St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

RAUB, CONNIS "CONNI," 72, of Inverness, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at home under the care of family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born in Corning, N.Y., she came here in 1993 from Verona, N.Y. A graduate of Houghton College, Houghton, N.Y., she was a retired kindergarten through 12th grade educator. She taught at various schools in New York including Batavia, Hawkins, Johnson City/Vestal, Churchville-Chili, and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill. She was active in Christian Womens Organizations, and Oneida Performing Arts Theater, was a choir director, and attended Main Street Baptist Church. She loved to knit and crochet and contributed to community organizations. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, J. Robert "Bob"; two sons, James, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., and Jeffrey, Cicero, N.Y.; a brother, E. Eugene Williams, Smyrna, Ga.; three sisters, Joyce Nixon, Akron, N.Y., Coleen Horst, Lecanto, and Roxlyn Jones, Clarence, N.Y.; and five grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.

WRIGHT, MARY, 87, of Crystal River, died Sunday (March 2, 2003) at River Oaks Assisted Living in Crystal River. Born in Chicago, she came here more than a year ago from Fort Myers. She was a retired receptionist for Groen Manufacturing Co., Chicago. Survivors include six nieces and nephews. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

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SCHAAL, WILLIAM F. JR. "BILL," 55, of Spring Hill, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville. Born in Blue Island, Ill., he came here five years ago from Crown Point, Ind. He was a sales associate for Lowe's Building Supply Store and an Army veteran. Survivors include his wife, Charlene; a son, William, Oaklawn, Ill.; two daughters, Carolyn Garrigan, Worth, Ill., and Christine Sokol, Brooksville; his father, William Schaal Sr., Chula Vista, Calif., and a sister, Andrea Prestia, Chula Vista; and three grandchildren. Pinecrest Funeral Chapels, Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill.

STEPHENS, ROGER M., 79, of Spring Hill, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville. Born in Portsmouth, Va., he came here five years ago. He retired from the Navy with 10 years of service as Navy 2nd Class Radioman and then served 13 years with the Air Force as a military policeman, retiring as a technical sergeant. A veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during action in the South Pacific. Survivors include his wife, Nola; two sons, Richard, Vineland, N.J., and Terry, Nesco, N.J.; two daughters, Kendra and Karen, both of Spring Hill; a brother, Clyde, Chesapeake, Va.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill.

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COVINGTON, WILLIAM N. JR., 75, of Brandon, died Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2003). He was president of the Tampa Breakfast Optimist Club, founder, coach and past president of PAL football in Tampa, assistant choir director and a member of the Tampa Bears and Piratones Quartets in Tampa, and a Little League umpire. Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Irene Covingtron, Bartow; two sons, Thomas Baxton Covington, Brandon, and William Craven Covington, Leesburg; and two grandchildren. Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City.

HERNANDEZ, MARY DIAZ, 87, of Tampa, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003). She was a native of Tampa. She was Catholic and a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Silvio Hernandez; a son, Dr. Alfred D. Hernandez, Sarasota; a sister, Rose Cermeno, Tampa; and two grandchildren. Garden of Memories, Tampa.

JORDAN, WILLIAM N., 69, of Tampa, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003). Born in Headland, Ala., he moved to the Tampa area in 1934. He was Protestant and a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Helen; three sons, Nowell, Walter and Rufus; two daughters, Cindy Miller and Ruth Scott; sisters, Marlene Ray and Silvia Vaden; 18 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

LIGHTSEY, MARNEL REGENER, of Brandon, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003). A lifelong resident of the Tampa area, she was a rancher and owner of Lightsey Dairy and Lightsey Cattle Co. She was a charter member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, past director of the Farm Bureau and a member of the Florida Cattleman's Association. Survivors include a daughter, Darla Hesson, Valrico; two sons, Layne L. Lightsey and Cary D. Lightsey, both of Lake Wales; two sisters, Margaret Hurner, Sebring, and Carolyn Taylor, Odessa; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Serenity Meadows Memorial Park & Funeral Home, River

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MENDEL, LEROY "LEE," 70, of Tampa, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003). He was a member of Mary Help of Christians and American Legion Post 111. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon; five sons, Danny, Kevin, James, Arthur and LeRoy; and eight grandchildren. Adams & Jennings Funeral Home, Tampa.

RIVERA-AMARO, ANGEL LUIS, 43, of Tampa died Monday (Feb. 17, 2003). He was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and moved to the Tampa area several years ago. He was a construction laborer. Survivors include his mother Lydia Amaro-Mendez, Fajardo. Holloway Funeral Home, Tampa.

