Palm Beach County Florida Obituaries and Death Notices

Palm Beach County, Florida
Genealogy and History

Obituaries
and Death Notices

M. T. Aikin
Delray, Dec. 27. – M. T. Aikin, an old soldier, died at his son’s, Howard Aikin, residence out west of town on Wednesday evening at 6:30, and was buried on Thursday afternoon at West Palm Beach. Mr. Aikin has been in bad health for several years and has been helpless for some time. He leaves a wife and son here besides other relatives in the north to mourn the loss of husband and father. [Miami Herald Record – 28 Dec. 1917 - MZ - Sub by FoFG]

John K. Clark
Former Palm Beach County tax collector remembered as a man of the people
Former Palm Beach County Tax Collector John K. Clark wanted his epitaph to be, "I told you so." Mr. Clark died Wednesday in West Palm Beach at age 73, six weeks after the last of several strokes. During a 27-year career in public service, he did not hesitate to tell fellow politicians what he thought, employees what he expected, and taxpayers the level of service he intended to give them.As tax collector, he chose a motto suggested by one of his employees, "We work with you - for you." Mr. Clark, who served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, addressed his employees as "troops," and told them, "The spirit of the motto is what we are about - working with and for the people who pay us."
Mr. Clark was appointed tax collector in 1991 by Gov. Lawton Chiles, and was elected to four additional terms.Health problems dogged his later years, but even political challengers such as 2004 primary foe Mike Rios called him a "man of honor." "It breaks my heart to retire," Mr. Clark said in 2006. "But I have always said that if I could not give 100 percent to the job, I would leave. Palm Beach County taxpayers deserve the very best, and I am proud of my years of service."
Born in South Carolina, Mr. Clark attended the University of Nebraska before serving overseas in Korea, Iceland and Germany. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bobbie McBane Clark, along with four daughters and five grandchildren. Services will be held privately at his home.
[By CHARLES ELMORE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer, Friday, October 10, 2008 - Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss]

Brian J. Davidson
BRIAN JOHN DAVIDSON Age 27, was carried to the Lord by Angels on January 17, 2009. He was born on November 18, 1981 in West Palm Beach, FL. Brain was
preceded in death by his father, Jack Seyler. He is survived by his loving mother, Judy Seyler; brother, Michael Davidson; niece Shaelyn Maida Davidson of FL; his furry companion Kaya; uncles, Paul Swope, Jr. of WY, Ken (Fran) Swope of WY and Carl (Linda) Seyler of GA; aunts, Linda Schneider (Bob) of FL, Barbara Owens of WY, Kay Asay of NJ, Sara Lear (Rob) of FL, Vivian Trombley of FL; grandma Seyler of FL; grandma Swope of NJ; a loving girlfriend Apryl of WY; and a host of cousins, friends and softball family.
Brian will be deeply missed by his LOYAL and DEVOTED ÒDolphin FamilyÓ who loved and respected him greatly, Brian was the foreman for Dolphin Sprinkler, Inc. A visitation will be held from 4-6PM at Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ Friday, January 23, 2009 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL Minister Dan Jenkins officiating. The service will begin immediately following visitation hours at the Church. Howard Price Funeral Home in North Palm Beach has charge of arrangements. Brian's wishes were to be cremated.
[The Palm Beach Post from 1/21/2009 - 1/23/2009 - Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss]

William Graham
William Graham, 84, farmer, town builder, ex-governor's sibling William A. Graham, a farmer and businessman who treasured Florida and excelled at everything he set out to do, died Saturday at his Miami Lakes home. He was 84. Mr. Graham was born on a houseboat in the Everglades and remained in South Florida his entire life, serving as the longtime chairman of his family's business, The Graham Cos. He was a major force behind the development of Miami Lakes, a town that is now home to about 27,000 people and many public parks. "I'll remember my brother as my closest friend," said his younger half-brother, former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham"In many ways he was a second father. He was a person of unusual intellectual depth and judgment, and he had a great sensitivity for other people."Mr.
Graham succeeded from an early age in academics and athletics. He played on Miami Senior High's first championship basketball team in 1942, then became
a member of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Florida. For his years of work on behalf of dairy and cattle farmers, Mr. Graham was selected to the state's Agricultural Hall of Fame and the American Angus Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Graham's older brother, Philip L. Graham, was the publisher of The Washington Post; their father, Ernest R. "Cap'' Graham, was founder of the family business and served in the state Senate. In addition to his business accomplishments, Mr. Graham was a World War II veteran who continued to pilot private airplanes after leaving the armed forces. He also was a world-class badminton player, maintaining a national rank into his 70s. Mr.
Graham would have celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary next month with Patricia Culbertson Graham. He also is survived by five children - Sandra Younts, William E. Graham, Carol Wyllie, Elizabeth Martinez and Cynthia Gordon - and 10 grandchildren. A celebration of his life is set for 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Miami Lakes Congregational Church, 6701 Miami Lakeway S.
[The Palm Beach Post on 1/22/2009 - Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss]

