Earl H. Smith, Jr. “Captain Smith” age 88, of Alachua, Florida, passed peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016 at the VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida. He was born on Oct. 23, 1928 in Homestead, Florida to the late Earl H. Smith Sr. and Sophie Ann Tallbacka Smith. The Smith family was the first residents of the fishing community at Card Sound.

Earl graduated from Homestead High School class of 1947. He served in the United States Air Force from 1948 to 1958 as a Tail Gunner on the B36 and the B50. After his military service, Earl and his growing family moved to Florida where he went back to his fishing roots and obtained his captain license. He was employed as captain on both charter and private sport fishing boats. He captained the Quail out of Key Largo, of which he is most proud of the three-day tournament in which 58 sailfish were caught and released. He then captained the 53-foot Magda out of Miami Beach for almost 30 years.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Etta Nelson Smith, and his seven daughters: Loretta Mosley of Fort White, Florida, Audrey Smith (Brett) of Florence, South Carolina, Judy Fearing (Randy) of Gainesville, Florida, Betty Cuthbert (Rob) of Bradenton, Florida, Tina Hutchins (Paul) of Clinton, North Carolina, Barbara Dowdle (Lennard) of Texarkana, Texas and Wendy Lopez-Mata (Mario) of Falmouth, Massachusetts, 21 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and his brother Bert “Bud” LeRoy Smith (Nancy) of Wichita, Kansas.

He is predeceased by his son Earl “Howard” Smith III and his son-in-law Dale Mosley.

The family will greet visitors on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 9:15 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 24455 N.W. 174th Avenue North, High Springs, Florida. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Forest Meadows West, 700 N.W .143rd Street, Newberry, Florida, following the service.

The family would like to express appreciation of all the staff at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, especially those in the Palliative Care Unit and the Fisher House. Thank you for taking care of our patriarch, a man who “Never met a stranger.”

Mrs. Ella Mae Hart, age 66, of Lake City, Florida, passed away, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in the Haven Hospice of the Suwannee Valley following an extended illness.

A native of Jacksonville, Mrs. Hart had been a resident of Alachua County for many years prior to moving to Lake City. She retired from the University of Florida after 15 years of service as a Fundraiser for the University of Florida Foundation.  In her spare time, Mrs. Hart enjoyed fishing, canning, cooking, and spending time with her family. She was also an avid Gator Fan.

Mrs. Hart was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Dwight Fleming Sr., and her husband, Frederick G. Hart. She is survived by her mother, Janie Fleming of Lake City; her sisters, Joan Showalter of Lake City and Deloise E. Anton of Wellington, Florida and her brother, Gerald Dwight Fleming, also of Lake City.

Services for Mrs. Hart will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 in the Chapel of the Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home with Rev. Herman Griffin officiating. Interment services will follow at 2 p.m. in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Haven Hospice of the Suwannee Valley, 6037 US Highway 90 West, Lake City, FL  32055.

Arrangements are under the direction of the DEES-PARRISH FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 458 S. Marion Ave., Lake City, FL  32055.  Please sign our online family guestbook at Parrishfamilyfuneralhome.com

Judy Layfeld was an avid Gator baseball fan; she enjoyed the adventures of life, and was a graduate of Ft. White High, and a retired federal employee.

Judy is resting peacefully with many loved ones who preceded her in passing.

She is the beloved daughter of Maxie and Evelyn Feagle; wife of Thomas Layfield; sister of Jean Hollingsworth; mother of Richard Mullins; grandmother of Mark and Jacob Snyder; aunt and great aunt of Eddie Hollingsworth, Tracy Stephens, and children; and a cousin to many Goffs, Feagles and Lindseys.

She now returns home to her Lord and Savior.

Friends and family are encouraged to celebrate the life of Judy at the Ft. White Church of God in Ft. White, Florida on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Arrangements have been placed under the care of Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland, Florida, 352-493-0050 and Cross City, Florida, 352-498-5400. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com

Mark Edward Hoffmann, 58, passed away at home on Nov. 13, 2016. He was born Sep. 7, 1958 in Mill Valley, California, to Edward and Marceita Hoffmann. He attended Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trinity Evangelic Seminary. Mark went on to set up a private counseling practice. He first practiced in Chicago, Illinois, and later in Alachua County, Florida.

Mark, as a young man, was an avid outdoorsman, and a self-taught biologist. He became quite knowledgeable about the plants and animals of this region. From time to time, many of his animal friends resided in his parents’ home. One of his grandmothers would not visit his parents’ home until all of Mark’s serpents had been removed from the premises. As an adult, Mark focused on his chosen career, in which he was very effective. Many individuals benefited from Mark’s wise, common-sense counseling.

Mark is survived by his wife, Susan; parents, Edward and Marceita; sons, Joshua, Zachary, Christopher, and Marky; daughter, Amanda; grandson, Dillon; sister, Rebecca, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by these and all who knew him.

Graveside services and interment will be held at the Forest Grove Cemetery, Alachua, Florida, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Arrangements have been placed under the direction of Rick Gooding Funeral Home, Chiefland Florida, 352-493-0050 and Cross City FL, 352-498-5400. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com.