Hank Baker
Hank Baker of Sun City Center was called home by his precious Lord and Savior on May 24, 2013 surrounded by his wife, Jo Baker, and his six children.
He was born June 13, 1918 in Buffalo, NY and was married to Jo for 69 years. He is survived by six children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted family man, faithful Catholic, and loved his Lord.
As a youth and throughout his life, Hank was an active member of the Boy Scouts. He served in the Philippines in the U.S. Army in WWII, and worked for the Corps of Engineers in Buffalo, NY. He enjoyed telling people how he had been a part of turning off Niagara Falls and had stood at its brink on the American side.
Later he was a Safety Engineer and moved to Washington, DC, where he wrote the OSHA regulations for the State of Tennessee.
Hank retired in his mid-fifties and started a whole new venture, co-founding the Mission of the Holy Spirit. He did missionary work in Mexico, Central America, South America, Haiti, China, and the Eastern Bloc nations after the fall of the USSR. His work for the Lord continues through his children and grandchildren.
He was an active member at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, serving as an Eucharistic Minister and in the prayer group. He was known as a man who loved people. He will be missed by his family and all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please support the continuation of his love for the nations by sending a tax deductible donation to the Mission of the Holy Spirit, 6229 Cardinal Brook Ct., Springfield, VA 22153. Jo is currently residing in the DC area. Send any letters of condolences to the above address.
John W. Donnelly
John W. Donnelly of Sun City Center passed away June 27, 2013, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1906. He was a stockbroker. John’s hobbies were table tennis and playing horseshoes.
John is survived by his wife Marian, daughter Carol, sons John and wife Sara, and Bob and wife Jeannie. He had four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. on July 9, 2013 at Freedom Plaza.
Dr. Gerald M. Isbell
Dr. Gerald Marshall Isbell Jr., 83, passed away peacefully June 23, in his Bradenton home. He was surrounded by those he loved, who loved him. A man of intellect and integrity, he was an inspiration to others by the way he lived his life.
Gerald joined the U.S. Marine Corps following high school, serving during both WWII and the Korean War. He attended the University of Maryland and graduated as a Doctor of Dentistry, also sharing in membership of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force, and then in the early ‘60s, he moved his family to Bradenton and became the first dentist in Sun City Center. There he opened his office and continued to practice for the next 50 years. What started as treating patients quickly grew to treating lifelong friends.
He was active in many civic organizations; a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Board of the Sun City Center Bank (later SunTrust), charter member of the Rotary Club, where he was honored as a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for his contributions to humanitarian causes.
On a lighter note he was an enthusiastic member of the Red Neck Goat Ropers of Ruskin.
In Bradenton, he was a leader of the Boy Scouts and served on the board of the Boys Club, making his mark as a mentor and role model to many. He was a member of the Bradenton Yacht Club, an active golfer, and an avid reader. Gerald had a great passion for boating and travel.
A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, June F Isbell; his children Gerald M. Isbell III, Susan I Phipps, and David P. Isbell; as well as grandchildren Luisa, Faith, and Gabriel Isbell, Jennifer, Jillian, and Jaime Phipps and Veronica Isbell; and his beloved walking companion Charlie.
A tribute to his life will be held Saturday, July 6 between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. at the Bradenton Yacht Club, 4307 13th St. West, Palmetto, FL 34243; tel 941-722-5936. Anyone wishing to make a gift of remembrance may send to NAMI Manatee, 628 Emerald Lane, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.
John Nabach
John Nabach, formerly of Sun City Center, passed away June 10, 2013 in Henderson, Nevada. John lived in Buffalo, NY prior to moving to Sun City Center. He was the beloved husband of the late Betty (Roberts).
Surviving are sister Jacqueline Wisinski (Mike) and nephew Scott (Heather) Wisinski. John graduated from Hutchinson High School and the University of Buffalo. He served in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Major.
A memorial service will be held in Buffalo at the convenience of the family.
Robert W. Swing
Robert W Swing, Jr, 70, of Sun City Center, FL passed away June 19, 2013. Bob was known around Ruskin and was always seen with his beloved pet dogs, Freedom and Lady Liberty, who almost never left his side.
Bob moved down to Florida from his CPA position in Pennsylvania to help take care of his parents in 1998. He remained in Florida, and he never let a day go by without a visit to the dog park.
Bob was born July 4, 1942 in Akron Ohio. He received his BA from Widener University, formerly Pennsylvania Military College. Bob and his father graduated together. He is survived by his sister Bonnie, and children Kevin, Lisa and Will.
Services for Bob will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 at Zipperers Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dr. Ott’s Off-Leash Dog Park. The park, a great love of Bob’s, is located at 21st St. S.E. and 3rd Ave. S.E. in Ruskin. Donations may be mailed to Ott’s Off-Leash Dog Sanctuary, Inc, 715 S. Tamiami Tr., Ruskin, Fl, 33570.
