St. Petersburg Times Online: Obituaries

SUNCOAST OBITUARIES

Sunday, July 16, 2000

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

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

BARRON, FRANK V., 85, of Homosassa, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. Born in Bolton, Ga., he came here 17 years ago from Fort Lauderdale and was a retired auto body worker. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a Baptist. Survivors include his wife, Folie; three daughters, Beverly Gebauer, Utah, and Sandra Jensen and La-Loni Mannis, both of Homosassa. Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills Chapel.

CURTIN, SUZANNE B., 65, of Crystal River, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at Seven Rivers Community Hospital. Born in Bronx, N.Y., she came here three years ago from Long Island, N.Y., and was a retired operator for the New York Telephone Co. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of Long Island, N.Y., and St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Crystal River. Survivors include a twin sister, Patricia Christman, Crystal River; and several nephews and nieces. Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River.

DiBLASIO, JAMES J., 81, of Hernando, died Friday (July 14, 2000). Born in East Greenwich, R.I., he came here 12 years ago from Roswell, Ga., and was retired after 45 years as vice president of marketing for Bostitch/Textron. He was an Army Air Corps veteran and a member of the Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club, and St. Scholastica Catholic Church, Lecanto. Survivors include his wife, Therese C. Carroll; three sons, Richard, West Newbury, Mass., James, Indianapolis, and Paul, North Kingstown, R.I.; three daughters, Nancy Sheerin, Lighthouse Point, Stephany Koenig, Indianapolis, and Mary Tilford, Zionsville, Ind.; two sisters, Louise Newell, North Kingstown, and Evelyn Haerry, East Greenwich, R.I.; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Hooper Funeral Homes, Inverness Chapel.

GRIFFITH, RUTH EDITH, 87, of Lecanto, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Life Care of Citrus County. Born in Fruitland, N.Y., she came here 27 years ago from Robstown, Texas, and was a retired clerk in retail sales. She was a member of the Floral City United Methodist Church. Survivors include a nephew, Waldo Caldwell, Albion, N.Y.; and a niece, Barbara Harling, Inverness. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

HIPPAUF, WALTER KURT, 79, of Beverly Hills, died Thursday (July 13, 2000). Born in Germany, he came here 14 years ago from Ferndale, Pa., and was a retired plasterer in the construction business. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the VFW, Beverly Hills. Survivors include his wife, Irene Spencer; two sons, Walter, Clifton Heights, Pa., and Robert, Kintnersville, Pa.; two daughters, Lorraine Mallick, New Port Richey, and Patricia Cyr, Crystal River; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Wilder-Fountains Funeral Home, Homosassa Springs.

LITT, MAUD V., 83, of Citrus Springs, died Thursday (July 13, 2000). Born in New York City, she came here 28 years ago from Belmar, N.J., and was a retired cafeteria worker for a hospital. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Beverly Hills. There are no immediate survivors. Fero Funeral Home, Beverly Hills Chapel.

MANN, PATRICIA A., 66, of Lecanto, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here six years ago from Hebron, N.H., and was a retired registered nurse. She was a member of St. Scholastica Catholic Church and its women's club. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth; two sons, Thomas Spratt, Peekskill, N.Y., and Frederick Spratt, East Meadow, N.Y.; a daughter, Elaine Greenzang, Commack, N.Y.; and five grandchildren. Brown Funeral Home, Crystal River/Lecanto.

MORRISON, RUTH MARIE, 61, of Floral City, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Citrus Memorial Hospital. Born in Starkard, Ohio, she came here three years ago from Plant City, and was retired after 22 years as a bus driver for Hillsborough County schools. Survivors include her husband, Richard; two daughters, Sheila Daughtery, Bushnell, and Jennifer Morrison, Los Angeles; and two grandchildren. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

NAPOLITANO, DOMENICO, 57, of Gainesville, formerly of Hernando, died Friday (July 15, 2000) at home. Born in Italy, he came here nine years ago from Sarasota, where he was employed by Advanced Masonary Systems. He was a member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Community, Gainesville. Survivors include his wife, Joan Quinn; a son, Anthony, Tampa; a daughter, Filomena McCown, Marietta, Ga.; a brother, Giuseppe, Dracut, Mass.; and many nephews and nieces. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home, Inverness.

