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    Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame seeking nominations

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    Retired U.S. Army Colonel and Fairview High School alumnus Don Fallin holds a banner recognizing the Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame. (Don Fallin)

    CULLMAN, Ala. – Displayed on the first floor of the Cullman County Courthouse are six shiny plaques. They honor the first six inductees of the  Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame (VHF). The inaugural class was inducted last October, and includes Technical Sergeant (ret.) Jerry La Otto Willibey, United States Air Force; Robert R. Turner, United States Marine Corps and Army National Guard; Steven L. Larsen, United States Marine Corps; Colonel (ret.) Ken Brown, United States Air Force; Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Johnnie R. Strickland, United States Navy and United States Army Reserve; and Donald Michael “Mike” Martin, United States Marine Corps. Now, organizers are seeking nominations for the next class.

    The effort to create the VHF was spearheaded by Retired U.S. Army Colonel and Fairview High School and U.S. Military Academy at West Point alumnus Don Fallin, whom The Tribune has been following for many years.  After 30 years of active military service,  Fallin longed for a way to give back to fellow veterans and their families, and give back he has. He partnered with the nonprofit Johnnie Mac Soldiers Fund, an educational fund for veterans and military families, with a special emphasis on serving the children of soldiers who have given their lives in service to their country. He hiked the Appalachian Trail, a nearly 2,200-mile endurance trek; reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro; and completed the Bataan Memorial Death March, just to name three adventures. He has raised thousands of dollars for his cause.  

    These incredible feats of physical and mental stamina earned Fallin an invite to the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame.

    “I was invited to the Cullman Sports Hall of Fame and from that, I started asking around about a Veterans Hall of Fame. Having spent time at the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), there are a ton of amazing people in our county,” Fallin said. “So, I took it on as a task; I went out and looked around, there was no hall of fame for the veterans. Then I asked if there was interest. There was overwhelming interest if someone would take it on.”

    So he did. The inaugural class of the Cullman VHF was chosen in 2023 through community nominations as well as consideration and approval from the VHF’s five committee members. This year, Fallin is on the search for a new crop of veterans to honor and recognize. Nominations are open for the 2024 class.  

    Said Fallin, “The Mission of the Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame is to recognize and pay tribute to our veterans who honorably served our country, displayed great character and continued a lifetime of service to our county, our state and its citizens. The Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame is not just a military hall of fame, but also seeks to recognize veterans for their contributions to our community after their service. We aim to educate our local county citizens on the historical service and sacrifice of this county’s veterans as well as their service to make our community stronger.”

    To be eligible for the Cullman VHF, nominees must have served their country honorably in a branch of military service. The focus of each nomination should center around the nominee’s continued service to the community, fellow veterans, country and state that carried over past discharge from service. The nominee must have been born, raised in or remained a resident of Cullman County for at least 10 years.

    The nominated service member must have received an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. They may be asked to verify honorable service such as a DD 214, to be submitted with the nomination packet. If discharge papers for historical figures are unable to be retrieved, proof of service, as evidenced by historical accounts or military history, may be submitted. Posthumous nominations are accepted and considered.

    Contact Fallin, Brian Monk with VFW Post 2214 or Keith Johnson with the American Legion to pick up nomination packets. Completed nomination packets can be dropped off at the VFW or American Legion, emailed to Fallin or turned in to one of the VHF committee members.

    VHF committee members are:

    • Don Fallin, US Army, COL (ret), VFW Post 2214
    • Garry Marchman, US Army, CSM (ret), VFW Post 2214, Alabama Legion Post 4, DAV Post 101
    • Keith Johnson, Master Sergeant (ret.) Minnesota Air National Guard, VFW Post 2214, American Legion Post 4
    • Brian Monk, US Army, VFW Post 2214, American Legion Post 4
    • Chris Dutton, US Navy, Commander DAV Chapter 101, Boy Scouts of America – Committee Chair, Assistant Scout Master Troop 92

    Fallin can be reached at 910-308-4197 or donald.fallin@gmail.com.  

    Monk can be reached at  256-841-2392 or commandervfwpost2214@outlook.com.  

    Johnson can be reached at 218-310-2222 or keith.johnson96@gmail.com.

    VFW Post 2214 is located at 112 Veterans Dr. SW in Cullman.

    The American Legion Post 4 is located at 181 Reid Road in Good Hope.

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    Obituary: Ronnie J. Murray

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    A celebration of life for Ronnie J. Murray, 77, of Hanceville will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 1st at Center Hill Baptist Church.  Visitation will be Sunday, March 31st from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home. 

    Mr. Murray was born November 28, 1946, in Blount County, Alabama to the late Jesse and Aline Murray.  He passed away March 28, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama. 

