Our Daily Bread: Mixed Emotions

Storyline By Bill Crowder

Read: Revelation 21:1-7

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief. —Proverbs 14:13

For Marlene and me, “mixed emotions” precisely describes our wedding. Don’t take that the wrong way. It was a wonderful event that we continue to celebrate more than 35 years later. The wedding celebration, however, was dampened because Marlene’s mom died of cancer just weeks before.

Marlene’s aunt was a wonderful stand-in as the “mother of the bride,” but, in the midst of our happiness, something clearly wasn’t right. Mom was missing, and that affected everything.

That experience typifies life in a broken world. Our experiences here are a mixed bag of good and bad, joy and pain—a reality that Solomon expressed when he wrote, “Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief” (Prov. 14:13). The merry heart often does grieve, for that is what this life sometimes demands.

Thankfully, however, this life is not all there is. And in the life that is to come, those who know Christ have a promise: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). In that great day, there will be no mixed emotions—only hearts filled with the presence of God!

Peace! peace! wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above,
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love. — Cornell

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For the Christian, the dark sorrows of earth will one day be changed into the bright songs of heaven.

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President wants to set up ‘Iglesia ni Duterte’

           

Artist's rendition of what could be "Iglesia ni Duterte" - Photo courtesy of Rappler.com

By Edith Regalado via Philstar

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte yesterday told Filipinos not to believe Catholic priests and urged them to join the “Iglesia ni Duterte,” a religion he would establish where there is no prohibition and men are allowed to have five wives.

The Catholic Church has been critical of Duterte’s drug war, which is marked by summary killings and human rights violations.

Duterte blasted the Catholic Church anew after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and other churches, including the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, launched exhibits of photos of summary killings under Duterte’s bloody drug war.

In response, Duterte threw insults at the Church during the Christmas party of 2,000 barangay captains and councilors in his hometown Davao City yesterday.

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“You say Duterte killer. You priests, you blame me for the death of thousands of drug addicts, even those who died in hospitals, you still blame me. But you are the ones who killed Christ,” Duterte said.

The President also claimed that the Catholic Church has been so hypocritical of his drug war and yet it has not lifted a finger to help the more than four million drug addicts in the country despite collecting large amounts of money during mass.

“They always shout in protest and yet they did not do anything against illegal drugs. They never bothered to help,” he said.

“There is something new these days. Iglesia ni Duterte naay bag-o. Walay bawal-bawal puwede lima ka asawa. Pero saw-a ang problema (Iglesia ni Duterte, where there is no prohibition, you can even have five wives. But make sure you are responsible for your problems).

“The Church is not giving anything even if they collect so much. My statement is full of sarcasm because they (priests) have been criticizing me. They are hypocrites,” he added.

Duterte also said that he believes there is a God and he believes in Allah, but he does not believe in religion, particularly the Catholic Church because it is sowing fear among its faithful about the existence of heaven and hell.

“Do not believe it. That is what that religion is all about, they are instilling fear that you will go to hell if you are a sinner. But you will only know if there is indeed a hell if you die,” the President said.

Duterte told barangay officials to wait for him to die because he would come back and tell them if there is really heaven or hell.

“Be careful about religion, it is about gold. It is about gold. They have not done anything. Where is their God and their grace? There is the hypocrisy of it all,” he said.

“Body of Christ sa inyong igit (in your poop),” the President added.

Duterte also likened the Catholic Church to the United States under President Barack Obama, the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights that have all called his attention to the rising number of summary killings in the drug war.

“America did not do anything for the four million Filipino addicts. And they even scold me,” he added.

The President claimed he knows the Catholic Church so well since he studied at Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur and at the Ateneo de Davao University, where he was taught about mortal sin and venial sin.

“Catholic is a sordid religion. It is about time to show you its history. There were popes who sired a child and even had sex with his child, that was Pope Leo,” the President claimed.

“Why? Is there a God who is evil who makes hell?” he further asked.

He also urged Filipinos not to believe in the priests blessing the dead with holy water. He noted that the faithful even pay for the rites as well as for the holy water.

“Basbas basbas kayo diyan. Eh, galing lang naman yang tubig niyo sa Davao City Water District (You keep on blessing. Yet the water you use is from Davao City Water District),” he added.
Duterte: No blessing, no hero’s burial for me.

Duterte also said that he does not want his remains to be blessed by a priest.

He wants his body to be cremated within 24 hours after his death just like what was done to the remains of his mother Soledad in 2012.

“Cremate me within 24 hours. And there should be no blessing of holy water. I do not hold on to anything. If I go, I go,” he said.

“Spare me the drama of all those ceremonies. I do not like it, nakokornihan ako (I find it corny),” he added.

And despite being president, Duterte said he does not want to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, where Duterte allowed dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried despite public outrage over the hero’s burial for one whose regime committed plunder and atrocities.

“Do not bury me there at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, sa kanila na lang ’yan (give it to them),” Duterte said.

Millions in illegal drugs seized

As Duterte continues to defend the drug war, the police seized millions worth of illegal drugs.
In Bukidnon, police seized P20 million worth of suspected shabu loaded in a car intercepted at a checkpoint on Tuesday afternoon.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Roel Obusan identified the suspects from Maguindanao as Nahar Apam, 19, of Awang Datu Odin, Sinsuat; Sohud Salik, 26, of Maitong, Kabuntalan; Tho Tha, 25, of Datu Piang; and Johari Akmad, 27, of Talayan.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), on the other hand, intercepted 11 kilos of marijuana at the Port of Dumangas in Iloilo on Dec. 23.

In a statement yesterday, the PCG said the illegal drugs worth about P110,000 were seized from two passengers about to board a vessel to Bacolod by operatives from its K-9 unit and sub-station.

A report to the PCG headquarters showed that the contraband was discovered after the two suspects identified as Tonichi Ami and Abdullah Ishaq refused to submit their backpacks for inspection before boarding the ship.

“The two suspects ran away outside the port area and were later intercepted hiding in nearby houses,” the PCG said.

The seized marijuana was turned over to the local police for proper disposition, the PCG added. – With Edu Punay, Cecille Suerte Felipe

WORLD | Israeli PM calls Kerry speech a 'deep disappointment'

An Israeli grocery store owner watches the US Secretary of State John Kerry speech at the State Department at Washington, in Sderot near the Israel and Gaza border, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is denouncing Secretary of State John Kerry's Mideast policy speech, saying it was "skewed against Israel" and "obsessively" focuses on Israeli settlements. In a statement, Netanyahu's office says the speech "barely touched upon the root of the conflict — Palestinian opposition to a Jewish state in any boundaries." (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov) | By Josef Federman via Associated Press

JERUSALEM — Israel's prime minister decried Secretary of State John Kerry's Mideast policy speech as a "deep disappointment" on yesterday and vowed to work with the incoming Trump administration to contain the fallout from last week's UN resolution calling Israeli settlements illegal.

Netanyahu's angry statement, delivered at a late-night news conference shortly after Kerry's address, capped a tumultuous week in which years of tense relations with President Barack Obama boiled over.

"We are not about to be swayed by a mistaken policy that could cause big, big damage," Netanyahu said, speaking in English. "Israelis do not need to be lectured about the importance of peace by foreign leaders."

