Dan grew up in Clermont and graduated from Clermont High School in 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from FTU, now UCF, while working at the Cape. After college Dan started writing songs and performing on what he called his “magic guitar”, an old 12 string Yamaha. He always said his best gig was at Lee and Ricks Oyster Bar, where he got paid $50 and all of the oysters he could eat. He never stopped making music, even when he started spending his days as a carpenter, eventually specializing in custom staircase construction.

Dan became the love of Dennise Judy’s life in 1991, they married and he became a familyman- a role he was made for. He instantly had a teenage son and a large extended family, which he loved. He was an excellent father and delighted in becoming a grandfather. When granddaughter, Violet, started talking they became Denni and PaDanny. Dan especially loved writing and singing as PaDanny and has an amazing unheard repertoire of children’s music. 

After Denni retired they became serious about road trips. Dan customized a van to give them a rolling bedroom, designed and built a camp kitchen where he created fabulous food for so many people. They travelled all over, with Denni driving backroads and Dan playing the ukelele. 

Dan always identified himself as a Maker. He believed in creating with his hands and his heart, whether that meant music shared with friends, stories told around a table, meals made with care, or objects built to last. He found joy in figuring things out, fixing what was broken, and leaving things better than he found them. His creativity, curiosity, and gentle nature shaped the lives of those around him, and his work—both seen and unseen—will continue to live on through the people he loved.

Dan was the beloved husband of Dennise Judy, loving father of Leathers Hewett, devoted grandfather of Violet and his bonus grandsons Phoenix and his mother, Keenya; and Corbin, Dax, Rylan and their mother, Dana. He is survived by his brothers, Mark and Bill, and his sister, Kitty. 

Dan built a life filled with love, music, and meaning. A celebration of Dan’s life will be held on February 21, 2026 from 2-6pm at 334 12th St. Clermont, FL. 

The post Daniel Earl Kyle (June 23, 1950 – January 9, 2026). Celebration of Life (Feb 21) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Mary Reynolds, 91, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, in Minneola, Florida. She was the beloved wife of the late Millard Reynolds and the devoted mother of Phyllis and Jennifer Reynolds.

She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Jesslyn, Joel, and Flynn, as well as her great-grandchildren, Jonah and Jack.

May her memory be a blessing.

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Bill is survived by his children Cheri Beck (Ed) of Virginia, Eric Eyerly (Kim) of Florida, Shelley Eyerly of Georgia; his grandchildren Mandy Johnson (Michael), Emily Beck, Jakob Eyerly, Maddie Furnas (Grant); his great granddaughter, Charlie Furnas, his sister Brenda Gensemer of Pennsylvania, and his brother Bob Eyerly of Florida.

Those who knew Bill will remember his radiant smile and infectious joy, his deep-rooted faith in Jesus, his love and kindness, and his unwavering resilience in the face of every challenge he faced. He exuded love and warmth, leaving a lasting impact on anyone with whom he came in contact. Growing up, his first love was baseball, which he played through his years at Franklin & Marshall College where he was also a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

In 1958 he graduated from college and went to work for the Wise Potato Chip Company. In the early 1960s he was transferred to Florida, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Chambers, on a New Year’s Eve blind date. They were married on July 29, 1967, and in 1969 they moved to Clermont where they lived on beautiful Buck Lake and spent many weekends boating through the Clermont Chain of Lakes.

Bill was a loving and engaged father, swimming, skiing, and playing catch or card games with his kids most days but also teaching them responsibility, honesty, and respect for others. In 1975 Bill and Barbara purchased their own insurance agency, which they operated until 2002, always striving to provide exceptional service to the people of South Lake County.

Bill was a master woodworker, leaving a legacy of exquisite lamps, toy trucks, furniture, and many, many more pieces. He and Barbara enjoyed extensive international and domestic travel, including many post-retirement trips all around our beautiful country in their RV. International travel, Bill noted, “made me realize that people all over the world want the same things in life; to raise their families, live a good life and help each other when possible and hopefully to leave the world a little better than it was.”

Bill and Barbara joined the First United Methodist Church of Clermont in 1970 and were active in many roles over the years, living their faith daily. Bill was also an active member of Clermont Masonic Lodge #226 FL-AM where he served as Master in 1989 and 2015.

