Milam Funeral Home, Inc.

11/10/2025

Milam Minute 7: What is a Burial Vault? 🪦

Question from Natalie: What is a vault and why do I need one to be buried in a cemetery?

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Thank you for this great question, Natalie! When I am meeting with families who are choosing traditional burials, we are often asked what the purpose of a vault is and if it is required for burial. For many, having to order a vault on top of the already-lengthy list of funeral expenses may seem unnecessary and expensive. However, it is very crucial for a multitude of reasons and is not up to the funeral home to decide when one is required.

Burial vaults are not required by federal or state law. Instead, each individual cemetery must decide to mandate them or not. Most cemeteries will require vaults, but some cemeteries (especially those which specialize in natural burials like Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery) will not. This is because vaults help to keep cemeteries safe as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Due to the constant use of heavy machinery in cemeteries, caskets buried under the ground will be subjected to excessive forces, not to mention the unpredictability of Florida’s water table. Vaults stabilize the earth and prevent collapses from above while also increasing the durability of the casket within and its protective, semi-preservative qualities. It also keeps cemeteries looking nice and uniform for those that come to visit their loved ones, hold services, or maintain plots.

If you have any end-of-life questions for us to answer, please click the link and fill out the brief Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIdqhtIrTXL08hN3TLluAN0GpIX3TacBXDcJa19RoYjqlUmA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105743120442743692654

11/07/2025

Funeral Fact Friday: Coins on Military Headstones 🪙

Have you ever noticed coins on military headstones? Did you know that each coin actually holds a specific meaning? This practice began in Ancient Roman times, but saw a resurgence after the Vietnam war.

Penny: Someone has visited the headstone.

Nickel: Someone has trained with the deceased at boot camp.

Dime: Someone has served with the deceased.

Quarter: Someone was present when the deceased passed away.

11/05/2025

Jenna Broyles, 101 years old, Gainesville, Fl., passed away Sunday Oct. 26, 2025 surrounded by family.

Jenna was born in Richmond, Indiana to Rudolph J. Schneider and Vair E. Schneider. She was raised in Eustis, Florida. While attending Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts she met the love of her life, Arthur A. Broyles. They married in 1943 and she spent the next 2 years in California until he completed his Navy tour of duty. After the war and after Arthur completed his PhD they lived in Los Alamos, NM, and then Santa Monica, California where Arthur worked for Rand Corp.. Their final move was in 1959 to Gainesville with four children and 3 cats.

Jenna was very involved in her children’s lives with dancing lessons, swim practice and carpooling. Jenna loved animals particularly cats, raising Siamese cats, feeding feral cats in the neighborhood.

For many years she volunteered for every Pofahl Studio dance recital helping coordinate fast changes for children in more than one dance. The Broyles were also one of the families forming the 300 Club swim club in 1960 serving on the Board of Directors for many years. This led to helping develop the 300 Club Swim Team and volunteering with Florida AAU Swimming for many years.

Jenna is survived by her children; Rhea Broyles, David Broyles, Bonnie (Rock) Rote and Frances (Steve) Hare and grandchildren Daniel (Meara) Broyles, Mark (Kalie) Broyles; Ryan (Erica) Rote, Aubri Rote-Menton (Amelia), and Kate Corriea (Anthony).She is also survived by great grandchildren; Caleb & Jacob Broyles, Tanza, Skyla, & Rania Rote, Avett & Blake Rote-Menton, and Bodie Corriea.

Celebration of life services will be private. In lieu of flowers and if so inclined donations to the Humane Society of North Central Florida or Operation Catnip of Gainesville would be appreciated.

Jenna was born on October 16th, 1924 and passed away on October 26th, 2025 at the age of 101

11/04/2025

Gloria C. Smith, age 90, passed away peacefully at her home on October 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Gainesville, Florida, Gloria was the daughter of William B. Coleman and Evelyn Gnann. She began her career in nursing school, where she discovered her true passion - research. Gloria went on to become a Scientific Research Manager and published researcher at the University of Florida, where she also taught. She retired after 30 years of dedicated service.

For over 50 years, Gloria was a proud and active member of Micanopy Chapter #140, Order of the Eastern Star. Over her many years of service, she held the distinguished office of Worthy Grand Matron leading her chapter with faith, dedication, and sisterly love.

Gloria was a strong and devoted wife to Alonzo Worthy Smith (who preceded her in death in 2009), a loving mother, sister, friend, and her favorite title - “Boo” (grandma). She was affectionately known by many as “Boo,” as her heart and home were always open to anyone who needed her warmth and care.

She is survived by her daughter Lynn Smith; grandchildren Aly Wade, Aleks Wade, and Kaylyn Smith; great-grandson Jaxson Worthy; and sister June Balsamo (Ron)

A Celebration of Life and graveside memorial will be held on December 6th at 2PM at the Evinston Cemetery.