In a farewell speech at the State Department, Kerry outlined his vision for Mideast peace. While his speech included criticism of Palestinian violence and incitement, his strongest words were aimed at Israel, and its policy of settling its citizens in occupied territories claimed by the Palestinians. He said the continued settlement growth is threatening the possibility of a two-state solution, which Netanyahu has endorsed.

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"The settler agenda is defining the future of Israel. And their stated purpose is clear: They believe in one state," Kerry said.

He also defended Obama's move last week to allow the UN Security Council to declare Israeli settlements illegal, the spark that set off a nearly weeklong diplomatic spat between Israel and its most important ally.

"I must express my deep disappointment with the speech today of John Kerry, a speech that was almost as unbalanced as the anti-Israel resolution past at the UN last week," Netanyahu said.
He accused Kerry of paying "lip service" to decades of Palestinian violence against Israelis, while spending "most of his speech blaming Israel for the lack of peace."

He repeated his position that Israel is ready to pursue peace through direct negotiations with the Palestinians. Netanyahu, whose government is dominated by West Bank settler supporters who oppose Palestinian independence, says international dictates in favor of the Palestinians undermine the negotiating process.

"Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and with the American Congress, Democrats and Republicans, to mitigate the damage that this resolution has done and ultimately to repeal it," he said. He expressed hope that the Obama administration will not pursue any more moves against Israel at the UN in its remaining time in office.

Netanyahu and Obama, who took office in 2009 just months apart, have had chilly relations throughout their tenures.

The Obama administration has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu's policies and questioned his commitment to peace. Netanyahu has harshly criticized the US-led nuclear deal with Iran.

Although Trump has not outlined his Mideast policy, he has signaled that he will be much more sympathetic to Israel. He has appointed a West Bank settler ally as his ambassador to Israel and vowed to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, over Palestinian objections.

NATION | PNP probing 98 suspected rogue cops

The Philippine National Police is investigating 98 officers suspected to be behind killings of some drug suspects. Philstar/AJ Bolando, file | By Kristian Javier

 MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has started investigation into alleged illegal activities of 98 police officers as part of its "internal cleansing" operation.

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said on Thursday that the police officers may have been involved in killing drug personalities.

"More than 98 (officers) are now undergoing investigation by the Internal Affairs service," Carlos said on ANC.

The PNP under President Rodrigo Duterte has been criticized for the alarming rise in deaths in police operations and vigilante killings amid the government's war on drugs. Human rights advocates as well as international bodies have urged the Philippines to investigate extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.

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Carlos said most deaths under investigations are done by drug syndicates themselves. In some cases, however, "rogue" cops may have been behind the killings, he said.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier this week vowed to launch the "internal cleansing" to purge the ranks of corrupt and abusive police officials in 2017.

"Dito sa loob, marami pa. Meron pa kaming dapat lilinisin. Meron pa ring na-involve talaga sa krimen na mga pulis," Dela Rosa said at a press conference on Tuesday in Camp Crame.

Carlos said the police force has displaced known "ninja cops" from their area of operations and removed those identified on the president's list of government employees supposedly involved in the drug trade.

He also urged the public to report dubious activities by cops.

"We will continue our campaign against illegal drugs and ensure that we have a better crime environment in the Philippines," Carlos said.

SPORT | Blatche still keen on playing for Gilas

Andray Blatche of Gilas Pilipinas in this file photo. | FIBA.com

           

MANILA, Philippines – Andray Blatche is still keen on playing for Gilas Pilipinas as its naturalized player in the coming major FIBA tournaments.

Blatche, who had stints with Team Phl in the 2014 World Cup, 2015 FIBA Asia Championship and in the 2016 FIBA Olympic qualifier, hinted his intention to be with the soon-to-be-formed new Gilas team in reaction to an Instagram post by returning Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

Reyes posted a FIBA photo of Jason Castro, and mentioned "The Blur" as the best point guard in Asia.

Using his own Instagram account @draylive, Blatche wrote: “@jaywill_17 (Castro) come on back and while yal at it bring back Blatche."

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New SBP president Al Panlilio has said that among their plans is to put up a pool of at least two to three naturalized players so they will always have an available naturalized center in the new home-and-away-games format of FIBA competitions.

But Panlilio also said they're still considering to bring back Blatche, a nine-year NBA veteran now strutting his stuff in the Chinese league.

Blatche is the second Gilas naturalized player after Marcus Douthit. In the NCC program of Ambassador Danding Cojuangco, then coach Ron Jacobs also utilized naturalized players in Dennis Still Jeff Moore and Chip Engelland. -  Nelson Beltran/Philstar

REGION | 7 hurt in North Cotabato bombing blamed on BIFF

The IEDs, planted along a stretch of the Davao-Cotabato Highway in Barangay Pagangan in Aleosan town in the first district of North Cotabato, went off while an Isuzu hauler truck was passing by on Wednesday night, Dec. 28, 2016. Philstar/Bing Maps | By John Unson

NORTH COTABATO —  Seven were hurt in a roadside bombing in Aleosan town Wednesday night in another attack blamed on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The victims — Amerol Musa Tantos, Hanep Alipa Ayon, Yahya Kasan, Pahmi Daya Diamla, Johary Amerol, Salman Tahir and truck driver Jamal Pacalna — were immediately rushed to a hospital by responding barangay officials and policemen.

Local police probers said two improvised explosive devices were used in the bombing, rigged with a battery-operated blasting device that can be detonated from a distance.

The IEDs, planted along a stretch of the Davao-Cotabato Highway in Barangay Pagangan in Aleosan town in the first district of North Cotabato, went off while an Isuzu hauler truck was passing by.

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The five victims, besides Pacalna, were hitchhikers riding on the rear bed of the truck. They sustained shrapnel wounds in different parts of their bodies.

Pacalna was hit with shrapnel in the neck and shoulders. His helper, Tantos, was wounded in the leg.

Senior Inspector Edwin Abantes, Aleosan police chief,  said probers are yet to determine the exact identities of the bombers.

Local officials told reporters they have been receiving persistent feedback from constituents who claimed that the outlawed BIFF was behind it.

The BIFF, which is using the black flag of the Independent State of Iraq and Syria as its revolutionary banner, is blamed for all recent bombings in Aleosan and other towns in North Cotabato.

The roadside bombing in Barangay Pagangan past 9 p.m. Wednesday was preceded by the grenade attack near the Santo Niño church in Midsayap on Saturday night.

A traditional Christmas nativity mass was being held in the church when a bomber hurled a fragmentation grenade at a police patrol truck parked nearby.

The suspect hurriedly left the scene riding a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

NATION | Duterte admits being indebted to Imee Marcos

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier claimed that Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos funded his presidential campaign. The two are seen in this February 2016 file photo. Philstar/File By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday admitted that he is indebted to Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

In his first live interview on Philippine television after assuming the presidency, Duterte said that he has a debt of gratitude to at least three persons including the Ilocos Norte governor.

"One of them is Imee, I promised in the debates I would bury her father in the Libingan ng mga Bayani," Duterte said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

The president earlier claimed that the eldest child of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos was among the politicians who funded his presidential campaign.

In this Dec. 12, 2016 file photo, President Rodrigo Duterte speaks with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos on the sidelines of The Outstanding Filipino 2016 awarding ceremony at the Heroes Hall of Malacañan Palace. PPD/King Rodriguez

However, he did not declare the younger Marcos as a campaign donor in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures.