Hernando County Back to top

OTTOSON, ROLAND M., 86, of Spring Hill, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. Born in Jamestown, N.Y., he came here 16 years ago from Erie, Pa., and was a retired industrial sales manager for the Erie Enameling Co. He was a member of Perry-Keystone Lodge 392 F&AM, Erie, the Pennsylvania Club of Spring Hill, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church and its choir. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor D.; two sons, Lawrence, Spring Hill, and Paul, Springfield, Ill.; a stepson, William Donnelly, Seattle; a stepdaughter, Kathleen Crews, Brunswick, Ga.; a sister, Edith Swank, Minneapolis; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Turner Funeral Homes, Spring Hill Chapel.

WILD, EDWARD G., 80, of Brooksville, died Saturday (July 15, 2000) at home. Born in Toronto, he came here nine years ago from Hartwell, Ga., and was a retired manager for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, and a member of the Spring Hill United Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Audrey B.; three sons, Roger, Dexter, Ga., Richard, Antioch, Tenn., and Robert, Brooksville; two daughters, Nancy Hoffman, Banner Elk, N.C., and Bonnie Patton, Hagerstown, Md.; a brother, Albert, Deltaville, Va.; a sister, Dorothy Musselman, Bethlehem, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Turner Cremation and Memorial Chapel, Spring Hill.

Hillsborough County Back to top

CARTER, EUGENE S. "GENE" JR., 70, of Tampa, died Wednesday (July 12, 2000), at Tampa General Hospital. Born in Gainesville, he came here in 1981. He was a laboratory technician for Tampa General Hospital and an Army veteran. Survivors include two sons, James E., Tampa, Michael Joseph, Madeira Beach; two daughters, Gail S. Sloan, Tampa, Vanessa Holloway, Tampa; two brothers, Lawson, California, George, Dade City; two sisters, Jackie Averitt, Lakeland, Erma Deeson, Lakeland; and two grandchildren. Stower's Funeral Home, Tampa.

COE, HARRY LEE, III, 68, of Tampa, died Thursday (July 13, 2000). Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was raised in Lakeland. He was the Hillsborough County State Attorney. He was Hillsborough County solicitor; chief assistant Hillsborough County solicitor; assistant state attorney; Hillsborough County's first juvenile prosecutor; appointed judge, Hillsborough County Criminal Court of Record, November 1970; appointed circuit judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 1973; retired Hillsborough County senior circuit judge, Feb. 1992; elected state attorney, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 1992; Stetson University College of Law, 1963; professional baseball player in the Detroit Tigers farm system, Cincinnati Reds farm system; Army veteran; championship tennis player; Boys and Girls Club of Tampa; University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, 1982; Lifetime Achievement Award, 1978; Drug and Alcohol Coordinating Council, board of directors. Survivors include three sons, Harry IV, Tampa, and Gregory and Charles, both of Sumter, S.C.; a sister, Florence Futch, Ft. Lauderdale; and his parents, Harry Jr. and Marjorie Coe, Tallahassee. Living Water Church, Tampa.

COLLINS, FRIEDA STRICKLAND, 76, of Riverview, died Friday (July 14, 2000), at Vencor Hospital. Born in Fort Myers, she came here in 1958. She was a homemaker, a Christian and a member of East Tampa Christian Church. Survivors include a son, Oliver Smith Collins Jr.; two sisters, Olga Luttrell, Atlanta, and Byrdia Krotine, Punta Gorda; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Serenity Meadows Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Riverview/Brandon.

JAMES, ROMAINE E., 58, of Valrico, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) in Brandon. Born in Miami, she came here in 1977. She was a homemaker and a member of Bell Shoals Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, Charles H. James, Jr., Brandon; and a daughter, Tiffany James Bell, Valrico. Blount, Curry, & Roel Funeral Homes, Garden of Memories Chapel, Tampa.

KEENE, ANNA MAE, 90, of Tampa, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at University Village Nursing Center. Born in Placida, Fla., she resided in Tampa most of her life. She was a member of Belmont Baptist Church and a homemaker. Survivors include two sons, Perry O. Keene, Jr., Lutz, Donald R., Dade City; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren. Garden of Memories, Tampa.

PARR, BUNNY A., 75, of Brandon, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) in Brandon. Born in Philadelphia, she came here in 1959 from New Jersey. She worked for Aramark Food Service. She was a member of Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church. Survivors include a son, Walter Gonitski, Jr., St. Petersburg; two daughters, Judith Patrick, Tampa, and Kim Gibbons, Riverview; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon.

