Mary Alyce Willis Graf
Mary Alyce Willis Graf, a native of Ruskin, lived a beautiful life of 77 years and passed away on July 18, 2013 in Sylva, North Carolina. She was a lifelong member of the Ruskin United Methodist Church.
Her early school years were spent in Ruskin. Following graduation from Wimauma High School, she attended Massey Business College, which qualified her to become an executive secretary. She worked as a long-term employee of USPP/Gardenier. She was an active member of the Ruskin Woman’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents George and Artie Simmons, and Josiah and Alyce Willis; mother and father Henry and Wilhelmina Willis, all pioneering families of the area; and her husband Ronald E. Graf.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Shelyne and Jeff Learn; brother and sister-in-law John and Polly Willis; sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Bill Clark; aunt Winafred Gardner; three grandchildren, one great-grandson, two stepchildren and two step-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the Ruskin United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Willis Youth Camp Scholarship Fund. Donations should be sent to the Ruskin United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 745, Ruskin, FL 33575.
She was loved and will be missed by all.
Phyllis Miltner Huntting
Phyllis Miltner Huntting, 94, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2013, at her residence in Sun City Center.
Phyllis was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 4, 1919. She was the daughter of Leona and Philip Phalsgraff.
She is survived by her sons Jerry, Jim, Jeff, Joel, Jack and Jay Miltner; and daughters Mary Miltner Hancock and Mildred Miltner Pearce. All her children reside in Florida.
She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by three sisters, Anne Schneider, Joy Kovar, and Suzette Phalsgraff. She was preceded in death by brother Phillip Phalsgraff and granddaughter, Deborah Ann Cole.
Phyllis’ previous husbands — Gerard G. Miltner for 51 years and Craig Huntting for 13 years — both preceded her in death.
Phyllis lived in Hillsborough County for more than 50 years. She was always surrounded by family and friends. She loved to dance and was an avid performer best known as “Miss Piggy,” entertaining children and adults.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Aston Gardens on Emerald Lake Drive in Sun City Center on Saturday, August 10, at 2 p.m. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory should be made to LifePath Hospice of Sun City Center.
Murray Parker Nicol
Murray Parker Nicol, 94, of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away at Sun City Center Hospice House on July 5, 2013.
Murray was born in Honor, Mich. on October 22, 1918. He was preceded in death by his parents Lucien and Corinne; brother Robert and sister Alice.
A World War II veteran, he served in the European Theater. Murray was married to Norma Harriet Nicol for 68 years. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Cleveland Oh. until he and his wife retired to Ruskin, Fla.
He was a Past Master of Thatcher F & AM 439 in Cleveland, Oh. He was also an active member of the Nottingham Chapter of the O. E. S. and served as Worthy Patron in the 1960s.
He is survived by wife Norma Harriet; daughter Sandra (Sandi) Rupert and son-in-law Mark Rupert; son Craig; grandchildren Stacey Bram, Amanda Nicol and Zachary Nicol; and great- grandson Alex Bram.
A memorial service will be held at Ruskin United Methodist Church, 105 4th Ave. NW in Ruskin on Saturday, August 10 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Ruskin United Methodist Church Memorial Fund are suggested.
Irma Reatherford
Irma Reatherford, 89, of Ruskin, Florida went home to the Lord on July 27, 2013. She is survived by sons Ron and Jim; daughter Sandy Maloney; brother Orville; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased in 1961 by her husband Gene. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the National Cremation and Burial Society, 308 E. College Ave. in Ruskin on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Susan G. Komen in Irma’s memory. For online donations, go to www.komensuncoast.org. Tribute cards may be sent to Sandy Maloney, 1605 Bunker Hill Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573.