Sally E. Smith, 58, Homemaker
Sally E. Smith, 58, of Sumterville, died Friday, May 23, 2003, in Sumterville. A native of St. Petersburg, she was a lifelong resident of Florida.
Mrs. Smith was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Meldrum; two daughters, Charlene Bateman and Lisa Smith, both of Sumterville; son, Howard Smith; two sisters, Becky and Linda; and four grandchildren. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Bert Thorstenson, 84, Machine tool engineer
Bert Thorstenson, 84, of Webster, died Tuesday, May 20, 2003, in Dade City.
A native of Rockford, Ill., he was a resident of Sumter County since 2000, formerly of Big Rapids, Mich. Mr. Thorstenson was a machine tool engineer.
He was a member of Ridge Manor VFW #7256 and Delta Sigma Phi.
He was Episcopal and a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Merilyn; three sons, Bert David Thorstenson of Reed City, Mich., Charles Lloyd Thorstenson of Wisconsin, Douglas T. Thorstenson of Big Rapids, Mich.; daughter, Laura Jane Anger of Big Rapids, Mich.; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Interment was at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Phyllis A. Morris, 61
Phyllis Anne Morris, 61, of Wildwood, died Monday, June 2, 2003, in Wildwood. She was born in Leesburg and lived in Wildwood. Mrs. Morris retired from Suburban Propane. She was a member of Wildwood First Baptist Church. Survivors include her mother, Juanita Jones of Wildwood; daughters, Debra Wallace, Lisa Lewis, both of Wildwood; sister, Jan Palmer of California, and four grandchildren. Funeral services were held on June 4 at First Baptist Church, Wildwood, with Rev. Craig Attaway and Rev. Claud McAdams officiating. Burial was at the Greenwood cemetery in Wildwood. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Arvlee A. Phillips, 79, Electrician
Arvlee Adrain Phillips, 79, of Nobleton, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, in Bushnell. A native of Battle Creek, Mich., he was a resident of Nobleton since 1979, formerly of Battle Creek, Mich. Mr. Phillips was an electrician. He was an Army veteran and Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Betty; son, Arvlee Adrain Phillips Jr. of Fort Myers; two daughters, Sandy Parkins of Longmont, Colo., and Diana Buck of Battle Creek, Mich.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, William Phillips of Battle Creek and a sister, Corky Wogomon of Battle Creek. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Marvin O Pope, 94, Military
Marvin O. Pope, 94, of Webster, died Monday, May 26, 2003, in Webster. A native of Harlan, Ky., he lived in Sumter County since 1988, formerly of Port Richey. Mr. Pope was head of the supply wing in the U.S. Military. He was in the Air Force during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Golda; son, J.Y. Sizemore of Webster; daughter, Gayle Schwartz of Las Vegas, Nev.; stepdaughter, Candice Webb of Lincoln, Calif.; granddaughter, Teresa Breyman of Seattle, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews. Services were held May 29 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Ed Button officiating. Interment at Pope Cemetery, Cawood, Ky. with services held May 31 at Mt. Pleasant Mortuary, Harlan, Ky., with Rev. Bob Land is officiating and graveside services held June 1 at Pope cemetery with Full Military Rites being rendered. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Sonja W. Powell, 65, Homemaker
Sonja Wells Powell, 65, of Glenwood, W.Va., died Sunday, June 1, 2003, in Point Pleasant, W.Va. A native of Randolph, Ill., she has lived in West Virginia since 1995, formerly of Inverness. Mrs. Powell was a homemaker and Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Leonard Powell of Glenwood, W.Va.; four sons, Timmy Wells of Tarrytown, Fla., Ken Wells of Tavares, Keith Wells of Bushnell and Lowell Wells Jr. of Lake Panasoffkee; daughter, Tammy Wells of Bushnell; six grandchildren; one step grandchild; brother, Carl Kyker of Calif.; one stepson, David Powell of Inverness; and one stepdaughter, Pam Chatman of West Virginia. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Pastor Emery King officiating. Interment will be at Matchett cemetery in Webster. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Albert L. Richards, 88, Mechanic
Albert L. (Tex) Richards, 88, of Wildwood, died Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at his home. He was the son of L.M. and Bertha Richards and was born in Miami, Okla., Dec. 2, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Richards lived in Joplin, Mo. during their younger years. They moved to Branson, Mo. in 1957. Mr. Richards was a heavy-duty mechanic and welder and worked for the operating engineer on many road jobs. In Branson he worked on Table Rock Dam. He and his wife Fern owned and operated Richards Snack Shop in Branson, Mo., from 1957 to 1967. They then purchased Long Creek Lodge and operated it until 1977. In 1994 they retired and moved to Wildwood. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son, Gary; one brother, Marion Richards, and his wife of 63 years of marriage, Fern (Brown) Richards. Survivors include three daughters, Loretta Baty of Hollister, Mo., and Shirley Coffelt of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Sharon Ridenour of Monett, Mo.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a very special friend, Violet Fredricks. Funeral services were held on June 2 at Snapps Funeral Home. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home provided the information.
