Colonel Donald J. Acker
Colonel Donald J. Acker, retired, U.S.A. of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of West Hartford, Conn., died on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, while in the company of his loving family. Don leaves his wife, Virginia A. Acker and his children from his first marriage to Virginia R. Acker (deceased), Carl Acker, Ruth Acker Bellemare, Louise Acker Fegy, Kathryn Acker DCamp and Don Acker, Jr. He also leaves five grandchildren, Dominic Corso, Kevin Corso, Victoria White, Kristen DCamp and Jennifer Acker; four great-grandchildren, Dominic Corso, Jr., Sydney Corso, Gabriella Corso, and Madison Corso; and three step-daughters, Linda Lauritano, Nancy Schumann and Julie Martin. He was predeceased by his parents, Carl J. Acker, President of Highland Dairy in Hartford, and Ruth Bushey Acker of West Hartford.
Don was career military. He served a total of 35 years between the Connecticut Army National Guard and on active duty with the U.S. Army. His career assignments included Battalion Commander of a Nike Hercules Battalion, and several high-ranking positions on the staff of the Connecticut Army National Guard.
In 1973, the Army requested that he enter active service to take charge of developing automated pay and accounting systems for the Army Guard. He stayed on active duty until 1983 when he retired from active service. He then worked in the Pentagon as a financial manager and consultant for the U.S. Government.
In his youth, Don was a good athlete playing baseball for a semi-professional team in West Hartford, Conn. He always wanted to play third base for the St. Louis Cardinals but never could run fast enough. Don had many interests and avocations over his life. He loved golf and bridge and was accomplished at both. He was dedicated to the development of the Kings Point Bridge Club, and was a past president and a director of the club. He was a lifelong Lutheran belonging to Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford, Conn. and after retiring to Florida, was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sun City Center, Fla.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573.
Arabella Osborne Arnold (106 years old)
Arabella Arnold, 106, passed away May 13, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband William, and is survived by nephew, Charles Pinkston, and niece, Sarah Hansel, and their families.
Arabella was born at a logging camp named Paint Creek in Clendenin, West Virginia, the fourth of five children. She studied the arts in Charleston before beginning a life as a touring director of plays along the Eastern Seaboard. During the war years, she met and married William “Bill” Arnold of Pittsburgh.
Bill’s government career took them predominately to Washington, D.C. and San Francisco where Arabella wrote a column for a local newspaper and became active in poetry circles, enjoying publication of many pieces of her work. She and her husband moved to Sun City Center, Fla. in 1972 after his retirement from the CIA. Later, she moved to Freedom Plaza to enjoy the activities there.
Arabella was raised with her four siblings in Clendenin where her father ran the Osborne Lumber Mill and built the family home, which remained in the family for more than 100 years. She traveled extensively with her husband to Brazil, Tokyo, Saigon, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Arabella modeled in her early years, which was obvious in her love of fashion and style. Her signature color was RED, and she loved wearing bright-colored socks.
She remained active throughout her years and especially enjoyed being in the Freedom Plaza atrium where one and all could come by to acknowledge her wit and hear her stories. She always admonished, “never tell your age,” but somehow her age was always part of the conversation. Arabella’s description of Arabella — “feisty.”
A memorial service will be held May 26 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Freedom Plaza, Sun City Center, Fla.
Linda Ann Goelz
Linda Ann Goelz, age 64, of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away on May 16, 2017.
Linda attended Nova University, and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. After graduation she pursued a career in law enforcement. She was a Deputy Sheriff for Broward County for 26 years. She took great pride in serving the community as a sheriff officer and eventually worked her way up to a rank of Commander.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents George and Eva Perkins, and is survived by her loving husband, Robert Goelz of 18 years; one brother; and by numerous children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family has requested that all donations be made to the American Lung Association or Brother Wolf Rescue. Groover Funeral Home is entrusted with the cremation arrangements.
Karen Kathaleen Hosman
Karen K. Hosman was born in Kewanee, Ill. on January 21, 1938. Karen passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her husband and family on May 13, 2017.
She attended the University of Illinois (1957-1960) where she earned her degree in Music and met her future husband of 57 years, Henry “Hank” R. Hosman, Colonel retired.
Karen had many talents. She was an accomplished musician with her primary instrument being the cello, which she played in the Fairfax County Symphony. She loved creating beautiful quilts for family and charitable organizations. She was an avid needlepointer and, until her passing, enjoyed creating handmade greeting cards with her wonderful ladies group.
As the wife of a military officer, she moved no less than 30 times, making her final home in Sun City Center, Fla. She made many friends in her community through her favorite activities, which included: clogging, tapping, the annual “Follies” and frequent vacation cruises. She was fortunate to have friends of 60 years, Jim and Janet Shumway, living in her neighborhood.
She was deeply loved by her college sweetheart and husband, Henry R. Hosman and by her “girls,” Deb Hosman and Suzanne Michell Hosman.
She is survived by her husband Henry R. Hosman; two daughters Deb Hosman of Tampa and Suzie Hosman of Chapel Hill, N.C. (son-in-law, Dominic Ciavatta); three grandchildren, Nicole, Gianna and Jarrod; her sister, Judith Finley of Casper, Wyo.; and brother, William R. Smith, III, of Sun City Center.
Karen was a member of Cavalry Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at the church at a later date. Her final resting place will be the Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Karen Hosman be made to Charters Health System, c/o LifePath Hospice, 12470 Telecom Drive, Suite 300 West, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. Or online at https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/GeneralDonation.
Earnest H. Rimes
Earnest Rimes, 91, a lifelong resident of the Gibsonton/Riverview area, passed away Sunday, May 21.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jeraldine and daughter Sandra Allen. He is survived by two sons: Denny and Kenny; one brother, J.R. Rimes; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, 9912 Indiana St., Gibsonton, FL 33534. The funeral will follow at noon with interment at Fellowship Cemetery in Wimauma.