St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

SUNCOAST OBITUARIES

Thursday, January 25, 2001

This list is compiled from the
regional editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

Citrus| Hernando | Hillsborough | Pasco
North Pinellas | South Pinellas

ELLING, WALTER C., 85, of Beverly Hills, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Surrey Place Convalescent Center, Lecanto. He came here 22 years ago from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a security officer for Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York with more than 20 years of service. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a recipient of the Purple Heart and a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Charles F. Schmidt Chapter 466. Survivors include his wife, Elvira; a son, Conrad W., Iselin, N.J.; three sisters-in-law, Eleanor Harrelson, Arizona, and Yolanda Hecker, Webster, N.Y., and Marie Candela, Beverly Hills; and several nieces and nephews. Fero Funeral Home with Crematory, Beverly Hills.

GERALD, VIRGINIA PAXSON "PAT", 88, of Gainesville, formerly of Inverness, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville. Born in Waterford, Va., she moved five years ago to Gainesville. She was a statistical supervisor for the federal government's Department of Labor, retiring with 25 years of service. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Hutchinson, Waterford; a sister, Dorothy Schemm, Gainesville; two grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.

Hernando County Back to top

LOWMAN, KATHLEEN MARGARET PETERS, 72, of Brooksville, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. Born in St. Petersburg, she came here from Floral City. She was a retired loan officer, branch manager and assistant vice president for Hernando State Bank and then SunBank. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and was active with the Brooksville American Business Women's Association. She served on the board at St. Anthony Catholic Church, American Heart Association, and the Hernando County Fair Committee. Survivors include two sons, Jack Jr., Land O'Lakes, and Matthew, Brooksville; three daughters, Kathy Herring, Orlando, Teresa Lowman, Tampa, and Jackie Lynne Carlton, Brooksville; a brother, James Peters, Jacksonville; two sisters, Florence Russell, California, and Mary Lou Pursley, Indiana; and 15 grandchildren. Turner Funeral Homes, Brooksville Chapel.

Hillsborough County Back to top

BAKER, DONALD RAY, 63, of Tampa, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001). Survivors include his mother; two sons; two daughters; a sister; and a brother. Florida Mortuary Funeral and Cremation Services, Tampa.

BALLARD, DAVID H., 89, of Plant City, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001). He was a Plant City native and a lifelong resident. He was a maintenance worker, an Army sergeant serving for 35 years, and he was a member of the VFW and Eastside Baptist Church. Survivors include two brothers, Arthur Ballard, Plant City, and Marion Ballard, Jacksonville. Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City.

BODLEY, PATRICIA DAVISON, 75, of Tampa, died Friday (Jan. 19, 2001). She came here in 1992 from Maine. She was a member of the Woman's Club, Helping Hands, West Waldoboro Community Church and was a volunteer for the Lincoln Home. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Col. Charles Bodley; two sons, Charles Jr. and Brian; three daughters, Karin Valladares, Nanci Hattar and Kristin McCormick; her sister, Eleanor Shute; and eight grandchildren. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

CONNELL, BERYL, 74, of Tampa, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at St. Joseph's Hospital. She was a licensed practical nurse. Survivors include her son, Harold Connell, Thonotosassa; three daughters, Debbie Connell and Peggy Coffee, both of Tampa, and Sharon Rodda, Atlanta; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Swilley Funeral Home, Tampa.

EILAND, JOHN, 89, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home. He was born in Brooksville. He worked for Concrete Products for 42 years. Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Mobley and Shirley Ruhmel, both of Tampa; two sons, Wayne and Donnie, both of Tampa; his sister, Eva Mae Walker, Lake Wales; and 15 grandchildren. Swilley Funeral Home, Tampa.

FERNANDEZ, MARIO A., 86, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Cuba, he came here in 1919. He was a maintenance worker and was Catholic. Survivors include two sisters, Isabel Garcia and Georgia Fernandez. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Armenia Chapel, Tampa.

FREDRICK, PLUSHIA MAE, 92, of Tampa, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Byromville, Ga., she came here 79 years ago. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Smith and Bertha Wiggins; 10 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Wilson Funeral Home, Tampa.

GLISSON, GENE M., 54, of Temple Terrace, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001). He was a Tampa native and a lifelong resident. He was retired from GTE as an engineer after 33 years of service and was most recently working for WSJT 94.1 FM in the field promotions department. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and he was a member of Temple Terrace Lodge No. 330 F&AM and First Baptist Church of Temple Terrace. Survivors include his wife, Beth; his daughter, Jerilynne Richards, Tampa; two sons, Shannon, Zephyrhills, and Scott, Dover; two sisters, Dolores Pitts, Plant City, and Carol Lacey, Gibsonton; and three grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

HIGGS, GEORGE A., 85, of Brandon, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born in Barker, N.Y., he came here in 1972 from Pontiac, Mich. He was a retired master plumber, he owned and operated a plumbing business in Michigan, he was a member of Plumbers Local Union No. 123 and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Dorothy E.; his son, George A. Jr., Myrtle Beach, S.C.; three daughters, Betty V. Hopper, Las Vegas, Janice A. Savage, Midland, Mich., and Margaret E. Van Epps, Seffner; his brother, J. Earl Higgs, Medina, N.Y.; five sisters, Alice Hoste and A. Jane Gerard, both of Barker, Joyce Robinson and Sally Harrison, both of Lyndonville, N.Y., and Donna, Hartland, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

JOHNSTON, CATHERINE ELLEN, 87, of Seffner, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., she came to the Tampa area in 1948. She was a teacher and a librarian for Hillsborough County, she was a member of the Altar Guild, Brandon Auxiliary at Brandon Regional Hospital and Holy Innocents Episcopal Church. Survivors include her daughter, Martha Kay Dunson, Morganton, Ga.; three sons, Gordon Jr., Valrico, Floyd C., Seffner, and David, Blairsville, Ga.; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

KIM, SAM HYO, 96, of Dover, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Brandon Regional Hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Chong C. O'Rorke, Dover, and Heang C. Geiger, Plant City; three granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

LANTZ, ROSALIE L., 77, of Gibsonton, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) in Sun City Center. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she came to the Tampa area in 1968. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Denzil; her son, Terry Lantz, Palm Harbor; her sister, Bettie Gourley, Columbus, Ohio; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Riverview.

