Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services-Belleview

Cecelia L. Hanley age 93, passed away on December 11,2025 at her home in Summerfield, Florida with family in attendance. Cecelia was born in New London, Connecticut to Leroy & Christine Miner on October 26, 1932. She worked various jobs during her life, including being a much-loved childcare worker and other supporting roles for the family. She enjoyed many hobbies and interests such as Bingo, cards, needle crafts, Yahtzee, baking for others and most importantly, cruising whenever she could. But what really stands out is the common description of Cecelia that the was kind, giving, feisty, hardheaded but her love of her family was fierce and perpetual. Cecelia was the last...

Gerald Lewis Ray (Jerry), 86, of Ocklawaha, Florida, was called home by our Lord on December 2, 2025, passing peacefully at the Hospice House in Summerfield, Florida, with his family by his side. Born August 13, 1939, in Greenbelt, Maryland, Jerry proudly served in the United States Air Force (1957-1962). He married his beloved wife, Joni Ray, on January 30, 1972. Jerry was a hardworking entrepreneur involved in real estate and restaurant ownership, and he enjoyed spending time with his family and his dogs, personal projects, evening golf cart rides with his wife, and watching sunsets and wildlife from his favorite chair. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. Ray and Ruby L....

Major John Alfred Trudell II (retired), age 90, of Ocklawaha, Florida passed away at his home surrounded by family on August 16, 2025. He was born October 6, 1934 the son of the late John Alfred Trudell and Fern Agnes (Salgot) Trudell. John was a native of Jackson, Michigan before moving to Ocklawaha, Florida from Devil's Elbow, Missouri in 1994. John was married in 1956 to Theresa (Bauer) Trudell, his high school sweetheart. He joined the Army in 1955 and was commissioned an officer in 1960. He was a pilot in the military and had two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Korea before retiring in 1975. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is a life member of the...

Gordon Ronald Herman(Gordy), 79, of Lady Lake, Florida passed away at Cornerstone Hospice surrounded by his good friends Bev and Dave. He was born March 11, 1946, the son of the late Violet and Allen Sagerhorn. Gordon was born in Harvey, North Dakota and moved to West Chicago, IL in his grade school years. He graduated High School at West Chicago High School and went into the Airforce where he served in Vietnam. He was married to the late Teresa Herman, and then went on to marry his loving wife, Linda in 1995 and together the two shared many years of love and happiness. They lived in Aurora, Sandwich, and Leland IL before moving to The Villages in Lady Lake, Florida, so that he could live...

Harrell Peek Hames, known affectionately as "Peek," passed away on March 25, 2025, with his loving wife, Linda, by his side. He was born on June 13, 1940, to Winters B. and Eleanor Abshier Hames. Peek is survived by his devoted wife of 28 years, Linda Hames, his son Brian Reeves, his daughter, Cherie Hayes, and her husband, Steven. He also has two cherished grandchildren, Nathan Hayes who greeted him with open arms in Heaven and Kaylee Dale, and husband Ben, as well as three beloved great-grandchildren, Hayes, Greyson and Wrenley, and Mary Ann Mcintyre, his sister. With the exception of his time spent in the U.S. Army, Peek was a lifelong resident of Belleview. He graduated from Lake...

Mary Frances McKnabb, 84, of the Villages, Florida, passed away December 12, 2023 at Cornerstone Hospice. Mary was born in Limerick, Ireland, a daughter of the late Michael and Ellen Raleigh. Prior to her retirement, she was a nurse for over 33 years for the city of Chicago and The Villages Regional Hospital. Mary will be deeply missed by her children, Michael, Robert and Tara; sisters Nuela and Breda; brothers, Pascal and Cyril; grandchildren, Stephen, Caitlin, Colin and Maggie. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Kathleen; brothers, Aidan and Sean; and husband, Robert. Family will welcome friends on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral...

Robert Martin "Bob" Sibberson, 85, of Summerfield, Florida passed away December 2, 2023 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida. He was born on July 28, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio to Fred and Frieda Sibberson. Family and friends alike thought of Bob fondly as "A Good Man." He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. For over 40 years he worked as a skilled printer. Once he retired, he took up golf and horseshoes. Bob participated in competitive horseshoe tournaments in and around Summerfield, Florida. Bob is survived by his wife Bonnie; children Scott (Franci) Sibberson, Jeffrey (Jenn) Sibberson, Cynthia Heintschel, Lisa (Jeff) Meyers, and Carol (Gene)...