Bill’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Edge Memorial United Methodist Church in Groveland, Florida, with a reception to follow in the church social hall. He will be interred at the Living Hope Church Memorial Garden in Clermont, Florida at a later date.

Bill’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, but his spirit will continue to inspire us and his light will forever shine brightly in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the following organizations: Find Feed and Restore. 830 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711: https://www.findfeedrestore.com/  

Residing Hope, formerly Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. 51 Main Street, Enterprise, FL 32725. https://residinghope.org/ 

To send a flower arrangement in memory of William Charles Eyerly, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

The post Celebrating The Life Of Bill Eyerly (Sept 20) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Barbara was born in Urbana, Illinois, in 1936, the eldest of five children. When she was a teenager, her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where her parents owned and operated the Seahorse Restaurant. With her parents working long hours, Barbara naturally “mothered” her younger siblings, including newborn twins who arrived while she was a senior at St. Petersburg High School. Around that time, she began dating the boy next door, Johnny Cox, who would later become her husband of 55 years. Their dates often included babysitting her little brother and sister—early proof of Barbara’s lifelong devotion to family.

Barbara’s career reflected her caring and capable nature. She worked for more than 20 years at Clermont High School, where she served as the administrative secretary to the late Principal David Lofgren. She became a cornerstone of the “Highlander” family, remembered for her southern hospitality, gentle humor, and ever-present smile. Each day, she cheerfully began with morning announcements, kept attendance and sports eligibility records, and helped wherever she was needed—whether in the office or as a watchful lunch monitor. Students knew they could count on her for guidance, encouragement, or simply a listening ear. Many alumni fondly recall the life lessons she passed along to student aides working in the office.

The 1980 CHS Yearbook captured her impact perfectly: “Mrs. Cox cheerfully started everyone’s day with the morning announcements. A veritable ‘wonder woman,’ she also kept attendance, sports eligibility records, and was helpful to anyone who needed it. Caring for and coping with the needs of 578 students and 28 teachers was no small feat, but the CHS administration managed to do it with style—making the school year a successful one.”

After retiring from CHS in 1981, Barbara embarked on a second 20-year career with Walt Disney World Co. Retirement never slowed her down. She volunteered tirelessly, giving 40 to 60 hours a week for 15 years to Narcoossee Community Schools, Vote Osceola Election Workers, and the Narcoossee/Osceola County Historical Society. Her dedication earned her multiple nominations as Osceola County School District’s “Senior Volunteer of the Year.” Even into her 80s, Barbara brought the same energy and generosity to volunteering that she had shown throughout her life. Sadly, her volunteer work ended in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, but her legacy of service endures.

Barbara also treasured community connections, rarely missing the annual “All Class Reunion” for CHS, where she welcomed former students, faculty, and friends with hugs, laughter, and her trademark smile.

She was preceded in death by her husband Johnny, but leaves behind a loving family who adored her: children Jeff (Marcia) Cox, Mike Cox, and Pamela (Mark) Holasek; siblings Charlene Harris, Dean Burnett, Phil (Allyson) Burnett, and Charles “Bud” Burnett; niece Michele (Ray) McGowan; grandchildren Emily (Ryan) Phillips, Cameron Cox, and Peyton Reese (Will Santiago); great-grandchildren Maddux and Harper Phillips; and her beloved step-families. Her family fondly remembers her famous fried chicken, meat loaf, goulash, chili, banana pudding, and even her playful grilled Hershey’s chocolate sandwiches. They will miss her child-like joy on trips to Walt Disney World, holiday decorating, family sing-alongs in the car, and her thoughtful “just because” cards.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11 am at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819. In keeping with Barbara’s vibrant spirit, her family asks that attendees wear bright celebratory colors rather than mourning black.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to honor Barbara by carrying forward her spirit of giving. Some of her favorite ways include:

1. Donating books or school supplies to a classroom.

2. Volunteering in your community—whether for a day, a week, or a lifetime.

3. Sending handwritten notes or cards to let someone know they are cared for.

4. Supporting a local domestic abuse shelter.

5. Donating to the Lighthouse of Pinellas (lhpfl.org/support) in honor of her mother, Helen Burnett, who lived courageously with blindness for more than 35 years.

