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Russell Marvin Godwin
Russell M. "Marvin" Godwin, age, 74, of Palmdale, died April 4, 2001, in Labelle. He was born Sept. 11, 1926, in Okeechobee to Thomas Jefferson Godwin and Lettie A. Godwin. Marvin worked 28 years for Lykes Brothers before retiring in the early 1980s.
Survivors include: his daughter, Ruby Hansen of Labelle; sons, Larry Godwin of North Fort Myers, Tim Godwin of Clewiston and Ronnie Godwin of Lake Placid; brother, T.L. Godwin of Okeechobee; sister, Lara Maxine Thomas of Okeechobee; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and, three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Friday, April 6, at 11 a.m. Graveside will follow at the Ortona Cemetery with Larry Luckey officiating.
Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home in Labelle.
James Howard Drawdy, Sr.
James Howard Drawdy, Sr., age 58, of Okeechobee, died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at his residence.
Mr. Drawdy was born on July 31, 1944, in San Francisco, Calif., and had been a lifetime resident of Okeechobee. Mr. Drawdy served in the U.S. Navy.
His father, Howard C. Drawdy, preceded him in death.
Survivors include: his wife of two and a half years, Debbie Drawdy of Okeechobee; two sons, Shayne Drawdy and James Drawdy, Jr., both of Okeechobee; grandson, Bascom Drawdy of Okeechobee; two granddaughters, Brittney Drawdy and Shyanna Drawdy, both of Okeechobee; mother, Valerie Paulson of Lake Worth; two sisters, Linda (Tom) Shea and Diane (Ron) Harbison, all of Atlantis; four stepsons, James (Niki) Johnson of Ellsmere, Ky., Frank (Holly) Johnson and Billy Johnson, all of West Palm Beach and Clint (Erin) Brown of Punta Gorda; two stepdaughters, Kimberly Johnson of West Palm Beach and Michelle Brown of Okeechobee; three step-grandsons, Johnathan Johnson, Tyler Johnson and R.J. Johnson; and two step-daughters, Alyssa Johnson and Lindsey Johnson also survive him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5, from 1 p.m., until funeral service time at 2 p.m., at the Buxton Funeral Home.
All arrangements have been under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory.
Henry Richard Wilser, Jr.
Henry Richard Wilser, Jr., age 76, of Okeechobee, died peacefully Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Spring, Texas, after a courageous and inspirational battle with cancer of the esophagus.
Born on August 14, 1926, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Henry graduated early from Poughkeepsie High School to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He served from 1944-1946 and again from 1950-1952. His varied occupational pursuits included founding and operating an electric-motor repair business, apartment facilities management, and work as an electrician in the U.S. Civil Service for the Veterans Administration until his retirement in 1971. For more than a quarter-century he has resided in Okeechobee. During that time, he mastered the craft of woodworking, much to the delight of his family as well as friends in Okeechobee.
Preceded in death by: his parents, Henry and Helen Wilser; and two brothers, Fred and Milton.
Survivors include: his wife, Josie of Okeechobee; his son, Michael Wilser and wife Sherry of Spring, Texas; stepson, David Nilson of Woodstock, N.Y.; grandson, Jeffrey Wilser of New York, N.Y.; granddaughter, Dana Wilser of Spring, Texas; step-grandchildren, Kimberly Williams, Michael Gangwer and Mark Gangwer of Palm Bay, and Sean, Elizabeth and Sarah Murray; his brothers and sisters, Raymond Wilser of Port Charlotte, William Wilser of Cary, N.C., Robert Wilser of Sunnyvale, Calif., Earl Wilser of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Rev. Joseph Wilser of Glendale, N.Y., Helen Page of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Mary Ann Seitz of Interlaken and Walter Wilser of Cupertino, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews also survive him.
A memorial service will be held on April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Web, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.
All arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Claire Brothers Funeral Home, Houston, Texas.
Robbie Lee Melear
Robbie Lee Melear, age 72, of Okeechobee, died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee.
Ms. Melear was born on May 16, 1930, in Arley, Ala., the daughter of Van Buren and Pearl Gilliland Melear. Ms. Melear had been a resident of Okeechobee for 20 years.
Preceded in death by: two brothers, Tony Melear and Roger Melear; and one sister, Dorothy Schook.
