Obituaries

Alexander Randall Doolhoff

Alexander Randall Doolhoff

Mar 23, 2025

Alexander Randall Doolhoff, 16, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 16, 2008. He was adopted into a loving family in 2012 and moved to Florida in 2016, where he continued to fill the world around him with joy, curiosity, and kindness.

Alexander is survived by his loving family, including his parents, siblings, and numerous extended family members, both...

Hector Jimenez Benitez

Hector Jimenez Benitez

Mar 16, 2025

Hector Jimenez, 82, passed away on March 16, 2025, at Halifax Hospital. Born on December 18, 1942, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, he was the beloved son of Modesto Jimenez and Julia Benitez.

Hector spent his early years in Puerto Rico alongside his three brothers, Jose Jimenez, Faustino Jimenez, and Efrain Jimenez, and his four sisters, Juanita Jimenez, Maria Luisa Jimenez,...

Paul E Dykstra Jr.

Paul E Dykstra Jr.

Mar 15, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Edwin Dykstra, Junior, who passed away on March 15, 2025, at Advent Health Hospice in Orange City, FL. He was 80 years old.

Paul was born on March 11, 1945, in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late Paul E. Dykstra, Sr, and Verona Brothers Dykstra. He grew up on the...

Jeanette M Sekula

Jeanette M Sekula

Mar 14, 2025

Jeanette Mary Sekula, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Halifax Health Hospice in Orange City, Florida.

Born on August 4, 1950, in Manhattan, New York, Jeanette was the youngest of three children. She graduated from York College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in mathematics. Throughout her career, she...

Thomas William Autorino

Thomas William Autorino

Mar 14, 2025

Thomas William Autorino, 57, passed away in Milwaukee, WI, after a sudden illness. He was born and raised in Deltona, Florida, where he built a life surrounded by family, friends, and a love for good conversation.

Tom proudly served 23 years in the United States Air Force as an air traffic controller and airfield manager. His service took him all over...

Connie Dee Richards

Connie Dee Richards

Mar 12, 2025

Constance Ford Richards, 86 years old, known as Connie, Mom, Granny and Gi, went home to be with her Lord and Savior. She was the daughter of the late Tom W. Ford and Winona Blocker Ford. Connie was born in Glasgow, Kentucky but had lived in DeLand since she was three months old.

Connie was married for 66 years to the...

Jillian Elaine Griffith

Jillian Elaine Griffith

Mar 10, 2025

With profound sadness, we announce the sudden and untimely passing of Jillian Elaine Griffith, 42, on March 10, 2025. Born on October 15, 1982 in Fort Myers, Florida, to Debra Ann Griffith and John David Griffith, Jill was a bright, inquisitive individual whose love of science and the natural world was evident from an early age. As a child, she...

Philip Ray Dever

Philip Ray Dever

Mar 8, 2025

Lieutenant Colonel Philip Ray Dever, United States Air Force (retired), age 80, of Deland, Florida, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 8, 2025.

Phil was born on May 2, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Eugene and Charlene Dever. A proud and distinguished veteran, Lt. Col. Dever served honorably in the United States Air Force, earning numerous accolades...

Walter Brett Floyd

Walter Brett Floyd

Mar 4, 2025

Walter Brett Floyd, 49, of Daytona Beach went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 4, 2025. Brett was born in Charlotte, NC on April 28, 1975.

 The beloved son of Trish Cobble Richardson and David Richardson, Brett was raised in both the Carolinas before relocating to Florida to be closer to his parents. Brett was known for his...

Melisa Jo Mills

Melisa Jo Mills

Mar 4, 2025

Melisa Jo Mills of DeLand, Florida passed away on March 4, 2025 at 52. She was born on December 15, 1972 in DeLand, Florida to Larry and Donna Mills.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand, Florida. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM.

Richard "Salvatore" Maru

Richard "Salvatore" Maru

Feb 28, 2025

Richard “Salvatore” Maru, 78, of DeLand, FL, passed away on February 28, 2025. Born on August 3, 1946, in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of Carl and Theresa Maru.

A passionate entrepreneur and chef, Richard dedicated his life to the culinary arts and food distribution. In 1969, he founded Nature’s Nest Macrobiotic Restaurant in Brooklyn, where he introduced health-conscious dining...

Mary Frida Olson Hagerstrand

Mary Frida Olson Hagerstrand

Feb 27, 2025

Mary Frida Olson Hagerstrand passed away 2/27/25 peacefully at her home in DeLand, Florida.Born 10/15/34 in Worcester, Massachusetts youngest daughter of three. Mary was 90 years old.Mary was raised in a Catholic family and had strong beliefs and that she would ultimately rest with the Lord in heaven.Mary was very proud to have served her country in the Marine Corps...

Richard Foster Dedcovich

Richard Foster Dedcovich

Feb 26, 2025

Richard Foster Dedcovich of DeLand, Florida passed away on February 26, 2025 at the age of 81. He was born in Staten Island, New York on September 19, 1943 to Ralph and Mildred Dedcovich. He is survived by his wife Eileen and family.

A Visitation Gathering will take place on Friday March 14, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM followed...

James "Jim" Bergman

James "Jim" Bergman

Feb 25, 2025

James “Jim” Bergman, 94, passed away on February 25, 2025. He was born in Manistique Michigan on December 25 1930 to Clifford and Bernice (Gunnarson) Bergman. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Joy, the love of his life for 48 years. His children by a previous marriage, Steven Bergman and Deborah (Bergman) Armstrong along with a brother Gerald Bergman preceded him...

Ann L. "Boots" Gerard

Ann L. "Boots" Gerard

Feb 24, 2025

Ann Lois Leeson "Boots" Gerard February 24, 2025 – DeLand, FL

Ann Lois Leeson "Boots" Gerard, age 100, of DeLand, FL, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025. Ann lived a full and rich life, dedicated to her family, faith, and community. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose warmth and generosity touched all who knew her.

Ann cherished...

Leia Brooke Vondrick

Leia Brooke Vondrick

Feb 19, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Leia Brooke Vondrick, who passed away on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital at the age of 6. Leia was born on October 15th, 2018, in Daytona Beach, FL, to her loving parents, Jason and Laura Vondrick.

Leia's life was marked by her incredible strength and...

Joanne H Evans

Joanne H Evans

Feb 19, 2025

Joanne H. Evans of DeLand, FL passed away on February 19, 2025 at the age of 86. She was born on January 30, 1939 in Hoosick Falls, NY to Frederick and Alchee Horton.

A funeral service will take place on Tuesday February 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Glenwood Presbyterian Church in DeLand, FL. A burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

Robert McElroy Grier

Robert McElroy Grier

Feb 17, 2025

Robert McElroy Grier, 77, of DeLand, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2025. Known to all as "Mac," he was born in Monmouth, Illinois, to Robert and Shirley Grier.

Mac dedicated his life to service—both to his country and his community. He proudly served in the United States Navy before embarking on a long and distinguished career with the Volusia...

John Wallace Pugh

John Wallace Pugh

Feb 17, 2025

John Wallace Pugh was born was born June 18, 1938 in the Kennington district of London, UK, the son of John "Digger" Pugh and Sheila Smale Pugh.

John's skill, professionalism and exceptional achievements in the circus world have gained national and international recognition.

There is a John W. Pugh Ring of the Circus Model Builder's Association, and a John W. Pugh Tent...

Margaret H. "Peggy" Kazmierczak

Margaret H. "Peggy" Kazmierczak

Feb 16, 2025

Margaret H. Kazmierczak, “Peggy” peacefully passed away from this life on February 16, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born in DeLand, FL on March 22, 1927, and remained in DeLand her whole life.

She graduated from DeLand High School in 1945. In October of 2023, she was honored as the oldest living graduate during DHS Homecoming Week.

She started her...

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