Obituaries

Sep 19, 2021

Oakland Nature Preserve (ONP) founder and past president of the board, Jim Thomas died Sunday, September 19, 2021, quietly at his home in Winter Garden after a long debilitating illness. His wife of 60 years, Margaret (Ms. Peg), was with him.

A fifth generation Floridian, Jim was born on November 10, 1934. He grew up filling is pockets...

Sep 15, 2021

Albert Douglas Neal, 92, of Winter Garden, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Florida Hospital from heart failure.  He was born March 3, 1929, in Detroit, MI, to Charles and Mary Awizius Mustiatis.

Albert served his country during the aftermath of World War II during the Occupation and Restoration of Japan as a member of the US...

Sep 13, 2021

Rita M. Garcia, 70, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on Monday, September 13, 2021. Rita was born on May 22, 1951 in Havana, Cuba to Pablo Garcia and Adela Lopez. She is survived by her loving husband Ramon Serrano, three sons, a daughter, and many other family members and friends.

Services will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 with...

Sep 13, 2021

George Earl Von Waldner, also known as Jeep, Sarge, and even Grandmaster Von Waldner, came into this world on September 19, 1954, at Fort McPherson military base in Atlanta, Georgia, and left on September 13, 2021, when he was welcomed into eternity by his soulmate, Mary Von Waldner. He is survived by his loving children Michelle “Missy” Teague, George...

Sep 10, 2021

Tamara Lyn Miller (Jacob), 47, passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021 at her home in Orlando, Florida after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born June 15, 1974, in Warren, Michigan.

Tammi graduated from Lake Shore High School, St. Clair Shores, Michigan in 1992. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Parks & Recreation Management...

Sep 10, 2021

Ernest Bernard "Erndog" Crawford, Jr., 57, of Winter Garden, Florida passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021 from complications due to pnuemonia.  He was born October 17, 1963, in Winter Garden, FL, to Connie Crawford and the late Ernest Crawford, Sr.  Ernie served his country as a US Marine.  He was a graduate of West Orange High School and was a...

Sep 5, 2021

Elena Wilson, 79, of Orlando, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 16, 11am, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends starting at 10am.  Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery at 2pm.

Sep 5, 2021

Martin Hernandez Ruiz passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021 in Ocoee, Florida where he resided most of his life. He was born in Mexico and migrated at a young age to Ocoee, Florida where he worked most of his life. He was a caring loving person that loved to spend time with his family. When he wasn't working he...

Aug 30, 2021

Matthew Craig Sherlock, 44, of Clermont, passed away Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Orlando VA Hospital.  He was born May 30, 1977, in Bay Shore, NY, to Craig and Marie Sherlock.

Matt was a retired Police Officer and served his country as a member of the US Army.

He is survived by his loving...

Aug 28, 2021

Mary Faulk, 89, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021. She was born August 9, 1932, in Troy, Alabama, to the late Alter Linzey and Mandy Allen.  Mary loved crocheting, gardening and cooking large Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners for her family.

She is survived by her children, Pat, Alden, and Rosie; five grandchildren,...

Aug 26, 2021

Monserrate Lopez, 97, of Ocoee, Florida passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021. She was born September 9, 1923, in Moca, PR, to Braulio Lopez and Eustacia Jimenez.

She is survived by her son, Mario (Ruth) Charriez; grandchildren, William, Jennifer, JP, and Alex; and ten great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 3, 2021, 2pm...

Aug 23, 2021

Olivia Appolon, 72, of Deltona, Florida passed away on August 23, 2021. She was born March 18, 1949, in Anse-a-Foleur, Haiti.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 17, 2021, 10:30 am, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7-9pm.

The service will be live streamed and recorded...

Aug 17, 2021

Joseph (Ralph) Melton Oliver, 87, of Ocoee, Florida passed away August 17, 2021. Ralph was born on August 21, 1933 in Mobile, Alabama to James Melton Oliver and Lecie Oliver (Helms). He is survived by his fishing buddy and wife of 63 years, Ilene Oliver, and many loving family and friends.

Aug 15, 2021

Jose Rodriguez of Ocoee, Florida passed away on Aug 15, 2021. Funeral services will be announced.

Aug 15, 2021

John Floyd Cockrell, 73, of Ocoee, FL, passed away on `Sunday, August 15, 2021. He was born July 19, 1948 in Mobile, AL to the late Kenneth and Catherine Cockrell.

John survived his country as a member of the US Army during the Korean War.  He was the Supervisor of the Ocoee Water Department for 30 years.  In his...

Aug 10, 2021

Linda Jane Noel, 71, affectionately known as Sallie Jane,” passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at Cornerstone Hospice in Clermont.  Sallie was born December 10, 1949, in Tacoma Washington, to Ross King Noel and Hazel Dean Gignilliat Noel.  She retired from the Orlando Auto Auction as a driver.

Sallie Jane was the Past President, Chaplain, and a Life Member of the VFW...

Aug 9, 2021

Virginia Martha Reeves Braue, 93, of Winter Park, FL, died Monday, August 9, 2021.  She was born November 16, 1927, in Caldwell, NJ, to Elmer F. Reeves and Marion Hallock Reeves.  She, her family, and parents, moved to Orlando in 1955.  She was a homemaker and lover of cats.

Virginia is survived by her sons, Daniel J....

Aug 7, 2021

Nathan Donahey, a meat manager for Publix, and lifelong resident of Ocoee, died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at the age of 46.

Nathan was born in Orlando on July 21, 1975 to Michael and Renae Donahey.  He graduated from West Orange High School in 1993.  He has worked for Publix Supermarkets for 13 years.  On January...

Jul 26, 2021

Crystal Gail Bowling, 40, of Winter Garden, Florida passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021.  She is survived by her daughters, Chelsea Williams, Angel Williams, and Kindra Matthews; son, Robert Williams; mother, Patty Bowling; stepfather, Alvin Young; four grandchildren; sister, Tasha Bowling; brother, Alvin Young; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday,...

Jul 26, 2021

Joseph Scott Terry, Sr., age 50, passed away suddenly in Orlando, Florida in July.  Joe was born in New York, spent most of his childhood in Ramstein, Germany, and became a Florida resident soon after graduating high school in the 80s. Joe attended Florida State University and was part of the football team for a time before graduating with...