October

Tampa Lodge #708 Member Lt. Col. Charles "Ben" Venable passed unexpectantly on 10/22/2018. He served his country honorably for 29 years in the Air Force, and then re­turned to government service as a civilian for an additional 10 years.

He is survived by his wife, Candy Venable, his children: Daughter Brook Smith and her husband Kevin, son Matthew Venable and his wife Jessica, grandchildren Berkley, Dixie, Lily and Hubert, brother Bernard Venable and good friend and former wife, Kathy Venable.

He is preceded in death by both parents, his brother Vernon Venable, and his son Charles Lucas "Luke" Venable

There will be a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Bayshore Presbyterian Church, 2515 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa Fl 33629.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christian Appalachian Project: http://www.christianapp.org

August-September

PDD Glen Dennis Rust, 86, passed away 8/10/2018. Resided in Miami since 1942. Attended St Peter & Paul. Enlisted in Unioed States Air Force for 3 years. Graduated from University of Miami with degree in engineering. Worked for Poole & Kent Mechanical Contractors as a Project Manager. After retriring, he returned for two more terms. He was PEDGER and State Chaplain for MIami Elks Lodge #948 and worked 3 years as secretary lifetime member. Survived by his loving wife, Mary.

July

PDDGER Ed Jackson fell off a ladder at his North Carolina home and shattered both heels.  He is undergoing surgery and will be incapacitated for a long time.

The hospital information is:

June

It is our sad duty to report the passing of PER Carl Williamson this morning, June 7th, 2018.  He passed away at his home. His family has asked for a Memorial Service with his fellow Elks on June 16th at 1pm at Tampa Lodge# 708. Carl had requested Paul and Tracy H to participate in the Elks Portion of the Service.

April-May

February-March

January

It is our sad duty to report the passing of PDD Ronald Sorrentino on Jan. 31, 2018.  There will be an Elks service at the Sarasota National Cemetery on Thursday Feb 22, 2018 at 2pm.

Don Gehring has requested that Ormond Beach Lodge #2193 perform a Memorial Service for his departed wife Patricia Gehring on Sunday, February 4th at the Ormond Beach Lodge. 

The service will be at 1 pm and refreshments provided by the Lodge and pot luck will follow.  The celebration will end at 4PM.  All friends and Elk members are invited. 

Please RSVP to Patricia Hubert pathubert@att.net or 386-441-5634.

December

Members All:

I regret to inform you of the passing of Lynn Warburton, PDD. Lynn, as you all know, was the Director of the Florida Elks Youth Camp for 15 years having recently retired this past fall. He was a member of the Palm Coast Elks Lodge # 2709 and served as the East Central District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1994/95.

At Lynn's request there will be no services.

Our sympathies to his wife Ru-Lynn.

He will be missed.

We regret to inform you of the passing of Sam Berkowitz of West Palm Beach Lodge # 1352. Sam had been hospitalized at JFK Hospital for two weeks after a heart attack and this morning he suffered another. Sam had been a long-time Deputy Rep to the Veterans Hospital in West Palm Beach and was married to PDD, Donna Berkowitz. No arrangements have been announced yet. He will be missed!

November

Patricia Gehring PER passed away on Tuesday November 21 from a short but very aggressive fight with cancer. I do not know how many Elks were acquainted with Patricia. She was ER of Ormond Beach #2193 for many years as well as a Secretary, Treasurer and Chaplain not to mention ENF and Grant chairpersons. 

She will be missed. 

Richard A. "Dick" Rhodes, 84, of Brandon, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. A native of Medina, NY, he had resided here 46 years coming from Buffalo, NY. He was retired from the US Air Force, was a US Customs agent for 18 years, an employee of Southern Funeral Care, a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church, Life Member and Past Exalted Ruler of Brandon Elks Lodge #2383, Past Elks District Deputy and the lodge representative for Boy Scouts Troop #627.

He was preceded in death by his son, William A. Rhodes; brother, Robert Rhodes and sister, Peggy Albone and Marcia Jones. He is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Rhodes; son, Andrew J. (Cecile) Rhodes; daughters, Linda A. (Phil) Hinkle and Susan M. (Phillip) Singletary; brother, John (Sandra) Rhodes; sister, Carol Licinio; sister-in-law, Carol Rhodes; grandchildren, Christopher W. (Margie) Hinkle, Sean P. (Amy) Singletary, Steven A. (Bry) Hinkle; David P. Hinkle and Richard B. Rhodes; great-grandchildren, Emily and Grant Singletary, Isabella and Zoey Hinkle and Joshua Frazier (Hinkle) and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 17, 2017, at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, Brandon.

A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00 P.M. Friday, November 17, 2017, at the Brandon Elks Lodge, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations made out to Boy Scout Troop #627, o/o Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon, FL 33510.

Please sign guestbook at SouthernFuneralCare.com.

