St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

BAREK, WILHELMINE H., 79, of Beverly Hills, died Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2003) in Lecanto. Born in Germany, she came here 35 years ago from Accord, N.Y. She was a homemaker and Protestant. Survivors include a niece, Crystal Barek, Germany. Fero Funeral Home with Crematory, Beverly Hills.

CAFFREY, THOMAS F., 86, of Inverness, died Saturday (Jan. 18, 2003) at home. Born in Illinois, he came here 20 years ago from Oak Lawn, Ill. He was a retired yard master in the railroad industry and an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include a brother-in-law, Richard Brashear, Enid, Okla. Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.

FIELDS, THOMAS E. "TOM," 56, of Beverly Hills, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) in Inverness. Born in Providence, R.I., he came here 12 years ago from Beacon Falls, Conn. He was a retired automotive mechanic, an Army veteran of Vietnam, and a member of DAV Chapter 70. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with his wife in their recreational vehicle. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Camille; a daughter, Dawn Conrad, Beverly Hills; a brother, James Field, West Warwick, R.I.; three sisters, Rita Lineham and Dorothy Finnety, both of West Warwick, and Cathy Dion, West Greenwich, R.I.; a grandson, Ryan Conrad, Beverly Hills; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home with Crematory, Beverly Hills.

FINCH, SARAH JANE, 86, of Homosassa, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) in Crystal River. Born in Surry County, N.C., she came here seven years ago from Salisbury, Md. She was a homemaker and Methodist. Survivors include a daughter, Sally Towsley, Homosassa; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes and Crematory, Homosassa.

HADLEY, RUSSEL FRED, 86, of Inverness, formerly of Largo, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) in Inverness. Born in Terre Haute, Ind., he came here in 1995 from Largo. He was a draftsman with Servel Refrigeration Engineering, Evansville, Ind., retired from Haldens of Clearwater, and an Army veteran. He traveled with a church ministry in Indiana and Florida as a licensed minister and was a member of Empire Primitive Baptist Church, Mascotte. Survivors include two sons, Charles, Inverness, and Tom, Beverly Hills; a daughter, Bonnie Lamb, Bushnell; a sister, Clarice Amick, Princeton, Ind.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inverness.

HURST, BURTON, 72, of Crystal River, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital, Crystal River. Born in Springdale, Tenn., he was a manager of the family business, Cecil Hurst Furniture Auction Company in Tennessee. He was a member of Shriners, Kerbela Temple in Knoxville, Tenn., and a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Crystal River. Survivors include his wife, Rose; a son, David, Knoxville; two step-daughters, Cristianne Ailor, Knoxville, and Rennee Bear, Jefferson City, Mo.; a sister, Ann Steed, Knoxville; a granddaughter; and a niece and nephew. Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness.

STELLA MARY WETTELAND, 78, of Homosassa, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) in Crystal River. Born in New Brunswick, Canada, she came here in 1980 from Anderson, S.C. She was a waitress and Catholic. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, George; three sons, James, Cheshire, Mass., David, Gilbertville, Mass., and Peter, Homosassa; a daughter, Karen Dittmar, New Haven, Conn.; two brothers, Gerald and Herbert Pettipaw; and three grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes and Crematory, Homosassa.

ZUTANT, ROBERT C., 66, of Lecanto, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital, Crystal River. Born in Scranton, Pa. he came here four years ago from Carbondale, Pa. He was a retired truck driver and an Army veteran. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and Moxie Club, Carbondale, and was Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Arleen; a daughter, Lisa Neary, Pittston, Pa.; three sisters, Dorothy Borys, Irene Hermanoich, and Geraldine Kovaleski, all of Pennsylvania; a brother, George Hudak, Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.

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COLES, THOMAS DWIGHT, 85, of Brooksville, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Brooksville Regional Hospital. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he came here 52 years ago from Fort Myers. He was a retired body repairman for Amstutz Ford and worked 11 years for the USDA at Chinsegut Research Facility. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of First Armored Division Association. He was a member of Eden Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Marie; a son, Charles, Burson, Calif.; two daughters, Yvonne Rentz, Brooksville, and Sheila Middleton, Flippin, Ariz.; a sister, Zada Anthony, Vinton, La.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Turner Funeral Home, Brooksville.