LAWSON, EVERETT EMANUEL, 81, of Valrico, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) in Valrico. Born in Detroit, he moved to St. Petersburg as an infant before moving to Clearwater in 1970. He came to Valrico in 2000. He was an Army veteran of World War II and served in the 503 Parachute Infantry as a paratrooper. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, an Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and an American Defense Service Medal. He was a life member of DAV Chapter No. 9 in St. Petersburg, a member of the American Legion Post in Seminole and was of the Assembly of God faith. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marian Ellinwood Lawson; two sons, Everett N. Lawson, Utica, Mich., and Robert J. Lawson, Yale, Mich.; three sisters, Belinda Wilkerson, St. Petersburg, Marquita Kujawski, Chicago, and Wanda Simone, Detroit; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

MESSERSCHMIDT, JOYCE, 54, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home. Born in Baltimore, she came here 12 years ago. She was a homemaker and was Christian. Survivors include her husband, Norman; her mother, Madeline Baumann, Baltimore; her son, Brian, Tampa; her brother, Gerard Baumann, Baltimore; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Robert & Son Cremation Services, Spring Hill.

PHILLIPS, JAMES D., 59, of Plant City, died Thursday (Jan. 18, 2001) in Plant City. Born in St. Pauls, N.C., he came here 14 years ago from Conway, S.C. He was a cook, he was a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was Pentecostal. Survivors include his wife, Pauline; two daughters, Donna Robles, Plant City, and Laura McKinsey, South Carolina; two sons, Timothy Phillips, Plant City, and Ronald Long, Conway; his mother, Ruth Alford, Conway; two sisters, Betty Dent, Hemingway, S.C., and Frances McKinsey, West Virginia; and seven grandchildren. Haught Funeral Home, Plant City.

PINTADO, WILLIAM, 52, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Tampa General Hospital. Born in Puerto Rico, he came here in 1999 from Naples, Fla. He was a tile installer for Angel's Custom Floors, he was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a member of the VFW and was Catholic. Survivors include his daughter, Krystle, Naples; his son, William, Naples; his sister, Carmen Pintado, Stroudsburg, Pa.; and four brothers, Angel, Dunedin, Ray, San Jose, Calif., Charlie, Bronx, N.Y., and Al, Florida. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

RESINA, MORRIS EUGENE, 64, of Tampa, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001). He was a member of DAV Chapter FL4 and was a Boy Scout leader for 25 years for Troop 49. Survivors include two sons, David Resina and Richard Resina; his brother, Mark Avey; two sisters, Joanne Schmidt and Sally Zarate; and four grandchildren. Florida Mortuary Funeral and Cremation Services, Tampa.

RODRIGUEZ, LUCIA, 72, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001). Born in Puerto Rico, she came to the Tampa area 15 years ago. She was a homemaker and was a member of Iglesia de Dios. Survivors include her husband, Feliciano; her son, Jesus Manuel Rodriguez; four daughters, Elena Semtmarat, Chelin Roena, Emily Rodriguez and Natasha Rodriguez; three sisters, Julia, Christina and Maricela Diaz; six brothers, Felix, Candido, Daniel, Tomas, Andres and Samuel Diaz; and 12 grandchildren. Gonzalez Funeral Home, Tampa.

RYALS, ELLA MAE, 79, of Tampa, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Live Oak, she came here in 1930. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, A.J.; her daughter, Kim Brooks, Tampa; two brothers, Fletcher Brannon, Seffner, and Kenneth Brannon, Inverness; and two grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Garden of Memories Chapel, Tampa.

SCHMIDT, MARY LOU, 72, of Riverview, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born in Cincinnati, she came to the Tampa area several years ago. She was an assembler for a shoe manufacturer. Survivors include her son, James Cahill, Omaha, Neb. Holloway Funeral Home, Oldsmar.

Pasco County Back to top

AMBROSIO, LOUIS, 83, of Hudson, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. He came here from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a forklift operator for American Can Co. and was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hudson. Survivors include his wife, Jennie; and several nieces and nephews. Bell Funeral Home, Bayonet Point/Hudson.

BOLAND, HAROLD M., 74, of New Port Richey, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Hospice House, Hudson. He came here nearly 10 years ago from his native Palmyra, N.Y., and was an expediter for Gleason Works. He was Baptist. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion, Palmyra. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; two sons, Harold M. Jr., Wollcott, N.Y., and Kevin E., Baldwinsville, N.Y.; a daughter, Kandy Boland-Corellie, Kissimmee; a sister, Dorothy Neels, Macedon, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

CLAYTON, RUBY F., 77, of Hudson, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Tandem Health Care, Hudson. Born in Johnson City, Ind., she came here 19 years ago from Indianapolis and was an underwriter for American States Insurance Co. She was Baptist. Survivors include a son, Maurice E., Monrovia, Ind.; two daughters, Mary F. Curtis, Petersburg, Ind., and Tammy S. McKenzie, Hudson; two sisters, Ruth A. Clayton, Monrovia, and Virginia Wallace, Indianapolis; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

FARRINGTON, FRANCIS W., 82, of Port Richey, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at home. Born in Stockbridge, Mich., he came here 20 years ago from Jackson, Mich. He was retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., and was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Faye; a son, Roger Farrington, Florida; a daughter, Helen Grostick, Lansing, Mich.; a brother, Lyle Farrington, Crystal, Mich.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Morgan Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Port Richey.

FULMER, AGNES C., 88, of Bergenfield, N.J., formerly of Port Richey, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001). Born in Buttonwood, Pa., she moved 21 years ago to Bergenfield. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hudson. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Anne Tillman, North Bergen, N.J.; and a brother, Stanley Wojciechowski, Port Richey. Bell Funeral Home, Hudson.

