Joanne Hodges Groover

Joanne Hodges "Mama Jo" Groover passed away at the age of 88 on October 27th, 2019, in her adopted home of Orlando Florida, where she lived for the past 46 years.  She spent her final hours at the Cornerstone Hospice Center, surrounded by many family and friends, who came to pay their respects to a truly remarkable woman who impacted the lives of countless people.

Joanne Hodges was the ninth and last child born to Henry Clifton Hodges and Synthia Lou Weathers Hodges on October 13, 1931, in Ludowici, Long County, Georgia.  She married the love of her life, Ralph Hillis Groover, Jr. in 1952, and they spent the next 57 years together.   They were the epitome of the loving and dedicated military family.  While he served all over the globe for thirty-one years, she held down the home front, creating a world everywhere from  Georgia, to California, Virginia, Alaska, Maryland, Mississippi, and Louisiana, before they settled together at last in Florida.

Mama Jo was pre-deceased by her husband, whom she goes to join now for eternity, and her grandson Kellen Todd Gibney.  She is survived by four children who have been the focus of her life: Sherrie Gibney-Sherman (Ken), Sandra "Cindy" Groover (Charley), Major General Ralph Groover III (Lynn), and Lea Anne Groover (Alfredo): seven grandchildren: Alexandra Gibney (Will), Mollie Sherman (Austin), Armando "Trey" Hernandez (Laurie), Hailey Groover, MacKenzie Groover, Richard Day (Sheyanna), and Chris "CK" Day; five great-grandchildren: Kellin Waters, Louis Siegrist, George Siegrist, Asher Harris, and Grayson Day; and many more in her extended family.

Mamo Jo lived for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was at the center of holiday  meals and gatherings for decades.  She started a family tradition of holding an annual "Groover Beach Week" starting in 1993, a tradition lasting for over 25 years.

Services will beheld at the Dobbs Funeral Home, 430 North Kirkman Road, Orlando, Flolrida 32811 on Tuesday, October 29th, at 11 AM.

In Lieu of flowers, lease send donations to the cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida 32778.

Stephen Paul Westcomb

Stephen Paul Westcomb, age 67, of Kissimmee, Florida passed away Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 Advent Health Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, FL.   He was born in Muskegon, MI the son of the late Roberta Jean (Helman) and William Richard Westcomb.  Stephen served in the U.S. Navy and was a Vietnam War Veteran and employed as a manager for a supermarket.

Stephen is predeceased by his parents and son Jared Ryan Westcomb (1986,) brother Richard Westcomb (2015) and leaves to cherish his memory, wife Natividad (Ginete) Westcomb of Orlando; daughter Heidi Lanae Warnez (Daniel) of Orlando; son Matthew Stephen Westcomb (Christy) of Arvada, CO;  two sisters Marilyn Herlein of Manton, MI, Patricia Burch of Roxboro, NC;  four brothers, David Westcomb (Linda) of Racine, WI,  Michael Westcomb (Wendy) of Janesville, WI,  Wendell Westcomb (Debra) of Three Rivers, MI,  Kevin Westcomb of Munising, MI; grandchildren - Kennedy, Sarah and Finley Warnez of Orlando

The family will be receiving friends at  2:00 PM on Sunday, November 3rd, 2019,  followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM with military honors at First Baptist Church of Orlando in the Henry Chapel with Dr. David Uth, Pastor officiating. The church is located at 3000 South John Young Parkway, Orlando FL 32805.

Glenys Nicholas Haine

Glenys Nicholas Haine, age 89, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.  Her parents immigrated to America from a small coal mining village in Penrhiwceiber, South Wales. (1921)   They settled in the small town of Ellwood City  in Western Pennsylvania. It was there that Glenys was born on June 21, 1930 .  Glenys attended West End Elementary, Hartman Junior High and graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, in 1948.  She was a member of Calvin Presbyterian Church, and also a member of their church choir.  She always said one of her favorite memories, as a child, was coming home from school to find her mom baking bread and how the sweet aroma filled their home.  It was during her teen years she met and fell in love with Don Haine.  They married on August 5, 1949.  Their two children were born in Ellwood City.  Robert Sherman Haine and Bonnie Lynn Haine (Dobi). They both attended and graduated from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 