OLSZEWSKI, DORIS HARRISON, 84, of Spring Hill, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) Born in Liverpool, England, she came here 25 years ago from Hartford, Conn. She was a retired real estate agent and an assistant fashion buyer for John Wanamaker Co. She was president of the Connecticut Club and the Spring Hill Civic Association, vice president of West Hernando Republican Club, and a member of the Merry Widows Club of St. Joan of Arc Parish. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth, Blacksburg, Va., and Lawrence, Columbus, Ohio; a daughter, Donna Shea, Natick, Mass.; five granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

WHITE, CHRISTINA, 84, formerly of Port Richey, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) in Hackettstown, N.J. Born in Prospect Park, N.J., she lived here for 16 years before moving to Hackettstown in 1998. She was an enrollment secretary for American Cyanamid Company, and a member of the New Jersey Club and River Ridge Presbyterian Church, New Port Richey. Survivors include two sons, William, Randolph, N.J., and Charles, Lynn Haven; a daughter, Kathleeen Campagna, Manlius, N.Y.; two brothers, Arthur Coppee, Port Richey, and Theodore Coppee, Newport, N.C.; and seven grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

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ALVAREZ, REINALDO SERGIO, "SAPPY," 73, of Tampa, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003). He had been a seaman in the Merchant Marines. Survivors include a companion, Linda Fillmon; a sister, "Baby" Such; brothers Ernest Alvarez, Augustine Alvarez, Tony Suarez, Mario Suarez, Ceferino Suarez, Hugh Suarez, Roland Alvarez, William Alvarez and Henry Alvarez. Swilley Funeral Home, Tampa.

CRITES, VERA, 75, of Tampa, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003). She was a native of Tampa, a graduate of Jefferson High School and business graduate of the University of Tampa. She worked in the insurance business. She was employed many years with the Tampa and St. Petersburg greyhound tracks. Survivors include a daughter, Kathi Clayton; sons G.W. III and Tommi; brother Jack Remnet; and seven grandchildren. Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, Tampa.

DIAZ, AMERICA V., 92, of Tampa, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003). She was a native and lifelong resident of Tampa. Survivors include a daughter, Orchid Palaski; her son, Jack Diaz; seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa

DOWNIE, JOHN A., 45, of Riverview, died Friday, (Jan. 24, 2003). He was an office clerk who moved to the Tampa area in 1972 from Long Island, N.Y. Survivors include his mother, Marion Downie, Riverview; and three sisters, Geri McCance, Brandon; Joanne Isola, New York, and Barbara Swartzbaugh, Tampa. Serenity Meadows Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Riverview.

HARRIS, NORMAN A. SR., 77, of Brandon, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003). Born in Ashville, N.C., he moved to Florida in 1970. He was Baptist, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and president of the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference. He was a teacher and coach at Gardner-Webb University from 1949 to 1969, where he was inducted into their Hall Of Fame in 1991. Later, he taught and coached football and baseball at Titusville High School, retiring in 1989. Survivors include a son, Norman Harris Jr.; two daughters, Ann H. Bunton and Debbie H. Milchner; a brother, Paul Harris; and four grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

JONES, SHIRLEY J., 76, of Tampa, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003). Born in Barneveld, N.Y., she moved to the Tampa area in 1994 from Prospect, N.Y. Survivors include her daughters, Barbara, Alabama, Jacquelyn Jones, Tampa, and Marcia Hanna, New York; and one granddaughter. Florida Mortuary & Cremation Services, Tampa.

NEWMAN, E.F. "FRANK," 75, of Valrico, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003). He lived in the Tampa area for 40 years and came here from Fort Lauderdale. He was Baptist and a U.S. Navy veteran. He was owner and partner of Tank Welding services and Brandon Crane. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of BPOE Elk Lodge 2383 Brandon. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Lake, Valrico; four sons Gene Newman, Ohio, Graig Newman, Indialantic, Keith Newman, California, and Michael Newman, Georgia; a brother, Fred Newman, Whitwell, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

SIBBALD, BETTY, 82, of Sun City Center, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003). Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Alex Sibbald, two sons, Alec and Keith; two daughters, Sandra and Vicky, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Zipperer's Funeral Home, Ruskin.

