St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

SUNCOAST OBITUARIES

Thursday, February 15, 2001

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

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

BROWN, PHILLIP BROWN SR., 68, of Inverness, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in New London, Conn., he came here eight years ago from Chicopee, Mass. He retired from the Army and Air Force with 20 years service before becoming a machine operator for the American Saw and Manufacturing Co., East Long Meadow, Mass. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4337 and past governor of the Inverness Moose Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Joan; three sons, Theodore and James, both of Chicopee, and Bruce Brown, Largo; a daughter, Debra Sanders, Holmdel, N.J.; and seven grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

CYR, ADELARD N., 70, of Dunnellon, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at home under the care of Marion County Hospice. Born in Fort Kent, Maine, he came here three years ago from Watertown, Conn. He was a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry and member of the Society of Professional Engineers. He was an Air Force veteran in the Korean War and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oakville, Conn. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Watertown, and a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ocala. Survivors include his wife, Erma M.; a son, Jason, Tampa; a daughter, Terri Bebrin; three brothers, Herman, Windsor, Conn.; Richard, Thomaston, Conn., and Raymond, California; two grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Fero Funeral Home With Crematory, Beverly Hills.

KAUFFMANN, MARILYN GRACE, 40, of Inverness, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001), at Citrus Memorial Hospital. She came here 14 years ago from her native Detroit, and was a civil engineer and former owner of Pro-Design Engineering of Crystal River. She was a graduate of the University of Detroit School of Engineering, a member of Kappa Beta Gamma Sorority, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Survivors include two sons, Anthony A. and Miles C., both of Inverness; a daughter, Samantha N., Inverness; her mother, Madeline Oliveta, Shelby Township, Mich.; two sisters, Roseann McNamara, Lancaster, Wis., and Mary Frances Civitarese, Pittsburgh. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

NUTTING, CHARLES G., 76, of Crystal River, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Cypress Cove Care Center. Born in Chicago, he came here 13 years ago from Texas. He was a salesman for a wholesale glass container manufacturing company and a member of the American Legion Post 166 of Homosassa Springs. He was Methodist. Survivors include two sons, Richard Mutting, Leesburg, and John Wiley, Las Vegas; and three brothers, Bill, Prescott, Ariz.; David, Montrose, Colo., and John, Mexico City, Mexico. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

TERNBACH, MATILDA, 91, of Beverly Hills, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at the Life Care Center of Citrus County, Lecanto. Born in Saryov, Yugoslavia, she was a retired seamstress and tailor for the furrier industry. She was a member of the Beth Shalom Temple, Beverly Hills. Survivors include her son, Rudy, South Hadley, Mass.; a daughter, Lea Ziering, New Rochelle, N.Y.; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Fero Funeral Home With Crematory, Beverly Hills.

WILSON, STEVEN EUGENE, 38, of Chassahowitzka, formerly of Clearwater, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at home. Born in Carlisle, Pa., he came here four years ago from Clearwater. He was a construction handyman. Survivors include his mother, Betty Jane, Largo; four brothers, Gary and Scott Howard, both of Leesville, S.C.; Donald, Tennessee County, Texas, and William Tritt, Clearwater. Robert and Son Cremation Service, Spring Hill/Brooksville.

WUNSCHL, GLORIA G., 76, of Lecanto, died Friday (Feb. 9, 2001) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. Born in Mossville, Ill., she came here 11 years ago from Wheeling, Ill. She was a clerical secretary and member of The Unity Church of Citrus County. Survivors include her husband, Jacob G.; a brother, Price Hendryx, Peoria, Ill.; two sisters, Myrtle Schmidt, Wheaton, Ill. and Joyce Meredith, Peoria, Ill.; and numerous nephews and nieces. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

Hernando County Back to top

ARMONAT, NORMAN L., SR., 95, of Brooksville, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Oak Hill Hospital. He came here 22 years from his native Pittsburgh. He was a retired sales engineer for Foxboro and a member of the German Club. Survivors include two sons, Norman L. Jr., Hermitage, Tenn., and Raymond, Ventura, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.

ESTREMERA, JUAN, 94, of Brooksville, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Brooksville Regional Hospital. Born in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, he came here five years ago from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Alejandrina Gonzalez De Estremera; four sons, Juan R., Miami; Jose L., Brooksville; Manuel Canino, Orlando, and Manuel Miranda, Carolina, Puerto Rico; six daughters, Juanita Estremera, San Turce, Puerto Rico; Mercedes Estremera, Rio Piedras; Anna Rodrequez, Maria Batt and Maria Victoria, all of Brooksville, and Myriam Lopes, Orlando; a brother, JoPellin, Quebradillas, Puerto Rico; 23 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren. Brewer Memorial Funeral Homes and Crematory, Brooksville.

HANSEN, DON NORMAN "Y.D.", 49, of Brooksville, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center. Born in Audubon, Iowa, he came here 11 years ago from Fort Lauderdale. He served three years in Thailand with the Army Security Agency during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he worked on government contracts in Thailand, Greenland, Ethiopia and the Sinai. He currently was employed as an operations manager for Qwest, Tampa, He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 8713 and past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars #4271, both of Brooksville. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife, Ann B.; his parents, Orville and Ruth Jean, Audubon; a brother, Max Peter, Plano, Texas; and a sister, Ann Chambers, Elk Horn, Iowa. Turner Funeral Homes, Brooksville.

IADAROLA, GEORGE, 76, of Spring Hill, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Oak Hill Hospital. He moved here 12 years ago from his native Waterbury, Conn. He was an Army Air Forces veteran in World War II, a retired assistant store manager for Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co., and member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Spring Hill. Survivors include his wife, Ann Jane; a son, Gary Gualducci, Wolcott, Conn.; a daughter, Valerie Thompson, New Port Richey; four brothers; two sisters; and three grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Hudson.

