Jeanne Theresa Collins
Jeanne Theresa Collins of Wimauma, Fla., formerly of Woburn, Mass., passed away peacefully on January 3rd at her home. Jeanne was 73 years old and was the beloved wife of Michael Collins; cherished mother-in-law of Tara Ann Murray of Woburn, Mass.; loving mother of Alan G Cronin, Jr. of Derry, N.H., and Jennifer Collins of Woburn, Mass.; loving grandmother of Christopher Michael Murray and Jacob Francis Zompanti of Woburn, Mass.; Timothy, Siara and Bryce Cronin of Derry, NH. Jeanne was the daughter of the late Edward Gordan Doane and Marguerite (Hirtle) (Doane) Spears; stepdaughter of late Joseph Spears; dear sister to Lynda Powell, Dana Spears, Phillip Spears and Mark Spears and his wife Sandra; and is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.
Jeanne loved holidays and family get-togethers, and any chance to spend time with her family was important to her. Jeanne was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She was very proud of her family and was excited to become a “Nana.” Her greatest joy in life was her husband Michael; her grandsons Christopher and Jacob; and her dog, Diggity.
Jeanne was known for her love of family and animals. She was feisty, yet she had a great sense of humor. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeanne’s memory to The Wellspring Church, 705 9th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570, or The MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
A Memorial Service for local family and friends will take place at 10 AM, Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at National Cremation & Burial Society, 308 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570, 813-645-3231
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at The Wellspring Community Church, 705 9th St SE, Ruskin, FL 33570.
To leave a message for the family, visit obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/9984787.
Barbara Edgemon
On Tuesday, December 29th, 2020, Barbara Sue Edgemon, loving mother and nana passed away at the age of 74. Barbara lived in Sun City Center & Little Canada, N. C. Barbara was born April 5th, 1946, in Chicamauga, Tenn. “Nana” loved to cook, garden, read, dance, attend auctions and play card games with her friends and family. She loved to laugh and nothing pleased her more than to see someone enjoy her cooking. She was a lifelong learner and believed that anything was possible if you just put your mind to it. She was a successful entrepreneur and real estate developer and investor. She loved the Smoky Mountains and loved even more when her friends and family visited her at her cabin. Barbara was strong and independent and left an amazing legacy for all to follow with her kind and compassionate spirit.
Barbara is survived by her two sons: Gene & Chris and their wives, Jennifer and Deloris; her grandchildren: Matthew Kent, Ariel Johnson, Makenzie Kent, Makayla Kent, Jacy Kent & JillyAnne Kent.
Jerry Gibson
Jerry Gibson, 81, passed away on Jan. 9, 2021.
He moved to Sun City Center 16 years ago from Mechanicville, N.Y.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, son John (Sheila), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His son, Jerry Jr. (Patty), preceded him in death.
He was proud of serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Jerry was a mechanical engineer and was a plant manager for General Electric where he worked for 37 years. He was an avid golfer and was employed at Renaissance Golf Club for over 10 years.
Jerry was well known and respected throughout the community. For the past three years, he served as a community director for Sun City Center Community Association.
Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Sarasota. He will be greatly missed. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home, 813-634-9900.
Mary Heffentrager
Mary Heffentrager, 84, of Sun City Center, FL, formerly of Syracuse, NY, went to be with her Lord on Jan. 8, 2021. She was born on May 13, 1936, in Syracuse, NY, to John and Ella Mae Colabufo.
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 50 years John R. Heffentrager Sr.; and two brothers: John Colabufo of Syracuse and Thomas F. Colabufo Sr. of Fayetteville, NY; and nephew Joseph D. Colabufo, Lafayette, NY.
Mary is survived by three brothers: Frank D. Colabufo of Marrieta, NY, Brian (Nancy) Carroll of Sherrill, NY, and Even Carroll of Bridgeport, NY; her five children: Bruce (Debbie) Heffentrager of Greenbrier, AR, Sarah (Roger) Ackley of Sun City Center, FL, Mary Lipphardt of Riverview, FL, JoAnne R. Harvey of Hallstead, PA, and John (Debra) Heffentrager of Gibsonton, FL; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will be having a celebration of life on Jan. 23, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Ruskin at 820 College Ave., Ruskin, FL, In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Children’s Ministries at First Baptist Church of Ruskin.
Kenneth Johnson
Kenneth Emerson Johnson, 92, passed away Jan. 7, 2021, in Sun City Center, Florida.
A memorial service will be held privately.
Ken was born on Aug. 1, 1928, in Flint, Mich., to parents Naomi (Westwick) and Edwin Johnson.
He attended Central High School in Flint and graduated from the General Motors Tool and Die apprentice school. He worked as a tool and die maker and union representative at Chevrolet, taking a break to serve as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He also worked as a foreman before retiring from Chevrolet in 1980, after 36 years of service.
He married Ruth Ruppel in 1956. The couple had two daughters, Sally York of Flushing and Susan (Kenneth) Smithson of Fort Myers, Florida; and a grandson, Kenny Paul Smithson.
Ken pursued a second career in photography, winning an award from Kodak. He had a passion for golf, airplanes and hunting. He and Ruth purchased a winter home in Sun City Center and eventually moved there full time.
Ken was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Rodney Pierpoint.
Matilda M. Kinner
Matilda “Martie” Muriel Kinner (nee Farmer) passed away on January 11, 2021, in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. at the age of 90.
Martie was born Sept. 21, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, to her parents, Charles and Matilda Farmer. She was the youngest of four siblings. Martie attended Richmond Hill High School in Forest Hills, New York, and graduated from its Commercial Diploma program. After school, Martie clerked for an insurance agency in N.Y.C. She married Douglass Melville Kinner on February 11, 1950, in the United Methodist Church of Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. Upon marrying, the Kinners lived on Long Island, first in Levittown and then moving to Kings Park from 1955 to 1983. Doug worked for Airborne Instruments Laboratory and Cutler Hammer in Deer Park while Martie spent 12 years as the activities director at the St. James Nursing Home.
Mrs. Kinner was an avid reader with a passion for her community and friends. Upon retirement, she moved to Florida with her husband; this had been a lifetime goal. There they made many friends, loved to host other couples for game nights and were active members of the Pompano Beach Citizens Crime Watch.
Once in Florida, Martie also resumed work as an activities director in a local senior living home, and with her husband enjoyed a 13-year second career as travel agents, during which they traveled extensively, seeing the world together.
Martie and Doug moved to Virginia to be closer to family in May 2011. