St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

SUNCOAST DEATHS

Sunday, May 7, 2000

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

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

FORTE, NORA MAE STAFFORD, 84, of Inverness, died Thursday (May 4, 2000). Born in Sweet Gum Head, she came here 55 years ago from Crystal River. She was a Baptist. Survivors include a son, Wilburn, Brooksville; three daughters, Voncille Kuykendall, Texas, Willine Feldt, California, and Ruby Berry, Jacksonville; several brothers and sisters; 17 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes, Inverness Chapel.

SCHMIDTKE, OTTO T., 83, of Inverness, died Friday (May 5, 2000). Born in Detroit, he came here 22 years ago from Redford Township, Mich., and retired after 32 years as a crib attendant for G.M. Diesel. He was a member of Grace Bible Fellowship, Hernando, and UAW Local 163, Redford Township. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Crooks; a son, Thomas, Canton, Mich.; two daughters, Lorraine Hawley, East Jordan, Mich., and Jean McCann, Farmington, Mich.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Hooper Funeral Homes, Inverness Chapel.

Hernando County Back to top

COLEMAN, JOSEPH N., 19, of Spring Hill, died Thursday (May 4, 2000). Born in Tampa, he came here last month from Rome, Ga., and was a painter for the construction industry. He was a member of the Messianic Hebrew faith. Survivors include his parents, Robert and Karen Coleman, Spring Hill; a brother, Joel, Spring Hill; five sisters, Sherry Vogen, Leland, Ill., and Janel, Rebekah, Charlotte and April Coleman, all of Spring Hill; and his paternal grandmother, Phyllis Coleman, Spring Hill. Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill Chapel.

HINKELMAN, RAYMOND A., 72, of Homosassa, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. Born in Royal Oak, Mich., he came here 15 years ago from Sand Lake, Mich., and was a retired machinist foreman for the automotive industry. He was a Lutheran. Survivors include three sons, Roy and Paul, both of Troy, Mich., and Walter, St. Petersburg; four daughters, Linda Fryza, Rochester Hills, Mich., Mary Ann Robert, Houston, Sherry Pratt, Hazel Park, Mich., and Karen Herr, Homosassa; two brothers, Carl and Tom, both of Sand Lake; a sister, Alice Smith, Hale, Mich.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River/Lecanto.

McGREGOR, VICTORIA ANNE BUCZAK, 99, of Brooksville, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at home. Born in Poland, she came here 90 years ago from Chicago. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. Survivors include several nephews and nieces. Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill Chapel.

Hillsborough County Back to top

DAVIS, JAMES ELLIOT, 79, of Seffner, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at home. Born in New York City, he came to the area 45 years ago. He was the owner and operator of Davis Heather Kennels. He was Presbyterian. Survivors include his wife, Edna, and a son, Jeffrey. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

FLOWERS, HORACE, 71, of Tampa, died Tuesday (May 2, 2000) in Tampa. Born in Tampa, he was a lifelong resident. He was an exterminator and an Army veteran. He was Baptist. Survivors include his mother, Ella, Tampa; three daughters, Patty Summers and Kim Flowers, both of Riverview, and Pamela Sue Flowers, North Carolina; a brother, Bobby, Mineral Bluff, Ga.; two sisters, Doris Wisner, Brooksville, and Peggy Shultz, Tampa; and eight grandchildren. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

GIBSON, MYRA GENE, 69, of Temple Terrace, died Saturday (May 6, 2000) at home under care of LifePath Hospice. She was a lifelong resident of Tampa. She was a homemaker and a member of Temple Terrace Community Church. Survivors include her husband, James B. III; two sons, Rickey C. and Randal C., both of Tampa. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

OVERBECK, MARY PATRICIA, 51, of Wesley Chapel, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at East Pasco Medical Center. Born in Covington, Ky., she came to the Tampa area four years ago from Lexington, Ky. She was an executive secretary in the construction business. She was Catholic. Survivors include her husband, Dale; a son, Matthew, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; a daughter, Kristina Lopes, Plymouth, England; her parents, Thomas and Elsie McGlone, Fort Mitchell, Ky.; a brother, John McGlone, Crestview, Ky.; a sister, Carol McGlone, Crestview; and two grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

