St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

BRUNER, MARIE BURNETT, 69, of Sumterville, formerly of St. Petersburg and Crystal River, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). Born in St. Petersburg, she moved to Sumter County in 1988 from Crystal River. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Dale G.; three sons, Karl Bruner, Guam, Mark Bruner, Stow, Ohio, and John Bruner, Aberdeen, Scotland; a sister, Margaret Love, St. Petersburg; and three grandchildren. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell.

KROLL, OLIVE C., 84, of Inverness, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) in Inverness. She came here in 1984 from her native Chicago and was a screw machine operator. She was an active member and held many officer positions with the Eagles Auxiliary Aerie 3992. She was a member of the Moose Auxiliary Inverness and Acacia Park Lutheran Church. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Milbratz, McHenry, Ill.; a sister, Violet Meyer Lehst, Chicago; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes, Inverness.

YOAKEM, JOHN LEE, 55, of Lecanto, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) in Gainesville. Born in Ross County, Ohio, he came here in 1990 from Ashland, Neb. He was a disabled Air Force veteran and Protestant. He was a member of the Homosassa Springs Disabled American Veterans and past president of the Ashland Kiwanis. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Carol (Taylor); two sons, Bruce R., Lecanto, and Brian A., Houston; a daughter, Mary A. Jacquart, Palm Coast; a brother, Myron, and three sisters, Sally Bowles, Ruth Elliott and Inez Patrick, all of Bainbridge, Ohio; and a granddaughter. Hooper Funeral Homes, Homosassa.

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CARR, ETHEL VIRGINIA, 90, of Spring Hill, formerly of New Port Richey, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in New Port Richey. Born in Galax, Va., she came here 22 years ago from Fairfax, Va. She was a legal secretary in Fairfax County and attended Mariner United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sisters, Catherine Farris, New Port Richey, and Helen Wernle, Spring Hill; numerous nieces and nephews. Brewer & Sons Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

FLEMING, EARL R., 78, of Spring Hill, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in Brooksville. He came here 19 years ago from his native Chicago. He was a retired captain with the Chicago Police Department with 35 years of service. He was a Navy veteran serving in submarine duty in World War II. He was a member of the Brooksville Elks. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; a son, James, Chicago; two daughters, Patricia Koca, Streamwood, Ill., and Theresa Angone, Chicago; a sister, Laverne Wilson, Mokena, Ill.; and five grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.

GAYNOR, WILLIE L. "PETE," 63, of Brooksville, died Thursday (March 6, 2003) at Brooksville Regional Hospital. Born in Wadley, Ga., he was a lifelong resident of Brooksville and was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Almeta; four sons, James Elder, Victor Gaynor and Joseph Gaynor, all of Tampa, and Joshua Gaynor, Brooksville; a daughter, Chiquita Gaynor, Tampa; two brothers, Robert and Marcus, both of Tampa; three sisters, Mary L. Scott, Atlanta, Lillian Hampton, Tampa, and Mary Ellen, Michigan; and four grandchildren. Community Funeral Service, Brooksville.

LAMB, HUBERT JEFFREY JR. "JEFF," 55, of Bushnell, formerly of Brooksville and Dade City, died Monday (March 10, 2003) at home. Born in Hendersonville, N.C., he grew up in Dade City. He moved to Bushnell in 1989 from Brooksville. He was a retired manager of radio stations most recently at 97.5 WPCV in Lakeland and Winter Haven. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and achieved the rank of E-3 Sergeant. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Sandra K.; a son, Jeffrey Ryan, Bushnell; a daughter, Sandra K. Lamb-Samson, Brooksville; his mother, Wilma Norton-Lamb, Dade City; two sisters, Jackie Sapp, Dade City, and Judy Butler, Birmingham, Ala.; and two grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

MOLSON, KATHLEEN GAIL, 63, of Spring Hill, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) in Spring Hill. She was born in New Cumberland, W.Va., and was a hairdresser. Survivors include her son, John; two daughters, Elizabeth and Belinda; eight brothers and sisters; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Swilley Funeral Home, Tampa.