JENKINS, WALTER IRVING,JR., 79, of Brooksville, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, Md. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he lived in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area until moving to Florida in 1985. He was an Army veteran and was a technical information specialist in the Navy. He was a 32nd degree Mason at the District of Columbia Lodge, a member of the American Legion, Post 99, Brooksville, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Hernando Beach. Survivors include his wife, Katharyn; three sons, Walter I. III, Colorado; Eugene E., Germantown, Md., and John P., Frederick; one brother, Grafton, Brooksville; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick, Md.

LOVE, WILLIAM HUGH, JR., 67, of Aripeka, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at the James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital, Tampa. Born in Sanford, N.C., he moved here 33 years ago from Chesapeake, Va. He was a painter. Survivors include a son, Richard Hugh, Greensboro, N.C.; a daughter, Pamela Love Lynn, Centreville, Va.; a brother, Carlton J., Lakeland; three sisters, Betty J. Mezerewski, Nanticoke, Pa.; Linda Sue Coffey, Greenland, Mich., and Ginny Humphreys, Brooksville; and three grandchildren. Prevatt Funeral Home, Hudson.

PATRICK, DAVID A., SR., 60, of Brooksville, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Oak Hill Hospital. Born in North Tonawanda, N.Y., he moved here seven years ago from Venice, Fla. He was a Navy veteran and a retired cable TV electronic engineer He was Protestant. Survivors include his wife, Sandra; two sons, David Jr., Brooksville, and William H., Savannah, Ga.; a daughter, Dawn Patrick, Port Charlotte; his mother, Elfrieda, Warren, Mich.; a brother, Richard, Sterling Heights, Mich.; and four granddaughters. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.

RUSSELL, MILDRED T., 74, of Spring Hill, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Bayonet Point-Hudson Rehabilitation center. Born in Jamaica, N.Y., she moved here four years ago from Ozone Park, N.Y. Survivors include a brother, Fritz Yannotti, Long Island, N.Y.; three sisters, Lucy Andrew, New Port Richey, Alexandria Carol and Josie DiMagio both of Long Island; and five grandchildren. Family Funeral Care, Hudson.

Hillsborough County Back to top

BERNEY, ELMER, 93, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001). Born in Knoxville, Tenn., he came here in 1965 from Virginia. He was a furniture craftsman, a Navy veteran and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Fern; a daughter, Inez, Augusta, Ga.; two sons, Jim, Anderson, Ind., and Robert, Thornville, Ohio; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

BLAND, BETTY LEE, 71, of Tampa, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Cato, N.Y., she came to the Tampa area 30 years ago. He was worked in the accounting department for a department store. Survivors include her husband, M.J.; a son, Robert Kerr, Miami; a stepdaughter, Glenda Menendez, Tampa; two stepsons, Jerry Bland, Tampa, and Wayne Bland, Vero Beach; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Nebraska Chapel, Tampa.

CUMMINGS, RUDOLPH, 73, of Tampa, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001). He was a Tampa native and a lifelong resident. He was retired from a railroad company, he was a tailor, an Army veteran of World War II, a former baseball player for the National Negro League and a former coach for the Belmont Heights Little League Baseball Team. Survivors include his wife, Lee Ann; a stepdaughter, Joann Gant, Tampa; a stepson, Joe Wright, Tampa; five stepgrandchildren; and 16 stepgreat-grandchildren. Wilson Funeral Home, Tampa.

DIAZ, EMMA ROSE, 78, of Tampa, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Spain, she came to the Tampa area 51 years ago. She was a self-employed dress maker and was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa. Survivors include her husband, Manuel E.; a daughter, Maria B. Diaz, Miami; a brother, Jorge Oscar Martinez, Spain; and a sister, Hilda Martinez de Rodriguez, Spain. Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers, Tampa.

DOSTER, OBED CAREY, 67, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Tampa, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, of natural causes. Born in Dothan, Ala., he moved to Tampa in 1980 from Tallahassee and moved to St. Petersburg in 1988 from Tampa. He was a Realtor and an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include three sons, Craig and Christopher, both of Tampa, and Michael, Newburg, Mo.; two sisters, Gloria Vickery, Daphne, Ala., and Josephine Whitton, Cocoa Beach; several grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Holloway Funeral Home, Tampa.

FOLEY, FRANCIS J., 84, of Tampa, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Mariner Health Care in Tampa. He was born in Jersey City, N.J. He was a sales manager for Swift & Co. Food Distributors and was Catholic. Survivors include a daughter, Betty Willis, Dayton, Ohio; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mark III Funeral Home, South Tampa Chapel.

GILLELAND, TERESA, 34, of Plant City, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) in Plant City. Born in Griffin, Ga., she came to the Tampa area in 1997. She was a jeweler, a Girl Scout leader for Troop 1147, and a member of Christian Home Education of Plant City. Survivors include her husband, Keith; a daughter, Maegan Gilleland, Plant City; her mother, Martha Faye, Alabama; and her father, Charles Bassett, Alabama. Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City.

FISHER, ELIZABETH V., 77, of Tampa, died Friday (Feb. 9, 2001). Survivors include her two grandsons, Frank and Daniel. Florida Mortuary Funeral and Cremation Services, Tampa.

HACKNEY, RANDY ALLEN, 22, of Lakeland, formerly of Tampa, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) in Lakeland. He was a Tampa native and a lifelong Florida resident. He was an ironworker and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Danielle; two daughters, Haley Belle Hackney and Destiny Brooke Hackney, both of Lakeland; his mother, Donnie Hackney, Plant City; and a brother, Bryan Hackney, Lakeland. Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City.

LABOSSIERE, CECILE E., 71, of Riverview, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Brandon Regional Hospital. Born in Worcester, Mass., she came here in 1977 from Charlton, Mass. She was a homemaker, a member of VFW Auxiliary No. 6287 and American Legion No. 148. Survivors include a daughter, Susan G. Paquin, Fiskdale, Mass.; three sons, Dennis and Richard, both of St. Petersburg, and Ronald, Sterling, N.Y.; a brother, Roger LeClair, Auburn, Mass.; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

PORUPSKI, HELEN V., 66, of Tampa, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Carrollwood Care Center in Tampa. Born in New York City, she came here in 1978 from Long Island, N.Y. She was a homemaker and attended St. Timothy's in Northdale. She was Catholic. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Richard Joseph Porupski Sr.; a son, Richard Joseph Porupski Jr., Tampa; a daughter, Evonne Porupski, Long Island, N.Y.; two sisters, Jeanette Berdon, Tampa, and Katherine Vallas, St. Augustine; and three grandchildren. American Heritage Cremation Society, Clearwater.

