On September 3, 1988, Sheelah Ryan of Winter Springs made Florida Lottery history when she won the then largest Lottery
prize ever awarded to an individual player. Ryan the 10th FLORIDA LOTTO™ winner won $55.16 million when she chose the
numbers, 3, 5, 19, 20, 27 and 35.
With her Lottery winnings, Ryan developed the Sheelah Ryan Foundation Inc., a charity that helps many people in Seminole
County - senior citizens, abused spouses, and women and children struggling to survive. The foundation also provides
scholarships to students in Seminole County schools.
In 1994, at age 69, Ryan lost her fight with cancer. However, through the efforts of her family members, close friends and
funds provided by her Lottery winnings, Ryan's philanthropic vision lives on.
MEET THE WINNERS
JACKSONVILLE
Linda McLaughlin, 50, of Jacksonville, won the $1 million top prize in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. McLaughlin, who arrived at Lottery headquarters wearing her Publix uniform, received a lump-sum for her winning in the amount of $708,794.50. McLaughlin purchased her winning ticket at Publix located at 7749 Normandy Boulevard in Jacksonville. McLaughlin said that after completing her shift at the Publix deli, she decided to purchase a $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off ticket. She scratched the ticket while still on the premises, only to discover the ticket was not a winner. "Something told me to go buy one more of those $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off tickets and sure enough it was a $1 million winner," McLaughlin said. When asked if she planned on returning to the store where she works, and purchased the ticket, McLaughlin said she was unsure. "I think, for now, my boss is just happy to be the retailer who sold the winning ticket because Publix has a $20,000 bonus check coming their way," said McLaughlin.
PORT ORANGE
Michael Wright, 34, of Port Orange, won a $500,000 prize in the GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game. Wright claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters along with Robi Rone. Wright purchased his winning ticket at Sam's Discount & Deli located at 323 S. Yonge Street in Ormond Beach.
LADY LAKE
Carl Edward Furry, 62, of Lady Lake, won $236,413.75 in the March 10 FANTASY 5 drawing. Furry claimed his prize at the Orlando District office. Furry purchased his winning ticket at Sunoco located at 413 S. U.S. Highway 27 & 441 in Lady Lake. The winning numbers were 06-13-28-31-32. Furry said for the past five years he has stopped by the Sunoco for coffee and a Quick Pick FANTASY 5 ticket.
MIAMI
Jeanette Mercado, 53, of Miami, won $10,000 in the LUCKY FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game. Mercado purchased her winning ticket at Publix located at 8250 Mills Drive in Kendall. Mercado claimed her prize at the Miami District Office.
NEW PORT RICHEY
Victoria B. Neck, 46, of New Port Richey, won $55,555 in the CHERRY TWIST Scratch-Off game. Neck and her husband Glenn were about to become victims of foreclosure and they were desperately trying to find a way to save their home. Neck spent her last $2 on a CHERRY TWIST Scratch-Off ticket. "Two dollars would not save our home so I took a chance," she said. When Neck claimed her winning ticket at the Lottery's Tampa District office, she said, "We're not going to lose our home after all, thank you Jesus, thank you Lottery people, thank you so much!" The Scratch-Off ticket was purchased at GG Dollar Store Plus in Holiday.
STUART
John Arias, 40, of Stuart, won $264,293.60 in the February 27 FANTASY 5 drawing. Arias purchased his winning FANTASY 5 Quick Pick ticket at Publix located at 6550 S. Kanner Highway in Stuart. The winning numbers were 02-05-18-26-32. Arias claimed his ticket at Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
Lori Luke, 40, of North Port, won $6 million in the Feb. 27 FLORIDA LOTTO drawing. Luke claimed her prize at Lottery headquarters with her husband Ernie. The winning numbers were 06-09-18-29-52-53. Luke purchased her winning FLORIDA LOTTO Quick Pick ticket at Racetrac located at 2995 E. Point Executive Drive in Venice.
ROSELLE
Nina B. Koeppel, 61, of Roselle, IL, won $20,000 in the $600 MIILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Koeppel with "Flora the Flamingo" claimed her prize at the Ft. Myers District office. Koeppel purchased her ticket at Publix located at 21301 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 200 in Estero.
DELAND
Jose Martinez, 43, of Deland, won $10,000 in the LUCKY FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game. Martinez claimed his prize at the Tallahassee District office. Martinez purchased his ticket at The Country Store located at 1871 W. Highway 44 in Deland.
CAPE CORAL
Donald Evans, 71, of Cape Coral, was one of three winners in the Feb. 16 FANTASY 5 drawing who won $101,129.95. Evans purchased his winning ticket at A To Z Discount Beverage located at 4410-B Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral. The winning numbers were 11-12-13-17-25. Evans claimed his prize at the Ft. Myers District office.
OSPREY
Steve Wytkewicz, 49, of Osprey, won $20,000 in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Wytkewicz was celebrating his birthday Jan. 28 and grinning from ear to ear when he went to the Tampa District office to claim the $20,000 prize, just a few days after the new $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER game launched. Only a few weeks later he returned to the Tampa office, and said "I'm back, do you remember me?" "Of course I do", said Florida Lottery employee Martha Birt. Wythewicz had yet another winning $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER ticket for $20,000. Wythewicz, an electrician, lives in Manatee County with his wife Diane and their two daughters. Wythewicz purchased both of his winning tickets in Osprey.
ORLANDO
Craig Hill, 40, of Orlando, won $20,000 in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Hill claimed his prize at the Orlando District office along with Vanessa Brummitt. Hill purchased his winning ticket from Rightway Food located at 5500 Clarcona Ocoee Road in Orlando.
