Betty Jane Brown
Betty Jane Brown, 93, transitioned to the embrace of God on Sunday, October 6, at Homewood Residence in Sun City Center, surrounded by the love of her husband, Emery “Brownie” Brown, and family.
Betty was born on April 10, 1926, to Rhoda and Walter Reis, Sr. (both deceased). She was raised in East Bangor, PA, and married Clarence R. Ackerman (deceased), with whom she lived on a dairy farm, which they owned/operated near Bangor, PA. In 1972, they moved to Sarasota, FL, and later to Sun City Center.
Betty is survived by her children: Diane Ryan (husband, John Ryan), Greesboro, NC, and Estero, FL; Richard Ackerman (wife, Debbie Houston-Schrenzel), Horsham, PA; Van Ackerman, Cincinnati, OH; and Ted Ackerman (wife, Meeyoung Ackerman), Harrington Park, NJ; her sister, Mary MacCabe, NJ; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Jane Ackerman; brother, Walter Reis, Jr.; and sisters: Marilyn Dutt and June Ettinger.
Betty cherished her beloved husband Brownie and enjoyed music, dancing, exercise, reading and playing cards.
A private memorial service for immediate family is being planned for a later date at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center.
Thank you to the staff and caretakers at Homewood Residence at Freedom Plaza for their friendship, comfort and support. Betty’s smile, laugh and positive energy were infectious, and she will be missed by many.
“To love another person is to see the face of God.” – Victor Hugo
Joseph L. Flores
Joseph L. Flores, 89, died on October 7, 2019. Joseph moved to Sun City Center, Florida, in 1995. He was an active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church where he served as an usher for a decade. He spent many years volunteering with Our Lady of Guadalupe Food Pantry. He was an avid golfer and loved to travel.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Flores. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Flores; his sons: Michael Flores and his wife Tracy of Charleston, S.C.; Dominic Flores of Boca Raton, FL; and Rene Flores and his wife Michelle and two granddaughters, Savannah and Emma Flores of Keller, Texas.
A funeral mass will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center, FL, at 10 a.m.on Monday, October 21. A Military Honor Guard ceremony will take place immediately following the Mass.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LifePath Hospice, Sun City Center at 3725 Upper Creek Drive, Ruskin, FL 33573.
Joan R. Glas
Joan R. Glas, 93, born on July 19, 1926, in Bromley, Kent, United Kingdom, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2019, at Freedom Plaza, Sun City Center, Florida.
Joan is survived by her husband, Everette Glas; son Richard (Nancy) Hrynkow of Rockford, IL; granddaughter Andrea (Tino) Pagliaro of Baltimore, MD; great grandson, Tyler Pagliaro of Baltimore, MD; and brother Arthur Whiting (Sue) of Chesham, England, along with several nephews and nieces.
A memorial service was held Friday, October 11, 2019, at 3 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd, Sun City Center, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifepath Hospice at 12470 Telecone Drive, Tampa, FL, 33617 or Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Frances Ingram
Frances “Ruby” Ingram, age 91, of Wimauma, FL, formerly of Alvin, WI, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2019, in Palm Bay, FL.
She was born on March 31, 1928, in Baxter, TN, the daughter of the late Larkin and Amanda (Jernigan) Maynard.
Ruby was married to Reverend Howard Ingram for 65 years. They raised their three children in Wisconsin before moving to Florida. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were so special to her. She and her husband always said, “God knew what He was doing when He put our family together. God is so good. They are precious to us.”
Ruby and Howard were saved at a revival at The Little White Church in Alvin on November 5, 1979. Brother Gamber baptized them in Robinson Lake and her favorite verses were Ephesians 3:20-21.
They had a home in Wimauma, FL, and they belonged to the Church of God. Her husband Reverend Howard had a ministry at two nursing homes and preached at their church, when needed.
Ruby is survived by her daughters, Linda (Larry) Kammerzelt of Middleton, WI, and Debra (Michael) Hanrahan of Palm Bay, FL; son, Michael Ingram of Kenosha, WI; grandchildren: Eric (Celeta) Kammerzelt of Milton, WI; Brian Kammerzelt of Chicago, IL; Kathryn Wilson of Goleta, CA; Tara (Steve) Alters of Palm Bay, FL; Michael Ingram of Sioux City, IA; and Daniel Ingram; great-grandchildren: Hana and Heidi Kammerzelt, Elliot and Nora Wilson, Demitri Ingram, Dillinger Ingram, Mercadeez (Bud) Ragan; great-great-grandson Leviathan and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; brothers, J.C., Bill, and Junior Maynard; sisters, Linnie Bruce and Mable Maddux.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Little White Church in Alvin, WI. A Memorial Service will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Della to officiate.
Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Alvin, WI.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Frances “Ruby” Ingram online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.
Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.
Kenneth Kopras Sr.
Kenneth (Jim) Kopras Sr., 73, passed away at home on Sunday, October 6, 2019, after fighting a lengthy illness. He was born August 3,1946, in Steubenville, Ohio. He was a graduate of Steubenville Big Red High School. He attended The Ohio State University and was drafted into the Navy, serving four years aboard the USS Raleigh and USS Fremont. He graduated from Jefferson Technical College with three AA degrees (Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Drafting). He worked at Weirton Steel as a Yardman for 28 years until he retired in 1998.
After retirement he and Linda moved to Apollo Beach, Florida, in 2006 to be closer to their grand kids. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Mission Church in Ruskin, Florida. He was a big fan of Big Red Football, The Ohio State Football and, of course, his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved to dance while listening to his favorite singer, Gary, singing Sugar Sugar.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Linda Tedrow-McMichael-Kopras; daughter, Tammi Lattimore (Terry) of Riverview, Florida; son, Kenneth James Kopras Jr., of Columbus, Ohio; and Stepson, Timothi McMichael, of Columbus, Ohio. He had two grandchildren, Tyler and Brianna Lattimore, whom he loved with all of his heart and was very proud of. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Mary Kopras, his father, Kenneth Kopras, and his sister, Shirley Drayer. He will be sadly missed by his loving dog Princess.
