St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

BOWERS, JOHN PAUL, 53, of Inverness, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at home. Born in Tecumseh, Mich., he came here 25 years ago from Toledo, Ohio. He was a certified nurse's assistant with Surrey Place Convalescent Center in Lecanto. He was an Army veteran during the Vietnam War and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Sandy J. (Matuszak); two sons, Kevin C., Inverness, and John P. Bowers Jr., Hephzibah, Ga.; his father, Richard, Inverness; and four grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

CABLE, LORNA JEAN CROW, 77, of Inverness, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) in Inverness. Born in Battle Creek, Mich., she came here in 1998 from Gulf Shores, Ala. She was a secretary with State Farm Insurance, Battle Creek, with 15 years of service. She was a golfer, member of the Inverness Golf & Country Club and was Presbyterian. Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Paul L.; three sons, Robert, Cresesco, Mich., Phillip, Marshall, Mich., and Steven, Clemox, Mich.; a brother, Richard Budd, Apache Junction, Ariz.; a sister, Virginia Little, Battle Creek; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes, Inverness.

ST. PIERRE, ROBERT N., 61, of Lecanto, died Monday (March 17, 2003) at Shands at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Born in Lawrence, Mass., he came to Florida in 1986 from Derry, N.H. He was employed in software management and development for Itek Composition Systems, Nashua, N.H. He was a Marine Corps veteran. He was employed by the Citrus County Road Department and was Catholic. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Joyce; a son, Mark M., Lancaster, N.H.; a daughter, Jennifer L. Dick, Grayling, Mich.; a sister, Doris Corbett, Stewartstown, N.H.; and six grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

STEELE, JAMES R. "JIM," 80, of Crystal River, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. Born in White Plains, N.Y., he came here in 1983 from Medina, Ohio. He was a construction foreman for the Cleveland Board of Education. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was a charter member and board member of the Riverhaven Community Club. He was a member of the Seven Rivers Golf & Country Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder on the Sessions. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Beatrice; a son, Richard, Eagan, Minn.; two daughters, Jacqueline Swaney, Medina, and Cary Jane Striker, Valley City, Ohio; and a grandson. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

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GROLZ, GEORGE C. II, 76, of Spring Hill, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home under the care of his family and Hernando-Pasco Hospice. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here 30 years ago from New York. He was a Navy and Coast Guard veteran and served as a lieutenant commander. He was a retired New York City firefighter and member of the New York City Fire Department Union. He was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed traveling and boating. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn: four daughters, Janet Rios, Spring Hill, Nancy Connelly, Pine Bush, N.Y., Lynn Reich, Palmer, Alaska, and Barbara Smith, Teaneck, N.J.; a son, George Grolz III, Mount Sinai, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

HOFFMAN, SANDRA KAY, 62, of Brooksville, died Friday (March 14, 2003) at Brooksville Regional Hospital. Born in Yakima, Wash., she came to Florida five years ago and worked in customer service. Survivors include three sons, Christopher Clow, Brooksville, Jeff Mark and George Hoffman, both of Oregon; two daughters, Jonetta Hoffman, California, and Robin Mark; her mother, Helen Hackworth, Oregon; two sisters, Pam and Debbie Hoffman; and nine grandchildren. Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville.

PALER, CLARA A., 74, of Brooksville, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, Brooksville. Born in Clarion, Pa., she came here 18 years ago from Lorain, Ohio. She was a retired ship-to-shore operator and member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Stephen C.; four sons, Charles Duffield, John Duffield, Pete Duffield and Paul Duffield, all of Ohio; three daughters, Pamela Mosier and Mary Cheriki, both of Ohio, and Linda Buchanan, Virginia; a stepson, Stephen J. Paler, Lorain, Ohio; and 11 grandchildren. Pinecrest Funeral Chapels, Spring Hill.

PIERSON, THEODORE C., 70, of Brooksville, died Monday (March 17, 2003) at home. Born in Detroit, he came here six years ago from Cedar Springs, Mich. He was a construction operating engineer and an Army National Guard veteran. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Marie; five children; and three grandchildren. Turner Funeral & Cremation Center, Spring Hill.

TEGGE, HERMAN PHILIP, 86, of Trenton, formerly of Spring Hill, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at Nature Coast Hospital in Williston. Born in Pittsburgh, he was a retired transformer welder. He was an Army veteran of World War II and member of the American Legion. He was a member of the Brooksville Elks Lodge and was Catholic. Survivors include his daughter, Kitty Lloyd, Chiefland; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Roberts Funeral Homes, Ocala.

VALE, ANNAMARIE T., 57, of Brooksville, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill. Born in Winthrop, Mass., she came here eight years ago from Akron, Ohio. She was a certified public accountant. Survivors include her mother, Carol Mader, Clearwater; three sisters, Karen Nowicki, Clearwater, Denise Cabral, Melrose, Mass., and Roberta Moore, Cullman, Ala.; and two brothers, Michael F. Mader, Clearwater, and Michael J. Gray, Duxbury, Mass. Pinecrest Funeral Chapels, Brooksville.

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BROWNELL, STEPHEN BURR, 59, of Brandon, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003). Born in Newport, R.I., he graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stanford University and was a U.S. Navy veteran. He founded Brownell Construction Co., Inc., where he worked in commercial construction until his retirement in 2002. He was a 20 year member of Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Kathleen; his parents, Henry W. Brownell, M.D. and Sally J. Brownell; three daughters, Rebecca Keller, Deborah Lemelin and Sarah Brownell-Pusey ; two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Patrick Lemelin; a sister and four brothers. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

CARGILE, SANDRA O'NEAL, 53, of Tampa, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003). She is survived by a daughter, Donna Cargile; her mother, Mary Smith; a brother, Clarence O'Neal; and three sisters. Harmon Funeral Home, Tampa.

FIEDLER, ROBERT H., 67, of Tampa, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Born in Mankato, Minn., he lived in Tampa for 51 years and worked in the windows industry. Survivors include his wife, Ima Jean "Jeannie"; a son, Tracy Scot Fiedler; a granddaughter, Amber, Pinellas Park; a stepson, Robert Tillman, Springfield, Va.; a brother, Thomas Fiedler, Tampa; three sisters, Barbara Gifford, Hempstead, Texas, Shari Moore, Plant City, Beth McDonald, Odessa; and many nieces and nephews. Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery, Tampa.

GONZALEZ, STEPHEN MARK, 48, of Tampa, died Monday (March 17, 2003). He worked for the Hillsborough County School System for 30 years. Survivors include three children, Sean Swafford, Stephen Gonzalez Jr., and Megan Gonzalez; a stepdaughter, Yecenia Cox; his mother, Helen Eckart; a brother, Paul E. Gonzalez; a sister Beverly Gruber; and a nephew, Paul A. Gonzalez. Glass Funeral Home, Tampa.

HENDRICKS, EDYTHE JOYCE, 84, of Valrico, died Saturday (March 15, 2003) at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born in St. Louis, she came to the Tampa area from Jennings, Mo., several years ago. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a daughter, Rosemarie Knop, Valrico. Ambassador Mortuary Services, Oldsmar.

HUTCHINSON, JAMES SHERMAN, MSGT. USAF RETIRED, 74, of Temple Terrace, died Sunday (March 16, 2003) at University Community Hospital. A native of Tampa, he came to the area in 1985 from Heidelberg, Germany and was a automobile salesman for Ferman Chevrolet in Tampa. Survivors include a son, Jason Hutchinson, Heidelberg, Germany; and two brothers, Walter Eason Hutchinson, Tampa and Alan Hutchinson, Lakeland. Veterans Cremation and Burial Society, Clearwater.

