Mallory Donald Wilder, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, October 4, 2019 in hospice care.

He was born March 14, 1945 at Humphreys Memorial Hospital in Fernandina Beach as the son of the late Gorenflo and Jaunita Wilder. 

He shrimped as a young boy with his father, Gorenflo Wilder, and his two older brothers, Gonnie and Lewis. After graduating from Yulee High School in 1964, his first job was with Humpty Dumpty Egg Farm. Next, he worked at Acme Fast Freight as a shipping rate clerk while also working a second job as manager of a Burger King in Jacksonville, Fla. Some years later, he started working at Rayonier. After retiring, he started shrimping again.

Mallory enjoyed spending time with family and friends and being surrounded by good food. He loved the ocean and running shrimp boats over the years. He knew he was one of the best shrimpers around and had the stories to prove it. He was loved so much and will be missed by so many.

Mallory was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Gonnie and Lewis.

Mallory is survived by his three children, Tresca (Peter) Reeves, Mallory (Lonnie) Jones, and Levi Wilder;  his grandchildren, David, Cayla, Megan, Haislee, and Lonnie Jay; and his siblings, Carol (Ralph) Bunk and Tina (Russell) Spradley.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Springhill Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach. The service will be followed by prayer and lunch.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Mrs. Naomi Loretta Prince Rauls, 66, of Yulee, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, September 28, 2019 at her home.

Born May 12 in Fernandina Beach, Fla., she was the daughter of the late George Lorinza Prince and Daisey Mae Prince. She grew up in O’Neal, Fla. and attended Peck High School and FCCJ of Jacksonville, Fla.

She met and married the love of her life, Eugene (Sonny) Rauls, in March of 1971 and to this union three sons were born.

Loretta accepted the Lord at an early age and joined the Third Zion Baptist Church, where she served faithfully as the minister of music entirely. She also was a part of the choir, Mission Ministry and Praise Team. Music and singing were her passionate gift. She founded several singing groups, The Community Echoes, The Choraliers, and All God’s Children Choir.

She was employed at Container Corporation of America/Rock Tenn for many years. She was a member of the Eastern Star under Silver Square Masonic Lodge No. 703 in Yulee.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Yvonne Parrish.

Sister Rauls leaves to mourn and cherish her memories her three sons, Michael (Ava) Rauls of Yulee, Brian (Lisa) Rauls of Folkston, Ga., and Shawn Rauls of Yulee; a sibling, Lydia Parrish; grandchildren, Raron, Briana, Anton, JaMarri, and Devin Rauls; and a host of in-laws, family, and sorrowing friends.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the Journey Church. Her family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2019 at Third Mount Zion Church. She will be laid to rest in O'Neal Cemetery.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Lucinda Jo “Cindy” Glenn died October 3, 2019 from pneumonia at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Born November 10, 1947, she was the daughter of Gordon and Dorothy Jean Perry Glenn of Winfield, Iowa, publishers of the Winfield Beacon for many years. She was born at the old Mercy Hospital that stood at the corner of B Avenue East and Highway 63.

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Cindy had a long and successful career as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy. She was devoted to her work and often immersed herself in its projects and details. Her coworkers were a second family to her, and she always grew to know about their personal lives, including children and pets.

Her work took her up and down the eastern half of the United States, as well as to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Naval Air Station Bermuda. She was the civilian personnel officer at Naval Air Station Jacksonville when she retired.

Cindy loved to travel and visited as many places as she could in America, as well as outside its borders. Her favorite trip was a long-anticipated European tour that included a visit to Venice, Italy. She reached her longtime goal of sitting in St. Mark’s Square until she didn’t want to sit there anymore.

Cindy Glenn approached retirement with as much enthusiasm as she had devoted to her career. She was a docent at the Amelia Island Museum of History for several years and was very active in the Amelia Island Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She was chapter regent from 2015 to 2017. Upon her planned return to Fernandina Beach, she would have assumed her office as vice president of the Princess Amelia Chapter National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Summers were usually spent at the family cabin in Lake Keomah, Iowa, where she visited with friends and family. She was at her cabin when she fell and subsequently contracted pneumonia.