A memorial service was held at the National Cremation & Burial Society in Ruskin, Florida, 308 E. College Ave. on Saturday, October 12 at 3 p.m. A military service will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida, on a later date.
John A. Krochta
John A. Krochta, 93 of Ruskin, FL, passed away October 6, 2019.
He was preceded in death by parents Peter and Julia (Anderson) Krochta, son Greg, daughter Jill and brother Peter.
John is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arlene Krochta (Kostelnik), and children: Eric (wife Jeanne) Krochta of Rochester, MN; Denise Krochta of Elkin, NC; and Debra Behnke of Riverview, FL. Also surviving are brother Nicholas and wife Barbara of NJ as well as his much loved grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
John was a graduate of Blakely High School in Peckville, PA, and the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA. He served in the 77th Signal Company “Statue of Liberty” in the United States Army.
He retired as a plant manager of Johns Manville Corporation, Manville, NJ. John enjoyed photography, golfing and sports.
The funeral mass will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ruskin, FL, at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 8. Burial will be in Jessup, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are with Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Richard J. Langlois
Richard Joseph Langlois, 80, left this earth to go home and be with his heavenly Father on September 17, 2019. Rich was born to Peter and Anne Langlois in Beaumont, Texas, on September 19, 1938. He is survived by Linda, his wife of 56 years.
On June 1, 1963, Rich and Linda were married in Wisconsin, where they began to build their family. He was proud to have served in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962. At the age of 47, he made the most important decision of his life – he placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. His heart’s desire was to honor Christ in all that he did.
Rich had many passions in his lifetime, which included competing in sports and cards, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Rays, reading, sitting in his man-cave (the garage), talking with family and friends, designing and building little gadgets and everything that had to do with the game of golf.
Rich’s greatest passion was to give the very best of himself to his family. He loved and cared deeply for his wife Lindy; for each of his three children: daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Mike Camilli; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Cathy Langlois; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Tami Langlois; 11 grandchildren: Nina, Julia, Charlie, Maria, Kristin, Ben, John, Nathan, Jack, Addi and Max; two great-grandchildren: Frank and Graham and his brother Gene.
The celebration of his life was held on Sunday, September 22, at 12:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church of Sun City Center. Memorial contributions can be made to United Methodist Church of Sun City Center.
Frank H. Smalley Jr.
With heavy heart, we say so long; with joyful heart, we say but not for long.
Frank H. Smalley Jr., born July 10, 1933, left us to be with Jesus on October 5, 2019. A loving husband, father of three, grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of seven, he surely will be missed by all.
Services and burial will be in Massachusetts with family and friends.
Donations may be made to Sun City Christian Center or Seasons Hospice in Tampa.
Claudia P. Tillett
Claudia P. Tillett, 87, of Ruskin, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to Heaven on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.
Claudia was born in Bartow, Florida, on March 19, 1932, to Harry and Juanita Powell. Claudia was married to Roy Tillett of Ruskin. Both were successful business people in real estate and agriculture.
She is survived by her daughter, Gail Thielen Lolley, of Quincy, FL; her sons, Dan Tillett, of Lithia FL., and Tim Tillett (Donna), of Valrico, FL; and her sister, Bonnie Sullivan, of Bartow, FL. Claudia was grandmother of five and great-grandmother of 10.
In lieu of flowers or services, please donate to LifePath Hospice. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Claudia Tritabaugh
Claudia (Austin) Tritabaugh, 74, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away suddenly Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Claudia was born in Independence, Kansas, on June 20, 1945, to the late Walter and Virginia (Good) Austin of Liberty, Kansas. She attended Liberty Grade School and Independence High School. Claudia also attended classes at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
Claudia worked many years in St. Louis, Missouri, law offices as a legal secretary. Two months after meeting online, Claudia and Dennis Tritabaugh were married in Jamaica on July 7, 1997. They moved to Jackson, MO, where she continued working in a law office. They later moved to Wichita, KS, before moving to Eagan, MN, where she worked with the Ramsey County District Attorney’s Office as a legal secretary before retiring in 2010. Claudia and Dennis moved to Florida to enjoy their retirement together and ended up in Sun City Center, FL, where they enjoyed their life, friends and travel. Claudia especially enjoyed playing bridge.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Tritabaugh; children: Kimberly (Jeff) Davis of Salt Lake City, UT, and Craig (Dana) Bell of Oak Grove, MN; step-children: Michael (Carrie) Tritabaugh of Geneva, IL; Melinda (Craig) Olson of Eagan, MN; and Erica (Shawn) Honken of Mankato, MN; grandchildren: Jacob Jeffrey Davis, Annie Renee Davis, Samuel Hawkins Davis, Sydney Becks, Alex Honken, Evan Honken, Gavin Honken, Leah Tritabaugh, Ryan Tritabaugh, Paige Olson and Zoe Olson; brothers: Steve (Gay Nell) Austin and Michael (Penny) Austin and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was recently preceded in death by her sister, Vickie Stonecipher.
A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, October 14, 2019, at National Cremation & Burial Society, 308 E College Ave. in Ruskin, FL.
Mary Ann Woodson
Mary Ann Woodson, 83, of Ruskin, FL, passed away October 4, 2019. Mary Ann was born on September 5, 1936, in Washington, DC. She is predeceased by her husband and oldest daughter, Vicki Ann, and leaves behind her four other children, eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
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, Mom; we love you and miss you terribly.