Obituaries 12/29/22

Catherine Marie Alford
Catherine Marie Alford passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022, just days before her 78th birthday. She was born on December 23, 1944, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Jesse and Marilyn Vandermeer.
Cathy grew up in Michigan and graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1967, which was the University’s first commencement ceremony. She moved to Florida in the late 1960s. As a lifelong scholar, she continued classes in law school, real estate, mental health counseling and later achieved a Master of Science in Psychology from Nova University.
Preceded in death by just over three and a half months, Grant, affectionately named “Julio” by Cathy, was the true love of her life and best friend. We knew they wouldn’t be separated for long. They enjoyed a life together of time with family and friends, years of sailing adventures on the “Wanderer”, and many of their retirement years in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN.
Cathy was an avid reader and she enjoyed gardening. She also enjoyed spirited, intellectual conversations, and she gave incredible advice and guidance. Cathy always had a dog by her side during her lifetime. Though she was characterized with a bit of sass and a fair amount of fierceness, she was an incredibly sensitive and compassionate person.
Cathy’s professional life included property management, Director of Social Services at Clay Memorial Hospital, mental health counseling, and the Board of Catholic Charities. She helped people through some of the most difficult life situations even buying burial plots for indigent families.
Cathy is survived by her daughter, Anne-Marie (husband Danny; children Jason and Brian) her stepsons: Matt Alford (wife Ana; children Thais and Rodrigo), Kelly Alford, Ian Alford (wife Grace; children Lilly and Isabella), her brothers, Alan Vandermeer (wife Susan) and Bob Vandermeer (wife Lorene). We must not forget their beloved fur child, Spirit, who brought much happiness to them in their later years.
May she now Rest in Peace and be with God.
There will be a double internment for Grant and Cathy at Jacksonville National Cemetery in early February. More details are forthcoming. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Cathy on the Tribute Wall, in the meantime. Donations to Community Hospice or the Humane Society are requested in lieu of flowers.
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

June M Casteen
June M Casteen, 83, of Orange Park Florida passed away peacefully at home on Friday December 2nd, 2022, with family by her side. She was born on January 8th, 1939, in Summerset, Bermuda.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Sidney and Albena Simmons; sister, Elizabeth Decosta; and brother-in-law’s, George Decosta and Denis Dunne.
She is survived by her husband, John Casteen Jr.; sister, Pearl Dunne; children, John (Rheba) Casteen III and Sydney (Adam) Desguin; and grandchildren Ally, JD, Will, and Miley.
June finished top of class at age 13 when she went to work at the electric light company and later the local bank in the loan department. While working in the bank she met her soulmate and soon to be husband John D. Casteen, Jr. She moved from Bermuda to the United States in January of 1965. She was a devoted wife and mother that followed her husband all over the world during his Navy career.
June enjoyed knitting, bowling, reading, and time with her ROWC (Retired Officer Wives Club). She earned her US Citizenship in San Diego, CA in 1990. She had previously lived in several locations which include Maine, Maryland, California (2), Azores, and Florida (2). While enjoying her membership with the ROWC, she served as their secretary for many years. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She spoiled everyone she came in contact with as her heart was bigger than life itself. She will be missed dearly.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, January 14, 2023, in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Dr. Tim McDaniel 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 32043. (904) 284-4000

Evelyn “Darlene” Turner
Evelyn “Darlene” Turner, age 66, of Middleburg, Florida passed away on December 23, 2022, at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida on March 25, 1956, to the late Walter Daniel Quiett and Evelyn Addison Quiett. Darlene was raised in Starke and Jacksonville. She met her lifetime love, Vernon Turner, in the early 1970’s and they were happily married on August 3, 1973. Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family dearly. She enjoyed her career as a Claims Examiner at Blue Cross Blue Shield where she proudly served for over 20 years. Darlene also enjoyed volleyball, was an avid Gator fan, and loved Christmas time and Christmas ornaments, but more than anything, she loved her family and spending time with them. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Daniel Quiett; and her son, Michael Jason Turner.
Darlene is survived by her loving husband of 49, Vernon Turner of Middleburg, FL; children, Mitchel (Sarah) Turner and Amanda Michelle Turner both of Middleburg, FL; daughter-in-law, Karen (Jarrod) Sherman; brothers, Darrell (Linda) Quiett and Phillip (Yvonne) Quiett both of Middleburg, FL and Tommy (Ann) Quiett of Maxville, FL; grandchildren, Matthew Sherman, Kayla Marie Jolley, Kenzie Jolley, Jacob Turner, and Callen Turner; and her great grandchildren, Lillie and Nolan Turner and Kimberly Jolley.
A Celebration of Darlene’s Life will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023, at 11:00 am at Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel with Pastor Delton Kilpatrick officiating. Interment will follow at Dyal Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, Fl. 904-964-5757. Visit www.ferreirafuneralservices.com to sign the family’s guest book.