Manuel Alvarez, 76, of Inverness
Manuel Alvarez, 76, of Inverness died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000. He was born in Maspeth, N.Y., and came to Inverness eight years ago from Staten Island, N.Y. He was a retired school bus driver for Pioneer Bus Corp., State Island, and worked as sales manager for Ehlers Coffee. He was a member of Great Kills Lodge No. 912 F&AM in Staten Island, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Hernando and the Moose Lodge. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He was Methodist. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Cardona Alvarez of Inverness; one son, Manuel Alvarez Jr. of Staten Island; three daughters, Linda A. Harrigan of Newton, N.J., Lillian Alvarez of East Hampton, Mass., and Nancy Alvarez of Staten Island; and four grandchildren, Brendan Harrigan, Lindsay Harrigan, Greg Alvarez and Emily Alvarez. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness Chapel.

Clarence Bowen, 74, of Homosassa
Clarence Edward Bowen, 74, of Homosassa died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000. He was born in Alabama City, Ala., and came to Homosassa nine years ago from Albertville, Ala. He was a retired automotive assembler. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post No. 5173, Guntersville, Ala. He was a member of the Assembly of God. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Ruth Roberts Bowen of Homosassa; a son, Robert E. Bowen of Elk Grove, Calif.; a daughter, Sherry A. Martin of Ventura, Calif.; a sister, Lercy Lucille Mangum of Boaz, Ala. and two grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Home, Homosassa Chapel.

Charles Boyer, 78, of Inverness
Charles Lafayette Boyer, 78, of Inverness died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Nashville, Tenn., on March 19, 1921, to William and Margaret (Willums) Boyer, he came here in 1980 from Saudi Arabia. He retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the chief of office of administrative services, with more than 30 years service and served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter. He was Protestant. He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary (Oliver) Boyer; one son, Brian; 10 daughters, Katherine, Kathleen, Karolyn, Karen, Angela, Elaine, Pamala, Cheryl, Rebecca and Sharon; one brother, William Boyers of Tennessee; one sister, Lucy Williams of Tennessee and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes, Homosassa Chapel

Helen Coleman, 68, of Inverness
Helen Coleman, 68, of Inverness died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Alpha, N.J., on Sept. 9, 1931, to Gabor J. and Theresa (Kovacs) Horvath, she came here five years ago from Washington, N.J. She was a retired clerk and cashier with A&P Foods in New Jersey. She was a member of the Order of eastern Star in Washington, N.J. She was Methodist. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Gerald C. Coleman; one son, Jerry A. Coleman of Coopersburg, Penn.; one daughter, Kimberly L. Coleman of Phillipsburg, N.J.; one brother, Gabor Horvath of Phillipsburg, N.J.; three sisters, Mabel Cook of Phillipsburg, N.J., Margie Solt of Phillipsburg, N.J., and Irene Sass of Inverness; and one grandson, Adam Coleman. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

William Gonter, 74, of Floral City
William "Ernie" Gonter, 74, of Floral City died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. He was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and moved to Floral City 30 years ago from Lisbon, Ohio. He was the son of the late E.C. and Grace (Haynes) Gonter. He was a retired operating engineer for the Local 18 in Ohio. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in the European/African Middle Eastern Campaign of World War II and the Korean conflict 1950-52, for which he was awarded honors of E. AME Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal World War II, Army Occupational Medal in Germany, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with one bronze campaign star and the purple heart. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans in Lake Panasoffkee. He was a member of the Floral City Masonic Lodge No. 133 F&AM, York Rite and Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Floral City. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Janet A. Noel Gonter of Floral City; three sons, Charles W. (Tina) Gonter and Robert J. Davner, both of Lisbon, Ohio and Michael E. (Mary Anne) Gonter of Floral City; a brother, Paul Gonter of Fresno, Ohio; a grandson, Michael Gonter and six granddaughters, Natalie, Shelia, Candice, Jennifer, Lacey and Sabrina and three great-granddaughters, Skylar, Sidney and Kylie. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness.

Hazel Lewis, 84, of Crystal River
Hazel McLendon Lewis, 84, of Crystal River died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, in Crystal River. She was born in Liberty, Ala., and came here from Europe in 1974. She was a homemaker. She was a chief petty officer of the United States Navy. She was Methodist. She is survived by her son, Joseph O. Lewis of Los Angeles, Calif.; one daughter, Susan A. Lewis of Salamanca, Spain, and two sisters, Justine Mashburn of Inglis and Mattie Lee Parker of Lake City. Roberts Funeral Home, Dunnellon.