SHUMP, JAMES O., 80, of Plant City, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at Lakeland Regional Hospital. Born in Scioto, Ohio, he came to the Tampa area in 1977 from West Palm Beach. He was a tax agent for the IRS. He served in the Army for four years and in the Air Force for 20. He also served in the Air Force reserves. He was a veteran of WWII. He was a member of Bethany Christian Church. Survivors include his wife, Mildred; a son, James R., Plant City; a brother, Howard, Ohio; a sister, Fay Yoskey, Akron, Ohio; and three grandchildren. Wells Memorial Funeral Home, Plant City.

STILLSON, ANNETTE, 44, of Tampa, died Friday (May 5, 2000) in Tampa. Born in Garrett, Ind., she came here in 1963 from Garrett. She was a patient care coordinator for a private physician. She was a member of St. Timothy Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth W. Jr.; a daughter, Jennifer A., Tampa; a brother, Edward T. Ross, Tampa; two sisters, Sharon L. Anderson and Margaret S. Heckard, both of Tampa; and her mother, Evangeline Fowler, Zephyrhills. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Carrollwood Chapel, Tampa.

THOMPSON, MEREDITH M., 82, of Brandon, died Tuesday (May 2, 2000) at Brandon Regional Medical Center. Born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., she came to the area in 1955 from Memphis, Tenn. She was a retired secretary and a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include a son, Bill, Brandon. Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon.

WORTHINGTON, CONNIE G., 74, of Tampa, died Friday (April 28, 2000) in Tampa. Born in Boise, Idaho, she came here in 1958 from Virginia. She was a retired bookkeeper. She was a founding secretary treasurer of the Clann MacBeth Society. She was a member of the Eastern Star and D.A.V. Auxiliary. She was a founder of the Trench Rat in 1945. She was a member of P. Flag and the Dunedin Scottish Society. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of America. Survivors include two sons, Robert E. Hess., Jr., Jacksonville, and John L. Hess, Tampa; a daughter, Violet Marie Luttinen, Sevierville, Tenn.; a brother, Stanley Blaine Worthington, Boise; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, Garden of Memories Chapel, Tampa.

Pasco County Back to top

BAILEY, FRANK JR., 72, of Zephyrhills, died Sunday (April 30, 2000) at Westbrooke Manor. Born in Bell, he came here 22 years ago from Wellborn and was a long haul truck driver. He was a Baptist and an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Gertrude; four sons, George, Riverview, James and Johnny, both of Zephyrhills, and Charles, Tennessee; two daughters, Betty Ann Simmons, Dade City, and Merle Albritton, Tampa; a sister, Inez Young, Branford; and 16 grandchildren. Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

GRAY, THEODORE C., 67, of Hudson, died Saturday (May 6, 2000) at Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., he came here eight years ago from Orchard Park, N.Y., and was owner of a heating and air conditioning business. He served in the National Guard and was a member St. Michael Catholic Church, the board of directors and deed restrictions committee for Beacon Woods East and the Small Modelers Club of New Port Richey. Survivors include his wife, Alberta; a son, Mathew, New Port Richey; three daughters, Mary Terranova, Odessa, Frances Cottone, Hamburg, N.Y., and Elizabeth Sendelbach, Milwaukee; and four grandchildren. Prevatt Funeral Home, Hudson.

JENKINS, VERNON G., 75, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines, Seminole. Born in Alexandria, Va., he came here two months ago from Luray, Va. He was a U.S. Army paratrooper. Survivors include his wife, Annabelle; a daughter, Mildred Marr, New Port Richey; a brother, Hillary II, Luray; a sister, Minnie Mae Gramm, Reston, Va.; and two grandchildren. National Cremation Society, New Port Richey.

