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Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
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Obituaries For Friday, October 27
Eric Ronald Lundberg, 71, of Cookeville, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Eric chose cremation, the family followed his wishes, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
A Memorial Service for John Francis Hughes, age 62 of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Michael Hughes officiating. He passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023, at his home. He was born February 20, 1961 in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and he was the son of the late Joseph Hughes and the late Katharina Sonnleitner Hughes. He attended Shore Regional High School in New Jersey. He proudly served in the United States Army. He also worked for Dana Corporation in Gordonsville as a machinist for 32 years. He was a talented machinist and wood worker. He loved to ride motorcycles and walk through our many parks in Tennessee. He loved his family and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: Wife- Donna Hughes of Sparta; Son- Michael T. Hughes (Melissa) of Gordonsville; Daughters- Cheryl D. Hughes of St. Lake City, UT and Michelle Sparkey (Matt) of Chillicothe, OH; Sister- Annabelle Olson of Sparta; 7 Grandchildren also survive. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas Edward “Tom” Prime, age 65 of the Hickory Valley community, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, October 28, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Davis Cemetery. He passed away on Saturday morning October 21, 2023 at St. Thomas Highlands Hospital. Tom was born November 4, 1957 in Sparta. He was a life long automobile detailer and had been in business for 50 years. He loved cleaning vehicles with his favorite part to clean being the windows. Tom enjoyed his toys, his ’06 Corvette, Camaro and his Fat Boy Harley Davidson, he loved gardening but most of all he loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. He was a faithful member of Doyle Nazarene Church. Tom is preceded in death by his mother Zelda Lillian Henderson Prime and a sister Judy Henderson. Survivors include his wife of 25 years Noretta Prime of Sparta; Sister: Norma Jean Leftwich of Sparta; Brother: Steve Robert Prime; Daughter: Amanda Keith and husband Daniel; Grandchildren: Destinie, Jay-Lynn and Benton Keith; Special friend: Eric Lewis; A host of nieces, nephews and extended family members also survive. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Jimmy Wilmoth, 64 of Bloomington Springs, will be conducted at 1 P.M. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Fox officiating. Burial will follow in Curry’s Chapel Cemetery. Jimmy was born March 27, 1959 in Nashville, and he passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late James Edward Wilmoth and Gladys Juanita Hunter. He was married to the late Linda Faye Wilmoth, who passed away December 11, 2020. He worked as a mechanic and auto dealer, and was a resident of Bloomington Springs. Survivors include his Daughter: Jamie (Adam) Hunter of Cookeville; Brothers: Jeff Wilmoth of Gainesboro, Tony Wilmoth of Cookeville, and James Wilmoth of Nashville; Sisters: Kathy Wilmoth and Carolyn Phillips, both of Cookeville; and Grandchildren: Sarah Hunter and Matthew Hunter, both of Cookeville. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M., and Saturday from 9 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral services honoring Eric James Bianco, 63 of Baxter, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday October 28 at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Pastor Jason Groe will officiate. Interment will follow at the Bianco Family Cemetery. He passed away suddenly at his residence in Baxter, on October 21, 2023. Born on September 1, 1960, in Bradenton, Florida. Eric was a member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church. He lived a life full of love, dedication, and service to his family, friends, and community. Eric was a hardworking entrepreneur who owned and operated Eric’s Carpet Cleaning until his recent retirement. His work ethic was unmatched, and his honesty was a trait that earned him respect and admiration from his clients and peers. He was a man of integrity, always standing by his word, and his dedication to his craft was evident in the quality of his work. He was known for his willingness to lend a hand, always reaching out to help a neighbor in need, often going out of his way to assist others. Anytime anyone needed him, he would respond, “I’ll be right there.” Eric was a loyal family man, always putting his family first. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Saronda Bianco of 39 years, and a dedicated father to his daughters, Saerica Root (Stephen), Meghan Hodges (Carl), and Brianna Smallwood (Kirkland). His love for his family was evident in the way he cared for them. He was his wife’s knight in shining armor, always there to provide support, comfort, and a guiding hand. He was a proud grandfather to Elliot and Gabriel Hodges, Gracelynn and Liliana Root, Rhydian and Alice Smallwood. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye, and he cherished every moment spent with them. Eric was also a beloved brother to Mark Bianco, Charlene Cluley (Kenneth), Michael Bianco, Lynne Bianco, and Joseph Bianco. He also leaves behind his dear friend, Tim Coyle, whose friendship he treasured and considered him a brother. His family will welcome friends Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time.