Survivors include: three daughters, Betsy McNelly and Tammy Jordan of Okeechobee and Cindy (Arthur) Austino of Lantana; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Charles (Dolly) Melear of Leesburg and Jimmy (Raynel) Melear of Stuart.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, from 4 until 7 p.m., at the Buxton Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 5, at 4 p.m., at the Buxton Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Richard E. Whipple, officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory.
Raymond Joseph Hooker
Raymond Joseph Hooker, Infant son of Raymond and Christina Hooker of Vero Beach, died shortly after birth April 3, 2001 at Indian River Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include: Paternal grandfather, Raymond C. Kersey of Vero Beach; paternal great-grandparents, Joe and Bobby Blackburn of Vero Beach; paternal grandmother, Debra Hooker of Vero Beach; maternal grandparents, Doyce and Jackie Morton of Winter Beach; maternal great-grandmother, Hazel Morton of Bassinger.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at Strunk Funeral Home,916 17th Street, Vero Beach, with Reverend Joe Brooks of Twentieth Avenue Church of God and Reverend Noah Taylor of North Okeechobee Church of God officiating.
Interment will follow in Basinger Cemetery, Bassinger.
All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strunk Funeral Homes, Vero Beach.
Earnest F. Adams
Earnest F. Adams, age 76, of Okeechobee, died Tuesday, April 3, 2001 at Raulerson Hospital. Born April 14, 1924 in Hot Springs, Ark., Mr. Adams had been a resident of Okeechobee since 1974. He was a member of the Masonic Queen City Lodge in Clarksville, Tenn.; a member of the Okeechobee Moose Lodge; and was retired from Local 433 Boiler Maker's Union in Tampa.
Preceded in death: by his loving wife, Ocie Hall Adams, son, Duke Adams of Okeechobee; daughter, Patricia West (Wayne) of Louisville, Ky.; grandson, Eric Adams of Okeechobee; three granddaughters, Tiffany Adams of Okeechobee, Lisa and Tricia West, both of Louisville, Ky.; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Sadie West, both of Louisville, Ky.; and one sister, Jean Washington of Doddridge, Ark.
Friends may call at the Buxton Funeral Home on Friday, April 6, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Services will be held in the Buxton Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, April 7, at 1 p.m. with Reverend Dr. John Keith, Pastor of Oakview Baptist Church, officiating.
Interment will be in the Kraft-Graceland Cemetery in New Albany, Indiana.
All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory.
Robert Harry Spieler
Robert Harry Spieler, age 74, of Moose Lake, Minn., died Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at his winter residence in Okeechobee. Born May 18, 1926, in Cedar Lake, Ind., Mr. Spieler has been a winter resident of Okeechobee since 1980. He attended the Peace Lutheran Church; and enjoyed fishing, dancing, woodworking, orange trees and remodeling homes.
Preceded in death by: his first wife, Connie L. Spieler, one sister and four brothers.
Survivors include: his wife, Lois Spieler of Minn., and Okeechobee; four sons, Kenneth C. Spieler of Cloquet, Minn., Dennis D. Comfort of Duluth, Minn., Richard D. Spieler (Cinda) of Hendrum, Minn., and Jeffrey D. Comfort (Mary) of Mesa, Ariz.; two daughters, Randi J. Pakula (Isaac) of Wilson, N.C. and Connie F. Hennum of Esko, Minn. ;10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Raymond Spieler of Minong, Wis. and Emil Spieler of Okeechobee.
There will be no visitation or services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Okeechobee, P.O. Box 1548, Okeechobee, FL. 34973.
All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory.
Howard Frank Perry
Howard Frank Perry, age 94, of Okeechobee, died Monday, March 31, 2003, at his residence.
Mr. Perry was born on Nov. 5, 1908, in Jersey City, N.J., the son of Abigah and Wilahmia (Youlinger) Perry. Mr. Perry was a painter by trade.
Preceded in death by a daughter, Merlena Palmer.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 68 years, Jean Perry of Okeechobee; his children, Bobbi, Howard, Paul and Brian; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren also survive him.
There will be no visitation or funeral services held.
All arrangements are entrusted to the loving care of the Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Henry Wilson, Sr.
Henry Wilson, Sr., age 57, of Okeechobee, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Wilson was born on Feb. 8, 1946. Mr. Wilson was in the United States Army and a Vietnam Veteran. He had been a resident of Okeechobee since 1959.