Barbara Cox lived her life with kindness, generosity, and joy. Though she is gone, her legacy will continue in the countless lives she touched. Her loved ones take comfort in knowing that she is now free of pain, smiling down from heaven, perhaps riding her bike along celestial back roads while cheering, “Go Gators!”

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A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for science, Mel earned his doctorate in Entomology from Louisiana State University. Though always a loyal LSU Tiger, he happily shared football season with his beloved Gator wife, Joan. His work reflected his deep commitment to science, agriculture, and the environment which included preserving the life of any bug that entered his home!

Mel spent more than four decades working to advance environmental stewardship and sound science. He concluded his distinguished career with Bayer CropScience, where he retired in 2004, though he continued to consult and advocate for science-based policies well into retirement.

His leadership earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association. He served as FFAA Board Chair, sat on numerous advisory committees, and was appointed to the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Review Council.  He also served the growers of Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association through his service on the Board of Third Party Registrations.  Mel was also honored with industry awards recognizing his integrity, service, and contributions to regulatory progress, including the Southern Crop Production Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Outside of his professional achievements, Mel loved life by the water. He was an avid fisherman, a gifted photographer, and a proud collector of antique wooden fishing lures.  He loved New Orleans food and is surely eating crab claws in heaven as we speak!  He lived fishing off the dock, Tabasco sauce on everything and school bus yellow mustard.

Mel’s legacy lives on through his family with his keen sense of humor, Miss Piggy jokes, and especially his grandchildren who knew him as “Paw Paw”.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Preacher and Juanita Kyle, and his sister, Jackie Gourrier. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his brother, Floyd Kyle (Amy); sons, Kevin (Leslie) and Craig; stepchildren, Jeanne Howard (Kevin) and Don Hogan (Laura); grandchildren, Noah and Kennedy Kyle, David and Michael Howard, Erinn and Cait Hogan; and nieces and nephews Stacy Hughes, Rhonda Lynch, Becky Gourrier, Kelly Leland, and Sam Kyle.

Dr. Mel Kyle lived a life of quiet dedication, kindness and grace. His legacy in agriculture—and in the hearts of all who knew him—will endure.

Visitation hours of Friends and Family will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home. There will be a private interment with Military Honors at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Find, Feed, & Restore

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Melvin L. Kyle, please click here to visit the sympathy store.

The post In Loving Memory of Dr. Melvin L. Kyle, Jr. July 31, 1939 – July 14, 2025 appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Bruce Brown passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 82, after a
month of struggles from a heart attack. Bruce loved his life, and he enjoyed directing television shows, music euents, and being around creative people. During his last days he would listen to musicians he had worked with during his life and smile and
smile and smile. He would still direct from his bedside!

After retiring, Bruce created B.B. Brown’s Gardens and The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, where he spent the next 28 years working to restore the Florida Scrub-Jay habitat and preserve
an important ecological area.

One of the things about the development of The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail that most delighted Bruce was that he was able to make the area available to the Scouts, and he enjoyed giving children the opportunity to be outdoors in nature. Bruce grew up in Scouts. His father was a Scout executive in Philadelphia, so scouting was in his blood.

Bruce made daily walks on the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail, and after every walk he would tell me “love those benches!” referring to the Eagle Scout projects that supplied the benches as well as every other hardscape landmark on The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail.

For the past 28 years the property has welcomed the community to come and enjoy. Bruce wishes you will continue to do so. Life will go on and YOU will become the new stewards of the property. I hope you cherish it and contribute to it as much as he did for the next
generations. That would be his wish!

The post Walking the Trail with Bruce: A Legacy of Nature, Scouts, and Stewardship appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

After moving to Carpentersville, Illinois, Helmut was offered the opportunity to become an Army chaplain, a lifetime goal for him. He accepted and the family moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where Dennis was born in 1975. Over a 20-year military career, Helmut went on to serve in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Budingen, Germany, Fort Stewart, Georgia, Fort Carson, Colorado, Johnston Atoll, Frankfurt, Germany, Iraq during the First Gulf War, Mannheim, Germany, and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. After retiring from the military, Helmut and Ilse moved to Sterling Heights, Michigan to be reunited with their lifetime friends, most of whom were also former refugees. He worked as a hospital chaplain before moving to Orlando, Florida in 1998. He continued pastoral service at an Orlando funeral home until moving to Clermont, Florida in 2002.