HIGGS, GEORGE A., 85, of Brandon, formerly of Holiday, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) at Brandon Hospital. Born in Barker, N.Y., he came here 29 years ago from Pontiac, Mich. He was a retired master plumber and business owner, and was a member of the Plumbers Local Union 123. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy E.; three daughters, Betty V. Hopper, Las Vegas, Janice A. Savage, Midland, Mich., and Margaret E. VanEpps, Seffner; a son, George A. Higgs, Jr., Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a brother, J. Earl Higgs, Medina, N.Y.; five sisters, Alice Hoste and A. Jane Gerard, both of Barker, Joyce Robinson and Sally Harrison, both of Lyndonville, N.Y., and Donna, Hartland, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

JENNER, ELIZABETH V., 96, of Holiday, died Friday (Jan. 19, 2001) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here 14 years ago from Long Island, N.Y. She was a homemaker. Survivors include a son, Howard Jenner, New Bern, N.C.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

LABIE, DELORES V., 70, of Port Richey, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at Hospice House, Hudson. She came here several years ago from her native Pittsburgh, where she was a meter maid for the city. She was Catholic. Survivors include her husband, Francis X. Labie. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MATHON, MICHAEL E., 53, of Zephyrhills, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at East Pasco Medical Center. Born in Carlinville, Ill., he came here six years ago from Tampa. He was a truck driver with Stepps Transport of Tampa. Survivors include a son, Michael R. Mathon, Granite City, Ill.; his mother, Dorothy June Mathon, Riverview; two sisters, Becky Focht and Judy Hayes, both of Granite City; his fiancee, Judy Schoenig, Zephyrhills; a sister-in-law, Deborah Mathon, Seffner; and two grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

NICHOLS, JOE A., 78, of Trilacoochee, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home. He came here 70 years ago from his native Georgia and was a retired truck driver. He was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Clara; two sons, James Nichols, Burlington, Ill., and Gerald Nichols, Trilacoochee; a daughter, LaDonnia Nichols, Trilacoochee; two sisters, Viola Cunningham, Lakeland, and Irene Bush, Auburndale; two brothers, Edward Nichols, Richland, and Samuel Nichols, Jonesboro, Ark.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.

NIELSEN, LESTER E. "LET", 74, of Port Richey, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. Born in Vernon, Conn., he came here five years ago from Fullerton, Calif. He was a guidance counselor at Nogales High School with the Rowland Unified School District, Rowland, Calif. He was a World War II veteran, and a member of the BPOE Lodge, Fullerton. Survivors include a daughter, Amy Truman, Brea, Calif.; a sister, Virginia Tiffney, Port Richey; and one grandchild. Family Funeral Care, Hudson.

OAKS, CAROLYN J., 58, of Hudson, died Friday (Jan. 19, 2001) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in Vincennes, Ind., she was a homemaker and a winter resident in Hudson from St. Joseph, Ill. She was Pentecostal. Survivors include a brother, Bill, Hudson. Arlington Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

SCHEPMAN, KIM MARIE, 35, of Zephyrhills, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001). Born in Menominee, Mich., she was a lifelong resident of the Tampa Bay area and was a restaurant cashier. Survivors include her husband, Dale J. Schepman Sr.; two daughters, Stephanee Delaportas and Jessica Delaportas, both of Zephyrhills; a stepson, Dale J. Schepman Jr., Zephyrhills; her parents, Jim and Joy Gross, Tampa; her paternal grandmother, Margaret Lime, Temple Terrace; her mother-in-law, Edna Schepman, Cincinnati, Ohio; two brothers, Brian and James Broker, both of Tampa; three sisters, Kellie and Dina Broker, both of Tampa, and DaVel Paul, Pine Level, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes, Tampa.

ZERRIP, CHARLES E. JR., 78, of Wildwood, formerly of Hudson, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in Muskegon, Mich., he moved one year ago to Wildwood. He was a Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict, with 20 years of service, and a retired accountant for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office with 10 years of service. He attended St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Hudson. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three sons, Timothy, Foxboro, Mass., Donald, Lenier City, Tenn., and James, Orlando; a daughter, Suzanne Harrington, Charlotte, N.C.; a brother, Gerald Zerrip, Wildwood; a sister, Barbara Lanning, Wildwood; and seven grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson Avenue Chapel.

North Pinellas Back to top

CADGENE, GEORGE H., 81, of Belleair, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Paterson, N.J., and came here in 1980 from Montclair, N.J. He was an Army veteran of World War II where he worked in the Army Corps of Engineers Manhattan District at the Oak Ridge, Tenn., electromagnetic facility operated by Tennessee Eastman. He was a chemical engineer and graduated in 1940 from Princeton University. He worked from 1941-1944 and 1946-1952 for Givaudan Corp., from 1952-1959 for the Trubek Laboratories and from 1959-1970, he was director of purchases for International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. He retired as vice president of Aroma Chemical Sales and from 1970-1982 was a consultant in the field of fragrance and aroma chemicals for IFF, Monsanto, Mallinckrodt, Brown and Williamson Tobacco, the Department of Agriculture, Burndy Corp., and Ingredient Technology. He was a past director of Price Capital Corp. and the New York City Small Business Corp. He was a member of Belleair Country Club, REAP (Resource Center for Women), the Princeton Club of New York and the Montclair Golf Club, Montclair, N.J. Survivors include his wife, Betty; two daughters, Marie Jeanne Cadgene, Redvale, Colo., and Narcisse Suzanne Cadgene, New York City; two sisters, Simone C. Attwood, New Canaan, Conn., and Maryvonne C. Hemming, Palm Beach. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.