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BARONE, DOMENIC, 86, of Port Richey, died Saturday (Jan. 25, 2003) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here 21 years ago from Massapequa, N.Y. He was a telephone repairman for the Nynex Telephone Co. and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America, Pasco Italian American Civic Club, New York State Club and St. James the Apostle Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Theresa; a son, Frank, Long Island, N.Y.; two stepsons, Joseph Mirabelli, Pinellas Park, and Vincent Mirabelli, East Islip, N.Y.; a daughter, Annette Cangelosi, West Palm Beach; two sisters, Frances Domingo, Clearwater, and Angie Barrett, New Port Richey; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

BRITT, DONALD P. SR. "DONNIE," 30, of Port Richey, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) in New Port Richey. Born in Parsippany, N.J., he came here 23 years ago from his native New Jersey. He was a recruiter for Tampa Technical Institute, a coach and board member for the New Port Richey Pasco Police Athletic League, a coach for West Pasco Little League, a master of ceremonies for cheerleading technique camps and an announcer for many cheerleading competitions and youth and high school football games. Survivors include his wife, April; a son, D.J., Port Richey; two daughters, Brandi and Peyton, Port Richey; his mother, Marlene Naumann, Port Richey; a brother, Mike Britt, Spring Hill; and a grandmother, Jesse Caddell, Oak Hill. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

DALY, AUDREY M., 67, of Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, New Port Richey. Born in Greenport, N.Y., she came here in 1992 from North Babylon, N.Y. She was a retired safety manager fr Brunswick Hospital Center, Amityville, N.Y., and a member of Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, New Port Richey, Eagles Aerie 3153, Ladies Auxiliary, New Port Richey, and Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey. Survivors include her husband, Thomas III; a son, Thomas IV ; a daughter, Kim DiCanio, Lake Grove, N.Y.; a brother, Bernhard Herrman, Indian Shores; and six grandchildren. Family Funeral Care, Hudson.

KALLER, JEROME, 66, of Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here in 1988 from Passaic, N.J. He was a truck driver. Survivors include his wife, Dr. Jill Mink-Kaller; two sons, Jonathan Rudin and James Rudin, both of Port Richey; a brother, Robert, California; two sisters, Penelope Serviss, Port Richey, and Dorothy Siletti, Cranbury, N.J.; and a granddaughter. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

KOLB, LUCIE C., 93, of New Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here eight years ago from Rosedale, N.Y. She was a retired manager of bookkeeping for Bank of New York in Valley Stream, N.Y., and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Canetta, New Port Richey; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Port Richey.

LIVINGSTON, MELVIN H., 89, of New Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at home. Born in Haverhill, Mass., he came here in 1983 from Fremont, N.H. He was a railroad transportation supervisor for Boston & Main Railroad, Boston. He was a 50-year member of Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge 090, New Hampshire, and the local chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartets Singing in America. Survivors include his wife, Marielle; a son, Russell, San Antonio, Texas; three daughters, Sara St. Peter, Hanover, Pa., Dorothy Imbimbo, Milford, Conn., and Pauline Livingston, Beaverton, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, New Port Richey.

MacDONALD, CHARLES E. JR. "MAC," 75, of Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at home. He came here in 1993 from his native Auburn, Maine. He was a carpenter in the construction industry, an Army veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion. Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Jean; a son; three daughters; a sister; and five grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, New Port Richey.

