Richard H. Murvin, 56
LAKELAND — Richard Holt Murvin, 56, a certified public accountant, died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at home.
A native of St. Louis, he moved to Lakeland from Tampa 28 years ago. Mr. Murvin was a active member of First Presbyterian Church, member of Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Division of CPA Firms, and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Marti S. Murvin, Lakeland; daughters, Lesley G. Bryan, Orlando, Carson J. Lucci, Asheville, N.C., and Kris M. Lucci, Brandon; mother, Jeane Murvin, Ocala; brother, Tom Murvin, Ocala; and sister, Alice Ammons, Leesville, S.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL, 33803.
Heath Funeral Home, Lakeland, provided information.
Lillian Peluso, 92
OCALA — Lillian Peluso, 92, a homemaker, died Thursday, July 12, 2001.
A native of Providence, she moved here from California in 1998. Mrs. Peluso was Catholic.
Survivors include her sons, Pasco Peluso, Temecula, Calif., Anthony Pelsuo Jr., Pawtucket, R.I., Robert Peluso, Ocala, and Thomas Peluso, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; daughters, Theresa Iadevaia, Granada Hills, Calif., and Marilyn Iozzi, North Providence, R.I..; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her son, Lorenzo Peluso.
Hiers Memorial Chapel at TimberRidge, Ocala, provided information.
Jean H. Phillips, 91
OCALA — Jean H. Phillips, 91, a retired personnel director for St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, died Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at New Horizon Rehabilitation Center.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, she moved here in 1998. Ms. Phillips attended Oberlin College.
Survivors include her cousins, John A. Hay, Ocala, and Maxwell L. Hay, Plainsboro, N.J.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas R. Phillips.
Roberts Funeral Home, Downtown Ocala Chapel, provided information.
Joseph R. Pickering, 96
OCALA — Joseph R. Pickering, 96, a retired aircraft defense contractor, died Sunday, July 15, 2001.
A native of Jones County, Miss., he moved here from Miami in 1980. Mr. Pickering was a member of Bible Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, AARP, Retired National Association of Federal Retirees, and was a past patron of Order of Eastern Star.
Survivors include his wife, Marguerite Pickering, Ocala; daughters, Martha F. Hancock, Soso, Miss., Barbara Jackson, Lucasville, Miss., Betty Rollo, Marion, N.C., and Shirley Cope, Bushnell; stepdaughters, Nancy Clifford, Ocala, Carol Buckler, Archer, and Mary A. Bennett, Florida; stepsons, Charles P. Unglaub, Springfield, Mass., and Roy Mathis, Hartford, Conn.; sisters, Willie M. King, North Carolina, and Eleanor Tidwell, Booneville, Miss.; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and three great-great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Genah H. Pickering and Angie Pickering; and son, Joseph D. Pickering.
Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, provided information.
Ruby L. Shelley, 89
OCKLAWAHA — Ruby L. Shelley, 89, a retired medical clerk, died Monday, July 16, 2001, at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
A native of Dallas, she moved here from Jacksonville Beach. Mrs. Shelley was a member of First Baptist Church of Belleview.
Survivors include her son, Ronald P. Shelley, Belleview; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Shelley.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Belleview Chapel, provided information.
Helga Torsiello, 64
OCALA — Helga Torsiello, 64, a retired beauty consultant, died Saturday, July 14, 2001, at her home.
Mrs. Torsiello was a native of Germany. She was a member of Women of the Moose Lodge No. 459, American Cancer Society, Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultants and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Michael L. Torsiello, Ocala; sons, Michael A. Torsiello, Hagerstown, Md., and Michael Bieck, Laurelton, N.Y.; daughters, Patricia Smith, Cocoa, Michele C. Torsiello, Hoboken, N.J., Claudia R. Cooley, Sayville, N.Y., and Christine "Joy" Benson, Jacksonville; sister, Fridel Oblaender, Heidelberg, Germany; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Roberts Funeral Home, Bruce Chapel East Ocala, provided information.
