Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home & Crematory

08/24/2026

Ronnie Dale Allison, 58, died on August 23, 2026. He was born on April 21, 1968 in Millville, New Jersey. A resident of Okeechobee for most of his life, he was a member of Faith Alive. He loved watching the sunrise with his dog, Harley. He also enjoyed fishing and attending auctions.

Mr. Allison was preceded in death by his parents, Spencer Allison and Mary Ann Williams; sister, Connie Allison; brother, Rickey Allison; and daughter, Amanda Gayle Suarez.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Cheryl Allison; daughters, Michelle Gough (Delos), Amanda Allison, Maryann Allison, and Jessica Seger; grandchildren, Sade, Hayden, Caiden, Caleb, Zoey, Joe, Zaiden, Keiden, Haisley, Jordan, EJ, Chandler, and Charlie; and brother, Spencer Allison.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made directly to the funeral home to assist the family expenses. Donations may be made by clicking the Services tab at the top of the page, select Payment Center, then select A Loved One's Account, and then search for Ronnie's name.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

Carl Frank Fritz, 91

Carl Frank Fritz died peacefully at home on August 18, 2026. He was born on August 14, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio to Adam Fritz and Margaret Valasik. A resident of Okeechobee for 22 years, he was a member of Oakview Church. He enjoyed fishing and wood working.

Mr. Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, Adam Fritz and Margaret Valasik; brother, James Fritz; and stepdaughter, Kimala Lowry.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Mary Fritz; stepdaughters, Tracy Souslin, Heidi Gentry (Cory), and Holly Richards (Rob); 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and sister, Peggy Bevington (Dave).

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until a service at 11:00a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Oakview Church.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972.

08/22/2026

Thank you Okeechobee

Matt Buxton from Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory has been disposing of worn-out flags for the community for many years.

08/21/2026

Sandra Lee Arnett, 79

Sandra Lee Arnett died on August 18, 2026. She was born on March 17, 1947 in Washington, D.C. to Cecil Whetzel and Gaynell Whetzel. A resident of Lakeport for more than 40 years, she enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding airboats, going RVing, shopping; and having a good time. She will be lovingly remembered by her family.

Ms. Arnett was preceded in death by her loving husband, Perry Arnett; parents, Cecil and Gaynell Whetzel; and brothers, Bob Whetzel and Wayne Whetzel.

She is survived by her son, Robert DiMattina (Nicole); daughter, Lori Stofft (Randall); grandchildren, Gavriella, Nicholas, Sophia, AJ, Dylan, and Cruz; brother, Steve Whetzel; and sister, Patty Whetzel.

A private service is being held.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972.

08/21/2026

Luis Rivera, 24, of Okeechobee, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on August 17, 2026. Luis was a lifelong resident of Okeechobee.

He is survived by his mother, Sandra Angelica Ortega Gutierrez; his brother, Edgar Mirsha Rivera, Edgar’s wife Andrea Leon, their children Edgar, Dalilah and Caleb; and his brother, Uriel Rivera.

Luis's family extended far beyond those connected by blood. He was blessed with a family he found, built, and loved deeply. His adoptive family, Denise Whitehead, Makaya Purvis (Whitehead), Tommy Purvis, and Cheryl Worlow, were an important and deeply loved part of his life. They loved Luis as their own, and he loved them as family.

Luis's Band Family was another enormous part of his life. As an alumnus of the Okeechobee High School band program and later a percussion instructor, he poured his heart into his students, the marching band, percussion, and color guard. He loved teaching and watching students grow. To countless students, Luis was a mentor and encourager who believed in them and helped them believe in themselves.

His Band Family included Clint and Courtney LaFlam and their children, Cadence and Cooper; Chris and Jenny Bowen and their children, William and Jameson; Katie and Toby Doyle; Jasmine Futch; and so many others who loved Luis as one of their own.

Luis also found family in his Wawa coworkers, where he became a mentor and coach to countless employees. Among his closest friends were Hannah Harper, Ashley Travieso, Irina Segur, and his boyfriend, Fabian Gomez, along with countless others who became more like family than friends.

Luis loved spending time with his friends, making people laugh, giving the biggest hugs, teaching percussion, supporting the marching band and color guard, and simply being around the people he loved. He was goofy, outgoing, and unapologetically himself, with a huge personality and an even bigger heart.

Most of all, people will remember Luis's smile. His huge smile could brighten an entire room. He was a shining light to those around him, full of love, caring, compassion, and an ability to truly listen. When someone needed encouragement, Luis gave it. When someone needed to talk, he listened. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Luis leaves behind family, friends, students, coworkers, and a community who will feel his absence deeply, but he also leaves behind countless memories, laughter, lessons, and love.

Luis Rivera was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. His light will continue through the people he loved, the students he inspired, and the many lives he touched.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026 at More 2 Life.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/20/2026

Harold “Bud” Wayne Keefer, 88, died on August 12, 2026. He was born on February 26, 1938 in Peru, Indiana to Elmer Hampton Keefer and Helen Elizabeth Mote Keefer. He attended high school in Summitville, Indiana. He proudly served our country in the United States Marines. He was employed at Fisher Body General Motors for 31 years. An avid fisherman and hunter his entire life, he guided on Lake Okeechobee for many years.

