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Obituaries 6/7/18


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Hugh ‘Andy’ Anderson
Hugh “Andy” Anderson, 81, of Middleburg, passed away May 28, 2018.  Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center 904-284-7720

Earl Junior Hamilton
Earl Junior Hamilton, 70, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away May 30, 2018 Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Robert Earl Harmon
Robert Earl Harmon, 81, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away May 30, 2018
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Charles M. McGhee
Charles M. McGhee, 89 of Hibernia, FL passed away May 30, 2018 Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center 2335 Sandridge Road Green Cove Springs, FL 
32043 904-284-7720 www.RHRFH.com

Brandon Thigpen
Brandon Thigpen, 37, of Middleburg, FL, passed away May 31, 2018
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Robert William Fehr
Robert William Fehr, 87, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away May 30, 2018.
Broadus-Raines Funeral Home 501 Spring Street Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000 (904) 284-1888 Fax www.broadusraines.com

Michael Alan Bates
Michael Alan Bates, 48, of Orange Park, FL, passed away May 30, 2018
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

Roger L. Redenius
Roger L. Redenius, 69, of Orange Park, FL, passed away May 31, 2018
Broadus Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000

William ‘Bill’ Knowles
William “Bill” Knowles, 72, of Green Cove Springs, Florida passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 in Orange Park, Florida. He was born to Buck and Frances Knowles on February 22, 1946 in Green Cove Springs and graduated from Clay High School in 1964. Bill graduated from St. Johns River Junior College in Palatka, Florida; Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, where he received a Master’s degree in education. Bill dedicated 38 years of his life working for Duval County Public Schools and the Clay County School District, where he was principal at Lakeside Middle School and Assistant Principal at S. Bryan Jennings Elementary and Charles E. Bennett Elementary. Bill retired as Vice Principal from Clay High School in 2007. Bill was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and enjoyed many hunting trips with his brother-in-law and hunting partner, Fate Moody. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling the United States with his wife, Frances. Bill will be remembered for his infectious smile and being a loving husband, father, and educator who touched the lives of countless individuals.
Preceded in death by his father and mother, Buck and Frances B. Knowles; sisters, Betty Hoffman and Charlotte Lane; nephew, Stephen Hoffman; and niece, Karen Myers.
Bill is survived by his wife of 31 years, Frances M. Knowles of Green Cove Springs; son, Chad Williams (Cheree) of Green Cove Springs; daughters, Shana Jundt (Mike) of Green Cove Springs and Luetta Graham (Charley) of Neptune Beach; brother, Harold Knowles (Jewel), his childhood friend, Larry Smith (Bonnie); grandchildren, Justin, Taylor, Austin, Harlie, and Willa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. The Funeral service will follow at 11a.m. with the Reverend Jim Snell officiating. The interment will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Haven Hospice, 745 Blanding Boulevard, Orange Park, Florida, in memory of Bill Knowles.


Wernert Frederick ‘Bud’ Witte

Wernert Frederick “Bud” Witte, 97, passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, May 26, 2018 in Orange Park, Florida. He graduated from Tri-State Engineering College at Angola, Indiana in 1941 with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. During World War II, he served three years in the military in B-29’s as a Captain. He received his commission in the Army Air Corps in September 1943 at Yale University. He married his high school sweetheart, Henrietta Evelyn Mientkiewicz, that same year. In November 1948, he accepted God’s claims on his life and headed to Bob Jones University where in August 1950, he received a B.A. Degree in English Bible. He then founded Toledo Youth for Christ and directed it for the next 12 years. He taught a large adult Bible study class for the next 25 years while operating his own manufacturing business from which he retired in 1990. His soul mate passed that same year. He moved to Florida in 1991. He was an active member of Fellowship Bible Church in Middleburg, Florida. He loved to watch and play sports and at the age of 83 he began his writing career. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and both brothers. He is survived by a son, Larry D. Witte (Wanda); a daughter, Connie M. Bryan (Jon); seven grandchildren: Mark (Stephanie), Erica (Scott), Johanna (Jerry), Hilary (Randy), Hannah, Jonathan (Allie), and Rebecca (John); fifiteen great-grandchildren: Emma, Benjamin, Alexa, Isabelle, Abigail, Noah, Jackson, Sarah, Lara, Jack, Cooper, Libby, Wesley, Samuel and soon-to-be-born baby girl Bryan.
A memorial service and military honors are scheduled for June 16, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church on 2827 CR220 Middleburg, FL 32068 with Pastor Gary Shilling officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Fellowship Bible Church. 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