KATTELL, RENEE LEE, 41, of Seffner, died Monday (March 17, 2003). Originally from Bingham, N.Y., she worked as a waitress and owned Donita's Consignment. Survivors include a companion, Richard Reynolds; her father, Donald; two brothers, Randi and Ricky; an a sister, Rita Ann Sveum . Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

KING, BARBARA IRENE PETRIE EXUM, 74, Thonotosassa, died Monday (March 10 , 2003) at University Community Hospital. She was born in Oswego, N.Y. and came to the Tampa area in 1950. She was an award-winning artist and musician, well known in bluegrass music circles where she performed with her late husband, Thonotosassa native "Baby" Ray Exum. More recently she performed with her four daughters as the Exum Angel Band, appearing at the annual Dade City Heritage Festival and the 51st annual Florida Folk Festival. At the age of 72, she began to accompany the band on bass and was learning banjo. She was a member of the Church of God and the Society for Preservation of Early Country and Western Music. Survivors include her husband Carlos "Red"; four daughters, Bonnie Exum Potvin, Tampa; Sharron Exum Parker and Rhonda Exum Chase, both of Thonotosassa, and Barbara Jean Exum Muntean, Lakeland; two sons Jesse Lamont Exum and Kenneth Ray Exum, both of Thonotosassa; a brother, Lester Petrie of Thonotosassa; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. C.E. Prevatt Funeral Home, Temple Terrace.

LAYER, LIONEL LEE, 70, of Seffner, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at his residence. He was a retired electrician with the local union IBEW 915 and was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, June Layer; four daughters, Linda Guthrie, Vicky Lanier, Rhonda Spradlin and Debbie Lasher; a brother, Everett Layer; a sister, Ellen Sell; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery, Tampa.

LOPEZ, RAFAELA , 77, of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003). Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Lopez; two sons, Michael A. and John Lopez; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchlidren. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

LUNAN, GERALYN, 45, of Riverview, died Monday (March 17, 2003) She was a member of International Independent Showmen's Association. Survivors include a companion, Terrence Border; two sons, Anthony Cottrell, Shasta Lake, Calif., and Peter Cottrell, LaCanto; a daughter, Shannon; two brothers, four sisters; and four grandchildren. Hamilton Funeral Home, Riverview.

MESSINA, JOSEPH "JOE", 92, of Tampa, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003). A native of Tampa, he worked as a concession stand operator at Tampa General Hospital for more than 25 years. Survivors include a sister, Annie Messina Perez; a niece, Jo Ann Thoms; and two great-nephews, Frank D. Leto and Dino M. Leto. Boza & Roel Funeral Home, Tampa.

O'HEARN, DANA LEE, 35, of Tampa, died Sunday (March 16, 2003). Survivors include his parents, Dennis and Betty O'Hearn; a brother, Dennis; three sisters, Deborah Moats, Denise Nicholes and Linda Tyler. Glass Funeral Home, Tampa.

ORTEGA, BENITO MANUEL, 41, of Sun City Center, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003). Survivors include his parents, Jesse and Maria Ortega and family. Sun City Center Funeral Home, Sun City Center.

ST. LOUIS, LINDA FAYE, 46, of Tampa died Friday (March 14, 2003). Survivors include a son, Johnny; her mother, Mary and other relatives. Wilson Funeral Home, Tampa.

WETHERINGTON , DARYL , 49, of Plant City, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) in Lakeland. He was a Plant City native and lifelong resident. He was a chemical plant operator and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Vivian; a son, Adam Wetherington, Plant City; his mother, Velma Lee Wetherington, Plant City; two brothers, Leon, Gainesville and Keith, Springhill; and two sisters, Harleen Powers, St. Augustine and Sharon Crosby, Plant City. Haught Funeral Home, Plant City.

WILKERSON, ROSALIND, 89, of Tampa, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003). She worked for Sears and was a member of the Hillsborough Westside Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Louis Wilkerson, Tampa; a daughter, Patricia Acton, Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Ann Barber, Jacksonville, and Peggy Thompson, Inverness; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery, Tampa.