METRAL, LOUIS W. "BILL," 77, of Hudson, died Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2003) at his home. Born in New York, he came here 14 years ago from Wilmington, N.C. He owned a limousine company and a golf driving range, played professional baseball in the New York Giants organization during the 1940s and '50s, and was a Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include three daughters, Suzanne Wallisa, Monroe, Conn., Lorene Wagner, Flagstaff, Ariz., and Donna Mitchell, New York City. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MICKUS, RUTH M., of New Port Richey, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. She came here in 1977 from Waukegan, Ill. She was a member of VFW Women's Auxiliary, Cotee. Survivors include two sons, Donald Field, Holiday, and Paul Mickus, New Port Richey; a daughter, Linda Parent, Jacksonville Beach; and a granddaughter. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

MONTGOMERY, SARAH E., 84, of Port Richey, died Saturday (Jan. 18, 2003) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Circle Hill, Ohio, she came here seven years ago from Marion, Ohio. She was owner and operator of a cleaning service and a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Wilfred Burnside, Goodyear, Ariz.; two daughters, Patricia Weston, Cardington, Ohio, and Sandra Hughes, Fayetteville, N.C.; three sisters, Marguerite McCray, Iberia, Ohio, Marion Pettifore, Longview, Texas, and Lucy James, New Port Richey; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

ORTIZ, DAVID LUIS, 20, of New Port Richey, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice Care Center, New Port Richey. He came here in 1994 from his native Bridgeport, Conn. He was a student of International School of Beauty, where he was studying to become a massage therapist. He loved skiing. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Nancy and Vern Ford, Connecticut; his father and stepmother, Benito and Marka Ortiz, New Port Richey; two brothers, Benito III, Connecticut, and John, New Port Richey; and a sister, Sandra Ortiz, Connecticut. Preferred Funeral Alternatives, Holiday.

RADER, GEORGE CARL, 62, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa. He came here in 2002 from Milwaukee. He was a retired courier driver for MEDCO Inc., Milwaukee, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and Catholic. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Sandra; two daughters, Marsha Schipper, New Port Richey, and Brenda Miller, Milwaukee; a sister, Beatrice Wilcox, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; and two grandchildren. Veterans Cremation and Burial Society, Clearwater.

TOMER, GENEVIEVE PAULINE, 95, of Zephyrhills, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) in Zephyrhills. Born in McKeesport, Pa., she came here 15 years ago from Miami. She was a homemaker and a member of Westside Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Lillie Shaffer, Zephyrhills; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

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Belleair

YOUNG NAWN, LUCIA H., 85, of Belleair, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. She was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt. and came here in 1959 from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She was a local Realtor and owner of Biltmore Associates Inc., a longtime member of the local board of Realtors, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Clearwater, and Belleair Country Club and graduated from North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Maine. Survivors include a son, Stephen Young, Ozona; three daughters, Margaret Barber, Clearwater, Cynthia Cox, Ozona, and Susan Nawn, Harrisburg, Pa.; a sister, Anne Mellick, Vienna, Va.; and four grandchildren; Sean Young, Sterling Cox, Kathryn Barber and Reid Norris. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.