Ernest G. Richardson, 73, Trainmaster
Ernest Gene Richardson, 73, of Bushnell, died Saturday, May 31, 2003, in Bushnell. A native of McMinnville, Tenn., he was a resident of Sumter County since 1960, formerly of Leesburg. Mr. Richardson was a trainmaster and worked for the railroad for 38 years before his retirement in 1985. He was a Navy veteran and Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Geneva; five sons, Robert Richardson of Webster, Bennie Richardson of Crystal River, William R. Richardson of Wildwood, Steven Richardson of Bushnell, Chuck Richardson of Fruitland Park; daughter, Patricia Richardson of Bushnell; two brothers, Walter Richardson of Oxford and W.B. Richardson of Lecanto; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held June 3 at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Webster, with Rev. Roger McGary officiating. Interment at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Priscilla C. Thompson, 95, Insurance agent
Priscilla Carr Thompson, 95, of Inverness, formerly of Lake Panasoffkee, died Friday, May 30, 2003, in Inverness. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., she moved to Sumter County in 1954 from North Carolina. Mrs. Thompson was the co-founder of Central Florida Insurance, Inc., established in 1955. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bushnell. Survivors include a son, Art Thompson of Lake Panasoffkee; three grandchildren, Laurie Anne Thompson of Boca Raton, Mary Beth Gumbart of Macon, Ga., and John Carl Thompson of Centreville, Va. Services were held June 4 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Larry Armbrust officiating. Entombment at Evergreen cemetery Mausoleum, Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cite Center for the Blind, 8807 Airport Blvd., Leesburg, Fla. 34788. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
James L. Hart, 52, Car salesman
James Lester Hart, 52, of Webster, died Tuesday, May 6, 2003, in Webster. A native of Leesburg, he lived most of his life in Lake and Sumter counties. Mr. Hart was a car salesman and a Christian. Survivors include a daughter, Renee Hart of Orlando; and two brothers, Randy Hart of Webster, Gary Hart of Stuart. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Raymond E. Mahler, 85, Cabinetmaker
Raymond E. Mahler, 85, of Bushnell, died Sunday, May 18, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Hannacroix, N.Y., he moved to Sumter County 20 years ago, formerly of Raleigh, N.C. Mr. Mahler was a cabinetmaker. He was Methodist. Survivors include his wife, Doris; two sons, Richard Mahler of Brant Lake, N.Y. and Donald Mahler of Adirondac, N.Y.; daughter, Carolyn Eggleston of Porter Corners, N.Y.; brother, George Mahler of Verona, Va.; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held May 21 at the Purcell Funeral Home Chapel in Bushnell with Pastor R. Jon King officiating. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Walter N. Hoemig, 77, Sales rep
Walter N. Hoemig, 77, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., he was a resident of Indiana and Sumter County. Mr. Hoemig was a sales representative in the electronics industry. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Rosalie; two sons, Kenneth Hoemig of Fremont, Ind., and Howard Hoemig of Angola, Ind.; two stepdaughters, April Arnett of Striker, Ohio and Jennie Rogers of Pioneer, Ohio; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Services were held at the Weicht Funeral Home, Angola, Ind. on May 17. Interment was at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne, Ind. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Purdie Hudson, 88, Retired
Purdie Hudson, 88, of Wildwood, died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Ruffin, S.C., she came here in 1950 from there. Ms. Hudson retired from the Sumter County School System. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wildwood. She is survived by her church family and a host of other
friends. Funeral services were held May 16, at the First Baptist Church of Wildwood with Rev. Claud McAdams officiating. Burial was at the Oak Grove cemetery in Wildwood. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Family Life Center Fund, 402 Oxford St., Wildwood, Fla. 34785. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Judith M. Maddox, 66, Asst. Vice Pres.
Judith M. Maddox, 66, of Oxford, died Thursday, May 15, 2003, in Ocala. She was born in Oxford and lived there all of her life. Mrs. Maddox retired after 30 years of service from the First Federal Savings and Loan in Lake County as assistant vice president. She was a 1954 graduate of Wildwood High School and a member of the First Baptist Church of Wildwood. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, George Maddox; mother, Viola Milton of Oxford; brother, Stanley Milton of Oxford; daughter, Terri Maddox of Oxford; sons, Mike Maddox of Crestview, Stacy Maddox of Oxford, Byron Maddox of Fruitland Park; grandchildren, Jami Powell, Josh Powell, Angela Maddox, Dax Maddox, Brittany Maddox, Olivia Maddox, Jacob Maddox, Joni Shaw, Ashley Talwar, Krystal McKenney, Shawn McKenney, Taylor Shaw, Savannah Shaw, Bailey Shaw and Evy Shaw. Funeral services were held May 19 at the First Baptist Church of Wildwood with Rev. Claud McAdams and Rev. Wilson Smith officiating. Burial was at the Oak Grove cemetery in Wildwood. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Elizabeth D. Smith, 74, Real Estate
Elizabeth "Betty" Driggers Smith, 74, of Wildwood, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Honaker, Va., she moved here in 1948 from Virginia. Mrs. Smith was a self-employed real estate owner/operator. She was a member of the Sunset Park Church of God in Wildwood. She was preceded in death by two sons, Aaron Driggers and Troy Driggers. Survivors include daughters, Darlene Hewitt of Wildwood, Nadine Ogletree of Ocala, Karen Jarrell of Wildwood, Roberta Driggers of Wildwood, Denise Billsen of Lansing, Mich.; brothers, James Roman of Wildwood, Ernest Roman of Crestview; sister, Dixie Ruzzo of Wildwood; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on May 15 at the Sunset Park Church of God with Rev.