MUEHSAM, HENRY J., 90, of Spring Hill, formerly of Port Richey, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at home. Born in Lester, Pa., he moved to Spring Hill in 1980 from Port Richey. He was the owner and operator of a hardware store for 25 years and an independent insurance agent. He was an Army veteran of World II. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Frances; two daughters, Janet Narbutis, Palm Harbor, and Bette J. Allen, Plant City; a stepson, John R. Woodall, Spring Hill; a brother, Albert; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

SCOTT, MILDRED E., 77, of Bushnell, died Monday (March 10, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in Brooksville. She came here 11 years ago from her native Chesaning, Mich. She was a homemaker, member of VFW Auxiliary 10137 and was Methodist. Survivors include her husband, Clarence; a son, Craig L., Salisbury, Md.; two daughters, DiAnn Ogawa, San Diego, and Jackie Gilroy-Scott, Fowlerville, Mich.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.

TUCZAK, PETER, 45, of Spring Hill, died Saturday (March 8, 2003) at Bayonet Point Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Poland, he came here 38 years ago. He was an employee for Tuczak Construction and a member of St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents, Katherine and George, Spring Hill; and a sister, Olga MacLellan, Greenville, N.C. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

WEGENER, RAYMOND E., 74, of Spring Hill, died Thursday (March 6, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in Brooksville. Born in Minneapolis, he came here in 1997 from Fort Myers. He retired from Brin Northwestern Glass after 39 years of service. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of the Dunwoody Institute in architecture and drafting. He was a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge, Hernando Air Modelers, and Timber Pines Golf and Country Club. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Eva; two sons, Steven Richard, Brooklyn Centre, Minn., and Robert Gerald, Brainerd, Minn.; two daughters, Linda Jo Moore, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Sheila Wiles, Plymouth, Minn.; and six grandchildren. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

WEIDNER, EVELYN MANN, 78, of Spring Hill, died Saturday (March 8, 2003) at Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill. Born in East Boston, Mass., she came here in 1986 from Billerica, Mass., and was Catholic. Survivors include her husband, Floyd; a son, David Mann, Boxford, Mass.; two daughters, Beverly Stahl, New Port Richey, and Jeanne Barley, Getzville, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Brewer & Sons Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

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BARCENA, RODOLFO "STITCH", 47, of Tampa, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003). A native of Matanzas, Cuba and a resident of Tampa for 25 years, he came to the Tampa area from New York. Survivors include a companion Lisa Slauth; two daughters, Monique Barcenas Carvajal and Daisy Barcenas; a son, Rodolfo Jay Martinez Barcenas Jr.; mother, Daisy Perez; and granddaughters, Brianna and Caley Morales and Lisa Marie. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

DALY, JAMES W., 81, of Crystal River, formerly of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Munroe Regional Hospital, Ocala. Born in Augusta, Ga., he came here 37 years ago from Tampa. He retired from the wholesale lumber industry and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was Catholic. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Virginia; three daughters, Leigh Ann Ledford, Brooksville, Susie Fenlon, Tampa, and Katie Carnahan, Crystal River; a sister, Mary Olts, Fairhope, Ala.; and six grandchildren. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

FELTON, SANDRA GRACE, 41, of Lithia, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). She was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and moved to the Tampa area in 1984 from Oshkosh, Wis. She was a special education teacher for Hillsborough County schools and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon. Survivors include her husband, Douglas; a son, Eric, Lithia; her father, David Behnke, Iola, Wis. ; a brother, John Behnke, Green Bay, Wis.; and two sisters, Betty Bembenek, Iola, Wis. and Heidi Budzinski, Custer, Wis. Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

FERNANDEZ, JOE J. "J.J.", 59, of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). A native and lifelong resident of Tampa, he worked as a teacher, coach, principal and administrator at Jesuit High School for 29 years. Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; a daughter, Shelley Girsch; a sister, Vilma Zalupski , and many extended family and friends. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

HOLZ, SOPHIE, 79, of Tampa, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003). A native of Germany, she was a resident of Tampa for the past 25 years. Survivors include a daughter, Erika Marchese and two grandchildren, Anthony and Lisa Mazzola. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

KENARY, ALICE E., 84, of Worcester, Mass., formerly of Tampa, died Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2003) at Mill Hill Nursing Home. She was born in Worcester, Mass. and retired to Tampa where she worked as a substitute teacher until 1993. She moved back to Worcester in 2001 from Tampa. Survivors include a son, Kevin R. Kenary, Barre, Mass.; three sisters, Mary M. Beahn, Paxton, Mass., Agnes L. Hannon and Helen A. Ford, both of Worcester; and several nieces and nephews. O'Connor Brothers Funeral Home, Worcester, Mass.

