Raymond David Kahle
Raymond David Kahle, 87, of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away August 31, 2018. He served in the United States Army and retired from Hillenbrand Industries as Vice President of Manufacturing Sales. He volunteered for the Sun City Center Emergency Squad, Safety Patrol, his neighborhood Homeowners Association Board of Directors and the Nearly New Shop in Sun City Center, Fla.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years Patricia Raymond Kahle; three daughters and son-in-laws, Patricia Lynn Kahle and her husband David Knapp, Janet Rae Wynn and her husband Gary and Barbara Kahle Caputo and her husband Christopher; a brother and sister-in-law, Warren Kahle and his wife Gay; a sister-in-law Dorothy Coens; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
The family was always a priority for Ray and there will be a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at Sun City Center Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m., 1851 Rickenbacker Dr, Sun City Center, FL 33573. He will be buried at Florida National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathies (donations) should go to Al’s Place, c/0 Elder Care of Alachua County, 5701 N.W. 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653. Ray was “one of the good guys.” Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
Beverly Parker
Beverly Parker, 85, of Sun City Center, passed away on Friday, September 7, 2018. Born and raised in Ithaca, N.Y., she moved to Miami, Fla. in 1950 to attend the University of Miami majoring in accounting. She then moved to Houston, Texas where she worked for Mitchell Oil, owned a restaurant and began a career in real estate that was to last up to her recent passing.
In 1987 she moved to Sun City Center, Fla. where she became well known as a local Broker-Realtor and co-founder of Coleman Connection Realty. Many would know her from the successful Beverly’s Estates Sales where she met many lasting friends.
Beverly enjoyed pets, including dogs, cats, horses and of course, her exotic birds. She was proud to be involved with Mary & Martha House over the years and served on their board of directors. She was also a broker associate with A1 Connection Realty until her passing.
Beverly is survived by her daughter Joni Russell and son-in-law Randy Russell; grandchildren Jessica and David Russell, wife Jennifer and great-grandson Brannon Russell; Beverly’s sister Patricia Wilbert; nieces Kathy Bolduc, Mary Ward; nephew Richard Mahaffy and cousin Nancy Kraszewski.
Per Beverly’s wish, there will be no formal memorial service.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.zipperersfuneralhome.com
Robert (Bob) Ratcliffe
Robert (Bob) Ratcliffe, 88, of Sun City Center, Florida, formerly of Latham, N.Y., passed away on September 7, 2018, at Sun Terrace. He is survived by his beloved wife Rita, whom he was married to for 67 years.
Bob served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Bob was the son of the late Albert and Margaret Ratcliffe. He was predeceased by his four brothers: John, Albert, Edward, and William. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his four daughters Noreen (John) Thompson, Marlene (Derek) George, Darlene (Philip) Murray, and Charleen (William) Cox; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Saratoga National Cemetery at a future date. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Bennet S. Simonton
Retired USN Capt. Bennet S. Simonton, beloved and respected mentor to so many, died August 29, 2018, at a hospital near his home in Tampa, Florida. He was 82 years old.
Simonton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1957 and served as an officer for 26 years. He was Captain of the USS South Carolina after serving as Reactor Officer on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier reporting directly to Admiral Hyman Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy. In addition to attending Nuclear Reactor School, Simonton obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, Calif.
His final two years of service were spent at the Pentagon where he directed equipping all U.S. Navy surface ships with weapons systems, like the new Tomahawk Missile system. Heavily recruited by the private sector, after retiring from the U.S. Navy, Simonton went on to spend 10 years as Vice President of the New York City electric utility, Consolidated Edison. While there, he directed the transformation of Con Edison’s largest plant from oil to natural gas. Plant management and workers fondly renamed the power plant, “The USS Ravenswood.” Then he managed 1,300 unionized employees responsible for overhauling electric turbines and plants.
Upon retiring from Con Edison he launched his own eponymous management advisory consultancy – Simonton Associates. He published to wide acclaim by its many early readers a seminal book on managing people entitled, Leading People to be Highly Motivated and Committed. He dedicated his book “To Admiral Hyman G. Rickover whose personal courage and demonstrable respect for people were so inspiring.”