 In  1975 Glenys and husband, Don, moved to Danville, Kentucky where she worked in the Science Lab of Centre College, and enjoyed her time there for 20 years.  Their next move was to Orlando, Florida.  Glenys became part of the Disney Dream Team and was a Cast Member for 15 years at the Fantasmic Show of Hollywood Studios.  She loved that assignment as she worked with many college students and they showed their love for her by calling her “Grandma.”  She retired from Disney in January of 2019.  While in Orlando she was an active member of The First Baptist Church and the Pressing On In Grace Class.   After becoming homebound she was  able to “attend” morning service via the computer as she loved the choir, the orchestra, and the Bible teaching. Her last residence was at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Village in Kissimmee, Florida.  She  resided there for 22 years up to the time of her passing.

 She and husband, Don, just celebrated their 70^th Wedding Anniversary in August of this year surrounded by many friends and family.   Her immediate family includes two brothers, Simon Glyn Hughes,and  Harry Hughes III , both deceased and sister, Ruth Elizabeth Hughes Rinker, residing in Orlando, Florida with several nieces and nephews.

 Her children’s families include daughter, Bonnie Lynn Dobi and her husband, David.  This includes grandchildren, Joshua and spouse, Kerri,  John and spouse Becky,  Jillian and spouse Grant Sutphin and several great grandchildren.…also son, Robert Sherman Haine and wife Barbara. This includes four grandchildren,  Robbie  (deceased in 2004) and Bekah with spouse, Marc DeProspero, Nathan and spouse Beckie, Donald and spouse Sara,  Jeremy and spouse Diana, and several great grandchildren.

 The Memorial Service for Glenys will be at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida, in Henry Chapel on Friday, November 1 at 11:00 a.m.    A reception for family and friends will follow the service in Faith Hall provided by the Kids’ Ministry of the church. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to First Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra.

Patricia Ashley Elmer Appel

Patricia Ashley Elmer Appel passed away Monday, September 30, 2019 at the age of 100, one day short of her 101^st birthday.  Pat was born October 1, 1918 to Manuel (Pat) Conrad and June Ashley Elmer in Lawrence, KS.  She was predeceased by her sister Dr. Anne June Elmer Strong and brother Dr. Glaister Ashley Elmer.

        On August 9, 1941 Pat married Ralph Lach Appel; they were married over 61 years until Ralph passed away in 2002.  Pat had two much loved sons, Roy Elmer Appel (2014), grandchildren Marilee Appel and Richard Appel and great grandchildren Ryan Appel and Nicole Appel of Somerset, PA. and Robert Ashley Appel (2018), wife Kathleen Appel and granddaughter Ashley Appel of Winter Garden, FL. and niece Georgeanne Beck of Broomfield, CO.. 

At the age of eight Pat’s family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where she was a 1936 graduate of Edgewood High School.  In 1940 she graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in English, Advertising and Sociology.  In 1941 Pat received her M.B.A. in Retail Training at the University of Pittsburgh where her father was head of the Sociology Department. Pat was the associate editor of the year book, a member of Motor Board, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, president of the Student Women’s Government Association and received the Junior Spoon Award as outstanding Junior Woman in 1939 (most popular among her fellow-students). 

In 1941 Pat married Ralph Lach Appel and they had a wonderful marriage for 61 years until his death in 2002.  During World War II she worked at various jobs including managing a laundry, as civilian head of the officers pay section at Camp Reynolds, PA and ended the final years of WWII as administrative assistant at the Petroleum Industry War Council in Washington, DC where Ralph was stationed at the Pentagon.  After the war Pat and Ralph returned to the Pittsburgh area where she kept busy with volunteer work as a member of the American Red Cross, University of Pittsburgh Alumni Board, and the Board of Federation of Women’s Club.  While she lived in McMurray, PA, Pat helped organize and worked in the public library, and helped organize and set up the library at the New Pleasant Valley grade school where her sons attended school.  She was past president of the South Hills Woman’s Club; Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni Association; and a charter member of the McMurray PTA.  Pat was active in the McMurray Art League and in her 50s she began seriously pursuing her love of painting.  She painted until the age of 100, gifting many family members and friends with her beautiful work.  In 1970 Pat took 2^nd place at the Washington, PA County Fair with her entry of “Outer Banks” and contributed her painting of the 2011 Space Shuttle Launch to an exhibit at the Southwest branch of the Orange County Library System.

