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Obituaries 6/2/22


Posted

Thomas “Dee” Newton Cummings

Thomas “Dee” Newton Cummings On Tuesday May 31, 2022, Thomas “Dee” Newton Cummings, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 89. Dee was born on July 13, 1932 in Imboden, Arkansas to Maxie Jaunita Estes and Horace Coleman Cummings. He grew up in Mobile, Alabama with his siblings Patty (Dewberry) and Charles. He graduated from Murphy High School and enlisted into the United States Army in 1950. He was in the Gunnery Division and also a Golden Gloves boxer during his 2 years of service. In 1952, he and his father moved to Jacksonville and started working for City Pest Control where he met his loving wife of 69 years, Inez Horton. They were married on May 22, 1953 and raised 4 children together: Marsha, Rusty, Mike and Karen. They enjoyed family vacations to their cabin in Ocean Pond, and he made his goal of traveling to all 50 states! He was a member of the American Legion Post 137 and a Mason in the Shriners for over 40 years. He joined the Federal Civil Service and worked at NAS Jacksonville NADEP until retiring as a metalsmith in 1995. They purchased a home on Doctors Lake after retirement, and here he enjoyed fishing and boating. He seemed to claim ownership of his canal, and was not above turning on his sprinklers to scare away local bass fisherman. He was quite creative and handy and enjoyed painting, woodworking, and building model trains. His grandchildren loved visiting his home to see his elaborate train table that took up an entire room. He liked playing horseshoes, doing yard work and taking care of many animals. He loved and cared for all animals, no matter how strange. He had a pet squirrel named Geraldine, many dogs, birds and one day brought home a pet goat! You could frequently find him relaxing on the back patio drinking a cold one or cheering on his favorite football teams, the Gators and the Jaguars. He was a modest, hardworking, fun-loving family man and will be greatly missed by many. Dee is survived by his wife Inez, his brother Charles Cummings (Nancy) his children Marsha Smith (Wayne), Mike Cummings (Pam), Karen Alexander (Dwight), his grandchildren Shannon Smith (Tony), Melinda Eller (Steve), Kimberly Olivant (Nelson), Judd Cummings, Chad Cummings (Gina), Travis Cummings (Jessica), Todd Cummings (Carrie), Josh Alexander, his great-grandchildren Shawn Smith, Brooklyn Heath, Dillon Heath, Austin Kittle, Levi Olivant, Jake Cummings, Carter Cummings, Cody Cummings (Kaitlyn), Abby Cummings, Beckham Cummings, Fletcher Cummings, Hattie Cummings, great-great grandchildren Haley Smith, Emma Smith, Riley Smith and Gracelynn Smith, nieces Lisa Chamberlain, Aleta Dazinger (Mike), Stacey Cummings, nephew Steve Dewberry (Patricia), many friends and neighbors. Dee is pre-deceased by sister Patty Dewberry, son Rusty Cummings (Kathy), grandson John Hall III, and great-grandson Justin Smith. Funeral services will be held on Saturday June 4, 2022 at 10 o’clock at Jacksonville Memory Gardens located at 111 Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park, FL 32073. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dee’s name to The Military Museum of Northeast Florida, 1 Bunker Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 themilitarymuseumofnorthflorida.com.

Harriet Cochran
A longtime resident of Orange Park, Florida, Harriet Elizabeth Cochran, 88, passed away at the Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Georgia, on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Harriet was born in Everett, Massachusetts, on June 28, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Harriet Pannese. A proud Italian “ball of fire” and a military wife, Harriet traveled the world. She lived in several places throughout her life, including Italy. Though Harriet was feisty, she loved people dearly. Harriet never met a stranger and knew many people, all were considered friends.
She was a foster parent and instilled into her family the importance of being thoughtful and kind to everyone. Harriet also liked playing games, and especially enjoyed cards and dice. She loved going to the Casino and was a “Casino Queen.”
Her fierce love and giving spirit will be deeply missed. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Linda White (Larry) of Florida; J.D. Cochran (Jeri) of Alabama; Michael Cochran (Donna) and Brenda Ford (Steve), all of Florida; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; eight siblings; and a host of beloved extended family members and friends.
At the family’s request, all services held will be private. Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com.
There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.

Joseph Keiper Groff
Joseph Keiper Groff, Sr “Keip” passed away peacefully on May 29, 2022 exactly three weeks after his wife of 73 years. Keip was born in Quarryville, Pa on July 22, 1926, the youngest child or the Rev. Dr. Addison H. Groff, and Rebecca Keiper Groff. Keip grew up in Boonesboro, Md, and graduated from City College High school in Baltimore, MD.
Keiper graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa where he met Margaret Elizabeth Miller, a nursing student at St. Joseph’s Hospital. They were married in 1949. Keip joined the Army Air Corps, but his military service was brief as the war ended.
The family joined Grace Episcopal Church, and Keip was active in the community. Keiper’s career brought the family to Orange Park in 1966, when he took a job with the Painter’s Poultry Company in Jacksonville. He then retired from what was to become Cargill Farms.
Keiper enjoyed golf, traveling, music, and his beautiful garden where he was always puttering. “Poppy” loved to keep his swimming pool in perfect condition for the many grandchildren, and great grandchildren who spent time there diving and splashing with delight. Keip always said, “Life was a great experience, I would have hated to have missed it.”
Keiper is survived by his children, Stephen, Rebecca, and Joseph along with 9 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Keiper and Margaret will be held at 11:00 am on June 4 at Grace Episcopal Church 245 Kingsley Ave. Orange Park.
Donations may be made in Keiper’s name to the Nature conservancy www.nature.org.

Yvonne Nolan
Yvonne M. Nolan, 85, of Orange Park, FL passed away on May 28, 2022.
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000 www.broadusraines.com