Jose Felipe Torres, Jr.

Jose Felipe Torres, Jr., age 64, of Orlando, passed away Monday, November 23rd, 2015 at his residence.   He was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico,  the son of the late Adonatila (Bonilla)  and Jose Felipe Torres, Sr.  Jose served in the U.S. Army, was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and was employed as a Corrections Officer. 

Jose leaves to cherish is memory, wife Alma (Ramirez) Torres of Orlando; son Derrick Torres of Albany, New York; daughter Barbara Torres of Orlando; four step sons Pedro Gutierrez, of Haverstraw, New York,  Robert Gutierrez of Oviedo,  Richard Gutierrez of St. Petersburg, FL,  Andy Gutierrez  of Apopka;  two sisters Elizabeth Mendoza of Kissimmee, Elsa Rodriguez of New Jersey; and 14 grandchildren

The family will be receiving friends at Dobbs Funeral Home on Monday, November 30, 2015 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Orlando, FL, at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 1st, 2015, followed by interment at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida at 2:00 pm with military honors.

James Elsworth Snell, Jr.

James Elsworth Snell Jr., age 60, of Orlando, FL passed away Thursday, November 19th, 2015 at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy,  County, OH.   James was born in Wilkesbarre, PA the son of James E. Snell Sr. and the Frances (Sobers). He was employed  as a Plastics Project Manager.

James leaves to cherish his memory, father James Elsworth Snell, Sr. of Mountain Top, PA; two daughters, Christie Greenstein, Lindsey Marie Snell, two sons James Elsworth Snell III,  and Jessie Ryan Snell all of Orlando. 

The family will be receiving friends on  Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm at Dobbs Funeral Home. The service will follow visitation at 12:00 pm with Pastor Thomas Hensley officiating.  Interment will follow the funeral service at Dr. P. Phillips Cemetery.

Wretha Mae Roberts Reding

Wretha Mae Roberts Reding, age 89, of  Clermont, FL passed away Sunday, November 15th, 2015 at Ocoee Health Care Center.  Wretha was born in Batesville, AR the daughter of the late Dovie (Sims) and Herschel  Roberts and was employed as a hospital nurse.

Wretha is  predeceased by her husband DC. Reding (1988); son Gary Reding 1950) and daughter Denise Reding (1954; and leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Sherry Holcomb (Chuck), of Clermont; two sisters Hazel Peel and Charlene Fleming both of Batesville, AR. 

The family will be receiving friends at Qualls-Batesville Funeral Home on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 1:00 pm.  The funeral service and interment will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, Batesville, Arkansas, at 2:0 pm with Bro. Tommy Medley officiating. 

Ashley "Jus Com" Watson

Early one morning on October 19^th, 1958 and angel visited Olga Mitchell & Lloyd Watson’s home in New River District, Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth Jamaica and delivered to them a bouncing baby boy, Ashley Watson.  He was reared by his grandparents Mr.& Mrs. Huge Tibby. Ashley was an active, smart and rambunctious child. While living with his grandparents he grew rapidly and was quick to learn.  His grandfather instilled in him the principles of moral Christian living that allowed him to develop the interpersonal skills needed to survive in the real world. He attended the Santa Cruz All Age School at the age of six.  After graduating at the age of 16, Ashley had no prospects or means of acquiring higher education so he looked for work with his only means of transportation – a bicycle.  At the age of 16 he was employed at the Shell gas station and within a short stint his work activities grew. Mr. Wilfred Nemhard noticed that Ashley was intelligent and had great potential, so he encouraged and supported him as much as he could. While admiring his eldest brother Rudolph operating heavy equipment, Ashley aspiring to become one of the D4 tractor trailer operators,  informed Mr. Wilfred Nemhard about the offer and without any question he gave him the challenge which he operated for 14 years. After Ashley’s long stint in working in the field of plowing  & bulldozing, his thirst for a deeper knowledge took him across the seas to the United States of America.  In 1988 he entered Belle Glade where he learned how to cut sugar cane and picked apples.  In 1990 he moved to Orlando where he pursued a different career as a skill code contractor with Eagle Construction Company, Ltd until the deterioration of his health.  In 2002 God had another plan.  After a visit to the doctor Dorrette was told that she was pregnant.  Dorrette gave birth to a healthy and happy baby boy Deddy.  In 2006 Ashley decided not to waste anymore time so Dorretee and him were engaged and tied the knot shortly after. Two weeks before he succumbed to his illness, Ashley called some of his family and friends into his room where they formed a circle and held hands to witness his anointment by an ordinate elder of the North Orlando S.D.A. Church on the believing of his faith, that if he forgave others the wrongs they have done unto him, his father in heaven will also forgive him and if he confessed his sins his Father is faithful and just to forgive him of his sins and cleanse him from all unrighteousness.  On October 28^th, at 7:15 pm, Ashley Watson went to be with his Lord.  Ashley leaves to cherish his memory, wife Dorrette; sons Kim & Deddy; daughter Shawn Kay; sisters Alma, Estmin;  brothers Rudolph, Roy & Clayon, grandsons, his employer John Zandan, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Public visitation was held at Dobbs Funeral Home on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 4:00 until 5:00 followed by the funeral service with Pastor Lascell Henry officiating.