    Mr. Murray is survived by his wife, Phyllis Murray; children, Dana Utrata (Gary), Christopher Murray (Callie); grandchildren, Kate Murray, Lila Grace Murray; siblings, Connie Murray, Roger Murray, Patricia Hayes, and Teresa Patterson. 

    In addition to his parents, Mr. Murray was preceded in death by his siblings, Donnie Murray, Tommy Joe Murray, Johnnie Murray, and Priscilla Foley. 

    Obituary: Cameron Shane Adams

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    Funeral Service for Cameron Shane Adams, age 30 of Cullman, will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Gethsemane Baptist Church with Kent McClendon officiating; burial at Gethsemane Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Gethsemane Baptist Church. 
     
    Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 
     
    Mr. Adams passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. He was born, April 18, 1993, to Chi Adams and Cindy Adams. 
    Shane is survived by his parents, his brother, Cory Adams and his sister, Kristian Adams. 
     
    Growing up Shane was always quiet and shy around people until he got to know you. He would always say yes ma’am or no ma’am. even if you were a few years older than him. People would always brag about how polite he was. He was always a hard worker. He would always put in 110% into anything he done. One of the many things Shane loved to do was help his dad work on his 53 Chevy truck. Shane will truly be missed by many people. 

    Obituary: Geraldine Marie Rodriguez Nelson

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    Geraldine Marie Rodriguez Nelson, age 87, born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 25, 1936 and resided in Cullman, Alabama, passed from this life on March 28, 2024. There are no services scheduled at this time. 

    Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. 

    Mrs. Nelson is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Arthur Theodore Nelson; parents, Adam Rodriguez and Denise Franotavich Rodriguez; two brothers, Ernesto and Claude; three sisters, Delores, Elaine, and June; a grandson, Christopher Jon; a granddaughter, Madison Brittney. 

    She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Phillip) Dunn, Arthur (Sheila) Nelson; eight grandchildren, Adrienne, Rhyann, Cassie, Meghan, Gabriel, Jana, Katie, and Maggie; and nineteen great-grandchildren. 

    Mrs. Nelson moved to Cullman, Alabama in 2016 from Goodland, Kansas, where she was active in her church, Eastern Star, and community activities. Mr. Nelson found strength in her faith. 

    The family would like to express our thanks to those who gave our mother loving care over the past few months. 

    Please visit www.cullmanfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook. 

    Obituary: Janelle Champion Cross

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    Funeral service for Janelle Champion Cross, age 69, of Cullman, is Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Cullman Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held the night before on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment location to be announced.   

    Cullman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. 

    Janelle was born to John David Champion and Olma Lassiter Champion on September 3, 1954. She passed from this life on March 28, 2024 at Cullman Regional Medical Center. 

    She is preceded in death by her parents. 

    She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Cross; son, Glenn Champion (Rachel); daughter, Brandy Cross (Brandon Stephens); son-in-law, Aaron Bailey (Ginnie); best friend, Missy; brothers, Russell Champion, Keith Champion (Mary), Bobby Ray Champion (Melanie); sisters, Marilyn Morgan, Hazel Romie (Jeff); grandchildren, David Glenn Thompson, Kassie Wagner (Steven), Promise Champion, Rosie Bailey (Jackson Hudgins), Holley Champion, Sarah Gentry; fourteen great-grandchildren; a host of family and friends. 

    Janelle was full of life and lived every day to its fullest. She loved nature and animals and enjoyed fishing and camping. Wolves were her favorite animal and she was always fascinated by them. She loved coloring and painting, was a huge Auburn fan, and enjoyed thrifting. Family describes her as a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who always put others first. She will be missed by all the lives she touched. 

    Pallbearers:  Aaron Bailey, Steven Wagner, Brandon Stephens, Jackson Hudgins, Jamie “Vern” Morgan, Bud Clouse. 

    Arrests and Incidents reported March 29, 2024

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    old grey metal door with bars

    CULLMAN, Ala. – Below are the arrests and incidents reported March 29, 2024. All persons are innocent until proven guilty. 

    GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear 

    Cullman County Sheriff’s Office 

    No incidents or arrests reported. 

    Cullman Police Department 

    Incidents  

    March 27 

    • robbery; person; Hwy. 157 

    March 28 

    • theft of property-3rd degree; Wal-Mart; miscellaneous; Olive St. SW 

    Arrests 

    March 28 

    Gold, Dillion T.; 29 

    • FTA – insurance violation 
    • FTA – switched tag 

    Shaw, Stephanie A.; 33 

    • FTA – possession of drug paraphernalia 

    Hanceville Police Department 

    Incidents and arrests reported by CCSO. 

    Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com