KROT, HELEN, 77, of Holiday, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here 18 years ago from Queens, N.Y., and was a computer technician for the YWCA. She was a Navy Waves veteran of World War II and was Russian Orthodox. Survivors include two sisters, Anne McCullen, New Port Richey, and Olga Kraus, Alton, N.H.; a nephew and niece. Morgan Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

STOKEY, EDWARD, 85, of Holiday, died Saturday (May 6, 2000) at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here 23 years ago from Carle Place, N.Y., and was a retired mechanical engineer for Sperry Gyroscope. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church, Holiday, a member of the Scottish Rites, Tampa, and American Legion Post 173, Holiday, and life member of DAV 78, New Port Richey. Survivors include his wife, Lillian; three sons, Donald, Morrison, Colo., William, Littleton, Colo., and Guy, Brooksville; and seven grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Holiday Chapel.

North Pinellas Back to top

Clearwater

BRECKENRIDGE, JANET ELEANOR, 86, of Clearwater, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at West Pasco Retirement Center under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Scottsville, N.Y., and came here in the early 1970s from Rochester, N.Y. She worked as a clerk for the Monroe County Courthouse. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist and the Amaranth in New York and Florida. Survivors include five nieces and nephews. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Palm Harbor Chapel.
PHIPPS, GILBERTO J., 33, of Clearwater, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. He came here in 1974 from his native St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was an automotive mechanic and attended Countryside Christian Center, Clearwater. Survivors include his mother, Gretley Smith, Clearwater; his father, Gilberto, St. Thomas; a brother, Eric Smith, and a sister, Dale Ross, both of Clearwater. Young's Funeral Home, Clearwater.
POWERS, ELSA H., 81, of Clearwater, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Mease Dunedin Hospital. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and came here in 1973 from Baltimore, where she retired as a secretary for an accounting company after 26 years. She was a member of Crystal Beach Community Church of Palm Harbor. Survivors include her caregiver, Martha Collins, Clearwater; a niece, Christina Fuhr, and a nephew, Wolfang Schippke, both of Germany; and three great-nephews. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

Dunedin

HUNT, CLARENCE FLOYD, 71, of Dunedin, died Tuesday (May 2, 2000) at home. He was born in Atlanta and came here in 1989 from Augusta, Ga. He was a salesman. Survivors include a son, William F., Atlanta; two daughters, Roxanne Chesano, Evans, Ga., and Regina Williams, Atlanta; and a brother, Oscar. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Largo

DAVIS, ADELINE C., 89, of Clearwater, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) Clearwater Center nursing home. She was born in New Ulm, Minn., and came here in 1949 from Milwaukee. She retired from Sears, Roebuck and Co.. She was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church of Clearwater, Sahbee Shrine, Daughters of the Nile, the OES. Survivors include her husband of 70 years, George R.; a daughter, Dolly Mae Schreiner, Oak Creek, Wis.; a sister, Lillian Essig, Wisconsin; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.
FARRIS, HAROLD J., 67, of Largo, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines Hospice Unit. He came here in 1978 from his native Dayton, Ohio, where he owned and operated a sign company and was a sales representative for several manufacturing companies and a partner of Interstate Medical Marketing. He was founder and manager of D's Fashion Accents of Seminole and Largo. He participated in stock car racing in Dayton and was an avid NASCAR enthusiast. He was a 25-year member of Augustus Ruser Jr. American Legion Post 273, Madeira Beach. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Deborah A. Frantz; two daughters, Virginia Kilian and Christine Farris, and a son, Daniel, all of Kettering, Ohio; and two granddaughters. Hook Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.
HUNT, ALICE S., 91, of Largo, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at her daughter's home in Largo under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She came here in 1981 from her native Cleveland. She was a homemaker and worked in a defense plant in Cleveland during World War II. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Largo. Survivors include two sons, William, Cleveland, and Tom, Mason, Ohio; three daughters, Gena Shirer, Painesville, Ohio, Grace Madsen, Denver, and Nancy Yuhas, Largo; 96 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Road Chapel, Clearwater.
MORGAN, RUTH A., 78, of Largo, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. She was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, and came here in 1975 from Ann Arbor, Mich. She was a homemaker and Presbyterian. Survivors include two daughters, Holly Porter, Largo, and Joy Wyman, Boca Grande; a son, Tom, Belleair Beach; a sister, Jean Woofter, Louisville, Ohio; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Seminole

