Martin Page Funeral Home

Clifford Laubstein and Beatrice Darty, a married Gibsonton couple, bought two adjacent parcels at the southern end of the historic Marti-Colon Cemetery in West Tampa for $2,260 at a tax deed auction in February 2017.Nine months later, they conveyed the property to Quiet Living LLC, which is registered to their Gibsonton address. Laubstein is listed as a co-managing member of the company.Laubstein has informed Tampa planning officials that he wants to divide the southern end of the parcel — a 20,000-square-foot area that has no visible grave markings — and perhaps build a single-family home there. He’s applied for a lot split. The city is reviewing the application."I don’t know why someone would want to buy a cemetery," said Gloria Moreda, the city’s manager of land development coordination. "He did say the housing would have a 15-foot setback from graves."Laubstein didn’t respond to requests for comment.But in communication with the city, he said that once the lot is split, he would like to rezone it so it is compatible with the largely residential neighborhood.State law protects burial places, he told the city. But commercial properties and public rights of way run up against the graves already — close enough to "spit on" them, he said."We do not see proximity to grave sites as an issue. Our intent is to work around the graves," Laubstein wrote.The Marti-Colon Cemetery, 3110 W Columbus Drive, dates to the late 19th century when West Tampa, a city at the time, purchased the land for a cemetery. Tampa now owns part of the cemetery, the Marti section, but not the Colon portion. The city does maintain both sections.Some of the land purchased by Laubstein and Darty appears to contain a mausoleum and graves. But they don’t plan to build there. They are considering building a single-family home on what appears to be an empty grassy portion to the south, according correspondence between Laubstein and Moreda.Still, neighbors are worrie...

Farquhar of Emmetsburg were Monday, July 30, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg, with Vicar Sarah Schilcher officiating. Inurnment was at the Brandon Lutheran Cemetery in Brandon, SD. The Martin-Mattice Funeral Home of Emmetsburg was in charge of arrangements. Dorothy died Thursday, July 26, 2018 , at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg, IA. She was 89. Dorothy Mae Farquhar, daughter of Raymond and Ida (Sorteberg) Baker, was born December 26, 1928 in Bellingham, Minnesota. Dorothy graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On July 3, 1948, Dorothy was united in marriage to Robert E. Farquhar in Sioux Falls. To this union two children were born. Dorothy was employed as a secretary at the Brandon Valley High School and later became manager of Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp in Slayton, Minnesota. She also worked as a medical transcriptionist at Central Plains Clinic in Sioux Falls. Dorothy moved to Emmetsburg to live, where she was able to be near her daughter, Jean and her family. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society. Dorothy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, traveling, reading and having coffee with her friends. Dorothy passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ida Baker; her husband, Robert; and three brothers, Kenneth, Virgil and David Baker. She is survived by her children, Roberta (Loren) Symonds of Rapid City, South Dakota and Jean (Dan) Reedy of Emmetsburg, Iowa; five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, Ryan (Stacy) Reedy and their children, Walter, Winston, Harrison and Harvey, Paul (Megan) Reedy and their children, Alayna and Jack, BrieAnn (Tim) McKenna and their daughter, Gianna, Daniel (Liz) Reedy and their children, Isabella, JaneyLynn, Kynlee, and Layla, and Erin Reedy (Nichol...

Graveside services were at 4 p.m., Saturday at Curryville Cemetery.  Minister Adas’ Jacyna officiated. A meal was served following the service at the First Baptist Church multi-purpose building in Vandalia.The family was served by Waters Funeral Home of Vandalia.Jim was born May 25, 1962, in Quincy, Ill., the son of Bill and Sue Martin.Survivors include his father and step-mother, James “Bill” William Martin and Anita of Quincy, Ill.; mother and step-father, Janet Sue Dillard and Ralph of Curryville; children, Jacob “Jake” James Martin and fiancé, Kaelyn Henderson of Curryville, and Charissa Marie Martin and significant other, Matt Yates of St. Louis; previous wife, Cheryl Maas of Vandalia; brothers-in-law, Richard Lane and wife, Donna, Junior Lane and wife, Tammy; and sister-in-law, Teresa Carson and husband, Jeff; step-brothers, Alan Cermak and wife, Kathy, and Brian Cermak; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Helen Marie Claus and Lucille Byxbe Martin; step-grandmother, Carolyn Edwards Claus; grandfathers, Harry Claus and Frank H. Martin; mother and father-in-law, Clem and Shirley Lane; and brother-in-law, John Franklin Lane III.A talented musician, Jim could play just about any musical instrument by ear.  He was well known throughout his life as an exceptional lead guitar player and singer/songwriter. Jim played lead guitar in several popular bands over the years, including Crosswinds, Overland Pass, Hit & Run, and Sugar CreekJim earned an accounting certificate from John Wood Community College and was employed in sales and as a service writer for many years. Jim enjoyed the simple things in life, such as living in the country, gardening, reading western novels, the companionship of his dog Nibbles, and occasionally cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and his favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon. Jim’s biggest love was the time he cherished wi...