Ruth Hardy, 84, of Crystal River
Ruth T. Hardy, 84, of Crystal River died Monday morning, June 12, 2000, at her residence under the loving care of her husband and Hospice of Citrus County. Born April 23, 1916, the daughter of George and Jennie Hoyt, she came here 24 years ago from Palmyra, N.Y. She was an accounting clerk for 18 years at Mobile Oil Company in New York. She was former owner/operator of the Beverly Hills Florist. She was a member of Women of the Moose No. 1434. She was Protestant. Surviving are her loving husband, Robert, of Crystal River; son, Gregg Hardy of Hector, N.Y.; daughters, Gloria Ferguson of Crystal River, Ramona Murphy of Ocala and Cheryl Theriault of Warren, R.I.; stepchildren, Kathy Belmonte of Chicago, Keith Hardy of Shortsville, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren, James and Alan Carey, Melonie Brittain, Kathleen Santilli, Jeremy Tolleson, Forrest Theriault, Mark Lincoln, Anika Hardy, Karrie and Kamr'n Stern; five great-grandchildren, Daniel Lincoln, Amber Carey, Tiffany and Kimberly Santilli, and Conner Stern. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Michael Mackey, 58, of Homosassa
Michael Mackey, 58, of Homosassa died Monday, June 5, 2000, in Ocala. He was born in Boston, Mass., and came here 10 years ago from there. He was a superintendent of grounds at World Woods Golf Club. He was Catholic. Surviving are his daughter, Mary G. Mackey of W. Wareham, Mass.; and one granddaughter, Kahrman A. Manning of W. Wareham, Mass. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Walter Mankowski, 91, of Floral City
Walter P. "Shorty" Mankowski, 91, of Floral City died Sunday, June 11, 2000. He was a native of Gaylord, Mich., and came here 14 years ago from Port Richey. He was a retired factory worker at Snap-on-Tools. He was active in A.A. for 47 years. He was an avid baseball fan and he loved fishing and hunting. He was Lutheran. Surviving are his daughter, Shirley M. Jensen of Floral City; three sons, Jack Otto Schiess of Hawaii, Fred Schiess of Rhinelander, Wis., and Bob Scheiss of Kenosha, Wis.; four sisters, Agnus Lasik, Theresa Bejester, Hattie Lijewski of LaSalle, Ill., and Tina Mason of LaMoille, Ill.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills.

Joseph Marcinko Sr., 73, of Homosassa
Joseph P. Marcinko Sr., 73, of Homosassa died Saturday, June 10, 2000. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and came to Homosassa 16 years ago from Trumbull, Conn. He was a retired fireman at Sikorsky Aircraft. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran. He was Catholic. Surviving are his wife, Laura Myers Marcinko of Homosassa; son, Joseph P. Marcinko Jr. of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; daughter, Laura J. Berry of Naugatuck, Conn.; brother, Paul Marcinko of Bridgeport, Conn.; two sisters, Francis Fedak, and Peggy Mertin, both of Stratford, Conn.; and six grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Home, Homosassa.