WRIGHT, RUTH M., 86, of Tampa died Wednesday (March 19, 2003). A native of Pennsylvania, she lived in Tampa since 1950. Survivors include her husband, Marlin G. Wright; a daughter, Eileen Calloway; two grandsons, Adam Wayne and Mark Wade Calloway, two great-grandchildren and two sisters. Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery, Tampa.

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BOUCH, DELOURSE E., 84, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. She came here in 1983 from her native Milwaukee. Survivors include three sons, Harold Brlecic, Hudson, Jack Brlecic, New Port Richey, and Robert Brlecic, Menomonee, Wis.; and eight grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

CASSELLS, ELLEN MARY VICTORIA, 100, of Holiday, died Thursday (March 20, 2003) at home. Born in Campbeltown, Scotland, she came here in 1960 from Farmington, Mich. She was a homemaker and member of Living Word Church of New Port Richey. Survivors include four daughters, Mary Stucky, Holiday, Ellen Gillan, South Lyon, Mich., Margaret MacDonald, Winter Haven, and Irene Barnum, Redford, Mich.; several nieces and nephews; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Holiday.

DeBONA-HUSKEY, LILLIAN, 82, of Cosby, Tenn., formerly of Zephyrhills, died Sunday (March 16, 2003) at home. Born in Pasaic, N.J., she moved from Zephyrhills several years ago to Tennessee. She was a member of Cosby Church of Christ and served as a Cherokee Headstart Grandmother. Survivors include her husband, John Clay; two daughters, Patty Davis, Cosby, and Barbara Williams, Florida; a son, Henry DeBona, Indian Rocks Beach; three stepdaughters, Freida Epley, Diana Ottinger and Judy Scott, all of Newport, Tenn.; three stepsons, Chris Huskey, Newport, Michael Huskey and Toby Huskey, both of Arkansas; seven grandchildren and stepgrandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Wellwood/Grace Funeral Home & Cemetery, Hudson.

GRUBE, JOHN K., 83, of Bayonet Point, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Bear Creek Nursing Center in Hudson. He came here 20 years ago from his native Chicago. He was a salesman for Penn Walt Corp. and an Army veteran of World War II. He was an avid golfer and bowler. He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, Richard, Buffalo Grove, Ill., and Wayne, Des Plaines, Ill.; a daughter, Sharon Jirka, Hoffman Estates, Ill.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Prevatt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Hudson.

HARBISON, SARAH E., 67, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in Philadelphia, she came here in 1982 from Mullica Hill, N.J. She was a supermarket deli manager and member of Suncoast Pentecostal Church, Hudson. Survivors include her husband of 28 years, Robert: two sons, Robert D., Manassas, Va., and Kevin Mark, Mullica Hill; three daughters, Deborah L. Mahoney, New Port Richey, Kathy Starr Griffin, Hudson, and Leslie Su Battaglia, Glassboro, N.J.; her mother, Sarah Parham, National Park, N.J.; three brothers, James Clark, Thorofare, N.J., Ralph, Oklahoma, and Joseph Clark, National Park, N.J.; two sisters, June Bonvillian, National Park, and Joy Friebel, Thorofare; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

HENLEY, ADA REBECCA, 88, of Hudson, formerly of Tampa, died Thursday (March 20, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. Born in Atlanta, she moved to Tampa in 1951 from Rico, Ga. then in 1981 moved to Hudson. She was a retired clerk for Richard's Drugs, Tampa and a member of Beacon Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Lee, Hudson, and William G., Acworth, Ga.; a daughter, Frances Cohorst, Lake City; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Wellwood/Grace Funeral Home & Cemetery, Hudson.

KING, JOHN H., 60, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Dade City, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at home after a lengthy illness. He came to Florida in 1949 from his native Ohio. He was a decorated Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He served with the 2/35th Infantry Division and was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for valor. He was a member of the Central Christian Church, St. Petersburg and the Red Cross. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Catherine; four daughters, Gloria Hoffman and Carol Lynn King, both of St. Petersburg, and Alicia Nix, Fort Rucker, Ala., and Kimberly King, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; two sons, Johnny, St. Petersburg, and David, 68th Med., Hawaii; four brothers, David and Bill, both of Dade City, Danny, Tampa, and Joe, Zephyrhills; a sister, Margaret, Land O'Lakes; and seven grandchildren. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.