RADD, IRMA BRASSEUR, 81, of Brandon, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at University Community Hospital. Born in Pennsylvania, she came to the Tampa area more than 50 years ago from Charleroi, Pa. She was a homemaker and a member of Resurrection Community Church. Survivors include her husband, Walter G.; two sons, the Rev. Wayne W. and Walter M.; a brother, Harry C. Brasseur; three sisters, Ida May Brasseur, Dorothy Brasseur and Mary J. Hodges; and three grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

REIFSTECK, VIRGIE WATERS, 72, of Brandon, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Tandem Nursing Home in Brandon. Born in Brooker, she came here 19 years ago from Gainesville. She was a waitress and a member of Brandon Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Hensley, Dover; two sons, James Todd, Valrico, and Eric Todd, Perry; a sister, Jane Phillips, Altoona; a brother, Herman Waters, Lakeland; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Armenia Chapel, Tampa.

WOOTEN, NANCY LYKES, 86, of Tampa, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001). She was a Tampa native and a lifelong resident. She was a member of Tampa Yacht & Country Club and Founders Garden Circle. Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Wooten Oliver; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, MacDill Avenue Chapel, Tampa.

Pasco County Back to top

CARBO, MARY, 91, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Countryside Health Care Center, Palm Harbor. Born in Italy, she came here 27 years ago from Wheaton, Ill. She was a retired licensed practical nurse and member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include a son, Frank, Chicago; a daughter, Lucille Pizzolato, New Port Richey; a sister, Carmela Ferrara, Chicago; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

CONDIFF, ALICE R., 94, of New Port Richey, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Harborside Healthcare Gulf Coast, New Port Richey. Born in Russia, she came here 10 years ago and was retired from retail sales. She was Lutheran. Survivors include a sister, Catherine Bisti, New Port Richey. Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Port Richey.

CRABB, MARY MENTH, 89, of Scottsdale, Ariz., formerly of New Port Richey, died Friday (Feb. 2, 2001) at home. Born in Henrico County, Va., she moved to Arizona in November from New Port Richey. Survivors include her son, Jim Murphy, Scottsdale; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter, both of Arizona. Paul R. Young Funeral Home, Cincinnati.

DAMON-SOLONY, MICHELE, 32, of Inverness, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Hampton, Va., she moved from Port Richey to Inverness seven months ago. She worked in telecommunications for Dial American, Ocala. Survivors include her husband, Patrick Solony; a daughter, Faith, Inverness; and her mother, Jacqueline Haskins-Damon, Port Richey. Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness.

DAUNT, JOHN, 77, of Bayonet Point, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Bayonet Point Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Bronx, N.Y., he came here 21 years ago from Bay Shore, N.Y. He was an Army veteran of World War II, a lineman for the Long Island Lighting Co., a member of the Elks Lodge, New Port Richey, and member of St. Michael Church. Survivors include his wife, Theresa; a son, Kevin J., Palm Beach Gardens; three daughters, Joyce A., Encinitas, Calif., Jacqueline Middleton, Port Richey, and Maureen Getty, Hudson; a brother, Stephen, East Williston, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. Bell Funeral Home, Hudson.

FLYNN, WILLIAM R., JR., 72, of Bayonet Point, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he came here 14 years ago from Dayton, Ohio. He was a retired pipe fitter with Local 162 in Dayton, a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife, Betty; three sons, Steve, San Antonio, Mike, Brooksville, and David, Hudson; a daughter, Kayla Ayres, Dayton; a sister, Jeri Calloway, Star City, Ind.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Prevatt Funeral Home, Hudson.

FREY, JAMES A., 77, of Port Richey, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he moved here 13 years ago from Fishkill, N.Y. He was a Navy veteran in World War II, a retired milk deliveryman employed by Fitchett Bros. Dairy, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7845. He was Catholic. Survivors include two sons, James, Chester, N.Y., and William, Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; two daughters, Candice Kline, Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and Jill Brine, Port Richey; a sister, Kathy Levesque, New York; and two grandchildren. Family Funeral Care, Hudson.

HYRE, EDMUND L., 70, of Port Richey, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at home. Born in Dayton, Ohio, he came here 11 years ago from Greenville, Ohio. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and a retired plasterer. He was a Jehovah's Witness. Survivors include his wife, Louise; a son, Steven, Port Richey; two daughters, Cathy Price, Syracuse, N.Y., and Rebecca Shirk, Port Richey; a sister, Jean Gearheart, New Port Richey; an aunt, Iva Loudenslager, Hudson; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

LEWANDOWSKI, EMILY SUE, 62, of Port Richey, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at the Hospice House of Pasco, New Port Richey. Born in Cleveland, Tenn., she came here eight years ago from Woodhaven, N.Y. She was a senior claims assistant for State Farm Insurance and a member of Faith Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Thomas; a son, David Nagy, Massapequa Park, N.Y.; two daughters, Dawn Novak, Oceanside, N.Y., and Laura Rovegno, Port Richey; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

MELANSON, YVONNE MARIE, 85, of Holiday, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Harborside Healthcare, Palm Harbor. Born in Saint-Louis, New Brunswick, she moved here 25 years ago from Springfield, Mass. She was a homemaker and member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Survivors include two brothers, Camille and Ernest, both of Saint-Anthony, New Brunswick; a sister, Irene H. Gauvin, Holiday and Cape Cod, Mass.; and many nephews and nieces. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday.

