Florida Elks- Sickness & Distress
"An Elk is Never Forgotten, Never Forsaken"

Joe RogersWe regret to inform you of the passing of PDD Joe Rogers of Sanford Lodge #1241. Arrangements will be forthcoming.

Joe Rogers was always a bigger than life presence at Elks events. Joe never met a stranger. If you knew Joe, you became his friend forever. Joe’s resume of Elks accomplishments is legendary and the things he held most dear were probably the State Softball Tournament that he and Phil Watercutter co-chaired for years and serving as President of the Florida Elks Youth Camp in its formative years.

Joe will be dearly missed!


Sharon HammerslaWe regret to inform you of the passing of PDD Sharon Hammersla. Sharon passed away peacefully on February 26th surrounded by her family. Sharon had been fighting MDS for the past six months. Sharon was a member of Brandon Lodge #2383 and served her lodge and district in many different positions. She served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Southwest Central District in 2021/22. She served as the SWC District Director on the Florida Elks Youth Camp Board of Directors in 2022/23 and left the board in 2023/24.

At the time of her passing she was the SWC District Auditor and she was the lodge chair of the ENF Grants Committee. Sharon’s husband Donald passed on July 17, 2022.

An Elks Memorial Service will be held at the Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Dr., Brandon, FL at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday March 30th.

Sharon was a true friend to everyone she met. She will be missed!


William Billy ShalliesIt is my sad duty to report the passing of William (Billy) Shallies, PER of Sebastian Lodge #2714. He was a beloved member and true friend to many of us. As one of his teammates for several years it was very apparent that he always had the Lodge’s best interest at heart. As I moved up, he was always there with an ear to listen to my questions and concerns. He was a true friend to me even though I loved reminding him of the last team to defeat his beloved New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Rest in Peace my friend, you will surely be missed by us all.

         Daniel Talbott – Exalted Ruler Sebastian Elks Lodge #2714


Linda EppesWe regret to inform you of the passing of Florida Ladies of Elks member Linda Eppes, wife of PDD Keith Eppes. Keith is the NE District Director for FL Elks Children’s Therapy Services and the Lodge Advisor for Orange Park Lodge.

Linda Bryan Eppes, 79, of Orange Park, FL passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born in Narrows, Virginia to parents Landon and Katherine Booth. Linda moved to Florida over 50 years ago and enjoyed all that the state had to offer. She enjoyed going on cruises, entertaining friends and family, doing puzzles and playing card games. She was a member of many community organizations such as Florida Ladies of Elks, she was a lifetime member of the Auxiliary VFW 7909, she was past president of the HOA in Jacksonville and a member of First Baptist Church of Middleburg.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Landon Booth and Katherin Williams Booth and her brother, Joel Booth.

She is survived by her husband Keith Eppes; sons, Michael Walker (Laurel) and Thomas Eppes; brothers Phillip Booth (Pam) and Wayne Booth (Vassi); sister-in-law, Connie Booth; grandchildren, Rachael Mancheno, Tony Wynn, Tyler Eppes and Haylie Eppes and great grandchild, Rose Mancheno.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 11:00AM in the Russell Haven of Rest Chapel located at:

2335 Sandridge Road
Green Cove Springs, FL  32043

Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to services at 10:00 am. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of memorial contributions to Florida Elks Charities.

Click HERE to Make A Memorial Donation

Select your gift and then check the box to Dedicate Your Donation. Select in Memory of and type Linda Eppes in the tribute name.

Checks payable to Florida Elks Charities in memory of Linda & mailed to:

Florida Elks Charities
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049

Donations may also be made to your favorite charity in Linda’s memory!

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center

2335 Sandridge Road
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Condolences may be shared at:

http://www.rhrfh.com/linda-bryan-eppes/

Keith Eppes
558 Lyman Hall Place
Orange Park, FL  32073

Fke558@yahoo.com


It is with a heavy heart that Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 announces the passing of Elk brother Mark Pierro. Mark, a nine-year member of our lodge, left this world for a better place on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

A service for Mark will take place Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at Clymer Funeral Home, located at 39 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast, FL beginning at 4 p.m.

The lodge officer team will perform their funeral service ritual at 6 p.m. followed by a gathering at the lodge at 7 p.m.