WOOD, VIRGINIA C. "GIGI," 74, of Seminole, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. She was born in Philadelphia and came here in 1972 from Silver Spring, Md., where she retired as a secretary for the U.S. Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. She was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church of Seminole and the church school. She was a volunteer at Seminole Elementary School. Survivors include a son, Terry A. Sr., St. Pete Beach; a brother, William Wilson III, Annapolis, Md.; two sisters, Gwen Templeton, Seminole, and Marjorie McClay, Collegeville, Pa.; and two grandsons, T.A. Jr. and Todd Wood, both of St. Pete Beach. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.

Tarpon Springs

EDWARDS, CLAUDIA J., 53, of Tarpon Springs, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. She was born in Lakewood, Ohio, and came here in 1972 from Cleveland. She was a homemaker and Lutheran. She was a member of the Night Riders Automobile Club of Palm Harbor. Survivors include her husband, Paul T. Jr.; a daughter, Tammy Edwards Sheppard, Port Richey; a son, Paul T. III, New Port Richey; her parents, Fern and Merl Klein, both of Port Richey; two brothers, Richard Peters, Lakewood, and Darrell Klein, Niceville; and five grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Palm Harbor Chapel.
MENEFEE, MARGIE FAYE, 72, of Tarpon Springs, died Monday (May 1, 2000) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs. She was born in Birmingham, Ala., and came here in 1997 from Laurel, Md. She was a homemaker and a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church of Birmingham. Survivors include a daughter, Mary E. Hand, Zephyrhills; a son, James A., Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. American Burial and Cremation Service, Palm Harbor.

South Pinellas Back to top

Gulfport

RUSSO, ANTHONY M., 99, of Gulfport, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) in St. Petersburg General Hospital's emergency room. Born in Italy, he came here in 1984 from Fairview, N.J., and retired as a supervisor for Two Guys Department Store, Totowa, N.J. Locally, he was a member of Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Survivors include a brother-in-law, Ralph Celentano, and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Celentano, both of Gulfport. Gulfport Memorial Funeral Home.

