John Kenneth ‘Ken’ Finertie
Youngsville
John Kenneth “Ken” Finertie, 87, of Youngsville, North Carolina, formerly of Delran, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday evening, December 14, 2023, at his home with his family present. Born in Burlington County, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Robert and Reba Broome Finertie.
A dedicated patriot, Ken served in the United States Marine Corps before embarking on a distinguished career with the United States Postal Service. After 39 years of selflessly serving various communities in New Jersey in different capacities, he retired as a Rural Letter Carrier. Ken’s commitment to his country and community left an enduring impact on those he served.
Ken enjoyed many hobbies, one being handcrafting wooden keepsake boxes that he gifted to the boys and girls staying at the Duke Children’s Hospital at Christmas time.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 o’clock, Wednesday afternoon, December 20, 2023 at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 600 W. Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC. Burial will follow at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Finertie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Claire Finertie; daughters, Julie Lashley & husband Nathan of Wake Forest and Kristi-Anna Sherer & husband Kristofer of Raleigh; grandson, Chase Lashley of Wake Forest; twin granddaughters, Carly & Gianna Lashley both of Wake Forest; brother, Robert Wayne Finertie of Walnut Creek, California; nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial contributions can be made to Duke Children’s Hospital (https://giving.dukechildrens.org/)
Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400)
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Michael William Jablonski Jr.
Wake Forest
Michael William Jablanski, Jr., 81, of Hudson, New York, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He was born on July 15, 1942, in Hudson, New York, to the late Michael William Jablanski, Sr., and Ellen Kendall Jablanski.
A distinguished graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, Michael proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military service and college education, he embarked on a successful career as a union negotiator, contributing significantly to labor relations throughout his professional journey.
Michael will be remembered not only for his dedication to his work but also for his service to the nation. His legacy lives on through the impact he made on labor relations and the lives he touched. He leaves behind a loving family, cherished memories, and a lasting influence on those fortunate enough to have known him and his love for Jesus.
Mr. Jablanski is survived by his daughters, Jamie Mazuryk & husband Joseph of Niskayuna, New York and Nikki Speer & husband Gerrod of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Chase, Keegan, & Braden Mazuryk and Colin, Savannah, & Emma Speer; brothers, Tom, Jimmy, Ronnie, Danny, Peter and Edward Jablanski. He’s also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Jablanski; brothers, Joey and Jackie Jablanski.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr.Jablanski will be held in Hudson, New York, at a later date. The family appreciates the support and condolences during this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to, the Gentiva Foundation.
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Yvonne Hicks Clark
Zebulon
Yvonne Hicks Clark, 85, of Zebulon, NC, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Yvonne was born on October 28, 1938 to the late Lois and Lonnie Hicks. She loved her Lord and her family. She had a caring heart, and it showed when she worked as a nurse and took care of her patients. She enjoyed traveling by RV across the country with her soulmate.
She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Daniel Clark; siblings, Everett Hicks, Lena Mae Driver; grandson, Austin Mullis; and great-grandchildren, Prescott Edwards, and Elliott Edwards.
She is survived by her children, Cindy Beckett (Philip), Zeb V. Coleman Jr. (Cindy), Joseph I. Coleman (Theresa), Delores E. Mercer (Keith), Marion Norris (David), Joyce Miska (Jack), Linda Loftis (Wes), Susan Raynor (Bob); siblings, Lonnie James Jr., Lois Faye Pearce, Abby Daniel, Darvin Driver; grandchildren, Curtis Edwards, Brooklyn Hutcheson, Tamany Price, Amber Coleman, Chase Mullis, Thomas Beckett, David Kirsch, Michael Kirsch; great-grandchildren, Tristan Hutcheson, Luke Mullis, Stetson Hutcheson, Brinley Mullis, Serena Price, Charlotte Price, Montgomery Edwards, Theodore Edwards, Daniel Kirsch, Aiden Kirsch; and several special nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express a special thanks to all the staff at Hillside Nursing Home and Transitional Hospice for all their care, support, and love during this time.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Beulah Christian Baptist Church at www.beulahchristianbaptist.org.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 6-8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Beulah Christian Baptist Church at 8225 Mitchell Mill Rd. Zebulon, NC 27597 with Pastor Ronnie Snead officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Clark family.
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John Albert ‘Jack’ Sweetman
Raleigh
John Albert “Jack” Sweetman, 89, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Jack was born in Paterson, NJ on November 21, 1934. He attended schools in Prospect Park and Fair Lawn NJ. He proudly served in the US Army, and enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family. Jack was always quick to smile and had a great, dark sense of humor that brought joy to many. He loved breakfast, big band and jazz music, and made a mean Manhattan. His family loved and will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Myrtle (Wehrlen) Sweetman; and sister, Joyce Sweetman.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Virginia (Jinny) Walker Sweetman of Raleigh, NC; his son, John Sweetman, wife Annette and grandsons Jack and Alex of Raleigh, NC; his daughter, Liz Rutan, husband Dennis Rutan, granddaughter, Megan and grandson, Dennis of Bluffton, SC.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made either to the Food Bank of Eastern Carolina at www.foodbankcenc.org or the Kidney Foundation at www.kidneyfund.org.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort with the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Sweetman family.
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David Dwight Dixon
Wake Forest
David Dwight Dixon, age 77, of Wake Forest passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 12, 2023. David was born on November 25, 1946 to the late Rhilda and Elizabeth Dixon.
He is survived by his son, John Dixon; daughter, Margie Jenkins; step-son, Clint Thompson and his wife Kim Thompson; sister, Sue Clark and her husband Clarence Clark; and three granddaughters, Hannah, Hailey, and Emma.
David was predeceased by his loving wife Ellen Dixon.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 3:30-4:30 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 3 PM at Wake Forest Cemetery.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Dixon family.
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