US-441 N & NW 220th St
Micanopy, FL 32667

Gloria was born on December 2nd, 1934 and passed away on October 27th, 2025 at the age of 90

11/03/2025

Funeral Homes vs. Direct Disposers ⚱️

A funeral industry term that may be familiar to some is “direct disposer”, especially when discussing the option of cremation. While direct disposers function similarly to funeral homes in the services they provide, they are much more limited in what they offer and often have lower prices in comparison because of these limitations.

In simple terms, direct disposers only cremate or perform burials, depending on the nature of the business. They do not hold funeral services, do not embalm, do not hold visitations, and typically only carry a small selection of urns, caskets, and/or keepsakes for the family to choose from. They are an economical, simplistic choice and are growing in popularity.

Funeral homes can be direct disposers if that is what the family wishes, but they also have the licensure to offer full funeral services, viewings/visitations, embalming, and different types of dispositions (such as anatomical donation). They will also carry a larger selection of caskets, urns, keepsakes and memorial items for families to select from.

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to selecting a business to handle funeral arrangements. A decision should be made based on personal choices regarding factors such as services, proximity, and price points.

11/02/2025

Hank (Henry) Chaiklin died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 4, 2025, after years of living with Lewy Body Dementia.

Hank was a man that lived life to the fullest with authenticity and following his passions. He loved basketball – playing obsessively in high school and then in college and into his old age on a senior league. He quit his college basketball team when his coach said he had to choose between civil rights and basketball. Hank joined the 1960s civil rights movement – lying about his age to participate in the Mississippi Freedom Summer, fighting discrimination as a leader of the Worcester Student Movement for Civil Rights and founder of the Prospect House, a community development organization.

Hank loved Central America and had a great appreciation for hard woods. He started a business that imported and exported exotic hard woods, owning several sawmills in Central America. He also owned a 125-acre farm in rural Costa Rica where he spent a large amount of time working to produce a commercial crop of mamón chino or rambutan.

Hank is survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren all of who brought him great joy throughout his spectacular life.

Hank was born on May 14th, 1944 and passed away on October 4th, 2025 at the age of 81

11/01/2025

Happy heavenly birthday to our owner and founder Marcus “Mickey” Milam III, who was born on this day in 1940. We’re all thinking of you and sending birthday love your way. 💚

10/31/2025

Funeral Fact Friday: Halloween & Samhain 🎃

Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival of the dead, is thought to have contributed to the origins of modern Halloween. Spirits were said to roam the earth on that day, so the living protected themselves by “guising” (wearing scary masks to trick malevolent spirits) and setting a place at their dining tables to appease the souls of deceased ancestors (called a “dumb supper”).

Other traditions included building big bonfires, sharing food as a community with those who were less fortunate, and carving turnips and other root vegetables with scary faces to ward off evil. 🫜

10/30/2025

October 30th is Create a Great Funeral Day!

The purpose of this national day is to break down the barriers regarding death discussion and to help people consider what funeral arrangements they may want for themselves when the time comes.

It is important to have a candid conversation with friends and family about your wishes. This way, any confusion, stress, and disagreement that may arise during planning at the time of need are virtually quashed. Pre-planning a funeral, however detailed or simple that may be, can be the greatest gift one leaves behind for their surviving family.

Milam Funeral Home is always ready to sit down with you and discuss the options that are available to you. Please give us a call or send us an email through our website submission portal so we can answer your questions or set up an appointment for you to stop by.

Website: https://milamfh.com/contact-us/

10/30/2025

It is with heavy hearts, we share the passing of Cheri L. Fitch, 69, of Gainesville, Florida on October 22, 2025.

Cheri was born on October 26, 1955 in Hobart, Indiana, the daughter of the late James F. Fitch of Deltona, Florida and the late Joanne M. (Ronald) Katchever of West Bend, Wisconsin. Our family moved to Wisconsin when Cheri was an infant and built our home in the town of Cedarburg.

Cheri graduated from West Bend West High School in 1973 and went on to the UW-Washington County campus. After a year, Cheri transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where she graduated with a B.S. degree in Public Relations/Advertising. Cheri then obtained her Property and Casualty insurance license and continued a successful career for many years in commercial insurance underwriting. She retired in Florida about six years ago as she enjoyed the warmer winters but found she missed being closer to family. Cheri, most of all, cherished time with family. Cheri was always quick to help on holidays and make someone’s birthday extra special. Cheri had a thoughtful and caring heart ..she enjoyed keeping in close touch with family.

Cheri travelled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada (notably British Columbia), Mexico and throughout Europe. New England and Door County, Wisconsin held a special place in Cheri’s heart. Cheri loved time at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin. She enjoyed gardening, biking, reading and the outdoors with her adoring cocker spaniels, Ashley and Mocha. Cheri’s beloved German Shepard, Bella, held a special place in her heart.

Cheri was preceded in death by her brother, Terry Fitch.