LE, HON VAN, 54, of Tampa died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). He was born in Vietnam and moved to Tampa in 1994. He was Buddhist and worked at Lazzara Yachts. He is survived by his wife, Ngoc Hong Thi Nguyen ; a son, Phu Le; and a daughter, Diem Le. Boza & Roel Funeral Home, Tampa.

LINNAN, CORNELIUS M., 83, of Valrico, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at his home in Valrico. Born in Lackawanna , N.Y., he moved to the Tampa area in 1974. He was a member of Nativity Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Brandon Moose Lodge & Moose Legion, and American Legion. He worked as an equipment operator for the city of Buffalo, N.Y. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eleanor ; two sons, Cornelius and Michael; two daughters, Mary Nagel and Diane McElroy ; a brother, Thomas; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

MINER, FRANK L., 79, of Riverview, died Saturday (March 8, 2003). Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie Davis and Connie White; a brother, Floyd; two sisters, Katherine Nelson and Janet Parkett; seven grandchildren, Laurie, Michael, Randall, Deanna, Tasha, Lisa and Larry Jr.; and five great-grandchildren. Hamilton Funeral Home, Riverview.

PARKER, SR., HAROLD R. "SHORTY", 80, of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). He was a lifelong resident of Tampa, a veteran of World War II, a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and was retired from Tampa Electric Company. Survivors include a companion, Dora Gray , two sons, Harold R., Lutz and Timothy W., Dover; two daughters, April M. Parker, Tampa and Sherry D. Simmons, Georgia ; seven grandchildren, Tabatha, Timmy, Robert, Jessica, Jon, Rebecca and Christopher; and two sisters, Maxine Parker and Pauline Gilbert, both of Tampa. C.E. Prevatt Funeral Home, Temple Terrace.

PEEL, DONALD R., 56, of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at James A. Haley VA Medical Center. He was a native of Tampa and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, Jason; a daughter, Angela Griffin; mother, Bernice Bell; two brothers, James and Ray; and sister, Patsy Raulerson. Glass Funeral Home, Tampa.

PETERS, ROBERT W. "BOB," 88, of Tampa, died Sunday (March 9, 2003). A lifelong resident of Tampa, he worked for the Tampa Tribune for 45 years. Survivors include his wife, Helen; a daughter, Jean Fusilier; a son, Robert W. Peters Jr.; four grandchildren, Robin Reily, Michael Peters, Erin Walker and Holly Fusilier; and six great-grandchildren. Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery, Tampa.

PRITCHARD, THOMAS A., 37, of Tampa, died Sunday (March 9, 2003) at his residence. He was born in Bay City, Mich., and moved to Tampa from Brighton, Mich., several years ago. He worked as an information technical director for manufacturing and served in the military. Survivors include his parents Thomas P. and Merrily K. Pritchard, Brighton, Mich. Holloway Funeral Home, Oldsmar.

SCARBERRY, OLEN G. , 81, of Valrico, died Wednesday (March 5, 2003). Born in Paw Paw, K.Y., he lived in Florida since 1960. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an owner of a pest control company. Survivors include two sons, Drewey, Petersburg, Va. and James W., Brandon; three daughters, Deanna Balloue, Dinwiddie, Va. , Barbara Catron, Brandon, Esther Scarberry, Brandon; three brothers, Herman and Sherman, both of Virginia, and Cornelius, Oregon ; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

SCHELLER, RICHARD W., 78, of Sun City Center, died Monday (March 10, 2003). He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and moved to Florida in 1994. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by his wife, Marion; a son, Richard H., Stanford, Calif.; a grandchild, Heather O'Laughlin, Michigan City, Ind., and many additional family members and friends. Florida Mortuary & Cremation Services, Tampa.

TRAINOR, DAVID MICHAEL JR., 37, of Tampa, died Monday (March 10, 2003). Born in Tampa, he worked at St. Joseph Hospital and was Catholic. Survivors include his father, David Sr.; his mother, Tina; a daughter, Elizabeth; a sister, Cindy; and his grandmother, Kathleen. Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, Tampa.