O'NEAL, ELOISE, 59, of Dade City, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Heritage Park Specialty Care Center. Born in Dothan, Ala., she moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and was a homemaker. She was Christian. Survivors include her companion, Willie Seals; two nieces, Margaret Currey and Pat Jernigan, both of Defuniak Springs,; three nephews, Tyler Newmons, Laceys Spring, Ala., Don Lockard, Plant City, and Johnny Lockard, LaGrange, Ga.; and many great-nephews and great-nieces. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.

QUINN, MINNIE L., 101, of New Port Richey, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Heather Hill Nursing Center. She came here two years ago from her native Sunnyside, N.Y., and was an office manager. She was Lutheran. Survivors include two nephews, David Dowd, Shelter Island, N.Y., and Theodore Dowd, Tampa; and a niece, Elsie Standley, New Port Richey. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

ROBILLARD, DEANE ARTHUR, 68, of Zephyrhills, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Pasco Regional Medical Center. Born in Avonmore, Ontario, he came here 10 years ago from Punta Gorda. He was a commercial electrician, and member of the Zephyrhills Moose Lodge, and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was Presbyterian. Survivors include his wife, Corinne; a son, Terry Robert, Surrey, British Columbia; and a brother, Doug, London, Ontario. Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

ROMPPAINEN, KAARLO V., 83, of Seminole, formerly of Zephyrhills, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001) at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, South Pasadena. He was born in Hurontown, Mich., came to Zephyrhills in 1992 from Dayville, Conn., and moved to Seminole in 1999. He retired as a heavy equipment operator in construction and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a 50-year member of Carpenters Local 30 in Connecticut, a 50-year member of VFW Post 2650 and a life member of American Legion Post 21, both of Danielson, Conn. Survivors include his wife, Alice F.; four daughters, Joan Messler, Juno Beach, Gail Hopkins, Woodstock, Conn., Carol McCarty, Burlington, Conn., and Nancy Mairano, Farmington, Conn.; a son, Roy, Woodstock Valley, Conn.; two stepdaughters, Susan Sinclair, Seminole, and Gloria Pollock, Zephyrhills; a sister, Derna Cohen, Las Vegas; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. E. Dale Gunter Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

SANSKY, ROBERT, 60, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) in Tampa. Born in Endicott, N.Y., he came here three years ago from Sun City Center. He was a Navy veteran, and an electrical construction engineer employed by HCA Hospital Corporation of America. He was a member of the American Legion Post 179, Holiday, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chester McKay Post 7987, New Port Richey, and a life member of the Florida Hospital Engineers Association. Survivors include his wife, Jean; three daughters, Laurie Weir and Wendy Relue, both of Tampa, and Julie Carmelo, St. Petersburg; and four grandchildren. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

SLOBODIAN, LAURA M., 71, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Richmond, Va., she moved here 20 years ago from Syracuse, N.Y. She was a retired hairdresser and beautician, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7290 Auxiliary, all in Syracuse. She was Protestant. Survivors include her husband, Harry; a son, Walter G. Amos, Richmond; a stepson, Donald, Syracuse; a stepdaughter, Linda Armstrong, Atlanta; three brothers, Estil Jones, Chiefland, Robert Jones, Yreka, Calif., and James Jones, Erwin, Tenn.; three sisters, Jenell Kahmann, Missoula, Mont., Doris Caldwell, Erwin, Tenn., and Barbara Jude, Yreka; and nine grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

SNEED, JOSEPHINE SMILEY, 80, of Dade City, 80, died Friday (Feb. 9, 2001) at the Hospice House, Dade City. She came here many years ago from her native Winfield. She was a homemaker and member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include a sister, Maggie Jones, Dade City; an aunt, Alice Frison, Lakeland; and many nephews and nieces. Community Funeral Service, Brooksville.

SYLVIA, LILLIAN L., 74, of Holiday, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Harborside Healthcare Gulf Coast. Born in New Bedford, Mass., she came here seven years ago from Wareham, Mass. She was retired from retail sales, a member of the Holiday Lakes Estates Civic Association, and member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She was a member of St. Ignatius of Antioch Roman Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Peter M. Jr.; a son, Wayne, Uxbridge, Mass.; a daughter, Sharon Coggeshall, New Bedford; two sisters, Costa Frances, New Bedford, and Mary Pacheco, Acuchnet, Mass.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

TATE, ROY E., SR., 87, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Southern Pines Nursing Center. Born in Nashville, Tenn., he came here 23 years ago from Cincinnati. He was an Army veteran of the 121st Infantry in World War II and awarded the Bronze Star. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and member of Prince of Peace Church, New Port Richey. Survivors include his wife, Gladys J.; a son, Roy E., Jr., Cincinnati; a daughter, T. Ann Gibbons, Ph.D., Sarasota; a brother, Raymond, Cincinnati; two sisters, Dorothy Taylor, Tampa, and Estelle Ruehl, Cincinnati; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

WAZOCHA, LEIGH ANNE, 49, of Dade City, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Pasco Regional Medical Center. Born in Minneapolis, she moved here five years ago from Land O'Lakes. She was a schoolteacher and a member of the Dade City Worship Center. Survivors include her husband, Joseph; three sons, Christopher Denhoff, Plant City, Shaun Denhoff, Dade City, and David Laturno, Chicago; her father, Oscar Anderson, Tampa; a sister, Laura Reuben, Tampa; and three grandchildren. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.