Cheri is survived by her sister, Pamela (Michael) Mueller and her nephew, Christopher Mueller and many cousins and relatives. Cheri is also survived by her step brothers, Mark Katchever (and Leslie), Tony (Amy) Katchever, Michael Katchever (and Danelle), Kent Katchever (and Suzanne) and step sister, Traci Katchever.

Cheri is immensely missed by family and friends and will be forever in our hearts.

Milam Funeral Home, Gainesville, Florida is assisting the family. Cheri chose not to have a funeral service. The family will have a private gathering at a later date. Resting place will be at The Washington County Memorial Cemetery, West Bend, Wisconsin.

Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home at: https://milamfh.com

https://milamfh.com/obituaries/cheri-fitch

Cheri was born on October 26th, 1955 and passed away on October 22nd, 2025 at the age of 69

10/30/2025

Last night, local historian Don Davis and the Matheson History Museum put on a spectacular “History of the Death Care Industry in Alachua County” event.

Funeral homes and cemeteries within the county furnished memorabilia, stories, and photos for the exhibit and presentation, and it was fascinating getting to learn just how inter-connected all of us in this small industry really are!

Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this special event come to fruition. We hope you all appreciate the local deathcare industry as much as we do! 💚

10/29/2025

Dr. John L. Coker, Jr., age 98, of Gainesville for over 50 years passed away at home on October 23, 2025.

John was born on May 21, 1927 in Charlotte, NC to John Louie Coker, Sr. and Genevieve Hovis Coker. At an early age, he and his family moved to Ashville, NC and then to Knoxville, TN.

He became a member of the Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also classically trained on the piano.

In 1944, his family moved to Atlanta, GA and John graduated from Tech High School in 1945. He then volunteered for the United States Naval Reserve V-5 Program.

Following his discharge from military service, he enrolled in Emory University and became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in June 1949.

John and Harriet Ann McGuire were married on August 16, 1950 in Wooster, Ohio and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he enrolled at The Thomas W. Evans Museum and Dental Institute from which he graduated in 1954. At the commencement ceremony, he was awarded the inaugural Theodore Blume Award for proficiency in the field of Oral Surgery.

The following year John continued his studies in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine.

During his years of practice, he enjoyed memberships in local, state, national, and international organizations. In 1961, he was invited to become a founding fellow and member of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

In the 1960s and 1970s, John participated in the Doctor-to-Doctor international program with medical and dental specialists to lecture and operate on needy patients in Central and South American countries.

He was a Ham Radio operator (WA4EOT), a hobby he enjoyed with his father-in-law, Donald McGuire. He knew Morse Code and Semaphore from his time as a Boy Scout.

He enjoyed fishing and exploring the lower Suwannee River basin and the offshore areas with family and friends from his camp, the Seven Seas (7Cs), near the mouth of the Suwannee River. He was fascinated with old maps and nautical charts. He and his three youngest sons earned the Silver Paddle Award after a several weeks-long canoe trip along the entire Suwannee River.

An avid reader of biography, history and nature kept him busy when not enjoying the birds and other wildlife surrounding his home on Long Reach Ranch near Alachua, FL. As a farmer, he harvested soy beans, melons, and to***co, as well as cedar and pine trees. He designed and planted a beautiful grape arbor and produced a private label of delicious wine.

Several times during his life he and his family planted successful vegetable gardens. At his home in Gainesville, he planted hundreds of dogwood trees and azalea bushes

He was a life-long stamp collector. He enjoyed painting landscapes using watercolors. For many years, John read and collected National Geographic magazine and The Progressive Farmer.

He and his wife Ann travelled in a motor home up and down the East Coast and inland areas to the foothills of the Appalachians, from Florida to Maine visiting family, old friends, cemeteries, court houses, and genealogy repositories, collecting family information.

His parents provided him with a strong and loving home and set high standards for his life. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South at the age of nine, the Boy Scouts of America at the age of 13 and the Masonic Order in 1950. He tried to model his life from the best tenets of each affiliation.

He was active in the Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and served for a term as their president. His four sons are also members and his one daughter is a member of the Daughters of the American. He enjoyed his membership and fellowship in the Gainesville Rotary Club, and he visited several Rotary chapters in other parts of the world.

He was predeceased by his parents and one son, David Bryant Coker. He is survived by his wife, Ann; five children: John L. Coker III (Linda) of Orlando, FL; Judge Mary Day Coker of Gainesville, FL; Robert E. Coker (Menla) of Jensen Beach, FL; Donald A. Coker (Kimberly) of Tallahassee, FL; William W. Coker (Tatiana) of Bradenton, FL; eleven grandchildren; and, seven great-grandchildren.

John truly enjoyed life, loved his family, his chosen profession, and his many patients and friends. He was a true professional, a gentleman, and a man of strong faith.

John was born on May 21st, 1927 and passed away on October 23rd, 2025 at the age of 98