Esther Matsik, 80, of Homosassa
Esther M. Kube Matsik, 80, of Sugarmill Woods, Homosassa, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at her residence. She was born in Bayshore, N.Y., and came here three years ago from Islip, N.Y. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Islip, N.Y., Course of Miracles in Florida and Long Island, N.Y., and Science of the Mind in Ney, Calif. She was Methodist. Surviving are her son, Anthony J. Matsik of Long Island, N.Y.; six daughters, Jay Lee Dante of New York, Sheryl A. Matsik of Homosassa, Barbara J. Titus of Allentown, N.J., Terry L. Getchell of Monte Rio, Calif., Claire D. Victor and Wendy S. Matsik both of Santa Rosa, Calif.; two brothers, Claire Kube and Everett Kube, both of Islip, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Robert Powell, 83, of Homosassa
Robert L. Powell, 83, of Riverhaven, Homosassa, died Sunday, June 11, 2000. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He came here from Huntsville, Ala., 20 years ago. He retired from the Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, where he was chief of a missile procurement production organization for the Department of Defense. Prior to this, he worked for the U.S. Army's Cincinnati Procurement District, involved in the acquisition of armament for the armed forces. He was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and selected as outstanding Civil Service Employee in the Cincinnati area in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was instrumental in the founding of Riverhaven Village Community Club, and was active in community affairs, a First United Methodist Church treasurer, finance committee, administrative board chairman and on the Blue Ribbon Committee that recommended construction of the new sanctuary, co-chairman of the steering committee that organized the Riverhaven Property Owners Association and served as first president, vice president, treasurer and director. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, American Legion and the Riverhaven Community Club. Surviving are his loving wife of 42 years, Jacqueline Powell; two sons, Robert L. Powell Jr. of Roseville, Calif., and John R. Powell and wife Robin of Suwanee, Ga.; four granddaughters, Rachael, Rebecca and twins Meaghan and Jane Powell; and nephew, Alvin F. Davis of Naples. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Irma VanCott, 77, of Crystal River
Irma "Peggy" L. VanCott, 77, of Crystal River died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Life Care Center in Lecanto. She was born to Stella and Harry Graham on Nov. 12, 1922, in Pompton Plaines, N.J. She moved here from Butler, N.J., 25 years ago. She was employed as a secretary. She was a member of the Pompton Plaines Elks Lodge No. 1895 and the Dutch Reformed Church. Surviving are two sisters, Verna Trio of West Caldwell, N.J., and Helen Stoess of Pompton Plaines, N.J.; one niece, Sandy and Larry White of Crystal River; two great-nieces, Suzanne and Mike Dugger of Lecanto and Debra and Jeff Rumpf of Beverly Hills; and one great-nephew, L.J. and Mary White of Crystal River. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Verla West, 70, of Citrus Springs
Verla C. West, 70, of Citrus Springs died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at her home under the loving care of her family. She was a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and came here from San Francisco, Calif., 18 years ago. She was bridge director for the duplicate bridge games in Citrus Springs for many years. Surviving are her husband, Allen R. West of Citrus Springs; son, Allen E. West of Citrus Springs; and daughter, Sherry Lee West of San Bruno, Calif. Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills.

Caroline Henderson, 64, of Inverness
Caroline Cindy Henderson, 64, of Inverness died Tuesday June 13, 2000. She was born in Mount Vernon, Ga., on Sept. 13, 1935, and moved to Inverness from Kissimmee. She was a homemaker and a member of the Citrus Hills Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Robert F. Henderson Sr. of Inverness; son, Robert F. Henderson Jr. of Deltona; daughter, Joan E. Berry of Camp Creek, W.Va.; six sisters, Nellie Compton, Jackie McCubbin, both of Inverness, Ida Bell Black of Lake Wales, Bee Bee Prather of Cocoa, Nira Gay of Tavares, and Vivian Hill of Inverness; brother, Barney Gay of Tampa; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell.

Leah Readinger, 87, of Inverness
Leah M. Readinger, 87, of Inverness died Tuesday, June 13, 2000. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and came to Inverness 27 years ago from Tampa. Mrs. Readinger was Methodist. She was the wife of the late Mr. Howard Readinger, who died in 1994. Surviving are her son, Howard R. Readinger; three half brothers, Alfred E. Watkins of Inverness, Thomas H. Watkins of Upper Darby, Pa., and Herbert H. Watkins of Millville, Pa.; half sister, Doris E. Janke of Horsham, Pa.; and a grandson, Richard A. Readinger. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness.

Betty Berger, 67, of Inverness
Betty Jean Berger, 67, of Inverness died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at her home. Born in Catawba, N.C., she came to this area two and a half years ago from Dunedin. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, Jerome; two sons, Michael of Statesville, N.C., and Barry of Charlotte, N.C.; a brother, John Moose of Lake City; a sister, Nancy Epright of Inverness; and four grandchildren, Shannon Epps of Statesville, N.C., Kerri Sizemore of Raleigh, N.C., Kristin Epps of Boone, N.C., and Ryan Epps of Charlotte, N.C. Turner Funeral Home, Brooksville.

