John Earl Southerland, Sr.

Mr. John Earl Southerland, Sr., 82, of Alachua, passed away peacefully at the E.T. York Haven Hospice in Gainesville on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 after an extended illness. Mr. Southerland was born Dec. 4, 1930 in Bradford County to the late Willie and Willia Mae Southerland. Mr. Southerland has lived most of his life in the Alachua County area and retired as a truck driver of the Copeland Sausage Company. Mr. Southerland was a U.S. Army veteran and was a member of the Johnstown Baptist Church.

Mr. Southerland is survived by his loving wife, Bertha Mae Southerland of Alachua; daughters, Diane S. Rush of Citra and Denise S. Crosby (Donald) of Hawthorne; sons, Johnny E. Southerland, Jr. (LuJune) and J. Allen Southerland of Alachua; brother, Bruce D. Southerland of High Springs; sisters, Hazel S. Varnes of Lake Butler and Iva S. Harrelson of Florahome. Five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Southerland will be conducted on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 in the chapel of Archer Funeral Home. Internment will follow in the New Zion Cemetery in LuLu. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler, 386-496-2008. Please sign the guestbook at  http://www.archerfuneralhome.com/.