Survivors include: one son, Virgil Dixon of Okeechobee; five daughters, Connie Armstrong of Atlanta, Ga., Dorothy Hinton of Vermont, Rhonda Hall, Vernetta Wilson, Tamara Dixon, all of Okeechobee; two brothers, Archie Smith and Odel Bryant, both of Okeechobee; three sisters, Mae Alice Grace, Freida Faison and Jackie Sweezer, all of Okeechobee; and 10 grandchildren also survive him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at New St. Stephens AME Church in Okeechobee.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m., at the New St. Stephens AME Church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
All arrangements have been under the direction of the Stone Brothers Funeral Home.
Dorothy E. Schneider
Dorothy E. Schneider, age 83, of Okeechobee, died April 2, 2003, at Hospice of the Treasure Coast in Fort Pierce.
She was born on July 10, 1919, in Cairo, Ga., daughter of Claude and Mary Emma (Law) Pelham. She was a telephone operator by trade. Mrs. Schneider moved from Miami to Okeechobee in 1972.
Survivors include her sister, Norma Sweeting of Okeechobee.
There will be no visitation or funeral services.
Arrangements are entrusted to the loving care of the Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Johnny R. Amerson
Johnny R. Amerson, age 71, of Buckhead Ridge in Okeechobee, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral. Mr. Amerson was born in Soberton, Ga. He served in the Korean War and was a retired operating engineer. He also enjoyed fishing.
Survivors include: his wife, Julia; four sons, Dwight, Dwayne, Paul and Robert; two daughters, Peggy Waters and Vicki Butler; 11 grandchildren; and two sisters.
J. Edward Marner
J. Edward Marner, age 81, of Shipshewana, Ind., died Monday, March 31, 2003, at his residence.
Mr. Marner was born Oct. 8, 1921, son of Jake and Mary (Hostetler) Marner. He had been a winter resident of Okeechobee for 10 years. He was self-employed as a farmer and livestock hauler. He also was a member of the Maple Grove Church in Topeka, Ind., and the Albion Draft Horse Association.
Survivors include: his wife, Bertha Beachy Marner of Shipshewana, Ind.; one daughter, Marjorie (Merlin) Gingerich-Howe; four sons, Perry (Betty) Marner of LaGrange, Ind., Harold (Linda) Marner of Elkhart, Ind., Claude (Diane) Marner of Shipshewana, Ind. and Ray (Gail) Marner of Middlebury, Ind.; 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great great-grandchild; two sisters; Pauline (Clarence) Beachy of Aderine, Mich. and Ruby (Richard) Kehr of New Paris, Ind.; three brothers, Robert Marner of Decatur, Ill, George (Bettye) Marner of Goshen, Ind. and LeRoy Marner of Abbeville, S.C.
He was preceded in death by his son, George Ervin Marner and his sister, Viola Marner.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 2, from 6 until 8 p.m. and on Thursday, April 3, from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 6 until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 4, at 10 a.m., at the Maple Grove Church in Topeka, Ind., with Reverend Mervin Miller officiating.
Interment will be at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Middlebury, Ind.
Memorials may be made to LaGrange Community Hospice.
Miller-Stewart Funeral Home in Middlebury, Ind., is in charge of arrangements.
Howard A. Thullbery
Howard A. Thullbery, age 80, of Sun City Center, died Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Palm Garden of Sun City Center.
He was born on Oct. 5, 1922, in Lake Wales. He served during World War II in the U.S. Army with the 507th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. His decorations and citations included the Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Arrowhead Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He worked as a citrus production manager in Frostproof, Avon Park and Ft. Pierce. He had resided in Okeechobee for 15 years prior to moving to Sun City Center in 2002.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas and Charles Thullbery.
Survivors include: his wife, Carolyn; one daughter, Pauline "Paula" Douglas of Houston, Texas; one son, Howard A. "Bud" Thullbery, III, of Billings, Mont.; one step-daughter, Thea Lyons of Orange City; one step-son, James E. Tomlinson of Woodbridge, Va; one brother, Frank Thullbery of Lake Wales; four grandsons; two step-grandsons; one granddaughter; and two step-granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m., at the first Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales with Rev. David Rockness officiating.
Interment will be at a later date in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Memorial contributions may be made to LifePath Hospice, 3010 W. Azeele Street, Tampa, FL 33609.
All arrangements are through the Fountain Funeral Home in Avon Park.