        Pat began volunteering at Cape Canaveral Hospital in 1982 where she served more than 100 hours over 25 years with the Cocoa Beach Hospital Auxiliary and was chosen as Star Volunteer – 2^nd Quarter 2007.  She served her Cocoa Beach community as a member of the Shilah Temple No. 151; Daughters of the Nile, Melbourne, FL; Cocoa Beach Seaside Lioness Club, was a member of the Azan Yacht Club, the Cocoa Beach Garden Club, the Brevard Symphony Central Guild and volunteered at the Cocoa Beach Library.  Pat was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, most recently as a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach where she was a member of the Hannah Circle and Riverside Presbyterian Choir.

Pat’s dedication to her community ranged from planting trees to saving newly born Sea Turtles.  She was a caretaker of family; taking her father when he was in his 90s to an Elmer family reunion in Wisconsin; caring for her mother-in-law for over 10 years and caring for her family well into her 90s. Pat loved flowers and graced her home with a beautiful flower garden.  She was a voracious reader, reading several books a week and took great joy when the neighborhood children would visit to paint with “Miss Pat”. 

A memorial service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church, Cocoa Beach, on November 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Pat will be greatly missed by family and friends. May she rest in peace.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the Riverside Presbyterian Church’s missions.

Guillermo "Moy" Sison

Guillermo "Moy" Sison, 81, of Orlando Florida passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019. He was born on February 10, 1938 in the Abra, Philippines.

He is survived by his wife, Luisa Sison, 6 children: Roxanne, Rainy, Spring, Winnee, Summer and Cloudy, 12 grandchildren: Yeng-Yeng, Kaye-Kaye, Ian, Anne-Anne, Tin-Tin, Rochelle, Rainy, Francis, Anna, Vixen, Yzhelle and Elijah, 8 great grandchildren, 4 sisters: Thelma, Editha, Delia and Milagros, along with in-laws, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. Felix and Francesca Sison, and brother Thomas Sison.

Moy finished his Bachelor's degree in Education and worked as a teacher in his early professional years, moved on to work as a local government officer while owning and operating a small convenience store. When he migrated to the United States in 1995, he worked as a sales clerk at 7 Eleven until he retired. He was well accepted and loved by the people he worked with.

Tatang, as his family fondly calls him, was a great husband, father and grandfather. He is very patient, generous, very loving and hardworking.

His hobbies include gardening, fishing, building things, watching wrestling and Jeopardy, and taking care of his pets (dogs, cats and fish). He is also a musician, he can play the guitar, ukulele and violin.

He will continue to be remembered and loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 until 9:00 pm with a wake service at 7:30 pm on Thursday,  October 24, 2019 at Dobbs Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 25, 2019 at St. John Vianney Church.

Joseph Ciceron

Joseph Ciceron, age 78, of Orlando, passed away Sunday, September 29th, 2019 at Advent Health Orlando.   He was born in Laaperriere, Haiti,  the son of the late Susanna (Saintil)  and Sylvenor  Ciceron and was employed as a farmer.

Joseph leaves to cherish his memory, wife St Therese  (Ade'ka) Ciceron of Orlando; son Jonel Cicerone; grandchildren, Davidson Ciceron, Joslet Henry, Woudlet Henry, John Elbenson Ciceron, Josue Henry, Mama Ciceron, Ariel Ciceron, Sidney Ciceron, Wilet Henry.

The family will be receiving friends on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the First Haitian Church of Nazareth, located at 220 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 at the First Haitian Church of Nazareth with Pastor Marc Adophe officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Winter Garden Cemetery.

Bonnie Irene Yeaton

Bonnie Irene Yeaton, age 86, of Orlando, FL, passed away Monday, October 14^th, 2019.   She was the daughter of the late Emma and Rhoden Davis and the wife of the late Howard Yeaton, Sr.

