Saturday, August 16, 2003

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Clearwater

• BAHNSEN, WESLEY, 73, of Clearwater, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Rockford, Ill., and had lived here since 1986. He worked 40 years as a driver for Knox Motor Service. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marjorie; a daughter, Heather Bahnsen, Clearwater; two sons, Ronald, Avon, Ill., and Steven, Largo; a brother, Garold, Ogema, Wis.; two sisters, Madalyne Goodling, Portland, Ore., and Marjorie Weerda, Rockford, Ill; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Veterans Cremation and Burial Society, Clearwater.
• GERICH, HERMIONE LEWIS, 73, of Clearwater, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Amerhome Assisted Living Facility. She was born in Clio, S.C., and came here in 1987 from New York City, where she worked 20 years as a supervisor for AT&T. She worked 10 years here for Nielsen Media Research. She enjoyed traveling worldwide and recently became a "mature" model. She was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church and active in its choir. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela Lewis, Jamaica, N.Y., and Yolanda Lewis, Bronx, N.Y.; a brother, Charles Covington, Charlotte, N.C.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
• NAROVEC, JAMES J., 77, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at home. He was born in Chicago and came here in 1997 from Elgin, Ill. He was a machinist, a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of East Bay Country Club in Largo. Survivors include his wife of six years, Kristine; a son, James J. Jr., Carpentersville, Ill.; a stepson, Douglas Anthony, Stevens Point, Mich.; three stepdaughters, Theresa Hauserman, Elgin, Deborah Beth, Jefferson, Wis., and Melissa Lloyd, Springfield, Ill.; a sister, Joann Kovarik, Windsor, Canada; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. National Cremation Society, Largo.
• RAUN, EDITH DIBBLE, 93, of Clearwater, died Friday (Aug. 15, 2003) at Mariner Health of Clearwater. She was born in Portland, N.Y., and came here in 1972 from Mayville, N.Y. She was a homemaker, a member of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, and an avid card player. Survivors include two sons, Alan, Largo, and David, Westerville, Ohio; a daughter, Patricia Bass, Clearwater; a brother, Paul Dibble, Jamestown, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
• THOMAS, CONSTANCE D. "CONNIE," 68, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at Largo Medical Center. She was a native of Clearwater and moved to Paterson, N.J. in 1950. She returned to Clearwater in 1995 from Plainsfield, N.J. She was a certified nurses assistant and provided private patient home health care. She was a member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, Clearwater, and sang in its adult choir. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and singing. Survivors include a daughter, Margie L. Bailey, Piscataway, N.J.; two grandsons, Corey R. Bailey, Largo, and Terrell L. Bailey, Piscataway; and three great-grandchildren. Young's Funeral Home, Clearwater.
• VIZBARA, MARY S., 76, of Clearwater, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. She was born in LaPorte, Ind., and came here in 1961 from Hamlet, Ind. She worked as an employment manager for Modine in LaPorte. She was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Clearwater, Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames. Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Al; and several cousins. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater.

Dunedin

• BRINCH, ERIK, 76, of Dunedin, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and came here in 1998. He was a graduate of Cambridge University, London. He operated his own commodities brokerage firm in Copenhagen and then moved to the United States in 1965 and worked for E.F. Hutton in Washington, D.C. He later started a business, Danish Contractors, in Bethesda, Md. He was a member of Steven Ministry at Grace Lutheran Church, Clearwater. He was a hospice volunteer and a volunteer chaplain visitor at Mease Dunedin Hospital. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Kirsten; three daughters, Anne Elizabeth Hardy, Clearwater; Bettina Bruck, Orlando, and Benedikte Shafer, Damascus, Md.; three sisters, Kirsten Hedegaard, Gerda Brinch, Lene Brinch, all of Copenhagen; and six grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Largo

• BERRY, JENNIFER LEE "HIGBEE," 31, of Largo, died Saturday (Aug. 9, 2003) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. She was born in Dallas and came here in 1996 from Columbus, Ohio. She was a homemaker and a member of Westside Church of the Nazarene, Largo. Survivors include her husband, Robert Lee Jr.; a son, Robert Lee III, Largo; her mother and stepfather, Kathy and Robert Loynes, Indian Shores; and two brothers, Brandon Loynes and Chad Loynes, both of Belleair Beach. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
• CORYEA, GUY FRANCES, 94, of Largo, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Sable Palms nursing home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Volant, Pa., and came here in 1954 from New Castle, Pa. He worked as a painting contractor in New Castle and Largo. He was an Army veteran of World War II with more than two years service in New Guinea. He was a charter member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Largo, and a former deacon of the church. Survivors include three nieces, Anita B. McMann and Gayle Collinsworth, both of Columbus, Ohio, and Billie Ann Stuck, Zanesville, Ohio; and three nephews, Frances Stewart, Tulsa, Okla., Bob Leonhardt, New Castle, and George W. Coryea Jr., Bonneau, S.C. National Cremation Society, Largo.
• MONTANTE, KENNETH A., 69, of Largo, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He came here in 2001 from his native Rochester, N.Y., where he worked for Eastman Kodak. He worked here at Palms of Largo and was a member of the Largo Elks Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Dorothea; three sons, Kenneth A. Jr., Gregg and Philip P., all of California; a sister, Gay Prachel, Ocala; a brother, Louis, New York; and four grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.
• RUCONICH, MARGARET, 85, of Largo, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. She was born in Akron, Ohio, and came here in 1994 from Long Island, N.Y. She worked as a secretary for a plumbing contractor in New York City. She was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church and its Women's Guild. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ellen Ruconich, Largo; and a granddaughter, Victoria Ruconich. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Road Chapel, Clearwater.