Dorothy Hill “Dot” Bradley
Dorothy Hill “Dot” Bradley, 73, of Birmingham, Alabama and Orange Park, Florida passed away on May 29, 2018 in Orange Park. Dot grew up in Keystone Heights, Florida and graduated from Clay High School in 1962. She received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (“UAB”). Dot was employed at the UAB Cancer Center Biostatistics Unit before starting a successful consulting and
litigation support business with her husband Brad. She was an excellent cook and baker and enjoyed sewing, needlepoint and crocheting.
Dot was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother “Granna”, sister and aunt. She is survived by her childhood sweetheart and husband, Edwin L. “Brad” Bradley, Jr.; three children, Edwin L. “Trey” Bradley, III (Sheila), Dana Bradley Thomas (Michael), and Douglas M. Bradley; eight grandchildren, Meghan, Shannon, Bradley, Miranda, Eliana, twins Zev and Jessa, and Davica; brother, Dalton Lamar Hill (Joy). Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Gladys Bowles and Dalton Jackson Hill, and daughter-in-law Dorann Bunkin.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel. The visitation will begin at 10 am. The interment will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery immediately following the service. Pallbearers will be brothers-in-law Robert “Bob” Bradley and Levis DeWeese; son-in-law Mike Thomas; nephew Michael Hill; sons Trey and Doug; and grandson Bradley Thomas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to: Lustgarten Foundation where 100 % of donations will go to fund Pancreatic Cancer Research ( www.lustgarten.org ), or Haven Hospice of Orange Park (www.beyourhaven.org). Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000.

Thomas Alfred Prior
A joyful, positive soul has departed our realm on June 1, 2018. Born October 4, 1946 to Donald and Kathryn Prior in Fanwood, New Jersey, Tom joined three sisters who survive (though we are not sure how, knowing Tom’s hijinks): Patricia Becker (Richard), Audrey Mike Parker and Peggy Davis (Ron). Left to mourn his passing to celebrate his wit, his charm, his outrageousness, his fun, and his loving hilarity after 19 years of marriage - his wife Carole and his blended family: sons Chris, Noah Prior (Alina) and Bethany Barnes; Carole’s children Julee Cooke, Kerri Teisan (Greg), Dawn Powers (Alan) and Ryan Hughes; Grandchildren Megan, Matthew and Jameson Prior; Lauren Powers Arias (Curtis), Kyle Powers (Suzanne), Kaitlin Powers, Emilie Derbins, and Alexandra and Airman Basic Grayson Teisan, USAF; plus beloved nieces and nephews.
Tom lived his life to the fullest extent of the mind. Leaving behind his cherished library containing books read, meant to read, haven’t read yet, re-read or not ever gonna read, detail his love of history. His “little black book” that contained punch lines to over 100 jokes, demonstrated his quick wit, effervescent attitude, and always positive vibe. It will be bronzed for posterity.
Inheriting a love of music from his father, he reached for creative inspiration from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. He was happiest while reading his stacks of newspapers with his dog Bosco de Gama by his side. His BMW convertible, ruby red Jeep and the “Man Cave Annex” also weep from loneliness in his absence. Thomas graduated from Scotch Plains High School in Fanwood, New Jersey and Alma College in Alma, Michigan with a BA in English Literature and Spanish. Enlistment in the United States Navy saw Tom attend Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, Florida, followed by assignment at Naval Support Activity Center - Orlando. Believing he had “died and gone to heaven” after arriving in Florida, he moved to Jacksonville, to ‘”linger under palm trees, walk the beach and soak in the warmth of the sun”.
Revealing adventurous stories of fatherhood with Chris, Noah and Bethany demonstrated his pride in each child. “Let the Games Begin” was his bugle cry after joining Carole’s family and planning large joint gatherings became his forte.
He joined American General Insurance where he was named to the prestigious “Million Dollar Round Table”. Students still refer to him as “Wild Man Prior” for his substitute teaching work in the St. Johns County School System. His mantra: “work before play” or “play before work” but the work gets done. Tom firmly believed in the philosophy of Robert Fulgrum who stated:
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”
A Life Celebratory is planned for June 30 at Vilano Pavilion. 7:00 pm. Participants are asked to write one memory of Tom, then join the family as they gather near the ocean to honor Tom’s wishes.

Judith Elaine Minorics
Judith Elaine Minorics passed away on May 25, 2018 at 2:22pm with her loving family and friends by her side. Judy you will truly be missed by your husband John Minorics, daughter Lisa Griffin, son Chris Minorics, sisters Michelle Reber and Shirley Klotz, as well as the rest of her friends and family she has made throughout her years. Judith’s memorial service will be held on Saturday June 9, 2018 at 4pm at her sons home.

David Ford

David Ford, 68, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away on May 24, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Ford; brothers, Charles Ford, Gary Ford and extended family. David retired from the Oklahoma City Police Department before moving to Florida where he and his wife lived and cruised on their sailboat for 15 years. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.