Richard A. Cangley, 69, Foreman
Richard Augustus Cangley, 69, of Tecumseh, Mich., died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, in Leesburg. A native of Thomas, W.Va., he was a winter visitor at The Oaks Campgrounds, Bushnell. Mr. Cangley retired from Tecumseh Products Corporation, Tecumseh, Mich. as a general foreman. He was an Air Force veteran. He was a member of the 1st United Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh, Mich.; the American Legion. He was a very active member of the church, a loving husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Helen; son, Richard Cangley of Tecumseh, Mich.; two daughters, Donna Church of Tecumseh, Carol Schmidt of Evanston, Ill.; three brothers, Robert Cangley of Weirton, W.Va., John and Donald Cangley, both of Thomas, W.Va.; sister, Mary Ann Quattro, Mentor, Ohio; nine grandchildren. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Alan R. Chaffee, 54, Aircraft mechanic
Funeral services for Alan R. Chaffee, 54, were held Monday, Feb. 14, 2000, at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca, N.Y. Alan was a winter resident at Cheryl-Lane Airport in Bushnell. He was an active Aircraft Mechanic and Aircraft inspector specializing in custom repair and restoration, currently employed with Taughannock Aviation. Alan was a true craftsman and aviation lover whose skill and talent will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving companion, Deborah Sheffield of Newfield, N.Y.; four daughters, Buffie Scott of Saint Mary's, Ga., Shilo, Erin and Evelyn Caffee, all of Ovid, N.Y.; two grandsons, Brandon John and Patrick Alan Scott; two brothers, James and Timothy Chaffee; one sister, Ann Waldron; two aunts, Anna Kirschner of Ithaca, N.Y. and Bertha Blauvelt of Newfield, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews. Cards or correspondence may be sent c/o Purcell Funeral Home, 114 W. Noble Avenue, Bushnell, Fla. 33513.
Casimir Grenda, 79, Military
Casimir Grenda, 79, of Bushnell died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000, in Gainesville. Born in Chicago, Ill., he moved to Bushnell in 1972 from Apopka. Mr. Grenda was in the military, the Army. He was Catholic. Survivors include a brother, Joseph Grenda of Calumet City, Fla; several nieces and nephews. Services for Mr. Grenda were held Feb. 24, 2000 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell with Marine Corps League #708 rendering Military Honors. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
Clifford Wilford Oviatt, 87, U.S. Immigration
Clifford Wilford Oviatt, 87, of Fairfield Glades, Tenn., died Monday, Feb. 21, 2000 in Crossville, Tenn. He was born in Parker, Idaho. Mr. Oviatt employed by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. He was a World War II Marine veteran. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Survivors include his wife, Rotha of Fairfield Glade, Tenn., and Lady Lake; son, Gary Oviatt of Fort Lauderdale; two grandchildren, Nicole and Zachary James Oviatt, both of Fort Lauderdale; brother, Karl Oviatt of Dallas, Texas. Services for Mr. Clifford Oviatt were held Feb. 25, 2000 with Rev. Glen Kitzman officiating at Florida National Cemetery. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
Donald D. Russell, 73, Steam fitter
Donald Dewey Russell, 73, of Wildwood died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000. Born in Whitehall, N.Y., he moved to Wildwood from Whitehall in 1998. Mr. Russell was a steam fitter for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Groton, Conn. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, PTO. Survivors include two sons, Paul Russell of Summersville, Conn., Tim Russell of Uncasville, Conn.; three daughters, Sue Dubois of Vernon, Conn., Tina Russell of Summersville, Conn., Melissa Russell of Longmeadow, Mass.; brother, Roy Russell of Celeste, Texas; sister, Leona Ripley of Hudson Falls, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Beyers Funeral Home, Leesburg, handled the arrangements.
Inez Eaddy, 91, Homemaker
Inez Eaddy, 91, of Linden died Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, in Winter Garden. Born in Headland, Ala., she moved to Center Hill from Alabama in 1913, a long time resident of Linden. Mrs. Eaddy was a homemaker in her own home. She was a member of First United Methodist of Linden. Survivors include a daughter, Jan Watkins of Sylva, N.C.; sister, Ola Mae Landress of Linden; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services for Mrs. Inez Eaddy were held March 1, 2000 at the First United Methodist Church of Linden with the Rev. James Reeher officiating. Interment at Linden Cemetery, Linden. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell.
Alfred M. Short Sr., 76, Brick layer
Alfred Milton Short Sr., 76, of Lake Panasoffkee died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000 in Inverness. Born in Apalachin, N.Y., he moved here in 1990 from California. Mr. Short was a steel, brick layer. He was an Army veteran. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Della; son, Alfred Short Jr. of Valrico; two daughters, JoAnne Beard of Valrico; Betty Lou Miller of Lake Panasoffkee; brother, Alvin Short of Oswego, N.Y.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services for Mr. Alfred Short Sr. were held March 1, 2000 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Glen Kitzman officiating. Military honors rendered by Marine Corps League #708. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
Sadie M. Sirmons, 82, Homemaker
Sadie M. Sirmons, 82, of Wildwood died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000. Born in Marianna, she lived in Sumter County most of her life. Mrs. Sirmons was a homemaker and attended Oxford Assembly of God. Survivors include her husband, T.W.; two brothers, James T. Mayo of Auburndale, John H. Mayo of Satellite Beach; two nieces and three nephews. Services for Sadie M. Sirmons were held Feb. 26, 2000 at Banks-Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood. Interment followed in Pine Level Cemetery, Oxford.