Charles Huggins
Charles Huggins III, age 55 formerly of West Palm Beach, FL officially of Boynton Beach, FL passed away January 14, 2009. He was a Jehovah Witness and for twenty-eight plus years employed with the School District of Palm Beach County. He leaves to cherish the woman he adored for 28 years, Van McGrady Huggins of Boynton Beach; his two hearts, Charnell Huggins and Chontell Huggins of Boynton Beach; loving mother, Sally Mae Huggins of West Palm Beach; two caring sisters, Sylvia Little and husband, Bernard of West Palm Beach and Terry Williams Huggins and her husband, Calvin of Kalamazoo, Michigan; uncles, Eddie Johnson of West Palm Beach and Jimmy Johnson and wife Winifred of Ocala, FL; aunts, Lubertha Huggins and Larcenia Huggins and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and his
spiritual family. The family will receive friends Friday, January 23, 2009 from 5-8PM at Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held 1 PM
Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall.
[The Palm Beach Post on 1/22/2009 - Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss]

William I. Metcalfe
Judge William I. Metcalfe, who was the first judge of the Dade county criminal court of record and a pioneer resident of Dade and Palm Beach counties, died yesterday morning at his home at West Palm Beach, according to word received here yesterday. Mr. Metcalfe had been a resident of West Palm Beach for many years and occupied a prominent position in the bar of the two counties.
Judge Metcalfe served as judge of the criminal court for 18 months, starting with September, 1907. Judge H. Pierre Branning, now judge of the local circuit court, was his prosecuting attorney. At that time, Dade county included what is now Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
He leaves his wife, one daughter, Mrs. May Chambers, and two grandsons, Lacey Metcalfe, former deputy United States marshal here, and Paul Metcalfe, all of West Palm Beach.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. today in the residence at West Palm Beach. It is expected that a large number of attorneys and friends from this city will go from Miami to attend the services. [Miami Herald Record – 8 Dec. 1921- MZ - Sub by FoFG]

Hattie M. Phillips
Hattie M. Phillips, aged forty-five, died Saturday at her residence in West Palm Beach. The body reached here yesterday and is in charge of J. L. Reed. Mrs. Phillips was a pioneer settler in this section. She was born in Springfield, Mo., came to Tampa when she was sixteen years old, and up until four years ago was a prominent resident here. She is survived by her husband, W. R. C. Phillips and two daughters, Misses Jessie and Thelma Phillips, and a sister, Mrs. J. C. Griscoll. Her family was at the bedside when the end came. The deceased was a daughter of the late Capt. J. P. Hill, who died recently at Seffner. She was a life long member of the Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held from the undertaking parlors this afternoon at 3 o’clock. Internment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. [Tampa Tribune – 14 Aug. 1917 - MZ - Sub by FoFG]

Mrs. Enoch Root
At three-thirty Monday afternoon funeral services for Mrs. Enoch Root, who died at her Palm Beach home Sunday morning, were held at the Congregational Church, Reverend Edwin A. Waldo officiating. The services were very solemn and at the same time very touching. The funeral which took place in Woodlawn Cemetery was followed by all the pioneers and old settlers of this district. At one time Mrs. Root was the leading society women at this resort, and was an active member of the Guild of Bethesda-by-the-Sea church. [Miami Herald Record – 29 July 1914 - MZ - Sub by FoFG]

Mrs. J. J. Schabinger
Delray, April 24. – Mrs. J. J. Schabinger died in the West Palm Beach hospital Wednesday morning. She had been taken to the hospital Saturday for an operation which was thought to be minor but afterwards was found to be more complicated and until Monday night was getting along very well. Mrs. Schabinger was a prominent worker in several organizations here. She had lived in Delray a number of years, having come here before she was married to teach school eighteen years ago. She is survived by a brother and sister, Clifford Ewing and Mrs. Pence, both of West Palm Beach, and her husband, J. J. Schabinger, and her two sons, Earnest and John Schabinger. The former of the sons is now in Gainesville attending school. [Miami Herald Record – 26 Apr. 1919 - MZ - Sub by FoFG]

Mrs. H. J. Sterling
Delray, Sept. 30. – Mrs. H. J. Sterling, for many years one of the best known residents of Delray, died at her daughter’s home in Baltimore, September 26. She is survived by her husband, her daughter, Mrs. Clayton E. Rutledge, a sister, Mrs. Effie Crownover, and three brothers, Richard Tucker of Miami, and Louis and Lawrence Tucker of Baltimore. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 28, at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist church of Delray, while her burial service was being conducted in Baltimore. The pastor, Rev. L. Munro, made a short address and a prayer full of feeling. Mrs. Ransom sang “Crossing the Bar,” by request, and there was congregational singing of Mrs. Sterling’s favorite hymns. [Miami Herald Record – 1 Oct. 1918 - MZ - Sub by FoFG]

Baron Alphonse Von Lepel
Nobleman-Distiller is Dead in Florida
West Palm Beach, Fla., Aug 24 - Baron Alphonse Emil von Lepel, 71, former German nobleman, a resident of Palm Beach, died today after a brief illness. The baron, for many years a distiller in Kentucky, was prominently identified in circles of literature and art. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
[The Milwaukee Sentinel - Aug 25, 1926 - Sub. by K.T.]