Marjorie J. Tripp, 70
OCALA — Marjorie J. Tripp, 70, a homemaker, died Saturday, July 14, 2001, at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
A native of Cambridge, Ohio, she moved here from Jacksonville 32 years ago. Mrs. Tripp was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Jim Tripp, Ocala; daughter, Dawn Clement, Ocala; sons, Joe Tripp, Lecanto, and Bill Tripp, Houston; brother, Bill Brecht, Newark, Ohio; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Arnette House.
Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, provided information.
Donald D. West Sr., 55
OCALA — Donald D. West Sr., 55, a carpenter, died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at Munroe Regional Medical Center.
A native of Cleveland, he moved here from Hollywood 21 years ago. Mr. West was Catholic. He served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Paula West, Ocala; mother, Emily Wisniewski, Belleview; daughters, Connie Pent, Summerfield, Tracy McDonald, Weirsdale, and Tammy Boone, Ocala; son, Donald D. West Jr., Ocala; sisters, Judy Sanders, Laager, Tenn., Sharon Harbert, Longwood, Linda Gunther and Hope McHugh, both of Pembroke Pines, Jeannie Estey, Mary Cutler and Faith Tighe, all of Belleview; brothers, Dennis Krushinski, Hudson, and Alex West, Anthony; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl M. West.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Belleview Chapel, provided information.
John G. Wood, 45
OCALA — John G. Wood, 45, a mason, died Monday, July 16, 2001.
Mr. Wood was a native and a lifelong resident of Ocala. He was a member of Community Harvest Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Wood, Ocala; daughters, Jennifer W. Stuart, Summerfield, and Kalie L. Wood, Ocala; sister, Elaine L. Wood, Summerfield; brother, Eddie Wood, Bascom; and one grandchild.
Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, provided information.
Norma Chappell, 68
SUMMERFIELD — Norma Chappell, 68, died Monday, July 16, 2001, at Munroe Regional Medical Center.
A native of Louisville, Ky., she moved here in 1982. Miss Chappell served in the Women's Army Corps during the Korean War. She was Baptist.
Survivors include her sister, Barbara Fey, Summerfield; and brother, Robert H. Chappell, Louisville, Ky.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Belleview Chapel, provided information.
George T. Davis, 73
OCALA — George T. Davis, 73, owner of an electrical contractor, died Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at his home.
A native of Batavia, N.Y., he moved here in 1996. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was Catholic.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Davis, Ocala; daughter, Nancy Dugan, Batavia; son, George T. Davis Jr., Batavia; sister, Marion Zito, Batavia; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services at TimberRidge, Ocala, provided information.
Peter A. DeVito, 86
DUNNELLON — Peter Anthony DeVito, 86, a retired director for the Union City Welfare Department, died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at Munroe Regional Medical Center.
A native of New York, he moved here from Fairview, N.J., 17 years ago. Mr. DeVito was Catholic.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Helen DeVito, Dunnellon; sons, Thomas Leahy, Virginia, William Leahy, California, Butch DeVito and Stewart DeVito, both of Fairview, N.J; daughters, Patricia A. Stober, Colorado and Emma MacPherson, New York; brothers, Louis DeVito, New York and Canio DeVito, Long Island, N.Y.; sister, Mary Farguna, Fort Lauderdale; and two grandchildren.
Fero Funeral Home, Dunnellon, provided information.
Charles E. Gernert, 72
OCALA — Charles E. Gernert, 72, a retired mechanic for Tuscan Dairy in Union, N.J., died Monday, July 16, 2001, at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
A native of Hillside, N.J., he moved here from Union, N.J., in September. Mr. Gernert served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was Methodist.
