Obituaries – 08/31/23
Thomas Reid Baker
Thomas Reid Baker, 82, of Summerfield, Florida passed away August 23, 2023, at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala, Florida. He was the husband of Nona Baker for 65 years.
He was born in Utica, NY a son of the late Charles and Louise Baker. Prior to his retirement he was a machinist making silverware.
DECEDENT ADDITIONAL INFO
Thomas is survived by his wife, Nona Baker and sons, Thomas Baker, Jr of Oneida, NY and George Baker of Bernards Bay, NY and a daughter, Suzanne Palmer and her husband Emery of Summerfield, FL. He has 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Joelene Schenk of Eaton, NY, Merylene Forward of Bouckville, NY, Charlene Jefferis, Dryden, NY and brother, Eric Baker and his wife of Jamestown, NC.
Arrangements entrusted to Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 5946 SE. Robinson Road, Belleview, FL 34420. Condolences may be left at Hiers-Baxley.com.
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Dorothy Louise DeBout
Dorothy Louise DeBout, 91, of Belleview, FL passed away August 22, 2023, at Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, Florida.
Dorothy was born in Lyons, New York a daughter of the late Clinton and Maude Stell. Prior to her retirement she was an Assistant Credit Manager for Seminole Stores. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.
Dorothy is survived by daughters, Kathy A. Fitzgerald of Umatilla, FL, Patricia L. Snyder of Belleview, FL, and David C. DeBout of Belleview, FL. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Mary Jane Furman, Betty Pries. William Stell and Barbara Stell.
The family will receive friends at Christ Lutheran Church, 15699 SE 80th Ave, Summerfield, FL 34491, on Wednesday, August 30 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM. The Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala, F at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Christ Lutheran Church Mortgage Fund, 15699 SE 80th Ave, Summerfield, FL 34491.” Condolences may be expressed at Hiers-Baxley.com.
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MARGARET MEADOWS WALKER
Margaret Meadows Walker, 90 of Summerfield, Fl passed away August 22, 2023 at Marion County Hospice, Cates House in Ocala, Fl. She was born July 24, 1933 in Crossville , TN, the oldest daughter of seven children to her parents Walter and Florence Meadows.
Margaret was a member of Eastern Star and Women of the Moose. Enjoyed many years as a Girl Scout leader. Retired after twenty four years as a school bus driver for Marion County. Margaret was of the Lutheran faith and reading the Bible daily.
Margaret loved her family deeply and was always so proud of her children. She was extremely talented from sewing, knitting, crocheting, oil painting, gardening and cake decorating to just mention a few. There’s not much she couldn’t do. Margaret loved all animals, especially her two dogs Mocha and Barbie. Her beloved Mocha’s feet rarely touched the floor as you could always find Mocha on Margaret’s lap. She will be deeply missed by all, human and furbabies.
Margaret joined her son, Leslie Farris Cummings Jr who recently passed on July 10, 2023 in Heaven along with her parents, husband and brothers, Frank, Walt, Bob and Danny.
Those left to cherish her memory are daughters, Mary Ganoe and her husband Dwight, Sharon Zurick and her husband Mark. Her daughter in law Donna Cummings wife of her son. Her grandchildren, Dwight David Ganoe, Jr and his wife Judy, Rebecca Duurloo and her husband Paul, Loretta Moser, Matthew Ganoe and his wife Danielle, Kyle Jernigan and his wife Madeline. Her sister Carolyn and her husband Ralph, her brother Rick Meadows and his wife Barbara and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Marion County Hospice.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, August 29 from 10 am to 11 am with services beginning at 11 am at Hiers Baxley Funeral Home in Belleview, Fl. Followed by short graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ocala, Fl at noon.
A casual reception immediately followed the service at Pasta Faire located in Belleview, Fl.
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GERARD L. SWEIKATA
Gerard L. Sweikata, also known as Jerry to his family and friends, passed away August 18, 2023. He was born April 2,1940 to John and Margaret Sweikata in New York, New York.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1958 where he served for four years. During that time, he married his wife Loretta of sixty-four years. Together they had their three children. He served as a New York City police officer for twenty-three years until he retired. After moving the Palm Beach County, Florida he served as a sheriff’s deputy for Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for fourteen years. Once retired, he and his wife enjoyed traveling all over the world, going on vacations with their childhood friends and spoiling their grandkids.
Jerry is survived by his wife Loretta Sweikata. Children; Donna (Kevin) Kavanagh of Hartsville, SC, Stephen (Sharon) Sweikata of Ridgeville, SC and Glen (Sandra) Sweikata of Jacksonville, FL. Grandchildren; Elizabeth (David) Clark of Hartsville, SC, Rebecca Sweikata and fiancé Micheal Schwartz and Jonathan (Hannah) Sweikata of Jacksonville, FL. Great grandchildren; Lee Kavanagh and Baylee Clark. Sister; Barbara Gail McLaughlin of Levittown, New York.
He was proceeded in death by his parents John and Margaret Sweikata. Sister; Patricia Sweikata. Grandson; Christopher Kavanagh.
Jerry was a giving man to his family and friends. He enjoyed playing bocce ball and trivia night. He taught us to love God, cherish your spouse, adore your children and protect those that cannot protect themselves. He was truly a humble servant; which is what made him a great man of honor.
The funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 23, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Belleview, Fl. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Jerry’s name to St. Theresa’s Soup Kitchen, 11528 SE US Hwy 301, Belleview, Fl 34420.
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Dorothy Louise DeBout
Dorothy Louise DeBout, 91, of Belleview, FL passed away August 22, 2023, at Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, Florida.
Dorothy was born in Lyons, New York a daughter of the late Clinton and Maude Stell. Prior to her retirement she was an Assistant Credit Manager for Seminole Stores. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.
Dorothy is survived by daughters, Kathy A. Fitzgerald of Umatilla, FL, Patricia L. Snyder of Belleview, FL, and David C. DeBout of Belleview, FL. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Mary Jane Furman, Betty Pries. William Stell and Barbara Stell.
The family will receive friends at Christ Lutheran Church, 15699 SE 80th Ave, Summerfield, FL 34491, on Wednesday, August 30 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM. The Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala, F at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Christ Lutheran Church Mortgage Fund, 15699 SE 80th Ave, Summerfield, FL 34491.” Condolences may be expressed at Hiers-Baxley.com.
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