Obituaries

David A. Gates, 75, of Little River passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.  Originally from the New England area, David resided in Little River for the past 30 years. Born on May 30, 1944, in Attleboro, Maine, he was the youngest child of the late George H. and Daisy O. (Nichols) Gates. Mr. Gates served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps. He had a variety of occupations throughout his life; however, he was most passionate about his role as an electrician. David enjoyed watching sports and old movies, chatting with friends at the …

Christian Vandegrift Holland Jr. affectionately known as “Colonel”, 89, of North Myrtle Beach died on Friday, July 5, 2019, at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. Born in Richmond, Va., the son of Christian Vandegrift and Anna Willis Holland, Christian graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1948, where he lettered in baseball and football as a member of the undefeated 1947 varsity football team. He attended Virginia Military Institute where he graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1952 and lettered again in baseball and football and wrestling. In 1952 he married …

Peter James “Hoppy” Hopkins, 83, of Little River, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at McLeod Seacoast Medical Center in Little River. Born on Oct. 13, 1935, in New York, N.Y., he was the son of the late William and Rebecca (Malone) Hopkins. He served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, during the Vietnam War. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1977 from Fordham University in New York. He was a supervising counselor and mentor for over a decade at Catholic Guardian Society caring for …

Delene Faye Rakoski, 53, of Little River died  on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at home surrounded by her loving family. Born on Sept. 26, 1965, in Dayton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Delbert and Irene Erit. Delene is survived by her children, Thomas Rakoski, Benjamin Rakoski and Tasha Erit; two sisters, Susan Cedio and Deborah Pinette; and 12 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Tom Rakoski. Services will be private with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Delene Faye Rakoski Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1116, Little River, S.C. 29566. A …

Bob L. Pruitt, 87,  of North Myrtle Beach died on Saturday,  June 15, 2019, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in North Myrtle Beach. Born on April 6, 1932, in Draper, N.C., he was the son of the late William and Bertha Pruitt. Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Bari and Douglas Hunt of Fort Mill;  three grandsons and their spouses, Gregory and Cathy, Andy and Molly and Steven and Rebecca; great grandchildren, Sam, Max, Jack, Olivia, Layla, Harper and Holden Hunt; and many special friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Becky Morgan Pruitt; brother, Norman Pruitt; …

Vernon K. Greene, 93, of Myrtle Beach died on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at Palmetto Assisted Living in Murrells Inlet. Born on April 17, 1926, in Decatur, Ill., he was the son of the late Earle and Henrietta Porter Greene. Mr. Greene was a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach. Survivors include his wife, Paulette Scales Greene; three sons, Michael Greene, Mark Greene and Matt Greene; daughter, Laura Bauman; 12 grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle …

Steve Calfee, a Myrtle Beach  musician and entertainer with his wife Alyce, since 1972, unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach after heart surgery.  A celebration of life cruise will be on Sunday, June 23, on the Island Time Boat at 101 Fantasy Harbour Boulevard.  Boarding is at 1:30 p.m. Steve was a talented entertainer, singer, harmonica player, guitar player, recording engineer and producer. He performed from 1973-2019 along the Grand Strand at well known places such as The Bowery, The Oasis, Cluie’s Golden Ox and Mary Juels, with his …

The Rev. Ronald J. Schlegel, 85, of North Myrtle Beach passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. Born on Nov. 16, 1933, in Beloit, Kan., he was the son of the late Albert and Luella Sigg Schlegel. The Reverend Schlegel is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edith Esterly Schlegel; one son, John L. Schlegel (Kim); two daughters, Joy E. Last and Faith A. Pyne; one sister, Jeanette Groth; one daughter-in-law, Julia; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his son, Paul M. Schlegel; two brothers, Albert and Orvin Schlegel; and son-in-law, Ernest Last Jr. A …

Peggy Joyce Tyler Todd, 85, of Loris passed away on Monday, June 17, 2019, at McLeod Loris Hospital. Mrs. Todd was born on Nov. 28, 1933, in McColl to the late Grover Cleveland Tyler and the late Jeanetta Stevens. Mrs. Todd worked in food service at Loris High School, Richard’s BBQ and KFC throughout her life. She was a longtime member of Loris First Baptist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Phyllis Ann Todd of Loris; her two sons, Danny Paul Todd and wife Cindy and Timothy Paul Todd and wife Melissa, all of Loris; one grandson, James Philip Larrimore and …

John Thomas Puckett, 85, of Little River died on Tuesday,  June 11, 2019, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 23, 1934, in Charlotte, N.C., he was the son of the late Walter C. and Emily A. Thomas Puckett. He was a wonderful husband, father and an avid Panthers fan. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betty “Joyce” Thompson Puckett; daughter, Denise Puckett; sisters, Theresa McLendon, Betty Sippel, Pat Broom and Marcia Erikson; and his faithful cat, Gyzmo.  He was predeceased by one sister, Jonsie Puckett, and his cat, JoJo. The family received friends from 4 …