Brown Funeral Home and Crematory

04/28/2026

Brian T. Hoening, age 78, of Crystal River, FL passed away April 22, 2026, under the loving care of his family and HPH Hospice. Brian was born on March 13, 1948, to Francis George and Mary Jane (Murray) Hoening in Oak Park, IL. A retired Fire Safety Engineer from Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp., he was also a US Navy veteran and served on the nuclear submarine, the USS Thomas Jefferson. Although they bought a home in Citrus County back in the 90’s, Brian finally settled in the area from Standish, MI about 8 years ago after retiring. He was of the Catholic faith. Brian was an avid fisherman and gamer - he especially enjoyed playing Fallout with his grandsons. Brian was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Pearl Theresa Hoening as well as his brother and sister-in-law Charles and Sherri Hoening.
Brian is survived by his four children, Laura Leigh Pearl Burk (Nathan), Stephanie Rizzuto (Mikel) Bonnie Panella (Tony) and Robert Blackstock; siblings, Bruce Hoening (Dee), Kevin Hoening (Linda), Kieran Hoening (Libby); grandchildren Geoffrey Ambolino, Todd Wisser, Jr, (Liz), Sarah Maxwell (Courtney),Joshua Kern (Steffany), Aidan Kern, and Tony Panella, II; great-grandchildren, Riley, Caleb, Dylan, Aiden, Malia, and Melody. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
Private cremation will be under the direction of Brown Funeral Home & Crematory in Lecanto, FL. Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 11AM, Friday, May 15, 2026, at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Lecanto, FL.

04/28/2026

Darlene Anne Vargo, age 80, of Beverly Hills, FL, passed away April 2, 2026, at her home. Born on January 30, 1946, in South Bend, IN to Stanley and Cecelia (Rodick) Balcerzak. Darlene was Self Employed in the Auto Parts Industry, moving to Citrus County in 1983 from Indiana and she was Catholic.
In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Michael G Vargo and her sister, Carol Evans.
Survived by her son, William H Barker, III and his wife Debbie; two grandchildren, William H Barker, IV, Brittany D Felthoff and her husband Dalton.
Private cremation will take place under the direction of Brown Funeral Home and Crematory in Lecanto, FL.

04/25/2026

Mary Katherine Akins funeral service

04/25/2026

David Reeves Funeral

04/23/2026

David O Reeves, age 60, of Homosassa, FL, passed away April 20, 2026, at his home, under the loving care of his family and Vitas Hospice. David was born on March 31, 1966, in Plant City, FL to William Charles and Gladys (Taylor) Reeves. He moved to Citrus County 40 years ago from Plant City, FL.
Survived by his wife Laura K Reeves; two children, Shayne Butcher and his wife Kelly, Brennon Butcher and his wife Taya; three sisters, Diane Dasher, Debi Lane and her husband Steve, Lori Ann Proctor; one brother, Bobby Griffin and his wife Cindy; four grandchildren, Brayden Butcher, Oaklynn Butcher, Jackson Butcher and Brennlee Kay Butcher.
Family will be receiving friends on Saturday, April 25th from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Lecanto, FL. Pastor Lloyd Bertine from Gulf to Lake Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Fountains Memorial Park in Homosassa, FL.
Brown Funeral Home and Crematory in Lecanto, Florida is in Charge of Arrangements.

04/22/2026

Mary Katherine Akins, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend of Crystal River, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2026.

She was born on September 3, 1935, in West Helena, Arkansas, to Ralph and Altie Slaughter. Katherine lived a life centered on faith, family, and love. She stood faithfully by her husband’s side as they traveled across the United States and around the world while he preached the Gospel, touching countless lives along the way. Together, they helped build mission schools and churches in Jamaica and Brazil, leaving a lasting impact on many communities.

Katherine and her husband also traveled to Europe to attend Billy Graham’s worldwide conference and training. On one especially meaningful journey, she visited Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Rome, and the pyramids of Egypt—experiences she carried with her and cherished deeply.

Katherine married her sweetheart Leon Akins on December 30, 1950, and they shared 74 beautiful years of marriage.

She was a member of New Home Baptist Church of Perry, Florida, where her faith remained a guiding force throughout her life.

Katherine had a deep love for her family and cherished every moment spent with them. She was known not only for her devotion and kindness, but also for her fun, silly spirit and her spirited, “spitfire” attitude that brought laughter and life to every room she entered. Especially when she yelled “LEON”! She had a special way of keeping everyone on their toes while making them feel deeply loved.

