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Obituaries 12/21/17


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Joseph Hamilton Elliott
Joseph Hamilton Elliott, 95, passed away at Haven Hospice Custead Care Center, Orange Park, on Dec. 13, 2017. Joe was born on Jan. 24, 1922 in Los Angeles, CA. to parents George and Mae Elliott. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Norma Owens Elliott; son, Michael Elliott (Lynn); daughter, Norlene Roberts (Irving); nephew, Sandy Grant (Terri); grandchildren, Michael Elliott, Tricia Green, Sarah Hanson, Quint Roberts, Joseph Roberts and Blake Roberts; great nephew and niece, Elliott and Ashley Grant; ten great-grandchildren; a very special niece, Barbara Gormley and many nieces and nephews Joe moved to Green Cove Springs in 1945 while stationed at NAS Naval base. His Navy career began in 1941 and he served as a Navy pilot in WWII and the Korean War. He retired from the Navy in 1966 as a Lieutenant Commander with 23 years of service in active and Navy reserve. He was employed with the Clay County School system for 28 years. He worked as a teacher, coach and principal of Clay Jr. High School and Clay High School. Joe was on the Board of Directors for the Clay County Fair Association for 12 years, and worked tirelessly each year coordinating the fair. He was a founding member of the Clay County Historical Society in 1975. Joe enjoyed years of travel around the country with his wife and family in their motorhome. Carving ducks and birds, out of wood, became his hobby, and he enjoyed traveling to fairs and craft shows to display his beautifully carved ducks. He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church.

Ward McDonald
Ward McDonald, 91, of St. Augustine passed way Dec. 8, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Oct.15, 1926 in Cumberland, MD. Uncle Ward was a World War II Veteran, serving his country in the United States Navy.
He was the owner of C.W. McDonald Trucking in St. Augustine, FL and a trusted mechanic to local farmers. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in their RV along with their pets. His greatest passion was flying his airplane. Uncle Ward was preceded in death by his parents Leo Clifton McDonald and Adele Shinn McDonald. Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Betty Zeigler McDonald; Sister-in-law, Alice Zeigler; Nephew, Roger Zeigler (Joy); Great niece, Tiffany Zeigler (Kiley); Great-Nephew, Joshua Zeigler; Great-Great nieces, Anna and Addy Simpson; his caregiver, Catherine Kessler and her dog Rudy, who brought him great comfort; and other extended family. A military graveside service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Julington Creek Cemetery off Racetrack Road with Dr. Mark Nicolson officiating. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.

John F. Harmeling
John F. Harmeling, 80, passed away on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. John was born on Aug. 2, 1937 in Cambria Heights, NY. John was a retired school teacher and guidance counselor in the North Babylon School District in North Babylon, NY. He retired after 35 years and relocated from Hauppauge, NY, his home for 36 years, to Green Cove Springs FL in 1997. He was an avid golfer and sports nut. He coached track & field while at North Babylon and had many titles with his teams. He was named NYS section 11 coach of the year in 1979. He will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Dora Harmeling and his daughter, Corinne M. Harmeling. His survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy; sister, Madeline (Pat); 2 sons, Craig and Kurt; daughter-in-law, Kristen; 6 grandsons, K.J., Kyler, Kristian, Kevin, Kyle, Kooper and 3 granddaughters, Kamryn, Kierstyn and Kendyl. A memorial service will be held in the Broadus-Raines Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 with Dr. Tim McDaniel officiating.
Many thanks to his Hospice team for their love and caring of John. Donations in John’s memory may be made to Haven Hospice, Orange Park Florida.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.

Paul Adelbert Towne
Paul Adelbert Towne, 82, of Orange Park, Fl. died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 surrounded by his family.
Paul was born Aug. 11, 1935 in Watertown, NY to Cameron and Marion Arnold Towne. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 1953 where he was active in sports and won the most valuable player award in football for the year. He was an alter server for Sacred Heart Church and a paperboy for the Watertown Daily Times. Both along with his five brothers.
Paul served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Canberra where he was a DJ. He was able to have dinner with President Eisenhower who was on board for a cruise.
He returned to Watertown where he played for the Watertown Red and Black and was employed by the A&P. He met his wife, Irene Cataldo Towne, a nurse at Mercy Hospital. Paul became A&P manager and opened two new superstores in Watertown. He and his family moved to Orange Park, Fla. in 1977 where he continued to work for the A&P for a total of 27 years. Paul then worked as the manager for Albertson’s. He switched careers and became a crane operator at Florida Steel for 17 years.
Paul was a lector at St. Patrick’s Church where he was also President of the St. Patrick’s Home and School Club and belonged to the athletic association of IHC volunteering many hours fundraising for both schools. After retiring Paul volunteered at a nursing home. Paul enjoyed being with his family, his favorite activities including camping, fishing, boating, traveling, hunting, playing cards, horseshoes, bingo, catch, and swimming and relaxing in his backyard pool. Paul’s hobby was woodworking, as he really enjoyed making furniture for his family. He and his brothers built a house and he updated two others. Paul is predeceased by four brothers, Gerald, Joseph, Donald and John.
Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene Cataldo Towne, Orange Park; four children, Louise (Marty) Moran, Dunedin, FL, Karen (Kenneth) Famularo, Longwood, FL, Paula Towne, Orcas Island, WA, and Joseph (Traci) Towne, Fruit Cove, FL; 10 grandchildren, Mary Beth, Nicole, Anna, Cameron, Huxley, Laura, Caleb, Terri, Holden and Chandler; a brother, Edward Towne, New Port Ritchey, FL and a sister, Mary Towne Spink, Penfield, NY. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017 in San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church, 1718 FL-13, Saint Johns, FL 32259 with Msg. Haut and Father Tetlow as Celebrants. A Reception with follow in the Parish Hall. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.


Tom Stiltner, 89, of Orange Park, FL, passed away December 17, 2017
BROADUS-RAINES FUNERAL HOME, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Dorothy I. Rogers, 89, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away December 17, 2017
BROADUS-RAINES FUNERAL HOME, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000