In addition to her parents, Cindy was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Howard and Frances Montgomery Glenn, and her maternal grandparents, Walter and Maybelle Perry.

She is survived by her brother, Tupper Glenn, and his two sons, Andrew and Joshua, as well as Iowa cousins, Lynnette Lubbock and Melvin Baker, and close family friends, Larry Moore and Cheryl Mitchell. Her cat, Miss Bailey, has found a new forever home in Iowa.

A graveside ceremony will be conducted at a later date at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she will rest next to her parents, Gordon and Jean, as well as her grandparents, Howard and Frances Montgomery Glenn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amelia Island Museum of History, 233 S. Third St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; Amelia Island Chapter NSDAR, Attn. Treasurer, P.O. Box 16664, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035; or Princes Amelia Chapter, CDXVIIC, Attn. Treasurer, P.O. Box 16944, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Hontz Funeral Home

Mrs. Eleanor “Grace” Barker Conway, 90, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Thursday, October 3, 2019.

She was born October 4, 1928 in Jacksonville, Fla. to the late Vess Cola Taylor Barker and Carl Oliver Barker. Grace came to Christ at the age of 24 at Ramona Boulevard Baptist Church. She worked as a human resources placement agent and many years in the dental career field. She retired three times and hated it so much she went back to work. In her last profession, Mrs. Conway was a folk hero as a crossing guard at an elementary school in Fernandina Beach and for the past three years at Yulee Middle School, appearing in that role in the News-Leader and on Action News Jax. Her fans gifted her with a birthday banner last fall.

Cards poured out love from the community in the days leading to her passing.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Daniel Edward Conway, in 2008; her daughter, Sandra Elaine Conway, in 2013; and several brothers and sisters including those of Mr. Conway.

She has gone ahead to prepare a way for her brothers, N. S. Crawford and Charles Conway; two sons, Wayne Conway (Anne) of Port Orange Fla. and Brian Conway of Loudon, Tenn.; daughter, Margaret Flowe (John) of Mandarin, Fla.; seven grandchildren, John Morris, Dawn Wise (Michael), Beth Gregory, Brendan Flowe (Tien), Sean Tucker (Samantha), Robin Flowe (Anna), and Erin Flowe; nine great-grandchildren, Zachary Bryan, Dalton Brown, Tanner Wise, Blaine Gregory, Chloe Tucker, Paige Gregory, Beatrice Flowe, Piper Tucker, and Alexander Flowe; one great-great-granddaughter, Audree Bryan.

Funeral services were at noon Monday, October 7, 2019 at Yulee Baptist Church with Pastor Doug Sides officiating. Her family received friends 2-4 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2019 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors and from 11 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church on Monday. Mrs. Conway was laid to rest in Riverside Memorial Park on Normandy Boulevard in Jacksonville alongside her husband.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Landon Scott “Buddy” Cheatham, 41, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

On Tuesday, February 7, 1978 at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., Landon Scott Cheatham was born to Mr. Leon Scott Cheatham and the late Mrs. Jennie Maybell Cheatham. After a three-month stay in the NICU, Landon’s father gave him a name that would stick with him forever and it was Buddy.

Buddy was born into a military family in which moving was a normal part of life, but in 1990 he and his family moved to Fernandina Beach, a place he would call home for the rest of his adult life. Upon coming to Fernandina, Buddy would attend middle school and finally graduate from Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1996. During his school career, Buddy made many friends that would follow him throughout his adult life.

After graduation, Buddy found a love for painting and construction work, which he did for a living. Buddy was also a member of the Dune Buggy Brothers. It is said that Buddy was never able to really sit still so he was involved in many other activities that he loved such as riding four-wheelers, fishing, skateboarding, and, among many other things, playing his PlayStation.