Robert Davis, 95, formerly of Inverness
Robert E. Davis, 95, formerly of Inverness, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Lake Ridge Village in Eustis. Born in Norris City, Ill., on July 2, 1904, to Benjamin and Alta Maude Davis, he came to Citrus County in 1978 from Port Richey. He was a retired building contractor. He was Presbyterian. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Davis, Sept. 3, 1994. Surviving are his son, Gerald K. Davis of Saline, Mich.; his daughter, Roberta J. DeBoard of Bellingham, Wash.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Lucy Squillace, 79, of East Setauket, N.Y.
Lucy Theresa Squillace, 79, of East Setauket, N.Y., died Sunday, June 11, 2000, in Brentwood, Long Island, N.Y. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and came here from Hicksville, N.Y., in 1972. She was a retired factory employee for an aircraft manufacturing company. She lived in the area for 18 years and was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She is survived by two sons, Richard Squillace of East Setauket, L.I., N.Y., and Luke Squillace of Seldon, L.I., N.Y.; a brother, Alfred Carapola; and four grandchildren. Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon.

Beulah Brody, 75, of Dunnellon
Beulah Mae "B" Brody, 75, of Dunnellon died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at her home in Rainbow Springs. Born in Shelby County, Iowa, on Jan. 22, 1925, to William and Helen (Jorgensen) Stuhr, she moved to Dunnellon 17 years ago from Ottumwa, Iowa. She worked alongside her husband, Sidney Brody, M.D. as office manager at their private surgical practice in Ottumwa, Iowa, from the early 1950s to 1982. "B" was an avid bridge player belonging to many local groups and active with the Monday Night Crafters of Rainbow Springs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Brody. Surviving are one son, Jeffrey A. Brody of Dunnellon; two daughters, Dana Wolf of Montgomery, Ala., and Stephanie "Steve" Kent of Lincoln, Neb.; one sister, Elsa Gatchel of Belton, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home, Dunnellon.

John Castanio, 59, of Dunnellon
John Joseph Castanio, 59, of Dunnellon died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in Ocala. He came here two years ago from his native Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was a truck driver for A&R Fuel for 25 years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the Local No. 553 Teamsters Union, New York. He was Catholic. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Castanio of Dunnellon; two sons, John Christopher Castanio of Staten Island, N.Y., and John Peter Castanio of Boca Raton; one stepson, Jason Louis Katzowitz of Dunnellon; one stepdaughter, Kimberly Dawn Katzowitz of Dunnellon; brother, Frank Castanio Jr. of Long Island, N.Y.; sister, Katherine "Kay" Ricciardi of Port St. Lucie; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home, Dunnellon.

Freddie Grace, 42, of Orlando
Freddie Joe Grace, 42, of Orlando, formerly of Inverness, died Wednesday, June 14, 2000. He was born in Crestview and moved to Orlando in 1993 from Inverness. He was a clerk in retail merchandise. He was Protestant. Surviving are his mother, Emmer Grace of Inverness; three brothers, Samuel (Sue) Grace of Butler, Ga., Roy Lee (Cheryl) Grace of Astatula, and Nolan (Kris) Grace of Mount Dora; four sisters, Betty (Willard) J. Lewis of Okahumpka, Cora Lee (Mark) Heatley of Big Springs, Texas, Connie (Bob) Cooper of Ocala, and Alice Faye (Joe) Pimental of Floral City; companion of 16 years, John Cairns of Orlando; and numerous nieces and nephews. Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness.

