Category: 1987

Michael “Mike” Howard Beard, 56, of Conover, passed away Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at his residence.

He was born May 20, 1965, in Catawba County, to the late Howard (Butch) A. Beard Jr. and to Judy Buchanan Beard of Claremont.

Mike was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover, and was employed with Catawba Valley Medical Center as a technical service coordinator. He was known for his sense of humor, kind heart, and outgoing personality. Mike enjoyed spending time with his family and attending concerts and sporting events with his boys. Mike was an avid South Carolina Gamecock fan…Go Cocks!

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Hugh Strong; mother-in-law, Sara Strong; and brother-in-law, Dan Strong.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 33 years, Barbara Strong Beard of the home; sons, Cameron Beard and wife, Lauren, of Conover, and Mason Beard and wife, Hannah, of Conover; mother, Judy Buchanan Beard of Claremont; sister, Marsha Warren and husband, William, of Lincolnton; sisters-in-law, Susan Tucker and husband, Keith, of Conover, and Jen Strong of Hickory; granddaughter, Landry Beard; nieces, Stacie Warren and fiancé, Zach, Lyndsie Warren, and Sadie Strong; nephews, Josh Tucker (Kristi), Justin Tucker (Alli), and Eli Strong; great-niece and –nephews, Gracyn, Elliot, Nick and Ryan.

A service to celebrate Mike’s life will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m., at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover. The Rev. Dr. Tim Jernigan and the Rev. Dr. Ed Yount will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Hickory. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Woodlawn Baptist Church. Those serving as pallbearers are: Mark Buchanan, Brad Hall, Andy Lominac, Jeff Lominac, Tim Lominac and Ronnie Pittman.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658 or to Woodlawn Baptist Church, P.O. Box 609, Conover, NC 28613.

Douglas B. Robelen, 55, of Glen Allen, died after a long illness on July 23, 2021, with his family by his side. He was born on September 25, 1965, in Sayville, N.Y., to Don and Dorothy (deceased) Robelen.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Amy Robelen; his daughter, Caroline; and son, Sam. Doug is also survived by his father, Don Robelen (Sue) of Manakin-Sabot; and his brothers, Keith Robelen (Aline) of Charlotte, N.C. and Erik Robelen (Sheila) of Silver Spring, Md. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Bette Piece (Geoff) of Lincoln, Mass.

Doug lived in the Richmond area for more than 30 years. He worked with great dedication as the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Virginia, a post he assumed in February 2019 (family and friends proudly joined him for the investiture ceremony with the Justices.) Before that, Doug served as the court’s Chief Deputy Clerk for more than 15 years.

He was a longtime member of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks and served on the executive committee from 2017 to 2019. Doug also worked previously as an attorney in government and private practice. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990 and Davidson College in 1987.

Doug was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, nephew and friend. He was kind and considerate, displayed a sharp wit and had a keen sense of humor that routinely brought joy and laughs to those lucky enough to know him. Doug also had a deep and abiding faith and was active in St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Ashland.

He was a lifelong student of history – especially American history and military history – and devoured countless books on the subject. In fact, he donned a revolutionary-era wig from time to time – typically to play Thomas Jefferson or Richard Henry Lee – in historic reenactments at St. John’s Church in Richmond.

A talented musician, Doug played trumpet and performed countless times in the Richmond community. He was a founding member of the Henrico Community Band, which he performed with for nearly two decades. He also played in the Reflections Big Band.

He served as Committee Chair of Troop 777 of the Boy Scouts of America from 2014 to 2020.

In addition, he was a member of the Richmond Jaycees from 1990 to 2005 and was president in 1993 to 1994. He also served as chair of Project W.A.R.M., which provides firewood for families in need.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9155 Hungary Road, Henrico, Va., 23294. Please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Doug Robelen may be made to St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church or Scout Troop 777 in Henrico.

• Copyright: © Copyright 2021, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, VA

Christopher Charles Westlake, faithful husband, father, brother, son, and friend embraced his Lord and Savior on September 5, 2018, after a courageous and valiant battle with throat cancer.

Chris was born on October 16, 1964, in La Mesa, California, and moved to Bozeman, Montana, in 1969 with his family where they purchased Midwest Welding.

Chris entered Bozeman Senior High School in 1979. There he played varsity tennis and football along with the trumpet. He graduated from BSHS in 1983 as co-valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.