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BROWN, EVERETT H., 86, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here 19 years ago from Hollywood, Fl. He was a switchman for Southern Bell Telephone, Hollywood. He was a member of Tampa Consistory Scottish Rite, Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa, Telephone Pioneers of America, Peal of the West Masonic Lodge 146 F&AM, and Faith Lutheran Church. Survivors include a son, Robert; a daughter, Marilyn Reuter, San Diego; a sister, Dorothy Kovar, Stroudsburg, Pa.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

DELUCA, MARGARET A. "MARGIE," 84, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice Care Center, New Port Richey. Born in Akron, Ohio, she came here in 1973 from Cold Spring, N.Y. She was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, John, New Port Richey, and Gerard, Mahopac, N.Y.; a brother, Addie Welsh, Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Ann Kappler, Grand Island, N.Y., Theresa Scheu, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mary Albert, Otego, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday.

FORD, ANDREW "RODDY," 79, of Hudson, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at home. He came here in 1988 from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a retired telephone installer for NYNEX Telephone Company, Brooklyn, and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and St. Theresa Catholic Church, all of Spring Hill, and VFW 8681, Hudson. Survivors include his wife, Frances; two sons, Lawrence "Larry," New Port Richey, and Kevin, Toms River, N.J.; and three grandchildren. Wellwood/Grace Funeral Home and Cemetery, Hudson.

HINKLE, MARY V., 76, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice Care Center, New Port Richey. Born in Jersey City, N.J., she came here 18 years ago from Lauderhill. She was a staff writer for the St. Petersburg Times and Paterson News, Paterson, N.J. She was a member of Polish Legion of American Veterans Auxiliary, Dennis Orloski Post 184, United States Navy Armed Guard Nature Coast Chapter, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where she was a Sunday high school volunteer of religious education. Survivors include her husband, Charles; two daughters, Charlene Quintavella, Butler, N.J., and Natalie Sitek, New Port Richey; and six grandchildren. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MIDDLETON, JAMES, 85, of New Port Richey, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at home. Born in DuBois, Pa., he came here in 1975 from Fresno, Calif. He was retired with 39 years of service as an electrician for Republic Steel Company, Cleveland. He was a member of Living Word Church, and Tarpon Springs Moose Lodge 1429, Holiday. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Virginia; a son, David, Seville, Ohio; two daughters, Beverly Trenhaile, Clovis, Calif., and Lela Stark, Berea, Ohio; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday.

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Clearwater

EDIGHOFFER, ALICE M., 82, of Clearwater, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Manor Care Dunedin. She was born in Minneapolis and came here in 1976 from Union County, N.J. She was a dental assistant and a homemaker. She was Lutheran. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Raymond; and a daughter, Janet A. Morgan, Wolcott, Conn. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
GOODWIN, LAWRENCE, 63, of Clearwater, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) in Clearwater as the result of shotgun wounds. He was born in Covington, Ky., and came here in 1973 from Chattanooga, Tenn. He was an entrepreneur, an author and a former owner of Yacht Club Estates Golf Course. He was a graduate of Oglethorpe and Emory universities, both in Atlanta. He attended First Christian Church. He enjoyed sports and golfing. Survivors include two sons, Lawrence E. Jr. and Mark F., both of Carlisle, Ky.; a daughter, Amy Hern, Chicago; two brothers, Tom, St. Petersburg, and Bill, Clearwater; and two grandsons, Jackson and Lawrence E. III. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
MILLER, BERTIE L., 98, of Clearwater, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at The Oaks of Clearwater. She was born in Owensboro, Ky., and came here in 1972 from Chicago. She was a homemaker and a seamstress. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Miller, Hammond, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews. National Cremation Society, Largo.
SIEDLECK, JOSEPH W., 93, of Clearwater, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. He was born in Chicago and came here in 1996 from Mountain Home, Ark. He was a dock foreman for Gateway Transportation, Chicago. Survivors include a son, Donald J., Woodridge, Ill.; a daughter, Dee Fry, Clearwater; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.

Dunedin

TOUFF, HIRSCH, 102, of Dunedin, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Cross Terrace Rehabilitation Center, Dunedin. He was born in Cincinnati and came here in 1982 from Chicago. He was a landscape architect and designed airfields and military living quarters. His work designing span bridges for the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II won him the Civilian of the Year Award. He also designed golf courses and cemeteries in Chicago and California. He was appointed head of the Department of Agriculture of the Illinois State Planning Commission. He studied sculpture at the School of Art Institute of Chicago and was an accomplished sculptor in marble and bronze. He was a prolific artist, having completed more than 100 paintings in four series, and was a published poet. He earned his master's degree in horticulture from the University of Illinois and attended the University of South Florida. He attended Temple Beth Shalom, Clearwater, and was a charter member of Hillel and Tau Epsilon Phi and a member of the NAACP and Mensa. Survivors include his companion, Bonnie Kalin, Dunedin. Beth David North Chapel of David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Clearwater.

