Nancy Filstrup Clark Byrne
Nancy Filstrup Clark Byrne was born on September 21, 1921, at Mercy Hospital, on her mother’s birthday. Nancy passed away quietly, in peace and comfort, on June 29, 2019, at 11:05 p.m. with her sons Peter and Drew, daughter-in-law Becky and son-in-law Mark at her side.
She was predeceased by her husbands Don Clark and Eugene Byrne and her daughter Margo. She leaves behind four sons: Chris, George, Peter and Drew: their wives and significant others; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Her mother was Belle Burridge Filstrup, who was the great-granddaughter of Sterne Brunson, one of the founders of Benton Harbor, Michigan. She lived in the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph and was very proud of her heritage and her home state of Michigan.
Nancy was truly a remarkable woman who lived her “Dash,” one of her favorite poems. During her lifetime she accomplished much.
She graduated with a BA in English and Speech from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) She briefly became a teacher, one of her many careers. She married Don Clark and raised five children whom she was very proud of.
In her lifetime, she was involved with many local and state agencies and councils. She became the director/chairperson for many of these, including the Southwest Michigan Girl Scouts, Area Agency for Aging, Southwest Michigan Tourism Council. She was really a woman before her time. She was an advocate for Michigan Welfare Reform, Human Services, and the developer of state-wide programs to assist young women in receiving education and assistance in seeking career opportunities.
She was also very active in politics, serving as the chairperson for the Berrien County Board of Commissioners and the Planning Commission, a position that involved working almost entirely with men. Not a vocal representative for equality, she just dug her heals in and worked tirelessly for the causes that she believed in.
During her lifetime of service, she was the recipient of many awards and recognitions.
Love of God and church was always an active part of Nancy’s life, both in Michigan at her local Congregational Church and in Florida as a member of the Sun City Center Methodist Church.
In her later years, she was active in Freedom Plaza, teaching line dancing and aerobic swimming and playing bridge. She loved acting in the local performances of the community theater group.
She truly lived her “DASH,” and she will be missed by her family and friends.
A celebration of Nancy’s life is being planned in September in Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 100 Women Strong at http://www.100womenstrongberrien.com/donate
“God gave us memory, so we could remember.”
Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Alicia A. Rollins-Fernandez
Alicia Ann Rollins-Fernandez, 46, of Gibsonton, Florida, passed away peacefully July 5, 2019. She was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and raised in Poca, West Virginia. She was born to Sharon Saunders and Curtis Rollins on February 14, 1973. She was the oldest of four and the only girl.
Alicia is survived by daughter, Natasha James; Natasha’s husband, Eric James II; and three grandchildren: Jessica James, Eric James III, and Jonathan James of Mulberry, Fla. Alicia had one son, Jacob Rollins, of Gibsonton, Fla.
Lee G. Kesler
Lee G. Kesler of Sun City Center, and formerly of Continental, Ohio, died on July 10 at Lifepath Hospice, Ruskin, Fla.
Lee was born January 7, 1930, in DuPont, Ohio, to Gerald and Ashley (Bibler) Kesler, who preceded him in death.
On November 18, 1949, he married Carole Dowler, who died June 11, 1991.
On September 30, 1994, he married Marjorie (Marge) Ball Cramer, who survives him.
He is survived by a son, Nick (Joni) Kesler, of Port Orange, Fla.; two daughters, Rosalie (Robert) Miller of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Valerie Heitzman of Hamler, Ohio; four grandsons, two granddaughters, one great-grandson and one great-grandson on the way.; three step children: Cheryl (Leonard) Peterman of Lima, Ohio, Rhonda Bakle of Paulding, Ohio, and Scott Cramer, of Payne, Ohio; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Marvel Warren, of Las Vegas, Nev., and two brothers, Claude (Ladonna) Kesler of Continental, Ohio, and Stanley (Karen) Kesler of Sun City Center, Fla.
He was preceded in death by a sister Marjorie (Marvin) Hazelton and a brother John (Debbie)Kesler.
Lee was employed by Tuttle Construction Company of Lima, Ohio, for 30 years. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 372, Lima, Ohio, for over 60 years.
There will be no services. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
John B. Mannon
John B. (Jack) Mannon, age 72, of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Life Path Hospice House in Sun City Center.
Jack was born on September 16, 1946, in Peoria, Illinois, to Frank and Grace (Parrish) Mannon. Alongside his sister, Bonnie Miller, and brothers, Jim and Rob, he grew up in Sparland.
He married his beloved wife and best friend, Bettielou Willman, on March 12, 1966, in Sparland, and they had 53 wonderful years together. She survives, as well as their children, Missy (David) Senn of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and John (Kelly) of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren; his sister Bonnie Miller of Lacon; his brothers, Jim (Vicki) Mannon of Sparland and Rob (Deb) Mannon of Lacon; and several nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents.
Jack joined the Army and served his country honorably during the Vietnam War. He was employed by Caterpillar for over 40 years, last working in logistics. He loved working with youth, as his children grew, and was actively involved in Rome Youth Activities. He coached many teams and served as RYA’s president. Jack also loved golf. He was involved with junior golf programs, a member and board member at Arrowhead Country Club and Lacon Country Club and played as often as possible.
After retiring, he was a member of Renaissance Golf Club in Sun City Center, Florida. He also volunteered at the Veteran’s Administration, driving veterans from Sun City Center to medical appointments at the Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa. Jack served on the board of directors of the Fairview Homeowner’s Association and, later, on the Estates at Lake View Homeowner’s Association. He and Bette loved golfing, traveling and cruising.
Funeral services with military honors will be held on Friday, July 19, at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida (moffitt.org/give) or Life Path Hospice at Sun City, 3725 Upper Creek Dr., Sun City Center, FL 33573.
Jack was a loving husband, a wonderful father and a great friend. He will be sorely missed by many.
Armond R. Miely
Armond Robert Miely, 102, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away July 8, 2019.
He served in the United States Army during World War II.
He retired as the Sexton of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey, Pa.
Armond was the beloved husband for 71 years to the late Chesta Miely; loving father of Kenneth Miely and his wife, Patricia of Carbondale, Colo.; Gregory Miely of Champagne, Ill.; Karen Miely of Seattle, Wash.; Judith Rothermel and her husband Mark of Conway, S.C.; Anita Stimson and her husband Jeff of Parkridge, Ill.; and the late Ronald Miely and his wife Karen of San Diego, Calif.; dear brother of Dr. William Miely, of Columbus, Ohio, and the late, Felix Miely; Helen Del-Frano; Ann Smith; Marguerite Wilhelm and Jean Beraduce; cherished grandfather of 12 grandchildren: Anthony (Tina) Miely, Holly Miely, Jennifer Miely, Megan Miely; Bonnie Rothermel, Erin (Scott) Longenecker, Richard Rothermell, Victor (Angela) Miely, Zachary Stimson, Annie Stimson, Lucas Stimson and Dylan Stimson; and four great-grandchildren: Kahne Chiappini, Griffyn Longenecker, Armando Miely and Archangelo Miely; further survived by many nieces and nephews; friends; Sun City Center neighbors and pool friends.
Armond will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife in Sarasota National Cemetery.
Arrangement by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Lewis D. Resseguie
Lew was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., as Lewis Denton Resseguie on May 3, 1932. He spent his summers growing up in Woodstock, N.Y.
Lew attended Oakwood High in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He then went to Duke University to major in English. He spent four years with the U.S. Air Force (16 months in Korea during the Korean War), then followed in his father’s footsteps and spent 13 years with Scripps-Howard Newspapers’ Washington (D.C.) Daily News. Lew then created and operated his own mini-conglomerate, which included an advertising agency, a national talent management firm, a fashion design studio with such clients as Bloomingdales, Bendel’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, two highly successful dinner theaters and a 1,000 seat legitimate theater. While in Washington, he directed and starred in the first Kennedy Center BROADWAY POPS concert with the National Symphony Orchestra.
At the age of 44, he decided to pursue his first love in life, a career in theater, and moved to New York. His professional acting appearances included the 1977 award-winning dramatic album, Voice Of The People, starring Helen Hayes and E.G. Marshall. In 1978 he co-starred with Angela Lansbury in the Broadway National tour of the musical Gypsy. Lew was then featured in three more Broadway National tours with Robert Goulet in South Pacific, John Davidson in Music Man and Barry Nelson and Dolores Gray in 42nd St. His Off-Broadway, regional and TV credits include leads and critical raves for over 35 musicals, seven plays, four television shows, including daytime drama Edge Of Night, countless concerts, nine industrial shows, and he was seen and/or heard in numerous national television commercials.
For 11 years, he produced, directed and was the MC for 18 major national industrial conventions annually for Model Search America, a talent management firm, under contract to scout for the most prestigious models.
In 1986 Lew met Diane, and three years later, they were married. In 1998 they moved to Sun City Center where he started the Performing Arts Club. He was one of the founders and first president of the South Shore Arts Council. His passion was to give back to the community with the talents he had been blessed with.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diane LeFrancois from Norwich, Connecticut; his four daughters: Katherine of Andover, Mass., Anne of Dallas, Texas, Ginny of Staten Island, N.Y. and Liz from Raleigh, N.C.; six grandchildren and his loyal and faithful dog, Beauregard.
A visitation will be held at United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 W Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, FL 33573, Friday, July 19, from 2 to 2:45 p.m., with a Life Celebration to follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Life Path Hospice of Sun City Center.
