All Obituaries

TROWELL, Melendia Brittle, age 86 and lifelong resident of Brooksville, Florida, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021.  Melendia was born June 11, 1935, in Oak Grove, Florida to Harry Mickler and Irene (Rogers) Brittle, descendants of early settlers in both Citrus and Hernando Counties. She was a retired insurance clerk with Citrus Memorial Hospital and was a member of the Hebron Baptist Church. Melendia was preceded in death by her husband, Albert P. Trowell;...

BAJA, John Daniel, age 43, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021. He was born in Dearborn, Michigan on December 2, 1977, to Gregg and Betty (Parsons) Baja. He was known for his charming charisma, generosity and smile.  He brought so much love and light into this world.  John was dubbed one of Crestwood High's soccer superstars who frequented the newspaper with his triumphs on the field.  His love of country brought him to serve for the United...

SWIMS, Opal T., age 94 of Brooksville, Florida, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at her home. Mrs. Swims was born September 28, 1927, in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas to John and Levi (Newsom) Thomas. Opal moved to Brooksville 40 years ago from Flint, Michigan. She was a homemaker and a real estate investor. Opal volunteered for 25 years at the Brooksville Enrichment Center.   She was preceded in death by her husband: Virgil Swims; son: Virgil Swims, Jr.; and granddaughter:...

BARKER, Richard Charles, age 89, of Spring Hill, Florida, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at HPH Hospice Care Center. He was born in Tiffin, Ohio and came to the area in 1990 from West Covina, California. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving as a medic during the Korean War and assistant Vice President with Bank of America.  He coached basketball at Tiffin University, was a little league umpire and he loved golf.  Survived by his wife of 41 years: Susan Martin...

DILL, Virginia A., age 68, of Spring Hill, Florida, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts and came to the area in 1991 from Orlando, Florida. She was a homemaker.  She is survived by her son: Vaughan Dill of Kansas City, Missouri; daughters: Charity Dill of Spring Hill, Florida; Andrea Respecki of Tucson, Arizona; brothers: Chuck Hanson of Blackstone, Massachusetts; George Hanson of Tennessee; Bob Hanson of...

MARSANO, Anthony William, age 59, of Homosassa, Florida died Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River, Florida. He was born in Belleville, New Jersey and was employed in the carpet industry. He was a U.S. Army veteran.  He is survived by his wife: Paula Marucci-Marsano of Homosassa, Florida; father: Anthony Marsano, Sr., and mother: Jacqueline Marsano; sister: Angie.              ARRANGEMENTS BY MERRITT...

HECKLE, Gilbert, 88 of Spring Hill, Florida passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at his home. Born March 18, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, he came to the area 34 years ago from Long Island, New York. He was a manager for the Sony Corporation and Pentecostal by faith.   He is survived by his wife: Carol; son and daughter-in-law: Thomas G. and Audra Heckle; daughters and sons-in-law: Carol Fontana, Carlene and Matt Bryant, Christine and Ross DiMaggio; step-daughters: Lisa...

OLIVA, Luigi, age 79, of Spring Hill, Florida died Wednesday, November 17, 2021. He was born in New York, New York and came to the area in 2004. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a boiler engineer with Local 15 and Local 30. He was a member of the South English Kingdom Hall.  He is survived by wife: Joyce Oliva of Spring Hill, Florida; sons: Anthony Oliva of Smithtown, New York; Steven Oliva of Kings Park, New York; Michael Daly of Centerreach, Long Island, New York, Rick Daly...

JOHNSTON, Nellie C., age 101 of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away Thursday, November 15, 2021, at her home. Mrs. Johnston was born November 2, 1920, in Slocomb, Alabama to Byron and Ethel Smith and moved to Brooksville 50 years ago from Lakeland, Florida.  She was a homemaker and was a life member and served for almost 50 years as Post Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Women’s Auxiliary, Lakeland, Florida and she was Protestant by faith.   She was preceded in...

MCDONOUGH, Sr., James Dennis (Dan), age 88, of Brooksville, Florida and Keeseville, New York, passed away on November 14, 2021, in Brooksville, Florida. Dan was born in Whitehall, New York, to Matthew and Marion (Prefontaine) McDonough on July 30, 1933. He attended high school at Granville High School and graduated in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1952 to 1955 and completing a combat tour in Korea. He went on to earn his certificate in Funeral...