The Ilocos Norte governor has claimed that the president was only joking when he said that she was among the financiers of his campaign.

"Ang totoo wala naman donasyon and there's no sinister x-deal behind the curtain somewhere. It's absolutely untrue and I'd like to disabuse that," the younger Marcos said in an interview with ANC last November.

Duterte has ordered the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani which has been met by protests from different sectors.

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the president did not commit grave abuse of discretion in ordering a hero's burial for Marcos Sr. The long-dead president was buried in the national cemetery on November 18 in a move met with nationwide protests.

Our Daily Bread: Letter to a Child

Storyline By Dennis Fisher

Read: 3 John
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. —3 John 4

Even at the end of his life, C. S. Lewis showed an interest in the spiritual nurture of younger believers. Although in ill health, he took time to respond to the letter of a child named Philip. Complimenting the boy’s fine written expression, Lewis said he was delighted that Philip understood that in the Narnia Chronicles the lion Aslan represented Jesus Christ. The next day, Lewis died at his home in the Kilns, Oxford, England, one week before his 65th birthday.

The apostle John, in his later years, sent a letter to his spiritual children. In it we see the joy of a mature believer encouraging his spiritually younger disciples to keep walking in the truth and following Christ.

John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). Short by New Testament standards, John’s letter demonstrates the joy that comes in nurturing and watching the next generation’s spiritual growth.

Encouraging spiritual understanding in the next generation should be the pursuit of mature believers. Sending a note of appreciation, giving a word of encouragement, praying, or offering sound advice can all be ways of helping others on their spiritual journey with God.

To help another in Christ to grow
You have to pay a price
It takes the giving of yourself
And that means sacrifice. — D. DeHaan

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The journey is better with someone who knows the way.

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NATION | US Embassy denies 'Oplan Goldberg' rumor

A newspaper article reported that former American Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg left

behind a "blueprint" to eventually call for President Rodrigo Duterte's ouster. Presidential Photographers

Division/King Rodriguez, File | By Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar

           

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Embassy in Manila on Wednesday denied rumors that former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg had a plan to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier this week, a newspaper published an article titled "US ex-envoy plotting Duterte fall – source."

According to the article, Goldberg allegedly left behind a "blueprint to undermine Duterte" which outlines a list of strategies to undermine the new president and called for his eventual ouster. The alleged blueprint has a timetable of one and a half years.

"As Secretary Kerry said in his meeting with President Duterte in July, the United States respects the sovereignty of the Philippines and the democratic choices made by the Philippine people in selecting their leaders," US Embassy press attache Molly Koscina said in a statement.

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Koscina stressed that the 70-year US-Philippines alliance is one of the most enduring relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We continue to focus on our broad relationship with the Philippines, and will work together in the many areas of mutual interest to improve the livelihoods of the Philippine people and uphold our shared democratic values," Koscina said.

The supposed strategy to undermine Duterte includes stroking public dissatisfaction over unfulfilled election promises.

Malacañang, however, had downplayed such rumor and focused on the president's high trust rating which was a +72 in the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

“The president continues to enjoy the trust of the people, and the people on the ground apparently appreciate what he’s doing,” Presidential spokesperson Abella said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

WORLD | Japan PM Abe to visit Manila, Davao

Japan Prime Minister Abe will be the first head of state to visit during the Duterte administration. By Jonathan Asuncion | By Charmaine Deogracias (Vera Files)

           

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Philippines on January 12 and 13, the first head of state to visit the country under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. confirmed yesterday.

 

Of the many countries Duterte has visited since he became president, Japan is the first to return the gesture. Yasay said Abe’s visit reciprocates Duterte’s own successful trip to Japan last October. 

 

Aside from a swing to member countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations — the customary tour that every new Philippine president undertakes — Duterte also visited China, Japan, New Zealand and Peru, where he attended Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

 

“Prime Minister Abe has indicated that the best day for him to come will be on the 12th and 13th of January and we’ll be preparing for this,” Yasay told VERA Files. 

 

“What would be significant about this visit would be that he would like to go to Davao,” Yasay added. “You see, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida was the first foreign minister that visited Davao under President Duterte. I have yet to know of any foreign minister who has visited Davao, for that matter.” 

 

Kishida made a courtesy call on Duterte in Davao on August 11 and announced Japan’s offer of a $2.4-billion loan package to build a new railway in the Philippines aimed at easing Manila's notorious gridlock.

 

Japan also offered to support a similar project in Mindanao.

 

Yasay said Japan has been very active in helping the Mindanao peace process, and is the country’s biggest source of Official Development Assistance.

 

Yasay noted significant Japanese assistance in beefing up Philippine’s capacity building measures in maritime security and in the fight against terrorism.

 

Japan is also keen on supporting the Philippines' anti-drug campaign, and is interested in extending assistance to ASEAN in the fight against drugs to make ASEAN a drug-free region.

 

“Japan might want to look at how they can contribute in building a rehabilitation center in the country. So he will be visiting Davao, he will be coming to Manila we will have activities here for him and we will also have activities for him in Davao,” Yasay said.

 

Early this month, Katsuyuki Kawai, special adviser to the Prime Minister, met with Duterte in Manila to discuss possible assistance to help implement the war against drugs in the Philippines.

 

This consultation followed Abe’s announcement during Duterte’s visit to Japan that he would provide assistance in combating drug-related crimes in the Philippines. 

 

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. VERA is Latin for “true.”)

NATION | Sandigan junks graft, malversation cases vs ex-Palawan solon

The cases stemmed from former Palawan Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra's alleged misuse of P3 million

worth of fertilizer fund under the Department of Agriculture's Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program

during his term in 2004. File | By Elizabeth Marcelo/Philstar

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Special First Division has dismissed the graft and malversation cases against former Palawan representative and incumbent Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2004 fertilizer fund scam.

 

In an 11-page resolution promulgated on December 27, released to the media on Wednesday, the court granted the respective motions of Mitra and his four co-accused to dismiss the cases, citing the inordinate delay of the Office of the Ombudsman in conducting its probe.

 

“The motions to dismiss are impressed with merit. The Office of the Ombudsman committed inordinate, oppressive and unreasonable delay in the conduct of its preliminary investigation,” the ruling penned by division chairman Associate Justice Efren De La Cruz read.

 

Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Reynaldo Cruz concurred with the ruling.

 

Aside from the one count each of graft and malversation of public fund cases against Mitra, similar cases against Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV former Executive Director Dennis Araullo, former regional legislative coordinator Lucille Odejar, regional accountant Raymundo Enriquez Braganza and private individual Margie Tajon-Luz of the non-government organization (NGO) GabayMasa Development Foundation Inc. were dismissed.

 

The cases stemmed from Mitra's alleged misuse of P3 million worth of fertilizer fund under the DA Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program (FIFIP) during his term as the representative of the second district of Palawan in 2004.

 

The ombudsman, who filed the cases before the Sandiganbayan in September, said Mitra and the other respondents conspired to transfer the funds to GabayMasa despite the lack of public bidding and the NGO's supposed failure to submit reportorial requirements.

 

The DA's FIFIP, which was later dubbed by the media as the fertilizer fund scam, was originally aimed at extending assistance to poor farmers in the countryside. Instead, P723-million worth of funds from the program was reportedly used as campaign kitty for the 2004 presidential bid of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

 

In dismissing the charges, the anti-graft court said the ombudsman violated the constitutional right of the respondents to a speedy disposition of cases when it took the agency more than five years to finish its investigation on the complaint filed against them in April 2011.

