In professional photographers’ circles, Stephen Rudd is a legend. Along the way he has garnered every single award that can be achieved by any wedding photographer. His innovation and artistic images have earned him international recognition and acclaim. Stephen has been voted the “Ontario Professional Photographer of the Year” five times. “The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Grand Award” and “International Photographer of the Year” twice and has just recently received their “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Lately he stunned the photographic world by having a second image accepted into the “International Photographic Hall of Fame.” Stephen was a seven-time winner of the “Kodak Gallery Award for Photographic Excellence,” which is the professional photography’s version of the Oscar. He was a mentor to photographers all over the world. It is assured that he will be listed as one of the greatest photographers of all time.
He is survived by his life partner, best friend and biggest supporter Lisa Luciano. His daughter Stephanie and his grandsons Kyle and Keegan as well as countless friends, fans and protégés.
With a personality, talent and love as huge as his, the world will never be the same. God broke the mold with him. He will be sorely missed. The “Maestro” has left the building…….

Shinned bright amongst stars, he was one of a kind. Happy, knowledged, intelligent, handsome man he was. Never will be forgotten. Rest In Peace Daddy❤️

Daphne Marie Baker was born on January 31st, 1967 in Kansas City, Missouri to Tanya and Dennis Baker.

She passed away peacefully, with her sons by her side, at Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona on March 7th, 2016.

Daphne was full of life and had a big heart and a warm smile. She loved her family, animals and the beautiful Arizona winter weather. Her hobbies were spending time with her grandchildren, watching trending news topics, social media, antiquing and admiring the beauty of the Colorado and Arizona sceneries. Her kind-heartedness is greatly missed by all those who were fortunate to know her.

Daphne is preceded in death by her mother Tanya Baker, father Dennis Baker and daughter Brittany Shae. She is survived by her children, Robert Baker of Glenwood Springs, CO, Michael Baker of Denver, CO, Joseph Reyna of Denver, CO, brother Brian Baker, nephew Aleqzander Baker, daughters-in-law, Alissa and Crystal Baker, and grandchildren Sawyer and Azenath Baker.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to a memorial fund that will be set up in Daphne’s name to benefit a puppy adoption program for low-income children. Contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo location under account name: Robert A. Baker c/o Daphne Baker Memorial.

On the evening of February 24, 2016, Rev. Michael Stevenson, Sr. passed away peacefully of natural causes. Brother Mike was home surrounded and comforted by family in Canton, MI at the time of his passing. Michael was 73 years old.

Michael Stevenson was born in Detroit, MI at Henry Ford Hospital on July 30, 1943. He was the second child, and the first son, of Sadie Price and Herman Stevenson. His father, Herman, worked for Ford, so they gave him the middle name of "Ford".

Michael grew up and attended Detroit Public Schools: Custer Elementary (now Thurgood Marshall and Central High School). He graduated from Central State University with a BA in Biology in 1966. He married his college sweetheart, Bertha in August 21, 1964.

As Michael began his family, he continued his education at the University of Michigan graduating with a MS in Industrial Hygiene in 1973. He began his career at Dow Chemical-Midland, MI. Michael continued his career as an Industrial Hygienist with Allied Chemical- Morristown, NJ in 1977.

Upon the death of his youngest daughter in 1983, Michael decided to go full time into the ministry. He moved his family to Virginia Beach, VA where he attended Regent University. Michael received his second MA in Theology in 1987. Upon graduation from Regent he became an associate minister with Rock Church. During his time with Rock Church, he ministered to countless individuals/families, headed the Nehemiah House program and pastored a satellite church in Greenville, SC.

Michael moved to Michigan in retirement to take care of his ailing mother. Michael was preceded in death by: his son, Michael Jr.; father, Herman; his youngest daughter, Michelle Cheree'; mother, Sadie; brother-n-law, Curtis. He is survived by is wife of 51 years, Bertha; daughter Patricia; and five grandchildren- Walter and his wife Brittany, Cheree', Katlyn, Autumn and Bryant Jr.; brother-n-law, Bernard and numberous aunts, uncles, and cousin.

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