Clearwater

ANDRUS, EDWARD D., 95, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Country Oaks Manor, Palm Harbor. He was born in Canton, Ohio, and came here in 1953 from Scofield Barracks, Hawaii, when he retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the China-Burma-India Theater. He was a professor at St. Petersburg Junior College and the Vocational Technical Center, Clearwater, and in 1926 was appointed by President Calvin Coolidge as colonel of five Washington, D.C., high schools. He attended Columbia School of Law, Moody Bible Institute, George Washington University and Florida State University. His memberships include Eastgate Masonic Lodge 355 F&UAM, Clearwater, Scottish Rite and York Rite of Clearwater, Egypt Shrine Temple, Tampa. He was a past president of Clearwater Shrine Club, past president of National Sojourners, past commander of Heroes of '76 Royal Order of Scotland, and a member of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), the Retired Officers Association, the board of managers of the YMCA, a past president and member of the Hall of Fame of the Suncoast Bowling Association, and a member of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Advisory Board and the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels. Survivors include a daughter, Susan A. Tedder, Clearwater; two sons, Michael Andrus, Clearwater, and Byron A. Odend'hal, Lexington, Va.; two stepsons, Steve Whitacre, Bradenton, and Cary Whitacre, Webster; a stepdaughter, Linda Oxendine, Oldsmar; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
DILLON, SHIRLEY J., 79, of Clearwater Beach, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. She came here in 1957 from her native Pittsfield, Mass. She was a member of Chapel by the Sea, Clearwater. Survivors include a brother, James, Swampscott, Mass.; and four nieces, Edith Thompson, North Kingstown, R.I., Margaret Dillon, Mount Ranier, Md., Kathleen Noonan, Wakefield, Mass., and Julia Taggart, Tewksbury, Mass. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater.
GAMET, HELEN, 91, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Mariner Health Care of Belleair. She was born in Boston and came here in 1979 from Glenview, Ill. She was a homemaker and Catholic. Survivors include two daughters, Donna Buchert, Charlotte, N.C., and Sue Kapreilian, Boca Raton; a sister, Beatrice Meers, Hudson, Mass.; a brother, Joe Lang, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
HAYSON, HELEN B. "BONNIE," 87, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 15, 2001) at Largo Medical Center. She came here in 1975 from her native Chicago, where she retired as a stenographer for the Chicago Police Department. She was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Largo, and a past member of the African Violet Association and Women of the Moose, both of Chicago. Survivors include a niece, Bonnie Roush, Las Vegas. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.
HEATHER, GEORGE C., 69, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. He was born in Jersey City, N.J., and came here in 1992 from Woodbridge, N.J. He retired as a salesman and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was active in the Missouri Avenue Baptist Church of Clearwater. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Frances "Fran"; four daughters, Deborah Cantalupo, M. Heather-Alejandro and Lisa Heather-Krametz, all of Clearwater, and Diane Galio, Edison, N.J.; and 10 grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Largo Chapel.
KRONSCHNABL, PETER JOSEPH, 85, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. He was born in Arcadia, Wis., and came here in 1994 from Milwaukee, where he worked for 43 years as a brewmaster for the Jos. Schlitz Brewery. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Largo, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Army National Guard and the Brewmaster's Union of Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Annette C.; four sons, Jeffery Paul and Alan Michael, both of Clearwater, Peter George, Dunedin, and Thomas John, Muskego, Wis.; eight grandchildren, Derek and Brian Kronschnabl and Lisa Hall, all of Clearwater, David Kronschnabl, Milwaukee, Aaron and Rebecca Kronschnabl, both of Muskego, Kim Machin, Kansas City, Mo., and Renee Schreiber, Hampton, Va.; and nine great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
LAWSON, EVERETT EMANUEL, 81, of Valrico, formerly of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) in Valrico. Born in Detroit, he moved to St. Petersburg as an infant before moving to Clearwater in 1970. He came to Valrico in 2000. He was a World War II Army veteran serving in the 503 Parachute Infantry as a paratrooper. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star Medal, an Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and an American Defense Service Medal. He was a life member of DAV Chapter No. 9 in St. Petersburg, a member of the American Legion Post in Seminole and was of the Assembly of God faith. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marian Ellinwood Lawson; two sons, Everett N. Lawson, Utica, Mich., and Robert J. Lawson, Yale, Mich.; three sisters, Belinda Wilkerson, St. Petersburg, Marquita Kujawski, Chicago, and Wanda Simone, Detroit; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.
LEGIER, EDWARD D. JR., 62, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. He was born in Northfield, Vt., and came here recently from Valrico. He worked for Adelphia in Tampa and was a Navy veteran. He was a member of the Gospel church. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Patricia A.; two daughters, Shelley Anne Brooks and Cherri Collette Chattaway, both of Clearwater; two sons, Michael R. Collette, Brooksville, and Mark O. Collette, Newaygo, Mich.; two sisters, Constance Vilbris, Northfield Falls, Vt., and Anne Zipes, Pound Ridge, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
McCARTHY, CHARLES J., 58, of Clearwater, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at home. He was born in Boston and retired here in 1999 from Limerick, Maine. He also lived in North Reading, Mass. He enjoyed boating, photography, gardening and thoroughbred racing. Survivors include his wife, Carole; two sons, Chuck, North Reading, and Shawn, Wakefield, Mass.; a daughter, Kim, Wakefield; a brother, Gerald, Malden, Mass.; and two grandchildren. Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading, Mass.
SANCHEZ, JULIO ANGEL, 38, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. He was born in New York City and came here in 1995 from Puerto Rico, where he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico. He worked as a senior sales representative for Tech Data. He was Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Eileen, and two sons, Julio E. and Gabriel A., all of Clearwater; a daughter, Marangeli Sanchez, and his parents, Virginia and Wilfredo Sanchez, all of Puerto Rico; two brothers, Michael Molina, Largo, and Freddie Sanchez Jr., Puerto Rico; and two sisters, Iris Molina and Virginia Sanchez, both of Puerto Rico. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.

Crystal Beach

KELLEY, ERNEST J., 74, of Crystal Beach, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs. He was born in North Vernon, Ind., and came here in 1983 from Lansing, Mich. He worked 34 years as garage supervisor for the city of Lansing, Mich., and was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Geraldine; a daughter, Barbara Kelley Schnurman, Crystal Beach; a son, Steve, Palm Harbor; his mother, Rose Kelley, Lansing; two brothers, John of Ohio, and Jimmy, Lansing; two sisters, Rosemary Beckhart, Holt, Mich., and Ima Jean Hayes, Lansing; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs.

Dunedin

LARSSON, EMMA GORNER "POLLY," 95, of Meredith, N.H., formerly of Dunedin and Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 15, 2001) at Speare Memorial Hospital, Plymouth, N.H. She was born in Readville, Mass., and as a child she spent summers at her family's camp on Pine Island. She lived many years in Boston before coming to Clearwater, and in 1988 she moved to Dunedin. Survivors include two sons, Alan G., Sudbury, Mass., and Robert W., Stockholm, Sweden; and a niece, Ingrid Smith, Center Harbor, N.H. Mayhew Funeral Home, Meredith.

