Earnestine McKinley, 90 Citrus Springs
Earnestine V. McKinley, 90, Citrus Springs, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, in Lecanto.
Born Feb. 16, 1913, in Allen County, Kansas, to Jonathan B. and Ruth (Lieurance) Davis, she came here in 1986 from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
She was a homemaker and a member of Community Congregational Christian Church of Citrus Springs, where she was very active in Women's Fellowship and sang in the choir.
She was a member of American Gold Star Mothers, Washington, D.C.; American Legion Auxiliary No. 58, Dunnellon; and past member of Order of Eastern Star, Upland, Calif.
She had a lifelong love of knitting, crocheting and needlepoint; and donated lap robes she made to area nursing homes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence W. McKinley, in 1977, and her son, Stephen William McKinley, who died in 1977 in Vietnam.
Survivors include her sister, Evelyn R. Hess of Tucson, Ariz.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins, including Margaret Johnson of Citrus Springs.
Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills.
Ronald Peck, 63 Crystal River
Ronald Kenneth Peck, 63, Crystal River, died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, in Crystal River.
Born March 11, 1940, in Seekonk, Mass., to C. Kenneth and Clara Peck, he came here in 2000 from East Greenwood, Ohio.
Mr. Peck was a retired security guard for the city of Providence, R.I.
He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was Baptist.
Survivors include three sisters, Helen Sinapi (John) and Janet Wilkinson, both of Charlestown, R.I., and Carol Carlson of Tucson, Ariz.; and three nephews, Kevin, Steven and Jeffery Wilkinson, all of Charlestown, R.I.
Hooper Funeral Home, Homosassa.
Lydia Ringgold, 69 Crystal River
Lydia G. Ringgold, 69, Crystal River, died at her home on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003.
She was born Jan. 7, 1934, in Hartford, Conn., to Gregory and Lucie (Dimiglia) George. She came here from New Port Richey eight years ago.
Mrs. Ringgold served in the U.S. Army as a nurse.
She was a homemaker in her own home.
She was Catholic.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Peters and Dale Yopp.
Survivors include her husband of 31 years, Roy W. Ringgold of Crystal River; one daughter, Lisa Harder of Crystal River; a brother, Benjamin George of Newington, Conn.; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.
Elizabeth 'Betty' Todter, 97 Sarasota
Elizabeth "Betty" Todter, 97, Sarasota, formerly of Inverness, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003.
She was born Feb. 18, 1906, in Freeport, Ohio, and moved to Sarasota from Inverness in 2001.
Mrs. Todter was a retired accountant.
She was a member of Pine Shores Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are several nephews and nieces including, Thomas Price of Sarasota, John Price of Naples, Linda Nichols of Stow, Ohio, and Barbara Mottics of Medina, Ohio.
Memorial services will be in Inverness at a future date.
Memorial donations may be made to Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, 6135 Beechwood Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231.
Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota.
Charles R. Carpenter, 80, Retired
Charles Richard Carpenter, 80, of Wildwood, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Spencer, Ind., he moved here in 1977 from there. Mr. Carpenter retired from International Harvester in Indiana in 1974. He was a member of VAW Local 98 for 33-1/2 years, American Legion, Wildwood Masonic Lodge #92 and Order of the Eastern Star Wildwood, Chapter 24. Survivors include his wife, Pauline; daughter, Donna (Robert) Swarner of Ramona, Calif.; sister, Marjorie Groomer of Wildwood; granddaughter, Kimberly Ann Swarner of Ramona, Calif., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Sept. 20 at Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home with Mr. Charley Boddy officiating. Burial was at the Hillside Cemetery, Spencer, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation of Florida, Inc. 1040 Woodcock Road, Suite 119, Orlando, Fla. 32803. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Willard Davis, 79, Vessel Master
Willard Davis, 79, of Rockledge, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, in Orlando. A native of Woodsmere, Fla., he was a resident of Rockledge since 1954, formerly of Englewood, Fla. Mr. Davis was a vessel master, military. He was a veteran of the Air Force and Army and served in World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was a member of The Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. Survivors include three sons, Leonard Davis of Daytona, Eric Davis of Fairfax, Va., and Richard Davis of Dolores, Colo.; daughter, Rosemary Davis of Monticello; sister, Elizabeth Martinez of Naples. In lieu of flowers, the Davis family has requested donations to Alzheimer's Association, 988 Woodcock Road, Suite 200, Orlando, Fla. 328083. Services were held Sept. 24 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with Military Honors rendered by Marine Corps League #708. Interment at the Florida National Cemetery. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Johnnie D. Dupee, 57, Homemaker