SNOW, HELEN E., 85, of Tampa, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Memorial Hospital. Born in Albion, Mich., she came here in 1993 from Jackson, Mich. She was a bookkeeper and was affiliated with the Order fo the Eastern Star. She was Protestant. Survivors include a son, Roland Snow, Jackson, Mich.; two daughters, Ina M. Moore, Tampa, and Nancy A. Snow, California; a brother, Roland Steinkraus, Salisbury, N.C.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mark III Funeral Home, Tampa.

TILL, JEAN A., 80, of Sun City Center, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at South Bay Hospital. Born in Richmond, Ind., she came here in 1991. She was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and a retired accountant and office manager for Oberholzen Company. Survivors include her husband, Fred Till; two sons, Larry Ross and Harry Swank; and two daughters, Katherine Long and Sandra McMahon. Lewers Funeral Home, Ruskin.

VANCE, JOHN M., Jr., 68, of Tampa, diedMay 24, 2000, in Tampa. Born in Owensboro, Ky., he came here in 1972 from Jacksonville. He was retired from the Navy and was affiliated with DAV Chapter No. 4 Tampa and Fleet Reserve Branch No. 188 Tampa. Survivors include his wife Anna A Vance. Blount Curry & Roel Funeral Home, Tampa.

VAUGHN, MANDY EDWARD, 76, of Plant City, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. Born in Alabama, she came here in 1970. She was a member of Eastside Baptist Church of Plant City and a homemaker. Survivors include four daughters, Helen Brown, Lakeland, Connie Cryer, Falkville , Ala., Joyce Armstrong, Arkansas, and Carol Terry, Tennessee; a sister, Mae Miller, Alabama; and 11 grandchildren. Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City.

Pasco County Back to top

DEL PRETE, MARY J., 81, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Hospice House. Born in Ardsley, N.Y., she came here 27 years ago from Ossining N.Y., and was a food service employee for Ossining High School and Mary Immaculate School, Ossining. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Survivors include two sons, Richard, New Port Richey, and Victor Jr., Cortland Manor, N.Y.; and three sisters, Jackamina Cirami, New Port Richey, Filomena Semberger, Spring Hill, and Theresa Venuto, Zephyrhills. North/Meadowlawn, New Port Richey.

GRECO, ROSALIE M., 86, of Port Richey, died Saturday (July 15, 2000) at Windsor Woods Convalescent Center, Hudson. She came here 20 years ago from her native Cleveland, and was a nun in the Dominican Order and a member of St. James Catholic Church, Port Richey. Survivors include four sisters, Josephine Metzler, Port Richey, Mary Hudecek, California, and Stella Garcher and Frances Taylor, both of Cleveland; and several nephews and nieces. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

HUMMEL, FLORENCE, 102, of Holiday, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. Born in Baltimore, she came here 30 years ago from Hollywood. She was a member of the Beacon Square Civic Association, charter member of the Beacon Square Pool Association, and former member of the Beacon Square Progressive Bridge Club. Survivors include a daughter, Marjorie DeBarnardis, Holiday. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday Chapel.

IAIA, MARIO, 86, of Holiday, formerly of Clearwater, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. He was born in Bari, Italy. He moved to Clearwater in 1984 from Bronx, N.Y., and moved from Clearwater to Holiday in 1997. He worked 35 years as a garment presser for Sak's Fifth Avenue. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include a son, James, Holiday; a brother, William, Clearwater; two sisters, Lena Fiorello, Hawthorne, N.Y., and Mina Lopez, Bronx; and three grandchildren. Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

McNEIL, EDWARD L., 84, of New Port Richey, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at North Bay Hospital. Born in Butte, Mont., he came here 23 years ago from Great Falls, Mont., and was a retired air conditioning technician. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, a Methodist, a member of Moose Lodge 5333, Black Eagle, Mont., and VFW Post 7987, New Port Richey. Survivors include his wife, Dixie; two sons, Michael, Felton, Calif., and Brian, Missoula. Mont.; and five grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn, New Port Richey.

NEAR, EILEEN A., 66, of Zephyrhills, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at home. Born in Fort William, Ontario, she came here 29 years ago from Queenston, Ontario, and was employed in the food industry. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventists, Wesley Chapel. Survivors include four sons, Chuck, Crystal Springs, Allen, Thousand Island, Calif., and Forrest and Stacy, both of Zephyrhills; three daughters, Charlene Potwin, Zephyrhills, and Sharon Huffman and Brenda Newhauser, both of Crystal Springs; a sister, Iris Gordon, Thunder Bay, Ontario; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Oakley Funeral Homes, Zephyrhills.