Largo

ESPIR, MADELON B., 78, of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home. He came here in 1976 from his native New Jersey and was a retired bookkeeper. He was a Marine veteran of World War II. He was a past commander of the American Legion in New Jersey and locally he was active in the Senior Citizens Center, Largo. Survivors include a son, John, Largo; and four grandchildren. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Chapel, Clearwater.
LYON, DOROTHY HELDT, 95, of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Palm Garden of Largo nursing home. She came here in 1995 from her native Scottsbluff, Neb., where she taught high school for 27 years. She graduated from the University of Nebraska. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff, the American Association of University Women and Alpha Phi Sorority. Survivors include a daughter, Jane Lyon Schafer, Largo; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
MacINTYRE, CLARENCE B., 82, of Largo, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Alma, Prince Edward Island, and came here in 1979 from Attleboro, Mass. He retired as a methods engineer for Foxboro Co., Foxboro, Mass., and was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Survivors include two sons, William B., Largo, and John C., Dickinson, Texas; three daughters, Kathryn Harrison and Mary MacIntyre, both of Largo, and Barbara Spencer, Coventry, R.I.; a brother, James "Keer," Coventry; and a sister, Mary "Rene" Haggstrom, Cranston, R.I.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Gulf Breeze Cremation & Burial Society, Largo.
MASON, DONALD P., 77, of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Freeport, Ill. He retired from the Merchant Marine after 35 years and owned and operated several businesses in Freeport and Largo. He was a veteran of World War II and served at Guadalcanal. He was a member of the 6th Field Artillery Veterans Association. Survivors include a brother, Richard M., and an aunt, Dorothy Guccione, both of Largo; and several nieces and nephews. Abbey Affordable Cremation & Funeral Services, Largo.
MERCHANT, MALCOLM, 82, of Largo, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Oak Manor Nursing Center, Largo. He retired from the Army Air Forces and was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three sons, Peter, Sacramento, Calif., James, South Hadley, Mass., and John, Suffield, Conn.; a stepdaughter, Rosemary Travis, Orlando; two stepsons, James Czbas, New London, Conn., and Joe Czbas, Clayton, N.J.; and two grandchildren. Gulf Breeze Cremation & Burial Society, Largo.
MESNARD, ANNABELLE, 79, of Largo, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at Mariner Health Care of Belleair. She was born in Stilwell, Okla., and came here in 1969 from Toledo, Ohio. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, Largo. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Brown, Largo; three sons, John Partin, Warminster, Pa., Lee Partin, Baltimore, and Clyde Partin, Bowling Green, Ky.; two brothers, Carl Matlock, Williamsburg, Ky., and Richard Matlock, Kersey, Ky.; 16 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
NEELY, CLARENCE, 88, of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. He was born in Standish, Mich., and came here in 1989. He retired as an inventory clerk for Ford Motor Co., and worked at the Lincoln Manufacturing Plant in California. He was a walker and biker on the Pinellas Trail. Survivors include a sister, Lillian Mae Kottke, Dunedin. Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory, Belleair Bluffs.
ONOFREY, EMMA, 97, of Largo, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at home. She was born in Czechoslovakia and came here in 1968 from Cleveland. She was a homemaker and Lutheran. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Onofrey, Largo, and Irene Smith, Dunedin; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.
STARKEY, LOREN M., 93, of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home. He came here from Hudson, Ill. There are no known survivors. Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington, Ill.
STONE, LOIS B., 79, of Largo, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. She was born in New York City and came here in 1978 from Long Island, N.Y. She retired after 20 years as a sales person at Dillard's Department Store, Pinellas Park. Survivors include two daughters, Anne Joyner, Largo, and Jayne Behr, Long Island; her caregiver and son-in-law, Kenneth Joyner, Largo; and two grandchildren, Carolyn and Michael Behr, both of Long Island. International Mortuary Services, Pinellas Park.

Oldsmar

KLICK, MABLE ELLEN, 64, of Oldsmar, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Pennsylvania and came here in 1996 from Middletown, Conn. She worked as a safety officer for Pinellas County. She was a member of Lutheran Church in Middletown, Conn. Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Joseph G.; two sons, Scott A., North Fort Myers, and Dean M., Middletown; two daughters, Victoria Dawn Speck, Lewisburg, Pa., and Beth Ellen Klick, Middletown; a brother, Sonny Kauffman, Portland, Conn.; five sisters, Donna Kauffman, Orlando, Lois Cameron and Betty Smedik, both of Middletown, and Elsie Guin and Arlene Goodell, both of Portland; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
ZIDE, LOUIS, 65, of Oldsmar, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. He came here in 1982 from his native St. Louis. He was a retired industrial chemical sales representative. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Donna; two sons, Alan J., Rockledge, and Shane A., Reno, Nev.; a daughter, Wendy Richards, Huntington Beach, Calif.; two brothers, Gary and Martin, both of Chesterfield; and three grandchildren. Gulf Breeze Cremation & Burial Society, Largo.

Palm Harbor

BELESKY, WENCIL C. "CARL," 87, of Palm Harbor, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Harborside Healthcare, Palm Harbor. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and came here in 1983 from Miramar. He retired as a tool and gauge man for Goodyear in Ohio and also worked for Pratt-Whitney. He was a member of Moose Lodge 1429, Tarpon Springs, the Polish-American Club, Holiday, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Survivors include his wife, Helen; and a sister, Stella of Tennessee. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.
DUCHESNEAU, CONRAD R., 80, of Palm Harbor, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Manor Care Dunedin nursing home. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., and came here in 1989 from Fairhaven, Mass. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Clearwater. Survivors include a son, Raymond, Ellington, Conn.; a daughter, Jeanne Doyle, Norwood, Mass.; two sisters, Gilbert Denault, Palm Harbor, and Evelyn Siares, Fairhaven; and four grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
GEISLER, ALFRED O., 75, of Palm Harbor, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and came here in 1969 from Long Island, N.Y. was a police officer and worked for the Port Authority, New York City. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor, Knights of Columbus and the Police Association. Survivors include his wife, Susan; five daughers, Mary Ann Armington, Kathy Geisler and Theresa Sybert, all of Palm Harbor, Eileen Hermann, Oldsmar, and Peggy Wolfe, Holiday; two sons, Michael, New Port Richey, and James, Gainesville; a brother, Theodore, Staten Island, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Dunedin Chapel.
REGAN, DOROTHY M., 75, of Palm Harbor, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Philadelphia and came here in 1977 from St. Louis. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church and the church's Women's Council, Palm Harbor. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, John; seven daughters, Jean Webb, Pinellas Park, Kathleen Lee, Largo, Mary Taylor, Safety Harbor, Donna Coates, Palmetto, Dorothy DeLaney, Gainesville, Patricia Regan, Burtonsville, Md., and Teresa Gonzalez, Dallas; a son, John P., Kennesaw, Ga.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Palm Harbor Chapel.