Bennet S. Simonton is survived by his wife Joan; his two daughters Lorraine and Kimberly and his adored grandson Brooks and son-in-law John. He was the son of Theodore Eames Simonton and Beulah Hulsebus Simonton of Cazenovia, N.Y. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Lois Beth Smith
Lois Beth Smith, age 94, went to her final home with the Lord and to be reunited with her departed loved ones on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. For 94 years, Lois was the essence of Love. She was born on March 5, 1924, in Whitewater, Wis. to Fern and Birdie Lemke, the third of four children. Lois was a spirited soul, whose love for life and family was abundant. She worked hard on the family’s dairy farm, earned high grades in school and was an active member of the community. In 1941, she was awarded Jefferson County’s prestigious honor of “Dairy Queen.”
As a young woman, Lois was employed as a secretary and worked in real estate. In the summer of 1942, a barefoot Lois went to the neighbor’s house in search of a cup of sugar. It was there she met the love of her life, Milton Roger Smith. After serving in World War II, Milt returned home and in June 1948, they married. They built their life together in Rockford, Ill., raising four beloved children: Cindy, Tom, Amy, and Ted. Lois’ caring nature came to fruition during this time as she cheered her children on in academics, pageantries, art shows, sporting events and much more. The family enjoyed summer vacations at Lauderdale Lakes, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, golfing, and taking long walks to procure sweets at the local marina.
After their children married or left for college, Lois and Milt moved to Middleton in 1976. While there, Lois worked for 15 years at the Dane C. Hwy. Dept. and Clerk of Courts. Lois found great fulfillment from her career. As Lois’ life grew, so did her family. Lois and Milt’s next adventure was grandparenting. While she may have cheated at Skip-Bo from time to time, she always made up for it with a joke and a Dilly Bar. In her home, the family laughed a little louder, hugged a little tighter and loved a little stronger.
After 56 years of marriage, Milt passed away in 2004. The following summer, Lois moved to Sun City Center, Fla., to be closer to family. Lois spent her time making jewelry, writing letters, playing the organ, creating care packages for loved ones and making new friends. She was an active member of the Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; three siblings Da Nette, Doris and Helen; and her beloved husband Milt. Lois is survived by her children Cindy (Dr. John) Grow of Kiowa, Kan., Tom (Carmen) Smith of Brandon, Fla., Amy Blackshear of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Ted (Lyndal) Smith of Alamosa, Colo. Memories of Lois Smith are cherished by her extended family of 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and countless friends.
Lois’ life was built on the foundation of love and family. Lois was a positive force of nature — staunchly independent, extremely joyous and loving without measure. Those who knew Lois know the world is a better place because of her. While she is no longer here in physical form, Lois’ light and the love she gave endlessly, lives on in all of us. Services for Lois will be held at Cold Spring Union Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
“Love is not an emotion; it is your very existence.” – Rumi.
Jack Eugene Swain
Jack Eugene Swain, 88, passed away September 11, 2018. Jack is preceded in death by his wife Jaynet Marie in February 2018. The Swains had no children. Mr. Swain is survived by nephew Harry Lee Biddison, James Harold Biddison and grandniece Julie Ann Foreman.
Jack served in the United States Navy for 25 years and reached the highest U.S. Navy enlisted grade of Master Chief, E-9. One of Jack’s rating officers is quoted as follows: “Chief Swain is most distinguished by this command presence. His alert yet relaxed manner backed by sound judgment and oblivious concern for his men sets him apart. He has successfully blended the accomplishments of his Naval career to produce a unique leadership capability. The degree of authority and forcefulness he employs in exceptionally appropriate and always tempered with humility, integrity, and selflessness.”
Master Chief Swain loved his country, the United States Navy, and served both to the best of his ability. Thank you, Jack.
A Graveside service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 29, 2018. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home 813-634-9900.
