Carolyn Bennett

Linda Carol Brooks, age 74, currently of Land O Lakes, Florida passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at St. Joseph North Hospital following a brief illness. She was born September 25, 1948 in Dayton, Ohio the daughter of the late Roy G. and Edith (Williams) Adams.

Linda graduated from Beavercreek High School, Class of 1966. She retired as a Logistics Technician with the US Army and enjoyed spending her retirement in Florida. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and together lived in seven states throughout their government careers. Linda was proud to have served her country as a civilian in Kuwait in 2006. She was a compassionate, generous and loving soul who never met a stranger. She loved spending time with her family, taking pictures and scrapbooking. She attended Grace Family Church in Florida and was a faithful sister in the Phi Mu Fraternity.

Linda is survived by her loving husband, David B. Brooks, whom she married May 18, 1969; her daughters: Deandra Lynn Brooks (Marshall Jackson) of Washington, DC and Dawn Adriann Macleod of Los Angeles, California; a grandson: Lain David Macleod and numerous nieces and nephews. Linda was blessed to have 4 sisters-in-law that she thought of as sisters: Sherry, Sue, June and Anna, and her best friends, Jan Montgomery and Paula Harrison, who mourn her loss.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bruce Brooks Baskets of Blessings Program c/o AHOP Church.

Services to celebrate her life will be held 12 Noon Friday, August 25th at AHOP, 282 Stelton Road, Xenia with words of comfort provided by her brother-in-law: Pastor Mark Brooks. She will be interred at Valley View Memorial Gardens. A gathering for friends and family will be held 6-8 PM Thursday evening at McColaugh Funeral Home, 826 N. Detroit St., Xenia.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family online at www.mccolaughfuneralhome.com.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mccolaughfuneralhome.com.

Published 08/30/23

Joe Francis Keating, 82, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born in 1940 to Doris and Arthur in Tampa Fl, and graduated from Plant Hight School in 1958, then to study business at the University of Tampa. He served with the National Guard where he retired as a Captain and worked most of his life as a cellphone tower engineer.

As an active man, Joe spent his later years working with his wife and their livestock, as an associate at Publix, supporting his brothers at Zephyr Lodge 198, and volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church.

He was predeceased by numerous loved ones.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Craig; brother, Fred; children, Debbie Barnett (Jeff), Edith Kavouklis (Nick), Jason Keating (Jennifer); grandchildren, M. Chase M., Brandy B., Jenson K.; and great-granddaughter, Caroline M.

Memorial services will be held at the Masons, Zephyr Lodge 198, 5950 12^th St., Zephyrhills, Fl on the June 10, 10am-2pm.

Published 5/31/23

Calm and witty with a pinch of love and a dash of wacky, Justin “Buster” Trigg (44) was a magnet for friendship. He knew no stranger and would give anything he had to someone if it helped. He was known by many names but Buster was likely the most prevalent, living most of his life on the roads and lakes of the Lutz/LOL area he was a social landmark, if you didn’t know him directly you at least knew of Buster.

His life was full, experiencing loss beyond his years made him hold friends closer, keep his heart open, and savor every moment.  Buster was a unique individual; the sound of his raspy voice with that smooth surfer undertone could be picked out of the sea of people undoubtedly encircling him. With that voice he’d single anyone out with a carefully crafted nickname he’d pick just for them, he’d stop everything, grin a true Buster mischievous grin, his brown eyes lit with excitement just to say hi and welcome you into that moment, for a split second it’s just the two of you laughing, smiling, and knowing that something is likely about to go sideways.

His ability to make so many feel that connection is why this loss stings a little more, it cuts deeper, it’s a loss of a man whose charisma shined in such a selfless way on so many, that it’s impossible to comprehend a world without him next to us or on the other end of a call or text because he was always there.  His legacy remains, we will honor and celebrate him soon but until then remember to laugh a little every day, hug a little tighter, and always roll out that welcome mat.