 

“In failing to resolve the complaint with reasonable dispatch and prudence as directed by law and jurisprudence, the Office of the Ombudsman placed the accused in a tactical disadvantage and opened the possibility that their defense will be impaired,” the ruling read.

 

“Aside from the anxiety and unrest that came with a prolonged investigation, the availability of witnesses and documentary evidence to the accused was also affected considering that the subject transaction occurred in 2004 or about 12 years up to the filing of the [case] informations,” it added.

ENTERTAINMENT | Final goodbye: Roll call of some of those who died in 2016

This photo combination shows performances by pop music icons, from left, Prince in 1985, David Bowie in 1995, and George Michael in 2008. The entertainers were among a number of influential entertainers, sports stars and political figures who died in 2016. (AP Photos) | By Bernard McGhee via Associated Press

Death claimed transcendent political figures in 2016, including Cuba's revolutionary leader and Thailand's longtime king, but also took away royals of a different sort: kings of pop music, from Prince and David Bowie to George Michael.

Embracing Soviet-style communism, Fidel Castro, who died in November, overcame imprisonment and exile to become leader of Cuba and defy the power of the United States at every turn during his half-century rule. Perhaps befitting the controversial leader, his death elicited both tears and cheers across the Western Hemisphere.

However, shock, grief and nostalgia greeted the deaths of several giants of pop music. David Bowie, who broke musical boundaries through his musicianship and striking visuals; Prince, who was considered one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times; and George Michael, first a teenybopper heartthrob and then a mature solo artist with videos that played up his considerable appeal.

Among the political figures who died in 2016 was the world's longest reigning monarch: King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was revered in Thailand as a demigod, a father figure and an anchor of stability through decades of upheaval.

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Others in the world of public affairs included former United National Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, ex-senator and astronaut John Glenn, former US Attorney General Janet Reno, former Israeli leader Shimon Peres and former US first lady Nancy Reagan.

In the sports arena, the year saw the passing of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, whose fast fists and outspoken personality brought him fans around the world. Other sports figures included: golfer Arnold Palmer, Gordie "Mr. Hockey" Howe, basketball players Dwayne "Pearl" Washington and Nate Thurmond, Olympians Vera Caslavska and Tommy Kono, wrestlers Harry Fujiwara and Chyna, and mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice.

Artists and entertainers who died in 2016 included author Harper Lee, conductor Pierre Boulez, musicians Leonard Cohen, Merle Haggard, Maurice White, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Phife Dawg, and actors Gene Wilder, Abe Vigoda, Florence Henderson, Alan Rickman, Carrie Fisher, Robert Vaughn, Garry Shandling, Doris Roberts, Alan Thicke, Fyvush Finkel and Anton Yelchin.

Here is a roll call of some of the people who died in 2016. (Cause of death cited for younger people, if available.)

JANUARY:

Dale Bumpers, 90. Former Arkansas governor and US senator who earned the nickname "giant killer" for taking down incumbents, and who gave a passionate speech defending Bill Clinton during the president's impeachment trial. Jan. 1

Pierre Boulez, 90. Former principal conductor of the New York Philharmonic who moved between conducting, composition and teaching as one of the leading figures in modern classical music. Jan. 5.

Pat Harrington Jr., 86. Actor and comedian who in the 1950s got attention as a member of Steve Allen's fabled TV comic troupe but secured lasting fame decades later as Dwayne Schneider, the cocky handyman on the long-running sitcom "One Day at a Time." Jan. 6.

Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, 96. Twin sister of Iran's deposed shah whose glamorous life epitomized the excesses of her brother's rule. Jan. 7.

Otis Clay, 73. Hall of fame rhythm and blues artist known as much for his big heart and charitable work in Chicago as for his singing internationally. Jan. 8.

David Bowie, 69. Other-worldly musician who broke pop and rock boundaries with his creative musicianship, striking visuals and a genre-spanning persona he christened Ziggy Stardust. Jan. 10.

Alan Rickman, 69. Classically-trained British stage star and sensual screen villain in the "Harry Potter" saga and other films. Jan. 14.

Rene Angelil, 73. Celine Dion's husband and manager, who molded her from a French-speaking Canadian ingénue into one of the world's most successful singers. Jan. 14.

Dan Haggerty, 74. Rugged, bearded actor who starred in the film and TV series "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams." Jan. 15.

Glenn Frey, 67. Rock 'n' roll rebel who co-founded the Eagles and with Don Henley formed one of history's most successful songwriting teams with such hits as "Hotel California" and "Life in the Fast Lane." Jan. 18.

Abe Vigoda, 94. Character actor whose leathery, sad-eyed face made him ideal for playing the over-the-hill detective Phil Fish in the 1970s TV series "Barney Miller" and the doomed Mafia soldier in "The Godfather." Jan. 26.

Paul Kantner, 74. Founding member of the Jefferson Airplane who stayed with the seminal band through its transformation from 1960s hippies to 1970s hit makers as the eventual leader of successor group Jefferson Starship. Jan. 28.

Signe Toly Anderson, 74. Vocalist and original member of the Jefferson Airplane who left the band after its first record and was replaced by Grace Slick. Jan. 28.

Linus Maurer, 90. Cartoonist and illustrator whose old friend Charles M. Schulz borrowed his first name for Charlie Brown's blanket-carrying best friend Linus in his "Peanuts" comic strip and cartoons. Jan. 29.

Georgia Davis Powers, 92. Giant in the fight for civil rights in Kentucky and the first African-American woman elected to the state Senate. Jan. 30.

Terry Wogan, 77. His warm Irish brogue and sly, gentle humor made him a star of British television and radio for decades. Jan. 31.

FEBRUARY:

Bob Elliott, 92. Half of the enduring TV and radio comedy team Bob and Ray. Feb. 2.

Maurice White, 74. Earth, Wind & Fire founder whose horn-driven band sold more than 90 million albums. Feb. 3.

Ferd Kaufman, 89. Associated Press photographer who was at Dallas police headquarters as authorities brought in President John F. Kennedy's assassin. Feb. 3.

Edgar Whitcomb, 98. Former Indiana governor who escaped from a Japanese prisoner camp by swimming overnight during World War II and then made an around-the-world solo sailing trip while in his 70s. Feb. 4.

Edgar Mitchell, 85. Apollo 14 astronaut who became the sixth man on the moon when he and Alan Shepard helped NASA recover from Apollo 13's "successful failure." Feb. 4.

Antonin Scalia, 79. Influential conservative and most provocative member of the US Supreme Court. Feb. 13.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, 93. Veteran Egyptian diplomat who helped negotiate his country's landmark peace deal with Israel but clashed with the United States when he served a single term as UN secretary-general. Feb. 16.

Andrzej Zulawski, 75. Filmmaker and writer named best director last year at a film festival in Switzerland for his latest film, "Cosmos." Feb. 17.

Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, 55. Raspy-voiced bar owner who gained fame on the reality TV series "Mob Wives." Feb. 18.

Harper Lee, 89. Elusive novelist whose child's-eye view of racial injustice in a small Southern town, "To Kill a Mockingbird," became standard reading for millions of young people and an Oscar-winning film. Feb. 19.