WASSERMAN, WILLIAM J. "WILLIE", 89, of Tampa, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003). A native of New York and a resident of Tampa since 1940, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include a brother, Bernard Wasserman and three nephews, Ronald Blanco, Daryl and Lionel Perez. . Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

WATKINS, GEORGE M. JR., 67, of Tampa, died Monday (March 10, 2003). Born in Nashville, he was a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt School of Medicine and a retired professor of surgery. He completed his internship at UCLA and his surgical residency at Cornell Medical School-New York Hospital and the University of Cincinnati and was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University. He served on the faculties of the departments of surgery at the universities of Connecticut, South Florida and Illinois-Peoria. He was a founding member and past president of the American Trauma Society, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of numerous medical societies, including the American Burn Association and the Southern Surgical Society. In 1994, he received the Distinguished Service Award of the American Trauma Society for his outstanding leadership. He was a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy and also served as a volunteer in a medical mission in Pakistan. Survivors include his wife, Alison; two daughters, Laura, Waltham, Mass., and Erica, Washington, D.C.; a sister, Macalyne Fristoe, Lafayette, Ind.; and 15 nieces and nephews. Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Carrollwood Chapel, Tampa

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CIRAN, STEFAN, 98, of Bayonet Point, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at home. Born in Brezova Podbradlom, Czechoslovakia, he came to Florida in 1973 from Chicago. He was the owner/operator of the Lincoln Poultry Store in Chicago for many years. He served in the Czechoslovakian Air Force and member of the King of Kings Lutheran Church of Port Richey. Survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins in America and Czechoslovakia. Bell Funeral Home, Hudson.

COCHRAN, TIMOTHY A. "TIM," 46, of Hudson, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) in Hudson. He came here in 1985 from his native Pittsburgh. He was active as a social worker with the Department of Children and Families in New Port Richey with 16 years of service. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Virginia L. "Lynn"; his parents, the Rev. Edwin and Jane Cochran, Hudson; his brother, Christopher, Charlotte, N.C.; and a sister, Victoria A. Brust, Philadelpia. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

COLAER, BENJAMIN L., 95, of Holiday, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) in Port Richey. Born in Stamford, Conn., he came here 41 years ago from Southbury, Conn. He was a caregiver with the Caregivers Union of the Retarded in Connecticut. He was a past president of AFL-CIO Caregivers Union and was Jewish. Survivors include two daughters, JoAnn Colaer Raney, Port Richey, and Elizabeth Casey Carbonneau, Hartford, Conn.; and seven grandchildren. Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

GARNER, SHIRLEY ELIZABETH (WELLS), 67, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at home. Born in Pearson, Ga., she came here nine years ago from Litha Springs, Ga. She was a homemaker and Baptist. Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Doyle; two daughters, Elizabeth Henson, Tampa, and Laura Garner, Douglasville, Ga.; a son, Mark, Atlanta; three brothers, Lavon Wells, Thomas Wells and Fred Wells, all of Pearson; four sisters, Becky Lenge, Kansas City, Mo., Wanda May, Pelham, Ga., Linda Smith, Pearson, and Ernestine Tomberlin, Cairo, Ga.; and three grandchildren. Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

HISEY-BRATTON, EADIE M., 69, of Port Richey, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at home. Born in Blue Ridge, Ga., she came here in 1980 from Hiram, Ga. She was a certified nursing assistant and was a Cherokee Indian. Survivors include her husband, Jim Bratton; two sons, William Bowles and Arthur Tyler, both of Hudson; three daughters, Arlene Sipple, New Port Richey, Carla Wrinkle and Eadie Ramirez, both of Port Richey; two brothers, Charlie Holden and Floyd Holden, and a sister, Flora Postell, all of Georgia; and two great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

HUFFMAN, JERRY KAYWOOD, 53, of Holiday, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at home. Born in Louisville, he came here in 1996 from England. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and achieved the rank of colonel. He was Protestant. Survivors include his wife, Joy D. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Holiday.

LAMB, HUBERT JEFFREY JR. "JEFF," 55, of Bushnell, formerly of Brooksville and Dade City, died Monday (March 10, 2003) at home. Born in Hendersonville, N.C., he grew up in Dade City. He moved to Bushnell in 1989 from Brooksville. He was a retired manager of radio stations most recently WPCV 97.5 in Lakeland and Winter Haven. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and achieved the rank of E-3 sergeant. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Sandra K.; a son, Jeffrey Ryan, Bushnell; a daughter, Sandra K. Lamb-Samson, Brooksville; his mother, Wilma Norton-Lamb, Dade City; two sisters, Jackie Sapp, Dade City, and Judy Butler, Birmingham, Ala.; and two grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