Chris went on to attend Davidson College in North Carolina where he graduated with a BA in French and a Minor in Economics in 1987. He completed his junior year abroad while attending a school in Montpellier, France. In 1989, Chris went to Naval Officer Candidate School graduating number one in his class. He joined the Naval Supply Corps where he served honorably from 1989 to 1995 with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

While serving in the Navy in Washington, DC, Chris met the love of his life, Amy, on September 13, 1991. Chris and Amy married on August 28, 1993, at Soldier’s Chapel in Big Sky, Montana. They were happily married for 25 years. While in DC, their first son, Ryan, was born.

Following his service in the Navy, Chris received his MBA from Duke University in 1997 after which he accepted a position with Hewlett Packard in Boise, Idaho. There they added three additional children to their family, Connor, Daniel, and Kathryn. It was also in Boise that the Lord called Chris and Amy to saving faith.

After living in Boise for seven years, Chris felt the Lord leading him to join his dad, brother, and uncle, Val Lint, in the family business, Midwest Welding. So, in 2004, he moved his family to Bozeman, Montana, and served as the CFO until 2009. Chris completed his career doing what he loved and did best; helping people and businesses to thrive as a business consultant from 2009 to the present.

Most importantly, Chris was a faithful man of God, who adored his family and friends. He was a passionate conversationalist who loved to get to the heart of the matter. He had a witty sense of humor and an amazing gift with languages and accents. He was an incredible family man who devoted his life to his wife and children, supporting them in everything that they did.

He coached years of baseball and enjoyed taking tens of thousands of photographs from the sidelines of the many sports activities his children played. He was their biggest fan and greatest supporter. He loved people and would do anything to help them and point them to the Lord. He took great joy in being a Bible Study Fellowship leader for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Amy; children, Ryan, Connor, Daniel, and Kathryn; father, Chuck; mother-in-law, Barbara Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Robin Westlake; brothers-in-law, Dean and Mark Jones; nieces and nephew, Megan and Madison Westlake, and Matthew Jones. He is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Westlake, and his father-in-law, Bob (Rial) Jones.

Donations may be made in Chris’ name to Paul Tripp Ministries, 7214 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19135.

A graveside service with military honors will be held, Thursday, September 13, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Hills Cemetery, Veterans section. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. at Grace Bible Church with refreshments to follow.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com

Copyright (c) 2018 Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Mary Chapman Hamilton, age 48, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 10, 2014 at her residence in Carmel, Indiana after a protracted battle with breast cancer. Mary was born on May 10, 1965 in Norfolk, Virginia, daughter of Dr. Rees Cecil Chapman and Dorothy Wilson Chapman. She attended Norfolk Academy and was graduated with honors from Davidson College in 1987, Phi Beta Kappa. She was graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1992 and clerked for a federal magistrate in 1993.

After law school, she worked for the law firm of Vandeventer Black in Norfolk, Virginia before retiring in 1996 to be with her growing family, during which time she argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court and co-authored a brief to the United States Supreme Court.Mary was involved with the young families program at Second Presbyterian Church, of which she is a member, Cub Scouts and as a contract attorney for Ice Miller. Her hobbies included reading, gardening, cycling, skiing and hiking.

Mary is survived by her husband John William Hamilton, her daughter Katherine Moir Hamilton and her son John (Jack) W. Hamilton, Jr., her father Dr. Rees Cecil Chapman (Loretta), her brother Rees C. Chapman (Dr. Stephanie Corn), her brother John Chapman ( Nancy), her uncle Edwin Wilson (June), her cousins Hugh Verano (Beverly), John Verano (Elizabeth), Nancy Stillwagon (Bob), Jenny-Jo Graham, Margie Holley (Perry), Edwin Wilson , John Wilson (Janelle) and her nephew Will Chapman (Jeanna), niece McKensey Chapman, and grand-nephew Thomas Chapman and Penn Wilson. She is preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Wilson Chapman, her aunts Ellen Graham, Alice (Lassie) Verano and her cousin Bill Graham.

Mary also is survived by her father-in-law George Hamilton (Barbara), her brothers-in law Thomas Hamilton (Libby), Dr. Mark Hamilton (Jennifer) and her sister-in law Connie Shields (Steve Grovdahl).

The calling will be held from 1:00 to 2:45 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana and the memorial service will be held thereafter in the chapel at 3:00 PM.

Mary and her family would like to thank the doctors and caregivers at Community North Hospital and all of her wonderful friends who supported them in the past weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Autism Research Institute or the Indianapolis Humane Society. Online condolences may be shared with the family at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marymoir/guestbook.

No additional information is available at this time.