Umberto Eco, 84. Italian author who intrigued, puzzled and delighted readers worldwide with his best-selling historical novel "The Name of the Rose." Feb. 19.

Eric "Winkle" Brown, 97. British pilot who flew more kinds of aircraft than anyone in history and was the first person to land a jet on an aircraft carrier. Feb. 21.

Sonny James, 87. Country singer who recorded romantic ballads like "Young Love" and turned pop songs into country hits. Feb. 22.

George Kennedy, 91. Hulking, tough-guy actor who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a savage chain-gang convict in the 1960s classic "Cool Hand Luke." Feb. 28.

MARCH:

Tony Warren, 79. British writer who created the long-running soap opera "Coronation Street." March 1.

Thanat Khoman, 101. As Thailand's foreign minister, he helped cement his country's close relations with the United States during the Vietnam War. March 3.

Joey Feek, 40. With her husband, Rory, she formed the award-winning country duo Joey + Rory. March 4.

Pat Conroy, 70. Author of "The Great Santini," ''The Prince of Tides" and other best-sellers, whose novels drew upon his bruising childhood and the vistas of South Carolina. March 4.

Raymond Tomlinson, 74. Inventor of modern email and a technological leader. March 5.

Nancy Reagan, 94. Helpmate, backstage adviser and fierce protector of Ronald Reagan in his journey from actor to president — and finally during his battle with Alzheimer's disease. March 6.

George Martin, 90. The Beatles' urbane producer who quietly guided the band's swift, historic transformation from rowdy club act to musical and cultural revolutionaries. March 8.

Peter Maxwell Davies, 81. Experimental, socially radical composer who served as Queen Elizabeth II's official master of music. March 14. Leukemia.

Frank Sinatra Jr., 72. He carried on his father's legacy with his own music career; his kidnapping as a young man added a bizarre chapter to his father's legendary life. March 16.

Meir Dagan, 71. Former Israeli general and longtime director of the country's spy agency. March 17.

Bob Ebeling, 89. Booster rocket engineer who spent decades filled with guilt over not stopping the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. March 21.

Andy Grove, 79. Former Intel Corp. chief executive whose youth under Nazi occupation and escape from the Iron Curtain inspired an "only the paranoid survive" management philosophy that saved the chip maker from financial ruin in the 1980s. March 21.

Rob Ford, 46. Pugnacious, populist former mayor of Toronto whose career crashed in a drug-driven, obscenity-laced debacle. March 22. Cancer.

Phife Dawg, 45. Lyricist whose witty wordplay was a linchpin of the groundbreaking hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. March 22. Complications from diabetes.

Garry Shandling, 66. Actor and comedian who masterminded a brand of phony docudrama with "The Larry Sanders Show." March 24.

Earl Hamner Jr., 92. Prolific writer who drew upon his Depression-era upbringing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to create one of television's most beloved family shows, "The Waltons." March 24.

Mother Mary Angelica, 92. Folksy Roman Catholic nun who used a monastery garage to begin a television ministry that grew into a global religious media empire. March 27.

Winston Moseley, 81. Man convicted of the 1964 stabbing death of Kitty Genovese, a crime that came to symbolize urban decay and indifference. March 28.

Patty Duke, 69. As a teen, she won an Oscar for playing Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," then maintained a long career while battling personal demons. March 29.

Hans-Dietrich Genscher, 89. Long-serving German foreign minister who was one of the key architects of the country's 1990 reunification of east and west. March 31.

Imre Kertesz, 86. Hungarian writer who won the 2002 Nobel Prize for Literature for fiction largely drawn from his experience as a teenage prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. March 31.

APRIL:

Leandro "Gato" Barbieri, 83. Latin Jazz saxophonist who composed the Grammy-winning music for the steamy Marlon Brando film "Last Tango in Paris" and recorded dozens of albums over a career spanning more than seven decades. April 2.

Erik Bauersfeld, 93. He turned three words from a minor acting role — "It's a trap!" — into one of the most beloved lines of the "Star Wars" series. April 3.

Merle Haggard, 79. Country giant who rose from poverty and prison to international fame through his songs about outlaws, underdogs and an abiding sense of national pride in such hits as "Okie From Muskogee" and "Sing Me Back Home." April 6.

Howard Marks, 70. Convicted drug smuggler who reinvented himself as an author, raconteur and drug-reform campaigner after publishing the best-selling autobiography "Mr. Nice." April 10.

David Gest, 62. Music producer, reality TV star and former husband of Liza Minnelli. April 12.

Fred Hayman, 90. Dapper entrepreneur and "Godfather of Rodeo Drive" whose vision transformed a nondescript Southern California street into one of the world's pre-eminent fashion districts. April 14.
Doris Roberts, 90. She played the tart-tongued, endlessly meddling mother on "Everybody Loves Raymond." April 17.

Patricio Aylwin, 97. Lanky law professor who played a decisive role in restoring Chile's democracy after 17 years of brutal dictatorship and was later elected president. April 19.

Chyna, 46. Tall, muscle-bound, raven-haired pro-wrestler who rocketed to popularity in the 1990s and later made the rounds on reality TV. April 20.

Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, 52. Basketball player who went from New York City playground wonder to Big East star for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse. April 20.

Victoria Wood, 62. British comedian who found humor in everyday life and blazed a trail for other female comics. April 20.

Prince, 57. One of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times with hits including "Little Red Corvette," ''Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry." April 21.

Isabelle Dinoire, 49. Frenchwoman who received the world's first partial face transplant. April 22.
Billy Paul, 80. Jazz and soul singer best known for the No. 1 hit ballad and "Philadelphia Soul" classic "Me and Mrs. Jones." April 24.

Remo Belli, 88. Musician who pioneered the synthetic drumhead in time to help a generation of rock-and-rollers shape their sound and then saw it become standard on kits across genres. April 25.
Harry Wu, 79. Former political prisoner who dedicated his later life to exposing abuses in China's brutal prison labor camp system. April 26.

Ozzie Silna, 83. He turned a fading American Basketball Association franchise into a four-decade windfall of nearly $800 million from the NBA in what's commonly called the greatest deal in sports history. April 26.

Conrad Burns, 81. Former US senator whose folksy demeanor and political acumen earned him three terms and the bitter disdain of his opponents. April 28.

Rev. Daniel Berrigan, 94. Roman Catholic priest and peace activist who was imprisoned for burning draft files in a protest against the Vietnam War. April 30.
MAY:
Tommy Kono, 85. He took up weightlifting in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans and went on to win two Olympic gold medals for the United States. May 1.

Madeleine LeBeau, 92. French actress best known for her small but memorable role in "Casablanca" as Rick's pushed aside girlfriend Yvonne who passionately sings "La Marseillaise" at a pivotal moment. May 1.

Afeni Shakur, 69. Former Black Panther who inspired the work of her son, rap icon Tupac Shakur, and fostered his legacy for decades after he was slain. May 2.

Carl Fredrik Reutersward, 81. One of Sweden's best-known modern artists and the creator of the iconic statue of a revolver barrel tied in a knot. May 3.

Bob Bennett, 82. Former US senator who shied away from the spotlight but earned a reputation as someone who knew how to get things done in Washington. May 4.

William Schallert, 93. Veteran performer and Hollywood union leader who played Patty Duke's father — and uncle — on TV and led a long, contentious strike for actors. May 8.