Survivors include his wife, Verna Gernert, Ocala; daughters, Nancy Lewis, Pleasantville, N.J., Sherry Cihowski, Ocala, Holly Ferrari, Rahway, N.J., and Carol A. Gernert, Largo; sons, Michael Gernert, Union, Charles Gernert and John Gernert, both of Ocala; sisters, Gladys Hudson, West Orange, N.J., Ann Savage, Orlando, Olive Honrith, New Jersey, and Julie May, Avenel, N.J.; brothers, Joseph Gernert, Ohio, and Robert Gernert, West Orange; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge Chapel, Ocala, provided information.
R. Palmer Hollister Jr., 94
OCALA — Palmer Hollister Jr., 94, a former chief executive operator of Hoe Co. in Union, N.J., died Saturday, July 14, 2001, at Munroe Regional Medical Center.
A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., she moved here 14 years ago. Mr. Hollister was a member of St. George Anglican Cathedral, Masonic Lodge No. 263, past grand commander of a Knights Templar, and past worthy patron of Order of the Eastern Star. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Survivors include his wife, E. Louise Hollister, Ocala; daughters, Evelyn Layman, Marlton, N.J., and Anita Burns, Charlotte, N.C.; son, Ralph P. Taylor, Cranford, N.J.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Hiers Funeral Home, Ocala, provided information.
Lucille B. Hounshell, 82
OCALA — Lucille B. Hounshell, 82, a retired nurse, died Monday, July 19, 2001, in Crystal River.
A native of Chicago, she moved to Ocala from Holder in 1984. Mrs. Hounshell served in the U.S. Army during World War II. She was Baptist.
Survivors include her sons, John Hounshell, Inglis and Terry Hounshell, Orlando; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
B.K. Brewer and Sons Funeral Home, Orlando, provided information.
David W. Meeks Sr., 83
CHIEFLAND — David Wafford Meeks Sr., 83, an employee of Beauchamp Hardware, died Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville.
Mr. Meeks was a native and lifelong resident of Levy County. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Chiefland, Veterans of Foreign Wars, past president of Gulf Hammock Hunting, former member of Chiefland City Commission, and Levy County Commission.
Survivors include his daughter, Loy Ann Mann, Chiefland; son, Dr. David Meeks Jr., Chiefland; sisters, Jeannette Barton, Williston, Jackie Dishong, Crystal River, and Clara McDonnell, Ocala; brother, Oran "Buck" Meeks, Williston; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Beauchamp Meeks.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Cheifland Chapel, provided information.
Richard W. Rains, 56
DUNNELLON — Richard W. Rains, 56, a cargo handler for TWA, died Sunday, July 15, 2001, Sylvia's Hospice House in Ocala.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., he moved here from Queens, N.Y., in 1990. Mr. Rains served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his aunt, Mary Sproles, Stilesville, Ind.; and uncle, Frank Rains, Bedford, Ind.
Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon provided information.
William A. Rains, 78
DUNNELLON — William Arvin Rains, 78, a retired police officer for New York City Police Department, died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at Sylvia's Hospice House in Ocala.
A native of Jamestown, Tenn., he moved here from Queens, N.Y., in 1990. Mr. Rains served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He is survived by his brother, Frank Rains, Bedford, Ind.; and sister, Mary Sproles, Stilesville, Ind.
Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon provided information.
Wade B. Simpson Sr., 72
OCALA — Wade B. Simpson Sr., 72, a retired chemical operator for National Lead Co., died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville.
A native of Cincinnati, he moved here from West Harrison, Ind. Mr. Simpson was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Simpson was Protestant.
Survivors include his daughters, Sharon F. Niehaus, Harrison, Ohio and Sandra Kemp, Summerfield; son, Wade B. Simpson Jr., Summerfield; and four grandchildren.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, Belleview Chapel, provided information.
Leonard E. Smith, 98
OCALA — Leonard E. Smith, 98, a retired shipbuilder, died Monday, July 16, 2001, at Palm Gardens of Ocala.
A native of Wilmington, Del., he moved here from Newark, Del., two years ago.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. Willard Smith, Ocala.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice.
Roberts Funeral Home, Bruce Chapel East Ocala, provided information.
