Eddie John Allen
Eddie John Allen, 28 of St. Petersburg passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2022 at his residence. He was born in Gainesville and was a resident of Bradford County before moving to St. Petersburg. He attended the local schools of Bradford County and was of the Christian faith. He was employed with the Floral Company of St. Petersburg.
He leaves to cherish his memories his father, Eddie John Allen Jr.; a host of sisters and brothers; his grandfather, Calvin (Junior) Whitfield Jr.; great- grandmother, Bobbie Jean Martin Franklin; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.
Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, in the Oddfellow Cemetery in Starke with Rev. Alvin Green, eulogist, conducting the services under the direction of Haile Funeral Home Inc., 802 N. Oak St. Starke, 904-964-7905. Family and friends will form at the home of Mrs. Bobbie Jean Martin Franklin at 12 p.m. for the cortege. The repast will be held immediately following the services at the Mt. Moriah Community Church, located at 803 N. Oak St., Starke, directly across from Haile Funeral Home Inc., Starke.
PAID OBITUARY
Ruthie Barber
Ruthie Delores Barber gained her wings and went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Jan. 24, 1949 to Ruthie Mae and Charles Edward Ross. She earned a master’s degree in Biblical studies and a Ph.d. in theology. She began her pastoral career in California and ended it in Florida. She was a faithful and devoted servant to the Lord, ministering for many years. She was happily married to Earl Barber for the past 24 years. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her husband and family, and spreading the gospel. She was a strong and steadfast prayer warrior and was loved by all who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracee McCreary and son-in-law, Randall McCreary; three sons, Shaun, Mark, and Barry Grant; three stepchildren, Keith (Rolonda) Barber, Carmen Barber-Jamison, Dominic Barber; 15 siblings; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and more.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church, 2496 Lake St., Lawtey.
PAID OBITUARY
Mary Lou Black
STARKE Mary Lou “Edwards” Black, 79, of Starke passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Riverwood Health and Rehab Center in Starke. She was born on Sept. 3, 1942, in Gainesville to the late Merrill and Louree “Howard” Edwards. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed spending time with her family, collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia, reading, baking, recipe books, western movies, and selling Avon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Merrill and Louree “Howard” Edwards; and brothers, Jerome Edwards and Richard Edwards.
Survivors include her children, Christine (Dale) Bedford of Starke, David Black of Starke, Karen (Daniel) Carver of Hampton, and Wallace (Melissa) Black of Hampton; brother, Stephen Edwards of Starke; grandchildren, Cazz, Skye, Blaze, Blake, Ashley, Samantha, Maverick, Race and Ryder; seven step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1305 Raiford Road, Starke on Wednesday, June 8, at 11 a.m.. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at Rock Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Bishop Stephen Barber officiating.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St., Starke. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.
PAID OBITUARY
Ellen Harvey
STARKE Ellen Carolyn Harvey, 77, of Starke passed away at her home Saturday, June 4, 2022. She was born Oct. 5, 1944, in Jacksonville, to Millard and Doris (Griffis) Strickland. She owned and operated the Maxville Countyline Bar before retiring and enjoyed being with her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her niece, Doris I. Manning; and siblings, Edward Buddy Clark, Joe Morris, and Juanita Clark.
She leaves behind nieces and nephews, Ted E. Manning, Randall E. Manning, Carol S. Parrish, Priscilla Manning and Alan Manning; along with siblings, Carl “Wayne” Morris, Debra Branch, and Linda McCormic.
The family will receive friends in the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel, Thursday, June 9, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The family will have a graveside service at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Supporters of Sheltered Animals, Inc., 1228 Blanding St., Starke, FL 32091.
Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona St., Starke 32091. 904-964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Larry Spillman
Larry (Bub) Edward Spillman passed on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, 17 May 2022. He was 85 years old. Larry was born in Hitchens, Kentucky on 9 November 1936 to Alonzo and Truby Stanley Spillman. Larry was a U.S. Army retiree and veteran of the Korean and the Vietnam conflicts. Larry retired as a Sergeant First Class in 1972. He was a police officer in Grayson and Olive Hill Kentucky, a deputy sheriff for Carter County Kentucky, and was inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels on 31 May 1984 by Gov. Martha Layne Collins. Larry was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and a founding sponsor of the National Museum of the United States Army. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Celia Katherine (Doverspike) Spillman, his eldest son, Michael R. Spillman, his father and mother and his three brothers: Lloyd, Gary and Barry Spillman. He leaves behind four children: Cheryl Craig of Grayson, KY; Gayle May of Middleburg, FL; Katherine Spillman of Keystone Heights, FL; and Stephen Spillman of Middleburg, FL. Surviving grandchildren include, Robert Michael Adkins, James Michael Spillman, Soner (Stephanie) Acar, Hakim Acar; Zachary (Tiffany) Craig, Caleb (Alexis) Craig; C Sean May; Craig Spillman, James Spillman, Ben Ackman, Sarah Ackman, Hannah Ackman. Great Grandchildren include: Caroline Craig, Everly Craig, Laney Craig, Adalyn Craig, Riley Craig, Lucas Xavier Barfield, Anastasia Raye Spillman, Zandria Ackman, and Brantley Permenter. Larry and Celia were married on June 9th, 1958. They were married for 63 years until Celia passed away on 29 March 2022. He was a kind and loving husband as well as a great father and grandfather. Prior to his health declining, he enjoyed wood working and traveling. Aside from his wife and family, Larry was most proud of being a Soldier, a Veteran and his service and retiring from the military. He will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew him. He lived life to its fullest and would tell you that he never was bored at any time while living it. This isn’t goodbye though, Larry Spillman was a born again Christian and he, his family, and his friends will be reunited one day in the Kingdom of Heaven. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to a national or local veterans organization or, the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Arrangements are under the care of Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home. 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, FL 32656. 352-473-3176 www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Emilie Wahl
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS Emilie Cooper Wahl, 96, of Keystone Heights passed away Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She was born Nov. 13, 1925, in Trenton, New Jersey to Roy and Mary (Wilson) Cooper. She had been a longtime resident of Keystone Heights and a homemaker. She was a parishioner of St. William Catholic Church where she was active with the Woman’s Guild. She was a member of D.A.R., Red Hats Society, Keystone Heights and Melrose Woman’s Club, the Smokey Mountain Historical Society, and was a proud Republican. She enjoyed traveling and, especially, visiting with family and friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, William L. Wahl Jr., and their daughter, Ruth Mary Gardner.
She leaves behind her son William “Bill” (Brenda) Wahl III of Keystone Heights; and was lovingly called “Grandma” and “Great Grandma” by three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Her viewing will be Thursday, June 9, from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. with Father Mike Williams presiding. Interment will be at the Keystone Heights Cemetery with a reception following at St. William Catholic Church.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Landon Wilkerson
Landon Lane Wilkerson, 13, of Melbourne, died on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at UF Health Shands Children Hospital. He was born in Gainesville on June 11, 2008.
He is survived by his parents Gary (Jennifer) Wilkerson of Lake Butler, and Sarah (Donny) Galorneau of Melbourne; brother, Christopher Taylor of St. Augustine; sisters, Savana and Scarlett Wilkerson, both of Melbourne; stepsister, Summer Galorneau of Melbourne; paternal grandfather, David Wilkerson of Lawtey; and stepgrandparents, Don (Lori) Galorneau of Melbourne
A graveside Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, June 7, Highland Baptist Church Cemetery in Lawtey, with Chaplain Jim Cox officiating.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, 904-964-5757.
David Wilkinson
David Noah Wilkinson, 64, of Clay Hill passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Haven Hospice Care Center in Orange Park. He and his twin brother, Alan, were born on April 23, 1958, in Jacksonville to John “JD” and Millie (Starling) Wilkinson. He spent his whole life living in Clay Hill and working in Clay County. He graduated from Orange Park High and immediately went to work on the family farm raising chickens commercially, as well as helping to manage the family’s cattle business. He was dedicated to his family and especially the children in his life. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Kole and Kylen Wilkinson, as well as his many nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle David.” He was a private person who had a generous and caring heart to all he loved. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed spending time with his brother, Alan, taking care of the family farm and riding trails on his UTV, and fishing. He worked for the Clay County Road Department for 20 years and was of the Baptist faith. He was truly a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who loved his family with all his heart.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Millie Wilkinson; and infant sister, Elizabeth.
He is survived by his father, JD Wilkinson of Clay Hill; his loving wife of 16 years, Donna Fay Wilkinson; son, Kyle Wilkinson; brothers, Alan (Cindy) Wilkinson of Clay Hill, and Glen (Laurie) Wilkinson of Brooks, Georgia; grandchildren, Kole and Kylen Wilkinson, and their mother Mandy Taylor of Lawtey; along with his many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation with the family will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, June 10, at Blackburn-Curry Funeral Chapel. He will be laid to rest in Long Branch Cemetery at a private family graveside service.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Blackburn-Curry Funeral & Cremation, 380 N. Lowder St. Macclenny, 32063. 904-259-2806. Please share your condolences with the family online at www.blackburncurryfh.com.