She was born in 1932 in Fairbanks, Alaska and later moved with her family to Jacksonville, Florida where she met and married her husband Howard whom she was married to for 45 years.  She and her family moved to Orlando in 1972.  She was a lifelong Catholic and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando.  She retired from Lockheed Martin in 1993 and later worked part time in the Nursery at St Lukes Methodist Church, in Orlando.

Bonnie leaves behind her four children; Howard Yeaton, Jr and his wife Kathy Yeaton of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ,  Susan McDonald and her husband Clement McDonald of Oviedo, William (Bill) Yeaton  of Charlotte, NC and  James (Jim) Yeaton and his wife Sherri Yeaton  of Orlando.  She also leaves five grandchildren Mathew Yeaton of New York, Hunter Yeaton of North Carolina, Jeremy Yeaton, currently living in France, Taylor Yeaton of North Carolina and Jennifer Yeaton of New York.

Bonnie will always be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, Mother, Grandmother and Aunt. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched.

 The viewing for Bonnie Yeaton will be Thursday, October 17^th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Dobbs Funeral Home located at 430 N. Kirkman Road, Orlando, Florida 32811. Bonnie’s Celebration of Life service will be held at the same location at 2:00 on Friday, October 18^th, 2019.

Dawn Carolyn Pfaender

Dawn Carolyn Pfaender passed away September 29^th, 2019.  She was 67 years old.  Born in St. Augustine on August 17^th, 1952, she and her family later moved to Winter Park.  She graduated from Winter Park High School in 1970 (where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Bob) and moved to Atlanta to attend the Fashion Institute of America.  The school folded after she was there a year and she returned to Winter Park. 

She married Bob Pfaender on December 29^th, 1972.  They had been married for 46 ½ years.   She and Bob decided to follow an opportunity in New Jersey in 1973 and lived there until 1979.  She found a job as a legal secretary for two elderly attorneys doing estate work in Montclair, NJ.   In late 1979 she, Bob and their newborn baby Jaime, moved to southern California for Bob’s work.  She worked hard as a stay at home Mom and in 1982 Lindsey was born.   In late 1984 the family had an opportunity to return to Florida and did so in Tampa, FL.  There in 1986 Christine was born.  Now with her hands full as a Mom, the family relocated to St. Cloud, FL to be close to her parents who lived there.  They remained there for 20+ years as the children attended elementary, middle, and high school and made friends for life.   Dawn decided to go back to work and earned a position as executive secretary to the director of Public Works and Engineering at the City of Kissimmee.  She excelled in that job for 10 + years.   Following that experience, Dawn secured a position as the admin at the Osceola county government complex for the Auditor’s department where she worked for several years before retiring in 2008.  During that time the family moved to Lake Mary, FL where they presently reside.  Her volunteer experience during those years included founding the St. Cloud Youth Football Cheerleaders organization that had not previously existed for girls in St. Cloud prior to her doing so.  She also founded the Osceola chapter of the IAAP organization (International Assoc of Administrative Professionals) and was the President of that organization for several years.  Today her hard work is still present in both of these organizations.

Dawn's total passion and focus was her family, her children and grandchildren.  She is survived by her husband Bob 67 of Lake Mary - daughter Jaime Lawrence, 40 and her husband Matt Lawrence also 40 of Lake Mary - daughter Lindsey Tomaszewski 36, her husband Matt Tomaszewski, 41 of Windermere - daughter Christine Hamilton 32 , her husband Drew Hamilton 35 of Lake Mary - grandchildren Katie Lawrence, 10 - Carter Lawrence, 6 - Jack Hamilton 16 months - Gavin Tomaszewski 12 months.  Dawn will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held on October 19, 2019 at 2pm at the Church of Ascension 4950 S. Apopka Vineland Road Orlando, Florida 32819.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers  donations can be made in Dawn's name to the following link.   https://secure.lcfamerica.org/dawnpfaender

Beverly Joan Mroczka

Beverly Joan Mroczka, age 89, of Oakland, FL passed away Tuesday, September 24th, at Advent Health Hospice Care in Orlando.  She was born in Greensboro, NC the daughter of the late Alta (McNally) and Hilbert  Helman and was employed as a legal librarian for the US Government.