RASCHILLA, ANTHONY NICHOLAS JR., 55, of Holiday, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa. Born in Springfield, Mass., he came here five years ago from Los Angeles and was a communications engineer for Hughes Aircraft, El Segunda, Calif. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Sonia Reyes; two sons, Nicholas and Anthony, both of Los Angeles; his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Peter LePre, Holiday; two sisters, Lesley Cinelli, Oldsmar, and Lisa Stanford, Holiday; and a stepsister, Susan LePre, Northridge, Calif. Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

STEELE, CLARENCE ARTHUR, 87, of Zephyrhills, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Zephyrhaven Nursing Home. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he came here 13 years ago from Mango, and was a retired bus driver for the Columbus Transit Co., Ohio. He was a lay minister for the Southern Baptist Association, a member of the Elks Lodge, the Odd Fellows Lodge, and a volunteer for East Pasco Medical Center, Pasco Community Hospital and the Billy Graham Crusades Association. Survivors include his wife, J. Marie Frye; a son, Robert, Lexington, Tenn.; and three daughters, Diane Trowbridge, Dade City, and Janet Baker and Miriam Butts, both of Lexington. Coleman and Ferguson Funeral Home, Zephyrhills.

North Pinellas Back to top

DI MARIA, DENNIS M., 54, of Clearwater, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa. He was born in Passaic, N.J., and came here in 1982 from Silverton, N.J. He was a member of St. Brendan Catholic Church, Clearwater. Survivors include his mother, Eleanor, Clearwater; his father, Jack, Clearwater; a son, Chad, Seminole; a daughter, Marlene Di Maria, Hudson; a brother, Jack Jr., Hudson; and a grandchild. Rhodes Funeral Directors, Druid Chapel, Clearwater.

PHARAOH, FRANK HAND, 73, of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Clearwater, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville. He was born in Glenside, Pa. He worked for Gamarel Electric Co., Hillside, N.J., and as sales representative in Clearwater. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a graduate of Massanutten Military Academy, Woodstock, Va. He was a University of Alabama alumnus and member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, Scabbard and Blade, ROTC and the Alabama Rifle Team. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Knoxville. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Pollye McGuire; a daughter, Claudia Lynne Pharaoh, Knoxville; a son, James D., Knoxville; a grandson; and several nieces. Rose Mortuary, Mann Heritage Chapel, Knoxville.

Dunedin

TREUBIG, DOROTHEA T., 76, of Elmira, N.Y., formerly of Dunedin, died Saturday (July 1, 2000) at home. She was born in Shrewsbury, England, came here in 1978 and moved to Elmira, N.Y. in 1996. She was a British navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include five sons, James, Elmira, Dennis, Massapequa, N.Y., Richard, Carrollton, Ga., George, Palm Harbor, and John, Dunedin; a brother, James Patrick Hughes, Dumfries, Scotland; a sister, Helen Jones, Leicester, England; and several grandchildren. McInerny Funeral Home, Elmira.

Largo

ALEXANDER, EDWIN A. SR., 73, of Largo, died Wednesday (July 12, 2000) at Largo Medical Center. He was born in Scottsburg, Ind., and came here in 1969 from Fort Walton Beach. He was the co-lead programer on the Sears, Roebuck & Co. inventory management system and assisted in directing the implementation and operational support of retail outlets in seven cities. He was a major in the U.S. Air Force, serving in World War II and the Vietnam War. Survivors include a son, Edwin A. Jr., Orlando; a daughter, Cynthia L. Alexander, Lawton, Mich.; and four grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.
BRANIN, MARION L., 88, of Largo, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Manor Care Palm Harbor nursing home. She was born in Fulton, N.Y., and came here in 1975 from Huntingdon Valley, Pa. She worked for 24 years as an assistant comptroller for Sears, Roebuck and Co., Philadelphia, and for nine years as head teller of Fidelity Bank, Abington, Pa. She was a member of Anona United Methodist Church, Largo, and Abington Presbyterian Church, Abington. Survivors include a son, Gordon L., Chalfont, Pa; a daughter, Nancy B. Rems , Huntingdon Valley; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Serenity Gardens Chapel, Largo.
LISKEY, RUBY L., 90, of Largo, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at Palm Garden of Pinellas, Largo nursing home. She was born in Wabash, Ind., and came here in 1953 from Monticello, Ind. She owned and operated the Sun Deck Motel in Largo for 25 years. She was a member of First Christian Church, Clearwater, sang in the choir and was active in many church organizations. Survivors include a daughter, Lee Chant, Largo; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. International Mortuary Services, Pinellas Park.

