Lonnie M Strickland

Lonnie M. Strickland, 75, of Lake Panasoffkee, FL passed away August 10, 2023 at Vitas Hospice in Lecanto, FL. He was born in Sebring, FL on October 17, 1947 to the late Eston Lee and Ethel (Forehand) Strickland. He honorably served our country in the U.S. Air force as a Aeromed Medevac in Vietnam. Lonnie was the Public Safety Director with the Lake County Board of County Commissioners until 1992. He was instrumental in starting Lake and Sumter Hospice and starting 911 Emergency services in Lake County. He then moved onto Nursing Home Administrator. Then, the Regional Health Services Director for the Dept. of Corrections before retiring in 2012. He moved into this area in 1995, coming from Tavares, FL. He was a member and served as an Elder at the First Christian Church of Inverness. Lonnie enjoyed fishing, farming/gardening, hunting and spending time with his family. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 51 years, Dona Strickland; his son Jonce (Tara) Strickland of Lake Panasoffkee, FL, and his daughter Samantha (Russ) Kocher of Inverness, FL; sister Mae Frances Pruitt of Tavares, FL; Grandchildren Austin, Emma, Mason and Cole and great grandchildren, Amelia and Ayson. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Lonnie is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 11:00 am at the First Christian Church of Inverness with Pastor Tom Thomas officiating. Military honors will be rendered at the church after the service. He will be laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL at a later date. At the conclusion of services, a luncheon will be offered at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to First Christian Church of Inverness. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, is in charge of arrangements.