William Baker
STARKE William (Bill) Baker, 90, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 2:31 p.m. at Haven Hospice in Gainesville. He was born April 29, 1931 in Glenville, Georgia. He was self-employed in construction prior to moving to Starke. Once he moved to Starke, he was a chicken farmer until he retired. His favorite pastime was working in his wood shop making amazing things like furniture and clocks. He also enjoyed going to Edward’s Grocery and Tony’s to drink coffee and talk with his friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Marjorie; and his loving children, Garry, Glenn, Debbie, and Lorrie; his grandchildren, Kim, Kristen, Wesley, Mandy, Amber, and Taylor; and many great-grandchildren.
Services will be at a later date.
PAID OBITUARY
Patricia Bennett
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Patricia “Pat” Bennett, 80, of Keystone Heights died on Monday, March 28, 2022. Born in Jacksonville, she moved with her husband to Keystone Heights in 1970. She worked at Gulf Life in Jacksonville for many years before moving to Keystone State Bank in Keystone. Later, she became the smiling face of Shands Starke ER. She was an active member in the community and volunteered with many organizations. She was a member of the Lake Region Kiwanis Club; the Junior Woman’s Club, where she served as a past president; and Keystone Business Association. She always enjoyed participating in the Kiwanis’ annual Festival of the Lakes and parades each year. Her infectious smile and ability to make people laugh will always be remembered. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Del; sister, Sandra Chapman; and parents, William C. and Marge German.
She is survived by two children: son, Darrin (Tamsen) Bennett, and daughter, Dana (David) Eatmon, both of Keystone Heights. She was “Mimi” to grandchildren, Daelynn, Kamryn, Carson, and Rachel Eatmon, all of Keystone Heights. She is also survived by her sisters, Linda Titus of Jacksonville, and Peggy (John) Pugh of San Rafael, California.
Friends and family are invited to a special remembrance and celebration of life on Sunday, April 10 at The Woman’s Club of Keystone Heights from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
PAID OBITUARY
Dr. Mark Frost
Dr. Mark M. Frost, 73, passed away quietly in his sleep surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2022, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Jacksonville on March 4, 1948 and attended public schools there until his mother’s death when he was 15 then he transferred to Washington, D.C., to finish high school while living with his Uncle Dick. He attended the University of Florida, and Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked with Dr. John Plant in the Herschel Animal Clinic from his Vet School graduation until his early retirement due to illness in 2006. His love of people and devotion to the health of animals made him a special veterinarian to many. He was very focused on civic activities, as well as a dedicated, lifelong Gator fan. He was a lifelong Rotarian, serving on many committees, and a past president of the Westside Rotary Club. He served on the Greater Jacksonville Fair Board for many years, including being a past president of the Greater Jacksonville Fair from 1994 until 1996. He was a past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order, a past president of the Beta Zeta Housing Corporation, and a member of the Kappa Alpha Court of Honor. He was an avid outdoorsman; enjoying boating, fishing, and hunting. He was gregarious and a friend to all. He remembered all his friends and was always glad to see them. He loved to listen to stories and tell his own. He hated casseroles and asked that that be included in his obituary. He was a Christian and appreciated all that the Lord provided, especially his loving family and friends. He played poker in the Timuquana Tuesday-night “prayer meeting” for decades and will be remembered among his friends there for his laughter and stories. He married Tommye Morehead in Bryan, Texas, after graduation from vet school in 1983. He and Tommye have two children, Elizabeth “Beth Anne” Frost and Kevin Edward Frost. Both went to the University of Florida for undergraduate and master’s degrees. Beth Anne followed in her dad’s footsteps and earned her DVM from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and now practices at her two clinics, Pottsburg Creek Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, and Nassau Animal Hospital in Yulee. Kevin received his BS and ME in civil engineering at UF, then went on to Texas A&M and received a further MS in ocean engineering. He now works for Xylem in St. Petersburg as a sales engineer and project manager. Mark’s greatest wish was to be a grandfather, an event accomplished with the birth of his twin grandchildren, Ellis Elizabeth and Graham Everett Frost, on Aug. 1, 2020, to Beth Anne. They were truly the light of his life!
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tommye Frost, and both children, Beth Anne (Ashlie) of Jacksonville, and Kevin Edward (Brenna) of St. Petersburg; two grandchildren; sister, Barbara Woolfe of Nocatee; brother, John “Skip” (Terry) Frost of Bartow; and several nieces and nephews who, along with many friends and acquaintances, are profoundly saddened by his passing.
