Lynn Crossway
Lynn “Gator Bait” Crossway, 66, of Lawtey passed away at his home unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Red Dog Saloon.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St., Starke 32091. 904-964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
Deloris Dicks
Deloris Ann Dicks, 82, passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at the North Florida Regional Medical Center. She was born on May 10, 1941, in Lawtey to the late William Theodore and Martha Ann Brannen. She built a beautiful life alongside her husband, Laurie Floyd Dicks, and worked tirelessly to support their shared dreams. She embraced her role as a dedicated homemaker while also actively engaging in the success of her husband’s airplane business. She possessed an extraordinary talent for cooking and took pride in creating mouthwatering dishes from scratch. Her family always delighted in the delicious meals she prepared with love. Alongside her culinary skills, she was a skillful seamstress whose nimble fingers brought countless projects to life. From sewing intricate quilts and Christmas crafts to canning vegetables from her bountiful garden, she poured her heart into everything she set out to accomplish. She also found solace within her faith community at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her strong devotion led her to actively participate in various church callings and activities and lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. The church became not only a place of worship but a second home where she found comfort, friendship, and endless opportunities to serve others. She was proceeded in death by her parents, William and Martha Ann Brannen; two brothers; and eight sisters.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of 67 years, Laurie Floyd Dicks; her children, Gary (Pam) Dicks, Tommy (Erin) Dicks, James (Reene) Dicks, Mark (Julie) Dicks, and Lori Ann (Barry) Todd; 17 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; her brother, Theodore Brannen; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A service to honor her will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lake Butler. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, followed by a funeral service starting at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Mary Fitts
Mary Brooks Fitts, 82, of Melrose passed away on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. She was born in Live Oak and moved to Melrose in 1983 from Winter Haven. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, David L. Fitts of Melrose; son, Craig Woodham of Live Oak; stepsons, Randy Woodham of Tampa, David L. (Brenda) Fitts Jr. of Hartford, Alabama, Jeff (Paula) Fitts of Keystone Heights; brother, Johnny Brooks of Live Oak; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
There was a visitation held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Daniels Memorial Chapel with a service following at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jakie Carmicle officiating. Interment was held at the Live Oak Cemetery. Please keep the family in your prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.danielsfuneralhome.com
Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Live Oak and Branford was in charge of all arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY
Austin Fitzgerald
Austin Douglas Fitzgerald, 30, of Jacksonville passed away on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. He was born in Jacksonville on July 5, 1993, to Elizabeth Denise Turner and the late William Don Fitzgerald. He was a resident of Keystone Heights the majority of his life and relocated to Jacksonville in 2021. After graduating Keystone Heights High School in 2011, he started his longtime career in sales. He was a sales agent at Comcast and Culligan for many years. His passion was music and he loved playing his guitar and having jam sessions with family and friends. He loved life, lived to the fullest and found great joy in the simple things in life. He was most proud to be a father and he loved his son more than anything. He was treasured by many. His legacy will live on through his family and friends, and he will be forever missed. He was preceded in death by his father, William Don Fitzgerald; and maternal grandfather, Herbert Turner.
He is survived by his mother, Denise (Gary) Proctor of Interlachen; son, Myles Fitzgerald of Jacksonville; brother, William “Scott” (Tabitha) Fitzgerald of Keystone Heights; sister, Kaitlyn Johnson of Starke; maternal grandmother, Ruth Turner of Macclenny; nieces, Rylin, Arizona, Sutherlyn, and Magnolia-Mae; nephew, Martin; and many stepsiblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church with Pastor Joey Hay officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior at the church.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke. 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
William V. Lunn
William “Bill” Vastine Lunn passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Highland at the age of 99. He was born in Payne, Ohio, on May 13, 1924. He was the son of the late Frank “Doc” Lunn and Cora Lewis Lunn and a brother to his 10 siblings.
He married the love of his life, Betty Overton Lunn, on Sept. 8, 1951. He was in the Marines; therefore, they lived in many cities before settling down in Highland. They had four beautiful children together, Kathleen Mitchell, Linda Lee, Karen Lunn, and William Lunn. Heproudly served in the United States Marine Corps.
He enlisted in the Marines on Nov. 27, 1942. and completed his basic training in San Diego, California. He served in World War II (amphibious recon) in the Pacific and the Korean War (aerial photograph interpreter). He received many service ribbons and awards during his military career. He retired on Feb. 1, 1975, as a Staff Sargent.
He was passionate about education. After World War II, he returned to Payne, Ohio and earned his high school diploma in 1947. He would always encourage his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to make good grades and was happy to reward them. He was a proud father of an Army veteran and grandfather of a Marine. He encouraged his other grandsons to join the Marines frequently. He was known for his storytelling. If you sat with him for more than a few minutes, you were going to hear a story about the pranks he pulled on his siblings, his friends in the military, how he met the love of his life, and many other topics. He was agitating people for fun when he was not telling a story. He also enjoyed fishing and watching sports. He was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and New York Yankees.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Lunn; six brothers, Lewis Lunn, Pete Lunn, Bud Lunn, Frank Lunn, Carl Lunn, and Paul Lunn; and four sisters, Margaret “Peg” Lunn, Ruth Lunn Carter, Mary Jane Fulk, and Enid Lunn Brooks.
