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Obituaries 7/15/21


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Mary Ann Cameron Petska
Energetic, intelligent, loving, compassionate and a genuine desire to “do good” in this world are some of the many positive characteristics that people will remember about Mary Ann Cameron Petska, November 15, 1933 - December 29, 2020. Mary Ann spent her life passionately advocating and fighting for those who needed support and change. After the lifelong Gator graduated with a degree in Art Education from the University of Florida, Mary Ann moved to New York City to work her day job for the National Council of Churches. During her off hours, she continued serving the community by working with Italian teens in Greenwich Village. After two years, she moved home to teach art at Ribault High School and Paxon Junior High School in Jacksonville. After teaching, Mary Ann would organize and attend secret meetings of the leaders of the black and white communities in Jacksonville to start discussions about desegregation, a cause she championed her entire life. During summer vacations, she worked with inner-city children on the Lower East Side of New York City.(She loved NYC!) Because of these experiences, she received a full scholarship from the Episcopal Church and Tulane University to obtain her Master’s degree in social work. Upon graduation with her MSW, she became Director of Senior Citizens at Lenox Hill, a New York City settlement house serving European immigrants. There she met her future husband, Miloslav Petska, who was the Director of the Youth. Two years later, they married and moved to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming to develop a pilot program for the National Council of the Episcopal Church. Mary Ann was the Director of a Residential Treatment Center for Arapahoe and Shoshone adolescents, and Milo was a community organizer for both tribes. After six “wonderful, memorable and exhausting years”, they returned to Florida with their two adopted children, Thomas Cameron and Antonia. The Petska family settled on five acres in what is now called Fleming Island, Florida near Mary Ann’s family. She taught art to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities over the next forty years. (The majority of those were at St. Johns Country Day School.) After her retirement, Mary Ann kept very busy with her gorgeous yard, visiting with friends, reading, taking trips, but most importantly visiting her beloved children and grandchildren. She had a special relationship with each of her five grandchildren. She is survived by her beloved children- Tom (Leigh), and Toni (David). She is also survived by Tom’s two daughters who Mary Ann loved and championed their entire lives- Amelia and Abby and Toni’s three children of whom Mary Ann was immensely proud and loved beyond words-Jack, Sam, and Maggie, her namesake. Mary Ann was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed by her many friends and family.  The family is holding a Celebration of Life on 18 July, 2021 in St. Augustine Florida. Due to covid concerns, facemasks will be required at the gathering. Contact Toni at metcalffamily@verizon.net for more details.
Donations in Mary Ann’s spirit may be made to the La Villa Foundation, a school for the arts, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Judy Elaine Burdge
Judy Elaine Burdge, 74, of Green Cove Springs, FL, passed away July 10, 2021
Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000 http://www.broadusraines.com

Eugene Raymond Janda
Eugene (Gene) Raymond Janda, age 77 of Green Cove Springs, FL went to be with the Lord July 10, 2021, passing away at Orange Park Medical Center, following an extended illness. Gene was born in Lorain, Ohio on December 11, 1943 to Earl George Janda and Lenore Mae Janda-Szabo.
Following the death of his father, Gene moved to Green Cove Springs, FL., when in elementary school. It was there that he met his loving wife, Maxine Eddy Janda, while attending Clay High School. They survived four years of “going steady”, next month they would have been married 58 years. Gene graduated in 1962.
While still in high school, Gene joined the U.S. Army Reserves and spent his basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. His ministry began in 1967, and has included the following Baptist churches: Shiloh, Clay Hill, Bostwick, Providence, Decoy and ending with Sunrise, after which he retired due to health. He served in different capacities in the Black Creek Baptist Association. He sometimes supplemented his income in the ministry by being a meat cutter. Gene had a love of sports and gave back to his community by coaching youth sports, Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. He worked with kids in Pop Warner with Coach Ron Riddle for many years. He loved his family so much and enjoyed vacations to the mountains, Savannah Hilton Head, and St. Simon’s Island with them. Holidays were very noisy with the Janda clan. He also loved his feisty little Yorkie mix, Harley.
Gene is predeceased by his parents and brothers Frank and Earl George Jr.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Maxine Eddy Janda. His children Dean (Dawn), Troy (Julia) and Gina Hackworth (Larry). His grandchildren, Alan, Ryan, Kyle, Noah, Savannah, Adrianna, Chelsea, Austin Janda and Britton, Morgan Hackworth. He was also blessed with 8 great grandchildren. His sisters Annette Cope, and Gloria Brady.
The family would like to express appreciation to Dr. Randy Scott and staff, along with OPMC.
The family will receive friends from 10-11am, Saturday, July 17, 2021 in the Broadus- Raines Chapel. Funeral services to begin at 11am, with Rev. Tim Hall and Herbert Mullaly officiating. No graveside service to follow, burial will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery.
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.

