Obituaries: March 24, 2016

Billie Marie Billings

Billie Marie Billings, 85, passed away unexpectedly March 13, joining her recently departed beloved husband of 61 years, Dick.

Known for her songs and fun-loving, kind and gracious Southern charm, she will be deeply missed by her many friends and family.

Born in the Tidewater region of Virginia on January 31, 1931, Billie attended Longwood College, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.  She met the love of her life, Dick, through the frequent socials with the men of Kappa Alpha at nearby Hampden Sydney College. They were married October 9, 1954, when her dashing young Air Force lieutenant returned from Korea.

Billie worked as a social worker and elementary teacher while the Air Force moved them around the country, finally settling in Euclid, Ohio, where her three sons were born.  The family moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1968, until Dick and Billie retired to Sun City Center in 1995.

Caring for children was a driving force in Billie’s life, and she spent the majority of her career as a social worker with Florida Department of HRS, working for many years in Foster Care, and later, Adoptions.

Billie leaves behind her sons Brad (Ramona), Jeff (Robin), and William “Bill” (Deanna); and grandsons Greg and Robert with cherished memories.

Interment will be March 25 at the Sarasota Veterans Cemetery.

 

Sharkey Collins

Sharkey Collins, Sr., 83, of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of Riverview, peacefully entered into rest March 17, 2016.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 25, at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home in Brandon. A graveyard service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to De Soto Masonic Lodge No. 105,  Riverview. Guestbook at www.HillsboroMemorial.com.

 

Alice Odelia Cronn

Alice Odelia (Franzmeier) Cronn, 96, of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of West Hempstead, N.Y., died peacefully Friday evening, February 19, 2016, with her son, Jack, by her side. She was predeceased by her husband, James Warren, and brother Otto Franzmeier, Jr.

She is survived by sons James Jr. (Katherine) and Jack (Barbara); grandchildren Patrick, Kenneth and Samantha; and great-granddaughter Keegan. Other survivors include the Franzmeier family nieces and nephews (Dian, John and Peggy) and Sherwood family nieces and nephews (Paul, Mark, Clare, Luke, John, Anne, Mathew, Peter, Mary, and Andrew), as well as many great-nieces and nephews and great friends and neighbors of many years.

Alice was born in Two Rivers, Wis., to Otto and Angeline (Pelnar) Franzmeier. She graduated from Two Rivers High School in 1937 and received her RN degree from Ravenswood Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. She volunteered as an Army nurse in World War II and served with the 117th Station Hospital in New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines, and on the hospital ship Hope. She was discharged in 1946 as a Captain. She met her future husband, Jim (a B25 pilot in the 38th bomb group), while in New Guinea. They settled in West Hempstead after their marriage. Alice retired as a supervising nurse at Mercy Hospital, in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Since 1980, Alice and Jim lived their happy retirement years in Sun City Center. They were members of the Caloosa Golf Club for over 35 years.

Alice was an active member in many clubs, including the Emergency Squad, RN Club, the Caloosa social committee, Bunka, Counted Cross Stitch, Ceramics and Lapidary. For many years Alice and Jim summered in Alice’s hometown of Two Rivers and were members of the Fairview Golf Club. They enjoyed spending time with their many relatives and friends in Two Rivers.

Alice was a parishioner of Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Sun City Center.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday April 5, at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church. Alice will be buried next to her husband at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Wednesday, April 6, at 11 a.m.

 

Doris Margie Stewart Gebert

Doris Margie Stewart Gebert, 89, went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 19, 2016.

Born in Lima, Ohio, she lived in Sun City Center, Fla. She was preceded in death by Richard Gebert, her husband of 55 years.

Doris is survived by brother Ray Stewart; nephew and wife David and Annie Stewart; and many other precious people the Lord placed in her life.

Doris was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Ruskin. A Memorial Service will be on Thursday, March 31, at First Baptist Church of Ruskin, 820 W. College Ave. in Ruskin. Visitation will start at 1 p.m.; the service will be at 1:30 p.m.

 

Bonnie Lundy Harton

Bonnie Lundy Harton was born in Weldon, Texas, on September 9, 1936. She passed into Heaven on March 14, 2016.

Bonnie is survived by Lawrence E. Harton, her loving husband of 59 years; daughter Lisa Fitzpatrick; grandson Erik Fitzpatrick; and granddaughter Alyssa Fitzpatrick of North Carolina. She is also survived by her niece Patricia Jessie of Chicago — they grew up together as sisters; and friends and relatives in Texas, Indianapolis, and Sun City Center, Fla.

Bonnie graduated from Brazosport High School, Freeport, Texas, in 1955. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1967 and her Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. in 1971. She also did advanced studies at Indiana University and received the Certificate of Public Management in 1983.

She began her library career with the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library in 1971 as a Children’s Librarian and retired in 1997 as a Regional Branch Manager.

Bonnie and Lawrence moved from Indianapolis to Sun City Center in 1999. She was active in the SCC Woman’s Club, the American Association of University Women, and the Red Hats Club. She also enjoyed domestic and international travel to many different locations.

Bonnie was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made to research projects for the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s. A Celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held with details to follow.

Arrangments by Sun City Center Funeral Home.

 

Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Kelley

Jacqueline “Jackie” A. Kelley, 79, of Apollo Beach, Fla., entered into rest March 17, 2016.