Beverly Anne Benjamin, 84, of Summerfield, Florida passed away unexpectedly on June 29, 2023, at her home in Stonecrest. She was the wife of the late Alfred R. Benjamin, Sr. They were married for 55 years until he passed away in 2018. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late Felix and Clara (Vadney) Barber. Beverly was an avid golfer, enjoyed trivia, and playing board games. She especially loved her dog and companion Peanut. Beverly was very active of St. Theresa's Catholic Church serving as Lector and working in the front office. Beverly was the beloved mother of Susan A. Hanrahan and her husband Joseph of Coventry, RI and Alfred R. Benjamin, Jr. and...

Daniel L. Shuster, 76, of Summerfield, Florida passed away June 6, 2023, at Ted & Diane Brandley House, Summerfield, Florida. He was the husband of Kathleen Shuster for over 52 years. Daniel born February 2nd, 1947 Saginaw, Michigan was the son of the late Lyle and Edith (Graham) Shuster. He grew up in Oakley Michigan and went to Chesaning Union High School graduating in 1965. He received his Bachelor of Sciences from Michigan Tech, his MBA from Western Michigan University and he was a Certified Public Accountant. Mr Shuster served in the US Army in Vietnam 1970 and was awarded the Bronze Star. He loved God, his family and country. Dan was a humble man with a sense of humor. He did...

Robert Jesus Pila, 79, of The Villages, Florida passed away June 5, 2023, at Prestige Manor, Belleview, Florida. He was the husband of Janice Pila for 33 and a half years. Robert was born in Havana, Cuba a son of the late Antonio and Hilda Pila. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army for 24 years and retired as a Master Sergeant. He then worked for the Federal Government in Logistics for 20 years. He and Janice moved to The Villages in June 2006. He enjoyed playing pickleball, golf, bowling, racquetball, dancing, traveling and swimming. He was happiest when helping others enjoy themselves and have a good time. He was truly the life of any party! He was a generous and loving son, husband, father...

John Peter Linn, 83, of Summerfield, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on April 1, 2023. He was the loving husband of Margo Peck Linn and they were married 24 years. John was born in Syracuse, New York the son of the late Floyd and Lena Lanning Linn. John attended Liverpool High School and graduated preparatory school at the Manlius Military Academy. He received a full football scholarship from the University of Virginia where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. After graduating John was employed by and later became co-owner of Norton Star Dental Company. He was interested in aviation, received his pilot's license and flew for pleasure for many years. Besides being an avid...

Elfriede W. McCaskill, departed this life on March 9, 2023. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, but later became a long standing resident of Petersburg, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hal McCaskill and a daughter, Linda Kuchavick Curchy. She is survived by daughters, Doris Kuchavick Avent, Caroline Kuchavick Reynolds (Ricky), Diana Kuchavick Glover (Brian), 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Helga Schmeisser of Germany as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was a long time member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. No memorial service will be held. Her remains will be scattered at...

Otto W. Souder, 97, of Summerfield, Florida passed away on March 4, 2023 at his home. Mr. Souder served in the United States Army in Italy during World War II and was a banker for 42 years. Otto was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Lake Weir. He was predeceased by his parents, Otto, Sr. and Olive Souder; daughter Lisa and wife Dolores (Dolly) Garvin of 60 years; and Leslie Tate, with whom he shared the love and companionship of marriage for several years. His son, Scott, brother, Richard and grandchildren survive him. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00am Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Lake Weir Campus of Hope Lutheran Church, 10495 SE Sunset Harbor Rd. Summerfield, FL 34491.Arrangements...

Wildwood, Fl. Alice Cheney Dufort, age 97, of Wildwood, Fl, and formerly of Bushnell, Fl, and Wells/Kennebunk Maine died on February 26, 2023, at the Hampton Manor Memory Care facility under the care of Hospice of Marion County. She was born in Kennebunk, Maine on April 11, 1925, the daughter of Josiah and Marion (Currier) Cheney. She married Roland Dufort on April 13, 1945, and they moved to Wells/North Berwick, Maine where they lived on Swamp John Road for over 50 years. During those years, she raised 8 children, worked as a chambermaid, ran her own greenhouse, made and sold Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and cuddly Teddy bears. Ever busy, she also planted a large garden every year,...

