Raymond M. Jensen, 81
HOMOSASSA — Raymond M. Jensen, 81, retired, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000.
A native of Milwaukee, he moved here from the Bronx, N.Y., 10 years ago. Mr. Jensen served in the United States military during World War II.
Survivors include his sons, George Jensen, Sunnyside, N.Y., Steve Jensen, Ossining, N.Y.; daughter, Norine Hulmberg, Claremont, N.C.; brothers, Elmer Jensen, Arthur Jensen, Harold Jensen and Leo Jensen; sisters, Agenta Jensen, Mildred Jensen and Margaret Jensen; and three grandchildren.
Hooper Funeral Home, Homosassa, provided information.
F.M. Johnson, 87
OCALA — F.M. "Johnny" Johnson, 87, a retired installation supervisor, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000.
A native of Loris, S.C., he recently moved here from Jacksonville. Mr. Johnson was a member of St. George Anglican Church and Masonic Lodge 69, Orlando. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma Johnson, Ocala; daughter, Mary Johnson, Ocala; and two grandchildren.
Florida Cremation Society, Ocala, provided information.
Walter W. Jones, 69
SUMMERFIELD — Walter W. Jones, 69, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000.
A native of Syracuse, N.Y., he moved here from Marathon in 1997.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Jones, Summerfield; sons, Shawn Floyd, St. Louis, Jeff Floyd and Todd Logan, both of Summerfield; and five grandchildren.
Florida Cremation Society, Ocala, provided information.
Grace E. Kloss, 62
CITRUS SPRINGS — Grace E. Kloss, 62, a homemaker, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000, in Crystal River.
A native of Blue Island, Ill., she moved here from Lake of the Four Seasons, Ind., 12 years ago. Mrs. Kloss was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and Garden Club of Citrus Springs. She was an avid bowler.
She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Michael Kloss.
Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Leroy Kloss, Citrus Springs; sons, James M. Kloss, Mansfield, Ohio, John L. Kloss, Homosassa, and Jerald Kloss, Ringwood, N.J.; daughters, Jacquelyn A. Engstrom, Valpo, Ind., and Jeannette Butler, Mansfield; nine grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.
Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, provided information.
Jim McAvey, 80
OCALA — Jim McAvey, 80, a paint department manager for Southampton Lumber Company, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2000, at his home.
A native of New York City, he moved here from Southampton, N.Y., in 1980. Mr. McAvey was a member of Knights of Columbus, Elmont, N.Y., and Angela S. Santos Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4781, Ocala. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was preceded in death by his daughters, Laurie and Geraldine McAvey.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Topping McAvey, Ocala; daughters, Kathleen Madigan, East Quogue, N.Y., and Maureen Langhaar, Southampton; sons, James McAvey, Port Jefferson, N.Y., and Robert McAvey, New Port Richey; stepdaughters, Maria Spaulding, Ocala, and Carol Topping, Southampton, N.Y.; stepson, Michael Topping, Ocala; sisters, Jane Biasi, Spring Hill, and Sharon Schwartz, New York; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Marion County Inc.
Hiers Memorial Chapel at TimberRidge, Ocala, provided information.
Margaret M. Reardon, 82
OCALA — Margaret M. Reardon, 82, a homemaker, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000, at TimberRidge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
A native of Boston, she moved here from Jacksonville in 1993. Mrs. Reardon was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
She is survived by her sons, Robert Reardon, Ocala, George Reardon, Jacksonville, and Charles Reardon, Medford, Mass.; and one grandson.
Roberts Funeral Home, Bruce Chapel West Ocala, provided information.
Benjamin F. Sibbitt, 84
DUNNELLON — Benjamin F. Sibbitt, 84, a machinist for Ball and Roller Bearing Company, Danbury, Conn., died Friday, Nov. 24, 2000.
A native of Nebraska, he moved here from Danbury in 1996. Mr. Sibbitt enjoyed bee keeping.
He was preceded in death by a son, Bennie Sibbitt.
