Willard D. ‘Bill’ Baker Jr.
Willard D. “Bill” Baker Jr., age 81, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed on Thursday, April 9, 2015.
Beloved husband of Nora Baker and the late Virginia Baker; son of the late Willard and Mildred Baker; father of Willard (Sue) Baker III and Katherine (Rick) Stefanik; grandfather of Danielle (Joe) Bergman, Brent (Erin) Baker, the late Michelle Lons and Aaron Lons; great-grandfather of five; and predeceased by one great-grandchild.
Bill was a 50-year life member of the Elks Lodge #2672, the American Legion Sun City Center Post 246 and MENSA. He attended Attica High School and the University of Buffalo; was a Navy veteran of the Korean War; and retired from the New York State Department of Corrections.
Arrangements entrusted to National Cremation & Burial Society, Ruskin.
Lee R. Cline
Lee R. Cline, 80, of Sun City Center, Fla., died Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at LifePath Hospice House, Ruskin, Fla.
He was born January 28,1935, at The Plains, Ohio, son of the late Arthur and Irene Almashy Cline.
Lee was a Senior Analyst in accounting at Consolidation Coal Co. He was a Freemason, a member of the Scottish Rite and a Shriner. He was a member of the United Community Church. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister Dorthea Greer.
Surviving are his wife, Doris Dometrovich Cline; son Jeffrey L. Cline; brother Arthur Cline; sister Barbara Crossland; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial will be held in Ohio at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
Rocky V. Driggers
Rocky V. Driggers, 59, of Ruskin “Doodle Hill,” passed away Thursday, April 16, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Jessie. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughters Courtney (Justin) and Cassandra (John); son Rocky Jr. (Rhonda); and five grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life was held Tuesday, April 21, at DD Ranch.
Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Donald L. Foky
Donald L. Foky, 83 years old, formerly of Schenectady, N.Y., died April 15, 2015 in Sun City Center.
Don enjoyed 42 years with GE, starting his career as a draftsman, ending it as an electrical engineer. His career enabled him to travel the world multiple times.
He was an accomplished painter and writer. In his spare time, he built models of planes and ships; among them was a model of the USS Missouri.
He taught arts in Sun City Center and Brandon. He spearheaded a children’s art class at the Brandon Library, “Learn to draw with Uncle Don.”
Don was a wonderful and caring husband, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife Josefina (Josie) Foky; children Trudy (Charley), Moses (Tina), Helen (Steve) and Maria (Vinny); 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
As per his request, no funeral service will be held.
Arrangements provided by the National Cremation Society.
Lynn J. Lach
Lynn J. Lach, 63, a Kings Point resident in Sun City Center, Fla., passed into God’s hands April 16, 2015, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Passaic, N.J., she moved to Kings Point with her husband in late 2011. She is survived by her husband, her brother and several aunts/uncles/cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, April 23, at Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive in Sun City Center.
Donations in Lynn’s name can be made to the American Heart Association and/or the American Lung Association.
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
Stephen Simon Murawski
Stephen (Steve) Simon Murawski, loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, lived a full life for 90 years and passed away peacefully on April 14, 2015, with his family by his side.
Stephen was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 24, 1925, to Joseph and Sophie Murawski, one of five sons. He was baptized Catholic and served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. Steve married Mary Holiwski on Nov. 22, 1947. Together, they had five children and stayed together 54 years, until Mary’s passing in 2001.
After his naval service, he worked as the head of Produce for Bohack grocery stores in New York until 1967. The family moved to Florida in 1971, and Steve worked at Speedling Inc. and retired from Plants of Sarasota in 1992. He loved growing things in his garden. And, man, could he cook! He was excellent in woodworking and general carpentry. He had an intricate eye for detail.
Steve had four brothers: Casimir (deceased), Henry (Terry), Edwin (Dorothy) and Eugene (Lois)
His children are Stephanie (Robert Lee) Humecky of Apollo Beach; Michael Murawski of Apollo Beach; Diane (Michael) Houghtaling of Ruskin; Karen (Ted) Freiwald of Ruskin; and Deboraha Murawski of Apollo Beach.
He was the best grandpa to his four grandchildren: Shannon Greenhalgh, Christopher Leibrock, Rebecca Dearth and David-Michael Houghtaling. He played with them, took them places and always had time for them. They’ve all grown up now and gave him seven great-grandchildren: Connor, Lukas, Alanna, Aria, John Wesley, Adam and Reed.
He was a good, decent, honorable man. That’s the true measure of a man. We’re all happy to have known and loved him.
Listing things a person did or relatives both living and deceased just doesn’t tell the whole story of the man. This man was great. Not famous. Just our dad. Our children’s grandpa and even great-grandpa. He did his job, never complained. He taught us how to be strong and have a good work ethic and how to speak up. As kids, he played with us, took care of us, yelled at us when we needed it. He taught us how to drive, how to hang wallpaper, how to cook. He loved a good Scotch and soda. He showed us how to live and be good people. He showed us love in many ways, and we love him. And we thank him for all that and more.
One of the best memories we kids have is of the entire extended family going to the park and having a picnic, playing together and visiting. As an honor to Steve, we’re having a picnic at the home of Diane and Mike Houghtaling on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at 1 p.m., to welcome family and friends, a celebration of a life well lived. There’ll be a toast with Scotch for Steve, for Dad, for Grandpa.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in his name.
Raymond R. Whitehurst Jr.
Raymond R. Whitehurst Jr., age 60, passed away on April 19, 2015.
Beloved father of Brandi Whitehurst; son of Ray and Vivian Whitehurst Sr.; brother of Dee Whitehurst; grandfather of Skylar Knock; and uncle of David Jeneske.
Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25, at The National Cremation and Burial Society, 308 E. College Ave. Ruskin, FL 33570.
In lieu of flowers, the Whitehurst family requests memorial contributions be made to the Sun City Center Hospice House.
Marjorie Jane Zaring
Marjorie Jane Zaring, 90, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at her residence.
She was born in North Madison, Ind., on October 17, 1924. Marjorie was a retired elementary school teacher, a member of the United Methodist Church, past Council President of Champaign (Ill.) Parents Teacher Association, 1999 – 2000, President of Carle Hospital Auxiliary, and Illinois Retired Educational Office Professionals, Dorcas Circle of United Methodist Women’s Club, Kum Double Church Group, Champaign Community Women’s Club and was the founder of the Carle Hospital Guest House.
Marjorie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Wilson Miles Zaring of Sun City Center; daughter Susan (Dennis Winter) Baker of Sun City Center; son David (Nora) Zaring of Danvers, Ill.; grandchildren Miles Baker, Morgan Baker, Michael Zaring and Paul Zaring; great-granddaughter Amy Baker; and sister Anna Schuster of Indianapolis.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until time of service on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, 210 West Church St., Champaign. Memorial service will be at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mrs. Zaring’s name to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or U.S. Fund for UNICEF, P.O. Box 96964, Washington, D.C. 20077-7399.
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