Margee Nansue Bowden Linton

Margee Nansue Bowden Linton, age 88, of Apopka, Florida passed away Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 at Florida Hospital Orlando.  A lifelong Florida native, she was born in Winter Garden, the daughter of the late Audrey (Carroll) and Charles W. Bowden.  

Margee was a homemaker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was married to Maurice “Sleepy” Simpson Linton, World War II 503^rd PRCT Veteran, and was a devoted and loving wife for 61 years, until his death in 2007.  She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter,  Nansue L. (Ron) Cowan of Athens, AL.; son, Maurice S. (Diane) Linton, II of Altamonte Springs; daughter, Catherine L. Gorman of Apopka; son, Michael Larue Linton of Apopka; son, Lenny Okrie (Lorraine) of Leonardtown, MD; sister Martha Connolly-Bridges of Ocoee; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; 7 niece’s and 5 nephew’s.

December 1945, while working at Dickson-Ives department store in Orlando, Margee was introduced to Maurice Linton by his mother.  Maurice had just returned to Orlando after the war.  Almost two months later, they became engaged at Lake Lily in Maitland and were married June 9, 1946 in Orlovista.  Maurice rejoined the U.S. Army in 1948 and Margee moved to Fort Bragg N.C. to join him with their one year daughter.  Two sons and one more daughter were born in North Carolina.  They relocated to Fort Campbell, KY and Germany before returning to Fort Bragg where Maurice retired in 1963.  They returned to Florida, settling in Altamonte Springs.  They enjoyed retirement traveling the United States and Europe visiting their many friends and relatives. They both enjoyed fishing, especially Margee.  January of 2010, she caught her first ever 10 pound wide mouth bass while visiting friends in St. Cloud, Florida.

Margee was very active with her husband in the 503^rd Parachute RCT Association World War II, the Deep South Chapter, and the Florida Chapter of the 101^st Airborne Division Association for over 30 years.  She served as the 503^rd Parachute RCT Secretary/Treasurer for many years.  She was also a member of the Orlando Old Timers Club.               

A memorial service will be held at Tuscawilla United Methodist Church in Casselberry, FL, at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 21st, 2015.  Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell FL, at 10:00 am, Wednesday, November 25th, 2015.

Berta Jean Casimir

Berta Jean Casimir passed away peacefully in Osceola Regional Medical Center, Kissimmee, Florida on November 6, 2015.  She was surrounded by the love of her husband and four daughters when she transitioned. 

She is survived by her husband Laurent Casimir, her four daughters Laurence Casimir, Stephania Casimir, Daphne Casimir, Kimberly Jia Casimir and Grandson Kobe Laurent Moreno son of Stephania Casimir, sisters Mona Scott Prophete, Marie Nativida Dufour and brother Dieulifete Oreste. She is preceded in death by her Father Jean Baptiste Jean and her sister Floriane Legros.