October

Wyman McArthur Garland, age 95, of Live Oak, FL passed away Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Haven Hospice Care Center in Lake City, FL. He was a native of Wrightsville, GA moving to Live Oak in 1948 after graduating from the University of Georgia. Wyman worked as the Area Forester for the Florida Forest Service for many years before working for Farm Credit as Vice President while owning and operating his farming business. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Live Oak Elks Lodge#1165. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching football. He was predeceased by his wife, Vivian Garland and a sister, Thena Lou Smith. He is survived by one son, Wyman (Susan) Garland; one daughter, Julie Garland; two grandchildren, Justin and Lindsey Garland all of Live Oak.

Memorial services were held 2:00 PM, Sunday, October 22, 2017 in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Herrington officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the services from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the church.

Mr. Wyman served as PER of the Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 in 1958 and was still a loyal member coming to every meeting he could. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Haven Hospice or the Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165.

August

Members All:

Our heart aches this morning at the loss of Carolyn Ritchie, wife of Mike Ritchie, PDD of Zephyrhills Lodge # 2731. Carolyn fought a tough battle with pancreatic cancer and succumbed early this morning. Carolyn, with her husband Mike & often their daughter Ashley, was a member for many years of the FSEA Grand Lodge Hospitality Room team and served several State President’s on their hospitality teams.

Funeral services will be held Thursday Aug. 10, 2017 at 7:30 PM. It will begin with visitation at 6:30 to 7:30 P.M and services will follow at Haught Funeral Home located at 708 West Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Plant City, Florida 33563. Graveside services will be held Friday at 11 AM at Oakside Cemetery in Zephyrhills, Fl. 33542.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Florida Elks Youth Camp. Checks payable to Harry-Anna Investment Fund with a notation to FEYC. Please include your name, address and Lodge Number (if applicable) for acknowledgement. The family will also receive an acknowledgement letter announcing your thoughtfulness. Mail to Harry-Anna Investment Fund, PO Box 49, Umatilla, FL 32784-0049.

Our sympathies to Mike, Ashley & Clay and all the family! She will be dearly missed!

Carl Seibert

State Secretary

June-July

PDDGER Willam Swatzell passed away. He was a member of Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 and will be missed.

Past District Deputy Harry Avogardo of Boca Raton Lodge #2166 passed away July 01, 2017. He served the SSE District as VP as a member of the Sandalfoot Lodge # 2741 for SP Winston Needham in 1996-97 and as DDGER in 1997-98. He transferred his membership to Boca Raton lodge and remained active until his passing. A true gentleman, he will be missed.

Past District Deputy Lawrence "Larry" Shields, of Oakland Park lodge #2407, passed away on July 18, 2017. As a member of Margate Lodge #2463, he served as Vice President in 1997-98 under SP Jim Solana. In1998-99 he served as DDGER of the South Southeast District.

May

We lost one of our nation’s heroes over the weekend! WWII Veteran and Palmetto Elks Lodge member Francis X. “Frank” Campbell passed away on Saturday, April 29 at the age of 91. Frank recently participated in the Florida Elks sponsored trip to Hawaii for WWII Veterans for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

More arrangement details to follow.

April

Perry Elks Lodge#1851 Life Member, PDDGER Roscoe Sheffield, passed away April 24thth surrounded by his family. Roscoe was an Elks member for half a century. He was truly one of the Best People On Earth.

March

Max Robinett PER, has passed away. A joint Moose/Elk funeral service for Max will be conducted on Friday, March 31 at 2 p.m.   The service will be held at the Moose Lodge 2020 located at 5051 Collins Road, Jacksonville, FL,  phone number 904-264-5355. Refreshments will be served following the service. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Phyllis Bonser.

Al Reker’s son, 60 year old Stephen Reker, was killed in a tragic accident yesterday while riding his bike in Tallahassee. Al is a Past District Deputy, a member of the FL Elks Children’s Therapy Services Board of Directors and is a member of Miami Lodge 948.

Our prayers and condolences to Al & Barbara and the entire Reker family!

February

Patrick Gallagher

We are incredibly saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Patrick Gallagher. Patrick has been hospitalized as of late and has had a history of heart problems. Patrick was a member of the Manasota Lodge and was Chairman of the State Business Practices Committee. Patrick was a Past District Deputy of the Southwest District having served in 2013/14. He was a Drug Trailer Manager and served on numerous Lodge and District Committees.

An Elks Memorial Service for Patrick will be held on Sunday, February 26th at 3:00 PM at the Palmetto Elks Lodge located at 4611 4th Avenue East, Palmetto, FL 34221.

Ralph Ferrell

There will be an Elk service in the Tallahassee Lodge room on Sunday, February 5, beginning at 2 pm. The Tallahassee Lodge PERs will be conducting the Elks Service. Following the service, there will be a reception at the Lodge and everyone is invited. Julia requests casual dress, no coats or ties!