James Yates, 56 Winter Haven
James Richard Yates, 56, Winter Haven, son of Jessie Yates of Crystal River, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003.
He was a lifelong resident of his native Winter Haven.
Mr. Yates was a maintenance assistant and a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army.
He was a member of 34th Street Church of God, Winter Haven.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Sue Yates of Winter Haven; son, James William Yates of Winter Haven; daughter, Jessica Nichola Clement of Lake Alfred; father, Albert Currey Yates Sr. of Polk City; mother, Jessie Yates of Crystal River; two brothers, Albert Currey Yates Jr. of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dennis Wayne Yates of Lakeland; and three grandchildren.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge, Ocala.
Barbara Ann Box, 48, Worked in retail
Barbara Ann Box, 48, of Webster, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Leesburg, she was a lifelong resident of Sumter County. Mrs. Box was employed by the Sumter County Farmer's Market in Webster. She was Baptist. Survivors include her husband, Thomas; two sons, Thomas M. Box Jr. and Noah E. Box, both of Webster; two grandchildren; one brother, R.C. Fennell of Bristol, Fla.; four sisters, Shirley Woodard of Croom, Bobbie Browning of Lehigh Acres, Yvonne Knighton of Wildwood, and Jo Clark of Starke. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Dr. Kenneth McInnis Eaddy, 78, Educator
Dr. Kenneth McInnis Eaddy, 78, of Avon Park, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Avon Park. He was born in Bushnell on Jan. 20, 1925 to Wilbur Fisk and Lois Morris Eaddy, and a resident of Avon Park since 1954, coming from Gainesville. Dr. Eaddy was an educator, an agriculture teacher for two years and an assistant principal of Sebring High School for four years. He then went to Lake Placid to become supervising principal for all schools for two years. After earning his Doctorate he taught at the University of Florida then going to the Florida Department of Education and Southern Association of colleges and schools. He was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Eaddy of Avon Park; daughter and son-in-law Pamela Eaddy and Mark Headrick of Highlands, N.C.; son and daughter-in-law Michael A. and Gayla Eaddy of Gainesville; brothers, Wilbur Eaddy of Clearwater, and Dr. Albert Eaddy of Clearwater; one grandson, James Eaddy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Life Path Hospice.
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, Avon Park.
Ralph H. Evans, 84, Business owner
Ralph H. Evans, 84, of Bushnell, died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Dublin, Ga., he was a resident of Sumter County for most of his life. Mr. Evans was a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Bushnell. He was a business owner and operator and an Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Thelma; daughters, Brenda Allen of Ocala, and Caryl Beavers of Bushnell; two granddaughters, Jennifer O'Neal of Ocala and Jessica Beavers of Bushnell; two sisters, Frances Stinson of Astatula, Fla., and Faye Bell of Denmark, S.C. Graveside services were held Oct. 24 at Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Kelsia R. Harsey, 96, Homemaker
Kelsia R. Harsey, 96, of Tallahassee, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, in Tallahassee. Mrs. Harsey was a homemaker and a member of Wildwood Methodist Church where she was the oldest member. She resided with daughters in Gainesville where she lived with Ruth Carroll and in Tallahassee with Martha. Survivors include one son, Kenneth Harsey of Lynn Haven; three daughters, Martha Capelouto of Tallahassee, Linda Thomas of Cummings, Ga., and Ruth Carroll of Gainesville; two sisters, Frances Green of Wildwood, and Freda Green of Panama City; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and four great, great-grandchildren. The service was held Oct. 27 at the Wildwood Methodist Church in Wildwood with burial at the Oak Grove cemetery in Wildwood. Memorial contributions may be made to the Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee 32308, or the Florida Methodist Children's Home, 51 Main St., Enterprise, Fla. 32725.
Willie T. Johnson, 49, Construction
Willie T. Johnson, 49, of Wildwood, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Winter Haven, he moved to Wildwood in 1980 from Winter Haven. Mr. Johnson worked in the construction industry. He was Protestant. Survivors include a son, Samuel Johnson of Wildwood; sister, Emma Padron of Dundee, Fla.; and one grandchild. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fravis Owen Johnson. Funeral Services were held Oct. 27 at Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, with John Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Willie Johnson Trust Fund at any First Federal Loan and Savings Bank. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Louise G. Martin, 93, Landlord
Louise Grace Martin, 93, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, in Lake Panasoffkee. A native of Asheville, N.C., she was a resident of Lake Panasoffkee since 1969, coming here from Neptune Beach, Fla. Ms. Martin took flying lessons as a young woman and loved to fly. She had a great love for pets and wildlife and was an avid reader. She was a landlord for rental properties and was Catholic. She is survived by a son, James Wade, III of Bushnell. A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with Chaplain Isaac Deas officiating. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Paul A. Neuburg, 82, Electrician
Paul A. Neuburg, 82, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in The Villages. A native of Hubertus, Wis., he moved to Sumter County in 1989 from Carol City, Fla. Mr. Neuburg was an electrician in the construction industry. He was a veteran of World War II, receiving numerous ribbons and medals for his military service. He was a member of the VFW 10084, DAV Chapter 96, Hialeah Civic Benevolent Association and the Independent CB'ers. He was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, Theodore Neuburg of Wisconsin, Charles Clayton of Clermont; three daughters, Lee Behnke of Wisconsin, Belinda Holston of North Carolina, Mary Ellen Mooney of Martinez, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Neuburg of Shawano and William Neuburg of Pembine; five sisters, Lorraine Mueller of Germantown, Aurelia Grasklaus of Johnson Creek, Mary Hellen Lau of Sheboygan, Cecelia Sinden of Germantown, Bernadette Wallace of Sevierville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Neuburg. Services were held Oct. 27 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Bushnell, with Deacon Bruno officiating. Interment was at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with Military Honors rendered by Sumter County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Lake & Sumter, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Fla. 32778-9972.