KINNEY, CARL NELSON, 44, of Port Richey, died Monday (March 17, 2003) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Valley Stream, N.Y., he came here from New York. He was a woodworking craftsman. Survivors include his wife, Linda; a son, Christopher; three daughters, Andrea Hurst, Jennifer and Emily Mehlrose; his mother, Evelyn Kinney; a brother, Harold; two sisters, Valerie Unger and Gladys Carnahan; and four grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

KOSIK, ROBERT RUDOLPH, 77, of Holiday, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. Born in New York City, he came here in 1991 from New York. He was a retired tool and die maker and a Navy veteran of World War II. He loved nature. Survivors include his wife, Josephine; a son, Michael, Flushing, N.Y.; three daughters, Christine Cerny, Manhattan, N.Y., Diana Kosik, Holiday, and Sharon Ackerman, Suffern, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Holiday.

MUMMA, BESSIE A., 85, of Hudson, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. Born in Shippensburg, Pa., she came here 30 years ago from Lancaster, Pa. She was a homemaker and Protestant. Survivors include three sons, William, Hudson, Robert, Pasadena, Texas, and Roger, Shady Hills; a sister, Stella Waugh, Columbia, Pa.; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Morgan Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

NICHOLS, PATRICIA D., 76, of Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. Born in Astoria, N.Y., she came here 23 years ago from Bellerose, N.Y. She was a salesperson for Sears & Roebuck. She was Catholic. Survivors include her daughter, Lynn Covatti, Bellerose; a brother, Kevin Corbett, Bonita Springs; a sister, Marguerite Battini, Greenville, N.Y.; and four grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

OSTEEN, DONNA L., 60, of Hudson, died Sunday (March 16, 2003) at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, New Port Richey. Born in Keene, N.H., she came here 15 years ago from Pensacola. She was a homemaker and Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Vaughn Berkman, Keene, and Cecil Berkman, Kentucky; two daughters, Tonya Berkman, Keene, and Sheena Berkman, Tennessee; a sister, Judy Dick, Plant City; and two grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

WHEELER, DORCAS, 85, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., she came here 30 years ago from Hamburg, N.Y. She was a homemaker and Lutheran. She volunteered at Safety Town. Survivors include three sons, John, Hamburg, Robert, Lakeview, N.Y., and Michael, Dothan, Ala.; a daughter, Janice Cantie, New Port Richey; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Morgan Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

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Bellair Bluffs

HESELTON, MICHAEL S., 45, of Belleair Bluffs, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at home. He came here in 1972 from his native Reading, Mass. He took computer technology courses at Tampa Tech, and worked in Dunedin for the Pinellas County Wastewater Treatment Plant. Survivors include two brothers, Jack, South Deerfield, and Jim, Bedford, N.H.; two nieces and a nephew; and three grandnieces. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Clearwater

LUENGAS, EVARISTO, 85, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at Cross Terrace Rehabilitation Center, Dunedin. He came here in 1987 from his native Colombia. He was a retired mechanic. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing chess. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Sofia; two sons, Jorge and Evaristo Jr., six daughters, Carmen Romero, Soledad Petti-Willis, Consuelo Gomez, Esperanza Luengas, Amparo Gonzales and Piedad Gonzalez, all of Florida; and 11 grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
MERSKIN, DONALD THOMAS, 76, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. He was born in Chicago and came here in 1985 from Hart, Mich., where he owned and operated Merskin CPAs. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include a daughter, Debra Lynn Merskin, Eugene, Ore.; and two brothers, Clarence Guy, Sun City Center, and Richard P., Springdale Township, Mich. National Cremation Society, Largo.
SANTOS, VALENTINO B. SR., 69, of Clearwater, died Sunday (March 16, 2003) at home. He came here in January from his native Philippines, where he farmed. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Filomina; two daughters, Emelita Ensor, Clearwater, and Melinda Sevilla, Philippines; four sons, Edgardo, Silvino, Rogelio and Valentino S., a brother, Edilberdo, and a sister, Felicidad Santos, all of the Philippines; and 16 grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
WILLIE, RUSSELL, 85, a winter resident of Clearwater, died Saturday (March 15, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. He was born in Detroit and had been a winter visitor since 1990 from McHenry, Ill. He retired as an advertising manager from Norge Appliances, a division of Borg-Warner, Chicago. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He attended First Christian Church, Clearwater. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Gloria; a son, Donald, Somerville, Tenn.; a daughter, Carol Ann Lee, McHenry; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. American Heritage Cremation Society, Clearwater.