Megan O'Neal, 46, of Crystal River
Megan Feehan O'Neal, 46, of Crystal River died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. She was born in West Orange, N.J., on Feb. 6, 1954, to Jack and Betty Feehan. She came here 36 years ago from Fort Lee, Va. She was the communications coordinator at the Crystal River United Methodist Church for the past three years. She was Methodist. She was a member of the Emmaus Community. She was a loving wife and mother who was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball. She was a "Soccer Mom," volunteering with West Citrus Soccer League, and also involved with high school cheerleading. She is survived by her loving husband of 21 years, Ed O'Neal of Crystal River; her sons, Eddie O'Neal IV, John O'Neal, Eugene O'Neal and William O'Neal; two sisters, Denise Pegg of Irwin, Tenn., and Patty Davis of Ocala; a brother, Brian Feehan of New Port Richey; a niece, Annie, and two nephews, Rob and David; and a host of loving friends. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Hulda Voss, 79, of Inverness
Hulda "Hilda" Voss, 79, of Inverness died Monday, June 12, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Germany on Aug. 15, 1920, to Paul and Mally (Kindler) Trillitzsch, she came here nine years ago from Manhattan, N.Y. She was a homemaker. She was Lutheran. Her survivors include one son, Reiner Schick of Kemah, Texas; one daughter, Christa Williamson of Inverness; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Lovick Williams, 95, of Inverness
Lovick P. Williams, 95, of Inverness died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, at Citrus Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Cedar Key on Aug. 16, 1904, to Josiah A. and Carrie (Peek) Williams, he came here in 1932. He was a graduate of the University of Florida Law School in 1926 and practiced law for more than 50 years. A lifelong public servant, he was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1937. He also served as assistant state attorney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit for 10 years and was county attorney for Citrus County for more than 14 years, and served as the attorney for the city of Inverness for many years. In all, he spent much of his long- spanning legal career providing expertise to state, county and city governments. His father was a state senator and was appointed the first state shellfish commissioner by President Herbert Hoover. As a young boy, he accompanied his father sailing up and down the Florida coast enforcing game and fishing laws. He was a member of the Floral City United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife of 73 years, Mildred Taylor Williams; three daughters, Carolyn M. Holbrook of Atlanta, Ga., Nancy Jeanne Carr of St. Petersburg, and Anne Kabrich of Floral City; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness. Ruth Hans, 78, of Inverness
Ruth Eleanor Hans, 78, of Inverness died Friday, June 16, 2000, at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., on Jan. 13, 1922, to Arthur W. and Matilda (Balser) Nelson, she came here two years ago from Spring Hill. Mrs. Hans was a retired bookkeeper. She was Catholic. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore F. Hans, in 1994. Surviving are her daughter, Jacqueline Watson of Inverness; brother, Arthur W. Nelson Jr. of Escondido, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Valerie and Lisa Watson. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Mary Jenkins, 81, of Inverness
Mary C. Jenkins, 81, of Inverness died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Avante at Inverness. Born on Feb. 9, 1919, she came here 23 years ago from St. Petersburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Jenkins, April 16, 1996. She is survived by nieces, nephews and friends. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Michael Mackey, 58, of Homosassa
Michael Mackey, 58, of Homosassa died Monday, June 5, 2000, in Ocala. Born in Boston, Mass., he came here 10 years ago from Massachusetts. He was superintendent of grounds at World Woods Golf Club. He was Catholic. Surviving are his daughter, Mary G. Mackey of W. Wareham, Mass., and a granddaughter, Kahrman A. Manning of W. Wareham, Mass. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

DeNault Schwartz, 66, of Crystal River
DeNault Huel Schwartz, 66, of Crystal River died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. He was born in Macon County, N.C., on Dec. 9, 1933, to Elva Eula and Harry Welch. He moved here from South Lebanon, Ohio, 20 years ago. He was a retired cabinet maker; Army and Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict; and a member of Eagles Aerie 4272 and the American Legion Post No. 155, both of Crystal River. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarine. Surviving are his companion, Joanie LeGros of Crystal River; six children, Doug and Dale Peacock both of Cincinnati, Ohio, DeNault Schwartz II of Fayetteville, N.C., Chenault Schwartz of Tucson, Ariz., Melanie Denton of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Monique Hartje of Lytle, Texas; one sister, Daurice P.L. Collins of Cincinnati, Ohio; two half-sisters, Joan Welch and Charlene Welch both of Walhalla, S.C.; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

Rose Acidiacono, 90, of Brooksville
Rose Acidiacono, 90, of Brooksville died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, at The Hospice House in Brooksville. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 25, 1909, to Salvatore and Florence Savoca. She was a retired dressmaker. She is survived by her daughter, Florence Bill, of Wesley Chapel. Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness.