Gerard Duane Barnhart
Gerard Duane Barnhart “Gerry,” passed away peacefully July 27, 2018, following complications from a stroke. Gerry had celebrated his 80th birthday. He was born June 24, 1938, to Bernice (Sweet) and Gerhart Barnhart, deceased. Also, predeceased by his brother Wayne Barnhart. He is survived by his devoted wife Patricia Ann; son Angus Barnhart; stepchildren Barbara and Matthew McDermott, Steven and Stacy Drake. His pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends.
Gerry was and Eagle Scout at the age of 14. He graduated from Waterford Township High School. He attended college at Albion, Wayne State and Michigan State obtaining his master’s degree in Business Administration. Gerry was a member of the Elks #810 in Pontiac, Mich. and a charter member of Elks #2781 of Pine Island, Fla. In 1990 he retired, after 30 years with General Motors and EDS. Upon retiring, Gerry and Pat moved from Clarkston, Mich. and settled in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Fla.
He was a faithful son, a loving husband, a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a great friend to many. When Gerry was not traveling with Pat or spending precious time with the family, he had many hobbies: Golf, hunting, fishing, making model boats, bowling and was an avid reader. Gerry and Pat were snow birds, spending summers at their cottage on Lake Huron in Michigan.
A Memorial Service will be held on Oct. 7, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Pontiac Elks #810, 2100 Scott Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328. Lunch will be served after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity or the American Heart Association.
Brian C. Furman
Brian C. Furman, 63, formerly of Brocton, N.Y., passed away Sunday, Sept. 16, at Tampa General Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
Brian was born March 1, 1955, at Westfield Memorial Hospital to Robert E. and Billie J. (Hall) Furman.
Brian is survived by his wife Betsy (Riefstahl) Furman, their three children Justin (Alicia Woodruff), Matthew Robert, and Sarah Jean; grandson Jacob; and two siblings, Steven Furman (Rena) and Diane Furman (Ronald) Ringer.
Brian was preceded in death by his mother Billie Jene (Hall) Furman, his father Robert E. Furman, and his nephew Steven Furman Jr.
Brian served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Stribling DD 867 from 1973 to 1975. He was recently honored for his services to our country by the VA and Life Path Hospice. Brian owned and operated Brass Monkey A/C & Heating located in Wimauma, Fla.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to C.A.R.E. Inc. Animal Shelter in Ruskin, Fla.
Marian J. Irwin
Marian J. Irwin, 79, of Sun City Center, Fla. and formerly of Sandusky, Ohio, passed away September 19, 2018. She passed in hospice and family care at Elizabeth Scott Community in Toledo, Ohio. She was born in Lima, Ohio and graduated from Ada High School in 1956.
Marian was a talented homemaker for her husband Jack E. Irwin and her two surviving sons Michael James Irwin and Scott E. Irwin, and daughter-in-law Jane E. Roman. Marian was married to Jack for 53 years prior to his death in 2011.
Marian was the silent strength that created the foundation of the Irwin family. She was an avid sailor and first mate on a number of sailing boats that traveled all of the Great Lakes and Intercoastal waterways. She enjoyed the arts and was an established piano and organ performer.
Marian was preceded in death by brother Robert Stair, sister Verne Stair, and survivor sister Elizabeth Banks. Marian “Gramcracker” was the proud grandmother of Michael, William and Thomas Irwin. Family and Friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, September 25, 5 to 6 p.m. for welcome and short service starting at 6 p.m. at the Walker Funeral home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43623. Donations can be made to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.
Ronald C. Wilhelm Sr.
Ronald C. Wilhelm Sr. of Sun City Center, Fla. died September 12, 2018, at the age of 90. Ronald was born November 21, 1927, in Chicago, Ill.
As a child, Ronald spent summers with his family in Wonder Lake, Ill., where he developed a love for the outdoors. Ronald served in the United States Navy during World War II, earning the Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class at Glenview Naval Air Station, Glenview, Ill. Ronald’s love of flying eventually led him to become a private pilot, a hobby he enjoyed for over 20 years.
Ronald worked for Zenith Radio Corporation, Chicago, Ill. starting as a stock chaser in 1948 and leaving in 1977 as Director of Product Safety. From 1977 until his retirement in 1995, Ronald was the Director of Product Safety and Government Compliance for SDI Technologies Inc., Rahway, N.J. In 1996, Ronald relocated with his wife Phyllis to Sun City Center, Fla. where he enjoyed lawn bowling and held the office of both Vice-President and President of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club.
Ronald was predeceased by his parents Clarence and Mildred (Sasek) Wilhelm, his wife Bettianne (Bogart) Wilhelm and his brother Richard Wilhelm. Ronald is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years Phyllis J. Kimec-Wilhelm, Sun City Center, Fla.; his daughter Julie Sussman, Orlando, Fla.; his son Ronald C. Wilhelm Jr. (Denise), San Jose, Calif.; his brother-in-law, Joseph A. Kimec (Susan) of Richmond, Va.; his grandsons Ronald Bigger of Orlando, Fla., Joshua Sussman (Marie) of Villisca, Iowa and Nicolas Kurt Wilhelm of San Jose, Calif.; his great-grandchildren, Dakota Bigger of Orlando, Fla. and Liam Sussman of Villisca, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.