MARSZALEK, STEFAN, 78, of Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. Born in Poland, he came here 16 years ago from Queens, N.Y. He was a supervisor in the steel industry and served in the Polish Army after occupation. He was a member of the Polish American Pulaski Association, Port Richey and Meadow Oaks Golf Club. He was Catholic. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Anna; a son, Steve, Dallas; a daughter, Sophia C. Kaczmarski, Long Island, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

THOMAS, JOAN E., 68, of Port Richey, died Sunday (March 9, 2003) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in Windsor, Ontario, she came here nine years ago from Lafayette, Ind. She was a registered nurse with the Indiana State Board of Health and was Lutheran. Survivors include her husband, Lawrence; a son, David; three daughters, Deanne Wilson, Marjorie Hitze and Jill Smith, all of Lafayette; a brother, Fred Hall, Windsor; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

TIMMONS, JANE E., 66, of Spring Hill (Pasco County), died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in New Port Richey. She came here 24 years ago from her native Grand Rapids, Mich. and was a factory worker. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, James E.; two sons, Steven, Alabama, and Virgil, North Carolina; a daughter, Cindy Werner, Tampa; her mother, Edna Kimble, Grand Rapids, Mich.; two brothers, Kenneth Kimble, Sparta, Mich., and Jerry Kimble, Mansfield, Ohio; a sister, Dolores Dick, Wyoming, Mich.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Abbey Affordable Cremation & Funeral Services, Largo.

WILSON, JOHN W., 53, of Hudson, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at home. Born in Geneva, N.Y., he came here 25 years ago and was Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; three sons, Shannon and Jason, both of Hudson, and Marc, Denver; a daughter, Tammy Palmer, Brooksville; his mother, Mary Wilson, Largo; three brothers, David, Canandaigua, N.Y., Donald, Palm Harbor, and Rob Wilson, Largo; and two grandchildren. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

WITZELL, CHARLES E. JR., 89, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Parris House ALF in New Port Richey. He came here in 1990 from his native New York City. He was a motel manager and an Army veteran of World War II. He was Christian. Survivors include his brother, William, New Port Richey. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.

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Clearwater

GUZMAN, L.H. "BILLY," 90, formerly of Clearwater, died Tuesday (March 4, 2003) in St. Augustine. He was born in Slidell, La., came to Clearwater as a child and was a lifelong Florida resident. A printer, he worked for the Clearwater Sun, the St. Petersburg Times, Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Journal and the St. Augustine Record. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Mildred; three sons, Lydel, Jay and Larry, seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, all of St. Augustine. Craig Funeral Home, St. Augustine.
HALL, BARBARA LEE, 72, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. She was born in Beaver County, Pa., and came here in 1962 from Ohio. She retired as a courthouse clerk after 15 years with Pinellas County's government. Survivors include two sons, Robert McDaniel, Clearwater, and Jeffery McDaniel, Anchorage, Alaska; two daughters, Patrice Hall, St. Petersburg, and Rhonda Matthies, Anchorage; a sister, Lawanda Gatts, Ohio; two grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. National Cremation Society, Largo.
LEFKOWITZ, FLORENCE (MENDELSON), 90, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Clearwater and Largo, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at Menorah Manor. She was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., and came here in 1973 from Spring Valley, N.Y. She was a member of Temple B'nai Israel of Clearwater, where she was a member of the Sisterhood and True Sisters. She also was a member of Hadassah. Survivors include a daughter, Susan Kasakove, Bronxville, N.Y. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
MALONEY, WILDA, 86, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 5, 2003) at Palm Garden of Pinellas, Largo nursing home. She came here from her native Elgin, Ill. She worked in antique sales and was Baptist. There are no known survivors. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
MASTERS, VIOLET C., 89, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Highland Pines Nursing Manor, Clearwater. She was born in Marietta, Ohio, and came here in 1972 from Parkersburg, W. Va. She worked 12 years as secretary for Central Church of Christ, Clearwater, where she was a member. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
STATHIS, MARY DIAKOMIS, 78, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. She was born in Monessen, Pa., and came here in the 1980s from Chicago. She was a homemaker and during World War II worked in a factory making bullets. She was an artist. She was a past president and member of several church women's organizations. She attended Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater. Survivors include her husband, Gus; a daughter, Georgia Stathis, Pleasant Hill, Calif.; a sister, Bessie Diakomis Komondorea, Tennessee, and five grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
OLSON, THERESA V., 92, of Clearwater, died Sunday (March 9, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. There are no known survivors. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
RUGG, JAMES R., 83, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Sylvan Health Center, Clearwater. He was born in Middleville, Mich., and came from Grand Rapids, Mich. He owned and operated a CPA firm and was a former treasurer of the Belleair Country Club. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jeanette; a daughter, Cynthia Christian, Atlanta; and two grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
SMOOT, CAROLYN A., 68, of Clearwater, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at home. She came here in 1967 from her native Pittsburgh. She was a member of St. Brendan Catholic Church, Clearwater, Countryside Country Club and the Clearwater Yacht Club. Survivors include her husband, Rodney; two daughters, Laurie Smoot, Safety Harbor, and Margaret Douglass, Houston; and three grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater.