St. Petersburg

DAVIS, NANCY ELIZABETH, 98, of St. Petersburg, died Monday (May 1, 2000) at Westminster Shores Health Center, St. Petersburg. She came here several years ago from her native Danforth, Ill., and was a homemaker. Survivors include a nephew, Glenn Scharp, Lubbock, Texas. Holloway Funeral Home, Oldsmar.
DIEFENDORF, DOROTHY MAE, 92, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at the Arbors of St. Petersburg. Born in Boylston, N.Y., she came here in 1959 from Adams, N.Y., where she was a member of Cecilia Chapter 156 OES. Locally, she was a member of Euclid Methodist Church and the White Shrine. Survivors include a daughter, Prepa J. Crumb, Hernando; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
DUPREE, JESSE, 71, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (May 4, 2000) at home. Born in Barney, Ga., he came here in 1974 from Miami, where he was a crane operator with Seminole Rock Co. Locally, he was a member of Faith Assembly of God, St. Petersburg. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Oveta; a son, Bobby C. Rutherford, St. Petersburg; two daughters, Mary F. Berrios, St. Petersburg, and Debra J. Trexler, Brandon; two brothers, Gene, Hollywood, Fla., and Edward, St. Petersburg; two sisters, Thelma Clemons, St. Petersburg, and Pauline Hewett, Jacksonville; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
JOCKEL, CORTLANDT L., 91, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Edward White Hospital. Born in Newark, N.J., he came here in 1952 from Clifton, N.J. Locally, he retired as a driver/distributor for Foremost Dairy and was a member of Elks Lodge 1224 and the Moose Lodge. He was Baptist. Survivors include a son, Richard, Starke; a daughter, Eleanor Miller, Garwood, N.J.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
MEADOWS, JUDITH CAMERON, 57, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (May 4, 2000). She came here in 1969 from her native, Cairo, Ga., and was a homemaker. She was Baptist. Survivors include her husband of 30 years, Richard L.; two sons, Johnny Wade Jones, Portland, Ore., and Richie Lee Meadows III, St. Petersburg; two daughters, Paula La-Juana Gaertner and Billie Joe Bjornstad, both of St. Petersburg; a sister, Maryanne Smith, Centerville, Ga.; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
PEPPER, HELEN K., 77, of Zephyrhills, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (May 2, 2000) at Heartland Nursing Home, where she lived for eight years. She moved there from St. Petersburg, where she had lived since 1938. She was a retired waitress and was Greek Orthodox. Survivors include a daughter, Elaine Calbeck, Homosassa; two sisters, Mary Dagostino and Becky Kavakos, both of St. Petersburg; three grandchildren, Kaia Beth, Alethia and Jackie Calbeck, all of Homosassa; and a great-uncle, William Mustacaron, St. Petersburg. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River.
PIPITONE, ANTHONY, 81, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (May 6, 2000) at home. He came here in 1973 from his native Chicago, where he was a machine operator for Joanna Western Mills, a fabric manufacturer, for 25 years. Locally, he attended Holy Family Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Marie; a son, Peter V., St. Petersburg; a sister, Virginia Marino, Chicago; and two grandchildren, Lisa Marie Pipitone and Anthony Peter Pipitone, both of St. Petersburg. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
ROBERTS, JUANITA, 83, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (May 4, 2000). Born in St. Francis County, Missouri, she came here in 1988 from St. Louis, and was a homemaker. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Marian Barry, Tierra Verde; two sons: Gary, St. Ann, Mo., and Donald, St. Petersburg; two sisters, Alice DeRienzo and Lulamae Edmonds, both of St. Louis; a brother, Don McClain, Farmington, Mo.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.
STONE, WALTER J. SR., 81, of Troy, N.Y., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Community Hospice, Troy. Born in Nashua, N.H., he came here in 1983 from Albany, N.Y., where he retired after 47 years with Blue Line Express. He recently moved to Troy and was a former president of the Highway Transport Association of Upstate New York. Locally, he was a former president of the council at Five Towns Condominium Association. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces. Survivors include his wife, Virginia L.; two sons, Walter J. Jr., Troy, and Douglas A., Poestenkill, N.H.; five daughters, Janice M. Ossenkop, Potsdam, N.Y., Kathryn A. Larsen and Karen E. Casey, both of Nassau, Donna M. Lynch, East Greenbush, N.Y., and Lisa Jean Van Zandt, Malta, N.Y.; two brothers, Ernest, Pennecock, N.H., and Martin, Ipswitch, Mass.; a sister, Ruth Noe, Brandon; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, Nassau, N.Y.
TUTTLE, EUGENIA W., 93, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (May 5, 2000) at Bay Pointe Nursing Pavilion. Born in Rochester, N.Y., she was a resident of St. Petersburg for many years and former resident of the Princess Martha hotel. She was a retired school teacher and a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church. Survivors include numerous cousins. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

Treasure Island

McCORMICK, KENNETH W., 85, of Treasure Island, died Wednesday (May 3, 2000) at Palm Garden of Pinellas, Largo. He came here in 1945 from his native Manchester, Conn. Locally, he formerly worked for Milton-Roy for 15 years. Survivors include a son, Guy McCormick, and a grandson, Sean McCormick, both of Baton Rouge, La.; and a stepdaughter, Peggy Benedict, Safety Harbor. National Cremation Society, Clearwater.