All Obituaries

           Mr. Jeffrey “Jeff” Strong, 66, of Dunnellon, passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.             Born in Tipp City, Ohio, Jeff graduated high school there, then immediately went into the United States Air Force, where he served for 12 years.  After completing his military service, he enrolled in St. Leo University, where he...

Barbara Rachel Mercer (Buss) of Williston, Florida passed away January 7, 2022 of natural causes at the age of 53 after a long illness. Barbara was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 28, 1968 to Gary and Martha Buss. In 1984, Barbara moved with her family to Williston, Florida at the age of 16. She met her husband John Mercer shortly after and they married September 28, 1985. She spent her adult life as a homemaker and loving mother. Barbara is survived by her husband John Mercer of 36...

Mrs. Esther Ruth News, 96, of Hernando, FL, passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the Arbor Trail Rehabilitation Center in Inverness, FL.  Born in Corning, NY, she was a long time resident of Dunnellon, FL.    Mrs. News was a former school secretary in both public and private secondary schools in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, as well as a small university in Pennsylvania.  While living in Dunnellon, she was an active member of the Dunnellon United Methodist...

Patricia Ann Gammino, 84 of Dunnellon, FL, entered through the gates of Heaven on January 11, 2022. Patricia was born in Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey. She also resided in Plainfield, NJ, South Plainfield, NJ, Jackson, NJ, Bricktown, NJ and Toms River, NJ before moving to Davenport, FL in 1992. She then lived in Lakeland, FL then to Dunnellon, FL. Patricia met her husband Joseph in 1955 during a sock-hop in a diner in Plainfield, NJ and knew at first sight when he walked through the door...

Marc Alan Schaffer of Ocala, Florida passed away at the age of 78 on December 19, 2021, of heart failure, in Ocala, Florida where he resided with his wife of 25 years, Sandy. Those that loved Marc knew him as “Schaff” or the “Hammer”.  Marc was born to Ethelyn and Horace Schaffer in Bronx, New York.  They later raised their children Marc and his sister Lois in New Rochelle, New York.   Marc’s career in the food industry started in...

Judith Anderson Kindred, of Ocala Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 22, 2021.     Judy was born on Christmas Day, 1937, the first child of Charles and Betty Anderson; she truly was a Christmas Gift from God!   She grew up in the small Mid-Western town of Mt. Pulaski, Illinois; Population, about 1100.  She was the oldest of 4 children, and had a wonderful family, with a younger sister and her two younger brothers.  Judy always had very...

Ralph Arthur Ashcraft of Ocala, Florida passed away peacefully January 6, 2022 at the age of 74.  Ralph was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  He was born in Miami, Florida to Orville and Mary Ashcraft on January 1, 1948.  He worked for 40 years as a meat cutter for Winn Dixie.  Ralph was a friend to all who he knew.  A kind, humble man, he loved making people laugh with his funny stories and jokes.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah, his father and mother,...

Hallie B Castell, 82, of Crystal River peacefully passed away December 18, 2021, at home surrounded by family. Hallie was born December 2, 1939, in Cedar Key to the late Jannie Mae (Robinson) and Charles Castell, Sr.  He graduated from Cedar Key School in 1957 as the only male in a class of 9.  He attended Central Florida Junior College and served in the US Army.  He was an electrician by trade and retired in February 2000 from Florida Power Corporation.  He was a member...

            Mr. Eugene (Gene) C. McQueen, retired US Army Veteran, passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, after a hard fought battle with cancer. At the age of 83 he went home to be with Jesus, leaving behind his family and friends that will miss him.             No more pain, no more suffering, healed in Jesus’ name.             Memorial...

Madison Ann Chapman passed away at the age of 21 on the morning of November 12, 2021.   Madison was born on April 17, 2000 at Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River Florida, to Allison Casto Mentzer and David Chapman. Madison was a current student at the College of Central Florida, majoring in Finance. While in school, she was working for Hooters of Ocala where she was adored by all she served. Madison was born a beautiful baby who grew into a sweet little girl, and later matured into...