Seminole

EMIG, ETTAMAE S., 85, of Seminole, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Colonial Care Kenneth City, St. Petersburg. She was born in Cranbury, N.J., and came here in 1977 from Manasquan, N.J. She was a homemaker and Presbyterian. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Jerome W.; two daughters, Etta Mae Matthews, and Geryl Moore, both of Point Pleasant, N.J.; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
FRANCIS, PEARL M., 100, of Seminole, formerly of Madeira Beach, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Wright's Nursing Home, Largo. She was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, moved to Madeira Beach in 1965 and to Seminole in 1986. She was a member of Church by the Sea, Madeira Beach, Gulf Beach Chapter 241 OES, J. Edwin Larson Chapter 20 White Shrine of Jerusalem, Pythian Sisters and Neighborly Senior Services. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Francis, Seminole; a sister, Winnefred Farley of Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.

Tarpon Springs

KONTOGEORGE, CONSTANTINE, 49, of Tarpon Springs, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at home. He was born in Greece and came here in 1993 from Miami. Survivors include his parents, Angie and Sotirios, Tarpon Springs; a sister, Toula DiGiovanni, East Brunswick, N.J.; a nephew, Steven Mattson, and a niece, Patricia Mattson, Charlotte, N.C.; and several cousins and aunts and uncles. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs.

South Pinellas Back to top

BUTTON, LINDA A. JEAN, 48, of Merritt Island, formerly of St. Pete Beach, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at home. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., she came here in 1957 and moved to Merritt Island in 1988. She was a security supervisor at the Kennedy Space Center. She attended St. John's Catholic Church and was a 1970 graduate of Boca Ciega High School. Survivors include a son, John, and a daughter, Shannon McEvey, both of Melbourne; her father, Leo L. Jean, St. Petersburg; three brothers, Mike Jean, Centerville, Ohio, Steve Jean, St. Petersburg, and Leo A. Jean, Gulfport; and a sister, Kathy Jenkinson, Cocoa Beach. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Beach Memorial Chapel, St. Petersburg.

TAUGINAS, ANTANAS, 80, of St. Pete Beach, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, South Pasadena. Born in Lithuania, he came here in 1984 from Chicago. he was a high school language teacher in Chicago. He was a member of St. Casimir Mission in St. Pete Beach and the St. Petersburg Lithuanian Retiree Club and American-Lithuanian Association. Survivors include his wife, Helen; three sons, Anthony, St. Petersburg, Casimir, Oak Park, Ill., and Zigmas, North Port; a daughter, Kristina Vaitkus, Columbia, Md.; a brother, Kazimieras, Lithuania; and six grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Beach Chapel, St. Pete Beach.

St. Petersburg

ACKROYD, JEFFREY A., 46, of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, formerly of St. Petersburg and Hernando, died Friday (Jan. 19, 2001) during a home invasion. A St. Petersburg native, he moved to Hernando in 1972, returned here in 1998 and moved to Costa Rica in 2000. He was a 1972 graduate of Boca Ciega High School and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. He was a licensed masonry contractor. He enjoyed fishing. Survivors include his wife, Gladys, two sons, Jeffrey Jr., Hernando, and Ringo Steen, Inverness; two daughters, Cara Ackroyd, Hernando, and Cathy Lopez, Inverness; his mother, Lettie, St. Petersburg; two sisters, Roberta Lee, St. Petersburg, and Sheryl Selby, Ormond Beach; and three grandchildren. Gulfport Memorial Funeral Home.

BARONI, KATHRYN L."KAY," 83, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at the Laurels Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Deep River, Conn., she came here in 1957 from Middletown, Conn. Locally, she was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and its Women's Club and Altar Society. Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Baroni, and a son, Joseph "Joe," both of St. Petersburg; a sister, Dolores Alborghetti, Old Saybrook, Conn.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Bobbitt Chapel, St. Petersburg.

BENSCOTER, WILFORD M., 73, of Prospect, Pa., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. He was a seasonal visitor for many years to his native St. Petersburg from Prospect. He was a building contractor and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was Catholic. Survivors include two daughters, Joy Allison, Slippery Rock, Pa., and Kathy Elmusmari, Columbia, S.C.; two sons, Stephen Stosavelvitch, Slippery Rock, and Jim Benscoter, Dallas; a brother, Cliff, Council Bluff, Iowa; a sister, Hazel McCarthy, Jeannette, Pa.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.

BOATWRIGHT, ANNIE MAUDE, 64, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital. Born in Swainsboro, Ga., she came here in the early 1960s. She was a member of Brinson Rock Baptist Church, Swainsboro. She was a private duty nursing assistant and a homemaker. Survivors include a son, Timothy Stewart, St. Petersburg; three brothers, Roy Whicker and Eugene Whicker, both of Swainsboro; and Johnnie Whicker, Tampa; four sisters, Mae Francis Newson and Willie Mae Armstrong, both of Swainsboro, Mary Lee Daniels, St. Petersburg, and Ira Givins, Philadelphia; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a caregiver, Carol Woodstruck, St. Petersburg. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.