Eithemer D. Lamb, 56, of Weirsdale, won $20,000 in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Lamb claimed his prize at the Gainesville District office. Lamb purchased his winning ticket from Circle K located at 3 LaGrande Boulevard in Lady Lake.
LEESBURG
William "Jaybo" Davis, 47, of Leesburg, won $20,000 in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Picking up his prize Davis said “The Lottery has been good to me!” In recent past Davis has won $10,000 on $10 CASH BONANZA, $100,000 on $5 MONOPOLOY and now $20,000 on the $30 game. Davis’ nickname could be Mr. Lucky! Davis, who claimed his prize at the Orlando District office, purchased his ticket from 7 Star Discount Beverage located at 2005 W. Main Street in Leesburg.
JACKSONVILLE
Mary E. Foucart, 58, of Jacksonville, won $20,000 in the $600 MILLION HIGH ROLLER Scratch-Off game. Foucart was very excited and said she has never won anything like this before. Foucart claimed her prize at the Jacksonville District office.
CAPE CORAL
Stacy Garcia, 42, of Cape Coral, was one of six winners in the Jan. 10 FANTASY 5 drawing who won $39,585.39. Garcia purchased her winning Quick Pick ticket from Circle K located at 2808 Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral. The winning numbers were 03-13-24-25-26. Garcia claimed her prize at the Ft. Myers District office.
CLEARWATER
Robert D. Starrett, 58, of Clearwater, claimed a $1 million prize from the Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE drawing. Starrett and his wife, Debbie, claimed their prize at Florida Lottery headquarters on Jan. 15. The Starrett's purchased their ticket from Albertson's located at 1921 N. Belcher Road in Clearwater.
TAMPA
Chinnette M. Wallace, 44, of Tampa, was one of five winners in the Jan. 11 FANTASY 5 drawing who won $52,725.91. Wallace came along with her parents to celebrate "20 years of winning" but also to claim her prize at the Tampa District office. Wallace was very calm – even though she was carrying such a huge prize in her purse. Wallace said she rarely purchases lottery tickets, however, "something told me to buy three, and I won. I'm very, very happy and I will buy them every week from now on." Wallace purchased her ticket from Dura Food Mart located at 4330 N. 40th Street in Tampa. The winning numbers were 04-16-18-23-24.
Reginald Herman, 48, of Davie, won $2,600 in the Jan. 10 PLAY 4 drawing. Herman claimed his prize at the Miami District office. Herman purchased his ticket from Publix located at 6525 Nova Drive in Davie. The winning numbers were 3-7-7-5.
TALLAHASSEE
Donald L. Cummings, 49, of Tallahassee, won in the 2nd Chance $100,000HOLD 'EM POKER drawing. The prize package was worth $560.00. Cummings who works with the U.S. Postal Service is a frequent player of all Florida Lottery games. Cummings has been a winner four times playing Florida Lottery games; twice in FANTASY 5, once in CASH BONANZA Scratch-Off and now with the 2nd Chance Poker drawing. Cummings is aware that Florida Lottery proceeds goes to education and that encourages him to play.
ORLANDO
Robert W. Kelly scratched and won a $100 with an extra ticket at the Orlando District office "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12.
ORLANDO
Shelda Bell won Lottery merchandise and $25 gift certificate to Freshco Supermarket in one of the second chance drawings held every 15 minutes at the Orlando District office "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12. (Also pictured are Ricardo Rodriguez and Luann Machise of the Orlando District office).
ORLANDO
Franciso Rivera was the Orlando District's Grand Prize winner at the "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12. Rivera won a MP4 player, four tickets to Cypress Gardens and a weekend stay for two at the Florida Mall's Florida Hotel.
ORLANDO
Robert and Patsy Winters enjoyed the pork roast and cake from Delicias Bakery & Restaurant. Patsy won one second chance drawing package that included Lottery merchandise, $25 gift certificate for groceries at Freshco Supermarket and Magic Basketball game tickets at the Orlando District office's "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12.
Gary D. Taylor, a/k/a Mr. Lucky, from the Orlando Sentinel, won three-second chance drawings that included Lottery merchandise, $25 gift certificates to Freshco Supermarket and tickets to the Willie Nelson Concert at the Orlando District office "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12. (Also pictured in the background is Sales Rep. Garry Postell).
MIAMI
Antonia Peña, was the 4th place winner of the 2nd Chance Drawing held at the Miami District office "20 year Anniversary Celebration" on Jan. 12.
FT. LAUDERDALE
Keith R. Walker, 51, of Ft. Lauderdale, won the Dec. 31 FANTASY 5 top prize in the amount of $274,143.85. Walker purchased his winning ticket at 7-Eleven, 1500 N.E. 26th Street, in Wilton Manors. The winning numbers were 01-15-16-22-35. Walker collected his prize at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee on Jan. 2.
LUTZ
Marcia Pero, 60, of Lutz, claimed her $10,000 Holiday MILLIONARE RAFFLE prize at the Tampa District Office. Pero purchased her winning ticket at Publix, 8975 Racetrack Road, in Tampa. Pero was very excited and very grateful to win the money. "You have no idea how much it means to me to win this money at this time."
FT. MYERS
Christopher S. Kelly, 30, of North Ft. Myers, was the first winner to claim $1 million prize from the Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE drawing. Kelly, a self-employed handyman, redeemed his prize along with his family. Kelly purchased his $1 million ticket from Brown's Country Corner located at 2501 Medulla Road in Plant City.
PENSACOLA
Sylvia Feathers, 60, of Pensacola, claimed her $10,000 Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE prize at the Pensacola District Office. Feathers purchased her winning ticket at MHR, 13121 Lillian Highway, in Pensacola.