SMITH, Eddie J., Sr., age 81 of Tampa passed on January 10, 2001. He is survived by 12 children; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Wilson Funeral Home
TRENT, Virginia M., 73, of Tampa, died Monday, January 15, 2001. She is survived by four daughters: Tami Erickson, Connie Crittenden, Gwen Eagle, and Judy Rogers.
VARNEY, Samuel C., 79 of Altamonte Springs died January 8, 2001. Survived by life companion, Bayonne J. Teed; two sons, Jeff and John Varney of Calif.; one daughter, Valerie Allen of S. D.; one niece and two nephews. Orlando D.C.S.
WARD, Nathan L., of Lake Wales, Fla., passed away January 14, 2001. Survived by wife, Evelyn Ward. Memorial service will be 5:30 p.m. January 18, 2001. Family residence in Lake Wales.
Marion Nelson Funeral Home
WATKINS, Benjayman E., beloved husband of Frances M. Watkins, was born on May 1, 1903 in Arnot, Pennsylvania and passed away on January 14, 2001 at the age of 97. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Frances M. Watkins of Richardson, his children, Rosemary W. Belmonte and her husband Leonard of Woodstock, Illinois, Jerome A. Watkins and his wife Edwina of Cave Springs, Arkansas, and Frances E. Watkins of Dallas, Texas , his 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Mr. Watkins served for four years in the U.S. Navy (1924-1928). He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America; involved with the Knights of Columbus for 76 years, and an active member of the St Vincent de Paul Society for 50 years. Benjayman was the oldest living graduate of St. Leo College in St. Leo, Florida. He was also a pioneering and continually active member in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, including membership with the parish in Dunedin, Florida for 30 years. Mr. Watkins retired from Teletype Corporation, a division of AT&T in 1964 and was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson, Texas with Father David Flori Celebrant. Memorial donations may be made to the Benedictine's Abbey, P.0. Box 2350, St. Leo, FL 33574.
Sparkman/Dickey Funeral Home
WEBER, Wanda Lorraine, 76, of Shawnee Mission, Kan., died January 14, 2001. Survivors three sons, Robert, Thomas and Richard Weber; six grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Neuman.
Holloway Funeral Home
WILLAMS, Cecilia Catherine, 93, of Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, January 14, 2001 at her residence. Preceded in death by husband, Mr. Peter T. Williams. Survived by niece, Mrs. Dorothy (Polly) Haskins, and great nephew, James Edward (Chuck) Haskins, both of Nashville. Funeral services 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2001 in the Chapel of Marshall Donnelly Combs. Friends will serve as pallbearers. Memorial can be made to St. Patricks Catholic Church, 4518 Manhatten Ave. Tampa, Fla. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery, Nashville, Tenn. Marshall Donnelly Combs, 615-327-1111.
EMERSON, Marvin E., 80, of Wesley Chapel, died Sunday, January 14, 2001 at home. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Helen; two daughters, Rosa Shmidt of Clearwater and Judith Bozeman of Wesley Chapel; two sons, Marvin Emerson, Jr. of Stockbridge, Mich. and Larry Emerson of Pickney, Mich.; two sisters, Emogene Beckham of Kissimmee and Virginia Brown of Missouri; thirteen grandchildren and t welve great-grandchildren. A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo. he moved to this area in 1986 from Westland, Mich. He was a retired machinist for Ford Motor Company and was a member of Victorious Life Church in Wesley Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at Victorious Life Church at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2001 with Pastors Ed Russo and Larry Bozeman officiating. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
HODGES FAMILY FUNERAL HOME
GRANTHAM, Lieutenant James H., 62, of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away Sunday, January 14, 2001, in Gainesville, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Grantham, Zephyrhills, Fla.; three daughters, Maxine Green and Elaine Hunter, both of San Antonio, Fla., Heather Grantham, Zephyrhills, Fla.; one sister, Christine Phillips, San Antonio, Fla.; his nephew, Neil Mathis, San Antonio, Fla.; four grand children, Justin Hunter, Matthew Hunter, Kayla and Cody Green. He was born June 23, 1938 in Pasco Station, Fla., and lived all his life in this area. He worked for the Pasco County Sheriff's Department for 27 years and was an Army Veteran. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #29 and the Cattlemen's Association. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 19, 2001, at the Coleman & Ferguson Chapel. Burial will follow at Holton Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday (tomorrow) from 4-8:00 p.m. at the Coleman & Ferguson Funeral Home.
Coleman & Ferguson Co.
PARVU, Nicholas, of Zephyrhills passed away January 15, 2001. He is survived by a close companion, Mae Herman. Visitation from 2-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
WHITFIELD FUNERAL HOME
PROFANT, Vernice L., 82, of Dade City, Fla., passed away Saturday, January 13, 2001 at her home in Dade City. She is survived by her loving family. Funeral Services will be held in Waterford, Michigan.
