Danny McAuliffe
State Rep. Don Hahnfeldt’s funeral will take place 11 a.m. on Jan. 2 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church located at 7081 SE Highway 42, Summerfield, Florida 34491, according to a memorandum issued to all Florida House members.
The Republican lawmaker representing Sumter and parts of Lake and Marion counties died unexpectedly of cancer. House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced Hahnfeldt’s death Monday. Hahnfeldt was 73.
His death occurred not long before the Jan. 9 start of the 2018 Legislative Session. He served on six legislative panels, including serving as vice chairman of the House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.
Hahnfeldt had recently filed legislation to increase the minimum legal age to 21 to buy tobacco products. Democratic Rep. Lori Berman of Lantana has said that proposal will be the lawmaker’s legacy.
A former U.S. Navy submarine captain, Hahnfeldt’s inurnment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Hahnfeldt’s family has suggested sending contributions to The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation. According to its website, DSF eases “the financial burden of undergraduate and vocational education for eligible members of the U.S. submarine force and their dependents.”
