Troy Laverne “Country” Arline, 87, of Olustee died on April 17, 2013 at his residence after an extended illness. He was born to the late Samuel and Luella Arline in Okeechobee, Florida on June 27, 1925. Mr. Arline was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was very active in the community and will be missed by the Olustee family.

Mr. Arline attended the public schools of Baker County and in 1947 he married his sweetheart Dorothy M. Arline. He retired from the United States Government Division of Forestry after 36 years as an entomologist. He was a volunteer fire fighter with the Baker County Fire Department. In addition to his parents, Mr. Arline was predeceased by son Derek Arline, brother Cleophas Arline and granddaughter Dedriya Arline.

Esther Anderson, 69, of Macclenny died on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. A native of Baker County, she enjoyed painting and fishing. She was a member of the Christian Fellowship Temple in Macclenny and loved witnessing to others about Jesus. She also loved spending time with her family and friends.

Ms. Anderson is survived by sons Clarence Griffis of Murphy, NC, Dwayne (Sue) Griffis of Reddick, FL and Jason Griffis of Macclenny; step-daughter Nora Odom of Macclenny; brothers Clyde Anderson, Johnny W. Anderson and Michael Anderson, all of Macclenny; sisters Cleo Osteen of Mayo, FL and Genevieve Lucas of Lake City; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, April 27 at her church with pastors David Thomas and Timmy Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Taylor Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service at the church. Forbes Funeral Home of Macclenny is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Joseph Martin, 79, of Macclenny died Friday, April 12, 2013 at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Newark, New Jersey and lived in Jacksonville before moving to Macclenny in 1988. He served 23 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of E-7. He then worked as a quality assurance specialist with the U.S. Civil Service for 18 years until his retirement. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and loved his family and his dogs. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Carolyn E. Martin who died on May 9, 2012.

Mr. Martin is survived by sons Wendell (Susie) Martin of Glen St. Mary, William (Tara) Martin of Macclenny and Robert (Jessie) Martin of Jacksonville; grandchildren Joshua, Sara Beth, Christopher, Dustin and Kierra; great-grandsons Jacob Bundy and Parker Sydney Martin.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, April 16 in the chapel of Guerry Funeral Home in Macclenny with Rev. Jim Cox, assistant pastor of the Taylor Church officiating. Interment followed at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Jacksonville.

John Gerald Burke, 75, died at his home in Crawfordville, FL on April 12, 2013. A longtime employee of the state of Florida and Wakulla County, Mr. Burke was a onetime resident of Baker County when he was the chief executive officer of Fraser Memorial Hospital and Wells Nursing Home for several years beginning in 1985.

Mr. Burke was born June 23, 1937, in Jamaica Plain, MA and retired from the Marine Corps after 22 years of active duty. He served as an advisor to the Vietnamese military and as an interpreter. When stateside he served in a variety of assignments with the Marines involving fiscal management. He was a respected authority on cost containment and management of hospitals and prison systems. Throughout his personal life and his years in public service he earned the love and respect of all who came to know him.