Peel Funeral Home, 301 East Evans Avenue, Bonifay, FL (2026)

02/19/2026

MADELINE LEVINS BERRY

Ms. Madeline Levins Berry, age 92, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida passed away February 18, 2026, at The Beach House Assisted Living and Memory Care in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She was born May 12, 1933, in Vernon, Florida to the late Wess Edward Levins and Corene Chestnut Levins. In addition to her parents, Madeline was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Nelson Berry, one brother, Wallace Levins, and one brother-in-law, Jack Dorch.

Ms. Berry is survived by one son, Ronnie Berry of Jacksonville Beach, FL; one grandson, Roy Berry and wife Ashley of Los Angeles, CA; one great-grandson, Seven Berry of Los Angeles, CA; one brother, Wayne Levins and wife Mary of Orlando, FL; two sisters, Joyce Dorch of Bonifay, FL and Joan Wester and husband Larry of Jacksonville, FL; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Peel Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/18/2026

REGINALD EINAR ‘BUD’ LARSON

Mr. Reginald Einar ‘Bud’ Larson, age 91, formerly of Bonifay, Florida passed away February 18, 2026, at Legacy Pointe at UCF in Oviedo, Florida. He was born on July 27, 1934, in Milo, Maine to the late Einar Leontine Larson and Fern Mildred Lord Larson. In addition to his parents, Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Cone Larson, sister-in-law, JoAnn Cone, and brother-in-law, Charles Franklin ‘Bill’ Bullington.

Mr. Larson is survived by his son, Peter Larson and wife Stacie and one sister-in-law, Julia Bullington.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the Bonifay Cemetery with Rev. David Lauen officiating. Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/17/2026

JOAN WELLS

Joan Wells, age 89, of Caryville, FL, passed away February 17, 2026, peacefully at home with her son and daughter by her side. She was born in Calhoun County, Georgia on June 16, 1936, to Elder Carlton W. and Martha Todd.

Joan is survived by her brother, Coach Aaron Todd, Sr. of Caryville, FL; her daughter, Lisa Boyd (Danny) of Bonifay, FL; son, Todd Ray (Natalie) of Caryville, FL; grandchildren: Tara Howell of Caryville, FL; Ryan Boyd (Mandi) of Chipley, FL; Amanda Francis (Dex) of Portland, OR; Adison Ray of Caryville, FL; Ally Ray (Jack) of Brisbane, Australia. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James Brady Wells, sister Jeanelle Sapp and brother-in-law Devon Sapp of Pensacola, FL, and sister-in-law Millar Todd of Caryville, FL.

Joan was the valedictorian of the 1954 class of Vernon High School. She retired from the Bank of Bonifay after 27 years. She was a long-time member of Bethel Primitive Church in Bonifay, FL where her father, Elder C.W. Todd was the pastor for 57 years. Joan loved her church and her church family.

The family would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice for the wonderful care given to Joan.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 19, at 11:00 AM, at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Bonifay, FL with Elders Rick Bicknell and J.C. Stanaland officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will follow in the Bethel Cemetery. Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

Flowers will be gratefully accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice in memory of Joan Wells.

02/17/2026

ROY LAMAR FORTUNE

Mr. Roy Lamar Fortune, age 75, of Caryville, Florida passed away February 16, 2026, at Graceville Health Center in Graceville, Florida. He was born on May 2, 1950, in Hartford, Alabama. Mr. Fortune was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Fortune.

Mr. Fortune is survived by his mother, Norma Ruth Smothers; four children, Sandra Fortune, Tammie Zee, Todd Magruder, and Timothy Fortune; one brother, James Smothers; five grandchildren, Brandon Thomas, Brooke Macgruder, Raina Hoffman, Caleb Hoffman, and Amelia Fortune; four great-grandchildren, Leigha Thomas, Lilly Thomas, Leeland Thomas, and Laylabell Thomas.

Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/16/2026

RICHARD PAUL MADDEN

Mr. Richard Paul Madden, age 90, of Bonifay, Florida passed away February 16, 2026, at Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Panama City, Florida. He was born on February 22, 1935, in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Fredrick Paul Madden and Leta Bluebell Proudfoot Madden. In addition to his parents, Mr. Madden was preceded in death by both his wives, Sandra Madden and Janet Madden, along with one daughter, Vicki Ives.

Mr. Madden is survived by four children, Shawn Brunett and Dave of Apopka, FL, Michael Madden and Amy of Bonifay, FL, Heather Madden of Winter Garden, FL, and Chris Gero of Alachua, FL; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/16/2026

WILLIAM MITCHEL BOLDEN

Mr. William Mitchel Bolden, age 68, of Bonifay, Florida, passed away February 14, 2026, at his home. He was born on July 8, 1957, in Graceville, Jackson County, Florida to the late Joseph Mitchel Bolden and Essie B. Harris Bolden. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bolden was preceded in death by five siblings, Billy, Joe, Daisy, Mary, and Liz, and one son, Michael Longcrier.

Mr. Bolden is survived by his wife, Margaret Bolden; nine children, Hazel Bolden, Logan Bolden Lovette and husband Christopher, Christy Proctor, Billy Bolden, Joe Bolden, Jimmy Bolden, Eugenia Lofton, Robert Gray, and Dawana Gray; one sister, Rosie Bolden; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/16/2026

WALTER CARL BRAXTON JR.

Mr. Walter Carl Braxton Jr., age 92, of Westville, Florida passed away February 14, 2026, at his home. He was born on March 11, 1933, in Westville, Florida to the late Walter Carl Braxton and Mamie Bradley Braxton. In addition to his parents, Mr. Braxton was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Simmons Braxton, one son, Carl Jeffery Braxton, three brothers, James Edgar Braxton, Hampton Braxton, and John Hayward Braxton, and two sisters, Pauline Cullifer and Maxine Newton.