Coleman & Ferguson Co.
SEARCY, RC, 80, of Holiday passed away January 15, 2001 in New Port Richey. He is survived by five daughters. A memorial service will be held January 20 at 12 noon at Trinity Memorial Funeral Home.
BEATTY, Geraldine V. passed away January 14, 2001, in Zephyrhills. Survived by two daughters, Marie Dubose and Florence Haun and nine grandchildren.
Whitfield Funeral Home.
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BLOOD Roger H., 86, of Zephyrhills, died January 13, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Esther; son, Clinton, Cape Elizabeth, Maine; brother, Howard, Port Orange, Fla.; sister, Christine Rice, Brattleboro, Vt. and four grandchildren. He was a World War II Army veteran, a retired Executive Director of the YMCA and a member of First United Methodist Church, Zephyrhills, Fla. A Memorial service wi ll be held Tuesday (today) at 11:00 a.m. in the Kinnard Chapel of the First United Methodist Church with Rev. R. Craig Ford officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund First United Methodist Church, Zephyrhills, Fla. Kelly Memorial Funeral Home, Zephyrhills, FL
CASHNER, Shirley J., 70, died January 15, 2001 in Zephyrhills, Florida. Survivors include daughters, Cherisse Lockhart of Palmetto and Millie Tyler of Zephyrhills; and sons, Doron Porter of St. Petersburg and Robin Porter of Jackson, Michigan.; a brother, Kenneth DuBois of Kalamazoo, Michigan; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was a software programmer and a Deaconess at Churc h of the Cross. She was also a member of Singles reaching Singles International. She was born in Jackson, Michigan. A memorial service will be Wednesday, January 17, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. at Church of the Cross in Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to Singles Reaching Singles International, 3906 Webber St., Sarasota, FL 34232. Kicliter Funeral Home of Palmetto is in charge of arrangements.
DIEFFENWIERTH, Thomas `T.F.`, 84, of Waynesville, N.C., formerly of Dade City, died January 9, 2001 in Waynesville. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Esther Haire Dieffenwierth; two daughters, Linda Dorsett of Tallahassee and Sylvia S. Metcalf and her husband, Parker of Clearwater; two sons, Thomas E. Dieffenwierth and his wife, Amy of San Antonio and Larry F. Dieffenwierth and his wife M aureen of Lutz; a brother, Frank J. Dieffenwierth of Naples; a sister, Nona M. Cobb and her husband Morrison of Lake Junaluska, N.C.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. T. F. was the son of the late Thomas and Minnie Blitch Dieffenwierth and was a former member of the Blanton United Methodist Church. He was an Air Force Veteran of World War II and was active in his community and love d music, singing and working with wood and crafts. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert E. and Hal W. Dieffenwierth and a sister, Carolyn E. Ansley. Graveside Funeral Services will be held at Townsend House Cemetery
on Thursday, January 18th, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Crabtree United Methodist Church, 184 Ridgedale Road, Clyde, NC 28721.
HODGES FAMILY FUNERAL HOME
MACDONALD, Arthur H., 68, of Zephyrhills passed away January 12, 2001 at East Pasco Medical Center. Survived by sons: Robert, Michael and Guy.
Oaks Cremation Dade City.
MARSHALL, Pamela G., 56, passed away January 13, 2001, in Zephyrhills. Survived by husband, Harold, son, Jeff, and daughter, Denise.
Whitfield Funeral Home
MORIN, Alphonse F., 91, died Saturday, January 13, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; one son, Rodney Morin; two daughters, Shirley Norton and Janet Donnelly; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church in Zephyrhills on Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at 1:30 p.m.
BOLDUC, Orize C. (Irene) , 76, of Zephyrhills, Fla. died Friday, January 12, 2001 at East Pasco Medical Center. Mrs. Bolduc is survived by her sister, Pricilla Pelletier of Auburn, Maine and her brother, Percy Chasse of Middlesex, New Jersey. Born in St. Agatha, Maine she moved to this area 11 years ago from Fords, New Jersey. She was a retired Factory Worker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zephyrhills. Orize was the wife of the late Bert Bolduc. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church in Zephyrhills with Father John Hays as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery
in Dade City, Fla. The family will receive friends on Monday afternoon, January 15, 2001 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Oakley Funeral Home in Dade City, Fla. Oakley Funeral Home in Dade City, FL is in charge of the arrangements.
