Merrill Pratt Thomas
Merrill Pratt Thomas died peacefully in her Sun City Center Home on Thursday, March 6, 2008.

 Merrill was born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 9, 1908 and spent many years of her adult life as a world traveler. She resided in Shanghai, China and Indonesia in the 1930’s and 1940’s before settling in New York City. She moved to Florida with her husband, Tommy in 1970.  Merrill was a graduate of Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia.  She has been a committed philanthropist for many years, providing funds for women and children, the arts and charities for the poor. After moving to Sun City Center she became an avid golfer and was a longtime member of the Sun City Golf and Racquet Club. Merrill loved to read, do crossword puzzles, entertain, attend the symphony and often remarked how God had blessed her with a good life and many dear friends.  She especially appreciated her caregiver Ginny Spencer, who graciously provided professional comfort and care for the past three years. Her dear friend and companion of several years, Sister Rosalie Hennessey remembers Merrill as loving, caring and happy…one who never lost her roots as a gracious southern lady. Her generous heart, concern for others, zest for life and beautiful smile will be remembered by numerous friends who will miss her friendship, her vibrant spirit and keen intellect.

She was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate of 60 years, and survived by her loving sister Lilla Rosamond of Columbus, Mississippi, her nephew, Bill Rosamond, her niece, Merrill Sherman as well as several cousins, grand nieces and nephews.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Salvation Army P.O. Box 2839, Tampa, Fl. 33601. Or Redland’s Christian Migrant Association 416 Hwy 41 S., Ruskin, Fl. 33570 or a charity of your choice. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the Sun City Center Funeral Home 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, Fl (813) 634-9900


Durwin Melford Hanson
Durwin Melford Hanson passed on to eternal life on March 3, 2008 at the age of 92.  He was a long-time resident of Sun City Center, Raleigh, NC, and Ames, IA.

Durwin was born in Decorah, IA on December 29, 1915.  He attended grammar school and high school in Decorah.  In 1937 Durwin married Margorie Kennard in Ames, IA.  Durwin graduated from Iowa State in 1939, and enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served as an Engineering Officer with a combat aircraft unit in Guam during WWII.  After the war he returned to Iowa State to earn his Master’s and Doctorate degrees.  He was a professor at Iowa State from 1949 to 1960, and then a professor at North Carolina State from 1960 until 1980 when he and his wife, Margorie, retired and moved to Sun City Center.

During his career Durwin received Outstanding Faculty Awards and Outstanding Extension Service Awards and was instrumental in the establishment of Technical Vocational schools in the United States.  His hobby passion was bowling and was elected Hall of Fame member in Raleigh and the Southeastern Bowling Conference.  He was instrumental in the establishment of over fifty college and technical school scholarships from various bowling organizations.

Durwin is survived by his wife of seventy years, Margorie Hanson, and five nieces and nephews and their spouses: David and Ann Hagge of Franklin, NC, Nancy and Richard Woodley of Dike, IA, John and Judy Hagge of Laporte, MN, Mary and Randy Ketelsen of Bemidji, MN, and Tina and Steve Pace of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Durwin was a kind and gentle man who will be missed by his family.  Memorials can be sent to any of the following:  The Monsignor Supple Fund, c/o St Thomas Aquinas Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014: or the Scholarship Fund of the Capital Area USBC (Bowling) Association, c/o Terry Lochner, 4212 Pickwick Drive 27613, Raleigh, NC; or Sun City Center Hospice House, 3723 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, FL 33573 or your local hospice.  Sympathy cards can be sent to Marge Hanson, PO Box 5683, Sun City Center, FL 33571.  A Memorial Mass was celebrated at 11 am on Tues, March 11, 2008 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center, FL.

Arrangements were made by Sun City Center Funeral Home.

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