Born December 5, 1950, Richard (Ric) Howard Tritsch, 65, passed away and entered his heavenly home on June 20 after a short battle with cancer and many years of the effects of multiple strokes. He is the son of Clyde and Babs Tritsch, deceased. He has a sister Pamela Kovac and several cousins who reside in the Pittsburg area.

He graduated high school in the Butler, Pennsylvania, and served in the Army and National Guard. In his younger years Ric was a radio disc jockey in the Pittsburg area, and an avid collector of rock and roll oldies music and classic movies; an antique sports car collector; photographer and local businessman.

After moving to High Springs he relocated and restored the old railroad depot and ran a coffee shop and museum in the building. Ric served as president of the High Springs Chamber of Commerce and was responsible for establishing the first High Springs nighttime Christmas parade. He was a supporter of the High Springs Museum and donated a real train caboose to Camp Kulaqua.

Rick had many community friends and was a loyal member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. He was especially loved by the youth at his church. For a number of years on weekday afternoons he would open to visitors the historic chapel at St. Bartholomew’s. This was his way of sharing the Lord with others. “Blessed Assurance” was his favorite hymn and “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was his favorite song. He never stopped giving and was always generous with the less fortunate. Several times Ric traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help the cleanup efforts after hurricane Katrina.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church located next to High Springs City Hall. The Reverend Canon Lance Horne will officiate. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Merle J. Blanton, 90, a longtime High Springs, Florida resident, passed away Tuesday at her residence. She was a native of Valdosta, Georgia and a member of the High Springs Church of Christ. She was a longtime employee in the cafeteria at Santa Fe High School.

Survivors include sons Jerry and Curtis Blanton of High Springs; daughter Linda Bennett of High Springs; sisters Ava Blanchard, Mildred Croft, Gloria Luke and Dot Blanchard all of Valdosta, Georgia; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, June 25 at 12:30 p.m. at Newnansville Cemetery with Brother Danny DeLoach officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. - 12 Noon at Evans-Carter Funeral Home High Springs, FL 386-454-2444.

Donald Larone Robinson

Mr. Donald Larone Robinson, 48 of High Springs,Florida, passed on Monday, July 4, 2016. Viewing for Mr. Robinson will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home, 1560 N.W. 1^st Avenue, High Springs, Florida and on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The Memorial Service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex Auditorium, 372 West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida. Interment will be at the Mt. Tabor AME Church Cemetery, L M Aaron Road, Lake City, FL 32024.

Professional care entrusted to A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home.

Jean Bell Ergle, 86, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2016.

Mrs. Ergle was born in Dixie County on June 30, 1929 to Josh and Julia Bell. During her working career she was a secretary and bookkeeper for the Gainesville Gas Company. She enjoyed golfing, fishing and singing. She was a member of Parkview Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband Louis N. Ergle of Gainesville, Florida; son, Rick (Sandy) Ergle of Keystone Heights, Florida and grandchildren, Brittany (Trip) Roberts of Lubbock, Texas, Phillip Ergle of Gainesville, Joshua Ergle of Gainesville and Tabitha Odabe of Gainesville.

Funeral services will be held at the Parkview Baptist Church on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 2 p.m. with Rick Ergle and Rev. Greg MacGruder officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mission Scholarship Fund at CrossPoint Church, PO Box 336, Melrose, FL 32666.

Arrangements have been placed under the direction of Rick Gooding Funeral Home, Chiefland, Florida, 352-493-0050.