BRADLEY, RUTH, 93, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (Jan. 6, 2001) at home. There are no known survivors. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

BYERS, DOROTHY E. "DOTTIE," of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001). Born in Pittsburgh, she came here in 1980 from Fairfax, Va. She was a retired art teacher at Robert Frost Intermediate School in Fairfax. She was a member of Lakewood Methodist Church and the Maximo Moorings Women's Club. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Byers, Largo, and Terry Byers, San Francisco; and two nephews. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

CHARBONNEAU, CECIL KENNETH, 81, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Edward White Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here in 1971 from Madrid, Spain. He was a retired Army lieutenant colonel and member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, St. Petersburg. He attended St. Johns University and was a West Point graduate. He received a master's degree from George Washington University and the New York Institute of Finance. He was assistant president of People's National Bank in Miami. He was an avid golfer and a member of Lakewood Country Club. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth C. "Liz"; three daughters, Camille Hopkinson, Annapolis, Md., Celeste Charbonneau, Delray Beach, and Deirdre Burton, Columbia, S.C.; a son, Robert C. Park City, Utah; a brother, Dr. Robert, Miami Beach; and five grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

COLLINS, VIRGIL C., 76, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Gulfcoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Bridgeport, Ala., he came here in 1996 from Hot Springs, Ark., where he lived for 30 years. He was a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps and a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a member of the VFW in Hot Springs and a Methodist. Survivors include a daughter, Linda G. Whelpley, St. Petersburg; two sisters, Alice Brawner and Martha Brown, both of Hot Springs; a grandson; two great-grandchildren; four nieces; and a nephew. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

CROSLEY, EVELYN, 74, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at Vencor Hospital -- St. Petersburg. Born in Cleveland, she came here in 1986 from Bedford, Ohio. She was a nurse practitioner for Cleveland State University and Highland View Hospital in Cleveland. She was a graduate of Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Cyril; three sons, Clark A., Naperville, Ill., Clayton G., Mesa, Ariz., and Craig P., San Mateo, Calif.; and nine grandchildren. David C. Gross Funeral Homes and Crematory, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg.

DeCOLA, FRANK L., 80, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. Born in Philadelphia, he came here in 1996 from Levittown, Pa. He was a retired truck driver and was a former catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics baseball farm team. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II and a member of DAV Chapter 13 in St. Pete Beach. He was Catholic. Survivors include three brothers, Angelo Vincent "Vinnie," Anthony and Eugene, a sister, Helen Avington, and his companion, Rosann F. Gross, all of St. Petersburg. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

DELL, JOHN C., 83, of Palm Harbor, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Jan. 18, 2001) at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. Born in Philadelphia, he came to the area 25 years ago from Cherry Hill, N.J. He was a sportswriter for the Philadelphia Inquirer for 35 years. He was a member of the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia. Survivors include two brothers, William H., Woodbury, N.J., and Robert A., St. Petersburg. National Cremation Society, Clearwater.

DeMATOS, MARIA C., 90, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Suncoast Hospital of Largo. Born in Portugal, she came here in 1962 from Hartford, Conn. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Jude's Cathedral Catholic Church. She was a one-time member of the Portuguese Club in St. Petersburg. Survivors include four sons, Anthony A. and Albert A., both of New Port Richey, Manuel A., Seminole, and Daniel A., Douglasville, Ga.; two daughters, Angelina A. Mann, Aurora, Colo., and Maria R. Usry, Seminole; a sister, Piedade Fernandes, Hartford, Conn.; 35 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. C.E. Prevatt Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.

HOUSTON, CHARLES THOMAS, 81, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital. He came here in 1979 from his native Lynn, Mass., and was a printer for General Electric Co. He also was a licensed pasteurizer in Oregon and worked at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. He was an Army veteran of World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and retiring from the National Guard. He was a member of VFW Sunshine City Post 6827 in St. Petersburg and the Golden Fleece Masonic Lodge in Boston. Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Thelma C.; two sons, Charles Thomas "Tom" Houston III, Myrtle Point, Ore., and Samuel Joseph Culp Houston, Gresham, Ore; three daughters, Charlene Gary, Myrtle Point, Joan Tapanainen, Novato, Calif., and Stephne Lynn Houston, Myrtle Point; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

JACKSON, RUTH, 80, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) at Swanholm Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. There are no known survivors. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

JAEGER, BEVERLY MOOREFIELD ASHLIN SMITZES, of Belleair, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at home. She was born in St. Petersburg and was the daughter of Ruth and George Moorefield, a pioneer Pinellas family who developed the "pink streets" in St. Petersburg. She attended local schools and was active in sports. She was a member of the women's softball league, and enjoyed fishing, golfing and horseback riding. She was an accomplished artist and received numerous local art show awards for her oils and water colors. Survivors include a son, Dan Ashlin; two daughters, Susan Stanford and Ramona Uhlmeyer; a sister, Ramona Updegraft; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater.

LAWSON, EVERETT EMANUEL, 81, of Valrico, formerly of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, died Saturday (Jan. 20, 2001) in Valrico. Born in Detroit, he moved to St. Petersburg as an infant. He moved to Clearwater in 1970 and to Valrico in 2000. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the 503 Parachute Infantry. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, an Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and an American Defense Service Medal. He was a life member of the DAV Chapter No. 9 in St. Petersburg, the American Legion Post in Seminole and the Assembly of God faith. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marian Ellinwood Lawson; two sons, Everett N. Lawson, Utica, Mich., and Robert J. Lawson, Yale, Mich.; three sisters, Belinda Wilkerson, St. Petersburg, Marquita Kujawski, Chicago and Wanda Simone, Detroit; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

LAZZARI, WILLIAM D. "BIG D," 57, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. Born in Pittsburgh, he came here in 1946 from Monongehela, Pa. He was in the research and development department of a yacht manufacturer. He was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife, Martha; a son, Nicholas, St. Petersburg; three daughters, Mary Ann Black and Patricia Nuckolls, both of St. Petersburg, and Tahatha Schrauben, Lansing, Mich.; his mother, Betty, St. Petersburg; two brothers, John, Memphis, Tenn., and Steven, Louisville, Ky.; and six grandsons. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.

