Robert A. Collins
Robert “Bob” Allan Collins, 78, of Melbourne and Apollo Beach, Fla., passed peacefully September 8, 2019, after a short illness, surrounded by family and close friends. Born November 16, 1940, in St. Louis, Mo. to Robert and Jane Collins.
Bob graduated from Westminster College where he was active in Sigma Chi fraternity and ROTC. He earned a Juris Doctor at University of Kansas School of Law. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993, in addition to other states, and Washington, D.C. Federal Courts. Bob was an officer in the U.S. Army Armor, Ft. Knox, Ky. and later in the Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel. In 1968 he moved to Melbourne, Fla., joining Harris Corporation for 27 years, during which time he earned an MS degree in Procurement Management at Florida Institute of Technology.
After leaving Florida, he lived in Kansas, Maine and Texas, working at several corporations as Vice President and Senior Legal and Business Executive experienced in managing Global and Domestic Legal Functions, Contract Management and Business Development Functions at multiple global businesses for Flowserve Corporation, SPX Corporation and Allied Signal/Honeywell. One of his proudest accomplishments was being admitted to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Upon retirement from corporate America, which he so thoroughly enjoyed, he became active in his church and neighborhood community where he served on their boards and offered legal advice to people in need and even fried fish for Friday night church fundraisers. Additionally, he was very involved in the lives of his grandchildren – attending activities, being ever so supportive and providing guidance on the way of the world, most importantly how to be a good person.
In addition to his wife Martha Beaujean Collins, Bob is survived by his daughter, Lisa Peart Loosbrock (Tom), grandchildren Will and Ben Loosbrock, Apollo Beach, Fla., his sister, Barbara Ramsey (William “Bill”), Yuma, Ariz., his niece Alison Ramsey Rutherfurd, grand-nephews Calum and Levi Rutherfurd, Sebastopol, Calif., brother-in-law and partner, Don Beaujean, Sena Biruchenko, Willow, Ark., nephew, Bristol Beaujean and family; nieces Brittany and Grace Beaujean, Anchorage, Ark., and former wife, Adrienne Collins, Melbourne, Fla.
Bob’s love of family, quick wit and sense of honor and duty will be remembered by those whose lives he touched. Military honors, services and a celebration of his life will be at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Melbourne, September 28, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, where Bob was a former board member.
Albert Josef Kohnle
Albert Josef Kohnle, 86, left this earthly world on September 10. He was born in 1932 in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany, the middle child of seven. He immigrated to the United States in 1950, joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and became a citizen of the United States. Al proudly served his adoptive country in Korea and Vietnam. After 27 years of a military career serving in various locations, he retired as Command Sergeant Major in 1979, settling in Florida, most recently in Sun City Center and The Villages. He went on to pursue a second career working for the State of Florida correction system for 10 years.
For many years, Al was a dedicated and loving husband and caregiver to Louise, his wife of 60 years, who preceded him in death in 2015. He will be remembered for his wit, sense of humor, kindness and fun-loving nature. He made friends easily and was loved and will be remembered by many.
Al was a true German who loved soccer and beer. The family did a lot of camping early in his career, and he raised his daughters to love fishing and the outdoors. Upon retirement, he took up golf, enjoying the occasional game with his daughter that lived in Florida. He made special memories visiting Colorado, his state of immigration, hiking, fishing and sitting on the deck of his other daughter’s home, looking out at the Rocky mountains. He enjoyed bowling and playing cards (bridge, pinochle, poker) with friends and would love to win the ten cent pots — just for the sake of winning.
Our Dad and Opa was loved and will be sorely missed by his two surviving daughters, Deni George (John) and Lory Courtney (Brent), three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his six siblings: two sisters in the United States (Liesel and Doris) and two brothers and two sisters living in Germany (Gerhard, Reinhold, Margot, and Hildegard).
Albert will be interred at the Florida National Cemetery with an honor guard ceremony to be held at a later date.
Floyd E. Luxton
Floyd E. Luxton, 94, formerly of Sun City Center, died August 28, 2019. Floyd, a World War II Veteran, was laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery, alongside his beloved wife Bertha who predeceased him in 2009.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Veterans Services, BPOE Lodge #2672, P.O. Box 1209, Ruskin, FL 33575.
Cheryl Ann Nellis
Cheryl Ann Nellis (a.k.a Gofris, Cheese, Moms, Sister, Sis-ta, Tia, Dahlink, Ubu), 67, passed away on September 16, 2019, at her home in Sun City Center, Florida surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, on May 29, 1952, she grew up in Akron, Ohio, where she attended the University of Akron and began her career with the Akron Beacon Journal newspaper. Moving to South Florida in 1978, she worked as an advertising sales rep at The Sun Sentinel newspaper for 25 years and as a finance counselor for Consolidated Credit Counseling Services for 12 years before retiring to Sun City Center in 2015. Cheryl took great pride in her career and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with and helping her clients.
Cheryl is survived by her daughters, Holly (Allen) Nelson; Maxwell and Heather Lynn Nelson; siblings, Jack (Rocchina) Nellis, Lorelei Harding, Kathy (Charles) Field, Robert (Cecilia) Nellis; step-mother, Barbara Nellis; step-siblings Bonnie, Becky and Brooks; many nieces and nephews; and her loyal dog, Lucy.
Cheryl was an avid animal lover who loved life, her family, her friends, and her home in Sun City Center. She enjoyed gardening, painting, and decorating her home. She loved meeting new people and made new friends wherever she went. She will be missed by many.
A celebration of life service was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2019, at the South Shore United Church of Christ, 1501 La Jolla Ave, Sun City Center, Florida.
Norma Eileen Vance
Norma Eileen Vance, 90, of Sun City Center, Fla. passed away Sept. 14, 2019. Norma was born on born May 27, 1929, in Petersburg, W.Va. She is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Charles, and leaves behind her nine children; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
We will miss our mother forever and never forget her and all the wonderful lessons we learned from her and the sacrifices for her children. Rest in Peace, Mama, we love you. Till we meet again, Mama.
Family received friends on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, at National Cremation and Burial Society, 308 E College Ave., Ruskin, 33570. Norma was laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
For full obituary, visit www.nationalcremation.com/location/ruskin. Arrangements entrusted to National Cremation and Burial Society.
