Jeffrey “Jeff” Anderson
Jeffrey “Jeff” Anderson, 52, of Apollo Beach, Fla passed away December 5, 2013. He was owner of AFC Systems, Inc. Survivors include his son, Matthew Anderson, his parents, Bob and Sara Anderson, two brothers and sisters in law, Brian and Robin Anderson and Terry and Danyle Anderson. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, Sun City Center, Fla (813) 634-9900.
Joseph W. Bierly
Joseph W. Bierly, Jr., 79, of Sun City Center, FL died on November 28 at LifePath Hospice. Born in Glen Rock, PA he lived most of his life in Hanover, PA. Joe attended Susquehannock High School, where he was a four letter athlete. He was offered a full baseball scholarship to Gettysburg College where he was a starting pitcher and starting center in basketball.
Following graduation in 1956 he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. In 1957, after one season in the minors, he was drafted into the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne. Joe later earned his master’s degree at Western Maryland College and taught Physical Education and Health at South Western High School for 33 years. In addition, he was Athletic Director and coached baseball and basketball. Later he officiated basketball at the high school and college levels. In 1998 he was inducted into the South-Central Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In his later years golf became an increasingly large part of his life, and Joe was club champion at both South Hills and Honey Run Golf Clubs in Pennsylvania. For the past several years he enjoyed the warm Florida sunshine and the many friends he made on the golf course. Joe was a member of the Men’s Club in Sun City Center.
Joe is survived by his forever partner, Flavia Robertson, a sister Mary Rudy, children Donald “Tony” Cape, Holly Cape Cook, Sherry Jo Bierly, and seven grandchildren.
Joe was known for his warm smile that lit up his entire face and he had a knack for making everyone feel good about themselves whenever he was around. At school he was known as “SIR”, and he and many of his students have kept in touch throughout the years. He was well loved by everyone that knew him. Joe had strong spiritual beliefs and lived his life accordingly.
A celebration of his life will be held at Community Hall, Room 5, in Sun City Center. FL on Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 2:30 – 5 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Dr, Sun City Center, FL 33573.
Marvene J. Bussell
Marvene J. Bussell, age 90, passed away quietly on November 21, 2013. She was a member of the last graduating class of Steele High School in Dayton, Ohio and a graduate of the University of Dayton with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught Fifth grade for over 30 years at Kemp School in Dayton, Ohio. She also taught in Fairborn, Ohio; New Castle, Indiana; and Lowell, Arizona. She was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank S. Bussell and is survived by her two sons: Michael and Gregory Bussell and her daughter-in-law, Susan Bussell. Further, she is survived by her grandchildren: Jeffery and Brandy Bussell, Jennifer Bussell-Schiff, and Alexander Bussell. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Alyssa and Ashley Bussell. She will be missed by all. Graveside services will be held at on Saturday, December 7, at 1 PM at Mt. Zion Shoup Cemetery. Contributions in Marvene’s memory can be made to SPCA International. Arrangements are in care of Tobias Funeral Home Beavercreek Chapel. Condolences for the family can be made at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
Kenneth C. Grom
Kenneth C. Grom was born in Barrington, Illinois and passed away in Sun City Center at age 91. He was an accomplished musician and served as a church organist and director of music on behalf of churches in Illinois, Indiana and Florida for more than 70 years. He is survived by his wife Lorrie Grom, his daughter Wendy Grom, his step-son Edward De Laurier and two step-grandsons. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center on December 14, 2013 at 3 p.m.
Thomas F. Leuzzi
Thomas F. Leuzzi of Kings Point passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Hospice House in Sun City Center. Tom was surrounded by loved ones Ginny Riordon; daughter Christine Simone; and mother Florence Leuzzi.
He is survived by his beloved mother Florence; sons Thomas and Michael; daughter Christine; four grandchildren and one great-grandson; two sisters, Arlene Relli of Ohio, and Mary McCarty of North Daokta.
Tom was a 25 year resident of Florida, coming here from Long Island, New York. He was an avid NASCAR fan and used his love of cars in pursuing his career as an automotive entrepreneur.
A visition and service was held Dec. 13, 2013, at the National Crematory (formerly Lewers Funeral Home) 308 E. College Ave., Ruskin, FL, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Tom would prefer that you make a donation to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573 or LifePath Hospice, Memorial Gift, 12470 Telecom Dr., Suite 400, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.
William Cooper Schick
William C. (Bill) Schick, 97, died Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Sun City Center, Fla.. He was born in Choteau, Montana on September 28, 1916, and at age three, moved to Michigan. Bill served in World War II and the Korean War and retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1966. Bill and Mary moved to Sun City Center in 1981.
Bill was an enthusiastic golfer, served as President of the Men’s Golf Association of the North-South Golf Course and was a member of Caloosa Golf and Country Club. He was President of the local chapter of the Retired Officers Association, Deacon of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and a 60-plus years’ Mason and Shriner.