Clearwater

AULETTA, CARMINE THOMAS, 94, of Clearwater, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital. He was born in New York City and had been a part-time resident since 1994. He worked as a butcher for A&P supermarkets for 40 years in Long Island, N.Y., and was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include two brothers, Victor, Kings Park, N.Y, and Jack, Whitestone, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Cheryl Auletta, Norwalk, Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. National Cremation Society, Largo.
BENDA, ELIZABETH "PAT," 88, of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Clearwater, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, Iowa. She was born in Tama, Iowa. She was a homemaker and was Catholic. She attended Clark College and received a teaching certificate from the Iowa State Teachers College. She was a sports fan and enjoyed golf, reading and playing bridge. Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Thompson, Richardson, Texas, and Georgia Mihm, Bettendorf, Iowa; a son, David, Texas; a sister, Marie Frost, San Diego; seven grandchildren, Tracy Thompson Phelan, Ted Thompson, David Scott Benda, Christy Benda, Matthew Mihm, Martha Mihm Barnard, Mary Joanna Mihm; and a great-granddaughter. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, Iowa.
CIMINO, ROSE CANNELLA, 91, of Clearwater, formerly of Tampa, died Monday (Jan. 20, 2003). A native of Tampa, she worked at a cigar factory, the Hillsborough County School District and owned a grocery store. Survivors include two stepchildren, Peter Cimino and Josie Cimino Clark; a sister, Frances McNab, Fort Myers; and five nieces and nephews. Boza & Roel Funeral Home, Tampa.
HUMPHRIES, ALVIN BRUMBLEY, 67, of Clearwater died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at home. He was born in Atlanta and came here in 1973 from Tucker, Ga. He was a retired operations manager for Countryside Mall. He was a member of Skycrest Baptist Church, Clearwater, and Clearwater Sertoma Breakfast Club. Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie; three daughters, Carol Humphries Springer, Tampa, Crystal Humphries Schlappi, Peachtree City, Ga., and Ellyn Marie Slocomb, Lawrenceville, Ga; a son, Bradford S., Clearwater; a sister, Martha Ross, Sarasota; a brother, Buddy, Clearwater; and five grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
ORTEGA, JACKIE E., 60, of New Port Richey, formerly of Clearwater, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) at home. Born in Baltimore, he moved to New Port Richey in 1999 from Clearwater, where he was the call center manager for Marcom Technologies. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; two sons, Anthony, Georgia, and Michael, Baltimore; a daughter, Debbie Ortega, Baltimore; a brother, Louis C., Melbourne; a sister, Marjorie Farrell, St. Michaels, Md.; and a grandchild. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.
OSBORNE, SHIRLEY D., 78, of Clearwater died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) at Kindred Hospital Bay Area -- St. Petersburg. She was born in Detroit and came here in 1977 from Van Nuys, Calif. Survivors include two sons, Brent J., Oregon, and Ronald G., Largo; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
WAGNER, DANIEL H., 45, of Clearwater, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. He came here in 1995 from his native California. He was a self-employed computer consultant. He was a member of the Church of Scientology, Clearwater and was a Marine Corps veteran. Survivors include his wife of two years, Denice Slabaugh-Wagner; a son, Nicholas, California; his mother, Judy Houser, Ferndale, Calif, his father, Theodore Wagner, Lafayette, Ind.; three brothers, Fred, Newark, Calif., Jeff, Sacramento, Calif., and Randy, Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Sylvia DeWall, Clearwater; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Chapel, Clearwater.

Dunedin

KENSINGER, DOUG, 72, of Dunedin, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. He came here in 1958 from his native Bluefield, W.Va. He was a supervisor for GTE, now Verizon, where he worked for 32 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Dunedin for 33 years and was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and member of the choir. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Survivors include his wife, Lucille,; three sons, Barry, Dunedin, Gary, Monroe, N.C., and Darryl, Orangeville, Pa.; two sisters, Ruby Ritchea and Nancy Hill, both of St. Petersburg; and seven grandchildren, Andy and Bryan, both of Dunedin, Jesse, Sarah and Josh, all of Orangeville. and Jonathan and David, both of Monroe. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Dunedin Chapel

Largo

LAUTENBACH, JANICE R., 60, of Largo, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She came here in 1992 from Chicago. Survivors include a companion, Timothy Eckles; and a son, Paul Patrick Moore, Largo. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
GAUDIOSI, ROBERT ANTHONY, 56, of Crystal River, formerly of Largo, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 2003) at home under the care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born in Orange, N.J., he came to Citrus County three years ago from Largo. He was a commercial truck driver and an Army veteran having served two tours in the Vietnam War. He was a musician and attended St. Scholastica Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Jean; a stepson, Michael Kooz, Crystal River; two stepdaughters, Kim Kooz, Hazlet, N.J., and Tiffany Kooz, St. Augustine; and his mother. Lilian Gaudiosi, Bloomfield, N.J. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

Palm Harbor

TORPEY, DOROTHEE, 79, of Palm Harbor died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. She was born in New York City and came here in 1983 from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., where she worked as a secretary for New York Medical College at Valhalla. She was a member of St. Alfred's Episcopal Church, Palm Harbor, and Episcopal Church Women, Questers, Lamplighters, and the Floral Arrangers Club of Tampa. She was a master judge for the Judges Council of Clearwater Garden Club. Survivors include her fiance, Ed Kehoe, Palm Harbor; a sister, Carol Burgan, Peakville, N.Y.; a niece, Wendy Linehan, Peakville; and several nephews. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Palm Harbor Chapel.