Gene Gutowski, 90. Polish-American Holocaust survivor who was the producer of three films by director Roman Polanski in the 1960s and reunited with him decades later for the Oscar-winning Holocaust drama "The Pianist." May 10.

Donnovan Hill, 18. California teenager whose paralyzing football injury led to increased safety protections for young players after he sued a youth league. May 11.

Samuel Gibson, 39. Diminutive New Zealand man who inspired many by defying the brittle bones he was born with and pursuing a life filled with rigorous outdoor adventures. May 16. Died after falling from wheelchair during half-marathon.

Guy Clark, 74. Texas singer-songwriter who helped mentor a generation of songwriters and wrote hits like "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train." May 17.

Morley Safer, 84. Veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent who was equally at home reporting on social injustices, the Orient Express and abstract art, and who exposed a military atrocity in Vietnam that played an early role in changing Americans' view of the war. May 19.

Rosalie Chris Lerman, 90. Survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp who was the wife of the founder of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and a passionate advocate of Holocaust remembrance. May 19.

Alan Young, 96. Actor-comedian who played the amiable straight man to a talking horse in the 1960s sitcom "Mister Ed." May 19.

Kang Sok Ju, 76. Top North Korean diplomat who negotiated a short-lived 1994 deal with the United States to freeze his nation's nuclear programs in exchange for international aid. May 20.

Mullah Mohammed Akhtar Mansour, believed to be in his mid-50s. His brief rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan was marked by mistrust and strife. May 20. Killed in a drone strike.

Thomas E. Schaefer, 85. Retired Air Force colonel who was the ranking military officer among the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days before being released in 1981. May 31.

JUNE:

Muhammad Ali, 74. Heavyweight champion whose fast fists, irrepressible personality and determined spirit transcended sports and captivated the world. June 3.

Peter Shaffer, 90. British playwright whose durable, award-winning hits included "Equus" and "Amadeus." June 6.

Victor Korchnoi, 85. Chess grandmaster and former Soviet champion who defected to the West and was considered among the best players never to win a world championship. June 6.

Kimbo Slice, 42. Bearded street fighter who parlayed his Internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career. June 6.

Theresa Saldana, 61. "Raging Bull" actress who survived a stalker's brutal attack to become a crime victims' advocate and reclaimed her entertainment career with "The Commish" and other TV shows. June 6.

Gordie Howe, 88. Known as "Mr. Hockey," the rough-and-tumble Canadian farm boy whose blend of talent and toughness made him the NHL's quintessential star. June 10.

Margaret Vinci Heldt, 98. She became a hairstyling celebrity after she created the beehive hairdo in 1960. June 10.

George Voinovich, 79. Former US senator and a two-term Ohio governor who preached frugality in his personal and public life and occasionally bucked the GOP establishment. June 12.

Lois Duncan, 82. Known for her pioneering suspense novels that captivated young readers, including "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which became a movie. June 15.

Jo Cox, 41. Lawmaker who campaigned for Britain to stay in the European Union. June 16. Killed by a gun- and knife-wielding attacker.

Anton Yelchin, 27. Rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new "Star Trek" films. June 19. Hit by his car in his driveway.

Wayne Jackson, 74. Trumpet player on rock 'n' roll, soul, R&B and pop mainstays along with Memphis Horns partner and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love. June 21.

David Jonathan Thatcher, 94. Member of the Doolittle Raiders, who bombed Japan in an attack that stunned that nation and boosted US morale during World War II. June 22.

John Ashe, 61. Former UN General Assembly president who was facing criminal charges in a bribery case. June 22.

Michael Herr, 76. Author and Oscar-nominated screenplay writer who viscerally documented the ravages of the Vietnam War through his classic nonfiction novel "Dispatches" and through such films as "Apocalypse Now" and "Full Metal Jacket." June 23.

Bernie Worrell, 72. "Wizard of Woo" whose amazing array of keyboard sounds helped define the Parliament-Funkadelic musical empire and influenced performers of many genres. June 24.

Bud Spencer, 86. Burly comic actor dubbed the "good giant" for punching out bad guys on the screen, often in a long series of spaghetti westerns. June 27.

Alvin Toffler, 87. Guru of the post-industrial age whose "Future Shock" and other books anticipated the disruptions and transformations brought about by the rise of digital technology. June 27.

Isak Chishi Swu, 87. Militant leader of the Naga tribal insurgency in India. June 28.

Pat Summitt, 64. Winningest coach in Division I college basketball history who uplifted the women's game from obscurity to national prominence during her 38-year career at Tennessee. June 28.

JULY:

Elie Wiesel, 87. Romanian-born Holocaust survivor whose classic "Night" became a landmark testament to the Nazis' crimes and launched his career as one of the world's foremost witnesses and humanitarians. July 2.

Michael Cimino, 77. Oscar-winning director whose film "The Deer Hunter" became one of the great triumphs of Hollywood's 1970s heyday and whose disastrous "Heaven's Gate" helped bring that era to a close. July 2.

Jack C. Taylor, 94. He started a leasing company with seven cars and built it into Enterprise Rent-A-Car. July 2.

Abbas Kiarostami, 76. Iranian director whose 1997 film "Taste of Cherry" won the prestigious Palme d'Or and who kept working despite government resistance. July 4.
William L. Armstrong, 79. Colorado media executive who became a major conservative voice in the Senate. July 5.

Abdul Sattar Edhi, 88. Pakistan's legendary philanthropist who devoted his life to the poor and the destitute. July 8.

Sydney H. Schanberg, 82. Former New York Times correspondent awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the genocide in Cambodia in 1975 and whose story of the survival of his assistant inspired the film "The Killing Fields." July 9.

Bernardo Provenzano, 83. Convicted Cosa Nostra "boss of bosses" who reputedly led the Mafia's powerful Corleone clan. July 13.

Nate Thurmond, 74. Tenacious NBA defensive center who played with Wilt Chamberlain. July 16.
Alan Vega, 78. Punk pioneer who helped form the duo Suicide, widely regarded as a forerunner of punk and electronic music. July 16.

Wendell Anderson, 83. Former Minnesota governor and ex-Olympian described in a 1973 Time magazine cover article as the youthful embodiment of his home state only to lose public confidence later by arranging his own appointment to the US Senate. July 17.

Clown Dimitri, 80. Beloved Swiss clown and mime over nearly six decades who studied under Marcel Marceau and spread smiles from Broadway to Congo. July 19.

Mark Takai, 49. US representative, war veteran and long-time legislator known for his bright nature and deep commitment to service. July 20. Pancreatic cancer.

Thomas Sutherland, 85. Teacher who was held captive in Lebanon for more than six years until he was freed in 1991 and returned home to become professor emeritus at Colorado State University. July 22.

Marni Nixon, 86. Hollywood voice double whose singing was heard in place of the leading actresses' in such movie musicals as "West Side Story," ''The King and I" and "My Fair Lady." July 24.

Rev. Tim LaHaye, 90. Co-author of the "Left Behind" series, a multimillion-selling literary juggernaut that brought end-times prophecy into mainstream bookstores. July 25.

Sam Wheeler, 72. Renowned land speed motorcycle racer. July 25. Injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash.

Youree Dell Harris, 53. Actress who became famous playing the Jamaican psychic Miss Cleo, claiming to know callers' futures in ubiquitous TV infomercials and commercials. July 26.