Buster you’ve left us too soon but we are so thankful for having known you. Justin “Buster” Trigg joins his father, brother, and some of his dearest friends up above and is survived by his mother, niece, sister wives, best dog Orbit, and the friends he called family.

 

 

 

Published 05/17/23

Dr. James (Jimmy) Farr * Sept. 23, 1956 – Feb. 17, 2023

Passed away at the Pepin Heart Institute, Tampa, Fl after battling advance heart failure for the past two years. He was 66 years old.

Dr. Farr was the owner/operator of Land O’Lakes Animal Hospital, 4306 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. for 37 years. He was the first Veterinarian in the area & started his practice when Land O’ Lakes was a small community out in the middle of nowhere. The building where the hospital is today used to be the old Land O’ Lakes Library.

Dr. Farr loved being a veterinarian and helping animals. He knew he wanted to be a Vet as a child & pursed his dream after graduating with his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University in 1982. Back in 1982, 80% of his graduating class were men. This year, 80% of the graduating class are women. Times have changed in the last 40 years.

When Dr. Farr wasn’t working you could find him on the water. He loved fishing and would often be seen fishing for Bass on East Lake in Lake Padgett Estates. After catching every bass in the lake (which he would catch & release), he went on to bigger waters and bought a little fishing camp down on Anna Maria Island. He spent most weekends there with his buddies fishing. They would catch Grouper and Snapper 25 miles off of the island out in the Gulf of Mexico. He always out-fished his buddies, a trait he inherited from his father, John Farr from Hueytown, Alabama. The only time he wouldn’t be fishing is when Auburn University had a televised football game. Jimmy was a diehard “War Eagle.”

Dr. Farr leaves behind his wife of 21 years, Melody Logan. She was the owner/operator of Mel’s Barber shop in Land O’ Lakes. She worked there for 17 years until she sold the shop to a fellow barber Chris. Chris has since renamed the salon Crawford Hair.

Jimmy was one of the good guys. He was very quiet & kind. A true man of integrity. He didn’t want a service or a big fuss made over him after his passing. His wishes are that some of his cremains be tossed into the waters of Anna Maria Island. Dr. Farr will truly be missed.

Published 03/01/23

Barbara Johnson, 83, a long-time resident of Zephyrhills, passed away November 4^th.

She was born August 27, 1939, in Boston , NY to parents Joseph and Sarah Lango.

Barbara is survived by son Alan (Jeanne) Cobo of Randolph NY, son Paul(Ann) of Gowanda NY, daughter Joanne Maytum of Zephyrhills, Fl, sisters Irma Spaulding of Zephyrhills, Kathy Bless of Georgia, and brother Harold Lango of Maryland; as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by husband Daniel Johnson, longtime companion Richard Biehl, son Tim Cobo, brothers Joe and Al Lango and sisters Marty Czora and Dorothy Woodworth.

A celebration of life will be held on December 3^rd at 3624 Florida Ranch Blvd in Zephyrhills from 2-4pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Published 11/23/22

Melissa Denise Shutt died on Sunday, September 5, 2021,

with her husband Jason Ridings Shutt and her daughter Rinoa Faith Shutt holding her hands.

She was surrounded by other family and friends who traveled far to be with her on her final journey.

She died of invasive metastatic cancer. Diagnosed on Thursday, she was

gone three days later. Melissa was 43 years old.

A native of Land O’Lakes, Florida, Melissa and her family moved to South Carolina three years ago to be near her husband’s family.

She worked at Nephron Pharmaceuticals in quality assurance and loved her co-workers and was proud to be a part of the company’s mission to make life-saving drugs and devices.

Melissa will be remembered for her broad smile, her willingness to always help a friend, her unparalleled work ethic, and her complete devotion to her family.

She loved the beach, gaming, sporty cars, a dodgy flea market, fishing with her Dad, New Kids on the Block, and a great roller coaster. Melissa and Jason actually met while working at Busch Gardens.

She was predeceased by her parents, Esther and Jimmy Vickery, who both succumbed to Covid-19 last year.

