Obituaries

Dec 21, 2016

Adeline (nee Avjian) Ruggles, 73, passed away Dec. 21, 2016. Born 1943 in Malden, MA, graduated MHS. Successful career in computer software sales. Enjoyed volunteering for hospice in Haverhill, MA. Active member and volunteer at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Survived by sister, Helen MacKnight; brother, Albert Avjian; children, Mary Gudewich, Laurie Spataro and Thomas Ruggles; grandchildren, Jacqueline, Steven, Nathaniel, James, Hunter,...

Dec 20, 2016

Kathleen Porter Mier, 81, departed this life on Dec. 20, 2016 at McGraw Hospice Center from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Jacksonville, FL on Dec. 23, 1934 to the late Edwin T. and Ethel Brooks Porter and step mother, Eunice Porter. Graduated from Jackson High School and worked at Liberty Mutual Ins. Co.

Kathy was a...

Dec 18, 2016

Doris (Dori) Eggen Bissell passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 18 in Jacksonville, Florida with her loved ones by her side. Dori was born on July 12, 1927 in Gowanda, New York, to John and Lena Eggen and was a graduate of Gowanda High School and Cornell University. Dori worked for twelve years with National Airlines; as a stewardess...

Dec 17, 2016

Jonathan Martin Askew of Jacksonville Beach, FL went to be with his Lord on Friday, December 16, 2016 at the young age of 36. His warm smile and hearty laugh will be cherished forever. He loved spending all his time with his daughter Kaleigh Elizabeth Askew, the love and joy of his life. He is also survived by his...

Dec 16, 2016

Calvin Morton, 90, a native of Bloomfield, NJ, passed away December 16, 2016. He earned a BA from Rutgers University in 1949 and was also a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He received his MA in History from NYU in 1950. During WWII, he served in the US Navy and participated in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini...

Dec 14, 2016

Bennie Houser Furlong, 95, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016.  She was born September 30, 1921 in Jacksonville, FL.

As the daughter of an AP reporter she lived in many cities from New York to Dallas where she graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1944.  Jacksonville was always her home and in 1956 she returned to reside...

Dec 13, 2016

Virginia T. Gross (Jenny), 90, passed away December 13, 2016.  She was born January 24, 1926 in Vincent, Kentucky.  She resided in Kentucky most of her life where they raised their family, and ultimately retired in Frankfort.

Jenny is survived by her daughters Donna (Jeff) Smith and Dee Dee (Bernie) Schoeberl; grandchildren, Tyler, Zachary, Ethan, Jason, and...

Dec 12, 2016

James Joseph Patti, 57, passed away Dec. 12, 2016. He was a native of Jacksonville, living in the beaches area for over 20 years.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Lori Patti; daughter, Aimee Santimauro (Brian); son, Michael Patti; grandson, Luca Santimauro; parents, Bill and Mickie Patti; sister, Lisa (Greg); brothers, Pat Patti...

Dec 11, 2016

Allan James Cummings, 79, of Jacksonville Beach, FL passed away on December 11, 2016. Al was born in Cedarhurst, NY on April 27, 1937. He was married to Alberta Cummings for 25 years, who passed away earlier this year.

Al was a well-respected Xerox executive, loving father, husband and brother, and will be fondly missed by his...

Dec 10, 2016

Mary Joan Hunavy passed away December 10, 2016 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Clarion, PA to the late Harry and Ada Wetzler Kimpel, she was a graduate of Clarion Area High School; Marion Junior College, Marion, VA in Home Economics; Theil College Greenville, PA with a Bachelor degree in the Social Sciences, specializing in History, Psychology, Theology and Education....

Dec 9, 2016

Elizabeth “Sissy” Cash Reed, professor and resident of Jacksonville, FL, died on December 9, 2016, at the age of 91.  Elizabeth is survived by her daughters, Lissa Fiser Gold and Leonora Reed St. Laurent (Philip), both of Jacksonville; grandsons, Noel Reed Fiser (Carolyn) of Bainbridge Island, Washington; Barrett H. Fiser (Tonya Lee) of Ocean Grove, New Jersey; and Patrick...

Dec 8, 2016

Maryland resident Jane V. Sevier, 85, died peacefully Dec. 8, 2016, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with her family by her side.

Mrs. Sevier was born August. 1, 1931, in Baltimore, Maryland to Jas Raymond Goldstraw and Mary Elizabeth Peterson. She was a longtime resident of the Baltimore area where she met her husband, Joseph C. Sevier,...

Dec 8, 2016

Brian J. Merchant, 63, passed away peacefully Dec. 8, 2016 after a brief illness.

He will be missed by his friends and family.

Brian is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Susan; son, Chris; 3 grandchildren; brother, Mike (Mary); sisters, Barbara (Rich) and Linda (David).

Private family services were held.

Dec 7, 2016

Donna Marie Vigilante has lost her oldest son, James Anthony Plance.  Born January 11, 1981, died December 7, 2016.

He is survived by his brother, Troy Lamar Kelly; mother of his children, Christen Taylor; daughter Carly Moon and another child on the way.  James left behind a huge, extended family who loved him dearly.  His loss is...

Dec 6, 2016

Alfred M. Salzer, 67, a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, FL passed away peacefully on December 6, 2016. Born on February 4, 1949 to Grover W. and Freddie Salzer.

After Graduating from Lee High School in 1967, he served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. He retired in 2009 from BellSouth/AT&T Telecommunications after 36 years.

He...

Dec 6, 2016

John Michael “Mike” Wallis met his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 after suffering complications from recently diagnosed lymphoma.

He was born on October 10, 1961 in Memphis, TN to Jack B. and Lois Wallis. Survivors include his parents, his wife, Annette, their children Andrew and Kristen, his sister Debbie Brown (Terry), his nephew Michael Brown...

Dec 4, 2016

Diogenes Antonio Vecchione, of Atlantic Beach, FL, passed away December 4th 2016, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Venezuela June 13th 1942, to parents Diogenes and Miguelina (Tovar) Vecchione.

He will be remembered for his vibrant and energetic, youthful soul. His legacy is one of family unity. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife...

Dec 3, 2016

Sandra Bell-Kroeger, 73…or 68 depending on which form of ID you may have! J

Sandra Bell-Kroeger, age 73… yes 73 years young… of Atlantic Beach, FL joined her daughter and God in Heaven on Saturday, December 03, 2016. Fashionable, beautiful, and simply super fun Sandra Bell-Kroeger was born to the late witty William (Bill) and gorgeous Valerie...

Dec 3, 2016

Gloria Colleen Curtin was born a Reiley in Jacksonville, Florida in 1948. After graduating from Bishop Kenny High School, Colleen attended (then) North Florida Junior College in Madison, Florida. At points in her life, Colleen was a retail store manager, Florida real estate sales associate, long time nanny and a marina dockmaster. She is survived by her son, Alexander...

Dec 3, 2016

Juanita Mealor Upchurch, 96, passed away Dec. 3, 2016. She was born Dec. 4, 1919 in Athens, GA.

Juanita is survived by her daughters, Nancy Browne (Jette) and Susan Buck (Tommy); grandchildren, Bo Thurston (Pattie), Mike Thurston (Laura), Henry Swift, Richard Swift (Hannah) and John Swift; great grandchildren, Lauren, Allison, Abby and William Thurston as well as...