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Obituaries 4/22/21


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Gladys R. Hall
Gladys R. Hall, 88, of Green Cove Springs, Florida, passed away April 10, 2021, at home.
Gladys Risley Hall entered this world at the birthing home of Mrs. Howe in Manchester, CT, July 4th, 1932. An appropriate birthday for such a feisty, independent lady! Her parents are John and Winifred (Cooley) Risley. There were three sisters, Marion, Dot, and Polly, and one brother, Dick, who all predeceased her.
Gladys was a self-proclaimed tomboy and grew up with lots of room to indulge her love of the outdoors across from Risley Reservoir. Along with her sister Dot, she donated a parcel of the reservoir property to the Manchester Land Trust who have since opened this beautiful property to allow public enjoyment.
In 1955, Gladys met Norman Hall at the Crystal Lake Ballroom. He asked her to go to church with him on their first date. She knew at that moment he was the man she would marry.
They married and had 5 children together, Linda Hall, Cindy VanLeuven, Steven Hall, Clifford Hall and JoAnn Meyer. Norman had three children which Gladys always counted and cared for as her own, Vicki Gee, Jeffrey and Kenneth Hall. Each of their children were profoundly loved. Gladys was predeceased by her beloved husband Norman and her daughter Linda in 2018.
In 1966, Norman began New England Mechanical Services, Inc. (NEMSI) in the basement of the family home with Gladys by his side to make a significant contribution to the success of this endeavor.
Over the years, Gladys and Norman were able to travel to various countries around the world. But Maine, where Norman was from, was always the most beloved place to spend their time. Their home in Maine later became the hub of many joyous family gatherings.
Gladys and Norman donated a home in Belfast, Maine to Child Evangelism Fellowship. This gift honored their love of children and their faith.
In the 1990s, they sold NEMSI and their family home in Connecticut, and moved to Florida. They attended Black Pond Baptist church. Faith remained a beacon in their lives and their hearts all their days.
The family received friends from 3pm – 4pm, Friday April 16, 2021 at Black Pond Baptist Church Middleburg, FL. Funeral services followed at 4pm with Rev. Charlie Hunt officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday July 3, 2021 at Hillside Cemetery, Machiasport, Maine.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000

August Eppler
On Monday, April 5, 2021, August Eppler passed away at the age of 73. Augie was born in Jacksonville, Florida to August and Helen Eppler, Sr. He worked as a landscaper and gardener and had a great passion for it. He married Sybil Crayton in 1970 and together they raised their daughter, Jennifer.
One of his most prized possessions was his family. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his brother, Phillip, three grandchildren, Jessie, Hunter, and Rocky, and twin great grandchildren, Madelyn, and Annabelle.
Augie had a gift of always knowing the answer to any question, our very own personal Google. He loved fishing, reading, and had a great love for music. He was also an amazing chef and could out cook anyone in the family. He shared his hobbies with his family, always encouraging us to try new recipes, read his favorite authors and expanding our music and movie collections. He was known for his quick wit and he could always put a smile on everyone’s face with one of his dad jokes, or with a goofy prank. He is greatly missed and loved by all.
Augie was preceded in death by his parents, August and Helen, and his sister, Irene.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000

Stephen Bruce Roberts
Stephen Bruce Roberts, 58, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 in Green Cove Springs, FL. He was born on May 2, 1962 in Jacksonville, FL, to the late Gene R. Roberts, Sr. and Nanette A. Peine Roberts.
Stephen was a big sports fan and especially loved Alabama and Miami Dolphins football. He was a baseball umpire and member of the North Florida Umpire Association #28. Stephen worked as a project manager at USI Inc.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene R. Roberts, Jr. and grandparents, Marvin Roberts and Ada L. Roberts.
Stephen is survived by his loving family, wife, Rachel; children, James Moore (Ashley), Rebeka Brown, Stephen Roberts, and Heather Kane (Danny); grandchildren, Peighton, Aodhan, Amelia, Liam, Corbin, Irelynn, Loclyn, Ellie May and Flynn; brothers, Donald Roberts and Alan Roberts; sister, Stephanie Roberts as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073.

Kenneth (Kenny) C. Amato
Kenneth (Kenny) C. Amato was called home on April 12, 2021.
Kenny was born on February 11, 1942 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Ralph and Claire Amato.
Kenny attended Agua Fria Union High School in Litchfield Park, Arizona and graduated in 1961. He joined the Army and served his country in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. Kenny worked as an Assistant Vice President for Ring Power where he had a successful career before retiring in 1996.
Kenny is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Sharon Amato; son Brian (Marysia) Amato, son TC (Veronica) Amato and son Kevin (Lauren) Amato; grandchildren William, Trace, Paige, Grace, Bailey, Brooklyn, Blake and Zoey; brother Chuck (Rose) Amato, sister Christine Ross and brother Rik (Edie) Amato; uncle George Amato along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Ben.
Kenny had many passions in life. He loved his grandkids, trucks, hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his sons and grandkids at the hunting club sometimes doing nothing but swapping stories (and talking about trucks) around the fire. He could always be found cheering on the grandkids at their games - he was their biggest fan! He had a larger than life personality and was an absolute blessing to his family.
Kenny will be laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, April 26 at 10:30AM. A celebration of life will be held after at the Amato Family Residence at 1PM.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. (904) 284-4000

Lucy ‘Peggy’ Mae
(Robinson) Mechtel
Lucy ‘Peggy’ Mae (Robinson) Mechtel passed away on April 8, 2021 at the age of 85. She was born in Sutton West Virginia to Ira Robinson and Ruthie (Dobbins) Robinson on June 6, 1935.
She graduated Gassaway High School class of 1956 with Honors and was a member of the Honor Society. She further took her education later in life to Fitchburg State in MA and Florida Junior College in FL.
She went on to join the Civil Service (NASA) in California, where she met and married Robert Mechtel (1958) and had 3 children: her daughter Cheryl (Mechtel) Gawron of NH, her son Steven Mechtel of FL. who predeceased her in 2002, and her son Robert ‘Robbie’ Mechtel II of FL. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Jonathan Levasseur of NH, Neil Levasseur of SC, Jovia Levasseur of CA, Danielle (Mechtel) Lampke of FL, and Nathaniel Moore of NH. She was a devoted mother to her children, grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Lucy also leaves behind her sisters Martha Helen (Robinson) Lewis of FL, and Maysel ‘Cissy’ (Robinson) Hassel of FL., and was predeceased by her siblings Ira ‘Bud’ Jr., Evelyn, Joan, and Jerry, as well her half siblings Grace Helen, Velma Mae, Omer, Clarence, James, Edith, Harland Lee, and Mary Doll. She also had many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the United States.
Lucy was an astute academic and lifelong achiever of many personal and professional accomplishments. Her career was highlighted by her dedication and devoted service to the United States government in the Civil Service as a Property Acquisitions Clerk and Contracting Agent, during which time she received numerous commendations and awards throughout her career.
Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, playing and listening to music, reading, dancing, and world travel. Lucy spoke three languages fluently during her lifetime. Lucy was a friend to untold numbers of people she met throughout her life’s journey and left her mark upon this world and the countless lives that she touched. Her loss is greatly felt, and she will be sorely missed.
A celebration of her life has been planned to be held at Rafter Cross Cowboy Church, located at 16550 US-Alt 27, in Williston, FL 32696, on May 1st at 2:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend to celebrate her life is welcome. This is a casual affair as she would not want it any other way. Please note Covid protocols will be honored. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice in her remembrance.