Maximino Aponte
Maximino “Max” Diaz Aponte, 97, of Keystone Heights passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Vitas Hospice in Lecanto. He was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to Antonio and Gregoria Aponte. He was a retired maintenance worker. He was of the Catholic faith and always stayed busy fixing and building different things. He was known for his heart of gold and never saying no to anyone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Mark Metz.
He leaves behind his loving and dedicated wife of over 70 years, Helga (Mendez) Diaz; and their children, Maria Metz of Melrose, and Adelaida Diaz of Davenport; along with seven nieces and nephews. He was also lovingly called “Pop” or “Abuelo” by four grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Also left behind are his stepson, Philip (Melissa) Metz, and their four children.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., on Saturday, May 13, at the American Legion Post #202 in Keystone Heights.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Jerry Cornwall
Jerry Ray Cornwall, 63, of Starke died on Tuesday, April 20, 2023.
He is survived by his wife, Tina Cornwall; sons, Jerry Jr., Mason, Ethan and Hunter Gage; and daughters; Kimberly and Martina.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at 2673 S.E. 109th St., Starke.
Eula Fortune
Eula Mae Fortune, 69, of Lake Butler, died Friday, April 28, 2023, at home.
She is survived by her husband, Leroy Jenkins; sons, Jerry “Slugger” Johnson and Charles Fortune; her daughter, April Johnson; and a host of extended family.
Services were held at on Monday, May 1, Archer-Milton Funeral Home.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home. 386-496-2008.
Earnest Johns
On Thursday, April 27, 2023, Earnest William Johns, passed away at the age of 77. He was born on June 16, 1944, in Jacksonville to Luther and Louise Johns. His family moved back to Bradford County when he was very young, where he attended Bradford County Schools. He worked many years insulating pipe with the Frost and Heat Insulators Union, Local 13, until his retirement. He was a member of Sampson City Church of God. He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Johns; his mother, Louise Johns; sisters, Alma Wynn and Joyce Tetstone; brothers, Jefferson (Jr) Johns, Charles Johns, Larry Johns; and his son, Brian “Scott” Johns.
He is survived by his sons, Earnest William Johns Jr., Jeffery Johns, and Jason Johns; daughters, Kelli Johns and Racine Johns; grandson, Robert Spivey; brothers, Wayne (Tammy) Johns, Lester (Diane) Johns, Eugene (Barbara) Johns; and sisters, Betty Rehberg, Linda Slack, Ruby Johns, Sara Johns; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Following his wishes, the family will be having a private celebration of his life.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke. 904-964-5757. Visit www.archietannerfuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.
PAID OBITUARY
Emanuel Klondes
Emanuel “Billy”/“The Greek” Klondes, 78, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at UF Health Shands in Gainesville. He was born Nov. 15, 1944, to Mike and Hazel Johns Klondes. He has been a lifelong resident of Starke. He was a self-employed businessman. He enjoyed watching movies and telling stories and had a fascination for airplanes. More than anything, he loved spending time with his beloved dog, Buster. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Hazel; his former wife, Barbara Jean Teststone; and stepdaughter, Sheena Norman
He is survived by his daughter, Angie (Eric) Wall of Starke; stepson, Randy (Maxine) Corbin of Starke; grandsons, Jamie (Pam) Griffis, Casey (Kristi) Griffis, Dylan Corbin, Chad (Kayla) Corbin, and Gary Norman; and seven great-grandchildren.
A service to honor his life was be held on Monday, April 24, at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. He was laid to rest immediately following the service next to his father at Dekle Cemetery. Services were officiated by Brother Gene Bass.
Arrangements were under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Ronald Miller Jr.
Ronald “Ronnie” Lee Miller Jr., 32, of Keystone Heights passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Gainesville. He was born Nov. 5, 1990, in Ft. Lauderdale to Ronald L. Miller Sr. and Diana (Loper) Propst. He was a small- engine mechanic and was of the Catholic faith. He loved making family and friends laugh, especially by doing hysterical impersonations of famous actors. His favorite movie was “The Green Mile.” He also enjoyed casinos, playing slot machines and fishing and was known for cooking the most delicious fajitas. He stayed busy tinkering and fixing any little thing that was broken. He was kind and thoughtful and always was just a simple guy who loved helping others. He was also extremely dedicated to his marriage to Shanna (nee Houston) and the life of love they were building together. They shared seven wonderful years of love, laughter, friendship and adventure.
He loved going to flea markets and yard sales with his mom. He also genuinely loved just sitting, talking and laughing with her for hours. He enjoyed racing RC cars with his dad, John Propst, who always was there for him whenever he needed a friend. Ronnie was loved $3 worth.
