Area Deaths

Vincent H. De Nobrega, 25, of Spring Hill, died Friday, May 16, at Tampa General Hospital. He was born in New York, N.Y., and moved to Florida 23 years ago from New York.

Mr. De Nobrega was employed as a customer service representative for Sherwood Forest Nursery, Spring Hill, and was a Catholic by faith.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer; his mother and stepfather, Donna and Bill Caro of Spring Hill; three brothers, Noel, Leon and Andrew De Nobrega, all of Spring Hill; two sisters, Euvie Kozeli of Spring Hill and Marcelle Valentin of Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Grace Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, U.S. 19, Hudson.

Constance M. Shaffer, 84, of Weeki Wachee, died Wednesday, May 21, at her home. She was born in Plainfield, N.J., and moved to this area 10 years ago from Hilton Head, S.C.

Mrs. Shaffer was a homemaker.

Survivors include a son, Kip Shaffer of Hendersonville, Tenn.; and a daughter, Kathleen "Lil" Gibson of Weeki Wachee.

Arrangements by Merritt Funeral Homes, Spring Hill Chapel.

Melbourne A. Palmer, 85, of Spring Hill, died Wednesday, May 21, at Oak Hill Hospital. He was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to this area 14 years ago from Rosedale, Queens, N.Y.

Mr. Palmer was a retired accountant and a member of the Spring Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley L.; three daughters, Marlene Mason of Westchester, N.Y., and Altina Thompson and Janet Lewis, both of New York; two sisters, Rose Palmer of Ohio and Lammy Palmer of Jamaica; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements by Merritt Funeral Homes, Spring Hill Chapel.

Elizabeth Frances Pickett, 87, of Spring Hill, died Monday, May 19. She was born in Perry County, Ind., and moved to this area 18 years ago from St. Petersburg.

Mrs. Pickett was the owner/operator of Becker's Nursery, St. Petersburg.

Survivors include her husband, Dwight; two daughters, Judy Coverdale Letcher of Kingman, Ariz., and Betsy Coverdale King of Largo; a brother, Kenneth Gehlhausen of Jasper, Ind.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Turner Funeral & Cremation Center, U.S. 19 Chapel, Spring Hill.

Andrew F. Sayko, 91, of Spring Hill, died Monday, May 19. He was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and moved to this area six years ago from Sayreville, N.J.

Mr. Sayko was a research chemist for Exxon for 25 years, a 3rd degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 11317, Spring Hill, and a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

Survivors include seven children, Barbara Heimall of Spring Hill, Andrew Sayko Jr. of Seabrook, N.C., Lillianne Sayko of Vineland, N.J., Beth Lucas of Glendale, Calif., Carl Sayko of Sugarland, Texas, Mary Sayko Springer of Stewartsville, N.J., and Bonnie Hill Adamowicz of Los Angeles, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Seven Hills Chapel, Spring Hill.

Martin "Marty" J. Murphy, 83, of Spring Hill, died Tuesday May 20, at his home. He was born in Trenton, N.J., and moved to this area 16 years ago from Lawrenceville, N.J.

Mr. Murphy retired from Reedman Motors of Langhorn, Pa., as an auto sales representative. He was a World War II and Korean conflict U.S. Navy veteran. He was a member of the Timber Pines and Spring Hill Computer Clubs and the American Legion,

Survivors include his wife, Irene; two daughters, Dorothy Murphy of Berea, Ky., and Eileen Murphy of Columbus, N.J.; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Brooksville Chapel.