Carl Mann, 76, of Lecanto
Carl Eugene Mann, 76, of Lecanto died Feb. 5, 2000, in Brentwood Health Care Center. A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, he was born Feb. 22, 1923, to Urby and Anna (Burr) Mann. He moved to Lecanto 18 years ago from Hollywood where he owned and operated Classic Sportwear Clothing Company of Hollywood, with his late wife, Dorothy Mann, who preceded him in death on April 12, 1988. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of the American Legion Post 155, Disabled American Veterans, Elks, Moose, Eagles, Melbourne Masonic Lodge and the Azan Shrine Temple. He is survived by his daughter, Rita Bone of Satellite Beach; one brother, Dr. Jerry Mann of Stuart; and three grandchildren, Christopher, Jeffrey and Elizabeth. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Fred Portelli, 76, of Ocala
Fred M. Portelli, 76, of Ocala died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, in Ocala. He was born in Detroit, Mich., and came here from King of Prussia, Pa., in 1987. He was a construction project engineer. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran and a U.S. Marines Veteran post World War II. He was a member of the Angela Santos Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4781, the Masonic Lodge AF&M, the Friendship Fire Company and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. He was a string bass player fort he Ocala Jazz Society. He was a member of the Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Dunnellon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Holy Faith Memorial Fund at Holy Faith Episcopal Church. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; one son, Noel Portelli of Hemet, Calif.; three daughters, Marianne D'Elia of Havertown, Pa., Donna Sanders of Harrisonville, Pa., and Gina Palandrani of Westchester, Pa.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchildren. Roberts Funeral Home, Dunnellon.

Laverne Wendorf, 86, of Homosassa
Laverne Y. Wendorf, 86, of Homosassa died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, at her residence. Born in Crandon, Wis., she came here 24 years ago from Manitowoc, Wis. She was a retired waitress. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. She will be remembered lovingly by a daughter, Kathy Bourbon of Homosassa; two sons, Patrick Higgins of Homosassa and Michael Wendorf of Oshkosh, Wis.; a loving granddaughter, Brandi Durling of Orlando; two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Alexandra Durling. She is survived by 15 other grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her entire family and friends. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Michael Bodytko, 72, of Lecanto
Michael J. Bodytko, 72, of Lecanto died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Cypress Cove Care Center in Crystal River. He was born March 1, 1927, to Carolyn and Alexander Bodytko in New Haven, Conn. He moved here from Belchertown, Mass., 17 years ago. He was a salesman for Ford Motor Company for 30 years and he retired from John Glass Ford. Mr. Bodytko was a member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Crystal River. He was a World War II and Korean conflict veteran both Army and Air Force. He was a member of the VFW. He is survived by four daughters, Melinda (Frankie) Lumahn of Homosassa, Debra Bodytko of Jacksonville, Susan Eddleman of Homosassa Springs, and Cathy (David) Chronister of Crystal River; one brother, Alexander of Perkin, Ind.; one sister, Dorothy Raccio of New Haven, Conn.; and one grandson, Michael Eddleman of Homosassa Springs. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Edmond Brooks, 85, of Homosassa
Edmond C. Brooks, 85, of Homosassa died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital in Crystal River. He was born in Mason County, Michigan, and came to Homosassa 19 years ago from Detroit, Mich. Mr. Brooks was a retired truck driver for Trans American Freight Lines, Detroit, Mich. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran. He was Protestant. Surviving are his loving companion, Sandra Tomkiel of Homosassa; one sister, Jean Bell of Illinois; and one nephew, Jack L. Brooks of Orlando. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Francis Brooks, 77, of Floral City
Francis Earl Brooks, 77, of Floral City, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000. He was a lifetime resident of Citrus County and son of the late William A. and Cora (Landrum) Brooks, a pioneer family of Hernando and Citrus County. Mr. Brooks was a member of the Eden Baptist Church. He was a charter member of the Floral City VFW Post 7122. He was a lifetime member and honorary director of the Florida Cattlemens Association; member and past president of the Citrus County Cattlemens Association. He was a 1941 graduate of Citrus High School. He was a World War II Army veteran; Captured in the Battle of the Bulge; a prisoner of war in a German Prison Camp; and received the American Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Service Medal and the Purple Heart. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Harriett Burch Brooks of Floral City; two daughters, Mary Anne (John) Owens of Sopchoppy and Eleanor Susan Brooks (Bill) Gair of Gainesville; brother, James A. of Brooksville; and two granddaughters, Lyndsey Marie Gair and Lauren Nicole Gair, both of Gainesville. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness.

Maryann Burbol, 97, of Inverness
Maryann Burbol, 97, of Inverness died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, in the Crystal River Rehabilitation Center. A native of New York City, she was born Dec. 9, 1902, to the late James and Hannah Cleary. She moved to Florida 33 years ago from Copiague, N.Y., with her late husband, Joseph Burbol, who preceded her in death July 24, 1980. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and former member of the Catholic Women's Club. There are no immediate survivors. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Winona Cathel, 69, of Inverness
Winona Cathel, 69, of Inverness died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, at her residence under the loving care of her family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 16, 1930, to the late Willis and Evelyn Wingrove, she came here 12 years ago from Beverly Hills. Mrs. Cathel was a member of the Inverness VFW Post 4337 Ladies Auxiliary. She was Protestant. Surviving are her loving husband of 52 years, Elford P. Cathel; one son, Paul D. Cathel of Edgewater Park; one daughter, Karen L. Wright of Plant City; and three grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Hazel Lewis, 84, of Crystal River
Hazel McLendon Lewis, 84, of Crystal River died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000. Born in Liberty, Ala., she came here from Europe in 1974. She was a chief petty officer of the United States Navy. She was a homemaker. She was Methodist. Surviving are her sons, Joseph O. Lewis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Russell L. Lewis Jr. of Chicago, Ill.; daughter, Susan A. Lewis of Salamanca, Spain; two sisters, Justine Mashburn of Inglis and Mattie Lee Parker of Lake City; and four grandchildren. Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon.