Dunedin

BACKUS, REVA AUGUSTA, 96, of Dunedin, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Whitehouse II Assisted Living Facility, Palm Harbor. She was born in Potneck Community, Stewart, Tenn., and came here in 1988 from Frostproof. She was a homemaker. She was Methodist and a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Pearson, Dunedin; a son, Jim, Cheyenne, Wyo.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.
CHRISTY, AGNES, 99, of Dunedin, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She was born in Tomahawk, Wis., and came here in 1995 from College Station, Texas. She was Catholic. Survivors include a son, Richard, St. Petersburg; three daughters, Patricia Lyngholm, Lake City, Lorraine Millard, Crookston, Minn., and Carol Stark, Trinity, Texas; a brother, Edward Scheffner, Sheboygan, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
HENDRICKS, JAMES FRANCIS, 72, of Dunedin, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Manor Care Dunedin nursing home. He came here in 1991 from his native Buffalo, N.Y., where he retired as a mechanical engineer for Worthington Compressor Corp. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Ann Marie; two sons, Michael, Dunedin, and James, Clearwater; two daughters, Barbara Godwin and Debra Hendricks-Mahoney, both of Dunedin; a brother, Paul, Tonawanda, N.Y.; two sisters, Noreen Williams, Tonawanda, and Pat Guerra, Amherst, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Largo

BROWN, LEONARD PAUL "LEN," 44, of Largo, died Monday (March 10, 2003) at home. He was born in Lansdale, Pa., and came here in 1991 from Quakerton, Pa. He worked as an office manager for Hitch King, Clearwater. He was Christian, an avid fisherman and baseball card collector. Survivors include his father, Nelson E. Sr., Chalfont, Pa.; three brothers, Don, Redington Shores, Nelson E. Jr., Sellersville, Pa., and Steve, New York City; and a sister, Laura Heacock, Doylestown, Pa. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
BYREM, JIMMIE M., 75, of Largo, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. He was born in Bloomsburg, Pa., and came here in 1991 from Westland, Mich. He retired as a foreman with Ford Motor Co. He was a life member of Moose Lodge 0623, Bloomsburg. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Geraldine; two sons, Jimmie M. Jr., Honolulu, and Thomas V., Vernon, Conn.; a daughter, Georgi Byrem-Ryktarsyk, Livonia, Mich.; and seven grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
KEARNEY, JAMES "ART," 74, of Largo, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at home under the care of his family and Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He came here in 1967 from his native Savannah, Ga. He retired as a certified accountant for USX Corp. on Sand Key Beach. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Largo, and Toastmasters. Survivors include two daughters, Angela Sullivan, Largo, and Diane Jackson, Utah; a sister, Claire McMillan, Savannah; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Palm Harbor

JOHNSON, LYLE R. JR. "RICKY," 40, of Burbank, Calif., formerly of Palm Harbor and Tampa, died Friday (Feb. 28, 2003) at home. He came to Palm Harbor in 1971 from his native Warren, Ohio, moved to Tampa in 1989 and to Burbank in 1995. He attended Dunedin High School, was a psychologist and Protestant. Survivors include his wife, Jamie; two stepdaughters, Alexis and Chloe, both of California; his mother and stepfather, Elsie and James Webster, New Port Richey; his father and stepmother, Lyle and Betty Johnson, Largo; two sisters, Wilma Rentzell, Tampa, and Sherry DeVito, Purchase, N.Y.; a brother, Randy, Fort Collins, Colo.; his paternal grandmother, Madaline Johnson, Ashtabula, Ohio; a stepgranddaughter, Isabelle; and a niece, Lauren DeVito, Purchase. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