Bill will be sadly missed by his two daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Mitchell of Sebastian and Linda Lee of Highland; his son, William “Bill” (Allison) Lunn of Starke; grandchildren, Darlene (Kevin) Rinehardt of Conneaut, Ohio, Richard (Natalie) Ziegler of Ashtabula, Ohio, Kelly (Nathan) Babay of Cleveland, Ohio, Justin (Tammy) Lee of Keystone Heights, Timothy (Jolee) Lee of Starke, Camron Lunn of Gainesville, and Christopher (Candice) Lunn of Middleburg; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Brunsdon, Hailey Ziegler, Cory (Jasmine) Cox, Dalton Lee, Kirsten Lee, Kayden Lee, Koleson Lee, Colton Lunn, Sutton Lunn; his great-great-grandchildren, Mailona and Rowan; brother-in-law, Keith Carter; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 2:10 p.m. at Jacksonville National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to hospice.
PAID OBITUARY
Robert Myer
Robert Edwin Myer of Keystone Heights passed away Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the age of 79. He was born June 27, 1944, in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Forrest “Buck” and Martha (Meriverta) Myer. He was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was a renowned horse farrier for 25 years and was extremely talented in the art of working with wood. He was an honest, Christian man who never hesitated to help others in need. His hobbies included spending time with family, hunting, fishing, golfing, and wood carving. Family and friends are honored to have received some of his collection of carvings.
His survivors are his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Barbara (Beaudet) Myer of Keystone Heights; their three children, Debi (Adam) Haynes of Melrose, Robert “Robbie” (Lecia) Myer Jr. of Texas, and Michael “Mike” (Super) Myer of Grandin; and a brother, Jim (Sandy) Myer of Michigan.
At his request there will be no services.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Wiley Sweat
Perry Wiley Sweat passed away Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. He was born Sept. 20, 1947, and worked for the City of Starke for over 25 years.
Survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; daughters, Angela Sweat (Bobby) Forte, and Amber Sweat (Harry); stepdaughters, Sharon Huddleston, and Karen Cribbs (Cody) Jeffrey; stepson, Anthony (Tristan) Sweat; grandchildren, Dylan Forte, Levi, Remington, Savannah Jeffrey, Allison, Skyla and Haley Gorman; brothers, Jimmy (Janet) Sweat and David (Tamara) Sweat; and his four-legged companion, Oliver.
According to his wishes no services will be held.
PAID OBITUARY
Dennis Waters
Dennis Wayne Waters, 60, of Lake City, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. He was born and raised in Lake Butler and had made Lake City his home for many years. He was a graduate of Union County High School Class of 1981 and worked for many years as a surveyor with Donald F. Lee and Associates in Lake City. He was of the Mormon faith and was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting and tinkering on old trucks. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Douglas Little; a sister, Tracy Annette Little; and a brother, Curtis Oliver Waters Sr.; and a nephew, Curtis Oliver Waters Jr.
Survivors include his parents, Robert and Patricia Waters of Lake Butler; four siblings, Robert Jackson “Bobby” Waters Jr. of Lake Butler, Kathryn Regina Ball Donna Marie Little, and Donald Ellis (Tawnya) Little Jr., all of Lake City; stepfather, Donald Ellis Little Sr. of Lake City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lake Butler with Brother Paul Waters, Second Counselor of the Lake Butler Ward, officiating. Interment will follow. A time of visitation with the family will be from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Oak Grove Chapel at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City 32025. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Joyce Williams
Mrs. Joyce Francis Williams, 87, of St. Augustine, formerly of Starke, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Moultrie Creek Nursing and Rehab Center in St. Augustine. She was born in Bradford County on Jan. 2, 1937, to the late Russell and Lucia (Starling) Thomas and, prior to retirement, worked for the Bradford County School Board. She was a longtime member of Madison Street Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Gerald Williams.
Survivors are children, Jerry (Sam) Williams of St. Augustine, Randy (Ruth Ann) Williams of Hartsville, Tennessee, Chris (Lisa) Williams of Panama City; siblings, Barbara (Lonnie) Davis of Hampton, Ray Thomas of Starke, Leon (Donna) Thomas of Starke, Bonnie (Mike) Targonski of Jacksonville, Libby (Kenneth) Carlton of Starke, and Nancy (Martie) Touchstone of Lake Butler. Also left are grandchildren, Joy (Mark) Scott, Jay (Jen) Williams, Josh (Crystal) Williams, Alan Williams, Anna (Adam) Panisiak, Megan (Chris) Golden, and Haley (Michael) Allen; and great-grandchildren, Johnathan, Zachary, Madelyn, Caleb, Gigi, Luke, Briana, Clayton, Eli, Mac, Clark, and Emma Grace.
The family received friends at Madison Street Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 29, with funeral services following. Interment was at Eliam Cemetery in Melrose. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Madison Street Baptist Church, Building Fund, 900 W. Madison St., Starke, 32091, or The Baptist University of Florida, 5400 College Dr., Graceville 32440.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke, 620 Nona St., Starke, 32091. 904-964-6200 www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