Bill was predeceased by son John; Mary, his wife of 63 years; sister Virginia; and brother Jack. Bill is survived by son Michael (Betty) of Homosassa; granddaughter Jennifer Schick (Ryan Cox) of Pompano Beach; great-grandson Cooper; niece Jane S. Frucci (Gary) of Naples; great-niece Christina Chane (Jonathan) of Jupiter; great-nephew John Frucci (Carin) of Winnetka, Ill.; eight great-great-nieces and nephews; and friend and caregiver Rosa Rosado.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 20 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Helen R. Schleiden
Helen R. Schleiden has been celebrating in Heaven since Nov. 23, 2013. She was 97 years old.
She is survived by sister Edith Rosenberger; sons A. Richard (Irene), David, and Donald (Judi); daughter Doris; 31 grandchildren; 39 great- grandchildren; and 6 great-great- grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Gideons.
Mason Sikes
Mason Sikes, 84, of Gibsonton, went home to be with God on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. Mason was a life long resident of Hillsborough County spending most of his life in the southeast part of the county.
He was born October 18, 1929, in Wimauma, Florida, to General Gardner Sikes and Beatrice Judah-Sikes, just a few days before the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
Most of Mason’s youth was spent in the Church of God, in the vegetable fields of Ruskin and Wimauma, or on Tampa Bay eating fresh oysters and fishing with his father.
In 1948 he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman and was one of the first soldiers that was sent into Korea at the start of the war. Mason never lost his family roots while in the Army, sending an allotment back home so that his mother could take care of herself and his younger siblings. After the war he returned to Ruskin and began a career as a tropical fish farmer and then in 1962 he married Florence Padgett.
Mason and Florence were among some of the first tropical fish farmers in Hillsborough County, and soon established a thriving fish farm in Riverview at the corners of Rhodine Road and Sykes Road. Mason raised some of the most beautiful tropical fish at the time and was the first farmer to breed the now very popular, plecostomus catfish. In the mid 1970s the Sikes family sold their fish farm and moved to Lake Wales, Florida, after Mason was injured in an accident. He continued to raise his family while selling fresh caught fish, canned mullet and crab meat, and by taking odd jobs over the years. In the late 1970s Mason moved his family back to Gibsonton, Florida, where he and his wife raised their two sons and for the next thirty-seven years they lived on Bliss Road.
Mason was a member of The Loyal Order of the Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans organizations. He was also a dedicated member of the Hackney Cemetery Trust, Inc., a cause that was very near and dear to his heart.
Mason is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years Florence Padgett Sikes of Gibsonton, Florida, and two sons, Mason Sikes, Jr. of Riverview and Troy Allen Sikes of Riverview. Mason also had two children by a previous marriage, Randy M. Sikes of Texas and Janis Sikes-Boscarello of Virginia. He is also survived by two sisters Gillie Baker of Gibsonton; Maxine Dozier of Zephyrhills; and one brother, Alfred Sikes of Gibsonton. Mason has seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a vast number of nieces and nephews.
Mason was preceded in death by his parents General Gardner Sikes and Beatrice Judah Sikes; one sister Myrtle Clark; one brother Edgar Sikes; one son James Wesley Sikes; one daughter-in-law Sandra Canaday Sikes; and two grandsons James Wesley Sikes, Jr. and Yancy Bo Sikes.
Pallbearers will be Keith Sikes, Bryan Sikes, Junior Clark, Randy Sikes, Jr., Ron “Joey” Padgett, and Roy Bass.
The Sikes Family wishes to extend a heart-felt and humble thank you to Peggy Speece, Charlene Lopes, and Lifepath Hospice for their attentive care and attention during Mason’s illness. For almost a year Peggy has shown love that only a compassionate and caring person could show, there is no way to repay her for all the kindness and support that has been shown by this wonderful, beautiful woman.
Services were held at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home on December 7, 2013. The family ask that donations be made to the Hackney Cemetery Trust, Inc., Care of: Sunshine State Federal Savings, 7459 US Highway 301 S, Riverview, Florida 33578 in honor of Mason’s life.
Henry M. “Butch” Smith
Henry M. “Butch” Smith, 72, of Ruskin passed away December 4. He was retired from W.R. Bonsal and was a former Fire Chief for the Gibsonton Volunteer Fire Department. He was a 28 year member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, daughters, Jennifer Marie Smith and Dana Ostrander, granddaughter, Tabitha Ostrander, sister Marlene Figga, and brother Filmer “Bud” Smith. A memorial service was held at the Riverview Moose Lodge on Sunday, December 8th at 4 p.m.
Norma M. Zeller
Norma M. Zeller, age 90, of Woodbridge, Va., formerly of Lansing, Mich. and Sun City Center, Fla., went to be with God on Tuesday, November 26, 2013.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Merv Zeller. She is survived by her daughter Beth Adams and son-in-law Steve of Fairfax Station, Va. and grandchildren Erin of Richmond, Va., Kyle (and fiancée Ashley) of Harrisburg, Pa., and Brian of Woodbridge, Va.
A graveside service was held Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing, Mich. Donations may be made in Norma’s name to the Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 7801 Mesquite Bend Dr., Suite 105, Irving, TX 75063. Please write Norma Zeller, Woodbridge, VA in the memo line. Arrangements by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. www.EstesLeadley.com.