Obituaries 11/4/21
Ronald Eudon Heath, Sr.
Ronald Eudon Heath, Sr. was born on May 12, 1948, in Marianna, Florida to parents Eldon Eudon Heath, and Jean Spivey Heath. Ron passed away at his residence on Thursday, October 21, 2021, after a lengthy illness.
Ron graduated from Clay High School in 1966 and following graduation attended college before enlisting in the U.S. Marines where he served for 4 years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam in Aviation. Following his tour of duty with the Marines, Ron returned home, attended the police academy, and became a police officer for the City of Green Cove Springs. While a police officer, Ron married his wife, Sue Heath, and they made the decision for Ron to reenlist in the military, this time as a Flight Engineer on Chinook helicopters in the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Ron attended Emory Riddle University and earned his single engine pilot’s license and enjoyed flying with his Army buddies. Ron also served in the Army National Guard after returning home until 1987. Ron received numerous medals and awards for his service to his country and was a disabled military Veteran. Ron was most proud of being a U.S. Marine and serving his country during wartime.
After completing a 4-year tour of duty in the Army, he and his family returned to Green Cove Springs and then he was employed as an aircraft mechanic supervisor with the Department of Defense in Jacksonville, Florida where he retired in 2005 after 32 years’ service. Ron was very proud of his service to his country, as a police officer, and his position with the Department of Defense.
Ron loved Green Cove Springs where he, his friends, and family enjoyed many hours at family gatherings, hunting, bass fishing, and riding Harleys. He loved to share fishing stories with his bass fishing brother Reggie. His younger brother Randy inspired him to become interested in car racing and classic cars, resulting in his buying a race car as well as restoring classic cars. He was a proud member of the Clay County Cruzers and enjoyed attending and showing his cars at various car shows in the area. Ron was a man of many interests and loved the comradery with his friends. He was a real jokester and had a zest for life and never met a stranger. He was a proud husband, father, and papa. He was also a loyal FSU fan, supporting his son’s alma mater.
Ron is preceded in death by his father, Eldon Eudon Heath, his mother, Jean Spivey Heath Wyman, and his younger brother Randy Heath (Tracey). He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sue Daniel Heath, his son, Ronald E. Heath, Jr. (Melanie), his daughter, Kathy D. McLain, his brother Reggie Heath (Gail), and four grandchildren, Erin McLain, Connor McElderry, Deni Sue McLain, and Avery Heath.
Ron wanted his family and friend to celebrate his life after his transition to heaven, therefore, his family will have a Celebration of His Life with military honors in the Broadus-Raines Chapel on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 3 p.m. Friends and family are invited to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Green Cove Springs, Florida, for dinner directly after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or other Veteran’s groups.
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 32043. (904) 284-4000
Barbara Jean Green
Barbara Jean Green 79, of Brooker passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from an extended illness. She was born June 29, 1942, in Anniston, Alabama to the late Winford and Frances (Martin) Jones. She resided in Green Cove Springs for 30 years where she retired following 24 years of employment with the Clay County Tax Collector’s office prior to making Brooker her home.
Mrs. Green was baptized 7th Day Adventist; she had a talent for baking and decorating cakes of all sorts and cookies. She also enjoyed antiquing, collecting Fenton Glass, and tending to her flower garden which was full of butterflies.
Mrs. Green is survived are her husband of 24 years De Ritch of Booker; three children Derrell Kelly (Becky) of Green Cove Springs, Steve Kelly (Jonelle) of George Town, Texas, and Anita Jervis of Jacksonville; three stepdaughters Monica Andrews (Randy), Paula Wilkinson (Greg) and Sondra Bothwell (George) all of Starke. Also left behind are two sisters Sandra Jones of Alexander City, Alabama, and Diane Farguson (Donny) of Mellow Valley, Alabama and was lovingly called “Granny Jean” or “Grandma” by Shenelle, LaTosha, Justin, Ashley, Noah, Giana, Sophia, Addison, Emily, and Taylor along with numerous great grandchildren and extended family members and friends. A private Celebration of Life will be held at Highland Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Haven Hospice or Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. Arrangements are by Jones Gallager Funeral Home, 620 E. Nona Street, Starke, FL 32091. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
James Raynor Hilt
James Raynor Hilt, age 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 24th, 2021 in Orange Park, Florida.
He is predeceased by his devoted wife of fifty years, Rita May Hilt, his loving son, James Carlton Darveau Hilt, his brothers Robert Hilt, step-brothers Roger Darveau, Jackie Darveau and step-sister Carol Wagner. He is survived by his brother, Frank Hilt (Carol), sister Mary Kaye Hilt, step-brothers Larry Darveau (Joyce) and Steven Darveau (Mary), son Michael Hilt (Kim), daughters Dorothy McNee, Kathryn M. Hilt, and Nanette Tool (Harold), daughter in-law’s Jeri Hilt, Patti Hilt, grandchildren Laura Lambert, Amy McBride (Chris), Caitlin Cerge, Stephen Schumacher (Monise), Stephanie Cauble (Matthew), Allen McNee, Harrison Tool, James Nathan Hilt and Samantha Tool, as well as eight great grandchildren.
He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 28th, 1938 to James W. and Dorothy L. Hilt and was one of four children. His father and mother divorced and as a result, James was blessed with four additional step-brothers and a step-sister.
James entered into the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 as an enlisted recruit and worked diligently as a co-pilot/navigator until his retirement as Lieutenant Commander in 1985. He loved his naval career and the friends gained and kept in touch with many until his death. He continued his career as a civilian trainer for the Navy in the S-3B aircraft and retired in 2008.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother and friend by many. He took exceptional care of his family and loved them with all of his heart. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to his CNA’s, Dorris Hamilton and Donna Householder, for the dedication, love and care they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a charity of their choice in his honor.
A celebration of life for both Jim and Rita will be held at 11am, Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 904-737-7171. Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.
Captain Jack D. Williams
Captain Jack D. Williams (retired),
89 years old, born December 26, 1931 in Waukee, IA passed away peacefully in his Fleming Island, FL home on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The son of Hap and Wynette Williams of Waukee, IA, Jack received a basketball scholarship in 1950 to attend UCLA. While in California he enlisted in the reserves and was called up to serve as a Marine pilot during the Korean War. Jack was a decorated veteran, who earned a purple heart for being wounded in combat. He also received the Desert Shield / Desert Storm medal for flying troops into Kuwait during Desert Shield and firefighters after Desert Storm. He flew and worked as an administrator for Eastern Airlines for 34 years and Omega Airlines for 2 years. He met his current wife, Rita Williams, in the real estate industry in Jacksonville, FL. Jack loved his family, his dogs, going on adventures, hunting, fishing, sailing, diving, woodworking, and traveling of any kind, especially in the RV.
He is predeceased by his father Hap Williams, mother Wynette Williams, and first wife Betty Jordan Williams. Those left to cherish his memory include his current wife Rita Higginbotham Williams, and their children Mike (Denise) Williams, Pat (Dana) Williams, Diane Williams, Mark (Heidi) Williams, David (Shirley) Williams, Liza Williams, Andrea (Andrew Hope) Cash, Melissa Cash and his two sisters, Luana Spencer and Shiela Johnson. He has 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, including our newest addition to the family, baby Jack who is 3 months old.
A graveside military service with honors will be held at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, November 8th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org). Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Rd, Middleburg, FL. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.
Mary Joyce Fallon
Mary Joyce Fallon, 78, of Orange Park, FL passed away November 1, 2021.
BROADUS-RAINES FUNERAL HOME, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000
www.broadusraines.com
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