Safety Harbor

MURPHY, EVA MAE PHILLIPS, 90, of Safety Harbor died Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2003) at Tandem Health Care of Safety Harbor. She was born in Alma, Mich., and came here in 1980 from Carbondle, Ill. She was a teacher for the Carbondale School District and worked at the Winkler School, Parrish School and Thomas School in Illinois. After her retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher for Pinellas County Schools from 1980 to 1983. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a master's of science degree in education. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta and Kappa Delta Pi. Survivors include a son, Ronald A., Carbondale, Ill.; and two grandchildren. Veterans Cremation & Burial Society, Clearwater.

Tarpon Springs

GERLANDER, MARGARET, 83, of Tarpon Springs, died Tuesday (Jan. 14, 2003) at Bay Tree Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Palm Harbor. She was born in Moorhead, Minn., and came here in 1951 from Indianapolis. She retired as a clerk for JCPenney, Clearwater, after 22 years of service. She was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Tarpon Springs Congregation. Survivors include a son, Norman Atherton, Palm Harbor; a sister, Arline Atkinson, Indianapolis; a nephew, Bob Lyden, Indianapolis; and three grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.
WYATT, GENA MAY, 46, of New Port Richey, formerly of Tarpon Springs, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003) at home. Born in Valdosta, Ga., she moved to Tarpon Springs from Middlefield, Ohio, then moved to New Port Richey in 1980. She was a cashier at Home Depot. She was Protestant. Survivors include her husband, Tom; two sons, Joseph and Andrew, a daughter, Billie Jo Wyatt, her father, Virgil White, and a brother Virgil White Jr., all of New Port Richey; and a sister, Gracia Gay Gray, New Cumberland, Pa. Morgan Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Port Richey.

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Seminole

COUNTRYMAN, MARTHA S., 98, of Seminole, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. Born in Denver, she came here in 1980 from Springfield, Mass. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Largo, the St. Petersburg Federated Women's Club, PEO and Sigma Kappa. Survivors include a son, Ralph L. Countryman, Bonita Springs; two grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.

St. Petersburg

BEACHUM, BEATRICE "BEA," 86, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Boca Ciega Center, Gulfport. She came here in 1945 from her native Graceville. She was a cook and a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Dorothy B. Givens and Lilla Mae Byrd, both of St. Petersburg, and Sadie Pollocks, Rochester, N.Y.; four sons, Ralph Beachum Sr., Charles Beachum and Tony Beachum, all of St. Petersburg, and Joseph Beachum, Oakland, Calif.; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Creal Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
ERVIN, POLLY, 91, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Jan. 23, 2003). Born in Hindman, Ky., she came here in 1948 from Kentucky. She retired from the food services department at Swanholm Living Center. She attended Northside Baptist Church. Survivors include a grandson, James G. Wilson, Lancaster, Pa.; and three granddaughters, Cheryl Wilson and Cassandra Wilson, both of Ludlow, Ky., and Carol Wilson, St. Petersburg. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
FITCH, DAVID, 54, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at home. There are no known survivors. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
KELLY, SCOTT, 45, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center. He came here in 1981 from his native Chicago. He was a salesman. Survivors include his mother, Nancy Kelly, Largo; two daughters, Jennifer Kelly and Doodles Kelly, both of St. Petersburg; a brother, Michael Goze, Minneapolis, a grandfather, Albert Geitz, Largo; and his companion, Bonnie Posey. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
LEWIS, PAUL E., 62, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. Born in New York City, he came here in 1986 from New York. Survivors include his wife of eight years, Lue C.; a stepdaughter, Melinda Hitch, and three stepgrandsons, David Hitch, Mark Hitch and Joseph Hitch, all of St. Petersburg. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
PATRICK, DAVID A., 72, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in Washington, D.C., he came here in 1994 from Carolina Shores, N.C. He was an automobile mechanic and an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. Survivors include a brother, Carl, Ormond Beach; and two sisters, Lois Spicknall and Esther Wells, both of Carolina Shores. Veteran Cremation and Burial Society, Clearwater.