Jori Roberts, 34, of Tallahassee
Jori Ann Roberts, 34, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, in Tallahassee. Born in Inverness, moving here 21/2 years ago from Bonita Springs. She was Catholic. She was preceded in death by her father, Carroll Roberts. Surviving are her mother and stepfather, Jeannee and Gary Strobel of Tallahassee; one son, Steven Roberts of Tallahassee; and paternal grandmother, Ila Mae Roberts of Lecanto. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Lillian Spear, 94, of Shenandoah, Iowa
Lillian Mae Spear, 94, of Shenandoah, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, while visiting her daughter and son-in-law. She was born in Gilman City, Mo., and has been coming here for the winters for three years. Mrs. Spear was a retired schoolteacher from Shenandoah, Iowa. She was a graduate of Northwest Missouri University. She was a member of the Congregational Church, Shenandoah, Iowa. She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, White Shrine. She was wife of the late Mr. Edward E. Spear, who died in 1959. Surviving are her daughter, Edra (John) Varley of Hernando; two granddaughters, Jonalea (Dennis) Ostlund of Vacaville, Calif., and Jonnell (Bill) Odom of Springfield, Va.; four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services will take place at a later time in Iowa. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness.

Ralph Walker, 75, of Crystal River
Ralph Evans Walker, 75, of Crystal River, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. Born July 8, 1924, to Henry and Carrie (Evans) Walker in Akron, Ohio, he came here 12 years ago from Homestead. Mr. Walker was a retired postal carrier for the U.S. government. He was a past governor for the Crystal River Loyal Order of Moose 2013 in Crystal River, serving two terms; and was a member of the Legion of the Moose, holding a Fellowship Degree. He was a U.S. Marine Corps World War II veteran. He was Presbyterian. Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary B. Walker; a son, Clifford Gary Walker and a daughter, Carrie Lee Walker. Mr. Walker was a good father and a good man who was loved very much and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. Surviving are his son, Ralph E. Walker (Peggy) of Groveland; daughters, Patricia Adams of Tampa and Rosemary Reynolds (Steve) of St. Petersburg; sisters, Betty Short of Akron, Ohio, Ellen Frye of Delaware, Ohio, and Beatrice Taylor of Tallahassee; brothers, James of Akron, Ohio, and Richard of Hartville, Ohio; close friend, Ruth Scallon of Crystal River; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Philip Walters, 83, of Sugarmill Woods
Philip F. Walters, 83, of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000, at his residence. Born in New York City, he came here eight years ago from Woodbury, N.Y. Mr. Walters was owner/operator of Walters Donaldson VW-Audi, Hicksville, N.Y. He attended St. Anne's Episcopal Church. He was a member of Paunmanok Masonic Lodge, Port Washington, N.Y., Sagamore Yacht Club of Oyster Bay, Long Island, N.Y., Sports Car Club of America, Crystal River Moose Lodge, Sugarmill Woods Golf and Country Club and Stagecrafters of Sugarmill Woods. Mr. Walters grew up in Manhasset and in his late teens began automobile racing at tracks on Long Island. In January of 1942 he joined the Army Air Corps, as a transport and glider pilot. After the war he went back to automobile racing. Later he drove stock cars and posted a record number of wins in USSCRC events. In addition to racing, he had a business called Frick-Tappet Motors in partnership with Bill Frick. They built the well-known Fordillac Performance Cars. Shortly after 1949, he became the general manager of the Cunningham Car Company, which built the first postwar American cars to compete at the Lemans 24 Hr. Race. With co-driver John Fitch, Mr. Walters also won the Sebring 12 Hr. Race against the European Factory Teams and the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, where he was recently honored by having his name inscribed into the "Walk of Fame." After motor racing he took up sailboat racing and became an accomplished sailor. With his large family as crew, he won the Block Island Regatta, sailing a Peterson 34. Surviving are his wife, Sheila (Meenan) M. Walters of Sugarmill Woods; three sons, Dr. Philip F. Walters of Plainview, N.Y., Frederick A. (Esquire) of Bronx, N.Y., and Daniel M. of Homosassa; three daughters, Linda A. Grimes of Haddonfield, N.J., Deborah J. Reyman of Armonk, N.Y., and Virginia E. Lewis of St. James, N.Y.; one brother, David E. of Ormond Beach; and eight grandchildren. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.