She is survived by her sister, Marla Garren(Chris), her niece Kayla Garren, nephew Daniel Garren, her in-laws Nekki Shutt and Francie Kleckley, John and Michelle Shutt, her niece Catherine “Katie” Shutt, Sheila Clause, Kris Shutt, Shelley Goldman, Brooke Gates, and treasured friends Chris Cooper, DeAnn Barton, Jennessy Smith-Messina, and Kim Moge.

At Melissa’s request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be sent to Habitat for Humanity www.habitatcsc.org/donate.

Published September 15, 2021

Our beloved angel, Dale Saunders, earned her wings on June 2, 2021. She was surrounded by love in her ascending moments. Her legacy of love, compassion, and empathy lives on in the hearts, minds, and lives that she touched and the chosen family that was blessed to call her sister, aunt, and friend.

Dale was passionate about helping others. She spread sunshine everywhere she went – whether it be at her local Publix or feeding the homeless at Trinity Cafe. She found joy in giving back to her community through her many acts of kindness.  Dale was an incredibly devout woman who inspired those she came in contact with. She found great solace within her faith with her church family.

Being an 8th dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do, she shared her knowledge and love of the martial art in her dojang, Yung Ho Tae Kwon Do, in Lutz, FL for many years. Loved and respected, many students earned their belts under her instruction. Some of her students returned to instruct along with her and for her when she semi-retired due to scleroderma.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dale’s honor to the Scleroderma Foundation on their website, www.scleroderma.org. Condolences and memories can be sent to and will be read at the Celebration of Life unless otherwise requested.

Dale was beloved by those that knew her. She was the physical embodiment of ‘Live, Laugh, Love’. She will be deeply missed.

Published 06-16-21

Virginia Kramer, 98, of Crossville, TN., passed away on January 28th, 2021, at Signature Health Care of Fentress County, Jamestown, TN.She was born on December 10th, 1922, in Tampa, Fl. to Howard and Elizabeth Wilsky.

One of her greatest accomplishments in life was being a member of the American Legion Auxillary for 82 years.  She wrote articles and sold ads for the Lutz Party Line. Her hobbies included traveling and going on cruises with her late husband.  She also loved doing Crochet, Embroidery, and quilting (handiwork).  She also enjoyed researching her family history, and keeping up with the Geneology on her Mother’s side of the family

She will be fondly remembered for her kindness and her constant smile.

She is preceded in death by her husband (Ben Kramer), a daughter (Mary Williams), and a son (Jimmy Easterbrook).  She leaves behind her brother Fred Wilsky, 4 daughters, Joanne (Gene) Grohman, Sherry Erickson, Linda (Bill) Kebler, and Barbara Cooper, as well as a son Howard (Irene) Easterbrook.  She was also a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild.

There will be a graveside service on Feb. 13th, at 2:00 pm. at Floral Memory Gardens, 37701 Clinton Avenue, in Dade City, Fl. Services are being provided by Hodges Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Legion Post #108, P.O. Box 727, Land O’ Lakes, Fl. 33639

Published 2/10/21

Dianne Cardwell passed away at age 79 after a series of illnesses.

Dianne was born in Gilbertsville, NY and raised a family in upstate New York before moving to Florida, lived for a time in New Jersey and then in the Catskills before returning to Florida where she remained until her death. Dianne enjoyed spending time with friends and family and will be truly missed.

She is survived by her partner, Faro Vitale of Morriston FL, a sister Cynthia (Stark) Young of Wallkill, NY, a daughter, Nicole (Block) Adams and her partner, Timothy Britt of New Port Richey, FL, sons Terry Block and his wife Kathy of Old Orchard Beach, ME, Brian Block and his partner Deb Leonhardt of Manchester, NH, and Bruce Block and his wife Wendy of Land O’Lakes FL, numerous grandchildren, and her extended family. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Frank Stark and Laura (Todd) Stark, and by her brothers Robert Howard Todd and Vincent Stark.

Services are TBD. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the American Heart Association.

Published 1/13/21