Matilda Gardiner, 102, of Inverness
Matilda Louisa Gardiner, 102, of Inverness died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Mariner Health of Inverness. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here nine years ago from Ocala. She was a retired garment inspector for the garment industry. She was Methodist. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Sadrianna and husband Michael of Inverness; two grandchildren, Joan Nahass of Floral City and Kim Thatcher of Mullica Hill, N.J.; three great-grandchildren, Suzanne Michaelson, Todd Thatcher and Sean Thatcher; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills.

Olga Horbarenko, 77, of Citrus Springs
Olga M. Horbarenko, 77, of Citrus Springs died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001. She was born in Lwow, Poland and came here in 1978 from Long Island, N.Y. She was a retired nurse. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Citrus Springs. She was wife of the late Stanley J. Horbarenko, who died July 3, 1981. Surviving are her son, Steven Horbarenko of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Christine Rodzevik of Manassas, Va.; sister, Maria Fito of Lviv, Ukraine; and three grandchildren, Theresa and John Rodzevik both of Manassas, Va., and Nikolai Horbarenko of Tucson, Ariz. Hooper Funeral Home, Beverly Hills.

Clyde Kok-Alblas, 84, of Inverness
Clyde Willard Kok-Alblas, 84, of Oak Pond, Inverness, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at his residence under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born in Arlington, Iowa, on March 8, 1916, to Carl and Bertha (Rust) Kok-Alblas, he came here in 1987 from Leesburg. He was a retired tool and die maker. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. He was Protestant. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Kok-Alblas, Sept. 14, 1995, and his sister, Rachael Coroneos. Survivors include his sister, Hilda Huntington of Bristol, Ill.; three nephews, James Coroneos of Pella, Wis., Donald Coroneos of Waukegan, Ill., and Ronald Kok-Alblas of Lake Bluff, Ill.; and two nieces, Linda Geisen of Bristol, W. Va., and Donna English of Nashville, Tenn. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Steve Komara, 79, of Crystal River
Steve R. Komara, 79, of Crystal River died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at his home. He was born in Gahagan, Pa., on Sept. 3, 1921, to Anna and John Komara. He moved here 15 years ago from Midland, Pa. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and also worked for the Crucible Steel Company in Midland, Pa. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He played professional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Crystal River, the Knights of Columbus and the St. Anthonys Club. He was active in the Hospice of Citrus County Bereavement Group. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Komara, in 1999; his sister, Erma Capuano; and brother, Rudy Komara. He is survived by seven children, Stephen and Marian Komara of Seminole, John and Suzanne Komara of Ruidoso, N.M., Thomas and Rita Komara of Springfield, Va., Bernard and Valerie Komara of Crystal River, Pauline and James Sheey of Bellevue, Ky., Raymond and Sandra Komara of Ormand Beach and William and Kristi Komara of Hendersonville, N.C.; one brother, John Komara of Bayshore, N.Y.; three sisters, Jean Jenario of Hollis, N.Y., Frances Feltington of Bayside, N.Y., and Esther Pekarick of New Hyde Park, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Tina Stair, 80, of Homosassa
Tina Stair, 80, of Homosassa died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Cypress Cove Care Center. Born in Inez, Ky., she came here 19 years ago from Kansas City, Kan. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene. Surviving are her husband, Murl J. Stair of Homosassa; one son, George Lewis of Kansas City, Kan.; five daughters, Patricia Vidauri of Edwardsville, Kan., Peggy Carter of Olthe, Kan., Irene Barker of Kansas City, Kan., Ilene Lemaster of Mansfield, Ohio, and Mary Thompson of Mound City, Kan.; one brother, Lloyd Sumpter of Port Clinton, Ohio; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