Gloria DeHaven, 91. Daughter of vaudeville stars who carved out her own career as the vivacious star of Hollywood musicals and comedies of the 1940s and '50s. July 30.

AUGUST:

Anne of Romania, 92. Wife of Romania's last monarch, King Michael. Aug. 1.

Ahmed Zewail, 70. Science adviser to President Obama who won the 1999 Nobel Prize for his work on the study of chemical reactions over short time scales. Aug. 2.

Pete Fountain, 86. Clarinetist whose Dixieland jazz virtuosity and wit endeared him to his native New Orleans and earned him national television fame. Aug. 6.

Helen Delich Bentley, 92. Former Maryland congresswoman who was an expert on the maritime industry. Aug. 6.

Robert Kiley, 80. He is credited with revitalizing and modernizing public transportation networks in Boston, New York and London. Aug. 9.

Harry Briggs Jr., 75. As a young boy, he was at the center of a lawsuit that culminated with the US Supreme Court outlawing segregated public schools. Aug. 9.

Kenny Baker, 81. He played the lovable droid R2-D2 in the "Star Wars" films, achieving cult status and fans' adulation without showing his face or speaking any lines. Aug. 13.

Fyvush Finkel, 93. Plastic-faced Emmy Award-winning actor whose career in stage and screen started in Yiddish theater and led to memorable roles in "Fiddler on the Roof" on Broadway and on TV in "Boston Public" and "Picket Fences." Aug. 14.

Bobby Hutcherson, 75. Bricklayer's son who became one of the most inventive jazz vibraphonists to pick up a pair of mallets. Aug. 15.

Joao Havelange, 100. President of FIFA for two decades, who transformed soccer's governing body into a multibillion-dollar business but also a hotbed for subsequent corruption. Aug. 16.

John McLaughlin, 89. Conservative commentator and host of a long-running television show that pioneered hollering-heads discussions of Washington politics. Aug. 16.

Arthur Hiller, 92. Oscar nominee for directing the hugely popular romantic tragedy "Love Story" during a career that spanned dozens of popular movies and TV shows. Aug. 17.

John W. Vessey, 94. Army general who rose in a 46-year military career to become chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and helped oversee Reagan's military buildup. Aug. 18.

Jay Fishman, 63. Former Travelers Group insurance company chief executive who became a national advocate for research into Lou Gehrig's disease after being diagnosed with it. Aug. 19.

Donald "D.A." Henderson, 87. Epidemiologist whose leadership resulted in the eradication nearly 40 years ago of smallpox, one of the world's most feared contagious diseases. Aug. 19.

Toots Thielemans, 94. Belgian harmonica player whose career included playing with jazz greats like Miles Davis and whose solos have figured on numerous film scores. Aug. 22.

Walter Scheel, 97. He helped shape West Germany's policy of reconciliation with the communist bloc as foreign minister and later served as his country's president. Aug. 24.

Sonia Rykiel, 86. French designer dubbed the "queen of knitwear" whose relaxed sweaters in berry-colored stripes and eye-popping motifs helped liberate women from stuffy suits. Aug. 25.

Gene Wilder, 83. Frizzy-haired actor who brought his deft comedic touch to such unforgettable roles as the neurotic accountant in "The Producers" and the mad scientist of "Young Frankenstein." Aug. 28.

Juan Gabriel, 66. Mexican songwriter and singer who was an icon in the Latin music world. Aug. 28.
Harry Fujiwara, 82. Better known as Mr. Fuji, he was a former star wrestler and manager. Aug. 28.
Vera Caslavska, 74. Seven-time Olympic gymnastics gold medalist who stood up against the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. Aug. 30.

SEPTEMBER:

Jon Polito, 65. Raspy-voiced actor whose 200-plus credits ranged from "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Modern Family" to the films "Barton Fink" and "The Big Lebowski." Sept. 1.

Sam Iacobellis, 87. Rockwell International engineer who met President Ronald Reagan's challenge to deliver 100 B-1 bombers as fast as possible in the early 1980s to challenge the Soviet Union. Sept. 3.
Hugh O'Brian, 91. He shot to fame as Sheriff Wyatt Earp in what was hailed as television's first adult Western. Sept. 5.

Phyllis Schlafly, 92. Outspoken conservative activist who helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and founded the Eagle Forum political group. Sept. 5.

Bobby Chacon, 64. Hall of Fame boxer whose memorable fights included victories over Rafael "Bazooka" Limon, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Danny Lopez and Ruben Olivares. Sept. 7.

Greta Zimmer Friedman, 92. Believed to be the woman in an iconic photo shown kissing an ecstatic sailor in Times Square celebrating the end of World War II. Sept. 8.

Johan Botha, 51. Tenor whose light but muscular voice dazzled audiences at the world's top operatic stages. Sept. 8.

Lady Chablis, 59. Transgender performer who became an unlikely celebrity for her role in the 1994 best-seller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Sept. 8.

Jack Hofsiss, 65. Stage and screen director who won a Tony Award in his first outing on Broadway while helming "The Elephant Man" and kept working despite an accident that left him without the use of his arms and legs. Sept. 13.

Rose Mofford, 94. Arizona's first female governor and a shepherd for the state during a period of political turbulence. Sept. 15.

Edward Albee, 88. Three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who challenged theatrical convention in masterworks such as "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "A Delicate Balance." Sept. 16.

W.P. Kinsella, 81. Canadian novelist who blended magical realism and baseball in the book that became the smash hit film "Field of Dreams." Sept. 16.

Charmian Carr, 73. Actress best known for sweetly portraying the eldest von Trapp daughter in "The Sound of Music." Sept. 17.

Rose Pak, 68. Brash community activist who helped transform San Francisco's growing Asian American population into a politically powerful constituency. Sept. 18.

Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr., 68. Musician who rose from a cotton-picking family in southwest Louisiana to introduce zydeco music to the world through his band Buckwheat Zydeco. Sept. 24.
Arnold Palmer, 87. Golfing great who brought a country-club sport to the masses with a hard-charging style, charisma and a commoner's touch. Sept. 25.

Jean Shepard, 82. "The grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry" who had a long recording career in country music. Sept. 25.

Ben Steele, 98. Bataan Death March survivor whose art helped him maintain his sanity as a prisoner of war and helped him forgive his captors. Sept. 25.

Curtis Roosevelt, 86. He lived in the White House as a child when his grandfather, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was president and worked for two decades at the United Nations. Sept. 26.

Shimon Peres, 93. Former Israeli president and prime minister, whose life story mirrored that of the Jewish state and who was celebrated around the world as a Nobel prize-winning visionary who pushed his country toward peace. Sept. 28.

OCTOBER:

Joan Marie Johnson, 72. A founding member of the New Orleans girl group The Dixie Cups, who had a No. 1 hit in 1964 with "Chapel of Love." Oct. 3.

Jacob Neusner, 84. He transformed the study of American Judaism, becoming one of the most influential 20th-century scholars of the religion. Oct. 8.

Aaron Pryor, 60. Relentless junior welterweight who fought two memorable bouts with Alexis Arguello. Oct. 9.

Andrzej Wajda, 90. Poland's leading filmmaker whose career maneuvering between a repressive communist government and an audience yearning for freedom won him international recognition and an honorary Oscar. Oct. 9.

