Shirley Keen Bass
To our mother: You carried us home for the first time in your arms, then carried us in your heart and in your thoughts. We were never so far away that your love could not reach us. Now it is our time to carry you to your home. We will always carry you in our heart and thoughts. You will never be so far away that our love cannot reach you.
Shirley Keen Bass, born January 25, 1932, passed from this life on February 13, 2016. She is survived by nine children, Steven (Wendy), Sandra, Jay, Sylvia (David), Judith Ann, Jacob, Cassie (Brad), Aaron, and Dayton; 28 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and siblings Evelyn, Opal and Willard.
She also raised another generation of children — not related, but they still call her Mama. She was a Christian lady with a fierce devotion to her family. Now she is reunited with the love of her life, our father, Papa Bass. We will miss you deeply until we meet again. Rest in peace Mom.
Funeral services were held February 16 at Sun City Christian Center, followed by a graveside service at Ruskin Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the National Cremation and Burial Society of Ruskin, Fla.
Anne Brunner
Anne Louise Bowman Brunner
Anne Louise Bowman Brunner passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2016.
A loving and generous wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, Anne was born in New Eagle, Pa., on March 29, 1936. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Marc Brunner; children Cory (Brian) Hayes, Cariann (Rick) Turner, John (Dresden) Brunner, Andrew Brunner, Brett Brunner and Becky (Gavin) MacGregor; and 11 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Jean Pratt.
Anne graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., with a degree in music with a minor in drama. She earned her teaching credentials and taught music and English in the Erie school system. She was an accomplished singer and pianist. The Brunner family lived in Prospect, Ky., for over 35 years. Anne was a music and religion teacher and, later in life, worked for the Prospect City Hall until her retirement.
In Sun City Center, Fla., Anne was a founding board member for the Christian Classical Academy of Naples and served as the Vice President of the Sun City Center Metaphysical Society.
Anne loved social gatherings with her family, friends and grandchildren. Friends and family remember Anne as a generous soul who kept her door open and coffeepot hot for visitors.
Darrell ‘Buddy’ Levon Cass
My wonderful father, Darrell “Buddy” Levon Cass, passed away unexpectedly January 29, 2016, at the age of 79 in Ruskin, Fla., from complications from COPD.
Darrell was born April 7, 1936, in Camden, Ohio, to Kathryn Fouts and William Cass.
He married Donna Walstrom and to this union were born four children: Patrick (Westminster, Colo.), Sheryl (deceased), Daryl (Ruskin), and Stephanie (Rigby, Idaho). They were later divorced, but lived together in their older years to help each other financially. I know he never quit loving her.
He served in the U.S. Air Force, and after his service, he made his home in Colorado. He made a career as plant manager at Lowrey’s Beef Jerky Plant in Denver, from which he retired.
He was a master craftsman in woodworking, able to make anything from a napkin holder to a grandfather clock.
He loved his morning coffee and a special thanks goes out to his friends Karen and Steve Allen for hosting him for coffee on the beautiful Florida mornings. He also had many classmates that remained lifelong friends.
Dad, thank you for being my strongest cheerleader growing up. You were a wonderful father and provider. I will forever miss you and promise you will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace. I will always love you. Love, Stephanie
Unfortunately, no services were held, and there was cremation. However, if any one wishes to honor my late father, a donation may be made to any animal shelter or humane society in his memory. He would like that as he loved his Boston terrier, Cricket, and Yorkie, Squirt, very much.
Edna Royce Fitts
Edna Royle Fitts
Edna Royle Fitts passed away peacefully, in her own home on Monday, February 8, in Sun City Center.
Her surviving family include her daughter, Lois Royle Marquardt, married to Allan Marquardt, and their two daughters, Tanya and Yulia of St. Louis, Mo.; and Kalleen Luebke of Daizell, Ill. Kalleen is the daughter of the late Donald Royle, Edna’s son.
Edna considered herself blessed to have two wonderful marriages. She was married to the late David Kendall Royle for 50 years, and to the late Harold W. Fitts (Wendell) for 10 years.
Edna spent a life of giving, always helping others in need and was an active member of the Christian Science church. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and is dearly loved by her whole extended family. She shared her love of the outdoors, swimming, reading, golf and learning with all those around her.
The family is holding a private service for her in Sun City Center.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wellsprings of Florida P.O. Box 40687, St. Petersburg, FL 33743 in the name of Edna Royle Fitts.
Thomas McFarland
Thomas McFarland, of Sun City Center, Fla. , passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, February 11, 2016, at the LifePath Sun City Center Hospice House at the age of 68.
Born on April 21, 1947, in Waltham, Mass., son of the late Theodore and Eleanor (Thompson) McFarland, Tom was raised and educated in Waltham, and resided in Marlboro and Hudson, Mass., before moving to Sun City Center in 2003.
Tom was a graduate of the Waltham Vocational High School with the Class of 1965, where he was voted most likely to succeed, and he did just that with a successful career in the automotive industry.
After graduation from high school, Tom served proudly with many of the men and women of his era during the Vietnam War with the U.S. Air Force.
He opened Colonial Muffler & Brake Shop in Hudson, owning and operating the business from 1975 until 2002.
After moving to Florida in 2003, Tom became a licensed Realtor affiliated with Keller Williams Realty Southshore, working with many buyers and sellers in Sun City Center until retiring in 2015.
Tom had a love for boating and was a member of the Newton Yacht Club for many years. In addition, he had been a longtime member of the Hudson Lodge of Elks B.P.O.E. #959.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Judith “Judie” (Young) McFarland; his devoted and loving children, Kristin McFarland of Northborough, Mass., and Brad McFarland and his wife, Martha, of Lancaster, Mass.; his cherished grandsons Travis Gardner and Connor Charest; his dear siblings Dolores Hart of Sun City Center, and John McFarland of Marlborough. In addition, he is survived by six nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a gathering in celebration of Tom’s Life at San Vito Restaurant , 431 19th Ave. N.E., inside the Village Shops in Ruskin, at noon on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Interment with U.S. Air Force Military Honors will take place on his 69th birthday, April 21, 2016, at the Massachusetts Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Tom’s memory to the Liberty Manor Veterans, P.O. Box 274081, Tampa, FL 33688 or LifePath Hospice, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573.
Jim Vandini
James Joseph Vandini
James (Jim) Joseph Vandini, 59, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away January 30, 2016, at South Bay Hospital In Sun City Center. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Dino B. Vandini.
Jim is survived by his mother, Carol J. Campbell; brother Michael (Cheryl) Vandini; and sisters Dina (Tony) Kasper and Debra Signoracci. Jim also leaves behind a niece, four nephews and their family.
Jim was born in Chicago and spent much of his adulthood in Florida. He was an avid fisherman and sports enthusiast. Jim will be deeply missed by his loving family, numerous friends and his dog, Hunter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in both Illinois and Florida.
Arrangements made by Zipperer’s Funeral Home, Ruskin, Fla.