WILLIAMS, EMMA HARRIS, 83, of Zephyrhills, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001) at Sunbelt Healthcare Center of Zephyrhills. Born in Plainfield, N.J., she came here 18 months ago from Washington, N.J., and was a billing clerk for a structural steel company. She was Protestant. Survivors include a sister, Laura H. Vliet, Zephyrhills; and a nephew, Laurence C. Vliet, Colorado Springs, Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

North Pinellas Back to top

Clearwater

ARCHER, VERA G., 96, of Clearwater, died Monday (Jan. 29, 2001) at Integrated Health Services of Clearwater. She was born in Gwinnett County, Ga., and came here in 1982 from Atlanta. She retired as a real estate agent and was a member of Seminole First Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Winifred A. Van Every, Clearwater; a sister, Frances Wood, Greensboro, N.C.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.
ECHOLS, PAULINE JEANETTE, 58, of Macclenny, formerly of Clearwater, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at home following an extended illness. She was born in Fall River, Mass., and lived in Clearwater and Miami before moving in 1988 to Macclenny. She worked as an operational analyst for more than 22 years with Barnett and NationsBank of Jacksonville and attended St. Mary's Catholic Church of Macclenny. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy D.; four sons, Kevin W. Smith, Macclenny, Gregory D., Raleigh, N.C., Randy J., Apex, N.C., and Ridney, Woodstock, Ga.; three stepdaughters, Judy Echols, Pensacola, Jennifer Morgan, Atlanta, and Tracy Martinez, Apple Valley, Calif.; a stepson, Jimmy D. Jr., St. Petersburg; two sisters, Jacqualyn Michaud, Macclenny, and Lucille Chittick, Palm Beach; and 11 grandchildren. Guerry Funeral Home, Macclenny.
FROST, EDWIN E., 94, of Clearwater, formerly of Belleair died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Morton Plant Rehabilitation Center, Clearwater. He was born in Hoboken, N.J., and came here in 1972 from New York City. He was a stockbroker, held a seat on the Stock Exchange in the 1930s and was associated with Goldman Sachs & Co. During World War II, he was a member of the War Production Board in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne G. National Cremation Society, Largo.
HEYWOOD, ELSIE, 81, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Tarpon Bayou Center, Tarpon Springs. She was born in Stockport, England, and came here in 1960 from Rochester, N.Y. She was a homemaker and Protestant. There are no known survivors. International Mortuary Services, Pinellas Park.
MILLS, JOHN L., 33, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at home of Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). He came here in 1973 from his native Omaha, Neb. He worked as a sales associate at Peaches Music, Clearwater, and was Methodist. Survivors include his parents, Patricia and Blair Mills, Clearwater; three brothers, Bruce, Marietta, Ga., Brian, Naperville, Ill., and David, Lakeland; a sister, Denise Luft, Little Rock, Ark., and several nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
SABBIDES, GARY L., 47, of Clearwater, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. He came here in 1958 from his native Springfield, Mass. He was a general contractor for the family owned Sabbides Construction Co. He was Baptist. Survivors include two sons, Darius T.D. Sabbides and Melvin Woodard, both of Clearwater; a daughter, Deanna Richardson, Seminole; his father, Charles, St. Petersburg; four brothers, Charles, Dunedin, Richard, Largo, Terry, Holiday, and Thomas, Tavares; a sister, Charlyn Gibson, Pinellas Park; two grandchildren; and 12 nieces and nephews. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Fort Harrison Chapel, Clearwater.

Dunedin

JACKSON, PAUL H., 82, of Dunedin, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Dunedin Care Center. He was born in Emmaus, Pa., and came here in 1988 from Allentown, Pa. He was a draftsman-designer and quality checker and worked for F.L. Smidth-Fuller-Gaty and Penn Power & Light. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and DAV Chapter 103, both of Dunedin, the Central Florida Theater Organ Society and the American Theater Organ Society. Survivors include a niece, Marguerite R. Kuhn, and two nephews, Charles R. and Donald B. Jackson, all of Allentown. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Dunedin Chapel.
MARTIN, JUAN, 50, of Dunedin, died Thursday (Feb. 8, 2001) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. Thereare no known survivors. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Largo

BASSETT, GEORGE A., 77, of Largo, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and came here in 1974 from Texas, where he retired from the Air Force after 30 years with the rank of senior master sergeant. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the European-African-Middle Eastern campaigns. He was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Louise; two daughters, Karen Kuhles and Debra Warren, both of Largo; a brother, Robert, Belleair; three grandchildren, Edward Kuhles, Safety Harbor, Jennifer Zonts, Seminole, and Gentry Niestemski, San Antonio, Texas; and four great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.
CHATHAM, ANNIE LOIS JAMIESON MEW, 67, of Largo, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. She was born in Gouverneur, N.Y., and came here in 1958 from Ontario. She was a licensed practical nurse and worked for Sun Coast Hospital, Largo and Menorah Manor, St. Petersburg. She was Protestant. Survivors include a son, Jack R. Mew, Largo; two daughters, Joanne L. Sulek and Patty L. Mew, both of Clearwater; a sister, Susan Lyon, Springfield, Va.; and a companion, Paul Lamoureux, Largo. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
DELANEY, ANNA, 83, of Largo, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Palm Garden of Largo nursing home. She was born in South River, N.J., and came here in 1986 from Clifton, N.J. She was a retired licensed practical nurse. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Matthews, Largo, and Elizabeth Agnello, Passaic, N.J.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Gulf Breeze Cremation & Burial Society, Largo.
HITNER, ROBERT MOORE, 89, of Largo, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. He was born in Carthage, Mo., and came here in 1955 from Wichita, Kan. He was a manufacturers' representative and a member of Highland Presbyterian Church of Largo. Survivors include his wife, Dorthy; a son, Larry M., Louisville, Ky.; two granddaughters, Susan Nickman, Salt Lake City, and Alison Mouton, Bangkok, Thailand; and five great-grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
PETERS, DOROTHY J. "DOTTIE," 78, of Largo, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Mariner Health Care of Clearwater from Alzheimer's. She was born in Currie, Minn., and came here in 1973 from Minneapolis. She worked as a personalized insurance saleswoman for Bozeman Insurance Co., and was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Seminole. Survivors include her husband of 53 years, John A. Jr.; three sons, Bruce, Los Angeles, Richard, Minneapolis, and Randy, Apple Valley, Minn.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
TRACY, JACK F. JR., 86, of Largo, died Thursday (Feb. 8, 2001) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. He was born in Chicago and came here in 1968 from Houston. He was a retired executive of Seagrams Distillers. He organized a drum and bugle corps and earned two Bronze Stars while serving in the Army during World War II. He led his own band during the big band era. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty; a son, Jack F. III, Winter Springs; a daughter, Nancy Tracy Kip, Boca Raton; and three grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
TRENT, ROBERT TAYLOR, 53, of Largo, formerly of Seminole, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001) at home. He came to Seminole in 1988 from his native Detroit and in 1991 moved to Largo. He worked as a tool maker for Sun Micro Stamping in Clearwater and he was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include a son, Brett Taylor Trent of Seminole, and his father, Ralph R., Warren, Mich. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
WOLSKE, CLIFFORD JAMES, 64, of Inverness, formerly of Largo, died Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2001) at home. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and came here last year from Largo. He was a retired draftsman. Survivors include two sons, Michael, Hoechen, Germany, and Mark, Boise, Idaho; a daughter, Denise Bander, White Plains, N.Y.; his father, Kenneth W.; two sisters, Janice Bowden and Patsy Pennington; and four grandchildren. Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.