Known for his strong patriotism, zany sense of humor, fun-loving nature, and 110% enthusiasm for anything he did, Helmut was a large personality who never met a stranger. One to always open his and Ilse’s home, he would often befriend people whom he sensed needed encouragement. He loved his family, buttermilk, pickled herring, creating assorted culinary experiments, America and the Lord, although not necessarily in that order.

Helmut was preceded in death by Ilse, his wife of 59 years, in May of 2022, and his older brother, George Michelson, in February of 2025. He is survived by Brian Michelson of Miami, Florida, Linda Sanders of Belmont, North Carolina, David Michelson of Clermont, Florida, Dennis Michelson of Winter Garden, Florida, and seven grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to either Living Hope Church of Clermont, Florida (https://onrealm.org/LivingHopeChurc/-/form/give/now) / 950 7th St, Clermont, FL 34711 or Hope Community Church of Sterling Heights, Michigan (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1286536) / 42259 Hayes Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313.

A memorial service will be held at Alto Senior Living (1601 Hooks St., Clermont, FL 34711) on Saturday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. with light refreshments served afterwards.

The post Helmut A. Michelson (Born March 29, 1938 /Past June 11, 2025) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Robert (Bob) Dickinson was a man of quiet strength, a member of a truly remarkable generation, the WWII veterans, and specifically, a proud member of the “Silent Service”, the U. S. Navy’s Submarine force. He embodied the spirit of the Silent Service, performing his duty with immense skill and courage, often in the face of incredible danger especially while serving onboard the USS Queenfish SS-383.

RIP BRAVE SOUL. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. A TRUE HERO HAS ENTERED INTO HEAVEN. “Bob, you stand relieved, rest your oar. Rest in peace. You stood your watch well. We have the watch.” “Fair winds and following seas”

Bob was a former Heritage Hills resident and recently resided near his family in Long Island, NY.

The post Robert (Bob) Dickinson – Born 1924 – Passed 6/21/2025 appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Denny’s career in agriculture took him to 63 countries and eventually to Brussels, Belgium, where they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe with their children,  Jill and David. After returning to the U.S., he worked as a financial advisor before retiring in Clermont in 2005. Retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter of service, including leadership roles with the Rotary Club of South Lake, HERD (Horses for Riders with Disabilities), and the Boys & Girls Club.

One of  Denny’s favorite roles was playing Santa, bringing joy for 16 years to children at Disney resorts, on Disney Cruises, and in the community. He was also an avid tennis player and a dedicated member of Living Hope Church, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and on the Finance Committee.

Denny is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter Jill and her husband Ed of Clermont; son David and his wife Kerry of Connecticut; and five grandchildren, Sam, Caitlin, Hanna, Evan and Avery. He will be remembered for his joyful spirit, generous heart, and a lifelong commitment to serving others. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Neighborhood Center of South Lake, a local food pantry that Carolyn has volunteered at for 16 years.

The post Dennis Blankenship – January 11, 1941 – May 28, 2025 appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Dolores worked with the Clermont Hospital, Apshawa Groves, First United Methodist Church of Clermont and later volunteered as a historian for the Clermont Historical Village, where she was awarded Honorary Historian in 2009 and Resident Historian 2013 by the South Lake County Historical Society. She was inducted into the Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2014, and received a Proclamation of Recognition from the City of Clermont in 2014, signed by Hal Turville.

Dolores enjoyed singing in the church choir, square dancing, sewing, cooking, gardening and her time at the Clermont Historic Village.

She is survived by daughter Sandee and her husband John Steinklauber of Winter Springs; son Rob and his wife, Jan Walker, Clermont. Grandchildren: Shawn, Shannnon, Candace and Courtney. Great-grandchildren: Miles, Mason, Jackson, and Emerson

A Memorial Service will be held at Brewers Funeral Home, 1018 West Ave., Clermont, on April 12th at 2:00 pm, followed by a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery.

The post Rest In Peace: Dolores Gano Walker (July 18, 1926 – March 17, 2025) appeared first on South Lake Tablet.