Jackie was a retired Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army and retired from the U.S. Post Office. She was a member of the First Baptist church of Ruskin. Jackie enjoyed helping people and being with her family and friends.

She is survived by sister  Clarice Smith; niece Trisha Richards; great-niece Kelley Denise; great-nephew Kenneth Roe; and many other very special nieces and nephews, loving friends and extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until service time.

 

Mary Lou Navarre

Mary Lou was born in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 31, 1921, to Agnes and John Raitz. She died on March 10, 2016, in Sun City Center, Fla. She will surely be missed, but we will see her again.

She married Bob Navarre in 1941 and raised four children.  With the children starting to leave home, she went into real estate and became very successful, while Bob continued to work as an engineer with Ford in Lima, Ohio.

In 1980, upon Bob’s retirement, they moved to Sun City Center and became very active volunteers at church, the Security Patrol, and the Emergency Squad, to name a few.  She joined many clubs and made many friends.

When Bob died in 2001, she became an avid bridge player, playing three to four days a week, in addition to her daily workouts at the Fitness Center and many other activities.

Mary Lou is survived by children Robert, Mark, Larry and Rita; seven grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; four sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center. All are welcome.

If you would like to make a donation in Mary Lou’s name, please make it to Sun City Center Emergency Squad.

 

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ O’Brien

Elizabeth “Betty” O’Brien, 85, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away March 14, 2016.

She retired as an administrative assistant at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. She was a  volunteer for the Sun City Center Security Patrol with 23 years of service, a member of the Apollo Beach Women’s Club, Apollo Beach Golf Club, Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and a member of St. Anne Catholic Church Lazarus Society.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George F. O’Brien. Survivors include daughter Karen O’Brien Ryan; son Dennis (Bette-Lou) O’Brien; grandson Sean (Amber) Ryan; great-grandsons Declan and Liam Ryan; brother James Slowey; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Mass was held March 22, 2016, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sun City Center Security Patrol, 1005 North Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573.

Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.

 

Marion Scheller

Marion Scheller, age 88, of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of Milwaukee, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2016, after a long illness. She was surrounded by loving family, friends and the caring hands of those at LifePath Hospice House in Sun City Center.

Marion was born in Milwaukee to Henry S. and Suzanna L. (Eckendorf) Smaglik. Marion met her husband, Richard W. Scheller, while they both attended Shorewood High. They married June 16, 1951, and shared 52 happy years together until Richard’s passing on March 10, 2003.

Marion enjoyed traveling with Richard around the world during his birdwatching. She found beauty in nature, landscapes and native residents, and she developed a love for photography, drawing and painting. After raising her two children, Marion attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, obtaining her BA in Fine Arts in 1988.

In 1999, Marion and Richard moved to Sun City Center. There Marion joined the Art Club, where she enjoyed: drawing and painting, and also was involved with photography, and lapidary. Marion won Best of Show, Honorable Mention, and blue ribbons at many Masters Art shows; and she recently wrote her memoir, As I remember it.

Marion always kept family and friends amused with her avid storytelling. When Heather and friends Denise and Arnie Olson, and Ashley Staley would visit from out of state, Marion provided art lessons. When her son Richard visited, Marion threw a bash to show him off to her friends. She was passionate about the Art Club in SCC and the Bridge Club, and the movie and dinners shared with so many wonderful and loving friends. Marion always shared how impressed she was by the Master Artists in her community, and was complimentary of the love and devotion shared among her friends.

Marion is survived by her son Richard H. Scheller (Susan McConnell), Stanford, Calif.; granddaughter Heather M. O’Laughlin, South Bend, Ind.; sister Elaine (Smaglik) Pandl, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; devoted niece Denise (Adams) and Arnie Olson, Sparta, Wis; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Marion was predeceased by her father Henry S. Smaglik (1967); her mother Suzanna L. (Eckendorf) Smaglik (1986); husband Richard W. Scheller (2003); sister Bernice S. (Smaglik) Friedel (2007); and brother-in-law John Pandl (2001).

The family has elected to hold a private service; however a Gift Funds memorial has been established with St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, in her honor under Marion Scheller.

 

Merwin C. Stanton

Merwin C. Stanton, age 94, of Wimauma went peacefully to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. His life exemplified “Faith expressing itself through love,” Gal 5:2.

He was the son of the late James and Janet Stanton; beloved husband of Carole Stanton; preceded in death by Ruth Stanton, wife of 63 years;  loving father of David (Barbara) Stanton, Janet (David) Walker, the late Richard (surviving spouse Dixie) Stanton and Timothy (surviving spouse Paula) Stanton; stepfather of Sherri White, Polly Becker, Kelly Humpal, Tammy Henrichs, Mark Rininger, Beth Pachniak and Leslie Brown; cherished grandfather of six grandchildren, 16 stepgrandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 22 stepgreat-grandchildren; brother of Jack, Vernon (Shirley), Samuel, Willard (Jan) and the late Charles and James; also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Services were held Saturday, March 19, at First Baptist Church of East Bay in Riverview. Interment followed at Fellowship Cemetery in Lithia.

In Merwin’s memory, the Stanton family requests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of East Bay Building Fund, 10102 Old Big Bend Road, Riverview, FL 33578.

Arrangements entrusted to National Cremation & Burial Society, Ruskin.