Oldsmar

BRIGHT, ROBERT L., 75, of Scottsburg, Ind., a winter resident of Oldsmar, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Scott Memorial Hospital, Scottsburg. He was an annual visitor from Scottsburg. He retired after 26 years in the Army and retired from Cummins Engine Co., Columbus, Ind. He was a veteran of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where he received three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He was a member of Scottsburg Christian Church and Scottsburg Masonic Lodge 172 F&AM. Survivors include his wife, Norvetta "Bodie" Rogers; five sons, Randy, Franklin, Ind., James, Scottsburg, Carl, Columbus, Ind., Jesse, Mount Dora, and Steven, Charleston, S.C.; two daughters, Kathy Anderkin, Scottsburg, and Beverly K. Gee, Nineveh, Ind.; three stepchildren, Kim Robertson, Northbrook, Ill., Jama Pecore, Norman, Okla., and Tanya Murphy, Sellersburg, Ind.; two brothers, Marvin, Madison, Ind., and Grant, Lexington, Ind.; a sister, Florence, Lexington; 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Stewart Funeral Home, Scottsburg, Ind.

Palm Harbor

CHIPOLETTI, NUNZIO, 81, of Delray Beach, formerly of Palm Harbor, died Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2001) at home. He came to Palm Harbor in 1987 from Arnold, Pa., and moved recently to Delray Beach. He retired as a technician in 1970 from Alcoa of New Kensington, Pa. He was an Army veteran of World War II and served with the 77th Division, Company C, 306th Infantry. He was a former member of Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both of New Kensington, and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America, Pittsburgh. Survivors include his wife of 17 months, Alyce Hillman; two daughters, Anita Davis, Safety Harbor, and Carol Davenoport, Orland Park, Ill.; three brothers, Frank, New Kensington, Weido, Erie, Pa., and Silvio of Florida; two sisters, Yolando Bertoni of Arizona, and Betty Jane Chipoletti, Greensburg, Pa.; and two grandchildren. Guinta Funeral Home, Arnold, Pa.
FELTNER, CARL L., 91, of Palm Harbor, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Manor Care Palm Harbor nursing home. He was born in Clarke County, Va., and came here in 1977 from Arlington, Va. He retired from the Washington, D.C., Water Department. He was a member of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, Cherrydale Masonic Lodge 42 F&AM, Arlington, and a 32nd degree Shrine member of Egypt Shrine Temple and Scottish Rite, both of Tampa. Survivors include two sons, Richard N., Naperville, Ill., and John P., Vilseck, Germany; a sister, Charlotte Freeman, Rockville, Md.; and three grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Safety Harbor

ALTAMURA, SERAFINA M., 83, of Safety Harbor, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Tandem Health Care at Safety Harbor. She was born in Hoboken, N.J., and came here in 1976 from Fair Lawn, N.J. She was a homemaker and a seamstress and a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Joseph; two sons, Leonard, Oldsmar, and John, St. Pete Beach; a daughter, Catherine Lazzizzera, Safety Harbor; a brother, Nicholas Camporeale, Clearwater; and three grandchildren, Joseph Altamura and Janet Widera, both of Palm Harbor, and Michael Lazzizzera, Safety Harbor. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

Seminole

NIETHAMER, JULIUS, 99, of Seminole, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at home. He was born in Germany and came here in 1972 from Long Island, N.Y. He worked as a plant superintendent for an aircraft manufacturing company. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Seminole where he served as head usher from 1972-1989, and was also a member of the church's Holy Name Society, and the Pinellas Park Art Society. Survivors include his wife, Josephine; five grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. E. James Reese Funeral Home & Crematory, Seminole.
PAWLOWSKI, STANLEY THEODORE, 90, of Seminole, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Tandem Health Care at Seminole. He was born in Union City, N.J., and came here in 1979 from Montvale, N.J. He retired after 47 years as a machinist with the Susquehanna Railroad. He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church and the church's Holy Name Society, Largo, and the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Wanda; two daughters, Patricia E. Williamson, Seminole, and Carol Ann Hochstaedt, Palm Beach Gardens; a sister, Rose Mischio of Wisconsin; and four grandchildren, Carol Williamson, Clearwater, Robert Williamson, Seminole, John Hochstaedt, Palm Beach Gardens, and Diane Hochstaedt, Boca Raton. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.