LEWIS, DAVID R., 90, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital. Born in New York City, he came here in 2000 from Sebring. He was an interior decorator in Naples, Fla. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Sebring and the Jewish World War II Veterans in Naples. He was a supporter of the Symphony Orchestra in Naples. Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn Olds-Lewis; two sons, Johnathan Lewis, California, and John Harold Olds, Pleasant Garden, N.C.; two daughters, Nancy Jane Taylor, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Carolyn Olds Mikels, St. Petersburg; and a granddaughter. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

MACMANE, HELEN, 84, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

MORGAN, MARY LOUISE, 67, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Bayfront Medical Center. She was born in Columbus, Ohio. She was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include six daughters, Bonita Williams Morgan and Janice Ilene Haley, both of Columbus, and Sheree Marie Frazier, Wanda Jean Zanders, Ruth Ella Clark and Yvette Ann Ervin, all of St. Petersburg; three sons, Willie J. Jr., David E. and Darryl L., all of St. Petersburg; her mother, Doris Mason, Columbus; four sisters, Betty Scruggs, Ann Wilson and Ilona Mason, all of Columbus, and Gwen Kennedy, Cincinnati; and two brothers, Freddy Mason and Alfred Peters, both of Columbus; 21 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Creal Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.

NEGOVANNA, HENRY, 79, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) at Bayfront Medical Center. Born in Wainwright, Alaska, he came here in 1990 from Carson, Calif. He was in maintenance for the Henkel Chemical Plant, Hawthorne, Calif. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Flora; a daughter, Pami Ann Negovanna, St. Petersburg; a brother, Silas, Point Barrow, Alaska; two sisters, Berna Brower, Point Barrow, and Esther May Kagak, Wainwright, Alaska. David C. Gross Funeral Homes and Crematory, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg.

PHARES, AUDREY EVANS "POPPA," 91, of New Port Richey, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Jan. 17, 2001) in New Port Richey of heart failure. Born in Woodville, Miss., he came to St. Petersburg in 1983 from Jackson, Miss., and moved to New Port Richey in 1993. He was a right of way purchasing agent for the railroad. He was Christian. He was a member and past president of the Lions Club in Mississippi and was active with Boy Scouts of America and youth baseball. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Ola M.; a son, Richard E., St. Petersburg; two granddaughters; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

PRESSLY, BARBARA JEAN DEAL, 66, of Stony Point, N.C., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Jan. 3, 2001) at Iredell Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Born in St. Petersburg, she was a 1952 graduate of St. Petersburg High School. She was a secretary at the Pressly Heating and Air Conditioning Co. and was active in the Ladies of the Civitan Club, serving as president one year. After moving to North Carolina she became a poultry farmer, records clerk for Piedmont Health Care and a school bus driver for Iredell County. She was a member of the New Sterling Associate Reform Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband, James C.; two daughters, Barbara McClure and Kathryn Stewart, both of Stony Point; two brothers, John, St. Petersburg, and Dr. Charles, Tallahassee; a sister, Frances Deal Power, St. Petersburg; and four grandsons. Chapman Funeral Home, Stony Point, N.C.

SALTER, FRANCES P., 84, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Largo, died Tuesday (Jan. 23, 2001) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She was born in Largo and retired from the Postal Service. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the American Postal Workers Union AFL-CIO. She delivered meals for Meals on Wheels for three years. Survivors include a son, Cliff, St. Petersburg; a daughter, Nancy Rollins, Discovery Bay, Calif.; a granddaughter; and three great-granddaughters. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.

SMITH, ANDREW J., 64, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Jan. 24, 2001) at home. Born in Mississippi, he came here three years ago from Tennessee. Survivors include two sons, Terry A., St. Petersburg, and Gary L., Memphis; a sister, Regina Madden, Russellville, Ala.; and two grandchildren. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

SOUTH, WILLIAM W., 82, of Santa Fe, N.M., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (Jan. 18, 2001). A Navy veteran of World War II, he was credited with sinking a German U-boat. He also served in the Korean War. He rose to the rank of commander. Survivors include his wife, Jan; three sons, William W. II, Plantation, Robert M., St. Pete Beach, and Thomas L., Franktown, Colo.; two daughters, Merilee Curry, Billings, Mont., and Nancy Kiernan, Seminole; two stepsons, Michael Hart, Tucson, Ariz., and Stephen Hart, California; five stepdaughters, Holly Hart, Santa Fe, Kathy Alvarez, Tampa, Lisa Hart, New Port Richey, Janine Manenan, Tucson, and Kathleen Hart, Tampa; six grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and eight stepgrandchildren. Santa Fe Funeral Options, Santa Fe, N.M.

VASS, MICHAEL, 59, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Jan. 16, 2001) at Bayfront Medical Center. There are no known survivors. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

VITALI, HILDA, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday, (Jan. 23, 2001). Born in Italy, she came here in 1975 from Mount Ephraim, N.J. She was a special machine operator in the garment industry. Locally, she was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where she served in the outreach ministry and volunteered at Bay Pines Nursing Home, Jacaranda Manor, Colonial Care Nursing Center, and Alhambra Nursing Home. Survivors include two sons, Arnold Jr., Summerdale, N.J., and Jack, Largo; a daughter, Lorraine Viviani, Riverview; three brothers, John Grazioli, Dante Grazioli and Joseph Grazioli, all of New Jersey; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Bobbitt Chapel, St. Petersburg.

WHIDDEN, DOROTHY A., 72, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Jan. 21, 2001). She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Therse Byzantine Catholic Church in St. Petersburg and was involved in the Women's Guild and Altar and Rosary societies. Survivors include a cousin, Linda A. Hahn, Lehighton, Pa. Campton Funeral Home, Palmerton, Pa.

YABLONSKI, FLORENCE M. SEMANAVICH, 83, of Webster, Mass., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Jan. 17, 2001) in Lanessa Healthcare Center, Webster, after an illness. Born in Worcester, Mass., she lived here 26 years and moved to Webster in 2000. She was a former hairdresser and restaurant worker. She was a member of the Lithuanian Women's Club in Worcester. Survivors include a son, Joseph J., Londonderry, N.H.; a daughter, Joanne F. Diani, Oxford, Mass.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Paradis Funeral Home, Oxford, Mass.