Largo

COX, SUZANNE WINTERS, 57, of Largo, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at home. She was born in Clearfield, Pa., and came here in 2000 from Chicago. She was Methodist. Survivors include her husband of 28 years, Michael; her mother, Jean Winters, Largo; three nieces, Ellen and Kate Winters, both of Jackson, Wyo., and Katie O'Reilly, Burlington, Vt.; and a nephew, Ross Sbriscia, Monson, Mass. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
EHRHARDT, MARY A., 89, of Largo, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Palm Garden of Pinellas, Largo. She came here in 1972 from her native Scranton, Pa. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Church of the Isles Congregational, Indian Rocks Beach. She enjoyed golf and bridge. Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Willard; a daughter, Shirley Bartlett, Largo; a son, Bill, Atlanta; and two grandchildren, Bill Bartlett, Kennebunkport, Maine, and Elizabeth Mills, Belleair. Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory, Belleair Bluffs.
HURLEY, ELINOR S., 90, of Largo, died Sunday (March 2, 2003) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She was born in Washington, D.C., and came here in 1981 from Silver Spring, Md. She was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Largo. She enjoyed poetry. Survivors include three sons, Jack, Carpinteria, Calif., Gregory, Mayo, Md. and Peter, Woodbridge, Va.; a daughter, Maureen Poms, Redwood City, Calif.; a brother, Vince Sgueo, Palm Harbor; three sisters, Marie Burton, McLean, Va., Olive Kemper, Sarasota, and Jeane Clark, Naples; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
KUEHNLE, LEONA M., 91, of Largo, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Palm Garden of Pinellas. She was born in Baltimore and came here in 1976 from Annapolis, Md. She was a supervisor for the Baltimore Telephone Co. She was past president of Christ Child Society and a hospital volunteer in Annapolis. She was Catholic. Survivors include a daughter, Fredericka "Lea" Kuehnle, Largo; and a sister, Lucy Baldwin, Riverside, Calif. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
KYLE, NANCY LOU, 67, of Largo, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at her daughter's home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Akron, Ohio, and came here in 1980 from Stow, Ohio. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the National VFW Auxiliary and a volunteer for the Share Program. Survivors include her husband of 23 years, Stan; three daughters, Jennifer Smith, Rebecca Fisher and Norma McGowan, all of St. Petersburg; a son, Roy Cross, Barnesville, Minn.; a brother, Harry Beck, Clearwater; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
RODGERS, BILL J., 60, of Largo, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at home. He was a Clearwater native and a lifelong area resident. He co-owned Rodgers Brothers Services, Largo, and owned American Trav'L-Ez Tours, Largo. He was a member of Anona United Methodist Church, Largo, and was past treasurer of Largo Evening Sertoma Club. Survivors include a son, W. Cliff, Largo; a daughter, Cheri Lynn Drake, Owasso, Okla.; his mother, Teuila, Largo; three brothers, Robert O., and Leon "Buddy" and Benjamin "Benny," both of Largo; and four grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
SCHAEFFER, EDWARD H., 83, of Largo died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and came here in 1973 from New Rochelle, N.Y. He was a manager for Bell Telephone in New York. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Largo, and Telephone Pioneers of America. He was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II. Survivors include three sons, Edward C. and Robert W., both of Largo, and William H., Lutz; and two grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.

Palm Harbor

SAILOR, JOHN V., 38, of Palm Harbor, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital, Crystal River, as a result of injuries from an automobile accident. He was born in Dearborn, Mich., and came here in 1978 from New Orleans. He owned and operated Office Systems of Florida Inc. He was a graduate of Clearwater High School and attended Murray State University on a sports scholarship. He was a member of Northwood Presbyterian Church, Clearwater. Survivors include his wife, Debbie; a son, Reid, Palm Harbor; a daughter, Courtney, Palm Harbor; his father, James J., Clearwater; his mother, Jean Smith, Hernando Beach; two sisters, Gail Risinger, Little Rock, Ark., and Michelle Sailor, Charlotte, N.C.; and a brother, Jim T., Tierra Verde. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

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Indian Rocks Beach

FRANK, UNA J., 85, of Middlesex, N.Y., and Indian Rocks Beach, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital. She was born in Brighton, N.Y., and had been coming here as a winter resident from Middlesex, N.Y., since 1947. She was a retired supervisor. She was Lutheran. Survivors include her husband, Charles; and a niece, Nancy Smith, Canandaigua, N.Y. National Cremation Society, Clearwater.
SUTHERLAND, HAZEL L., 92, of Indian Rocks Beach, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Mariner Health of Clearwater. She was born in Corbett, N.Y., and came here in 1969 from Suffern, N.Y. She was a clerk for the state of New York for more than 10 years. She was a Jehovah's Witness. Survivors include a daughter, Elsie Wilfore, Tampa; a sister, Theda Lacey, Downsville, N.Y.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home and Cemetery, Seminole.