Buddy, the once little boy his parents treasured, was now becoming a man they will always be proud of. He was a very unique person and even after being sick and going through the loss of his mother, Jennie, he was still able to see the bright side of everything.

In June of 2018, his bright personality attracted the love of his life, Rachel Dufresne. Knowing that he had found the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, Buddy went to his sister to tell her he would be asking Rachel to marry him. Unfortunately, his time had come to an end, never having the chance to propose. Never having the chance to wed, he leaves not a widow but the love of his life whose heart he has marked with an unchanging love and left her with precious memories that will never fade.

Buddy also leaves behind a loving father, Mr. Leon Scott Cheatham, whose unending love for him reaches beyond his absence, and his sister, Cristal Lea Nash and husband Don, whom he loved and cherished and leaves with fond memories of their childhood together. He leaves a very special stepmother, Mrs. Kay Cheatham, who cared deeply for him as he did for her and was there for him as much as any mother could ever be. He leaves two nieces, Elizabeth Newcomb and husband Eric and Victoria Smith and husband Clay, as well as two nephews, Daniel Nash and Aric Nash. Buddy also leaves behind his four-legged best friend and companion, Jefry, along with a host of other friends and family.

Services to commemorate Buddy will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2019 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. His family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until the hour of the service.

Those wishing to leave condolences can do so by visiting www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Michael (Mike) Patrick Casey, 75, of Amelia Island, Fla., succumbed to pneumonia September 30, 2019, following a long illness.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Mike grew up in Normandy, Mo., where he attended St. Ann Catholic Church and later graduated from Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Engineering from the University of Missouri and his Juris Doctorate from Washington University Law School, Mike embarked on a long and distinguished career as an attorney in St. Louis. He retired in 2008 from Lewis Rice LLC after many years as a senior partner in the firm and moved to Amelia Island to spend time with family and friends.

Despite the harsh physical and mental toll his disease took on him, he came to bear his affliction with a grace and dignity that transcended – if not defied – his circumstances.

He is survived by his wife and companion of 45 years, Linda; his son, Michael Patrick Casey Jr.; and his grandson, Patrick.

He will be memorialized privately by his family.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Roland G. Ethier, 100, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, October 14, 2019.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Surrounded by his wife and three children, Daniel J. Schleppe passed away peacefully from complications of a stroke Monday, September 30, 2019 while on holiday visiting family in Vancouver, B.C.

The oldest of five children, Dan was born April 17, 1939 in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. During Dan’s youth, his family moved to Trail, B.C., where he graduated high school. Upon graduation, Dan attended Notre Dame College in Nelson, B.C. and then transferred to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. At both universities, Dan played competitive ice hockey. Upon graduation, his first job was as a plant accountant with Boise Cascade in Walla Walla, Wash. Later, Dan was one of the four founding principles to acquire the Wholesale Office Products Division of Boise Cascade, which became Associated Stationers.

Dan considered himself fortunate to have married the love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Marg) Ferguson, who was born and raised in Trail. Together, Dan and Marg successfully navigated a 59-year marriage that began in Spokane and took them to many cities across the country with their last move taking them to Atlanta, Ga. All of these moves and promotions provided for better opportunities for his family but took Dan and Marg further away from their homeland of Trail. In 1998, Dan and Marg retired to Amelia Island, Fla.

Dan really enjoyed traveling with Marg on annual cross-country adventures visiting with friends and family. Dan was an avid golfer and had long-standing relationships with an amazing group of friends, whom he cherished.

Dan leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years, Margaret; sisters, Elaine Bertuzzi (Luigi), Louise Simpson (Ron), and Violet Schleppe; brother, Michael Schleppe (Carmen); and his three wonderful children, Kathy Crenshaw, Laura Floyd, and Steven Schleppe. Kathy (Jeff) has two daughters, Abigail (Stephen) and Elizabeth, and Laura (Rob) has two sons, Pat and Nick.