Beverly leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Karen Russo of Oakland, FL; Ann Waite, of Altamonte Springs, FL; son,Robert Mroczka of Casselberry, FL.; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 3, 2019 a Dobbs Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Orlando, FL  with  Fr. Kerber officiating followed by interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Gotha.

Shawnta Ladon Barnett

Shawnta Ladon Barnett was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, the son of Earl Barnett Sr. and his late mother Arlene Moore Barnett on April 20, 1977. He unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Shawn was not only the baby brother to his brother Earl Barnett Jr. and his three sisters Bonita Grant, Arvis Grier and the late Sharon Moore Pillot. He was also the loving husband and soulmate of Amanda Barnett and a wonderful father to his only daughter Yesenia Barnett.

Shawn was such a romantic that he joined hands in marriage with his loving wife on Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2007. Even though Shawn’s life was too short to many, but those who were touch by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. He was a very protective father who always encouraged his daughter to be independent, and to pursue a future career doing something that would make her happy.  

While at Dr. Phillips High School he realized his passion for video games and Asian inspired themes. So, when he graduated high school in 1995, he attended Valencia College where he majored in Computer Science to pursue his dreams. Throughout his life, he has worked in several positions in the Amusement and Entertainment Industries.  When speaking with Shawn, he would tell you his favorite position was when he worked with a well-known video game company as an attendant but was quickly promoted to a supervisor.

Shawn lived and breathed spending time with his family and playing video games since he was a little boy and played on his first Atari 2600 console. His memory and legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of the loved ones he left behind.

Shawn will always be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, brother, caring uncle, thoughtful great uncle, cousin, best friend, friend, father figure, and inspiration to many. He will be greatly missed by all.

Shawn’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Dobbs Funeral Home located at 430 N. Kirkman Road, Orlando, Florida 32811. The viewing will be held at 2:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm.

Emory Jerome "Jerry" Hammonds

Emory Jerome “Jerry” Hammonds, 86, died Monday, September 30, 2019 at home in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Barbara Pair Hammonds, son Mark Hammonds and Shawn Sharbaugh, daughter Melinda (Mindy) Hammonds and Mike Conlon. He is also survived by sisters Martha Hammonds Bates and Risa Hammonds Fielder and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He is predeceased by parents Emory Howard Hammonds and Geraldine Richardson Hammonds, and brother Dr. Richard Lee Hammonds Sr.

Born in Rockdale County, Georgia, he lived many years in Austell, Georgia, before moving to Central Florida in 1981.

He graduated from Georgia State University.  He enjoyed a forty-year career in the aerospace industry with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida.

He was a deacon and served faithfully in the children’s ministry as well as many other ministries throughout his years at Austell First Baptist Church and First Baptist Orlando.

He was an avid golfer and reader. He loved to watch his Georgia Bulldogs and the Orlando Magic.

There will be a celebration of life service in the Henry Chapel at First Baptist Orlando on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow in Faith Hall. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations in his memory to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Orlando.

First Baptist Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 425-2555

Robert Martin Duncan

United States Air Force Tech Sergeant, Robert Martin Duncan, age 88, of Orlando, passed away Friday, September 27th, 2019, at the VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, FL. He was born in Kansas City, MO the son of the late Emma Shafer and Leslie  Duncan. He served and retired from the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force and was employed  as a Federal Protective Officer after his tour of duty in Vietnam.

Robert is predeceased by his son Scott Dunan (2011) and leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Jennifer Temming-Metz and husband Eric Metz of Coco Beach, FL.; Rachel Supan and husband William Supan of Pleasanton, CA; sister, Mary Jo Mixon of Floral City, FL.; 6 grandchildren, Emily Chu of San Francisco, Sam Henry Temming of Woodland, CA, Austin Chu, Mitchell Supan, Noah Supan all of Pleasanton, CA, Robert Duncan of Texas and 1 great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019, at the Lake Nona VA Community Living Center in Orlando, FL. Interment will be at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a later date.