He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife, Shanna (Houston) Miller; his mom and dad, Diana (Loper) and John Propst; his daughter, Sofia Miller; his father Ronald Miller Sr. and wife, Ronda; God-parents, John and Karen Loper; cousin, Johnny and his wife Chelsea; cousin, Gina; Papa John Loper; sisters, Nicole, Sara and Kara; and a host of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.
The family will be having a private service. Interment was at Keystone Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home. 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 352-473-3176. www. Jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Deborah Trouba
Mrs. Deborah Marie Trouba, 68, of Keystone Heights passed away Monday, April 24, 2023, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She was born Nov. 15, 1954, in Sioux City, Iowa to the late Richard Trouba and Patricia (Moerke) Shannon. At the age of 18, she made the decision to join the United States Air Force, where she earned the rank of Master Sergeant and retired after 20 years of dedicated and honorable service to her country. After she and her family moved to Keystone Heights in 2004, she became active in the community. She volunteered at the elementary school, was a member of VIPS at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, renovated the dog park and was a poll worker with the Clay County Supervisor of Elections. She enjoyed sewing and bird watching, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends.
She leaves behind her loving husband of 28 years, David Hutchinson of Keystone Heights; and three children; Alyson Trouba, Ashley (Dustin) Watson, and David Marcus Hutchinson. Also left behind are five siblings, Michael Shannon, Jim Shannon, Steve (Shelly) Shannon, Laura (Kevin) Jennings, and Larry (Suzy) Trouba. She was lovingly called “Grandma” by Miya and Atticus. Her family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
There are currently no scheduled services.
Arrangements are being handled by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home, 340 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, 32656. 352-473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
PAID OBITUARY
Sharon Wainwright
Sharon Avos Wilson Wainwright, 76, of Starke passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at her residence at Kingsley Lake. She was born in Moultrie, Georgia on Dec. 6, 1946, to the late Ralph H. Wilson and Hilda Lanssen Wilson. After graduating from high school, she had numerous jobs over the years, such as being a secretary for Southern Bell and Continental Phone Company. After she moved from south Florida, she was a secretary for the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, she eventually enlisted in the Florida National Guard, where she met the love of her life, Don Wainwright, Don and Sharon were married on Oct. 6, 2001. She was a born-again Christian and a member of First Baptist Church of Starke. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She came from a large, extended family that she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents; and loving husband.
She is survived by her son, Duane Simpson of Sunrise; Kathy Ann Agan of Starke; Jeffrey D. Wainwright of Fort White; brothers, Gerald “Jerry” (Linda) Wilson of Starke and John (Michelle) Wilson of Arkansas; grandchildren, Mathew and Remy Simpson; nephew, James “Jimmy” Wilson, nieces; Suzanne “Suzy” Wilson, Kristin Birkedal and Erica Canova.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Starke with Brother James Blanton to officiate. 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
Bennie Wells
Bennie Edward Wells, 85, of Starke passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Earl B. Hadlow Center For Caring Hospice Centerin Jacksonville. He was born in Richlands, Virginia on Aug. 14,1937, to the late George Wells and Carrie Lee Wells. He was raised in Virginia and, shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served our country for a few years. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he resided in Fort Lauderdale for 15 years, St Augustine and Green Cove Springs for 13 years, and finally found his forever home in Starke, where has spent the past 14 years. He loved his career as a painter for Mobro Marine in Green Cove Springs, where he dedicated 25 years. He was a member of the Russell Baptist Church in Green Cove Springs for over 40 years and most recently attended Safe Harbor Congregational Church in Starke. In his spare time, he loved being outdoors, tending to his lawn on his John Deere zero-turn lawn mower. He also was passionate about fishing, was an avid Florida Gator and Jaguar football fan and enjoyed puzzles and scratch-off tickets. More than anything, he loved his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who know him. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Roger Wells; brothers, Jack Wells, Allen Wells, and Roger Wells; and sisters, Sonia Gregory and Ann Smith.
He is survived by his children, Mike (Lek) Wells of Ohio, Michael (Patsy) King and Kenny (Iris) King both of Green Cove Springs, Greg (Jennifer) King of Ft. Lauderdale,, Sonia Lynn (Wayne) Carter of Starke, Pamela (Tommy) Clark and Joyce Wells both of Green Cove Springs,; 11 grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; along with extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life was held on Tuesday, May 2 at Congregational Holiness Church in Green Cove Springs, with Rev. Ronnie Surrency, Pastor Rudy Thornton and Rev. Ron Baker officiating. Interment followed at Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery. The family received friends on Monday, May 1, at the funeral home.
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