Ernie Cohen
Ernie Cohen, 71, of Barrel Springs Drive, died Monday, July 12, 2021, at Haven Hospice of Orange Park.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Joann; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Bradley Herbst of Jacksonville; and Jackie and Brian Bukstein of Chicago ; a sister and brother-in-law, Shelley and Mark Schulman of Cleveland; four grandchildren, Sydney and Andrew Herbst and Joshua and Zachary Bukstein; three sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Debbie and Lou Bauer of Jacksonville; Lisa and Tobin Shepardson of North East, PA.; and Jim and Denise Murphy of North Lawrence, NY; four nephews, Howie (Lindsay), Kenny (Brittany) and Jeffrey (Alison) Schulman and Brett Bauer; a niece, Becca Shepardson; two great-nieces and one great-nephew; and his step-mother-in-law, Marcia Murphy of Cassadaga, NY.
He was predeceased by a sister, Hallie Cohen, in 2009.
Ernie was born February 25, 1950, in South Euclid, Ohio, the son of Elaine and Manuel “Mannie” Cohen. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The Ohio State University in 1972 and served as secretary and president of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. Upon graduation, Ernie joined the family business - American Steel Drum Co. - and became vice president.
After the company closed, he began a highly successful career in sales management in various industries in the Cleveland area such as Kinzua Environmental and Wirtshafters Inc. He married Joann Murphy on Oct. 7, 1994, in Painesville, Ohio. In 1996, Ernie opened his own firm - At Your Service - a multi-faceted personal-service business which operated successfully for several years before the Cohens decided to leave Cleveland, Ohio for Orange Park, Florida in February 2003. Once settled, he started another business, Software Unlimited, and eventually transitioned into a position as a regional sales representative in the credit-card-processing field where he was recognized as a top producer and deal closer. He then joined Haven Hospice as the Clay County professional liaison in January 2012 and immersed himself in the meetings, activities and events of Clay County to promote Haven Hospice and its mission which dramatically increased the agency’s profile in the community.
After two years, he accepted a similar position at Oak View Rehabilitation Center where he also became a member of the Board of Directors with Kids First of Florida - a non-profit dedicated to providing adoption and foster-care services to children emerging from abusive situations. By August 2015, as the board explored a new marketing approach to increase awareness and support for the Kids First program, Ernie stepped into a newly created role as not only as the community liaison for Kids First, but also the liaison for its sister non-profit agency - Clay Behavioral Health Center. Ernie became a very active member and eventually vice president of the Clay County Senior Adult Advocacy Council where guests at the annual fundraising barbecue could anticipate seeing Ernie wearing a pig or turkey costume in summer or an elf or gingerbread boy outfit at Christmastime, and he was also known to turn up dressed as a jockey, ballerina or whatever outfit the occasion demanded. At the same time, Ernie was an extremely popular and in-demand master of ceremonies. His outrageous sense of humor, infectious enthusiasm and gift for provoking people with just the right balance of mischief and humor made him a natural to host community-networking groups and signature Clay County events.
He lent his talents to the annual reverse raffle held to benefit Kids First of Florida/Clay Behavioral Health Center; the Finally Friday Network; Breakfast Connects; and the Orange Park Medical Center employee-recognition ceremony. Ernie was also MC for the Concert on the Green; the Golden Years Gala, the Orange Park Mall Festival of Freedom; the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk; and at more solemn public dedications such as the Clay County Monument for Fallen Warriors and the Welcome Home Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans. In appreciation for his tireless contributions and service to the Clay County community, Ernie was honored as part of the Allegro/Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park’s Golden Years Gala as the Volunteer Service Man of the Year in September 2020.
He was an avid Cleveland Browns fan who held season tickets for more than 20 years until the team “ripped his heart out” by moving to Baltimore. Some of his greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren participate in artistic performances and sports and from being part of a cause or team that helped and supported children.
Funeral services will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday July 16th 2021 in the care of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Orange Park, Florida.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ernie’s name to Kids First of Florida/Clay Behavioral Health Center, 1726 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park, Fla., 32073.

Harold Lewis (Louie)

Jarvies Harold Lewis (Louie) Jarvies, 85, a retired Electronic Engineer of Jacksonville Fl passed away on July 4th, 2021 in Green Cove Springs Florida He is Survived by his wife Helen, Children Charles Snellgrove (Launa) Donald Snellgrove, Annette Padgett and Branda Merritt. Thirteen Grandchildren and 30 Great Grandchildren 9 Great Great Grandchildren. Sisters Pat Warner and Arlen Hagan He was Preceded in death by daughter Janice Cummimgs and Son Rick Snellgrove, parents Cecil and Theresa Jarvies. Son In Laws Charlie Padgett and Don Merritt. Grandchildren Dereck, Denny, April Renee and DJ. He Graduated from Manitou Springs High in Colorado and FCCJ in Jacksonville Florida. Louie served in the US Navy. He met the love of his life Helen in Jacksonville Florida and was a devoted Husband and Father and Grandfather. He loved reading Science Fiction and Native American History. His favorite pastime was spending time with his Family and working on crossword puzzles. He especially loved traveling with his wife and taking his Children and Grandchildren to travel in his beloved Colorado. 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