Saturday, June 10, 2000

Citrus County Back to top

Hillsborough County Back to top

Pasco County Back to top

North Pinellas Back to top

Clearwater

• CAMPBELL, WILLIE JAMES "BIT," 63, of Detroit, and a native of Clearwater, died Tuesday (May 16, 2000) at John W. Dingell Veteran Memorial Hospital, Detroit. He worked 31 years for Clawson Concrete in Detroit and then for Angelo Concrete. He was working for the Michigan Foundation, Detroit. He was an Army veteran and a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Clearwater, and Third New Hope Baptist Church, Detroit. He attended Pinellas County schools and graduated from the former Pinellas High School in Clearwater. Survivors include his wife, Sarah; three stepchildren, Tony, Andrea and Daryl; his father, Jesse Campbell, Clearwater; three brothers, Major "Pop", Clearwater, and Charles and Jesse, both of Lynchburg, Va.; five sisters, Ida Frazier, Margaret Smith and Doreatha Murray, all of Clearwater, Bessie Archie and Joann Campbell, both of Detroit; a stepbrother, Sylvester Chapman, Youngstown, Ohio, a stepsister, Elnora Harris, St. Petersburg. James H. Cole Home for Funeral, Northwest Chapel, Detroit.
• DARBY, ETTA E., 80, of Clearwater, died Friday (June 9, 2000) at Glen Oaks Health Care, Clearwater. She was born in Elkton, Mich., and came here in 1972 from Michigan. She worked in sales and alterations at the former Gayfers department store in Clearwater. She was a Protestant and a member of Timeless Treasures Doll Club. Survivors include a daughter, Sharri M. Ogle, Annapolis, Md.; a brother, Roy Young, Saginaw, Mich.; and a grandson, Ryan Ogle, Baltimore. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Palm Harbor Chapel.
• DiJOHN, ARLENE M., 60, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Holland, Mich., and came here several years ago. She worked as an executive secretary for Sears, Roebuck and Co. department stores. Survivors include her husband of 33 years, John; a brother, Arthur Johnson, Hudsonville, Mich.; and a sister, Doris Van Hite, Holland, Mich. Gulf Breeze Cremation & Burial Society, Largo.
• FALCK, BERENICE B., 51, of Clearwater, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at home. She was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and came here in 1986 from Queens, N.Y. She was the owner-operator of a housekeeping business and worked as a housekeeper for Light of Christ Catholic Church parish, Clearwater. She was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Clearwater. Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Joseph; a son, Christopher, Clearwater; a daughter, Jennifer Falck, Clearwater; and a sister, Maria Amaral, Astoria,, N.Y. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Belcher Road Chapel, Clearwater.
• KIEFER, CLAIRE I., 94, of Floral City, formerly of Clearwater, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Avante at Inverness. She was born in Schoolcraft, Mich., and moved to Floral City in 1990 from Clearwater, where she had lived for 30 years. She worked 16 years as a sales clerk for Schell Land Novelty Shop, Clearwater. She was a member of Northwest Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg. Survivors include a son, Wallace, Ocala; two daughters, Nancy J. Leconey, Floral City, and Maryann Lundgren, Ocala; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Brooksville.
• PEMBERTON, HAROLD THOMAS, 56, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Largo Medical Center. He was born in Michigan and came here in 1982 from Jonesboro, Ga. He was the owner operator of Jantom Printers Service of Clearwater. Survivors include his wife, Jana; a son, Todd; two daughters, Deanna Pemberton, Clearwater, and Denice Weber, Iowa; his mother, Bonnie Sokol, South Carolina; four brothers, Floyd Jr., Michigan, Mike, Oklahoma, Brad, South Carolina, and Paul, Idaho; and six grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.
• SMITH, MARGARET MARIE, 69, of Spring Hill, formerly of Clearwater, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., and moved to Spring Hill in 1991 from Clearwater. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Larry Lynn; three sons, Barry Webster, Lebanon, Ohio, Gary Clark, Tarpon Springs, and Larry Layne, Clearwater; a daughter, Lynne Marie, Austin, Texas; and two brothers, Don and George Kateman, both of St. Charles, Mo. Robert & Son Cremation Service, Spring Hill/Brooksville.
• STATHOPOULOS, ANNA, 78, of Clearwater, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. She was born in Greece and came here in 1983 from Chicago. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater. Survivors include a son, Dimitrios, Clearwater; a daughter, Joanna Vrakas, Clearwater; and a grandson, Konstantino Vrakas, Clearwater. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
• WHIDDON-HOLLIS, MARGARET "PEG," 69, of Leesburg, Va., formerly of Clearwater and Largo, died Thursday (June 1, 2000) at Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, of breast cancer. An artist and art teacher, she taught in Pinellas County Schools for 19 years in Clearwater. She was an active member of the Loudoun Sketch Club, the Gulf Coast Arts Center and American Association of University Women. She also was a member of Unitarian Universalist churches in Clearwater and Sterling, Va. She was a jazz enthusiast. Survivors include a daughter, Lea Nigon, Sterling; a stepson, David Hollis, Saginaw, Mich.; her mother, Libbi McLaughlin, Miami; three sisters, Ouida Dail, Clearwater, Bettie Gilmour, Miami, and Bobbie Merkel, Silver Spring, Md.; two brothers, Bill Whiddon, Winchester, Va., and Jerry Whiddon, Silver Spring; and three grandchildren. Northern Virginia Funeral Choices, Chantilly, Va.
• WUENN, ROBERT EARL, 56, of Clearwater, died Saturday (June 3, 2000) at home. He came here in 1980 from his native Hobart, Ind. He was a Navy veteran and served aboard the USS Lexington. He was a Lutheran. Survivors include two nephews, Wiliam S. Wuenn, and James F. Wuenn, both of Hobart. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Largo