Mr. Keefer loved his children and grandchildren. He always made time for them anytime they needed his love and attention.

Mr. Keefer was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Elizabeth Mote Keefer; father, elmer Hampton Keefer; three brothers, Raymond “Whitey” Keefer, Phil Keefer, and Lester Keefer; one sister, Kate Covey; and good friend, Jimmy King.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Charlene Keefer; sons, Dennis Jo Keefer and David Wayne Blair; daughter, Mary Jo Brunt; eight grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and good friend, Joe Smith.

The family will have a memorial service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at First Methodist Church in Okeechobee.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/19/2026

In Loving Memory of Donna Marie Barnhill

Donna Marie Barnhill, 84, of Indiantown, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026 in Lake Port, Florida. She was born on March 11, 1942 in Odessa, Missouri, to Kenneth and Vivian Short.

Donna devoted much of her life to caring for others. She first began her working years in the service industry, where she developed a strong work ethic and a natural compassion for people. Over time, she followed a calling into nursing, where she found her true purpose. For many years, she provided compassionate care in both home health and private duty settings, offering comfort, kindness, and dignity to those she served.

After decades of dedicated service, Donna retired from nursing. In retirement, she embraced a slower pace of life and found joy in the simple things that brought her peace and fulfillment. She loved to travel and spend time tending to her flowers and plants. She also found great happiness in caring for and raising the many animals she loved throughout her life. As well as baking sweet treats. Her animals brought her tremendous comfort and companionship, and caring for them remained one of her greatest joys.

Donna will be remembered for her kind and caring heart, her deep love of animals, her quiet strength, and the compassion she extended to others throughout her life. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and in the love she shared so freely with her family and friends.

Donna is survived by her children, Fredrick P. Skellenger (Kathy), Marianne Peppers, Penny T. Whittier (Peter), Denise M. Chalfant, and Bilinda J. Pottorff (Duane); along with 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; her extended family; and all those whose lives she touched. She is also survived by her brothers, Jerry Short and David Short (Sharon); and her sisters, Debra Taylor and Janice Franklin (Duane).

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas J. Barnhill; her parents, Kenneth and Vivian Short; and her sister, Joy L. Nevels.

Though she is no longer with us, the love she gave, the lives she touched, and the memories she created will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Rest peacefully, Mom. You will be deeply missed and forever loved.

No services will be held.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com.

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/18/2026

Sarah Davis Perkins, 92

Sarah Davis Perkins went to be in the peaceful arms of her Lord and Savior on August 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 17, 1934 to Thomas and Wilma Davis in Dawson, Georgia. She was a resident of Clewiston for over 71 years. Sarah met the love of her life, George Perkins, while in high school and married him in 1952. Sarah and George soon started a family and their children meant the world to them. Their son Mark was born in 1956 and their daughter Pam was born in 1958. In early 1962, they moved to Clewiston, Florida, where they resided for the rest of their lives.

Sarah worked as a bookkeeper for Hare Lumber and Ready Mix from 1965 to 2005, where she was known by many locals. She enjoyed many hobbies throughout her lifetime, but her favorite was quilting with her best friend, Bobbie. Sarah was a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and was a member of Evangel Church, where she served in many different capacities during her active years.

Sarah had many friends, but the four ‘peas in a pod’, Sarah, Bobbie, Shirley, and Judy, had many adventures and a lot of fun together over the years. She loved being a mother and a grandmother to Justin and Tyler. She adored them and always cherished her time with them. Sarah left behind a legacy of love, faith, and strength that will live on in those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, George Perkins; parents, Thomas and Wilma Davis; and brothers, Gerald Davis and Billy Davis.

She is survived by her son, Mark Perkins (Scherry) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; daughter, Pam Perkins-Giddens (Morris) of Clewiston, Florida; grandchildren, Justin Perkins (Holly), Tyler Perkins (Michelle), and Natalie Giddens Watkins (Will); great-grandchild, Rylie Sartor; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service at 11:00 a.m. on August 29, 2026 at Evangel Assembly Church of God, located at 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, Florida, 33440. Interment to follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sarah’s name to the Evangel Assembly Church of God.

In the words she lived by and the love she so freely gave, she will never be forgotten.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com.

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/18/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary West. She was just eight days shy of her 102nd birthday.

Mary was an avid crossword, jigsaw puzzle, and bingo player. She also loved to play the slots at the casino.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George West.

She was the proud mother of Joanne Marvin. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Theresa Privette (Steven) and Angel Cutsforth; great grandchildren, Lindsey Ray (Chris), Marcus Privette (Jodie), Gunnar Privette, and Jordan Privette; great great grandchildren, Chloe Ray and Colton Ray; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was lovingly cared for by her nephew and niece, John and Susan Smith. Mary leaves behind three sisters, Ida, Jean, and Pat, and was the eldest of ten siblings.

No services will be held.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.