While Dan was known as an established businessman, his family and close friends know how immensely important family was to Dan. His marriage with Marg proved to be an inspirational example and solid foundation for his children to learn from as they established lives of their own. His family was everything to him, and he never missed an opportunity to share how much he loved his family and to tell each member how proud he was of them.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church of Amelia Island. There will be a gathering in the Parish Hall immediately following the service.

Robin “Rosie” Hickey, 54, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019 at her Fernandina Beach, Fla. residence.

She was born August 15, 1965 in Brunswick, Ga. and moved to Fernandina Beach in 1975.

Rosie was looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild. She was a good-hearted woman who loved animals and the outdoors, whether it was just enjoying the weather or four-wheeling.

She was predeceased by her father, Jack Joyner Sr.; stepfather, James Edwards; and stepfather, Robert Merrow.

Survivors include her son, Joey Hickey and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Sara, of Fernandina Beach; her mother, Johnnie Edwards, also of Fernandina Beach; two brothers, Jack “Bubba” Joyner and Gary Dean Joyner, both of Fernandina Beach; and two sisters, Donna Crews (Lamar) of Fernandina Beach and Angel Mellott (Mitch) of Yulee, Fla.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17, 2019 in Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the family burial estate at Green Pine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the funeral home.

To sign Ms. Hickey’s online register book and leave condolences, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Walter Ladd Gordon, 67, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, October 11, 2019 at his home surrounded by love from family and friends.

Born in Fernandina Beach, he was the son of the late Walter Curtis and Elizabeth Haddock Gordon.

He was a member of Fernandina Beach High School’s Class of 1970 and served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve.

For many years, Ladd coached both Little League and senior baseball in Fernandina Beach and Yulee. His love of sports was legendary. An avid Florida fan, from football to baseball, he loved all things “Gators.” He also regularly followed the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics. He later retired from Container Corporation.

He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Ann Gordon; his sons, Walter Curtis Gordon and Louis Ross Gordon, both of Yulee; and two grandsons, as well as several extended family members.

Graveside funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Bosque Bello Cemetery. Pastor Katie Harrington officiated.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Patricia Grummon Clegg, 89, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Born in White Plains, N.Y., she was the second of three daughters born to the late Charles P. Grummon and Dorothy Simmons Grummond. She grew up in New York and New Jersey, graduating from Newton, N.J. High School in 1947. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in 1951.

Following her marriage to the late George Francis Clegg in 1952, she became a teacher in the Springfield, Mass. school system. The couple lived and worked abroad in four different countries from 1967 to 1995. She taught English as a foreign language to business people during those years and was active in various service clubs. She was also a volunteer for Skidmore College. After retiring, the couple lived in Princeton, N.J. and Amelia Island.

She is survived by her sons, Paul Clegg and his wife, Randi, of Leland, N.C. and Thomas Clegg and his wife, Colette, of Paris, France; her grandson, Brendan Clegg and his wife, Lauren, of Arlington, Va.; her great-granddaughter, Sienna Piper Clegg; and three nieces and two nephews, as well as more than 100 in-laws in the Clegg family.

Private funeral services will be held in Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Patricia Grummon Clegg ’51 Scholarship for International Study at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ms. Theresa Elizabeth Benjamin was born in Fernandina Beach, Fla. on February 15, 1961 and placed in the loving arms of her mother, Loretta Benjamin (Ward). Theresa was called home October 7, 2019 at the age of 58.

After graduating from Fernandina Beach High School in 1979, Theresa continued her studies at FCCJ and graduated as a certified daycare provider. During her employment, she worked many jobs – usually two or three at a time, which included Reynae's Tint Tots Daycare, YMCA, McDonald's, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and Hardee's. Theresa retired from the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort after 15 years of service in hospitality.