• BRELSFORD, CAMERON G., 83, of Largo, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) in Spring Hill. He was born in Lehighton, Pa., and came here in 1978 from Trenton, N.J. He worked as a forklift operator for the federal government. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II and a Lutheran. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Survivors include four daughters, Karen Modena, Largo, Lynn Swallow, Allentown, Pa., Gloria Mraz, Brooksville, and Mary Parsons, Vandergrift, Pa.; a sister, Marlea Yanero, Lehighton; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
• WEAVER, OLIVE FAYE, 90, of Largo, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home. She came here in 1959 from her native Muskegon, Mich. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was a member of the American Red Cross Grey Ladies and the East Bay Oaks Association. Survivors include two daughters, Denise Kaye Weaver, Jacksonville, and Patricia Ann Suits, Utica, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Oldsmar

• BRIGGS, EVELYN GRACE, 87, of Oldsmar, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Mease Hospital Countryside, Safety Harbor. She was born in Charleroi, Pa., and came here in 1955 from New Jersey. She was a housekeeper. She worked as a welder in a shipyard during World War II. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara R. Gordon, Oldsmar; four grandchildren, Glenn D. Gordon, Garry W. Gordon and Craig A. Gordon, all Pinellas County, and Lisa D. Gordon, Oldsmar; and 10 great-grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Palm Harbor

• HEWITT, RICHARD D., 63, of Palm Harbor, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home. He was born in Schenectady, N.Y., and came here in 1990 from Winchester, N.H. He was a first lieutenant in the Army and served in the infantry. Survivors include his wife, Lorajane E. Reitz Hewitt; two daughters, Deborah Hewitt Skoda, Glenville, N.Y., and Kathy Hewitt Rached , Brattleboro, Vt.; three sons, David R. Hewitt, Marc A. Weldon and Bill C. Weldon, all Amsterdam N.Y.; and eight grandchildren. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.
• WILLIE, JANE M., 85, of Palm Harbor, died Tuesday (June 6, 2000) at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor. She was born in Paterson, N.J., and came here in 1996 from Coral Gables. She was a homemaker and a Congregationalist. Survivors include a daughter, Sheridan LaForge, Madisonville, Va; a sister, Sophie Barnes, Hawthorne, N.J.; a brother, George Lessuck, Tarpon Springs; and two grandchildren, Ashley LaForge, Tanzania, Africa, and Raymond "Trace" LaForge, Kendall. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home., Clearwater.

Safety Harbor

• MALEK, JANE A., 91, of Safety Harbor, died Sunday (June 4, 2000) at home. She was born in Chicago and came here in 1988 from Wauconda, Ill. She was a clothing designer and seamstress. She was a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor. Survivors include a son, Edward S., Safety Harbor; a sister, Helen Wisniewski, New Buffalo, Mich.; a niece and nephew; four grandchildren, Eric Malek, Chicago, Mark Malek, Palm Harbor, Becky Malek and Tim Malek, both of Safety Harbor; and a great-grandson, Josh Malek, Chicago. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Dunedin Chapel.