Richard "Dick" Fitzgerald Stegemeier, affectionately known as "Stegie", loving husband, Father and Papa, passed away at the age of 82, with his wife, Donna, by his side. He was born to Richard and Helen Stegemeier in Indianapolis IN. Richard attended Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, and graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. He began his career as a Stockbroker with Merrill Lynch and then had a long, successful career as an Investment Banker & Trust Manager. He enjoyed photography and traveling. He and Donna moved to The Villages, FL in 2005 from Indiana. He learned to enjoy golf and loved spending time...

It is with the deepest of sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Sheila Doolan Spencer age 72 on January 13th, 2023 at Brandley House in Summerfield, Florida after a long and most courageous fight against cancer. Her husband and daughter were by her side. Sheila was born on April 27, 1950 in New London, New Hampshire to Stanley and Valitia West Doolan. She attended Newport schools and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Claremont, New Hampshire in 1968. She attended nursing school at St. Joseph's Hospital in Nashua, New Hampshire. She subsequently met her future husband, Kevin Spencer, an aviation student. They were married in Newport, New Hampshire on July 25, 1970. The...

Max Camille Fayen, age 88, of Summerfield, FL passed away at the Brandley Hospice House on Saturday 10/29/2022. Condolences may be left at Hiers-Baxley.com

Robert L. McKnabb, 83, of The Villages, Florida passed away October 26, 2022, at his home in The Villages, Florida. He was the husband of Mary Frances McKnabb for 53 years. Robert was born in Chicago, Illinois, a son of the late Claude and Margaret McKnabb. Prior to his retirement he spent 33 years as a police officer for the city of Chicago. Robert and Mary moved from Chicago to Florida in 2000. He enjoyed playing golf and swimming. Robert will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary Frances McKnabb and daughter, Tara McKnabb of The Villages, FL and sons, Robert R. McKnabb of New Port Richey, FL and Michael McKnabb of the Villages, FL. He has 4 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by...

Charles Walter Hall, Jr., 83, of East Lake Weir, Florida passed away October 1, 2022, at The Villages Rehab and Nursing Center, Lady Lake, Florida. He was the husband of the late Helen Hall who passed away June 10, 2022. Charles was born in Hialeah, Florida, a son of the late Charles and Mary Hall. Brother of Lillian, Lorna and Flora and brother Joe. He was a member of the Ocklawaha United Methodist Church. Prior to his retirement he worked as a Systems Tech for Southern Bell Telephone. He loved fishing, making jewelry and painting. Love to BBQ and listing to Tapes. He is survived by; daughter, Terri Bramlett of Summerfield, FL and sons, Ronald Bishop of Dunnellon, FL, preceded...

Frederick Adam Leidner, 89, of Lady Lake, Florida passed away September 27, 2022, at The Villages Hospice House, The Villages, Florida. He was the husband of Charlotte Leidner who preceded him on October 3, 2021. Frederick was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, son of the late Frederick A. and Helen M. Leidner. He was a Korean War Veteran of the U.S. Navy and lifetime member of the Lady Lake American Legion. Fred served with the Honor Guard for many years. Prior to his retirement he was a pilot for Whirlpool Corporation. Frederick is survived by daughters, Barbara Bredensteiner and her husband Michael of Campbellsville, KY and Judith Ann Roberts of Milo, IA and a son, Frederick J and his...

Clarence Marvin "Bud" Barnes, born October 12, 1943, died September 5, 2022. He was the son of Joseph Noel Barnes and May Magdaline (Kelley) Barnes. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eula Lester Honson and a son, Jonathan Wayne Barnes. He is survived by his children Marvin, Michael, Cindy and Crystal Barnes; stepchildren Jim, Richard, Clayton and Leisa Davis and David and Connie Fishbaugh; and by his ex-wife, Linda Fowler. Bud is also survived by 12 grandchildren; several great grandchildren and adopted children. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society or to the Multiple Myeloma-American Cancer Society.