She found joy in life’s simplest moments. She often shared stories of living in a one-room cabin with two babies, without a bathroom or a car, and would lovingly say those were some of the happiest days of her life—because she had her family. She especially enjoyed painting, shopping with her grandchildren, traveling, and creating lasting memories filled with joy and laughter.

Katherine also loved making traditions with her family. She delighted in taking her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to Disney World, where she enjoyed staying right at the parks and soaking in every moment. Sundays were always special to her, as she opened her home to family and friends for meals, fellowship, and time together.

She is survived by her children, Bryant (Phyllis) Akins and Kathy (Chris) Forrest; her grandchildren, Bryant (Eva) Akins, Jolie (Mike) Madden, Matthew (Tiffany) Akins, Joshua Forrest, Jason Forrest, Sean (Anastasia) Forrest, Jordan Hatfield, Jon Hatfield, and Jeremy Hatfield; her great-grandchildren, Kaylee (Nathan) Nawlin, Kristina Akins, Melissa Robinson, Kya Akins, Brianna Akins, Olivia Madden, Wyatt Hatfield, Abram Forrest, Abigail Forrest, Ophelia Forrest, and Arinna Korkmaz as well as a 8 great-great grandchildren and 2 great great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Akins; her son, Danny Akins; her granddaughter, Lori Akins; her brother, Eugene Slaughter; and her parents.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM at New Home Baptist Church of Perry, Florida.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” — Matthew 25:23

Katherine’s legacy of faith, love, and laughter will live on in all who knew her.
Brown Funeral Home and Crematory in Lecanto, Florida in charge of arrangements.

04/14/2026

Shirley Exley, born September 4th 1929, went home peacefully to be with her lord and savior on March 30th, 2026 after a short illness. Shirley was born in Providence Rhode Island. She moved to South Florida in 1960 with her family of five children before moving to Crystal River Florida in 1972 where she lived the remainder of her life. She had a long career as a registered nurse helping all that were blessed to cross her path.
She raised five children and two grandchildren. She is survived by her son Michael Mark Watson of Ormond Beach Florida and daughter Elizabeth Anne Klaver of Homosassa Florida, her adopted grandson Stephen Exley Watson and adopted granddaughter Kristina Ulch.
She was proceeded in death by her sons Edward “John” Watson, Stephen Gregory Watson and Matthew David Watson.
She was Blessed with eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly. Shirley’s life will be celebrated in private by her family.
Private Cremation will take place under the direction of Brown Funeral Home and Crematory in Lecanto, FL.

04/13/2026

04/11/2026

Dennis Bisson Funeral

04/10/2026

Dennis Bisson Rosary and Prayer Service

04/07/2026

Dennis G Bisson, age 84, of Crystal River, FL and Imlay City, MI, passed away April 4, 2026, at Tampa General Hospital in Crystal River, FL. Dennis was born on December 24, 1941, in Detroit, MI to Henry and Gertrude (Richard) Bisson. Dennis was a retired Finished Carpenter, a Winter resident of Crystal River for 25 years from Imlay City, MI. He was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Crystal River, FL, Knights of Columbus Council #15225, Men’s Club at St. Benedicts and he was a volunteer at Daystar Crystal River, FL.
Survived by his wife, Patricia A Bisson; eight children, Anne Bisson, Tina Vestal and her husband Jim, Donna Bisson, John Bisson and his wife Lisa, Lisa Kerr and her husband Rob, Peter Bisson and his wife Teresa, Henry Bisson, Vince Bisson and his wife Jess; two sisters, Nan Small and her husband Joe, Helen Crociata; ten grandchildren, Austin Gilbert, Connor Vestal, Miran Bisson, Astrea Rojas and her husband Percy, Payton Kerr, Jordan Kerr, Shea Bisson, Taylor Bisson, Ariana Bisson and Skyler Bisson.
Visitation will be held on Friday April 10, 2026, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at Brown Funeral Home in Lecanto, FL. Mass will be offered at 12 Noon on Saturday April 11, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Crystal River, FL, proceeded by a Rosary at 11:30am. Private cremation will follow under the direction of Brown Funeral Home and Crematory in Lecanto, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Day Star Life Center in Crystal River.

04/03/2026

Alfred Davis Funeral