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Pinellas Park

MURRAY, THOMAS ANDERSON, 74, of Seminole, died Thursday (March 13, 2003) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he came here in 1998 from Rochester, N.Y., where he retired as an engineer for ITT Industries. He was Protestant and enjoyed music and gardening. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary; three sons, Thomas A. Jr. and Robert, both of Rochester, and David, California; a daughter, Lynda McClure, Grimsby, Ontario; three sisters, Mey Garret, Ina Murray and Janet Murray, all of Glasgow; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Taylor Family Funeral Home, Pinellas Park.
ROBERTSON, KATHLEEN FEENEY, 61, of Seminole, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, N.J. Born in Montclair, N.J., she came here four years ago from Wall, N.J. She retired in 1998 as an office manager for an insurance company in Manasquan, N.J. Survivors include her husband, Raymond; two sons, Charles J. Metelski Jr., Brick, N.J., and Mark Robertson, Tinton Falls, N.J.; three daughters, Maureen Bailey, Point Pleasant, Carol Belanger, Toms River, N.J., and Nancy Monteleone, Manchester, N.J.; four brothers; three sisters; and nine grandchildren. O'Brien Funeral Home, Wall, N.J.

Gulfport

SMITT, CLAIRE E., 80, of Gulfport, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. Born in Hamburg, Germany, she came here in 1970 from Chicago. She served in the German Air Force in World War II. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a son, Peter, and a daughter, Diane Dwyer, both of Pinellas Park; a sister, Gisel Knipsel, Gulfport; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, Gulfport Chapel, St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg

ANDERSON, GORDON A. SR., 92, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (March 15, 2003) at St. Anthony's Hospital. Born in Alexandria, Minn., he came here in 1993. He was a certified public accountant for the Gamble Robinson grocery chain. Survivors include a son, Gordon Jr., Bullhead City, Ariz.; and a sister, Janet Ellefson, North Fort Myers. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
CLAESON, ELLEN C. "CINDY," 66, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 12, 2003) at Health Central Hospital, Orlando. She came here in 1961 from her native Westchester, Pa. She retired as a customer service representative for the Home Shopping Network. She was Catholic. Survivors include two sons, John H. Chambers, Tampa, and James E. Chambers, St. Petersburg; two brothers, John Gill and Daniel Gill, both of Orlando; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial Park Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
FLETCHER, HARRY TRUMAN, 57, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Boca Ciega Center. He came here in 1948 from his native McCormick, S.C. He was an assembler for GTE Printing Co. in St. Petersburg. He was an Army veteran and a Baptist. Survivors include three nieces, Rosalind Fletcher, Carol John and Nicole Gwinn, and three nephews, Jose Fletcher, Tony Burns and Andra Gwinn, all of St. Petersburg. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
HELTON, HOWARD H., 83, of Satellite Beach, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (March 15, 2003). Born in Chipley, he lived here for 60 years before moving to Brevard County three years ago. Survivors include two sons, Robert, St. Petersburg, and John, Satellite Beach; a sister, Frances Rich, Swainsboro, Ga.; two brothers, Drury, Ellenton, and Phay, Jay; and three grandsons. Beach Funeral Home, Indian Harbour Beach.
KING, JOHN H., 60, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Dade City, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at home after a long illness. He came to Florida in 1949 from his native Ohio. He received the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster for valor for Army service in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Central Christian Church, St. Petersburg, and the Red Cross. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Catherine; four daughters, Gloria Hoffman and Carol Lynn King, both of St. Petersburg, Alicia Nix, Fort Rucker, Ala., and Kimberly King, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; two sons, Johnny, St. Petersburg, and David, Hawaii; four brothers, David and Bill, both of Dade City, Danny, Tampa, and Joe, Zephyrhills; a sister, Margaret, Land O'Lakes; and seven grandchildren. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.
KIRK, MURIEL S., 97, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Westminster Shores Health Center. Born in Westfield, N.J., she came here in 1946 from Vermont, N.J. She retired from the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art in 1976 after 11 years. She also was secretary to Margaret Acheson Stuart, a philanthropist for whom the museum's Stuart Society is named. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg. She began a membership program at the St. Petersburg Historical Museum and coordinated membership at the Arts Center, where she was its president in 1979 and 1980 and served on its board. She exhibited her paintings in the city's public buildings. She was a former president of Women of Rotary and the Soroptimist club and delivered Meals-on-Wheels. In 1996 she was nominated for the city's Senior Hall of Fame. There are no survivors. C.E. Prevatt Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
KIRYLUK, ANN MAE, 87, of 6909 Dr. M.L. King St., St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 11, 2003) at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, South Pasadena. Born in Scranton, Pa., she came to Florida in 1994 from Nicholson, Pa. Survivors include a son, Don, Zebulon, N.C.; two daughters, Carol Ann Kiryluk, Key Biscayne, and Christine Kiryluk Lee, Williamsburg, Va.; two sisters; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, Nicholson, Pa.
MORRILL, MARGARET A. "MARGIE," 81, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Lexington Health and Rehabilitation Center. She came here in 1962 from her native Brooklyn, N.Y., where she was a welder in the Navy shipyard during World War II and worked on the battleship USS Missouri. She also worked as a telephone operator for AT&T for 16 years and as a cake decorator at Heineman's Bakery in St. Petersburg. She was a lifetime member of OES Independent Chapter 16. Survivors include a sister, Janet Brown, St. Petersburg; three grandchildren; and 92 nieces and nephews. R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 49th Street N Chapel, St. Petersburg.
RICHARDS, GWENDOLYN, 56, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. Born in Bryant, she came here in 1987 from Bronx, N.Y. She received a master's degree from National-Louis University. She was an English teacher at Madeira Beach Middle School for more than 13 years and was coordinator of the Step Program. She was a member of Central Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include her husband of 33 years, Louis Sr.; two sons, Dennis Nivens and Louis Jr., and two daughters, Gwendetta Richards and Kendraya Richards, all of St. Petersburg; two brothers, Lorenzo Harris, New Jersey, and John Henry Staples, Maryland; three sisters, Willa Mae and Catherine Williams, both of the Bronx, N.Y., and Iola Whaley, St. Petersburg; and four grandchildren. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.
STEELE, HELEN L., 78, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Carrington Place Convalescent Center. She was born in Coalton, Ohio, and came here in 2002 from Kettering, Ohio. She was a nursing assistant. Survivors include two brothers, Raymond V. Deck, Dayton, Ohio, and the Rev. David L. Deck, St. Petersburg; and four sisters, Doris Shade, Vandalia, Ohio, Mary Jane Fletcher and Erma Fread, both of Dayton, and Shirley Mershon, St. Petersburg. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
TENNANT, SUSHANNA M. "SUE," 55, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Largo, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. Born in Superior, Wis., she came here in 1979 from Adams, Wis. She was a bookkeeper for Business Printing in Seminole. She was Protestant. She was a former member of the Kiwanis Club of Seminole and was the current co-editor of the Seminole Kiwanian. Survivors include her husband, Jerry; two daughters, Angela Tennant, Largo, and Kim Masson, Brandon; four grandchildren, Harrison Wilkes and Dakota Wilkes, both of Largo, and Devon Masson and Olivia Masson, both of Brandon. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Seminole.
THOMAS, MARY A., 69, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (March 18, 2003) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here in 1970 from Berkeley Heights, N.J. She was a teacher in New York, Florida and Ohio for 20 years. She was a member of Temple of the Living God in St. Petersburg. Survivors include a son, Michael Thomas, St. Petersburg; and her parents, Michael and Anna Labowski, Queens, N.Y. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
THOMAS, SARAH JEAN McCLENDON, 70, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in Headland, Ala., she came here in 1953 from Dothan, Ala. She was a retired Pinellas County teacher. She was a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and a former member of the No. 3 Choir and the Junior Women's Auxiliary. She attended Gibbs Junior College and received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida A&M University. She was the director of drug rehabilitation at Mercy Hospital. Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Nathaniel Sr.; four sons, Nathaniel "Buster" Thomas Jr., Walden D. Thomas and William D. Thomas, all of St. Petersburg, and Winston D. Thomas, Orlando; five brothers, Houlton "Buck" McClendon, Wilmington, Del., J.C. McClendon Jr., Carl McClendon and Donnie McClendon, all of St. Petersburg, and Larry McClendon, Tallahassee; five sisters, Nell Walker, Bartow, Betty Evans, Annie "Bay" Love and Gloria Copeland, all of St. Petersburg, and Jewel McCory, Gordon; and five grandchildren. McRae Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
WARZYBOK, SANDRA S. "SANDY," 42, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (March 16, 2003) at All Children's Hospital. She was a St. Petersburg native and a 1978 graduate of Northeast High School. She worked in the credit department for Certegy. She was a member of Allendale United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband of 19 years, William W. "Bill"; two sons, Kyle and Paul, both of St. Petersburg; two sisters, Linda Russell, St. Petersburg, and Carol Spinks, Gilbert, Ariz.; and a brother, Douglas Sargent, St. Petersburg. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
WOODARD, PHYLLIS, 48, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at home. She was a St. Petersburg native. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1972. She was a food service supervisor at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines for 29 years. She attended Greater Mount Zion AME Church, where she was on the Harvest Day Committee. Survivors include two daughters, Tarra Woodard and Qarra Woodard, a stepdaughter, Daphane Woodard, a son, LaJuan Pullian, and her mother, Willis Mae Titus-Williams, all of St. Petersburg; two brothers, Louis Williams, St. Petersburg, and Willie Williams, Fort Lauderdale; three sisters, Patricia Needom, Earline Mells and Janice Savage, all of St. Petersburg; and six grandchildren. Creal Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.

