Edward Joseph Michael Fischer, 91, a native of Wisconsin and a resident of Laton Hill, died April 8, 2005 at his residence. He was an inspector for the U.S. military equipment during World War II and a member of the United Methodist Church.

He is survived by a son, Robert P. Fischer of Laton Hill; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was conducted on April 9 at Sunflower United Methodist Church with Lathan Funeral Home of Chatom directing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunflower United Methodist Church.

Claude Junior Gardner

Claude Junior Gardner, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean Conflict, died April 7, 2005 at a Mississippi hospital at the age of 75. He was a native of Tibbie and a resident of Ferwood, Miss.

Survivors include a son, Claude Gardner III of Mobile; two daughters, Audrey Harvey of Jackson, Miss. and Kathy Ledbetter of Mobile; three sisters, Rosalee Howard of Perdido, Esther Smith and Betty Jordan, both of Eight Mile; five brothers, Pete Gardner of Jackson, Woodrow Gardner of Eight Mile, Bert Gardner of McIntosh, Joe Gardner of Seaboard and Lenn Gardner of Odessa, Texas; and three grandchildren.

The graveside service was April 9 at Old Washington Cemetery in Seaboard with Lathan Funeral Home of Jackson directing.

Obituaries from other mortuaries

Timothy Haywood Murphy

Timothy Haywood Murphy, 44, a resident and native of Grove Hill, died April 8, 2005 at his home.

The funeral service was April 11 at Centerpoint Baptist Church with the Rev. Grady Goodman officiating. Burial was in the the church cemetery with O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home of Thomasville directing.

He was survived by a father, Alton Haywood Murphy of Grove Hill; and mother, Gloria Jean Murphy of Grove Hill.

Pallbearers were Jeff Luker, Joe Lewis, Marshall Parden, Paul Luker, Robert Lee Hodge, Ned Dungan and Billy Fendley.

James A. Specht

James A. Specht, 48, owner of the Washington County News , died April 5, 2005 at his residence in Chatom. He was a native of Jacksonville, Fla. and a member of First United Methodist Church in Geneva. He was a publisher from 1984-1995 for the Geneva County Reaper, Samson Ledger, Hartford News Harold and the Dunedin Times in Dunedin, Fla. A member of the Board of Directors for Specht Newspapers, Inc., he also worked at the Minden Press Harold in Minden, La., The Guide Newspaper in New Orleans, La. and the Slidell Dailey Times in Slidell, La.