Dacula Obituaries: June 20

• John A. Markwalter

John A. Markwalter, age 83 of Lawrenceville, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Markwalter was born in 1928 in Augusta, Georgia. Graduating from Springhill College in Mobile, Ala., he then served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Thule, Greenland. After his honorable discharge, he began working at Western Electric, meeting and marrying Irene Kuzelka while on the job in Chicago. He retired from AT&T after 29 years of dedicated service and went on to work for the IRS for another 10 years.

He was a long standing member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and an avid reader, particularly loving mysteries. He was an active and beloved parishioner of St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church, where he participated in the Jolly Ollies and the Renew Groups. He and his late wife, Irene, served Meals on Wheels, were Eucharistic Ministers, and he was a past member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Markwalter. Mr. Markwalter is survived by his children: Brian Markwalter of Lawrenceville; Elaine and Jim McSheehy of Grand Junction, Colo., and Gary and Angela Markwalter of Dacula. He is also survived by brother Harry Markwalter and his wife Hilda and grandchildren Sarah McSheehy and Caitlyn Markwalter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Archdiocesan Council of Atlanta, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30346. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Snellville. Father Jim Henault and Father Juan DeLa Cruz officiated. Burial took place at Gwinnett Memorial Park, Lawrenceville. An online guest registry is available at www.stewartfh.com.

• Allene Shirah

Allene Shirah, age 71 of Lawrenceville passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2011. She was proceeded in death by parents, James and Elsie Ledbetter Shirah and sister and brother-in-law Sara and Roy Noblet. Miss Shirah is survived by brother Conrad Shirah of Snellville; sister Ann Carter of Lawrenceville; sister and brother-in-law Laura Kate and Gene Perry of Auburn; sister and brother-in-law Jo and Ray Franklin of Bethlehem and several nieces, nephews and cousins. An online guest registry is available at www.stewartfh.com.

Funeral Services were held Friday, June 17 in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Internment was at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker.

 Obituaries reprinted with the permission of Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road in Lawrenceville.