Seminole

BUCK, VIRGINIA M., 81, of Seminole, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. She came here in 1957 from her native Columbus, Ohio, and was deputy clerk of the Circuit Court of Pinellas County. She was Lutheran. She was an artist and a member of the Largo Art Association, Treasure Island Art Society, REPCO, Pinellas Alumni and 1918 Club. Survivors include her son, Gary, St. Petersburg; a grandson, Jeremy M. Buck, Steele, Ala.; two nieces; and several cousins. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.
CHOJNACKI cq, JEROME HENRY, 79, of Seminole, died Wednesday (July 12, 2000) Palm Garden of Pinellas, Largo nursing home. He was born in Detroit and came here several years ago from Warren, Mich. He worked for Tool & Die as a fixture builder and was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include a daughter, Joan Greif, Warren. Holloway Funeral Home, Oldsmar.
VON HOLTEN, KARL, 94, of Seminole, died Tuesday (July 11, 2000) at Freedom Square Nursing Center, Seminole. He was born in Germany and came here in 1971 from Brooklyn, N.Y., where he retired as a meter tester for Con Edison. He was Lutheran. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Mary; a daughter, Judy Von Holten, Rochester, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Caroline Jean Saylor and Karl Von Holten III, Rochester, N.Y.; a great-granddaughter; and a niece and nephew. Lewis W. Mohn funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.
WELTZIN, MARIE, 95, of Seminole died Tuesday (July 11, 2000) at Oak Manor Nursing Center, Largo. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was an office worker for Hearst Publications and AT&T, both in New York City. She was a life member of the Bay Ridge Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include three nieces, Helen Wolfertz, Rosemont, N.J., Sondra Pedersen, Lindenhurst, N.Y., and Gloria Smith, Pekin, Ill.; and several great-nephews and great-nieces. National Cremation Society, Largo.

Palm Harbor

MARTIN, MILDRED L., 85, of Palm Harbor, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. She was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and came here in 1975 from Granville, Ohio. She was a homemaker and a member of Lutheran Church of the Palms, Palm Harbor. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Paul F.; three sons, David and Donald, both of Newark, Ohio, and Dennis, Hilliard, Ohio; a daughter, Beverly Nehls, Palm Harbor; a sister, Naomi Whetstone, Upper Sandusky; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor.

Tarpon Springs

KACINKO, GERTRUDE M., 76, of Tarpon Springs, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs. She was born in Newark, N.J., and came here in 1980 from Iselin, N.J. She was a payroll supervisor for the Township of Woodbridge, N.J. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include three sons, Robert A., Tampa, Paul M., Duluth, Ga., and John E., Sarasota; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.
MATTHEWS, ELLEN, 77, of Tarpon Springs, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at home. She was born in Ransom, Pa. and came here in 1989 from Clarks Summit, Pa. She was a beautician and member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include a brother, George Reshetar, Clarks Summit; a sister, Mary Mundy, West Pittston, Pa.; and a grandson, William T. Matthews. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon Springs.

South Pinellas Back to top

TWEED, RUTH ANNE, 49, of Madeira Beach, formerly of St. Pete Beach, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. A native of Franklin, N.J., she moved to Madeira Beach in 1980 from St. Pete Beach. She was a registered nurse at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines for 16 years. Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Bruce S.; a daughter, Melissa Tweed, Madeira Beach; a sister, Barbara Dann, Largo; and three nephews. National Cremation Society, Largo.

St. Pete Beach

THOMAS, GEORGE M. JR., 91, of St. Pete Beach, died Wednesday (July 12, 2000) at St. Petersburg General Hospital. A native of Vanceburg, Ky., he came here in 1924 from Nicholasville, Ky. He was a retired musician and played with the Harry James Orchestra in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills, Calif. Locally, he played at the Coliseum Ballroom, Derby Lane and the Gulfport Casino. He was a Mason and a member of the National Association of Musicians. Survivors include four daughters, Leora Wager, Tawnya Burge, Marlene Anderson and Star Schnur, and a sister, Eva Carey, all of St. Petersburg; and five great-grandchildren. Royal Palm Funeral Chapel & Cemetery North, St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg

BALTZEGAR, LAURA M., 63, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute, St. Petersburg. She came here in 1958 from her native Binghamton, N.Y. She was a hairdresser. Survivors include a son, Dwayne R. Kight, and a brother, Donald Reece, both of St. Petersburg; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.