Palm Harbor

• BEST, SUSAN J., 68, of Palm Harbor, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. She was born in New Brighton, Pa., and came here in 1997 from Beaver Falls, Pa. She was a retired nurse educator. She was a graduate of Geneva College, Beaver Falls. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau honorary nursing society and Palm Harbor United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Jon; two sons, Jon Jr., Garrison, N.Y., and Bradley, Severna Park, Md.; a daughter, Bonnie McCracken, Buford, Ga.; two sisters, Thelma Byerle, Beaver, and Linda Moore, Raleigh, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Safety Harbor

• SMITH, CHARLES P. "BUD," of Safety Harbor, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. He was born in Bayside, N.Y., and came here in 1980 from Locust Valley, N.Y. He was a past assistant fire chief of the Locust Valley Fire Department and retired as a police dispatcher for the city of Dunedin. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and served on the USS Ashtabula. He enjoyed traveling and was a sports fan. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Helen; three daughters, Karen Bernard, Odessa, Susan Lazzaro, Phoenix, Md., and Debbie Shannon, Safety Harbor; and five grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
• STEIGER, NORMAN C., 80, of Safety Harbor, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He moved to New Port Richey in 1983 after retiring and moved to Safety Harbor earlier this year. He worked more than 40 years for New York Telephone Co. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. He was Lutheran and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Port Richey, and Telephone Pioneers of America. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Hildegard Mimi; a daughter, Lynn Karaszewski, Alpharetta, Ga.; two sons, Gary K., Eden, N.Y., and Richard, Safety Harbor; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Tarpon Springs

• GOODMAN, HAZEL MILDRED, 96, of Tarpon Springs, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. She came here in 1972 from Wellston, Ohio. She was a homemaker and a Christian. Survivors include a son, Ronald Sinnott, Logan, Ohio; two daughters, Kay Redlin, California, and Connie Lattimer, Virginia; several grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.

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Pinellas Park

• AHR, MARGOT E., 72, of Pinellas Park, died Sunday (July 27, 2003) at home. Born in Tannroda, Germany, she lived here for more than 20 years. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a sister, Inge Kraft, Lippersdorf, Germany. Osgood-Cloud Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pinellas Park.
• DANG, TUNG VAN, 62, of Pinellas Park, died Friday (Aug. 15, 2003) at home. Born in Soctrang, Vietnam, he came here in 1990 from Vietnam. He was an assembler at Metal Industries for the past 11 years. He enjoyed fishing. He was Christian. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Tuyet Ngoc Nguyen; three sons, Quy, Hien Q. and Binh, and a daughter, Thuy, all of St. Petersburg; and two brothers and two sisters, all of Vietnam. Memorial Park Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
• DOUGLAS, MARGARET M., 76, of Pinellas Park, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here in 1988 from Marquette, Mich. She was a homemaker and a Lutheran. Survivors include two sons, Edward A., St. Petersburg, and Dr. Stephen A., Flagstaff, Ariz.; two sisters, Ollie Janeczko, Kenmore, N.Y., and Annie LaMotta, Rego Park, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg

• BOUCHER, BRUCE A., 43, of Dublin, Ohio, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (July 15, 2003) at home. Born in Hackensack, N.J., he came here in 1973. He was a senior engineer in research and development for Honda in Raymond, Ohio, for the past nine years. He received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida. Survivors include his mother, Barbara, Gulfport; his father, Alan, Cornwall, N.Y.; and a brother, Keith, St. Petersburg. Robert C. Carter Funeral Services, Columbus, Ohio.
• EVANS, BETTYE JOYCE McCLENDON, 62, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. Born in Headland, Ala., she came here in 1953 from Quincy. She was a retired secretary. She was a member of Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. She attended St. Petersburg Vocational Technical Institute. Survivors include a son, Paul Mitchell Jr., Orlando; five brothers, Howelton McClendon, Wilmington, Del., Larry McClendon, Tallahassee, and Carl, J.C. and Donnie McClendon, all of St. Petersburg; and four sisters, Martha Nell Walker, Bartow, Willie Jewell McCory, Gordon, Ala., and Annie Love and Gloria "Honey Cat" Copeland, both of St. Petersburg; and five grandchildren. McRae Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
• GLOERSEN, DOROTHY B., 91, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., she came here in 1958 from Stratford, Conn., where she was a secretary for Christ Episcopal Church for 26 years. She was a member of Pasadena Community Church, the Blue Angel Sanctuary Choir and United Methodist Women. Survivors include a son, Thomas R., Huntington, Conn.; a daughter, Judith G. Ocame, St. Petersburg; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
• HOPPERT, JACQUELINE E. "JACKIE," 78, of Inverness, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Citrus Memorial Hospital, Inverness. Born in St. Petersburg, she moved to Citrus County in 1969. She graduated from St. Petersburg High School. She worked for Avanzin Lumber and the Citrus County Facilities Maintenance Office. She attended First Christian Church. Survivors include her husband of 36 years, William G. "Bill"; three daughters, Susan Ellis, Spring, Texas, and Sandra Martin and Cynthia Sistrunk, both of St. Petersburg; two stepdaughters, Debbie Tompkins, Spring Hill, and Dawn Oliva, Hudson; two stepsons, Larry Hoppert, St. Petersburg, and Jerry Hoppert, Spring Hill; six grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.
• KUPKO, ANDRIJ, 96, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Shore Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Ukraine, he came here in 1972 from New York City. He was a retired elevator operator. He was a member of St. Saba Serbian Orthodox Church. Survivors include a daughter, Olga Reoutenko, Leningrad, Russia; and a grandson, Sergei Reoutenko, Concord, Calif. John S. Rhodes-East Chapel, St. Petersburg.
• LOSHAW, DUANE ALLEN, 62, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at Jacaranda Manor. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., he came here in 1997 from St. Cloud. Survivors include his wife, Ramona; three sons, Duane A. Jr., Tennessee, David A., St. Cloud, and Raymond E., Lakeland; a daughter, Helen Sokoloff, St. Cloud; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
• RENSHAW, CARLEN "MEE MAW," 59, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. Born in Harrisburg, Pa., she came here in 1983 from Gordon, Pa. She was a Cub Scout adviser for four years. Survivors include her husband of 37 years, Thomas A.; three sons, Randall S., Palmetto, and Michael T. and Jeffery A., both of St. Petersburg; and and five grandchildren. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
• TUCKER, JOHN, 79, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. Born in Maysville, Ky., he came here in 1957 from Mainz, Germany. He was an Army veteran and a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church. Survivors include two daughters, Monika Jordan and Sonya Norombaba, and two sons, Hans and Konrad, all of St. Petersburg; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. ALifeTribute FuneralCare, St. Petersburg.
• VIVINETTO, VIRGINIA, 59, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home under hospice care. Born in Mineola, N.Y., she came here in 1980 from Palmer, Mass. She graduated from Wheatley High School in Long Island, N.Y. She was a nurse's aide and a foster parent for more than 10 years. Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Thomas; a son, John T., and a daughter, Gina M., both of St. Petersburg; and two sisters, Madelyn McGarvey, Palmer, and Shirley Quarantello, Nashville. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
• WALDO, RAYMOND F., 70, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. He came here in 1988 from his native Warren, Ohio. Survivors include two daughters, Susan R. Godfrey, St. Petersburg, and Sherrie Burke, Pinellas Park; a son, Ray F., St. Petersburg; a sister, Patricia Bunting, Hernando; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home & Crematory-49th Street N Chapel, St. Petersburg.

Seminole

• TUCKER, GARY, 65, of Seminole, formerly of Largo and Clearwater, died Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2003) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. Born in Clearwater, he was raised in Largo. He graduated from Largo High School in 1955. He worked in the auto industry for 47 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was Protestant. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Shirley; a son, Richard, Port Richey; a daughter, Cheryl Gornik, Largo; his mother, Flora Blanche Tucker, Largo; two brothers, Roger, Largo, and Kenny, North Carolina; two sisters, Linda Burgess and Paulette Wanchik, both of Largo; and four grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services-Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
• WOODLEY, DOROTHY L. "CORKY," 74, of Seminole, died Thursday (Aug. 14, 2003) at home. Born in Unionville, Mo., she came here in 1982 from Des Plaines, Ill. She was a secretary for Scottish Rite Bodies in Chicago. She was an avid golfer and a member of Seminole Lakes Country Club. She was Methodist. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, George; two sons, George Jr., Palatine, Ill., and John C., Brick, N.J.; two sisters, Georgann Metcalf, Arlington, Texas, and Ruth Ellen Wiseman, Fort Worth, Texas; and two granddaughters. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.

South Pasadena