Sarah J. Franklin
Sarah J. Franklin, born Oct. 11, 1943 passed away on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 after a long and courageous battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Sarah is survived by her husband of 57 years, James M. Franklin; daughters, Spring Y. Wallen (Kurt), Shelley J. Alfonso (Carlos); and son James M. Franklin II (Stephanie); four grandchildren, Jessica Campbell (Aaron), Chase F. Parker, Austin Moore and Jorden Kieffer; one great-granchild Layla Byrem; sisters, Virginia Carroll (Wayne), Eileen Jones, Eva Allen, and Judene Deakle (Jeff); and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Sarah is predeceased by her parents, Felix and Sinesia Valdez; brother, Felix Valdez, Jr.; and grandson Slone Cook.
A memorial service celebrating Sarah’s life will be held on Friday, Oct. 20, at the First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, 9912 Indiana St. and U.S. 41 S. Service time is 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alzheimer’s Research in honor of Sarah Franklin.
William E. Shultz
William E. Shultz, 89, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away September 1, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Miriam Shultz, sons, Stan Shultz and William Shultz, Jr. No services are scheduled at this time.
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home 1851 Rickenbacker Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573, 813-634-9900.
Oscar W. Bilharz
Oscar W. Bilharz (known to friends and family as “Stretch”), of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2017, at the age of 94. He was predeceased by his parents, Oscar W. Bilharz, Sr., and Anita (née Herman) Bilharz; by his sister Marcia Kahlenburg and his brother Theodore Bilharz. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Carolyn (née LeRoy) Bilharz; his sister Stephanie DeAquero of St. Louis, Missouri; his children Douglas (Diane) of Edgewood, Kentucky, Marcia Hansen (Carl) of Troy, New York, Richard (Ann) of Manlius, New York, and Robert (Joan) of Exeter, New Hampshire. Stretch is also survived by seven grandchildren: Heather, Richard, Melanie, Kathryn, Stephan, Jeffrey and Elizabeth, and by two great-grandchildren: Annabelle and Frances. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Stretch received his Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University (Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Kappa chapter), Electrical Engineering degree from Yale University, and graduate degree in Nuclear Physics from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Air Force where he taught instrument flying.
Stretch started his career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he became a nuclear engineer, and completed it at the General Electric Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory as a nuclear physicist, where he held multiple patents for his designs.
During his career, Stretch served on the ANP Advisory Committee for Nuclear Measures and Standards, the IEEE Nuclear Science GP Standards Committee, and the American National Standards Institute.
Stretch enjoyed a wonderful retirement with Carolyn in Galway, New York, and at Sun City Center, Florida, where he was active in numerous social and recreational activities, including the International Lawn Bowling League and the Computer Club. He and Carolyn enjoyed extensive traveling and loved family visits.
A memorial service will be held on November 4, 2017, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 Dell Web Blvd. W., Sun City Center, Florida.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to LifePath Hospice, 12470 Telecom Dr., Suite 300 West, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.
Arrangments by Zipperers Funeral Home, in Ruskin, Florida. (zippersfuneralhome.com.)
Howard Parsley
Howard Parsley, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 14, 2017, at Kobacker House following a lengthy illness. Howard was born on December 10, 1928 in Marrowbone, West Virginia to M.H. and Elizabeth Parsley. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Carolyn, brother Hayden, twin brother Homer, sisters Marie Neely, Lorraine Sammons, Lily Brumfield and Annis Etter. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Betty (Carter), daughters Diana (Dennis) Moore, Sheila (William) Anderson, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Howard was a salesman for Carr Supply until his retirement. He loved golfing, fishing, pitching horseshoes, and spending his winters with Betty in Sun City Center, Florida.
Friends called on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Schoedinger Worthington Chapel at 6699 N. High St. and Wednesday from noon until the service time at 1 p.m. Entombment followed at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 1511 El Rancho Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.schoedinger.com.
Noel Thomas Kohn
Noel Thomas Kohn, 79, died peacefully surrounded by his family in Tampa, Fla., on September 23, 2017. A service to celebrate Noel’s life will be held at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center, Fla., Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 1 p.m.
Noel, the son of Norman and Ann (Hanrahan) Kohn of North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was the oldest of seven siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Arlene Linsley. He attended St. Norbert College on a ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1959. After college, Noel continued his service to his country as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers. While stationed in Germany, he met and married his wife, Ginger (nee Coffee). Noel retired as a Captain and returned to begin his family in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Noel enjoyed his life. While his work days were filled as an executive at Xerox, he always managed to pursue his interests in his free time. Of most importance was the success and happiness of his three sons, Kevin, Tim and David. Whether coaching their sports teams or helping them find the right course of study, Noel dedicated his life to his sons. He served on the Board of Trustees at The Hun School of Princeton, winning the Meritus Service Award two separate times as well as he served on the Parents’ Association of Bucknell University.
In addition, Noel found much pleasure fishing, golfing and perfecting his bridge game (of which he achieved Life Master).
Upon retirement, Noel and Ginger split their time between Avalon, N.J. and Sun City Center, Fla. Never inactive, Noel had large social communities in both places. He continued his interests in bridge and golf while also volunteering in the community. He served on the Security Patrol, installed Life Lines as a member of the Men’s Club of Sun City Center and he was a part of the AARP Tax Preparation Team. Noel was an active member of the Caloosa Golf and Country Club.
Noel was a gregarious, caring and supportive husband and father and leaves behind his wife Ginger; his three sons Kevin, Tim and Dave; daughter-in-law Blake and grandchildren Brendan, Will, Mackenzie, Caroline and Natalie; and as his siblings Carol Hillberry, Norman Kohn, Mary Schroeder, Melissa Kohn and Terence Kohn and countless nieces and nephews. Donations in Noel’s memory can be made to the Hun School of Princeton, 176 Edgerstoune Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540.