Tarpon Springs

BACKUS, INEZ ELEANOR, 86, of Tarpon Springs, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at home. She came here in 1980 from her native St. Paul, Minn., where she retired as a bank service representative. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the church's Ruth Circle, Tarpon Springs, the Clearwater Bridge Club, the Chevron Retirees Assocation, and a past Grand Royal Matron of Minnesota OES, Deputy Supreme Royal Matron of White Shrine (a national organization), and member of Order of Amaranth and Order of the Eastern Star, all of Minnesota, and member of Boadway United Methodist Church and the Echo Duplicate Bridge Club, both of Paducah, Ky. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Legendre, Gulf Breeze; two sons, Dean Cederholm, Paducah, and Allen Backus, Raleigh, N.C.; a brother, Dale Peterson, Minneapolis; a sister, Myrtle Waugh, Ponca City, Okla.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs.
BERLIN, ROBERT W., 85, of Tarpon Springs, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001) at Tarpon Bayou Center. He was born in Galesburg, and moved here in 1980 from Kewanee, Ill. He was a tool and die maker at Martin Engineering, Neponset, Ill., and an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Egypt Temple Shrine, Tampa, and the Lions Club, Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge, all of Kewanee. He was Protestant. Survivors include his son, Robert L., Bayonet Point; a brother, John, Kewanee; and one grandchild. Preferred Funeral Alternatives, Holiday.
CARUSO, BELLE, 84, of Tarpon Springs, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Homewood at Countryside, Clearwater. She was born in Pittsburgh and came here in 1985 from Hamden, Conn. She was a homemaker and Jewish. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Ann McCarthy, Palm Harbor, and Barbara Caruso, Oxford, Ohio. Family Funeral Care, Tarpon Springs.
DONABAUER, IRENE CATHERINE, 69, of Tarpon Springs, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. She was born in Ashley, Pa., and came here in 1988 from Rockaway, N.J. She was a homemaker and worked 12 years as a cashier at Morris Knolls High School, Denville, N.J. She was a member of St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include a daughter, Lou-Ann A. Donabauer, Tarpon Springs; a son, Joseph M., Parsippany, N.J.; three grandchildren, Ashley Donabauer, Tarpon Springs, and Gina Marie and Samantha Donabauer, both of Parsippany; and several nieces and nephews. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.

South Pinellas Back to top

Pinellas Park

GERARD, FRANK L., 72, of Pinellas Park, died Saturday (Feb. 3, 2001) at Vencor Hospital -- St. Petersburg. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., he came here five years ago from Redding, Calif. Survivors include a son, Francis "Lee," Largo; a daughter, Jeannine Gerard, Miami; eight grandchildren; and six-great-grandchildren. At Peace Cremation Services, Sarasota.

St. Pete Beach

FARGO, HELEN LEWIS, 95, of St. Pete Beach, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at College Harbor Nursing Center. Born in Sommerville, Mass., she came here in 1957 from Huntington, W.Va. She was a homemaker, president of the auxiliary at Trinity Episcopal Church in Huntington and chairwoman of the church's Kanawha Convocation. She was a lifetime member of the Huntington Federated Women's Club and Goodwill Industries, a 50-year member of St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and a member of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Republican clubs. Survivors include two sons, Glenn E. Jr., Lexington, Ky., and Lewis F., Lewes, Del.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Beach Chapel, St. Pete Beach.

St. Petersburg

ALLEN, CLAIRE E., 86, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at Edward White Hospital, St. Petersburg. Born in South Boston, Mass., she came here in 1997 from Sandwich, Mass. She taught piano for 60 years in Sandwich and Milton, Mass., and was a church organist at St. Kevin's Catholic Church in Dorchester, Mass., St. Angela's Catholic Church in Milton and Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sandwich. She was an accompanist for the Milton Choral Society and organist at Otis Air Force Base Chapel in Cape Cod, Mass. She was a real estate agent in Sandwich. She enjoyed gardening and crossword puzzles. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. Survivors include three cousins, Diane E. Burns, St. Petersburg, Gordon I. Peterson, Springfield, Va., and Chris Peterson, Long Island, N.Y. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

BATIATO, RAMON ROBERT, 83, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. Born in Westfield, N.J., he came here in 1978 from Union, N.J. He was a specification writer for Bristol-Myers for more than 35 years. He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran and a member of Disabled American Veterans Largo Chapter 143. He attended Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle and was a former secretary of the church's Holy Name Society and member of the Legion of Mary. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1224 and a volunteer at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines since 1979, with more than 24,000 volunteer hours. He also was a member of the Quarter-century Club of Bristol-Myers. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Lillian Caprio Batiato; two sons, Ramon C., Floyd, Va., and Richard D., Orlando; a daughter, Maryanne Batiato; two brothers, Philip, Bradenton, and Adolph, Toms River, N.J.; and four grandchildren. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

BERIEN, CHARLES, 79, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. Born in Valdosta, Ga., he came here in 1946 from Live Oak. He was a retired cement finisher and was Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Virginia; a son, Sylvester, New Smyrna Beach; and a daughter, Viola Cooper, a stepdaughter, Gwendolyn J. Evans, and five sisters, Navola McCloud, Loye McKiver, Bonnie B. Johnson, Eugene Scott and Carolyn Moody, all of St. Petersburg. Creal Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.

BOYLE, JOHN RICHARD, 75, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at home. He came here in 1991 from his native Brooklyn, N.Y. He was an accountant and a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and attended Holy Cross Catholic Church. Survivors include a sister, Margaret Hilley, St. Petersburg; and a brother, Joseph, California. Brett Funeral Home & Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

BROOKS, JAMES A., 53, of Largo, formerly of St. Petersburg and Gulfport, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Largo Medical Center. He was born in St. Petersburg and was a lifetime area resident. He graduated from Dixie Hollins High School and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. He worked as a window clerk for the U.S. Postal Service for 28 years at the Largo Main Post Office. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, where he was a tank commander. He was Baptist and an avid hunter and fisherman. Survivors include his wife, Evie; two sons, Jimmie and David, both of St. Petersburg; a daughter, Paula Brooks, North Ford, Va.; his parents, Gylneas and Jim Geracia, Gulfport; two brothers, Bill, West Palm Beach, and Donald, Gulfport; and two sisters, Betty Hurt, Gulfport, and Tiny Randolph, Naples, Fla. Gulfport Memorial Funeral Home.

BROWN, BETTY SUE JACKSON, 65, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (Feb. 10, 2001) at Edward White Hospital, St. Petersburg. She was a St. Petersburg native, a 1951 graduate of Gibbs High School and a homemaker. She was a member of Bethel Community Baptist Church. Survivors include her mother, Beaula Jackson, a brother, Robert Lee Jackson, an aunt, Eloise Johnson, and an uncle, Johnnie Mack, all of St. Petersburg; 10 nieces; and 11 nephews. McRae Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.