Pinellas Park

CARPENTER, ROBERT F. JR., 85, of Mitchellville, Md., formerly of Pinellas Park, died Saturday (Feb. 15, 2003) at Collington Episcopal Life Care, Mitchellville. He was born in Felton, Del. He retired from the Air Force in 1960 after 24 years of service. He was a bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II, was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1943 and served during the Korean War. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Civil Service at the Navy Photographic Interpretation Center in Suitland, Md., for 12 years. He was an avid golfer and a lifelong fisherman and hunter. He was a Mason. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Alice B.; two sons, Robert F. III, Chevy Chase, Md., and Brian A., Gambrills, Md.; and three grandchildren, Stephanie Vaughn, Shannon Carpenter and Meredith Carpenter. Rogers Funeral Home, Milford, Del.

St. Petersburg

DENNIS, REBECCA R., 89, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Westminster Shores Health Center, St. Petersburg. She was born in Trinidad, West Indies, and came to the United States in 1989. Survivors include two sons, Lennox Dennis, Boston, and Fitzroy Dennis, St. Petersburg; seven daughters, Eilleen Thornhill, Canada; Jean Perkins, Janet Hepson and Lynette Ross, all of St. Petersburg; and Merle Duff-Bramble, Monica Logan and Jacqueline Hernandez, all of Trinidad; a sister, Winniefred Mannette, St. Petersburg; three brothers, Eric Ransome, Frank Ransome and Kenneth Ransome, and a niece, Jessie Warner, all of Trinidad; 34 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.
HIGLEY, JUDITH, 78, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at Gulf View Nursing Home. Born in North Adams, Mass., she came here in 1956 from Massachusetts. She was a secretary for a real estate company. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a sister, Marcia Teeple, Maine; and a caretaker, Frances McCarty, St. Petersburg. Royal Palm Funeral Chapel & Cemetery North, St. Petersburg.
MAYS, TERESA A., 53, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Feb. 27, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital. She was a St. Petersburg native. She worked as a legal secretary in Clearwater. She was Christian. Survivors include a daughter, Tracy Sams Buchanan, and a brother, Robert Mays, both of Largo; and a sister, Marian Henson, Seminole. Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home and Cemetery, Seminole.
NGUYEN, DO THI, 74, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at St. Anthony's Hospital. She came here in 1993 from her native Vietnam. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Da Van; two sons, Dat Minh Nguyen and Don Minh Nguyen, and two daughters, Hang Thuy Nguyen and Mai Kim Nguyen, all of St. Petersburg; a brother, Tuyen Van Tran, and a sister, Mui Thi Tran, both of Australia; and six grandchildren. Osgood-Cloud Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pinellas Park.
NICHOLL, DAVID J., 59, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at St. Anthony Hospital. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, and came here in 1968 from Kitchener, Ontario. He was a self-employed electrician. He was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Marlene; and his parents, Nancy and Moses, and a brother, Gerald, all of St. Petersburg. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
RANGE, MAMIE LEE, 67, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (March 2, 2003) at home. She came here in 1957 from her native Gough, Ga. She was a nanny and a housekeeper for 27 years. She was a member of the Church of Christ Written in Heaven in St. Petersburg, where she was a trustee, served with the cook committee and was president of the usher board for 15 years. Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Robert Jr.; two sons, Willie Wells Jr. and Elvis Campbell, and two daughters, Willie Mae Burke and Geraldine Jackson, all of St. Petersburg; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Creal Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
ROSENQUIST, CARL E., 89, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (March 1, 2003) at Westminster Shores Health. He was born in Brockton, Mass., and came here in 1980 from Avon, Mass. He was an electronics equipment operator at the United States Naval Shipyard in Boston. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of North East Park Baptist Church and Northside Masonic Lodge 283, both in St. Petersburg. He was an amateur radio operator. Survivors include a daughter, Carlene A. Rosenquist, Avon; and a sister, Evelyn White, Sanford, Maine. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.