Tarpon Springs

• KEELEY, AARON W., 99, of Tarpon Springs, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs. He was born in Bay City, Mich., and came here in 1970 from Pontiac, Mich. He worked for General Motors in Pontiac and retired as a supervisor in the bus division. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Tarpon Springs, and United Auto Workers, Michigan. Survivors include his wife, Camille. Family Funeral Care, Tarpon Springs.
• LANIER, EVA BLANCHE, 87, of Chiefland, formerly of Tarpon Springs, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Integrated Health Services, Gainesville. She was born in Live Oak and moved to Tarpon Springs in 1939 from Lakeland before moving in 1993 to Chiefland. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs, and Order of the Eastern Star, Palm Harbor. Survivors include a son, William, Trenton; two granddaughters, Deborah Russ and Rebecca Osgood, both of Tarpon Springs; and four great-grandchildren. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs.
• WRIGHT, INGER S. "BITTY," 36, of Tarpon Springs, died Thursday (June 6, 2000) at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa. She was born in Clearwater and was a lifelong Tarpon Springs resident. She graduated in 1982 from Tarpon Springs High and in 1991 from Webster College, Dade City. She was a recreation center worker for the city of Tarpon Springs. She coached cheerleading and basketball for Tarpon Springs youth. She was a member of Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include two sons, RoShawn Marshall and Runaldo Wright, both of Tarpon Springs; her mother, Clara Montgomery, Tarpon Springs; four brothers, RaydeanWhite and Darone Quiver, both of Clearwater, Pernell Quiver, Tarpon Springs, and RenelleSaunders, Pensacola; three sisters, Doris Oneal and Cresandra White, both of Tarpon Springs, and Sandra G. Bailey, Lansing, Mich; and her maternal grandmother, Claree Sanders, Luxora, Ark. Young's Funeral Home, Clearwater.

South Pinellas Back to top

Madeira Beach

• FERST, FRANK E., 81, of Madeira Beach, died Sunday (June 4, 2000) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. Born in Conshohocken, Pa., he worked as a marine construction foreman and was a Merchant Marine veteran of World War II. He was Catholic and a member of VFW Post 4256 and American Legion Post 273. Survivors include a daughter, Joan Bozewicz, St. Petersburg; two sons, Frank, Tucson, Ariz., and Vincent, Conshohocken; two brothers, Stanley and Benjamin, both of Conshohocken; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Hook Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Seminole.

Pinellas Park

• FREDMAN, EDNA M., 93, of Pinellas Park, died Friday (June 9, 2000) at home. Born in Marion, Ind., she came here in 1973 from Chicago. She was a homemaker and was Protestant. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Sven. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
• LANAGAN, GERALDINE C., 75, of the Mainlands, Pinellas Park, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Integrated Health Services of Pinellas Park. Born in South Windhamn, Conn., she came here in 1970 from Stafford Springs, Conn., where she was a mill hand for Cuno Mills for 10 years. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and American Legion Post 26 Auxiliary. Survivors include four brothers, Roger Cartier, Pinellas Park, Donald Edward Cartier, Port Richey, Robert Francis Cartier, Stafford Springs, and Victor John Cartier, New London, Conn.; and three sisters, Evelyn Stelhilk and Alice Richard, both of Stores, Conn., and Dorothy Armelin, Stafford Springs, Conn. Taylor Family Funeral Home, Pinellas Park.

Redington Shores

• PLESKUS, ALBERT CHARLES SR., 81, of Beach Haven Terrace, N.J., and Redington Shores, died Tuesday (June 6, 2000) at his Beach Haven Terrace home. Born in Stratford, Conn., he was a winter resident here since 1980. He received a degree in engineering from Connecticut University, served with the Army Air Forces as a navigator on B-29s during World War II, and achieved the rank of first lieutenant. He was a member of the 25-year Club at Lederle Labs, Pearl River, N.Y., where he was manager of maintenance before becoming a project manager with American Cyanamid, Wayne, N.J. He was a member of Trinity Reformed Church, Old Tappan, N.J. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Evelyn M.; three daughters, Lee Ellen Hirtle, Westerville, Ohio, Janice Jean Kelemen, Central Valley, N.Y., and Patricia Ann Jensen, Easley, S.C.; a son, Albert C. Jr., San Diego; and 10 grandchildren. Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, Ship Bottom, N.J.