Treasure Island

BRAND, DAVID FREDERICK, 60, of Treasure Island, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Tampa General Hospital. Born in Charleston, W.Va., he came here in 1960 from Wheeling, W.Va. He was co-owner of a par-three golf course in Treasure Island and was an accountant. He attended St. Petersburg College and Tomlinson Adult Education Center. He was in the Coast Guard Reserve in Cape May, Va. Survivors include his mother, Greta Brand, St. Petersburg; and a sister, Linda Jones, and a niece, Carrie Newton, both of Seminole. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.
WEBB, CLARENCE R. JR. "RUSTY," 83, of Treasure Island, died Wednesday (March 19, 2003) at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, South Pasadena. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he came here in 1968 from Midwest City, Okla. He retired in 1968 as an Air Force colonel and command pilot. He served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, an Army Commendation Medal and two Air Force Commendation Medals. He was a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute, Rice University and the University of Texas, majoring in military tactics, engineering and economics. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Air Force Association and Bay Pines Holiday Isles DAV. Survivors include his wife, Muriel; a daughter, Perrin Webb, St. Petersburg; a brother, George E. III, Marbridge, Texas; two stepsons, James Fletcher, St. Petersburg, and Joseph Fletcher, Fort Lauderdale; two stepdaughters, Erin Fletcher, Miami, and Marybeth Holladay, St. Petersburg; and five grandchildren. David C. Gross Funeral Homes and Crematory, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg.