STEPHEN MCNAIR HEIDELBERG JR.
Stephen McNair Heidelberg Jr., a Veteran of the U.S. Navy and resident of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on March 10, 2022 at age 65.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen McNair Heidelberg and Dr. Madeline Phillips Heidelberg. He was also predeceased by his brother, William “Billy” Heidelberg. Steve is the baby brother of Ruth H. Starr of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Dr. Stephanie Heidelberg of New Orleans, LA; Madalyn H. Smith of Ringgold, GA; and Martha H. (Pete) Lewis of Slidell, LA.
Steve was born in New Orleans, LA, on September 10, 1956, and attended Bayou Lacombe Elementary and Mandeville High School.
Steve enlisted in the Navy in March 1976 and was honorably discharged in October 1999 after serving as an aircraft handler on the USS Midway and the USS Ranger and seeing action in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm. He received numerous commendations for Meritorious Service and two Liberation of Kuwait medals.
After discharge, he worked many years at IHOP, Piccadilly, and Walmart, where he received several employee recognition awards and made lifelong friends.
Steve was a thoughtful, gentle soul beloved by friends and family alike. Although he never married, he took great joy in watching his niece and nephews grow through the years and happily partied with them as adults.
For their part, they delighted in his quirky humor and his gentle, loving demeanor. Like his sisters, they were often on the receiving end of his generosity: he loved giving unexpected gifts to others.
He collected—and gifted—all sorts of knickknacks and gadgets which were an expression of his love of science, of physics, and of amazing interactions of people and nature.
Steve was fascinated by liquid hydrogen (and hydrogen balloons), Venus flytraps, magnets, flashlights, orbs, prisms, and by all things mechanical, such as perpetual-motion style devices, intricate clocks and watches, and flying machines. His collection of these things was astounding.
Also an ardent coin collector, he was especially fond of uncirculated silver and anything gold. Steve’s large collection of CDs attested to his love of classic rock and his many Bibles and devotionals confirmed his devout Christian faith.
Theological discussions were a favorite pastime of his. After exploring various religious sects he became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
We will all miss his unpretentious personality. His answer to any offer would be, “Not right away, thank you.” Mysteries of all kinds intrigued him, as did history: besides being an avid reader, he watched television shows that featured detectives, forensic investigations, World War II, and cold cases. Once he learned a fact, he knew it forever. He animated the discussions and debates he frequently initiated. And he was a friend to all.
He never asked for help but was happy to give it. His genuine gratitude for even small favors was evident and heartwarming (he thanked his sister Martha endlessly for meals and always tipped anyone who assisted him in any way). Rarely have any of us come across such a kind, tender-hearted gentleman. We may not see the likes of him again.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Monday, March 28, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A funeral service will begin in the chapel at 12:15 p.m. Steve will be laid to rest in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors following services.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are preferred. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
IRIS MAE MOORE NEWTON
Iris Mae Moore Newton, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on March 19, 2022 at the age of 102. She was born on December 4, 1919 in Birmingham, England to William Matthius Moore and Elsie Price Moore. Iris and the family relocated to Adelaide Australia in 1925 to find a healthier environment for William’s lung wounds suffered at the Battle of the Somme in World War I.
Iris is preceded in death by her parents, William and Elsie; her sister, Elsie Amy Amalie Moore VanGuilder; and her husband, James “Jimmy” Wilkins Newton Jr.
Iris met Jimmy, a young GI at a USO dance in Adelaide in 1942. Jimmy was with the 32nd Infantry Division on the way to the New Guinea Campaign. They married in Adelaide and she departed Australia on a troop ship with the wounded and other war brides to America and on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The couple were reunited in April of 1945.
Iris is survived by her three children: sons, James William (Sharron) and Richard Kenneth and daughter, Donna Iris Underwood (Richard); grandchildren, Heather, James, Ava, Branden, Karen Ann, Waylon, Kendra, Kael, and Kierra; and great-grandchildren, Connor, Adriana, Ava, Zoe, James, and Marielle Josephine.
Iris was “Auntie” to the special Australian family, Peter and Sandy McGurk, Paul and Barb McGurk, Cathy McGurk Pine, Sharon McGurk, and Peter and Beryl Moore.
Iris was an inspiration to all who knew her for her determination and good humor and starting every day “dressed up” and with a smile. Her greatest and often repeated mantra was, “It takes all kinds to make a world.” She simply believed we should love people for who they are and not for what we want them to be. This is her lasting epitath to us all.
Special thanks to all at Parc Provence who made her so happy and comfortable for the last 15 years and to the Hospice House staff who were so compassionate during her short stay there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hopice Foundation of the South located at 141 Pleasant Drive in Slidell, LA 70460.
Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
WENDI RAE KELLY
Wendi Rae Kelly, of Pearl River, Louisiana, passed away on March 19, 2022, at the age of 67.
She was a native of Denver, Colorado, born on July 28, 1954 to the late Ernest R. Turner and Norrine Wedow Turner.
Wendi is the beloved wife of 46 years to John Kelly; cherished mother of John Patrick Kelly, Rainy Chiasson (John), Lacey Robertson (David), and Tanner Kelly; treasured grandmother of Mason, Kyli, Brianna, Kolton, and Jackson; and caring sister of the late Marla Turner, Debbie Rhodes, and Cheryl Saurini.
Wendi devoted her time to caring for others as a certified nursing assistant to her patients and a homemaker to her family. She was a member of the Red Hat Society (the T.O.B.A.S.C.O. Saucies), where she was honored as “Queen Wendi.”
She was a parishioner of Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Slidell and enjoyed time at the beach, crafts, and listening to music. Wendi will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A Funeral Mass officiated by Fr. Daniel Darmanin will begin in the chapel at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosis.org), Knight of Columbus #2732, or a charity of choice are preferred. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Charlotte Crawford Rogers, age 79, of Picayune, MS, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
A native of New Orleans, she was a longtime resident of Slidell who was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, followed by her entire teaching career at Slidell High School.
She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Picayune, and an active member of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Brittney Cay Holland, age 32, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
A lifelong resident of Slidell, she also lived on the West Bank and found a new hobby of fishing, something she enjoyed along with writing poetry.
Kenneth Daniel “Danny” Van Brunt, age 66, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
A graduate of Slidell High, he was a retired U.S. Navy veteran.
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Teri Waggoner Clark, age 49, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
A native of West Monroe, she graduated from Slidell High in the class of 1990 and was employed in the health care industry as a medical billing specialist.
She enjoyed fishing and was an avid Saints fan, especially going to games at the Superdome.
Christopher Michel Fahrenholtz, age 54, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Born in New Orleans, he attended Cochise College and received an associate’s degree, while he served in the Navy Reserves as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, as well as serving in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade.
He received many awards and honors in the military, then was employed with Fugro in the geo-data industry.
He enjoyed reading and recreational shooting.
Joseph Robert Donegan, age 40, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2021.
Born in Kansas City, MO, he attended Harrisburg, High School in Arkansas where he excelled in football.
He enjoyed working on cars, camping and building audio systems, besides his love for fishing, muscle cars and electronics. He excelled as a mechanic and loved classic pickup trucks.