St. Petersburg

• BRALEY, JEAN LOUISE, 59, of Inverness, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home. Born in Olean, N.Y., she moved to Inverness six years ago from St. Petersburg. Survivors include her husband, Alfred; a son, Albert Charles Sanders III, Inverness; two daughters, Tina Marie Tuten, Crystal River, and Tammy Ann Slack, Lake Panasoffkee; and five grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.
• BRITT, HARRIET PEARSALL, 81, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 1, 2000) at Bayfront Medical Center from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Born in West Orange, N.J., she came here in 1953 from Totowa, N.J. She retired as a secretary with the city of St. Petersburg and was a member of St. Philip's Anglican Church. She was a member of OES and Women of the Moose and was a volunteer with the St. Petersburg Police Department and Meals on Wheels. Survivors include a daughter, Alice Morrow, St. Petersburg; a son, William, Houston; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
• CHAPMAN, CHARLES J., 66, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at home. He came here in 1970 from his native New York City. He was a sheet metal worker in the air conditioning industry and a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was a 30-year member of the Professional Bowlers Association and toured as a senior bowler for eight years. He was an avid motorcyclist. Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Charlaine; a daughter, Celia Ross, Palm Bay; two sons, Christopher Bishop, Auburn, Ga., and Jason Chapman, New York City; and three grandsons. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
• HARTMAN, VIRGINIA MAY HARRISON, 86, of Murrieta, Calif., formerly of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (May 30, 2000) in Murrieta. She came to St. Petersburg in 1929 from her native Kalamazoo, Mich., and moved to California in 1941. She was a member of the Eagles Lodge and enjoyed cooking, gardening and bowling. Survivors include a daughter, Suzanne, California; five sisters; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Douglass Family Mortuary, El Segundo, Calif.
• HOFFMAN, FRANCES DUFFY, 98, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Port Richey, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Colonial Care Center, Kenneth City. Born in Londonderry, Ireland, she moved to Port Richey in 1972 from New York City and to St. Petersburg in 1994. She worked as a secretary for the Waldorf Towers and was a first class stewardess for the USS United States. She was a member of the National Maritime Union. Locally, she was a member of Transfiguration Catholic Church. Survivors include six nieces, Muriel Fletcher-Webb, Treasure Island, Patricia Scott, Lockport, N.Y., Ginger Pichey and Joan Heery, both of St. Petersburg, Fanny Kelly, Plymouth, Mich., and Frances Rowe, England; and a nephew, David Llewellyn, England. Osgood-Cloud Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pinellas Park.
• MASCIS, ALICE, 73, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. Born in Derby Line, Vt., she came here in 1986 from Williamstown, Vt. She was a homemaker and a member of Kenneth City Church of the Nazarene. Survivors include two daughters, Diana L. Richie, Redlands, Calif., and Gail A. Davis, Brattleboro, Vt.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
• MATHEWS, JANE H., 96, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Shore Acres Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She came here 40 years ago from her native Cincinnati, where she retired as a clerk for Bell Telephone Co. There are no known survivors. Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Petersburg.
• MATHEWS, SUZANNE M., 88, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 8, 2000) at Westminster Shores Health Center. She came here in 1921 from her native Atlanta. She retired after 40 years with the Veterans Administration and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was a president of United Methodist Women, youth director, and served on the Nurture Committee and the Administrative Counsel. She was a volunteer with Reading is Fundamental. There are no known survivors. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.
• MYRICK, STEVEN R., 52, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Safety Harbor, Clearwater and New Port Richey, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) as a result of an automobile accident on U.S. 19. Born in Independence, Mo., he moved to the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area in 1985. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors include two daughters, Alyssa and Amanda Myrick, East Lake; his mother, Audrey Myrick, Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters, Diane Wiard, Clearwater, and Joni Burroughs, Overland Park, Kan.; a brother, Larry Vaughan, Kansas City; and three nephews and a niece. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes and Cremation Tribute Center-McLeod Chapel, St. Petersburg.
• PEART, RUTH "MAMA," 86, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park. She came here in 1996 from her native St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. She attended White Hill School in Jamaica and was a homemaker. She was a member of Moravian Church, St. Elizabeth, where she served on the community service auxiliary. Survivors include three sons, Nehemiah Peart, St. Petersburg, Martel Hamilton and Wilbert Peart, both of St. Elizabeth; two daughters, Elsa Hamilton, St. Elizabeth, and Ivy Beckford, St. Petersburg; a brother, Gerial Morgan, St. Elizabeth; a grandniece, Advira Wallace, and three grandnephews, Ronald Wallace, Cecil Green and Bertie Morgan, all of St. Petersburg; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.
• SLODKIEWCZ, PIOTR, 49, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at home. Born in Szczecinek, Poland, he came here recently from New York City. He graduated from a culinary arts school in Poland and was head chef at Queen's Grill, New York City, and Krakus Restaurant, New Jersey, He also worked in Canada and Germany. He was awarded the New York Times 1999 "Chef Magic" award while working at Queen's Grill. He was a veteran of the Polish Navy and was Catholic. Survivors include his mother, Helena Slodkiewcz, four sons, Jurek, David, Peter and Paul, two brothers, Wiktor and Lolek, all of Poland; and two sisters, Lila Hamerska, Poland, and Teresa Huzarska, New York. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.
• VonTOBEL, BERNICE R., of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (June 7, 2000) at Sun Coast Hospital, Largo. Born in Elizabeth Town, N.C., she came here in 1987 from Stamford, Conn. She was owner of a thrift and consignment store and was Christian. Survivors include her husband, William; a daughter, Debra Jane Croll, Seminole; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Abbey Parklawn Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

South Pasadena