BENT, LILLIAN C., 94, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., she came here in 1968 from Stamford, Conn. She worked for Low Heywood Preparatory School for girls in Stamford, Conn. She was a member of Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church and was active in the church's Ruth Circle, Women's Fellowship, Creative Crafters, Women on a Faith Journey and XYZ Group. Survivors include two daughters, Millicent "Penny" Murdoch, St. Petersburg, and Lois Albert, East Dennis, Mass.; a sister, Alice Axelson, Houston; four grand-daughters; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. National Cremation Society, St. Petersburg.

BRIDGES, JAMES F. JR., 81, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. He came here in 1957 from his native Athens, Ga. He retired in 1971 as a chief petty officer after 30 years in the Coast Guard. He was a Mason and a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church and the Chief Petty Officers Club, both of St. Petersburg. Survivors include three daughters, Martha A. Scheidell, Homosassa, Linda Joyce Riley, New Port Richey, and Debbie J. Nerdin, Magna, Utah; three brothers, Calvin and David, both of Athens, and Charles, Smyrna, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Woodlawn Chapel, St. Petersburg.

GLANZROCK, MELVYN H., 79, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (July 12, 2000) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute, St. Petersburg. A native of Bronx, N.Y., he came here in 1984 from Long Island, N.Y. He owned a full-service automobile repair and gas station and was a member of Knights of Pythias. He was president of Princeton Building at Five Towns-Terrace Park condominiums and was secretary and treasurer of bowling leagues. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in France and Italy. He received the Victory Medal with Arrowhead ribbon. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Fritzie; two sons, Norman, Pinellas Park, and Robert, Bethpage, N.Y.; a daughter, Elayne Clancy, Turnersville, N.J.; two brothers, Stanley and Herbert, both of Lake Worth; and five grandchildren. Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, St. Petersburg.

MANION, ETHEL M., 86, of Lecanto, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., she moved to Lecanto from St. Petersburg. She was a member of the Hernando Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include a sister, Dorothy DeBard, Delaware. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.

McINTYRE, WILLIE BELL "MA BELL," 74, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at Edward White Hospital, St. Petersburg. A native of Fitzgerald, Ga., she came here in 1945 from Cordele, Ga. She was a housekeeper and cook and retired as assistant housekeeper for Coquina Key Arms Apartments. She was a member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and OES Ruth Chapter 113. Survivors include three sons, John Wesley Bizzell and John A. Robinson, both of St. Petersburg, and Rubin Robinson Bizzell, Virginia Beach, Va.; four daughters, Annie Brooks and Earnestine Phillips, both of St. Petersburg, and Marilyn Mungin and Carolyn Ball, both of Tampa; a brother, Hershey Lee Crawford, Syracuse, N.Y.; three sisters, Dollie Howard, Barbara Jean Cuffie and Edna Myles, all of St. Petersburg; 35 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren. Zion Hill Mortuary, St. Petersburg.

SOUTHERN, WALTER RICHARD, 90, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (July 14, 2000) at home. Born in Chicago, he came here in 1983 from Crystal Lake, Ill., where he worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service from 1927 until retiring in 1965. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and was Lutheran. He was a member of American Legion Post 171, Crystal Lake, and a 60-year member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Hazel M. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Ninth Street Chapel, St. Petersburg.

Tierra Verde

SMITH, DONALD A. SR., 72, of Tierra Verde, died Thursday (July 13, 2000) at home. He came here in 1934 from his native Atlanta. He was a civil engineer for a construction company, a member of Lakewood Lodge No. 443 F&AM in Atlanta, Scottish Rite, Yaarab Shrine Temple, Atlanta, and the Divot Diggers Golf Club of Egypt Shrine Temple. He was an honorary member of Hejaz Shrine Temple, Greenville,S.C. Survivors include his wife, Betty A.; two sons, Donald A. Smith Jr., Tampa, and Warren Lovett, Atlanta; three daughters, Lynn Smith and Valerie Smith, both of Tampa, and Kathy Lovett Thomas, Atlanta; a sister, Jane Martin, Fort Walton Beach; and a grandchild. Marsicano-B. Marion Reed-Stowers Funeral Home, Tampa.