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Seminole

CRAIG, RONALD C., 69, of Seminole, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at home. Born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, he came here in 1987 from Manchester, Conn. He was a commercial drywall superintendent for 35 years in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Hartford, Conn., and Vero Beach. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the VFW, AMVETS and the AARP. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Clearwater Country Club and the Hole-in-One Club, the Bush League and Honeywell League and the United States Golf Association. Survivors include his wife, Jeannie C.; four daughters, Debbie Smith and Karen Hammick, both of Coventry, Conn.; Connie Orlowski, Manchester; and Cindy Driscoll, Ashland, Mass.; two stepdaughters, Ashley Green, Ocala, and Julie Babboni, St. Petersburg; three brothers, Ervin, East Hartford, Conn.; Philip, Utah; and Sam, Maine; three sisters, Ruby Wilson, Maine; Avis Parris, Arkansas; and Pauline Boucher, Missouri; eight grandchildren; a stepgranddaughter; and a great-grandchild. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.
HENDRICKS, LAURA F., 57, of Seminole, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at home. Born in Evansville, Ind., she came here in 1995 from Indianapolis. She was a former clerical worker at Diagnostic Clinic in Largo. She was Christian. Survivors include a son, John Hendricks, Largo; two daughters, Cynthia Howard, Longview, Texas, and Patricia Robinette, Clearwater; and eight grandchildren. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.
LOUISON, MAHLON J., 25, of Seminole, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (March 9, 2003) at home. Born in Grenada, he came here in 1995 from Miami. He was a sanitary engineer for the city of Madeira Beach for two years. He was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include his wife of three years, Nicole "Niki" Lynn; his father, Clarence, Grenada; his mother and stepfather, Elizabeth and York Belcher, St. Petersburg; two brothers, Nigel, New York City, and Kevin, St. Petersburg; and a sister, Esther Beach, St. Petersburg. David C. Gross Funeral Homes and Crematory, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg.
SCHOENBUCHER, CHARLOTTE, 87, of Seminole, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. Born in Germany, she came here in 1980 from New York. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the German American Friendship Society. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Adelbert; a daughter, Gertrude Fagan, Seminole; and a grandson. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

Pinellas Park

BEATY, HERMAN E., 89, of Pinellas Park, formerly of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. He came here in 1947 from his native Tampa. He was a real estate broker. He was a World War II Navy veteran and a member of Hope Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. He was a violinist and founding member of the Tampa Bay Symphony. He was a 53-year member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and an avid sailor. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Margaret T.; a son, Ed, Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands; two daughters, Catherine Wignall, Lutz, and Dyann W., Tampa; a brother, Lawrence, Pinellas Park; and two grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Clearwater.
BENNETT, CAROL D., 56, of Pinellas Park, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. She came here in 1956 from her native Atlanta. She was a Northeast High School graduate and owned Carol's Flowers ASAP in Pinellas Park. Survivors include her husband of 24 years, William T.; five sons, Brett Bennett, Billy Bennett and Ronald Campbell, all of Pinellas Park; Alan Bennett, Brooksville; and Robert Campbell, Bartow; a daughter, Lisa Campbell, her mother, Mattie Dempsey, and a sister, Grace Strickland, all of Pinellas Park; a brother, Curtis Dempsey, St. Petersburg; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Osgood-Cloud Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pinellas Park.
BROWN, SYDNEY S., 78, of Pinellas Park, died Friday (March 7, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. Born in Jamaica, he came here five years ago from New York City. He was a security guard and a member of All Nations SDA Church. Survivors include three brothers, Barry, Queens, N.Y.; Louis, London; and Alvin, Canada; three sisters, Laurel, Halette and Avis, all of Jamaica; and six stepchildren, Avril, Jamaica; Doreen, Pennsylvania; Lorna and Norma, both of Florida; Billy, Virginia; and Bonford, New York. Abbey Affordable Cremation & Funeral Services, Largo.