Harvey W. Stringer, 81, Saw mill laborer
Harvey W. Stringer, 81, of Bushnell died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000. Born in High Springs, he moved to Bushnell in 1996 from Lacoochee. Mr. Stringer was a retired saw mill laborer. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include four sons, Wayne, Michael, Ronnie and Tommy, all of Lacoochee; daughter, Janet of Georgia; three brothers, Verna Lee Stringer of Winter Haven, Orville Stringer of Macon, Ga., Merlin Stringer of Pa.; two sisters, Ida Hamrick of Bushnell, Marie Strickland of Winter Haven; seven grandchildren. Banks-Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Virginia Lee Kmetz, 77, Assembler
Virginia Lee Kmetz, 77, of Bushnell died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000. Born in Byesville, Ohio, she moved to Bushnell in 1976 from Venice, Fla. Mrs. Kmetz was a wood shop assembler. She was Catholic. Survivors include one sister, Katherine Wintemute of Edinboro, Pa.; two brothers, Ernest R. Kasper of Indiana, Pa., Frank M. Kasper of Barnesboro, Pa.; many nieces and nephews. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
James F. "Jim" Brown, 79, Maintenance
James F. "Jim" Brown, 79, of Lake Panasoffkee died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000. Born in Barber County, Kan., he moved to Lake Panasoffkee in 1978 from Floral City. Mr. Brown was maintenance chief for the Sumter County School System. He was in the Air Corp. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Annette Jones; son, James M. Brown of Bolton, Kan.; daughter, Lynn Dee Reynolds of Denver, Colo.; four step-sons, Mark Stephen Doggett of Coleman, Wayne Jones of Lake Panasoffkee, Ken Jones of Bushnell, Mike Jones of Deland; one sister, Frankie Sutthoff of Hansville, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Jim Brown was held Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Daniel Parker, Mr. Joe Strickland and Mr. Frank Hickey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sumter County Retired Educator's Scholarship Fund, C/O P.O. Box 688, Lake Panasoffkee, Fla. 33538.
Lindsey Charles Croft, 71, Minister
Lindsey Charles Croft, 71, of Center Hill died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, at his residence. Born in Baker County, Fla., he lived in Center Hill since 1993. Mr. Croft was a retired Church of God Minister. He was an Army veteran. He was a member of the Linden Church of God. He was married
for 50 years. Survivors include two sons, Dale and Amy Croft of Mayo, Fla., Randy and Tammy Croft of Mayo; two brothers, Harold and Winston Croft, both of St. Petersburg; sister, Lavaughn Bass of Lake City; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services for Reverend Croft was held Jan. 25 at the South Sumter High School Gym in Bushnell. Officiating was Rev. Gene Rice and Rev. Jimmy Smith. Interment was at Center Hill Cemetery, Center Hill. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Lucile Annie Croft, 67, Homemaker
Lucile Annie Croft, 67, of Center Hill died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000, at her residence. Born in Center Hill, she has lived in Center Hill since 1993. Mrs. Croft was a homemaker in her home. She was married
for 50 years and a member of Linden Church of God. Survivors include two sons, Dale and Amy Croft of Mayo, Fla.; Randy and Tammy Croft of Mayo; two brothers, William T. Huett of Mt. Dora, and Jimmy H. Huett of Center Hill; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services for Mrs. Croft were held Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000, at the South Sumter High School Gym, Bushnell. Officiating was Rev. Gene Rice and Rev. Jimmy Smith. Interment was at Center Hill Cemetery, Center Hill. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Obelia Freeman, 89, Retail sales
Obelia "Billie" Freeman, 89, of St. Petersburg died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000, in St. Petersburg. Born in Webster, she lived in Sumter County since 1972, formerly of Bradenton. Mrs. Freeman was in retail sales, a dry good merchant. She was a member of the Bushnell Woman's Club and the Beta Sigma Phi and a the Bushnell Presbyterian Church. Survivors include daughters, Lucretia L. Hess of Palmetto, Bobbye Ola Gillmore of Jacksonville; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Services for Mrs. Freeman were held Jan. 21, 2000 at the Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with the Reverend Wayne Hood officiating. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell.
Alma R. Merritt, 93, Homemaker
Alma R. Merritt, 93, of Lake Panasoffkee died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000. Born in Perry, Fla., she lived in Sumter County since 1920, formerly of Perry. Mrs. Merritt was a homemaker in her home. She was Baptist. Survivors include three sons, E.A. "Billy" Merritt of Lake Panasoffkee, Joe "Buddy" Merritt of Bushnell, Ira L. "Donnie" Merritt of Ozella; sister, Ruth Harvey; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, LeReda Eaton. Services for Mrs. Alma Merritt were held Jan. 24, 2000 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor R. Jon King officiating. Interment at Sumterville Cemetery, Sumterville.
Allen Samuel Russ, 77, Tree surgeon
Allen Samuel Russ, 77, of Winter Haven died Monday, Jan. 17, 2000. Born in Okeechobee, he moved to Winter Haven in 1999, formerly of Lake Panasoffkee. Mr. Russ was a tree surgeon in the horticulture industry. He was an Army veteran. He was a member of Lake Panasoffkee Church of God. Survivors include two brothers, John C. Russ of Fort Pierce, and Thomas Russ of Bushnell; two sisters, Ottie Brown of Croom-a-Coochee, and Cloie Alderman of Lakeland. Services for Mr. Allen Russ were held Jan. 21, 2000 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Pastor Jeff Crawley officiating. Interment at Florida National cemetery with Military Honors rendered by the Sumter County Honor Guard.
