John A. Melodino
1949-2010
John A. Melodino of Cedar Key passed away on December 12, 2010. He was 61 years old.
He was born on February 3, 1949 in Leominster, MA to John L. and Rita Melodino. He was of the Catholic faith and he served in the United States Coast Guard. He moved to Cedar Key 17 years ago from Hollywood, FL.
He enjoyed being with his family and friends, listening to music, watching wrestling and was just an all around people person.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sharon Melodino; daughters Catrina Esposito (Dean), Tiffany Melodino; brother Gary Melodino; sister Elizabeth Zaruba (Steven); grandsons Aaron and Justin Esposito and granddaughter Jorja Ann Melodino who is on the way.
The family plans on holding a celebration of life on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Knauff Funeral Home-Chiefland. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made at Drummond Community Bank in John Melodino`s name.
Arrangements are under the care of Knauff Funeral Home-Chiefland.
John Donald "Don" Smith
1939-2011
Mr. John Donald "Don" Smith of Cedar Key died Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Cedar Key. He was 71 years old.
Mr. Smith was born August 24, 1939 in Dekalb County, TN the son of the late Frank and Irene Scott Smith. He was married
to Janeice Marshall on June 23, 1984. He served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1963, serving during the Cuban Missle Crisis. He was Co-Owner of Volunteer Machine and Tool, Founder and former CEO of TN Metal Works, President of TN Solar Energy, Founder and CEO of Trutrac Painting and Sandblasting, Nashville, TN., and current owner of Cedar Key Marina in Cedar Key. He attended Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Key. Don enjoyed fishing and being on the water with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Janeice Marshall Smith of Cedar Key; two children: Gregory Shane (Melissa) Smith of Nashville, TN. Ashley (Brandon) Childs of Franklin, TN.; five grandchildren: Ethan Smith, Brody Smith, Sophie Smith, Lucy Childs, and Beau Childs; two brothers, Robert "Pete" Smith of Lebanon, TN.; and Danny Smith of Lebanon, TN. Sister, Janet Parrish of Madison, TN.
Funeral Services for Mr. Smith will be held at Avant Funeral Home, Alexandria, TN., on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1 p.m., conducted by Rev. Catharine Regen. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery, Liberty, TN.
Visitation with the Smith Family will be at Avant Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday after 11 a.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Avant Funeral home, Alexandria, TN.
A memorial service is being planned in Cedar Key, and Cedar Key News will post information as soon as it is obtained.
Donald Joseph Fansler
Donald Joseph Fansler passed away January 20, 2011. He was 75 years old. He had been a resident of Cedar Key since 1977.
Throughout his life, Don was an entrepreneur. He spent many years as an award-winning hair stylist in Highland Park near Chicago, IL. Shortly after he moved to Cedar Key, he opened the Seabreeze Restaurant on Dock Street. In 1990, Don purchased another restaurant business, The Captain`s Table, at the other end of Dock Street. He was a Baptist. He loved to play golf.
Don is survived by his wife, Joan Harrington Fansler; his sons, Donnie (Ethel) Fansler of Cedar Key, Dan (Leslie) Fansler of Williston; his daughters, Gail (Jim) Statkus of Joliet, IL, and Missy (Dan) Zebley of Cedar Key; his sister, Alberta Kupcha of IL; seven grandchildren: Tascia, Ryan, Joey, Amanda, Alison, Daniel and Heather; and four great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his two sisters-in-law, Bernice Fansler and Lottie Fansler.
He was pre-deceased by his two brothers, Jack and Harold Fansler.
A graveside service will take place on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Cedar Key Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer`s Association in Don`s memory.
Craig Lamar Allen
1972-2011
Craig L. Allen passed away unexpectedly January 21, 2011 at his home located in Turkey Creek, Alachua, FL. He was 38 years old.
Craig grew up in Cedar Key, graduating from Cedar Key High School with honors in the class of 1990. He was a member of Cedar Key United Methodist Church.
Craig, at a young age, became interested in sports. He played baseball, softball, basketball and tennis. Tennis was his passion, and he played throughout the state, winning many tournaments. He was awarded scholarships for college after high school. Craig strived to be the best he could be at every sport. He was a good athlete.
Craig attended Berry College located in Rome, GA, then transferred to the University of Central Florida where he received his Bachelors degree in Business Finance in 1995.
Craig started his career with Taylor Construction in Cedar Key, then moved to Gainesville, where he worked for Staff Leasing. He was later employed by Gevity HR, and was currently employed at SOI. He excelled in Human Resources as a Sales Agent. Craig won awards as the company`s top Agent.
GOLF! Golf was his favorite past time. Craig played for pleasure and charitable events where he received many trophies and awards. He was invited to play at the World Class Invitational in LA. His team finished 11th out of 200 teams.
GATORS! Florida Gators football and basketball were his favorite sporting events to attend. Loved those Gators!!