Johnnie Darlene Dupee, 57, of Webster, died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Bushnell, she was a lifetime resident of Sumter County. Mrs. Dupee was a homemaker. She was Baptist. Survivors include five sons, Chester Gleason and Ricky Gleason, both of Bushnell, Emmett Gleason of Ocala, Michael Gleason of N.Y. and Billy McCoy of Ala.; three step-daughters, Cathy Dupee, Denise Dupee and Carla Dupee, all of St. Petersburg; 10 grandchildren; one step-grandchild; one great-grandchild; four brothers, Frank Prevatt of Phoenix, Ariz., Philip Prevatt of Bushnell, Billy and Lamar Prevatt of Center Hill; two sisters, Dorothy Martin of Center Hill and Mary Croom of Bushnell; and a host of nieces and nephews. Graveside services were held Sept. 19 at the Garden of Memories, Webster. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Alorson W. "Al" Fussell, 82, Field Director
Alorson W. "Al" Fussell, 82, formerly of Wildwood, died on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, in Birmingham, Ala. He was born in Wildwood and his ancestors were early settlers of Lake and Sumter counties. Mr. Fussell was Methodist. He attended Wildwood High School and the University of Maryland. He saw active military duty with the 8th Air Force in Europe during World War II and later served with the Army Division of the American Red Cross as a Field Director in Vietnam. He retired from the National Red Cross as a Field Director after serving -for 25 years both as a professional staff member and later as a volunteer. Mr. Fussell was a member of the VFW, Sons of Confederate Veterans, American Red Cross Retiree Association and the Wildwood Historical Society. Survivors include his wife, Angela B.; sisters, Lorice Burdett of Jacksonville and Patsy Hill of Daytona Beach. Six nieces and nephews, John L. Mayo, Jim Burdett, Linda Kelley, Lisa Fletcher, Charles A. Hill, IV and Renee White; three great nieces, Jaime, and Lauren Fletcher and Heather Kelley; two stepsons, Jerry Scarborough and Tommy Scarborough, both of Birmingham, Ala.; and five step grandchildren. Graveside Funeral Services were held Sept. 23 in the Greenwood Cemetery, Wildwood.
Guy Willis, 76, Medical doctor
Guy Willis, 76, of Wildwood, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, in Asheville, N.C. A native of Roanoke, Ala., he moved here in 1953 from LaGrange, Ga. Dr. Willis retired in 1987. He was a veteran of the Army and served in World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Wildwood, Wildwood Masonic Lodge #92, Scottish Rite Bodies of Ocala, Bahia Shrine Temple of Orlando. Survivors include his wife, Frances; son, Ralph of Wildwood; grandson, Michael Willis of Wildwood and granddaughter, April Willis of Tallahassee. He was preceded in death by daughter Mary Frances Stephenson. Funeral services for Dr. Willis was held Sept. 22 at First Baptist Church of Wildwood with Rev. Craig Attaway and Rev. Claud McAdams and Wilson Smith officiating. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Jack Etter, 89, Equipment operator
Jack Etter, 89, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Switzerland, he moved to Lake Panasoffkee from Floral City in 1997. Mr. Etter was a heavy equipment operator and attended the Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Betty, and sister, Florence Etter of Switzerland. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Alma B. McCollum, 86, Teacher
Alma Beville McCollum, 86, of Brooksville, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Brooksville. A descendent of pioneer settlers of Sumter and Central Florida counties, Alma was born Nov. 25, 1916 on the family property east of Bushnell. A graduate of the Florida State College for Women, Alma worked for the American Red Cross during World War II. During her long teaching career, she taught elementary school students in Wildwood, Bushnell and Brooksville; later in that career she qualified to teach Special Education students. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Retired Teachers Association and the First Baptist Church of Bushnell. Her involvement in numerous organizations reflected many interests. A pianist until restricted by rheumatoid arthritis, Alma was a member of the Brooksville Music Club. A flower lover, she belonged to the Dade City Garden Club. She loved our country and its history. Alma was an organizing and charter member of the Annuttaliga Chapter of the NSDAR and most recently chaired the DAR Service for Veteran patients. Other memberships included the Essex Beville Florida Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America; National Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century; member of the Florida Branch, National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims; National Society Daughters of the American Colonists; First Families of Georgia; member of the Granville Beville Chapter of UDC and honorary member of the Betty Lykes Stringer chapter of UDC; Florida Society Southern Dames of America; the Sumter County Historical Society and one of the founders of the Hernando Historical Museum Association. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Ira W.; son, Bill McCollum of Longwood; sister, Helen Beville Tyner of Brooksville; three grandsons, Douglas, Justin and Andrew McCollum; numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held Sept. 14 at the Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Douglas H. Zipperer and Rev. Matthew S. McCollum officiating. Interment at the Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Golda H. Pope, 56, Machine operator
Golda H. Pope, 56, of Webster, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Webster. A native of Hyden, Ky., she was a resident of Webster since 1988, formerly of Wooton, Ky. Mrs. Pope was a machine operator in the automotive industry. Survivors include a son, J.Y. Sizemore of Webster; two brothers, Omato Hoskins of London, Ky., and Henry Hoskins of Wooton, Ky.; sister, Rosa Lee Hoskins of Wooton, Ky.; half brother, Shade Hoskins of Dayton, Ohio; two half-sisters, Gracie Stidham of Wooton, Ky., Sally Simpson of Wooton, Ky., and many nieces and nephews. Services were held Sept. 10 at Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, with Rev. Ed Button officiating. Interment at Pope Cemetery, Cawood, Ky. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Benjamin Pumphrey, 77, Retired
Benjamin Franklin Pumphrey, 77, of Wildwood and Crawfordville, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in St. Petersburg. A native of Green Forest, Ark., he moved here in 1988 from Thonotossa. Mr. Pumphrey retired from Seaboard Coastline. He was a veteran of the Navy, serving during World War II. He was a member of Old Rock Church of Inglis. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing horseshoes and Ping-Pong and watching baseball. He was actively involved with his family. Survivors include his wife, Pink; sons, Jimmy and Ronnie of Crawfordville and Paul of Wildwood; daughters, Norma Jeanne Holly of Ocala and Cindy Pumphrey of Fitzgerald, Ga.; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held Sept. 12 at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Robert M. Weeks, 66, Retired
Robert Miles Weeks, 66, of Ocala, died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, in Ocala. A native of Lake Wales, he moved to Ocala in 1971 from there. Mr. Weeks retired from Orlando Electrical Union 606. He was an Army veteran and member of the Moose Club of Belleview and the Fly Fishing Club of The Villages. Survivors include his wife, Rose; sons, Robert "Danny" Weeks of Wildwood, Thomas "Tom" Weeks of Georgia; daughter, Lucy Collins-Weeks of Alabama; stepdaughters, Marie Dawson Haislip of Ocala, Sandra Mae Penix of Ocala and nine grandchildren. Funeral Services were held Sept. 14 at the Oxford United Methodist Church with Rev. James Gayler and Sonny Howell officiating. Burial was at the Pine Level Cemetery. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Delores Hernandez, 85, Nurse
Delores Guadalupe Hernandez, 85, of Webster, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Dominican Republic, she moved to Central Florida 3-1/2 years ago, formerly of Miami. Mrs. Hernandez was a nurse and was Catholic. Survivors include a daughter, Ana D. Allison of Webster; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Betty Jo Anderson, 71 Inverness
Betty Jo Anderson, 71, Inverness, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at her home under the care of her family and Hospice of Citrus County.
Born Nov. 1, 1931, in Charleston, W. Va., to George Washington Johnson and Pearl Mae McGraw-Johnson, she moved to Inverness in 1977 from Melbourne.
She was a homemaker. She was a volunteer at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Her memberships included the SHARE Club, the Inverness VFW Post 4337 Ladies Auxiliary, the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3992 in Inverness and the Women of the Moose 1662 of Dunnellon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Anderson, in 1995.
Survivors include her daughter, Brenda Jo Alderman of Inverness; sister, Margaret Karr of Clendin, W. Va.; two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.
Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness.
