Bill Gilmore
Bill Gilmore, 64, long-time resident of Ruskin, went to be with the Lord on May 4, 2008.

He is survived by his wife, Vickie Gilmore; stepdad, Joe Ortiz; brother, Kent Ortiz; two children, Gayle and Todd; two stepchildren, Kristy and Jason; three grandchildren, Bradley, Stephanie and Kyle.

He will be greatly missed by ­family and friends. A memorial service was held May 9, at Zipperer’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Charlie Thornton officiating.

Arrangements made by Zipperer’s Funeral Home, Ruskin.



Ernest C. Ott
Ernie  Ott, 90,  passed  away  peacefully Monday,  May  5,  2008.  Ernie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He was  a  loyal  and  hardworking manager at Pitt Photo, his family’s  lithography  business.  In 1960  he  moved  his  family  to Florida and bought a hardware and lumber store with his two brothers. The family store had a reputation for serving its customers well and going the extra mile to meet the customers’ needs.

Ernie was a caring and dedicated husband of 69 years to  his  wife  Midge, who  proceeded him in death in March. They had  three  children,  Nancy  Bedford, Hal  Ott  and Jeanne  Bushong, whom he helped  raise  to  be  hardworking, conscientious,  and  giving individuals. When  the  grandchildren  came  along,  Debbie Taggert, Bob Bedford, Hal  Ott, Jr., Laurel Bedford, Diane Cooper,  Nancy  Anderson,  Robbie Bushong,  Kimberly  Anderson and Barbie  Ott he delighted in bouncing them on his foot and making sturdy wooden toys for them  which  eventually  were passed  among  the  great grandchildren,  Lindsay  Taggart,  Taylor  Taggart,  Brooke Bedford,  Sarah  Bedford,  Brendan Ott, Kaylah Anderson, Christopher  Ryals,  Ethan  Anderson,  and  Abby  Anderson.

Ernie  was  a  faithful  member and  active  volunteer  in  his church  continuing  to  be  involved  in  church  projects  up until  just  weeks  before  his death. Among Ernie’s many interests were gardening, woodworking,  traveling  and  dancing.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 26, 2008 at  noon  in  the  sanctuary  of First  United  Methodist  Church Winter Park. In lieu of flowers donations  can  be  made  to  Vitas Innovative Hospice, 5151 Adanson  Street,  Orlando,  FL 32804.

Melvin Albert Persons
Melvin Albert Persons, 79, passed away on May 2, 2008 He was born on July 18, 1928 in Kirkwood, MO.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Patt); and four brothers Jim, Harry, Harvey and Tom Persons. 

After spending several years in the Marine Corps, he worked in law enforcement in Ohio and Colorado until he retired in 1988. He played the trumpet professionally part time for many years in the St. Louis area and Colorado Springs. After moving to Sun City Center, he worked in security at Aston Gardens at the Courtyards;  was an avid golfer and a member of the Sun City Men’s Golf Association.

He will be cremated and his ashes buried at Bushnell National Cemetery.
 
Charles A. Williams
Charles A. Williams, born September 19, 1915 in Dodge City, KA, passed away on April 29, 2008 at South Bay Hospital.

 He was preceded in death by his parents Gerry & Anetta and brother Philip Williams. Also his first wife Jenne D. Lacher and grandson Tyler and stepdaughter Christine. Survived by his present wife Betty C. Lacher, sons Gerry (Rosemary), Michael (Jane), Craig (Piko), and Bruce Williams, grandchildren, Madison, Joel, Seth, Aaron, Leslie, great grandsons, Marik, Braxton Williams, step-children, Scott and friend Tina, James (Sue) Royals, step-grandchildren, Michael, Amalia, Andrew Royals, step-great grandchild Lindsay Royals. Chuck was employed with Southern States Corps for 30 years retiring in 1979. He graduated from Colorado State earning two degrees and was in the United States Army in WWII as a second lieutenant. He belonged to the North, South, Men’s Golf of Sun City Center and Salisbury County Club, and the Men’s Club of Sun City Center.

A reception will be held in his memory at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the Golf & Racquet Club. S. Pebble Beach, Sun City Center.

In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice or Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 101 Ray Watson Drive, Sun City Center, Fl 33573



Daniel Lafayette Strunk
Daniel Lafayette Strunk, or as most knew him -- BIG “D,” 19, of Ruskin went home to be with his Lord and ­Savior on April 22, 2008.

He was a senior at Ruskin ­Christian School and a member of the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. He leaves his parents, Frank and Leslie Strunk, to cherish fond memories; a sister, Cari Narvaez and her husband Juan; two brothers, Timothy and his significant Chenoa Hines, and Matthew Strunk; his maternal grandmother, Mary ­Louise Parish who preceded him in death; grandparents, Charles L. ­Parish Sr., his wife Shirley and Franklin Charles Strunk Sr. and his wife Maria; three aunts, Diane Salyer, her husband Steve, Kathleen Downes and Rhonda Strunk; three uncles Charles L. ­Parish Jr., Keith Strunk and Arthur Strunk and his wife Barbara; three nephews, Noah and Luis Narvaez, and Larry Hines; one niece, Kyra Hines; and three beloved pets that adored him, Harley, Roxie and Barn Barn; and members of the ­Cracker Coalition, and an enormous circle of family and friends, all of whom made a significant difference in his life.

Daniel lived a short life, but loved and enjoyed every minute. He gave more than 100% of himself in everything that he strived to accomplish. He left a piece of himself in the hearts of all that knew him. Daniel’s life was that of a “Beacon Light” and may it forever shine.

Interment was at Manasota ­Memorial Park, Bradenton, Florida. In memory of Daniel, the BIG “D” Scholarship Fund has been set up at Ruskin Christian School, 820 College Ave. West, Ruskin, Florida, for those who so ­desire to make a memorial donation.

© Copyright 2008 by The Observer News Publications and M&M Printing Company, Inc.

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