Survivors include his sons, Robert Sibbitt, Dunnellon, Kenneth Sibbitt, Lake Dallas, Texas, and Paul Sibbitt, Lake Mary; brother, George Sibbitt, Danbury; sister, Virginia Lais, Danbury; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Florida Cremation Society, Ocala, provided information.
Laura J. Witherspoon, 69
HERNANDO — Laura Jane Witherspoon, 69, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she moved here from Brooksville in 1994. Mrs. Witherspoon was a member of Gator Skeet and Trap Club and a past member of National Skeet Shooting Association. She was Protestant.
Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Donald Lee Witherspoon Sr., Hernando; son, Donald Lee Witherspoon Jr., Homosassa; daughter, Judy Schneider, Homosassa; brother, Richard Moody, North Carolina; sister, Dawn Louise, Canton, Ohio; and four grandchildren.
Hooper Funeral Home, Inverness, provided information.
Hubert R. Arnold, 75
LECANTO — Hubert R. Arnold, 75, a retired carpenter, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000.
A native of Germany, he moved to Lecanto from Citrus Springs in 1999. Mr. Arnold was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Therese Beckman Arnold, Lecanto; daughter, Mary Ann Ceparano, Lecanto; and three grandchildren.
Hooper Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, provided information.
Frances J. Ash, 87
INVERNESS — Frances J. Ash, 87, a retired executive secretary for General Motors, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000.
A native of Ontario, she moved here from Southfield, Mich., 29 years ago. Mrs. Ash was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and a member of Knights of Columbus Auxiliary.
She is survived by a close friend, Lucy Bruno, Inverness; and many nieces and nephews.
Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills, provided information.
Ellie M. Denny, 80
INGLIS — Ellie M. Denny, 80, a retired secretary, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000, at Cypress Cove Care Center in Crystal River.
A native of Berlin, Germany, she moved here from Lake City, Minn., seven years ago. Mrs. Denny was Lutheran.
She is survived by her daughter, Deanna Zaboroski, Yankeetown; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River, provided information.
Lila D. Gruel, 87
LAKELAND — Lila DeVore Gruel, 87, a retired school teacher for Lakeland Public Schools, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000, at Harborside Healthcare Center.
A native of Reddick, she moved to Lakeland in 1938. Mrs. Gruel was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland. She graduated from Florida State College for Women.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Samuel Gruel.
Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Sprott, Ocala; son, John Gruel III, Lakeland; sister, Louise DeVore, Reddick; three grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church or the Salvation Army.
Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, provided information.
Arnold L. Handler, 70
OCALA — Arnold L. Handler, 70, a retired salesman for Connecticut Natural Gas Company, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000.
Mr. Handler was a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. He moved here from South Windsor, Conn. Mr. Handler was a member of Disabled American Veterans, Unit No. 87, Leesburg. He was Jewish.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Barnes-Handler, Ocala; daughter, Darby Pollansky, Coventry, Conn.; son, Lance Barnes, Milford, N.H.; brothers, Michael Handler, Manchester, Conn., Morton Handler and William Handler, both of Atlanta; and five grandchildren.
Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon provided information.
Harold D. Higgins, 82
OCALA — Harold D. Higgins, 82, a retired teacher, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2000.
A native of Pittsfield, Maine, he moved to Florida in 1986. Mr. Higgins was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Higgins, Ocala; daughter, Cynthia D. Higgins, Madison, Wis.; sons, Wallace E. Higgings, Boston, Michael P. Higgins, Norwalk, Conn., and Daniel P. Higgins, Pittsfield; and one grandchild.
At Peace Cremation Services Inc., Sarasota, provided information.
F.M. Johnson, 87
OCALA — F.M. "Johnny" Johnson, 87, a retired installation supervisor, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000.
A native of Loris, S.C., he recently moved here from Jacksonville. Mr. Johnson was a member of St. George Anglican Church and Masonic Lodge No. 69, Orlando. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He is survived by his son, Chas Johnson, Ocala; wife, Thelma Johnson, Ocala; daughter, Mary Johnson, Ocala; and two grandchildren.
Florida Cremation Society, Ocala, provided information.