St. Petersburg

HARRIS, WILLIE, 81, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Golfview Nursing Center. He came here in 1950s from his native Tampa. He worked for Atlantic Seaboard Railroad, retiring after 30 years. He was Baptist. Survivors include a daughter, Latanya Johnson, two sons, Michael David Jackson and Allen J. Alderman, five stepsons, Ronald Alderman, Clifford Alderman, Cornelius Smith, Derrick Smith and Charles Jackson; four stepdaughters, Eloise Jones, Alberta Hughes, Mary Rodgers and Kimberly Jackson, and a caregiver, Jewel Davis, all of St. Petersburg; 20 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Smith Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
HARVEY, WILL JR., 52, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center of a heart attack. He was a St. Petersburg native and a 1968 graduate of Gibbs High School, where he played baseball. He was a driver for Eagle Roofing Supply and was a city of St. Petersburg Sanitation Department foreman for 23 years. He was a student at the Pinellas Technical and Educational Center, where he was studying to be a computer technician. He attended Dominion Worship Ministries. Survivors include a son, Sherman Pryor, four daughters, Dionna Harvey, Ashley Harvey, Ciara Harvey and Helen Harvey, and two sisters, Cynthia White and Doris Tiki Warren, all of St. Petersburg; and two grandsons. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.
KAFKA, WILLIAM JOHN JR. "BILL," 57, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at St. Anthony's Hospital. Born in Washington, D.C., he came here in 1983 from Panama City, Fla. He was a Navy veteran and a retired contractor. Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Patricia M.; two daughters, Jennifer, St. Louis, and Tina, Little Rock, Ark.; a son, Todd, El Paso, Texas; two stepsons, Richard Baynard and Robert Baynard, both of St. Petersburg; his father, William J. Sr., and sister, Kay Ruthven, both of Trussville, Ala.; and six grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
KLEIN, JOSEPH DAVID, 59, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in St. Louis, he came here in 1988 from Washington, Mo. He was a former water treatment technician for Superior Plating in Pinellas Park. He was Baptist and a sports fan. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Gloria G.; a son, Timothy, St. Petersburg; three daughters, Sarah Lintemuth; Anna Beth Allen, Fredericksburg, Va.; and Leah Jercick, St. Charles, Mo.; his mother, Faye Ellen Volpo, a sister, Diane Jost, and a brother, David, all of St. Louis; and nine grandchildren. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
STEPHENS, DWAYNE TYRONE, 39, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003). He came here in 1970 from his native Dade City. He was a restaurant cook. He was Baptist and enjoyed cooking. Survivors include his mother, Celestine B. Stephens, Dade City; and two brothers, Dennard and David, both of St. Petersburg. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
STRICKLAND, ANTOINETTE M., 89, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. Born in San Antonio, Texas, she came here in 1987 from Cocoa Beach. She was a retired accountant in the construction industry. She played in symphonies on Florida's east coast and in St. Petersburg. She was Episcopalian. Survivors include a brother, Conrad Banspach Jr., St. Petersburg; and two nephews. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
TOWERY, GRACE THORNELL "FLORENCE," 89, of Bradenton, a frequent visitor to St. Petersburg, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at IHS Braden River Nursing Home, Bradenton, after a short illness. Born in Rockford, Ala., she came to Bradenton in 2000 from New Orleans. She was a retired restaurant host and server in New Orleans and Atlanta. Survivors include a son, Julius "Earl" Towery, Bradenton; and a grandson, Christopher M. Towery, Melbourne. Griffith-Cline Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bradenton.
YARBROUGH, JEANIE ANN, 43, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (March 10, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in Baltimore, she came here 26 years ago from North Kingstown, R.I. She was a homemaker. Survivors include three daughters, Kara N. Yarbrough, Kristin R. Yarbrough and Katherine A. Morrill, all of Tampa; her father, Kent McElveen, Coventry, R.I.; her mother, Recie Scott, Lakeland; two sisters, Claudia C. Jordan, Lakeland, and Kathy Cevoli, North Kingstown; five brothers, Ricky McElveen, Kenny McElveen, Chester Southerland, Wagran, N.C., and Forrest Scott and Randall Oxendine, both of Lakeland. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.

South Pasadena

AFT, LEO, 78, of South Pasadena, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at a daughter's home in Clearwater under hospice care. Born in Chicago, he came here in 1994 from St. Louis, where he retired as an electrical engineer after 36 years with Union Electronics. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Jewish War Veterans and the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. He was an Air Force veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean War. Survivors include two sons, Larry, Florida, and Kenneth, Texas; four daughters, Rachel Friedman, North Carolina; Nancy Aft, Clearwater; Rebecca Aft, Missouri; and Carol Aft, Maine; a brother, Harvey, Maine; and 12 grandchildren. Taylor Family Funeral Home, Pinellas Park.