Craig was a devoted son, brother and friend to many. He loved life. He was loved by many and will be in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his parents Herman and Jan Allen of Cedar Key; sister Jana Cathey and husband Graham of Charlotte, NC; brothers Andy Allen and wife Shirlene of Cedar Key, Gregg Allen and wife Nancy of Rome, GA, Russell Allen of Acworth, GA; aunts and uncles, Marge and B.M. Smith of Silver Creek, GA, Carol and Hughdon Edwards of Summerville, GA, Nickie and Bill Rucker of Orlando, FL, Rosemary and Dave Cooke of Austin, TX and Suzanne Allen of Summerville, GA; 3 nieces, Amy, Danielle, Shealene; 3 nephews, Michael, Waylan, Liam.
He was preceded in death by his brother John Eric Allen, grandparents Andrew and Madge Johnson and Eva and Ernest Allen; Uncle Lewis Allen; Aunts Nancy Jo Allen and Beatrice Jones.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Hiers Baxley Funeral Home in Chiefland, from 6 to8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 26, at the United Methodist Church in Cedar Key, at 2 p.m., followed by burial at Cedar Key Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1301 N. Young Blvd., Chiefland, FL 32626, 352-493-0050.
Barbara W. DeVarennes
Barbara W. DeVarennes of Cedar Key passed away March 1, 2011.
She was born to William H. and Ruth Franklin Webb in Shelby, North Carolina, and she and her husband Charles moved to Cedar Key 26 years ago from Sautee, GA.
Barbara was of the Christian faith. She was a wonderful artist and a well known potter in Cedar Key. She enjoyed gardening, pottery, painting and fishing. She was also an animal lover. She loved spending time with family and friends; she was a member of the National Republican Committee and the Spice Girls Club of Cedar Key.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles DeVarennes, daughter BeBe (Mike) Daher, step-sons, Chuck (Pat) DeVarennes, Jim (Linda) DeVarennes, Bobby (Judy) DeVarennes, step-daughter, Julie (Cliff) Whittle, 8 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and she was blessed with a host of many friends.
There will be no visitation held, but the family will greet family and friends 30 minutes before the start of services. A graveside service will be held Monday, March 7, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Cedar Key cemetery with Father Jim Wright officiating.
The family plans on holding a memorial service at Coconuts at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Knauff Funeral Home - Chiefland.
Phillip David Williams
1926-2010
Phillip, known to family and friends as Bub or Bubba, passed away on Thanksgiving day Thursday 25, 2010 at home with loved ones by his side.
Bub was born in St. Charles, Virginia, in 1926 to Myrtle Garber Williams and Thomas Walker Williams. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas in 1933, his mother Myrtle in 1988 and two of four sisters Pauline Williams Roberts and Loraine Williams Lindsey.
He married
Mildred Nolan in 1947.They had three children Tex Williams, Donald Williams, Barbara Jean Williams Crow. He moved his family from Dayton, Ohio in 1967 to the island town of Cedar Key, Florida.
Bub loved all that the small town community had to offer and greatly enjoyed time on the water. He was best known for his master carpentry skills and was instrumental in the construction of many Cedar Key structures.
Bub leaves to his surviving children Tex of Ocala, Don of Micanopy and Barbara of Cedar Key, sisters Ruth Carroll and Jackie Terry of New Jersey, grandchildren Michele, David, Tina, Kelby and Brandon, six great-grand children and long time companion Janice Rose the legacy of courage, strength and love.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mr. Williams`s memory to Haven Hospice of the Tri-County, 311 NE 3rd ST, Chiefland, FL 32626.
Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1301 N. Young Blvd., Chiefland, FL 32626, 352-493-0050. On line condolences may be sent through our website at www.hiers-baxley.com.
A celebration of Bub`s life will be held at Coconut`s Lounge on Dock Street in Cedar Key, Florida on Sunday, December 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Friends are invited to join his family and are encouraged to bring your best "Bubba" stories.
William Phillips
William F. "Bill" Phillips of Cedar Key passed away December 17, 2010 at his home. He was 61 years old.
Mr. Phillips was born in Norwalk, CT and moved to Cedar Key from Hartford, CT in 2003. He was in sales with IBM-Commercial and graduated from The Kings College in NY, with a major in Business and Economics. He was self-employed for 10 years as owner of Horizons Innovative Office Aids, Inc.
He and his wife, Alice, own and operate the Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast. Mr. Phillips started the Cedar Key Transit earlier this year. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Cedar Key. He loved to sail and play his guitar for the Lord.
He is survived by his wife, Alice, of Cedar Key; his children, Joshua & Sarah Phillips of Manchester, CT, Rebekah Phillips of Middleton, CT, Trevor Phillips of Enfield, CT, Evan Phillips of Cedar Key; and his step children, Brett & Madzia Cary of Wallingford, CT, Robin & Todd Pedace, April Cary, all of Willington, CT; sisters, Elizabeth Goehringer of Port Richey, FL, Kathy Wood of Marlborough, CT; brother, Charles Phillips of Boring, OR; and a granddaughter, Sophia.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Cedar Key with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Cedar Key Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1301 N. Young Blvd. Chiefland, FL., 32626 (352)493-0050 .