Donn Fendler, 90. As a boy, he survived nine days alone on Maine's tallest mountain in 1939 and later wrote a book about the ordeal. Oct. 10.

Dario Fo, 90. Italian playwright whose energetic mocking of Italian political life, social mores and religion won him praise, scorn and the Nobel Prize for Literature. Oct. 13.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88. World's longest reigning monarch, he was revered in Thailand as a demigod, a humble father figure and an anchor of stability through decades of upheaval at home and abroad. Oct. 13.

Dennis Byrd, 51. Former NFL defensive lineman whose career was ended by neck injury. Oct. 15. Car accident.

Junko Tabei, 77. The first woman to climb Mount Everest. Oct. 20.

Tom Hayden, 76. 1960s antiwar activist whose name became forever linked with the Chicago 7 trial, Vietnam War protests and his ex-wife, actress Jane Fonda. Oct. 23.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, 84. Former emir of Qatar who was deposed by his son in a bloodless palace coup. Oct. 23.

Jack T. Chick, 92. His cartoon tracts preached fundamentalist Christianity while vilifying secular society, evolution, homosexuality, and the beliefs of Catholics and Muslims. Oct. 23.

Bobby Vee, 73. Boyish, grinning 1960s singer whose career was born when he took a stage as a teenager to fill in after the 1959 plane crash that killed rock 'n' roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Oct. 24.

Jorge Batlle, 88. Former president was a force in Uruguayan politics for half a century, who led the nation during one of its worst economic recessions. Oct. 24.

Robert A. Hoover, 94. World War II fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his flying skills in testing aircraft and demonstrating their capabilities in air shows. Oct. 25.

Norman R. Brokaw, 89. Talent agent who represented Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood and other top Hollywood stars. Oct. 29.

NOVEMBER:

Jean-Jacques Perrey, 87. French composer and pioneer of electronic pop music who was best known for co-writing "Baroque Hoedown," used as the music for the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disney theme parks. Nov. 4.

Janet Reno, 78. First woman to serve as US attorney general and the epicenter of several political storms during the Clinton administration, including the seizure of Elian Gonzalez. Nov. 7.

Leonard Cohen, 82. Baritone-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter who blended spirituality and sexuality in songs like "Hallelujah," ''Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire." Nov. 7.

Robert Vaughn, 83. Debonair, Oscar-nominated actor whose many film roles were eclipsed by his hugely popular turn in television's "The Man From UNC.L.E." Nov. 11.

Leon Russell, 74. He performed, sang and produced some of rock 'n' roll's top records. Nov. 13.
Gwen Ifill, 61. Co-anchor of PBS' "NewsHour" with Judy Woodruff and a veteran journalist who moderated two vice presidential debates. Nov. 14.

Holly Dunn, 59. Country singer who had a hit in 1986 with "Daddy's Hands," about her minister father. Nov. 14.

Mose Allison, 89. Pianist and singer whose witty, Southern-accented lyrics delivered over a backdrop of boogie-woogie blues and jazz piano influenced musicians across a wide spectrum. Nov. 15.

Anthony Brooklier, 70. Los Angeles lawyer whose clients included "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss and his own mob-boss father. Nov. 15.

Melvin Laird, 94. Former Wisconsin congressman and US defense secretary during years when President Richard Nixon sought a way to withdraw troops from Vietnam. Nov. 16.

Mentor Williams, 70. Award-winning songwriter behind the 1970s hit "Drift Away," which became a soulful rock 'n' roll anthem aired on radio stations for generations. Nov. 16.

Denton Cooley, 96. Cardiovascular surgeon who performed some of the nation's first heart transplants and implanted the world's first artificial heart. Nov. 18.

Sharon Jones, 60. Powerhouse who shepherded a soul revival despite not finding stardom until middle age. Nov. 18. Cancer.

Ralph Branca, 90. Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who gave up the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" that still echoes six decades later as one of the most famous home runs in baseball history. Nov. 23.

Florence Henderson, 82. Broadway star who became one of America's most beloved television moms in "The Brady Bunch." Nov. 24.

Fidel Castro, 90. He led his bearded rebels to victorious revolution in 1959, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of US presidents during his half-century of rule in Cuba. Nov. 25.

Fritz Weaver, 90. Tony Award-winning actor who played Sherlock Holmes and Shakespearian kings on Broadway while also creating memorable roles on TV and film from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" to "Marathon Man." Nov. 26.

Michael James "Jim" Delligatti, 98. McDonald's franchisee who created the Big Mac nearly 50 years ago and saw it become perhaps the best-known fast-food sandwich. Nov. 28.

Grant Tinker, 90. He brought new polish to the TV world with beloved shows including "Hill Street Blues" as both a producer and a network boss. Nov. 28.

DECEMBER:

Jayaram Jayalalithaa, 68. South Indian actress who turned to politics and became the highest elected official in the state of Tamil Nadu. Dec. 4.

John Glenn, 95. His 1962 flight as the first US astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the US Senate. Dec. 8.

Esma Redzepova, 73. One of the most powerful voices in the world of Gypsy music. Dec. 11.

Joe Ligon, 80. Singer and dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy. Dec. 11.

E.R. Braithwaite, 104. Guyanese author, educator and diplomat whose years teaching in the slums of London's East End inspired the international best-seller "To Sir, With Love" and the movie of the same name. Dec. 12.

Alan Thicke, 69. Versatile performer who gained his greatest renown as the beloved dad on the sitcom "Growing Pains." Dec. 13.

Lawrence Manley Colburn, 67. Helicopter gunner in the Vietnam War who helped end the slaughter of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese villagers by US troops at My Lai. Dec. 13.

Craig Sager, 65. Longtime NBA sideline reporter famous for his flashy suits and probing questions. Dec. 15.

Henry Heimlich, 96. Surgeon who created the life-saving Heimlich maneuver for choking victims. Dec. 17.

Zsa Zsa Gabor, 99. Jet-setting Hungarian actress and socialite who helped invent a new kind of fame out of multiple marriages, conspicuous wealth and jaded wisdom about the glamorous life. Dec. 18.
George Michael, 53. Musician who shot to stardom at an early age in the teen duo WHAM! and moved smoothly into a solo career. Dec. 25.

Carrie Fisher, 60. Actress who found enduring fame as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars." Dec. 27

Our Daily Bread: The Challenge of Confinement

Storyline By David McCasland

Read: Jeremiah 29:4-14

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 3:18

At the age of 86, Ken Deal concluded more than 3 decades of volunteer jail and prison ministry with a final Sunday sermon. His message to the inmates was about serving the Lord while incarcerated. Many of the examples he used came from prisoners, some serving life sentences. In a place everyone wants to leave, he encouraged them to grow and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

After the people of Judah were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and deported to Babylon because of their disobedience to God, the prophet Jeremiah sent them this message from the Lord: “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands . . . that you may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jer. 29:5-6).

We may face some limiting circumstance today. Whether it is the result of our failure, or through no fault of our own, we can “go” through it or seek God’s strength to “grow” through it. The challenge of every confinement is to increase rather than decrease; to grow and not diminish. The Lord’s goal is to give us “a future and a hope” (v.11).

I know, Lord, that You can use the circumstances
I am in for my good. Change me, and grow
me in my knowledge of You and intimacy
with You. Give me Your strength.

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A limited situation may afford the soul a chance to grow.

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