Darrel Strickland and Rev. Robin Tripp officiating. Burial was at the Pine Level cemetery in Oxford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Lake and Sumter County, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Fla. 32778-9972. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Shirld S. Strotman, 65, Equip. operator
Shirld S. Strotman, 65, of Leesburg, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Clarion County, Pa., he was a resident of Leesburg since 1998, formerly of Graysonville, Md. Mr. Strotman was a heavy equipment operator. He was Methodist. Survivors include two sons, Scott S. Strotman of Oil City, Pa., and Shane Strotman; sister, Judith D. Bechtel of Leesburg; three brothers, Kenneth Strotman Jr. of Graysonville, Md., Ronald L. Strotman of Ridgely, Md., Alex D. Strotman of Dona Vista, Fla. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
C.M. Wesson, 80, Carpenter
C.M. Wesson, 80, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Monday, May 12, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Florence, Ala., he was a resident of Lake Panasoffkee since the 1980s, formerly of Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Wesson was a carpenter/painting contractor.
He was a U.S. Marine veteran serving during World War II. He was Protestant and a member of the VFW. Survivors include his wife, Helen; two sons, Wayne (Patsy) Wesson of Dickson, Tenn., Steve Wesson of Nashville, Tenn.; daughter, Linda (Billy) Mason of Hendersonville, Tenn.; two sisters, Margarite Richbrough of Nashville, Tenn., and Juanita Becton of Dickson, Tenn.; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were held May 16 at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with military honors rendered by Marine Corps League #708. Interment at the Florida National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Virginia L. Tidwell, 87, Homemaker
Virginia Lucille Tidwell, 87, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Wednesday, May 14, 2003, in Leesburg.
A native of Birmingham, Ala., she moved to Sumter County in 1985, formerly of Auburndale, Fla.
Mrs. Tidwell was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Panasoffkee. Survivors include a son, Paul G. Tidwell of Coventry, R.I.; four daughters, Betty L. Johnson of Altus, Okla., Patricia N. Lott of Homestead, Joyce Milling of Lake Panasoffkee and Maryann Yelm of Boyce, La.; brother, Carl Champion of Oneonta, Ala.; sister, Hazel Atkins of Oneonta, Ala.; 32 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great, great-grandchildren.
Interment at Palms Woodlawn Cemetery, Homestead
Douglas E. Porter, 74, Pastor
Douglas E. Porter, 74, of Wildwood, died Sunday, May 18, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Bradford, Pa., he moved here June 1992 from Scotchbush, N.Y. Mr. Porter was a Free Methodist Pastor of North America.
He is survived by his wife, Florence. Funeral services were held on May 20 at Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Fisher officiating. Burial was at the Florida National cemetery in Bushnell.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New England Conference of the Free Methodist Church of North America, 41 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 12866-5942.
Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Rodney N. Barth, 80, Assemblyman
Rodney N. Barth, 80, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Friday, May 23, 2003, in Inverness.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., he was a resident of Sumter County since 1988, formerly of Ruskin, Fla. Mr. Barth as an assemblyman in the automobile industry. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was Catholic. Survivors include two sons, Robert Barth of Fort Wayne, Ind. and Steven Barth of Auburn, Ind.; daughter, Deborah Steury of Auburn, Ind.; two sisters, Patricia Fox of Fort Wayne, Ind. and June Grider of Sturgis, Mich; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and loving companion, "Patch."
Services were held May 27 at the Florida National cemetery in Bushnell with Father Peter Sagorski officiating. Military Honors were rendered by the Marine Corps League 708. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Michael Barth Art Scholarship Fund, 508 Green Briar Blvd., Auburn, Ind. 46706.
Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Blondell Barnes, 81, Restaurant owner
Blondell Barnes, 81, of Bushnell, died Sunday, May 25, 2003, in Leesburg.
A native of Loango, Ala., she was a resident of Central Florida for most of her life.
Mrs. Barnes was the owner/operator of Barnes Restaurant in Bushnell and a member of the OES, Bushnell.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bushnell. Survivors include two sons, Tim Barnes of Bushnell and Dr. C. Durham Barnes of Winter Park; daughter, Jolinda Branch of Fort Myers and six grandchildren. Services were held May 28 at First Baptist Church of Bushnell with Rev. Nevi Townsend officiating.
Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
