Lawrence G. Hebel

1921 - 2007

Dr. Lawrence G. Hebel, 86, of Palatka, died Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring in Jacksonville. The Detroit, Mich., native lived in Palatka from 1948 to 2001 and lived in St. Augustine Beach for the past five years. He was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Palatka and St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine. He opened his medical practice in Palatka in 1948 and continued until 1993, delivering over 6,000 babies. He was a graduate of the University of Detroit and Wayne State Medical School and was a captain in the U.S. Army. He helped found the Putnam County Medical Society and was the longest sitting director for First Federal Bank of North Florida, which he served for the past 42 years. He was always very focused on the betterment of Putnam County. One example was his instrumental role in bringing the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital to Palatka. He served three times as chief of staff at Putnam Community Medical Center, helped run Mary Lawson Hospital and served as director of the Putnam County Blood Bank.

He was preceded in death by his son, Lawrence Glenn "Buddy" Hebel, who died of leukemia; his parents, Paulette and Leonard Hebel; and a sister, Mildred Hebel.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanie Hebel; two daughters, Dr. Gail S. Hebel of Ponte Vedra Beach and Nan Heebner and her husband, Pete, of Ormond Beach; and a son/grandson, David Adams of Tallahassee.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated 12 p.m. Monday, April 2, at St. Monica Catholic Church, with Father Michael Larkin officiating. Memorial donations can be made to: Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Community Hospice Foundation, 4114 Sunbeam Road, Building 100, Jacksonville, Fla., 32257, or to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105-1942.

Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka is in charge of arrangements.

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