Jana Hatfield Cruz
July 10, 1979 – February 1, 2014
On February 1, 2014, Jana Hatfield Cruz of Ruskin left us to become one of God’s Angels in heaven.
She is survived by her loving husband Raymund Cruz; sons Austin, Cole Caleb, Jacob and Landon; parents Jay Hatfield and Betty Hatfield; and siblings Tracy, Jamey and Jason.
She was a loving mother, wife and daughter who will be greatly missed. May she soar to heavens and find everlasting peace.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Zipperers Funeral Home in Ruskin.
Donald Henry Eaton
January 5, 1928 – December 13, 2013
Donald Henry Eaton, 85, passed away on December 13, 2013, in Weston, Florida. He was born on January 5, 1928, in Green Lake, Wis., to Donald McLelland Eaton and Elaine Marie Gentzen Eaton.
Donald grew up in West Allis, Wis. He graduated from West Allis Central High School in 1945 at age 17, and immediately joined the Merchant Marines.
Donald married Sally Frances Emmett in 1947. They were happily married for 29 years until Sally’s death in 1976. In 1981, he married Geraldine Gudmundson.
Donald started work at the flour mill in Superior, Wis. He then worked for Fowler Towel company in Milwaukee, where he became a Teamster’s union member, and soon thereafter began working for Teamster’s union 695 as a business agent. He quickly became President and, subsequently, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 695 in Madison Wis.
He was voted Man of the Year in 1969 in the City of Madison for his contributions in settling a bus drivers strike. He later worked as a Commissioner of Labor Mediation for the Federal government, first in the Minneapolis office, and then in Atlanta, Ga. prior to his retirement. In retirement, he moved to Sun City Center, Fla., and became an avid golfer, joining four leagues, and keeping scores for some of them. He was part of the local neighborhood watch group, and provided community service as a volunteer mediator.
Donald was preceded in death by brother Lawrence Albert Eaton, wife Sally Frances Emmett Eaton, and parents Donald McLelland Eaton and Elaine Marie Gentzen Eaton.
Donald is survived by children Jamie Beatty of Columbus, Ohio; Christopher Eaton of Madison, Wis.; Laurie Eaton (James Jasper) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Nell Henry (James) of River Falls, Wis.; grandchildren S. Patrick Eaton (Yuko Sasano), Hank Beatty (Angie), Jesse Beatty, Samuel Underkofler (Angelia Gomes), Kelly Underkofler, Jake Underkofler, Casey Underkofler, Kate Henry and Allie Henry; great-grandchildren Reika Sasano, Kei Sasano, Jamie Beatty and Harley Snyder; brother Phillip Eaton of Sun City Center, Fla.; nephew David Eaton; spouse Geraldine Eaton of Weston, Fla.; stepchildren Dean Gudmundson, (Dierdre); Holly Cruse; Jennifer Gudmundson; and Nicole Moore, (Patrick).
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871.
Harold Wendell Fitts
Harold Wendell Fitts, 88, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2014, in Sun City Center, Fla. Born and raised in Barre, Vt., he graduated from Spaulding High School and the University of Vermont. He served in WWII and returned from the war to marry Doris (Ding) Paterson and to work in the family business, the Homer Fitts Company. During his career at the Homer Fitts Company, Wendell was actively involved in the community, belonging to Barre Elks, Barre American Legion, Barre Community Baseball Association, Lighthouse and the Barre Rotary, where he served as district governor. At one point in his career, he was honored by a national retailers association and shared the award with the president of Sears Roebuck.
Wendell and Ding raised six children and served as hosts to more than two dozen foreign exchange students through AFS and Rotary International. Upon retirement, Wendell and Ding continued their Vermont connection by summering at Leyford Pond, and they spent the remainder of the year in Sun City Center, Fla., where Wendell enjoyed golf and good times with friends.
Whenever Ding and Wendell traveled, they always returned home having made new friends; they had friends around the world.
Following Ding’s death, Wendell met Edna Royle, and they were married in 2003. Together, they continued to enjoy golf and their families. Wendell leaves two brothers, Homer and Stanley of Barre, Vt., and six children: Donald (Nancy) of Sarasota, Fla., David of Sacramento, Calif., Stephen (Susan) of Sun City Center, Robert (Terri) of Maitland, Fla., Wendy (Jerry) Marcotte of Sun City Center, and Scott (Mary) of Wilmington, Del. He also leaves a step-daughter, Lois (Allan) Marquardt of St. Louis, Mo. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Corrigan and stepson David Royle. He leaves 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.
A celebration of his life took place January 21, 2014, at the Hospice House in Sun City Center, and a memorial service and burial will take place this summer in Barre, Vt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lifepath Hospice of Sun City Center, 3725 Upper Creek Rd., Sun City Center, FL 33573. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Klaus J. Fraebel
Klaus J. Fraebel, 76, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away on January 26, 2014.
Klaus is survived by his loving wife Christel; daughter Andrea and husband Fred; daughter Beate; and three grandchildren Michael, Daniel and Christal. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Esther Schiele Greenlee
Esther Schiele Greenlee, 94, passed away at LifePath Hospice on January 25, 2014. She is survived by daughter Janet Vassallo and son Ralph Greenlee as well as granddaughters Jennifer Theodore and Sarah Schweiger plus great-grandson Jonathon Theodore, as well as other loving extended family members.
Esther was born in Syracuse, New York, and was very active in her country club, Meals on Wheels and Syracuse University, her alma mater.
When she and her husband Thomas moved to Sun City Center she continued her service with the Meals on Wheels project. She was a member of Caloosa Golf & Country Club and was known for her excellent skill in playing bridge.
Esther’s faith was very strong and was fortified by her weekly attendance at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Verla M. Hirneisen
Verla M. Hirneisen of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of Lancaster, Pa., went to be with the Lord on December 2, 2013, after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Carl Hirneisen, who passed away in January 2012.
Verla worked at Schick Inc., Totes and Datcon. She moved to Sun City Center in 2001.
She is survived by daughter Judith (Michael) Krantz, son Veryl Ed Geltz and his partner Gary Lancaster, daughter Carla (Bruce) Texter, and son Brad (Cindy) Hirneisen; grandchildren Karen (Ronnie) Ellmaker, Leslie (Ken) McCollough, Holly (Anthony) Reynolds and Jarred Texter; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Sun City Christian Center Church, 17566 US Hwy 301 South, in Wimauma.
Interment will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 SR 72 in Sarasota.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in her name to Sun City Christian Center.