She was born July 2, 1954 in Haiti to the union of Anne-Marie Oreste and Jean Baptiste Jean. Berta’s various educational pursuits were in the field of nursing. She married Laurent Casimir September 14, 1979 in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.  Berta and her husband moved to New York City in 1987 where she worked 20+years in the nursing industry and where her three younger children were born. Her family then moved to Orlando, Florida in 2003 in favor of the warmer climate. She continued her career in the nursing industry until she retired in 2013 to focus on her health and family. Berta was a kind, extremely funny, and generous woman, who could always be seen with a smile and was always picture ready.

Public visitation will be held at Dobbs Funeral Home on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10:00 until 11:30 am followed by the funeral service.  Interment will be at Winter Garden Cemetery.

John Michael Troilo

John Michael Troilo, age 52 of Bonita Springs, Florida passed away on November 3, 2015 at his home.  John was born in Dayton, Ohio the son of Dr. Frank and Mary (Fischer) Troilo and was employed by The Stage in Bonita Springs.

A memorial service will be held  at St. Charles Borromero Catholic Church located at 4001 Edgewater Drive, Orlando 32804 on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 4:00 pm.

Thomas James Gerarde

Thomas James Gerarde, age 75, of Orlando, Florida passed away Saturday, October 31st, 2015 at his residence.   Thomas was born in Tiona, Pennsylvania the son of Thomas and Marie (Bodner) Gerarde.  He  was employed as a construction worker for the International Labor Union and member of St. Andrew Catholic Church.  Thomas was also a soccer coach for St. Andrews Catholic School, Evans High School, Bishop Moore, and ex-professional boxer and philanthropist.  Most importantly he loved his Lord and served his church and  youth.  He was often a "resident" of the Hardee's Restaurant on Silver Star Road in Pine Hills.

Thomas leaves cherish his memory 2 sons in Pennsylvania; his St. Andrew family and many other friends and relatives.

Margaret Mary Haddix

Margaret Mary Haddix, age 79, of Hilham, TN passed away Saturday, October 31st, 2015 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville,  Tennessee.  She was born in Woodford County Galway, Ireland,   on the daughter of the late Mary (Gildea)  and James  Conroy.  Margaret was employed as a machine operator for an irrigation company.

Margaret is predeceased by sibling Bridie (Francis) Cooley and  leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters Tish Hood of Ocoee; Terry (Jerry) Sheehan of Herkimer, NY;  Kim Haddix of Hilham, TN; two sons Gary Hood of Ocoee,  Jeff Haddix of Hilham, TN;   10 siblings, Sean, Michael, Francis (Mary) Conroy, Eileen (Dan) O'Sullivan, Chrissie (Brendan) Allen, Marie, Joe (Mary) Conroy, Mary (Tony) Starr, Gerard Conroy, Teresa (Pat) Burke; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving friends at Dobbs Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 5, 2015.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Orlando,  at 10:00 am on Friday, November 6th,  2015 with Father Leo Hodges officiating.   Interment will follow the Mass at Winter Garden Cemetery.

Post Funeral Reception Information:

The Hood's

2028 Hedgerow Circle ~ Ocoee Fl 34761

Muriel Oates Maxwell

Muriel Oates Maxwell, age 93 of Maitland, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2015.  Muriel was born in York County South Carolina and graduated from Winthrop College. She moved to Orlando in 1954 and received her masters from Stetson University. She became a teacher for Orange County and for a time taught FL history on educational television. She was very active in St. Luke's Episcopal Women's Guild,the Orlando Garden Club,and the Sorosis Women's Club of Orlando.

She is survived by her daughters   Noel Barnett (Bill) and Sande Maxwell (Norm)and her daughter-in-law Titian Austin (Bob), 5 grand children and 7 great grand children. Her son Fred Maxwell predeceased her.  She touched many lives and she will be missed.

A memorial service will be held 11 am on Thursday, November 12th at ST Luke's Cathedral, 130 N. Magnolia Ave in downtown Orlando.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make your donations to Sorosis Woman's Club of Orlando, St. Luke's Cathedral or Hospice of the Comforter.