CAROTHERS, Rita Elizabeth Reed, of Zephyrhills, Florida dies at the age of 84 on Friday, January 2, 2001. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday at 1:00 p.m. with internment at Chapel Hill Garden. Born and raised in Walpole, Mass., Rita graduated from Walpole High School in 1934. She continued her education at the Temple School of Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she studied clothing design. She was forced to drop out of school when her mother died to take care of her younger brother, George. In 1937, Rita began a career at Kendall Mills, Walpole, Mass. as personnel administrator and worked there until she fell in love and married Joseph H. Carothers of Walpole, Mass. Joe and Rita moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1980 and then to Zephyrhills, Florida wher e they retired. Rita enjoyed laughing, Swimming, reading and spending time with friends. Rita was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Joe; her sister, Margaret `Peg` Verderber and her brothers George and Aden, all of Walpole, Mass. Rita is survived by many wonderful neighbors, friends nieces and nephews, including Frances Bernick of Zephyrhills, Florida; Ellen Eggeman of Portsmouth, R.I.; and George S. Reed of Juno Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hernando/Pasco Hospice, 7066 Fort King Road, Zephyrhills, Florida, 33541.
FERNANDEZ, Jose L. passed away in Zephyrhills, January 9, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Alicia; son, Joe; two daughters, Alicia and Lourdes; six grandchildren.
Whitfield Funeral Home Our Hometown Family Serving Your Family. 813-783-9900
MORTON, Vera Nix, 84, passed away January 11, 2001, in Zephyrhills, under the gentle care of the staff of Zephyr Haven Nursing Home. She is survived by three sons, Joe Morton, of St. Louis, Mo., James O. Morton of Zephyrhills and Jerry (Eleanor) Morton of Dade City; a daughter, Harriett M. (Larry) Weicht of Zephyrhills; daughter-in-law, Doris Morton of Lake City, Fla.; a sister, Annie Lee Madd ox of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry A. Morton and a son, Kenneth A. Morton. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at the Richland Baptist Church (W. Stewart Road) with Rev. Claude English, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 .p.m on Saturday at the funeral ho me. Vera was one of the original founders of the Girl Scouts in Zephyrhills, and the owner of Morton Florist Shop in Zephyrhills. Vera and her husband Harry helped transfer the Hercules Powder Company property to the Pasco County School Board. This property is now the site of Woodland Elementary School, Zephyrhills High School and the Hercules Aquatic Center. She came to this area in 1945 from Nashville, Ga. and was a member of Richland Baptist Church. Vera had always been active in community youth activities and crafts. She was lovingly known as `Grandma Morton` or `Granny` to many.
Whitfield Funeral Home
STUBBS, Mildred Lane, Tampa native, resident of Dade City, died January 11, 2001. Preceded in death by her parents, Frank L. and Ida F. Lane; brothers, Kenneth F. Lane and Frank L. Lane, Jr. Survived by husband, Wm. O. Stubbs, Jr, daughter, Martha Stubbs Matthews Vasquez and son-in-law, Dr. Ernesto Vasquez of Westervilie, Ohio, granddaughters, Dina L. Matthews, of Westervilie, Ohio and Carsley L. Matthews, of Washington , D.C., sister, Laura Lee Sidwell, of Smyrna, Ga., brother, Ryan F. Lane, of Palm Harbor, Fla. and 16 nieces and nephews. Served in Women's Army Corp during World War II. Member Palma Ceia Women's Golf Association, Junior League of Tampa and former member of Central Florida Bass'n Gals. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 16 at 3:30 p.m. at Myrtle Hill Memor ial Park. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Mildred's life at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Children's Home of Tampa, or to a church or charity of your choice. OAKLEY Funeral Home in Dade City
BENDLE, William J., 87, of Sun City Center died January 9, 2001, at South Bay Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Madge of Sun City Center; a son Stephen and daughter-in-law Lynn of Clio, Michigan; sister, Margaret of Clio, Michigan; brother, Robert and his wife Beverley of Mesa, Arizona; grand-daughter, Stephanie Byrd and Timothy of Flint, Michigan; several nephews and nieces. He moved to Ru skin in 1974 and to Sun City Center in 1983. He was a member of the Egypt Temple of Tampa and member of Swartz Creek Michigan Lodge #458 F&AM for fifty years. Memorial services at Freedom Plaza Monday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Zipperer's Mortuary & Crematory
COX, Dale Eugene, 77, of Oldsmar, died January 13, 2001. Survivors wife Barbara Cox; three daughters, Joyce, Gayle and Sandi; son Roger; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter.
Holloway Funeral Home
CUSHMAN, Gertrude L., 85, of Largo died January 13, 2001. Survivors include husband, Forest L.; daughter, Karen; son, Robert; sister, Catherine; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
HUBBELL FUNERAL HOME
DONALD, Mary R., 83, of Largo, died January 13, 2001. Survived by a son, Patrick R. Donald and grandson, Brian W. Donald , both of Poughkeepsie, New York. She was a legal secretary.
HUBBELL FUNERAL HOME