Theresa was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach under the leadership of Rev. Robert Flagler on March 28, 1971. Theresa has enjoyed fellowship at several churches with family and friends over the years. She loved and took pleasure in traveling on cruise ships and eating new dishes. The biggest joy of Theresa's life was helping raise her nieces and nephews along with her two goddaughters. Theresa provided for them as if she were the parent. She never asked if you needed help. She just looked at what was needed and got it done. She loved her family and was always the first one ready to go on any family trip or outing. It didn't matter where you were going; her answer was always yes. We are all blessed to have learned one valuable lesson from Theresa – that one should never let their medical conditions define their outlook on life. She loved her life and she lived her life to the fullest.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Dock Ward; and grandparents, Matthew and Parthenia Benjamin.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her mother, Loretta Ward; siblings, Beverly Jones, Michael Benjamin, Annette Benjamin (James), and Sandra Sanders (Thomas); nephews, Terrell Jones, Larry Roberts, Gary Roberts, Jermaine Roberts (Mia), Kuavis Jones, Michael Hunt, and James Hunt; nieces, Loretta Garcia (Damacio), Terra Richardson (Anthonio), and Michelle Albertie (Trez); aunts, Ruth Benjamin and Shirley Benjamin; goddaughters, Kaomi Lloyd and Katlin Jones; confidante, spiritual talking partner, Reynae Leath (sister-cousin); special supportive friends and family, Violet Edmonds, Patricia Ann Williams, and Regina Gilbert; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Homegoing Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the First Missionary Baptist Church, located at 22 S. Ninth St. in Fernandina Beach with Rev. Dr. Darien K. Bolden Sr., pastor. Ms. Benjamin will rest for loved ones and friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2019 at First Missionary Baptist Church and 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the church. Theresa will be laid to rest in the Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home

Russell Dennis Chunn, 77, passed away October 10, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

John G. Deemer, 68, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Henry Heer, 67, passed away October 19, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Wanda Perdue, 61, passed away October 19, 2019.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

Barbara D. Tedder, 93, of St. Johns, Fla., passed away Friday, October 18, 2019. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home, with Rev. Jackie Hayes officiating. Interment followed in Green Pine Cemetery.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Surrounded by his wife and three children, George William Reilly, 85, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

George was born in Waterbury, Conn., and was a son of the late George C. and Gladys Druzinsky Reilly. He graduated from the University of Connecticut. 

In 1971, he moved to South Florida and it was there that he raised his family. George really enjoyed traveling on ski trips with family and friends. He also enjoyed racquet sports and time at the health club.

Family was the most important thing to George and he showed this through his love and constant support. George considered himself lucky to have married the love of his life. That marriage lasted 56 years.

George moved to Amelia Island, and his later years were spent on Amelia Island and the North Carolina mountains.

In keeping with his wishes, a small private family service will be held to remember George’s life.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Rhonda Jean Crews King, loving mother of two daughters and four grandchildren, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at the age of 66 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeast Florida at St. Vincent’s HealthCare after an extended illness that she fought with much courage.

Rhonda was born November 4, 1952 in Folkston, Ga. to Carroll and Pauline Crews. They moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla., where she grew up with seven brothers and sisters. She graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1970. She raised two daughters and eventually moved to Yulee, Fla., where she proudly had her very own home built. She worked for several years at Southside Elementary School as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. Later, she was employed by the Nassau County Property Appraiser’s Office, where she enjoyed being outdoors as a certified field appraiser.

Rhonda has a passion for writing poetry. Her love and compassion could be felt and appreciated by all those that she wrote and dedicated special poems to. Rhonda also loved singing, especially with her Women’s Trio at church, where they sang many special church hymns. Rhonda was very involved with her daughters’ activities, becoming a leader in the Girl Scout organization, coaching softball teams, leading the PTA and many years of being homeroom mom. She loved reading, walking, enjoying the beach, vacationing in the mountains, taking spontaneous road trips, and sitting on the front porch while bird watching and relaxing. Most of all, Rhonda loved her family passionately and had a special place in her heart for each of her grandchildren. The smiles and laughs that she shared with them were infectious and heart-warming, and anyone who knew her was well aware of the special love and adoration she had for each of them.