Charles W. Starr II, 50, Truck driver
Charles W. Starr II, 50, of Leesburg, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, in The Villages. Born in New Albany, Ind., he moved to Leesburg in 2002 from Pontoon Beach, Ill. Mr. Starr was a truck driver. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam. He was a member of the Teamsters and a Baptist. Survivors include his mother, Marietta Shephard of Leesburg; son, Charles W. Starr III of St. Louis, Mo.; daughter, Julie Buckles of Mamoth Cave, Ky.; sister, Lisa Spawn of Phoenix, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and father. Graveside services were held Oct. 28 at the Florida National cemetery with Military Honors rendered by the Sumter County Honor Guard. Burial was at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Roy Tolar, 73, Farmer
Roy "Edward" Tolar, 73, of Bushnell, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in Tampa. A native of Donalsonville, Ga., he lived most of his life in Sumter County. Mr. Tolar was a farmer. He was an Army veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church of Center Hill. Survivors include his wife, Monette; two daughters, Debbie Turner of Dothan, Ala., Janie Bronoson of Bushnell; one brother, Lester Tolar of Avon Park; two sisters, Nellie Burgess of Eustis and Lois Black of Orlando; two granddaughters, Breyanne and Brittany. Services were held Oct. 29 at the First Baptist Church of Center Hill with Rev. Mark McDowell officiating. Interment at Center Hill Cemetery, Center Hill. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Diana M. Townsley, 55, Sales
Diana Maria Townsley, 55, of Webster, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in Tavares. A native of Miami, she was a resident of Sumter County since 1999, formerly of Miami/Dade where she lived for most of her life. Mrs. Townsley was in sales in the retail industry. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Linden. Survivors include her mother, Myra Muller of Webster; son, Robert A. Townsley of Miami; brothers, Billy Muller of New York City, N.Y., Wayne Muller of Bushnell, Leslie Muller of Orlando; sisters, Reva Beach of Trenton, Fla., Debbie Daniels of Tampa, Edna Bardett of Ocala; grandson, Josh Townsley of Miami; and many nieces and nephews. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
William C. Wynns, 77, Railway industry
William C. Wynns, 77, of Wildwood, died Oct. 22, 2003, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was a native of Sumter County. Mr. Wynns began a 40-year career with the Seaboard Airline Railway in 1946. He was a U.S. Marine during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific campaign including the battle for Iwo Jima. He was a member of UTU Lodge 1502, American Legion Post 18, VFW Post 04910 and the Wildwood Masonic Lodge #92. Survivors include his wife, Hunk (Eunice); son and daughter-in-law, Clint and Germaine Wynns; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Bob Stocks; brother, Frank Wynns; one granddaughter and three great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at Florida National cemetery in Bushnell with the American Legion Post 18 providing military honors. In lieu of flowers, and so forth, Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or Hospice of Lake and Sumter, Inc., 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Fla. 32778. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Everett Bishop, 73 Homosassa
Everett Bishop, 73, Homosassa, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at his home.
Born March 17, 1930, in Regina, Ky., to John E. Bishop and Bessie Ann (Branham) Bishop, he came here from Columbus, Ohio, in 1985.
He was a retired production engineer for Continental Corporation of Columbus, Ohio. After moving to Homosassa, he became a driver for Crystal Chevrolet.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Survivors include his companion, JoAnne Chronabery of Homosassa; son, Jeffrey Bishop of Grove City, Ohio; daughter, Theresa Lynn Hicks of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers, Felix Bishop of Angleton, Texas, and Carl Bishop of Hamden, Ohio; sister, Marjorie Preece of Homosassa; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.
Marjorie Combs, 74 Citrus Springs
Marjorie A. Combs, 74, Citrus Springs, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, in Crystal River.
Born in Erie, Pa., she came here in 1990 from Lantana.
She was retired. She was a secretary for the Monsanto Corporation.
Mrs. Combs was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Combs; son, Stephen; and grandson, Jason.
She is survived by her son, Michael Combs of Citrus Springs.
Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon.