Mr. Braxton is survived by one daughter, Karen Dale Braxton Reynolds and husband John B. Reynolds of Westville, FL; one grandson, Gary Boone Reynolds and wife Alisha; three great-grandchildren, Allison Reynolds, Grayson Reynolds, and Braxton Reynolds; one brother, Ronald Wayne Braxton and wife Pam; numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, February 20, 2026, in the Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/16/2026

GEORGE WALTEN GAUSS

Mr. George Walten Gauss, age 78, of Westville, Florida, passed away February 12, 2026, at his home. He was born on September 25, 1947, in Chipley, Florida. George was preceded in death by his father, William Thomas Gauss, his mother, Dona Mae Strickland Gauss, his wife, Carolyn Jones Gauss, one brother, Cecil Edward Gauss, four sisters, Dorothy Pippins, Doris Tadlock, Bernice Crush, and Eunice Wood, and mother to his children, Jacqueline Bit Brooks.

George proudly served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 509th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He was a veteran who served in Korea, where he demonstrated bravery, discipline, and dedication to duty. During his service, George earned recognition as a sharpshooter, a testament to his skill and commitment as a soldier. His military service was a source of great pride and honor.

Mr. Gauss is survived by two children, Melody Sunshine Gauss Donaldson of Quincy, FL and Stephen Gauss of Tallahassee, FL; two grandchildren, Chance Donaldson and Alexa Donaldson; two sisters, Joyce Everett and Gale Jernigan both of Bonifay, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; friend from the Army, Stokely.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the St. John Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Tuesday at Peel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

02/06/2026

MELISSA MARIA MOORE

Mrs. Melissa Maria Schmidt Moore, age 68, of Bonifay, Florida passed away February 5, 2026, at her home. She was born on May 30, 1957, in Rutland, Vermont. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Schmidt and Olympia Mary Tria Schmidt, her husband, Terry Moore, and one sister, Patricia Schmidt.

Mrs. Moore is survived by two sons, Shaun Lamb and Amanda and Jason Lamb and Dana; four daughters, Sarah Moore Colyar and Brian, Rachel Moore and Cory, Amy Moore Smith and Scott, and Tabitha Moore; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/05/2026

EFFIE JANE HENDRIX FINCH

Ms. Effie Jane Hendrix Finch, age 88, of Wausau, Florida passed away February 4, 2026, at Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley, Florida. She was born on December 9, 1937, in Hartford, Alabama to the late Barney Jack Hendrix and Mattie Esther Hughes. In addition to her parents, Ms. Finch was preceded in death by her husbands, Carson B. Hammock and D.C. Finch, one grandson, Daniel Finch, and three siblings, Marie Hayes, Vonciel Parrish, and Edward Hendrix.

Ms. Finch is survived by one son, Ray Hammock of Chipley, FL; one daughter, Jo Ann Hayes and husband Billy of Chipley, FL; one sister, Verla Mae Hall of Caryville, FL; two grandchildren, Chelsea Hammock and Aaron Hammock; one great-grandchild, Gunnar Hammock; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Friday, February 6, 2026, at Christian Haven Church. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 12 to 1 PM at Christian Haven Church, 2612 Finch Circle, Wausau, Florida.

02/04/2026

PAUL JEFFERY ‘JEFF’ GRAHAM

Mr. Paul Jeffery ‘Jeff’ Graham, age 72, of Caryville, Florida passed away February 2, 2026, at his home. He was born on May 23, 1953, in Collins, Mississippi to the late Clarence Desma Graham and Winnie Lott Graham. In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by two siblings, C.D. ‘Butch’ Graham Jr. and Claire Graham Garrett.

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife, Becky Graham of Caryville, FL; one daughter, Summer Janell Hodges and husband Travis of Caryville, FL; four grandchildren, his #1 favorite–Brackin Graham, along with–Awtumnn Hodges, Bryce Hodges, and Bailey Hodges all of Caryville, FL; eight siblings, James B. Graham and wife Helen of Penrose, CO, Rose Marie Payne and husband Jimmy of Vancleave, MS, Frances Jean Mitchell of Oklahoma City, OK, Frank P. Graham and wife Rena of Jackson, MS, Walter D. Graham and wife Dorothy of Sanford, MS, Janell Carter of Petal, MS, Margaret J. Scott of Sanford, MS, and Billy J. Graham and wife Shelia of Taylorsville, MS; numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Grace Fellowship Christian Church, 2249 County Road 179, Bonifay, Florida. Memorialization will be by cremation with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements.

02/03/2026

DEROTHA STEWART HANEY

Ms. Derotha Stewart Haney, age 99, of Bonifay, Florida passed away January 31, 2026, at The Terrace at Ivey Acres Assisted Living in Jay, Florida. She was born on January 20, 1927, to the late John Stewart and Nancy Lee Stewart. In addition to her parents, Derotha was preceded in death by her husband, William Sanford Haney Jr., her son, Earl William Haney, three brothers, Doyle Stewart, Odell Stewart, and Leo Stewart, and two sisters, Winna Mae Todd and Gracie Lee Schutz.

Ms. Haney is survived by one daughter, Joann Cox of Pace, FL, four grandchildren, Jeffery, Shay, Charles, and Amanda, twelve great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, February 5, 2026, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Timothy Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in the New Bethany Assembly of God Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home and Bonifay Crematory in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 12 to 1 PM at Peel Funeral Home.

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