six great-grandchildren.


Hattie Mae Mathis

WATER VALLEY—Hattie Mae Mathis, age 83, passed away in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford, Saturday, April 1, 2017.

Born in Water Valley, Mrs. Mathis was a daughter of the late Curtis David Kehoe and Clide E. Hollinger Kehoe. She spent most of her life in the Water Valley area. She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, cooking, feeding her outside animals, and spending time with her family. She was a Methodist and a member of Love Joy Chapel.

Services are planned for Wednesday, April 5, at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with Bro. Michael Haas and Brad Gray officiating. Visitation will be from noon until service time. Burial will be in Mount Liberty Cemetery with Matt Jones, Dave Jones, Brad Gray, Barry Gray, Chuck Reed, Jerry Vaughn, Jr., and Carl Finch, III, as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Sean T. Gray, Carl Finch, II, Chet Mathis, and Charles  Mathis.

She is survived by six daughters, Joan Cade (Ron), Barbara Gray (Larry), and  Mary Reed (Chuck), all of Water Valley, Carol Palmer (Bill), Sissy Finch  and Dede Bartels all of Zeeland, Mich.; four sons, Carl Finch, II, and Chet Mathis, both of Water Valley, Charles Mathis of Ridgeland, and William Dickey of Michigan; three brothers, Dewitt Kehoe, Earl Kehoe, and Ben Horan, all of Water Valley; 25 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Ford Potts, four sisters, Elizabeth Emerson, Betty Melton, Wilma Sartain, and Frances Vaughn; and three brothers, George Kehoe, James Kehoe, and Jack Curtis Kehoe.

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