Robert M. Benz
Robert M. Benz of Gainesville died unexpectedly Friday at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. He was 51.
Mr. Benz was a sales representative for a safety equipment company.
Born in Tampa, he moved from Tampa to Gainesville 10 years ago.
He was a member of Covenant Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Benz of Gainesville; two sons, Karl Benz and Robert Benz, both of Gainesville; three brothers, Chuck McLaughlin of Roscommon, Mich., Bill Nelson and Gillespie Nelson, both of Nashville, Tenn.; six sisters, Ruth McCall of Ozawkie, Kan., Marla McLaughlin of Charlottesville, Va., Elaine Mclaughlin of St. Petersburg, Billie Manheimer of Pittsburgh, Polly Nelson of Greensboro, N.C., and Jody Osborn of New Canaan, Conn.; his father and wifestepmother, Wilbert and Ella Benz of Tampa; and his mother, Martha McLaughlin of Tampa; and his grandmother, Nell Burton of Tampa.
Yvonne Johnson Feagle
BELL - Yvonne Johnson Feagle of Bell died Thursday at her daughter's home. She was 64.
Mrs. Feagle was a former clerk at Pic N' Save.
Born in Altamont, Tenn., she moved from High Springs to Bell 21 years ago.
She was a Baptist. Mrs. Feagle enjoyed fishing.
Survivors include a daughter, Glenda Poole of Bell; and three grandchildren.
John William Fletcher
WILLISTON - John William Fletcher of Williston died Thursday at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville due to injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. He was 52.
Mr. Fletcher was a lab technician for the Florida Anatomical Board at the University of Florida. He also formerly worked at Knauff Funeral Home in Williston.
Born in O'Brien, he was a lifelong resident of the Gainesville area.
He was a member of International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers and Goldwing Roadriders Association. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Mr. Fletcher enjoyed making stained glass and birdhouses.
He was a Baptist.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Imler Fletcher of Williston; three daughters, Karen F. Arnold of Cedar Key, Cindy F. Battle of Williston and Tonja F. Bates of Archer; a sister, Perry Jo Ernst of Williston; and four grandchildren.
William J. Gailey
William J. Gailey of Tokyo, Japan, died Wednesday in Tokyo after an apparent heart attack. He was 52.
Mr. Gailey was an English teacher.
Born in Pittsburgh, he lived in Gainesville for three years before moving from New Orleans to Tokyo 13 years ago.
He received a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University and a master's degree from Columbia University.
Mr. Gailey was a minister for Unification Church in Tokyo.
He formerly served in the Peace Corps in Africa and worked with the Teacher Corps program in Alachua County schools.
Survivors include his wife, Kimiko Gailey of Tokyo; a son; two brothers, including Richard Gailey of Gainesville; and two sisters, Lorraine Losch and Gennette Gailey, both of Gainesville.
Bobby Wayne Hitt
ARCHER - Bobby Wayne Hitt of Archer died Wednesday at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville. He was 52.
Mr. Hitt was a boilermaker and the owner of a mobile home repair business in Archer and Gainesville. He also served in the U.S. Army.
Born in Manila, Ark., he moved from Crystal River to Archer 14 years ago.
He was a member of the Church of God in Archer, the Masonic Lodge in Inverness and the Boilermaker Local in Tampa.
Survivors include his wife, Constance L. Hitt of Archer; a daughter, Theresa Elaine Hitt of Fergus Falls, Minn.; two stepdaughters, Teresa Ann Hunting of San Ramon, Calif., and Tammy Sue Burton of Pleasanton, Calif; a stepson, Edward E. Hunting II of Milpitas, Calif.; his mother, Zella Virginia Hitt of Polk City; three brothers, Larry Edgar Hitt of Bristol, Tenn., James A. Hitt of Bluff City, Tenn., and Ricky J. Hitt of Blytheville, Ark.; two sisters, Shelby Jean Hitt of Polk City and Linda Carol Isom of Lake Wales; and three grandsons.
Expressions of sympathy may be made as donations to the American Cancer Society.
George F. Rawls
FELLOWSHIP - George F. Rawls of Fellowship died Wednesday in Ocala after a long illness. He was 86.
Mr. Rawls was a retired carpenter and farmer and was employed in the timber business.
Born in Fellowship, he was a lifelong resident of Marion County.
Mr. Rawls was a member of Fairfield Presbyterian Church and was former director of Florida State Fox Hunters Association in Perry.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie F. Rawls of Ocala; two sons, George W. Rawls and Henry A. Rawls, both of Fellowship; two daughters, Carolyn Holly of Fellowship and Dorothy R. Muckey of Ocala; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Alice Pearce Snowden
LAKE BUTLER - Alice Pearce Snowden of Lake Butler died Thursday at her home after a long illness. She was 70.
Mrs. Snowden was born in Miami and moved to Lake Butler 17 years ago.
She was a member of the National Honor Society, National Quill and Scroll, National Thespians and the Andrew Jackson High School Marching Band. She marched in five Orange Bowl parades.
Survivors include three sons, Lonnie I. Case of Miami, Lee D. Case of Inverness and Millard S. Snowden Jr. of Charlotte, N.C.; her stepfather and his wife, Jacob E. and Betty Blanton of Inverness; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Arthur L. Toupin
Arthur L. Toupin of Gainesville died Thursday at Shands at AGH. He was 74.
Mr. Toupin, a retired engineer, worked on high pressure boilers for Michigan public schools. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Born in Hamtramck, Mich., he moved to Gainesville 10 years ago.
He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Jeannette Toupin of Gainesville; two sons, Ronald Toupin of Gainesville and Leonard Toupin of Warren, Mich.; three daughters, Sandy Bertholet of Warren, Deborah Toupin of Roseville, Mich., and Mary Anne Long of Clinton Township, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