A celebration of life will be held at his residence, 8136 Alderman Road, Melrose on Saturday, April 30, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.. The family will be accepting any family and friends who would like to come out. Remembrances may be made to the Dr. Mark M. Frost Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine or a charity of your choice. Remembrances to the scholarship endowment may be forwarded directly to Ms. D. Turner, AUCVM, 317 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Frank Hadley III
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Frank “Buddy” Madison Hadley III, 78, of Keystone Heights died in Gainesville on Saturday, April 2, 2022. He was born in Jacksonville on Aug. 14, 1943.
No services will be held at this time.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
Wessie Saxon
Wessie Pope Saxon, 90, went to her heavenly home surrounded by her family on Friday, April 1, 2022. She was born in Levy County to Albert and Ruby Pope on Oct. 28, 1931. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Saxon; and brothers, L.G. and Beryl Pope.
She leaves behind three daughters, Gail (Lloyd) Allen of Starke, Joy (Evan) Drake of Togo, Africa, and Julie (Rob Stone) Christie of Hampton; and two sons, Eddie (Tammy) Saxon of Lawtey, and Timmy (Amy) Saxon of Mcclenny. She also leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were Wednesday, April 6, at Hampton Cemetery. Services were officiated by Pastor John Hodges.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St., Starke. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Celia Spillman
Celia Katherine (Doverspike) Spillman, 84, passed on to her Heavenly Father’s eternal kingdom on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Palatka. She was born on Nov. 29, 1938 in Armstrong County, Redbank Township, Pennsylvania to Melvin Eugene Doverspike and Mable Marie (Miller) Doverspike. She was raised in the Nazarene faith and often sang in church services with her dad and siblings. She attended Franklin High School, Franklin, Pennsylvania, Class of 1957. She participated in FFA, Girls’ Glee Club, the Literary Club, the Driving Club, was the FHA president and, was on the Junior Prom Committee and the Candy Committee. She joyfully attended her 50th high school reunion and kept up with several of her high school classmates throughout her entire life. She met PFC Larry Spillman (US Army) in Washington, D.C. while she was employed as a file clerk for the CAA (now the FAA). They were married on June 9, 1958 at the Nazarene Church in Franklin, Pennsylvania. It actually snowed on her wedding day. She faithfully and lovingly raised five children: Michael R (Sabine) Spillman, Cheryl (James) Craig, Gayle May, Katherine D. Spillman, and, Stephen (Angelika) Spillman. Prior to becoming homebound, she attended First Baptist Church, Keystone Heights, and enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in Women on Mission (formerly WMU). She enjoyed caring for the infants and toddlers at First Baptist Day Care. Her hobbies included stamp collecting, drawing, painting, sewing, quilting, cooking and canning, gardening, and, decorating for Christmas. She will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew her. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Michael R. Spillman; her parents; and six siblings, Martha, Gerald, Truman, Savinna, Everett and, Roy Cedric.
She leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Larry E. Spillman; children, Cheryl (James) Craig of Grayson, Kentucky, Gayle May of Middleburg, Katherine Spillman of Keystone Heights, Stephen (Angelika) Spillman of Middleburg. Surviving grandchildren include, Robert Michael Adkins of Ashland, Kentucky, James Michael Spillman of Lake Butler, Soner (Stephanie) Acar of Jacksonville, Hakim Acar of Germany, Zachary (Tiffany) Craig of Grayson, Kentucky, Caleb (Alexis) Craig of Grayson, Kentucky, C Sean May of Keystone Heights, Craig Spillman of Keystone Heights, James Spillman of Macclenny, Benjamin (Zavannah) Ackman of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sarah Ackman of Lawtey, and Hannah Ackman of Middleburg. Great- grandchildren include: Caroline Craig, Everly Craig, Laney Craig, Adalyn Craig, Riley Craig, Lucas Xavier Barfield, Anastasia Raye Spillman, Brantley Permenter and Zandria Ackman. She also leaves three younger siblings: Harold (Joy) Doverspike, Ken (Judy) Doverspike and, Lyle (Barbara) Doverspike, all of Franklin, Pennsylvania
Arrangements will be made at a later date and time. You may donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memoriam.
Arrangments are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights. Jones-GallagherFH.com 352-473-3176.
PAID OBITUARY
