Robert T. Anderson
Robert T. Anderson, 82, of Ruskin, Fla., passed away January 23, 2017. Known as “Grumpy” to his family and friends, Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired as owner of AFC Systems, Inc., and he was a member of the First Christian Church of Sun City Center.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Anderson. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Sara, two sons, Brian Anderson and his wife, Robin and Terry Anderson and his wife, Danyle, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial service with military honors for Bob were held Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the First Christian Church of Sun City Center, 1707 33rd Street, S.E., Ruskin, Fla. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Joan C. Ekblad
Joan C. Ekblad passed away peacefully on January 31, 2017 at the age of 87. She was the beloved wife of the late George Ekblad. Formerly of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Joan and George spent their retirement in Green Lake, Wisconsin and Sun City Center, Florida.
Joan is survived by her loving children, Pamela (David) Wilson and Guy (Gail) Ekblad, grandchildren Brian Schneden, Katie Guille and Brett Ekblad and great-grandson Nile Schneden.
A private family memorial service will be held later in Florida. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, Sun City Center, Fla. Phone: 813-634-9900.
John Quentin Hefti
John Quentin (Jack) Hefti was born February 5, 1925, the fifth child of seven of Julius Andrew and Leonore Callaghan Hefti in Bronxville, N.Y. He graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in Scarsdale, N.Y., Iona Prep in New Rochelle, N.Y., St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., earned a BA in 1950 and later graduated from the American Institute of Banking and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Hefti joined the 136th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) in August 1943, serving in Hawaii, Guam and Japan. His Battalion witnessed the official Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, from the Yokosuka Naval Base in Tokyo Bay from the USS Missouri. He embarked from Yokosuka to Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco and then to Navy Shore Patrol in New York City. He received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy at Lido Beach, Long Island., N.Y. on Flag Day, June 14, 1946.
His career in banking for 40 years ended in 1990 as Vice President of the First National Bank of Toms River, N.J. During his banking career, he was dedicated to community service: the Jaycees, the American Red Cross, the President of the Economics Development Commission of Cape May, N.J. and an active volunteer at his St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach, Fla.
Active in many sports, he was a golfer who could boast about three “holes-in-one” but continued to try for #4. He was an original and an avid New York Mets fan.
Predeceased by daughter, Sara Ann Hefti, who died March 4, 2014. He is survived by his wife, June, his son John Andrew of Texas; a daughter-in-law, Carmen Velez; four grandchildren Estella Rendall, Celeste, Cynthia and Mark; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Service held at a future date in Malone, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The American Red Cross PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037 (www.redcross.org) or Life Path Hospice of Sun City Center, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Ruskin, FL 33573 or to a charity of your choice.
Robert Oddo
Robert John (Bobby) Oddo passed away January 19, 2017. He’s survived by his mother, Elyse Oddo, his sister, Elysa Hendricks, her husband, Vern, and two nephews, Todd and Christopher Hendricks. He was preceded in death by his father, Vincent Peter Oddo on February 1, 2015.
Born in Milwaukee, Wis. on October 2, 1954, he worked at the Ponderosa Steak House in Carol Stream, Ill. for 15 years before moving to Hawaii for several years. He settled in Florida in 1992 and moved to Sun City Center in 2015.
Bobby enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, playing cards, and listening to his large collection of music ranging from the ’40s through the ’70s. He was a kind and gentle man who loved children and animals, especially his two cats, Angel Baby and Happy. Bobby will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
A Celebration of Life for Bobby will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2017 from 1 to 4 p.m. in his home. For details contact Elysa Hendricks at 630-841-1807.
Gertrude E. Schneider
Gertrude E. Schneider, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away in Sun City Center, Florida, on January 2, 2017 at the age of 90. She was born in Holyoke, Mass., on June 8, 1926, to Frederick and Amalie Karl. She was a graduate of South Hadley High School and Bryant College.
On June 5, 1948, she married her beloved Gerd Schneider and they lived in Longmeadow, Mass. for the next 40 years and were the co-owners of Longmeadow Community Market. She was a loving wife and mother and a member of several service organizations within the community.
After retirement, she and Gerd moved to Florida, where she enjoyed playing golf at the Caloosa Golf & Country Club. They enjoyed their summers in Charlestown, R.I. with their many friends and neighbors. Her most recent home in Sun City Center was within the retirement community of Freedom Plaza, where she formed new friendships that meant a great deal to her.
In addition to being predeceased by her husband Gerd, to whom she was married for 64 years, she was also predeceased by her sister, Ruth Buss. She is survived by her three sons, Paul and his wife Megan, Mark and his wife Elizabeth, both of Longmeadow, and Karl and his wife Alice of Arvada, Colo.; six grandchildren Kimberly, Jeffrey, Kate, Gregory, Monika and Aimee, and one great-granddaughter.
The family would like to thank Maggie Wheeler for her care to both Gerd and Gertrude during the last years of their lives. A memorial service will be held on February 15, 2017 at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573 or to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Roy Watson Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573, or to the donor’s favorite charity. Burial will be in Longmeadow at the convenience of the family. Arrangements were made by The Sun City Funeral Home of Sun City Center, FL 33573.