S. John Esposito, 90, of Lecanto
S. John Esposito, 90, of Lecanto died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Life Care Center. Born in Providence, R.I., he came to Lecanto 14 years ago from there. Mr. Esposito worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 31 years. He was a member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Crystal River. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Pauline B. Esposito of Homosassa. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Robert Fordyce Sr., 88, of Homosassa
Robert W. Fordyce Sr., 88, of Homosassa died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital in Crystal River. Born March 31, 1911, in Bucanon, W.Va., he came here 18 years ago from Perrine, Fla. Mr. Fordyce was a sales representative for Bendix Aviation Corp. in Baltimore, Md., also a sales representative for Seeburg Music Corp. in S. Easton, Md. He played four years of college football at West Virginia Wesleyan. He was Methodist. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mavel E. Fordyce, in 1993. Surviving are two sons, Robert W. of Homosassa and Larry F. of Alpharetta, Ga.; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Marie Minotello, 88, of Inverness
Marie A. Minotello, 88, of Inverness died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in New York City, on Aug. 15, 1911, to the late Michael and Theresa (Cascale) Bonini, she came here 25 years ago from Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Minotello was a retired seamstress. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was a member of the American Italian Social Club of Citrus County and the Inverness Does. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Charles Minotello; daughter, Rosemary of Inverness; brother, Peter Bonini of Boston, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Bonini, and a sister, Rose Crain. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Agnes Samargi, 75, of Inverness
Agnes C. Samargi, 75, of Inverness died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000. She was born Feb. 1, 1925, to Ignatz and Mary Czepkiewicz of Staten Island, N.Y. She was a retired test baker for Proctor & Gamble in New York. Ms. Samargi moved to Inverness in 1971 from her native Staten Island. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was a volunteer for The Pregnancy and Family Life Center, both in Inverness. Survivors include her daughter, Sandy Samargi of Tavares; and two sisters, Genevieve Czepkiewicz of Staten Island, N.Y., and Sophie Lolacano of Long Island, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her sisters Marian Esses and Jane Gass and brothers Stanley Czepkiewicz and John Czepk. Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness.

Frederick Sams, 64, of Columbus, Ohio
The Rev. Frederick A. Sams, 64, of Columbus, Ohio, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Tampa General Hospital. He was born in Phoenixville, Pa., and has been living in Columbus, Ohio, and wintering in Inverness and throughout Florida. He was a minister with the Scioto Valley Presbytery. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Sams. Surviving are his wife, Edna Sams of Columbus, Ohio; sons, Allen and wife Lynda Place-Sams of Columbus, Ohio, Joel Sams of Columbus, Ohio; daughter, Lynda L. Sams of Columbus, Ohio; mother, Barbara Sams of Lecanto; brothers, Raymond and wife Doris Sams of Pottstown, Pa., and Russell and wife Mary Ann Sams of Inverness; two granddaughters, Melissa and Caroline Sams of Columbus, Ohio; and many other loving family members and friends. A memorial service will be arranged at a later time. National Cremation Society, Tampa.

Walter Schuster Jr., 41, of Beverly Hills
Walter John Schuster Jr., 41, of Beverly Hills died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000. A native of Queens, N.Y., he came to Beverly Hills in 1998 from Baltimore, Md. He was Catholic. He was a self-employed plumber. He is survived by his mother, Marge Schuster of Citrus Springs; two brothers, Harry Cafaro and Dan Baker of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Marie Kucher of Melbourne and Karen Naud of Phoenix, Ariz.; and close friend, Lonnie "Chris" Blow of Beverly Hills. Fero Funeral Home, Dunnellon.

Samuel Welch, 69, of Homosassa
Samuel J. Welch, 69, of Homosassa died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at his home under the loving care of his family. He was born to Winnifred and Walter Welch on April 3, 1930, in Oglesby, Ill. He moved here from Ottawa, Ill., three years ago. He retired from LOF Glass Factory. Mr. Welch was a World War II Marine Corps veteran. He was a member of the Crystal River Moose Lodge No. 2013, West Citrus Elks Lodge No. 2693, American Legion in Ottawa, Ill., and the Scarved Rock Yacht Club in Ottawa, Ill. He was a member of the St. Columba Catholic Church in Ottawa, Ill., and he attended the St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Crystal River. He is survived by his wife, Ada Mae Welch of Homosassa; three sons, Michael (Joan) Welch of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mark (Valerie) Welch and Martin (Yvonne) Welch both of Ottawa, Ill.; one daughter, Michelle (Kevin) Cavanaugh of Ottawa, Ill.; mother-in-law, Ada Hoffman of Ottawa, Ill.; sister, Betty Zuk of Ottawa, Ill.; stepsister, Janice Parker of Ottawa, Ill.; stepbrother, Dick Young of Aurora, Ill.; and eight grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

David Crandall, 58, of Crystal River
David Michael Crandall, 58, of Crystal River, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Citrus Health and Rehab Center. Born in Providence, R.I., he came to Crystal River three years ago from Wyoming, R.I. He was a retired auto mechanic. He was Catholic. Surviving are two sons, David Crandall Jr. of Narragansett, R.I., and John A. Basore of Crystal River; two daughters, Anne Simpson of Johnston, R.I., and Jane Altieri of Warwick, R.I.; one brother, Earl Crandall of Cumberland, R.I.; and three grandchildren. Robert & Son Cremation Service, Crystal River/Spring Hill.