Rhonda was predeceased by her parents, Carroll and Pauline Crews, and her sister, Carolyn Wright.

She is survived by her two daughters, Denice Andrade (Joe) and Tessy Robbins (Tony); four grandchildren, Brooke and Kyle Andrade and Caroline and Ainsley Robbins; former husband, Stanley King; sisters, Debbie Pitts (Don), Linda Faye McAllister, and Vanessa Hartzog (Gary); brothers, Eddie Crews (Jane), James Crews (Carol), and Ricky Crews (Teri); an aunt, June King; uncles, Glynn Brooks (Rosa Mae) and Victor Brooks (Fay); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate her life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2019 in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Rhonda’s name to Community Hospice & Palliative Care.

To view Ms. King’s online obituary and leave condolences, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Roland Ethier, 100, of Yulee, Fla., passed away Monday, October 14, 2019.

He was born in 1919 in Mansonville, Quebec to Christine and Edmond Ethier. He was always proud of his French heritage, which led to the discovery that his ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Quebec, including the Filles du Roi.

He grew up on a farm near Lake Memphramagog in Mansonville, Quebec with his five siblings. It was along this same lake that he met his future wife, Dorothy, from Saskatchewan, who was visiting her uncle at his cottage on the lake. After she returned home, he traveled west to see her. They were married in Regina, Saskatchewan and returned to the same area near the lake to begin their life together and raise a family.

A carpenter by trade, he was self-employed for most of his life, although for a time he worked for the road department constructing and repairing bridges. He was meticulous in his craft, whether building a house from the ground up or refinishing an antique. He built several cottages on the lake for others and also several homes for his family, including one covered with stones he gathered from all over the countryside. In his 50s, after rebuilding a burned out house in Key West for a friend, he decided that one day he would get away from the northern snow. Later, after their children were grown, the couple moved to the U.S., first to North Carolina while in their 60s, and then, while in their 80s, to Yulee.

He was always busy and working on one project or another, whether around the house or in the yard. He was devoted to his wife, Dorothy, and took over all the household chores when she became physically unable to do them. He was known for his great lemon meringue pies and homemade donuts. He walked two miles daily until the last two years of his life. He loved his family and they loved him.

He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy, in 2017; his brothers, Eugene and Raymond; and his sister, Therese.

He is survived by his four children, Valerie Cameron of Ontario, Canada, John Ethier of North Carolina,  Bill Ethier (Sandy) of Yulee, and Michele Watson (Doug) of Ontario; a sister, Helenda Briere of Quebec; a brother, Paul Ethier (Leona), also of Quebec; his eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Redmile, Dan Redmile (Sue), Stephen Redmile (Karen), Alexander Watson, and Cameron Watson, all of Ontario, Victoria Merideth (Brad) of Tennessee, Jennifer Reinerth (Rick) of North Carolina, and Katie McCarthy (Evan) of Washington; and seven great-grandchildren, William Redmile, Naomie Redmile, Nathan Redmile, Caleb Merideth, Cooper Reinerth, Grady McCarthy and Ella McCarthy.

The family would like to thank all the CNAs and members of Nassau County Council on Aging’s Home Health Department who made it possible for Grandpa and Grammie to remain in their own home in their later years.

A private memorial service is planned.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Ruth Estelle Barth, 96, passed away October 15, 2019, in Fernandina Beach, Fla., where she had moved to be near her daughter and son-in-law. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald H. Barth.

Previously, she had lived on her beloved farm in Mehoopany, Pa., where she took special pleasure in her flowerbeds and her Christmas tree field.

She will be remembered for her many friendships and contributions to the community. For years, she was a 4-H leader. She was active in the Mehoopany Methodist Church and was a strong supporter of the Mehoopany Volunteer Fire Company. Her door was always open to the many neighbors who dropped by to visit. She had an extraordinarily positive spirit and made everyone she met want to be a better person.

She greatly enjoyed traveling the United States, and for many years she and her husband participated in toy fairs throughout the country. She took joy in hunting for treasures at flea markets and antiques shows.

