This memorial website was created in the memory of our beloved Joseph Johnson who was born in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada on 8th December 1994 and passed away on 4th March 2016, 21 years of age. Joseph was a caring young man who always put others before himself. He died defending his brothers in arms. Joseph is survived by his mother MaryLynn; sisters Katie, Emma, Dominique, Catherine, and Kasey; as well as by his brother David. He will be sorely missed by friends and family alike. There will be a ceremony for friends and family held at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Chapel on Saturday, March 12th. In accordance with Joseph's wishes, his ashes will be spread among the waves of the Atlantic.

Shirley Mason Stage, of Durham, NC died in the early morning on March 4, 2016 - at Brookdale Senior Living, Durham - of natural causes. She was 98-1/2.

Shirley was born in Congress, OH on September 4, 1917. She was the youngest child of Edward Glenn and Elizabeth Gallatin Mason.

Shirley grew up in Congress, W. Salem, Rittman, and Ashland, OH. She graduated from Ashland College in 1939 and received her Master of Arts at Ohio State University in 1941. There she met her husband, John T. Stage, and they were married in Ashland on July 12, 1942. While John served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, Shirley taught in the Rittman school system. After the war, they briefly lived in Boston and Memphis before settling in Jacksonville, FL in 1947.

Shirley was a stay-at-home mom for her four children but found time to be involved with a number of organizations, including the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA, Safety Patrol, and band boosters. A lover of music and having played both piano and clarinet from an early age, she avidly encouraged and supported her children to experience music for themselves.

With her background in the arts, Shirley would utilize her artistic talents in creative and numerous ways: From entertaining her children to working on the Girl Scout newsletter to designing the annual Stage family Christmas card. She was always open to trying new mediums of expression, which included pottery, water color, knitting, sewing, needle work, basketry, caning, and furniture refinishing. A good cook and having lived through the Depression, she even turned leftovers into a delicious art form.

Shirley and her husband, John, were members of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville for many years. After retirement, they moved to their wooded mountain home in western NC and served in the communities there; Shirley – most notably, as alderman and even mayor of Santeetlah, NC for one term.

An avid lover of pets, Shirley took-in numerous stray dogs, cats, and injured animals for rehabilitation over a 60-year period. She also loved to travel and allowed her children to experience the awes and wonders across the continental US and Canada.

Shirley is survived by her four children; Polly Stage- (Tom) Harris of Durham, David (Sarah) Stage of Tallahassee, FL, Kirk (Kate) Stage of Gainesville, FL, and Thomas (Stephanie) Stage of Indiana, PA; her grandchildren, Ben (Richann) Stage of Birmingham, AL, Adam (Junko) Harris of New York, NY, and Grace Stage; great-grandchildren, Mason Stage, John Taylor Stage, and Rena Harris.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, John (1994); parents, Edward G. (1956) and Elizabeth G. (1959) Mason; sister, Dorothy (2006) Kirk, and brothers, Glenn (1981) and Carl (1923) Mason Kirk.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 6th @ 1:00 PM at Robbinsvillle United Methodist Church, 249 West Fort Hill Road, Robbinsville, NC. Memorial gifts may be sent to the following organizations: Graham County Animal Advocates, A Voice for Paws, Adopt a Pet.com, and the Red Cross.

Rich passed away at home on February 7, 2016 after a two year long battle with cancer.
He was born to Arthur and Jane Riedinger in Boise, Id on June 11, 1945. He was the 5th of 6 children. He was preceeded in death by both of his parents.
Rich leaves behind his wife and partner -the love of his life- Ardith Riedinger (of Benton City, Wa.). They spent 48 years together and were married on March 26, 1976. He is survived by two sons, John Riedinger (Benton City, Wa) and Dion Riedinger (Ashland City, Tn). Daughter Jody Orth and grandson Tarren Hilborn (both of Benton City, Wa). Grandsons Patrick Middleton and Christopher Middleton (both of Winchester, Va), granddaughter Shavonna Middleton (Richmond, Va). Sisters Pat Swanberg, JoAnn Oftedahl, Bonnie Riedinger, brother Mike Riedinger (all of Kalispell, Mt) and brother Art Riedinger (Prosser, Wa).
Rich was a truck driver until he retired in 2007 due to illness. He was a lifelong mechanic and a car enthusiast. He built and raced several stock cars in his younger days, always putting number 55 on his cars. Rich did lots of mechanic work for friends and family. He was enlisted in the Army National Guard for a brief time in the 1960s.
Rich had a talented creative mind and kept his family on their toes with some of his crazy antics.
He always came up with ideas for things to build, how to fix things, and ways to have fun. He could play any musical instrument that caught his attention. He was known for playing the guitar, accordion, a dobro that he made himself, and piano. He loved country music and dancing. He has written songs that he played for his wife and family. Rich could draw like you would not believe, and he wrote short funny stories and songs for his kids when they were young. He was a perfectionist at everything he did. He was also a favorite uncle of all of his nieces and nephews because he was always full of ways to have fun. Rich was a lot of things to a lot of people, but more than anything he was a family man. He did whatever it took to provide for his family, and always made sure to let his kids know that he was very proud of them, and how much he loved them. He had a very profound love for his wife as well.
Rich will be missed greatly.

My mind still talks to you
My heart still looks for you
My soul knows that you are finally at peace
-unknown

Beloved, father, son, husband. Always in our hearts and prayers

She never had a ton of money, never traveled to see much of the world.
She never thought much of herself. The simplest of simple was more than she needed.
You deserved it all Mom, no payment could give you what you gave us.
Your sons, their families and kids yet to be born would not exist if it weren't for you.
The memories, teachings, love and your genetics will live of forever mom. We miss you.