HOMER BATTON
Homer M. Batton, 76, of Melbourne, FL, Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at UCF Lake Nona Medical Center surrounded by family with love and care. He was born in South Charleston on October 19, 1946, to John Russell and Dorothy Mae Batton and raised by his mother and stepfather, Kenneth P. Miller. He and his family lived in Hurricane from 1964-1967 before they retired to Melbourne, FL but he still has many relatives in Hurricane.
Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy for two years, and then continued in the US Naval Reserve for 11 years before transferring to the US Army Reserve where he served another 8 years as a Sergeant. While serving in the reserves he pursued his ultimate career choice of being in the Fire Service. He started with the City of Melbourne Fire Department in January 1970, and four years later he became Driver/Engineer. In November of 1988, he was promoted to Lieutenant where he served the community until he retired in December of 1998. As a token of appreciation for his 29 years of dedicated service, he was presented with the Key to the City.
He was one of the kindest people on this planet, anyone that knew him would agree. He was a gentle, giving man who always gave of himself to any capacity he could to help others. He made friends wherever he went in life and faced every challenge with strength and courage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, boating, scuba diving, camping in his RV, and going to the drag races cheering on the US Army Top Fuel car. He loved watching football and was a huge Bobby Bowden and Florida State Seminole fan. He also enjoyed going to breakfast and lunch with his friends on a weekly basis and attending car shows, but the thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with his family and the love of his life, his wife of 55 1/2 years.
He is survived by his spouse, Carolyn Sue, Son, Ken (Aundrea), Grandson Kenneth, Granddaughter Ashley Renee, Siblings, Sisters Pamela Farell of Virginia, Ranea Cain of Ohio, Brothers Kenneth, Gregory, and Thomas Miller of Ohio.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 11th at 3:00pm at the City of Melbourne Fire Department, Station 71. A private service will be held at his final resting place in Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on Monday, February 13th at 9:00am.

ALVA R. BONNETT
Alva Renee Riffle Bonnett, 83, of Kenna, passed away on January 27, 2023 at Hubbard Hospice House Charleston.
She was born to the late Irvin and Nellie Sherman Riffle on February 14, 1939 in Charleston. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, G.B. Bonnett; sons: Jackie Lee Casto and Rusty Casto; brothers: Leroy, Ray, and infant brother, Ronald Allen Riffle and a sister: Evelyn Gooch.
Alva had worked in several bakeries and sewing factories over the years, but many will remember her from Tudors, Nitro and Bobbie Brooks. She was a Christian and will be sorely missed by all that knew her.
Alva is survived by her daughters: Leona (Terry) Garnes of Kenna and Kim (Bob) Donahue of Robertsburg; Butch (Angie) Casto of Hurricane and Johnny (Debbie) Casto of Red House; grandchildren: Todd (Rachel) Garnes, Jarrod Garnes, Eric (Jerika) Donahue and Erin (Tim) Harr; step grandchildren: Little John, Shonna, Nicole, Heather, Megan, Matt, Marc and Mason; great grandchildren: Perry and Jaxsen Garnes, Makenzie and Jaedyn Donahue, Harlee Gillespie and Luke Painter; several step great grandchildren; sister, Ethel Beller of Liberty, numerous nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral Service for Alva was Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Chapman Funeral Home, Winfield, with Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jim Ridge.