She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Barth Cole and husband Wayne Cole; grandchildren, Michael W. Cole and Jennifer C. Dailey and husband Michael Dailey; and four great-granddaughters, Madison Dailey, Sarah Dailey, Gracelyn Dailey, and Alice Cole. She also leaves behind a much-loved extended family, especially her nephews, who spent much time with her on the farm.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Donald L. Barth.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Mehoopany Volunteer Fire Company.

Please visit sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com to share memories or extend condolences.

Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home

Rhonda Jean Crews King, loving mother of two daughters and four grandchildren, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at the age of 66 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeast Florida at St. Vincent’s HealthCare after an extended illness that she fought with much courage.

Rhonda was born November 4, 1952 in Folkston, Ga. to Carroll and Pauline Crews. They moved to Fernandina Beach, Fla., where she grew up with seven brothers and sisters. She graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1970. She raised two daughters and eventually moved to Yulee, Fla., where she proudly had her very own home built. She worked for several years at Southside Elementary School as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. Later, she was employed by the Nassau County Property Appraiser’s Office, where she enjoyed being outdoors as a certified field appraiser.

Rhonda had a passion for writing poetry. Her love and compassion could be felt and appreciated by all those that she wrote and dedicated special poems to. Rhonda also loved singing, especially with her Women’s Trio at church, where they sang many special church hymns. Rhonda was very involved with her daughters’ activities, becoming a leader in the Girl Scout organization, coaching softball teams, leading the PTA and many years of being homeroom mom. She loved reading, walking, enjoying the beach, vacationing in the mountains, taking spontaneous road trips, and sitting on the front porch while bird watching and relaxing. Most of all, Rhonda loved her family passionately and had a special place in her heart for each of her grandchildren. The smiles and laughs that she shared with them were infectious and heart-warming, and anyone who knew her was well aware of the special love and adoration she had for each of them.

Rhonda was predeceased by her parents, Carroll and Pauline Crews, and her sister, Carolyn Wright.

She is survived by her two daughters, Denice Andrade (Joe) and Tessy Robbins (Tony); four grandchildren, Brooke and Kyle Andrade and Caroline and Ainsley Robbins; former husband, Stanley King; sisters, Debbie Pitts (Don), Linda Faye McAllister, and Vanessa Hartzog (Gary); brothers, Eddie Crews (Jane), James Crews (Carol), and Ricky Crews (Teri); an aunt, June King; uncles, Glynn Brooks (Rosa Mae) and Victor Brooks (Fay); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate her life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2019 in the Stephens Chapel at Green Pine Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Green Pine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Rhonda’s name to Community Hospice & Palliative Care.

To view Ms. King’s online obituary and leave condolences, please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Wanda G. Perdue, 61, passed away October 19, 2019.

She was born September 4, 1958 the beloved daughter of Earl L. Perdue Sr. and Norma M. (Wolff) Perdue. A kind and gentle person, Wanda sponsored numerous international children and donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, many times putting others’ needs before her own, the good Christian she was.

Wanda expressed her best wishes and thanks to the area’s automotive community, especially O’Reilly Auto Parts here in Nassau County.

She was predeceased by her father, Earl L. Perdue; mother, Norma M. Perdue; brother, Earl L. Perdue Jr.; and sister, Valerie G. Perdue.

Survivors include Sheree R. Yepes (Hernando), Mark S. Perdue, Candy Whitter, and numerous relatives in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

An angel on Earth, an angel in Heaven, she will be missed by all so very much.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

A Memorial Service in memory of Mrs. Sandra Kendall will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, October 28, 2019 in the Rosa Glover Holmes Memorial Chapel in Jacksonville, Fla.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Rear Admiral Gene Kendall; sons, Jerome and Scott (Angela); grandchildren, Joe, Gemmarose and Scott Jr.; sisters, Rene, Peggy and Sara; brother, Jessie; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Holmes Glover Solomon Funeral Directors