Funeral Services for Mr. Lonnie “Kool-Aid” Collins, age 69, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Sunday, October 29, 2023, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Jerry Murphy will officiate. Burial to follow in the Fredonia Cemetery. Mr. Collins passed from this life on Thursday morning, October 26, 2023, from the Livingston Regional Hospital. He was born in Overton County, Tennessee on January 27, 1954, to the late Albert D. and Laura E. Brown Collins. Lonnie loved his family and his cats. He enjoyed farming and riding around in his truck. Lonnie leaves behind his brother, David Thurman of Livingston; sisters, Martha Hughes of Xenia, OH, and Gelema Qualls of Muncie, IN; special nieces, Patricia Crabtree and husband Rob; also several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Lonnie was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Stover and brother, A.D. Collins. The family will welcome friends on Saturday evening from 5 until 9 p.m. at Livingston Funeral Home.
A celebration of life for Jason Reed O’Connor, 47 of Baxter, will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 2:00pm from the Oldham’s Theatre in Sparta. Jason Reed O’Connor was born on July 23, 1976, in Sparta to the late Jack Reed O’Connor of Sparta. And Elizabeth Mare “Liz” (Maynard) O’Connor of Baxter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Ruby Elizabeth “Beth” Slagle. And a brother Jackie Ray O’Connor. Jason is survived by his Wife: Diana (Davis) O’Connor of Baxter; Two Daughters: Haley Ann Rashea Keith and Hannah Rachelle Keith; A Brother: Forrest Sam Brown and a Cousin Kenneth Neal Maynard who was loved as a brother. Also loved by a host of nieces and nephews. A visitation with the family will follow the service, till 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made in memory of Jason to the Allison Cemetery Fund.
Funeral services for Mr. Michael Lee Roy Burks, age 61 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Monday, October 30, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. He passed away at 7:47am Thursday, October 26, 2023 at his residence. Mike was born July 30, 1962 in Crossville to the late Lee Roy & Linda Hodge Burks. He was a longtime construction worker with an emphasis on carpentry. He loved being outside whether he was farming, gardening, working or being with his horses. He enjoyed everyting associated with being a cowboy from his hat to westerns on television. Survivors include his wife April Burks; Brother: Kevin Burks; Two sisters: Darlene Goodwin and husband Gary, Heather Hayes and husband Jerry; Nieces and nephews: Stacia Drouillard, Brad Goodwin, Trent Goodwin, Tiffany Scott, Katlin Burks, Madison Burks, Braedon Burks, Devin Hayes, Brookelynn Hayes Dodson. Several great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Monday at Hunter Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service for Larry Wayne Geer, age 72 of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Lamar Redmon officiating. He passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born May 22, 1951 in Sparta, and he was the son of the late William Geer and the late Marie Stoglin Geer. He served in the United States National Guard for many years. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with is family and friends. He owned Geer’s Grocery for 39 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carrie Geer and his brother, Douglas Geer. Survivors include: Wife- Nelouise Geer of Sparta; Daughter- Christy Tubbs (Chad) of Sparta; Son- Kyle Geer (Regina) of Baxter; Step-Daughters- Tania Whittenburg (Steven) of Cookeville, and Teri Dockery (Mike) of Sparta; Son- Trevor Elrod of Sparta; 8 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchildren; Sisters- Brenda Oaks (Jim) of Sparta, and Patricia Trobaugh of Baxter; Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
A memorial service for Rosina “Rose” Fields, 85 of Cookeville, is being planned, tentatively set for Saturday, November 11 at 1 PM at Cookeville First Baptist Church. She died Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at her home. Her wishes of cremation are being honored. She was born August 1, 1938 in Sicily, Italy to the late Basil and Rose Natoli Aragona. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Erwin Fields on February 16, 2019 and a sister, Anna Kowalczyk. She was a homemaker. Rose was a member of Cookeville First Baptist Church and very active in her Sunday School Class. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include sons David (Anh-Phuong) Fields of Burke, VA, Douglas (Gabriele) Fields of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sister Gracie Brooks of Michigan, brother Joe Aragona of Wisconsin, grandchildren: Andrew Fields, George Fields, Anne Catherine “Kitty” Fields, James Monroe Fields, Lukas Samuel Fields, great-grandchildren: Elysia Noel Fields and Seraphina Ophelia Fields. The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until service at the church.
