BASKIN - Michael A. Baskin, 59, of Kissimmee, Florida passed away on Friday morning, January 2, 2009, after a brief illness.
Michael was born June 13, 1949 in Bronx, New York, the only child of Jack & Ida Baskin. Michael spent his early years in the Bronx, after which the family moved to Forest Hills, New York, where he graduated from Forest Hills High School.
He moved to Kissimmee in 1994 and was employed immediately by the Osceola News-Gazette as a Graphic Designer, where his creativity and artistry won him many awards from various Press Associations.
Michael developed a passion for music at an early age and always loved the piano and opera. He loved cats and over the years enjoyed the companionship of his pets, T.C. & Frankie.
With his infectious smile and warm personality, Michael made friends with everyone who had the opportunity to know him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack & Ida Baskin and his cousin, Sheila. He is survived by his uncle, Arthur Schwartz of New York and his loving cousin, Norma Gultz of New York.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 15 Church Street, Kissimmee, Florida on Saturday, February 7, 2009. A Celebration of Life will follow the memorial service.
“He will be truly missed but never, ever forgotten.”

Hall - Maybelle Connely, 88, widow of Judge Alexander D. Hall Jr., of 101 South Hanover Avenue and Mayfair Village, Lexington, KY died Jan 4, 2009 after a long illness.
Born in Warsaw, KY, she was the daughter of the late Nannie B. and Frank S. Connely.  She attended and graduated from high school at Gulf Park, Gulf Port, MS and then attended Gulf Park College.  She went on to Western College for Women (now Miami of Ohio University) Oxford, OH, and attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1941, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.  Serving her country, she was in the WAVES (1944-1946) at Naval Air Station, Hitchcock, TX.  She returned to Warsaw upon her discharge from the WAVES and married Alexander D. Hall, Jr, in 1946.  They lived in Lexington, KY while he attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1948.
They moved to Florida, where her husband practiced law in St. Cloud, FL and served as judge of Osceola County.  When he retired in 1987, they moved to Lexington because family business interests in banking and the processing of meat in Riverview Foods in Warsaw required their active involvement.  She was a member of Chapter F, PEO, Lexington, Simon Kenton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of Central Christian Church where she was a member of Ida Harrison Circle #11. Her sweet and gentle disposition and nature made her much loved by all her many friends. 
She is survived by daughters, Nancy H. Nordstrom of Miami, FL, and Beth H. Porter (Joseph Hamilton II) of Scottsville, AZ, and son, Alexander D. Hall III (Anna) of Crofton, MD; grandchildren, Angie Nordstrom Sharp (Rodney) of Cincinnati, OH, Caroline Nordstrom of Jacksonville, FL, William J. Nordstrom  of Miami, FL, Blair Porter Rock (Matthew) of Westminster, CO, Lindsey Porter Wade (Lance) of Franklin, TN, and Joseph Hamilton Porter IV of Scottsdale, AZ; great granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth Rock; her sister, Harold Brown Weldon of Warsaw, KY; her sister's sons, Tom Bowling Weldon (Sybil), Frank Weldon (Kathy) and Robert B. Weldon (Alexandra), and several great nieces and nephews.  Her nephew Robert B. Weldon was especially close to Maybelle and Alex and was of great help and assistance to them through the years.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Sat. at Milward- Broadway with Dr. Michael Mooty and Rev. Jan Ehrmantraut officiating. Burial will be in the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation prior to the service will begin at 9:30 AM.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass.
www.milwardfuneral.com

HARRIS - Ingrid K. Harris, 42, of St. Cloud, Florida passed away on Saturday evening, December 27, 2008 at home after a long illness.
Ingrid was born in Springfield, IL on June 21, 1966.  Her parents Dale & Rosa Harris of Illinois, were with her at the  time of death.
Ingrid grew up in Nauvoo, IL and graduated from the Nauvoo - Colusa High School in 1984.  She remained close to her classmates.  She attended Carl Sandburg College, Illinois State University and Southeastern Academy in Kissimmee, FL. 
Having moved to Florida, she worked at Orlando Marriott, for two airlines at Orlando International Airport, Ruby Tuesdays and in retail sales and management for Skips  Western Outfitters for 15 years.  She also assisted trick roping and bull whip entertainment for PRCA.  Ingrid enjoyed an  excellent reputation for pleasing customers and friends.
She is survived by her parents of Nauvoo, IL, her fiancé, Jack Armella of St. Cloud, FL; her brother Sean of Wever, IA; aunts and uncles; 6 cousins; one niece and one nephew.
Ingrid loved people and with her infectious smile and warm personality, she made many friends and will be truly missed.  She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Nauvoo, IL and attended Grace Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, FL.
As she wished, her body has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on January 10, 2009 at 3:30 PM.  A burial and graveside memorial service will be held in Nauvoo, IL at a later date.
Arrangements under the direction of Fisk Funeral Home & Crematory, 1107 Massachusetts Avenue, St. Cloud, FL 407-892-2155.

MEROLA - Gerard J. “Jerry” Merola, Sr., 72, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away on January 4, 2009.  “Jerry” was a member of the Freedom Tabernacle Church in Kissimmee. 

He is survived by his loving wife Catherine, his mother Dervine Merola, his daughter Eva Merola, his son Jerry Merola, Jr. (Kelli), his grandchildren Gina Marie and Zachary Joseph, and his sister Bernadette DeFilippis (Ed). 

A viewing will be held at Grissom Funeral Home on Thursday, January 8, from 11am until time of service at 1pm.  Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kissimmee, Fl.  Arrangements have been entrusted to GRISSOM FUNERAL HOME in Kissimmee, 407-847-3131.