Jerry Caviness

MONROE — Jerry Caviness, 74, died Saturday (Nov. 28, 2009) at the Jesse Helms Nursing Center.

Arrangements will be announced by McEwen Funeral Home.

Benjamin Elson Jr.

WAXHAW — Benjamin Franklin Elson Jr., 87, died Friday (Nov. 27, 2009) at home.

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Townsend Center at JAARS. Graveside service in the Waxhaw City Cemetery will be private.

Born Dec. 8, 1921, in Burbank, Calif., he was a son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Sally Russell Elson.

Survivors include his wife, Adelle Ottoson Elson of the home; three sons, Lee Elson of Stocktown, Calif., Steve Elson of Ventura, Calif., Tom Elson of Lindsay, Calif.; one daughter, Sally Harvey of Waxhaw; one brother, Bill Elson of Lodi, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200. Specify the Ben Elson Memorial on the memo section of the check.

Davis Funeral Service of Monroe is in charge. Online condolences may be left at www.davisfuneralservice.com.

Johnny Kirkley

KANNAPOLIS — Johnny Lee Kirkley, 76, died Friday (Nov. 27, 2009) at Big Elm Nursing Center.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at Whitley’s Funeral Home, with burial in Carolina Memorial Park.

Born Dec. 7, 1932, in Chesterfield County, S.C., he was a son of the late Lee M. and Minnie Kirkley. He was retired from Cannon Mills.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Carpenter Kirkley; and one brother, Billy Kirkley of Pageland, S.C.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.

Ruskin McNeely

MONROE — Ruskin E. McNeely, 83, passed away Thursday, November 19, 2009, in Lancaster, Calif., after an extended illness. He was born March 5, 1926, to Ruskin Ewing and Annie Tyson McNeely. He grew up in Union County and attended Brevard College. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He retired as a commercial salesman from B.F. Goodrich. He was a member of Matthews Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge. Russ enjoyed cars, woodworking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Robert McNeely and Hal McNeely Sr. as well as his sister, Henrietta McNeely McClelland. Surviving are his devoted wife of 60 years Mary Helms (Lib) McNeely, his daughter Lyn McNeely of Palmdale, Calif., and his beloved dog “Happy.” He also leaves behind a host of friends and wonderful neighbors.

A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday December 2, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Lakeland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Human Society of the United States, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Prestige Assisted Living in Lancaster, Calif., for the wonderful care they provided to Russ. McEwen Funeral and Cremation Service of Monroe is serving the family of Mr. McNeely.

PAID OBITUARY

Thomas Zostant

WAXHAW — Thomas Edward Zostant, 64, died Wednesday (Nov. 25, 2009) at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.

Memorial service will be private at a later date in New York.

Born May 30, 1945, in Albany, N.Y., he was a son of the late Benjamin Joseph and Rose Alice Mullen Zostant. He was an advertising marketing agent.

Survivors include his wife, Holly Zostant of the home; one son, Thomas Zostant of Charlotte; one daughter, Lori Zostant of Wantagh, N.Y.; one sister, Linda Aswad of Menands, N.Y.; and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Western North Carolina Chapter, 5950 Fairview Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Davis Funeral Service of Monroe is in charge. Online condolences may be left at www.davisfuneralservice.com.