Barbara Jancula Cisek
“Babs” 83, of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away July 2, 2016. Barbara had a zest for life and a penchant for leadership. She was family and community minded and taught her children that hard work could be fun, that they could accomplish anything they worked for, education was important and friends are to be held dear.
Barbara was born April 27, 1933 and grew up in Natrona, Pa. She was also a resident of Johnstown and Bethlehem, Pa. Barbara married the guy across the street and is survived by this adoring husband of 58 years, Lawrence J. Cisek, son Dr. Lars Cisek, daughter Kate and husband Bruce Ulrich and six beautiful grandchildren: Liz, Sarah, Lexie, David, Zoe and Ethan.
Barbara received a BA in Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and worked on her master’s at Carnegie Mellon. Throughout her life, she remained very active in the Arts: teaching, creating and exhibiting in oils, pottery, lapidary, silver, tapestry, needle work, weaving and mixed media. Her proudest accomplishments included teaching Art in the schools and her home, being a founder of the Westmont Montessori Preschool and serving as President of the Allied Artists in Johnstown, Pa. In Bethlehem, Pa, she served as President of the Garden Club, was a Master Judge of the National Garden Club, served on the Board of Historical and Architectural Review, the Fine Arts Commissions and the Sister City Commission for the City Council, and under her leadership, The Boutique at the Rink raised over $128 thousand for The American Cancer Society during her two-year tenure as co-chair.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2016 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church 702 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573 (sccems.com), who were indispensable during her final years.
Robert Darwin Larson
Robert Darwin Larson, age 94, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2016. Preceded in death by wife Jean and daughter Janice. Survived by sister Ardys, daughter Jeanine, son David, grandchildren Lauren, David ll, Eric, son-in-law Charles Long and daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Wellman) Larson.
Robert was born in Galva, Iowa April 26, 1922 to parents Justus and Marie. He enlisted in World War ll, serving in Guam as a radar maintenance technician. Following the War, Robert gained a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. He returned to active duty during the Korean conflict, serving as a lieutenant in the Electronics Components Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
After separation from military duty, he returned to his former position as a civilian, and was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he received a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. Upon graduation he was named chief of the Electronics Research Branch at Wright-Patterson, specializing in ferro-electric research, gaseous plasma diagnostics, thin film studies, and sputtering methods for controlled distribution with a group that provided hundreds of technical papers and inventions.
In his position there, he was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award and was twice selected for the Arthur S. Fleming Award. After thirty years of outstanding service with the Air Force, Robert retired to pursue his many hobbies including woodworking, painting, sculpting and short story writing, along with his passion for bicycling, which he continued late into his 80s, including thousands of miles logged with his beloved wife, Jean.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Dublin Community Church, 81 W Bridge St, Dublin, OH 43017. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s memory to the Ohio SPCA & Humane Society. Condolences can be made online at www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com.
Dean J. Merrill
Dean J. Merrill, 75, of Sun City Center, formerly of Marshfield Wisconsin passed on Thursday, July 7, 2016; born Aug. 13, 1940 to the late Will and Bertha Merrill. Dean was the beloved husband of Mary K. Merrill; loving father of James (Christine) Merrill, and Gary D (Lisa) Merrill; cherished grandfather of James, Sean, Amanda (Jeremy) and Bryce; brother of Lt. Col. Will G. (Barbara) Merrill Jr., Lew (Mary L.) Merrill, Sarah Brooks, Evelyn (Don) Neste, the late Ralph (surviving spouse Doris) Merrill and the late Bertha May Nerad.
Dean taught at Marshfield School for 30 years in the first computer science class in the area. He enjoyed helping others and was “Everyman” available to everyone in every way. In addition to helping others, Dean was a part of the SCC Woodcarvers, KP Radio Club, Treasurer of Chevy Chase Property Owners and enjoyed stain glass work.
A memorial service will be celebrated on Thursday, July 14, 11 a.m. at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 1015 Del Webb Blvd. E., Sun City Center, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dean’s name to Life Path Hospice at Sun City, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Ruskin, FL 33573.
Arrangements entrusted to National Cremation & Burial Society, Ruskin.
Sherry Scire
Sherry Scire, 73, of Sun City Center, Florida passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Sherry was born December 14, 1942 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Edger and Betty Mullen. She loved ballroom dancing, gardening, water skiing, hiking and worked as a cosmetologist.
She is survived by her loving husband Leo; sisters Marilyn Nowell and Gail; daughter Donna Stecker; grandson Christopher Stevens; great-granddaughter Caroline Stevens and family and friends.
The family will hold a memorial service Monday, July 18, 2016 at United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd W. Sun City Center, FL 33573 at 2 p.m.
Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Marjorie M. Wood
Marjorie M. Wood, beloved wife of the late Thomas Wood, dear mother of Lesley Green (James), passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 2, 2016 in Sun City Center.
Marjorie volunteered for the SCC Emergency Squad for five years, enjoyed playing pinochle and going to shows as well as driving around in her golf cart to be with friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 18 at SCC United Methodist Church, 1210 Del Webb Blvd. W.