William Cumming, 72, of Sugarmill Woods
William S. Cumming, 72, of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa, died Thursday morning, Feb. 10, 2000, at the Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala. Born Nov. 13, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Clarence and Grace (Donoghy) Cumming, he came here one and a half years ago from Fort Myers, where he retired after 45 years of funeral directing in New York and also in Florida. He was the previous owner of the Clayton Funeral Home in Kings Park, L.I., N.Y. Mr. Cumming was a member of the New York Funeral Directors Association Local No. 100. National Funeral Directors Association. He was a past member of the Kings Park Lions Club and Masonic Lodge both in Kings Park, L.I., N.Y. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. He was Baptist. Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Carol Cumming of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa; son, William Cumming of Springfield, Va.; daughter, Pamela Immendorfer of Smithtown, N.Y.; and four grandsons, William and Nicholas Cumming, Robert and Michael Immendorfer. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Vincent Gallo, 72, of Inverness
Vincent Gallo, 72, of Inverness died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Paterson, N.J., on Nov. 4, 1927, to the late Charles and Louise Gallo, he came to Florida three years ago from Bronx, N.Y., where he retired as a driving instructor for the New York Transit Authority. He was a World War II Marine Corps veteran. He was a member of the Inverness Golf and Country Club. He was Catholic. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lorraine Owens Gallo of Inverness; three brothers, Pasquale, Louis and Peter all of New Jersey; nieces and nephews. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Leonard Larson, formerly of Inverness
Leonard Larson, formerly of Inverness, died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, in St. Paul, Minn. He was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Lecanto. Contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Faith Lutheran Church or to your charity of choice. Mueller Mortuary, St. Paul, Minn., was in charge of arrangements.

Edith Norman, 75, of Crystal River
Edith Norman, 75, of Crystal River died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. Born in New York City, she moved to the area 13 years ago from Long Island, N.Y. She was a medical appointment secretary for H.I.P., L.I., N.Y., for 20 years. She was Catholic. Survivors include her husband, Harry, of Crystal River; son, Harry Jr. of Spring Hill; daughter, Christine Freiburger of Germantown, Wis.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.

Jean Olm, 61, of Hernando
Jean L. Olm, 61, of Hernando died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000, at Surrey Place Convalescent Center in Lecanto. Born Dec. 12, 1938, to Frank and Mary Bartunek in Bronx, N.Y., she came here one year ago from Belleview. Mrs. Olm was a homemaker. She was Catholic. Survivors include her loving husband, Jeffrey R. Olm of Hernando; and father and mother in-law, Edward and Mildred Olm of Hernando. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

Billy Posey, 48, of Hernando
Billy Henderson Posey, 48, of Hernando died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, as a result of an automobile accident. Born in Birmingham, Ala., on Sept. 19, 1951, to Milton T. and Helen Posey, he came to Citrus County 25 years ago from Broward County. He graduated from Williamston Michigan High School, where he excelled in baseball and wrestling, having been ranked as one of the top contenders in the state. He served our country in the U.S. Army, serving in the Armored Division in Germany. He is survived by one son, Dakota Henderson Posey of Inverness; his mother, Helen Posey of Inverness; and three brothers, Lewis Posey of Hernando, Milton "Sam" Posey of Inverness, and Allen Posey of Fibre, Mich. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Robert Slauson, 62, of Inverness
Robert Francis Slauson, 62, of Inverness died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at his home under the loving care of his friends and Hospice of Citrus County. Born in Hudson, N.Y., on June 16, 1937, to the late Leo and Margaret Higley Slauson, he came here four years ago from Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Slauson was a property abstractor. He was Catholic. He is survived by friends, Marvin Gantz of Inverness and Martin Bevins of Cincinnati, Ohio. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.