Pedro Juan Santiago



Pedro Juan Santiago, 55, died at his home on Saturday, July 16, 2005, after battling cancer for almost 10 years. He was born on July 16, 1950 in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. Survivors include his wife of 34 years Pamela Santiago, live Oak, daughter, Jennifer, son, john and three grandsons. His mother Gloria and his four sisters also survive him. Pete is remembered by family, friends, co-workers as a compassionate and selfless Christian.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Live Oak, Florida on Friday, July 22, 2005 at 10 a.m. ICS Cremation, Lake City was in charge of all arrangements.

The family has requested that in place of flowers, donations should be made in his honor to hospice of North Central Florida at 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL, 32606. A memorial website will be posted at http://www.the-santiago-family.com/pedro on August 15.



Rudolph Whitehurst



Rudolph “Rudy” Whitehurst, 76, of live Oak, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2005, after a brief illness. The Plant City, FL. native moved to Live Oak from Milledgeville, Ga. in 1998, retired after 10 years as a commercial artist with the Herald Dispatch Newspaper in Huntington, W.Va. He was a US Air Force veteran and a member and deacon of Pine Level Baptist Church, Dowling Park, Fl. and a member of Gideons International.

Mr. Whitehurst was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Whitehurst. Survivors include his daughter: Staci Kiesel, Eagle Harbor, Michigan, his son: David A. Whitehurst, Orlando, Fl.; his sister: Francis Pittman, Gainesville, Fl.; three brothers: William Phillip Whitehurst, Fort White, Fl., Owen Whitehurst, Live Oak, Fl., and Willard Whitehurst, Plant City, Fl.; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren also survive.

Memorial services were conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2005 at Pine Level Baptist Church, Dowling Park, Fl. with Rev. J.H Brown officiating. Daniels Funeral Home of Live Oak is in charge of all arrangements.

Two Suwannee softball players made the Gainesville Sun All-Area Teams this year for Class 3A-6A. All teams from these four classes were lumped into one group by the Sun when they chose the All-Area players. This doubles the honor for the two Suwannee Lady Dogs who made the teams. They had to compete for their positions with players from much larger schools and districts. Since Jeff Smith has been coaching, this is the first year a Lady Dog has made the All-Area teams.

Al Cash, a sophomore infielder, made First Team with a .382 batting average, 26 hits and 38 RBIs. Cash is a member of the Suwannee 300 Club and the Homerun Club. She hit one home run in 2005. Cash was awarded the Offensive Player of the Year for 2005 with one home run, seven triples, two doubles and 16 singles.

Lea Schenck, a junior pitcher, made Second Team All-Area with a record of 9-6, a .68 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Schenck also had a batting average of .355, making her a member of the 300 Club.

Both of these players will be back next year to lead the Lady Dogs.

Janet Schrader-Seccafico may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 134 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.