Ruby M. Polk
Ruby M. Polk of Gainesville died Thursday in Gainesville. She was 68.
Mrs. Polk was a retired cosmetologist. Born in Terra Alta, W.Va., she moved from Bradenton to Gainesville 13 years ago.
She was a Methodist.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis Murphy Polk of Gainesville; two daughters, Donna Worley and Bonnie Keith, both of Alachua; a son, Thomas Ayersman of Bradenton; a sister, Virginia Hamblin of St. Petersburg; and four grandchildren.
Guy Marshall Tompkins
MICANOPY -- Guy Marshall Tompkins of Micanopy died Thursday at Mariner Health Care in Macclenny due to injuries suffered in a January car accident. He was 35.
Mr. Tompkins was a cabinet maker for Grady Wood Works in Gainesville.
Born in Jacksonville, he moved from Shell Lake, Wis., to Micanopy two years ago. He was a drummer in several local bands.
Survivors include his parents, Hugh and Marion Tompkins of Micanopy; and two sisters, Salynecq Pryor of Gainesville and Kathy Teague of Atlanta.
Expressions of sympathy may be made as donations to Micanopy Christian Fellowship.
Mildred Gladys Auth
Mildred Gladys Auth of Gainesville died Friday at the Palm Garden Nursing Home. She was 86.
Mrs. Auth, a retired saleswoman, was known as a prime mover in improving traffic safety on W. University Avenue at SW 26th Street.
Born in Malvern, Iowa, she later moved to Wilmot, Ill., and worked as a realtor and later a salesperson.
She moved 33 years ago with her son to Gainesville, where he began graduate school at the University of Florida.
Mrs. Auth also continued work in sales, first at Maas Brothers department store and later at HandiCrafters for 17 years. She retired in 1987.
Angered by the many traffic accidents near her W. University Avenue home during the 1980s, she became an activist.
Her work led the Florida Department of Transportation to bank the road and add flashing lights and barriers.
"She was this incredible activist, " Mayor Paula DeLaney said, adding that she was impressed by how Auth frequented local meetings, even at an advanced age. "She really was one of the people encouraging us to do something about the safety issues on University Avenue."
She also was active in the Trinity United Methodist Church and volunteered at the Florida Museum of Natural History, which honored her for her service in 1988. She also belonged to the American Association of Retired Persons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Frank Auth.
Survivors include a sister, Ilene Conyers of Waupaca, Wis.; three sons, Ronald E. Auth of Deerfield, Ill., B. Dennis Auth of South Ponte Vedra Beach, and Dr. David L. Auth of Gainesville; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Barbara Hill
Barbara Hill of Old Town died Friday at Shands at Alachua General Hospital. She was 73.
Mrs. Hill was a counselor.
Born in Oklahoma City, she moved seven years ago from Hillsborough County to Old Town.
She belonged to the Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Cross City.
Survivors include one daughter, Cindy Linzi of Old Town; a son, Michael E. Hill of Old Town; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Marie Lashley Jenkins
LIVE OAK -- Marie Lashley Jenkins of Live Oak died Friday at her home after a long illness. She was 77.
Mrs. Jenkins was a homemaker and farmer-rancher.
She was a lifelong Suwannee County resident.
Mrs. Jenkins was a member of the Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Live Oak.
She also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, chapter No. 49.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Chester Jenkins of Suwannee County; her daughter, Betty Lou Sullivan of Suwannee County; her son, Lamar Jenkins of Suwannee County; a sister, R. V. Truluck of Suwannee County; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Martha Jane Knuckles
TRENTON -- Martha Jane Knuckles of Trenton died Saturday at North Florida Regional Medical Center. She was 75.
Mrs. Knuckles was retired from the Gilchrist County School system.
She was a lifelong Trenton resident.
Mrs. Knuckles belonged to the Trenton Church of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Knuckles Sr. and a son, Ronnie Knuckles.
Survivors include three sons, Dale Knuckles of Chiefland, and Danny Knuckles and Leonard Knuckles Jr., both of Trenton; one daughter, Geraldine Filmon of Old Town; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Lucile Bailey Beck Lilieholm
Lucile Bailey Beck Lilieholm of Gainesville died Friday at Shands at AGH after a long illness.
She was 71.
Mrs. Lilieholm worked at the Veterans Administration hospital doing medical transcriptions.
Born in Perry, she moved from High Springs to Gainesville 24 years ago.
Mrs. Lilieholm was a member of the First Baptist Church in High Springs. She also belonged to the American Business Women Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Lilieholm, and a son, Steve Beck.
Survivors include two sons, William R. Beck of Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas D. Beck of Dolores, Colo.; a stepson, Lennart Lilieholm of Gainesville; a stepdaughter, Ingrid Hecker of Jacksonville; and a sister, Irene Bailey of Jacksonville.
Joseph William "J.W." Miller
Joseph William "J.W." Miller of Trenton died Friday at Shands at the University of Florida. He was 83.
Mr. Miller, a farmer, was retired from the Department of Transportation.
He was a lifelong resident of Gilchrist County and belonged to the Church of Christ in Trenton.
In addition, Mr. Miller served as chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee from 1961 until 1964 and was on the Adult 4-H Council.
He also was a past president of the Farm Bureau of Gilchrist County, forming its first office there.
Survivors include his wife, Marlene Miller of Trenton; two daughters, Sharon Mae Crews and Cheryl Marie Watson, both of Trenton; a son Joseph W. Miller Jr. of Oxon Hill, Md.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Charles W. Burgin
EDGEWATER -- Charles W. Burgin of Edgewater died Saturday in the Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach.
He was 77.
Mr. Burgin was born in Seldovia, Alaska, and moved to Edgewater from Gainesville in 1994.
He was a retired research chemist at the University of Florida, where he developed Pro-Fibe. He was a member of United Methodist Church of Edgewater.
Survivors include his wife, Lila Burgin of Edgewater; three sons, Albert F. Burgin of South Daytona, F. Leroy Burgin of Dade City and Ronald D. Burgin of High Springs; two daughters, C. Joyce Krause of Newberry and Leanna Burgin of Gainesville; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Expressions of sympathy may be made as donations to the American Cancer Society, Southeast Volusia County Unit, P.O. Box 226, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0266.