BURNS, CECELIA A., 96, of Champaign, Ill., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001). Born in Blue Island, Ill., she came to St. Petersburg in 1957 from Beecher, Ill., and lived here until March 1998, when she returned to Illinois. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crocheting and making jewelry. She was Methodist. Survivors include five cousins, Connie Patterson, Mahomet, Ill., Marion Hill, Chicago, Gwen Panici, Braidwood, Ill., Shirley Parkinson, Rochester, Mich., and Richard Dierking, New Port Richey. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-McLeod Chapel, St. Petersburg.

DeBOER, MICHAEL PETER, 50, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg. Born in Los Angeles, he came here in 1990 from Kansas City, Mo. He was a former camping tent manufacturer. Survivors include his mother, Maxine, and a brother, John, both of Sequim, Wash. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.

FRUIT, MARTHA J., 99, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Shore Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She came here in 1970 from her native Manchester, Ind. She was a retired elementary school teacher. Survivors include two nieces, Marilyn Garrison, North Manchester, Ind., and Geraldine Robinette, Naples, Fla. John S. Rhodes, East Chapel, St. Petersburg.

HIRN, DORIS H., 86, of Bloomington, Ind., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Friday (Feb. 9, 2001) at Grandview Convalescent Center, Martinsville, Ind. She was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and lived here for more than 34 years. She was a housewife and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church. She was a Girl Scout leader from 1920 to 1970. Survivors include six daughters, Martha Pruitt, Tampa, Claudia Stewart, Palm Harbor, Susan Frank, New York City, Mary Ellen Shotto, Clearwater, Nancy Byrd, Bloomington, and Debbie Malas, Nixa, Mo.; a brother, Jerry Hooker, Palm Harbor; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Deremiah-Frey Mortuary, Greene & Harrel Chapel, Bloomington, Ill.

HOFMANN, WILLIAM, 82, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2001) at home. Born in Richmond Hill, N.Y., he came here 12 years ago from Dover, Del. He was a retired boat captain and a member of Church of the Transfiguration. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Frances; two sons, Edward, St. Petersburg, and William, Dover; four daughters, Carolann Mastrodicasa, Oakdale, N.Y., Arlene Morrelli, New Port Richey, and Marcella Illuminato and Marylou Bunocore, both of Lindenhurst, N.Y.; a brother, Harold, Dover; 23 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. R. Lee Williams & Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 49th Street N Chapel, St. Petersburg.

MONTEITH, CHARLES A., 64, of Bradenton, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton. Born in Detroit, he came here in 1976 from Ann Arbor, Mich. He was an electronics technician and owned Monteith Business Machines of Bradenton. Survivors include three sons, Charles R., St. Petersburg, David S., Bradenton, and Thomas W., Rochester Hills, Mich.; and five grandchildren. Covell Cremation & Funeral Center, Bradenton.

MULLINIX, ROBERT L., 79, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Vencor Hospital -- St. Petersburg. Born in Chattanooga, Tenn., he came here in 1994 from Palm Desert, Calif. He worked in mobile home sales and was Methodist. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Ruth P.; two daughters, Belinda Owens, England, and Cynthia L. Mullinix, New York; and three grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

NICHOLS, J. MICHAEL, 51, of Homosassa, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Monday (Feb. 12, 2001) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital, Crystal River. Born in Phoenix, he moved to Homosassa seven years ago from St. Petersburg. He was an automotive salesman. Survivors include a daughter, Danielle, St. Petersburg, and his mother, Iola Bruning, Homosassa. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory, Inverness.

PICKETT, CLEO WHITMAN, 93, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at Egret Cove Center. Born in Hazelhurst, Ga., she came here in 1933 from Tampa. She was a licensed optician and worked for several optometrists in St. Petersburg. She attended Pasadena Community Church. She was past president of the American Business Women's Association and a life member of OES Eureka Chapter 5. Survivors include her husband of more than 15 years, William M.; a son, John Whitman, St. Petersburg; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

RICHARDS, MARILYNN, 57, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg. Born in Dearborn, Mich., she came here in 1998 from Cincinnati. She was a former bookkeeper for George Hunt Construction Co., Clearwater. Survivors include a son, Ray B. Runyan, Rio Rancho, Minn. Abbey Affordable Cremation & Funeral Services, Largo.

STULL, JOHN E., 77, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at home under hospice care. Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, he came here in 1958 from Akron, Ohio. He was a buyer for Maas Brothers department store and was a member of Bayridge Baptist Church, Seminole. He was an Army veteran of World War II and received the Bronze Star. Survivors include a son, Rodney, Largo; a daughter, Karen Daniels, St. Petersburg; a sister, Thelma Feller, North Canton, Ohio; and four grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.

THOMAS, MURIEL, 93, of Charlotte, N.C., a frequent visitor to St. Petersburg, died Sunday (Feb. 11, 2001) at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte. She was born in Wales and was a former member of Welsh Presbyterian Church, New York City, and the Welsh Women's Choir. She was a member of the North Carolina Welsh Society, Live Wires, 39 and Holding and the International Club. Survivors include two daughters, Gweneth Gonzalez, Matthews, N.C., and Diana Doher Panageotes, Leominster, Mass.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. McEwen Funeral and Cremation Service, Charlotte Chapel, Charlotte, N.C.

WAGENMAN, LIZABETH C. "LISA," 40, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2001) at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg, after a short illness. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., she came here in 1971 from Sherman Oaks, Calif. She was the owner and operator of Distinctive Interiors by Lisa and a member of Pinellas Community Church. Survivors include her husband of six years, James F. "Jim"; a son, David, two daughters, Ashley and Giana, her father, Erasmo Pupo, her mother, Irela Pupo, and two brothers, Pedro Pupo and Billy Pupo, all of St. Petersburg; and a sister, Vivian Fowler, Studio City, Calif. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg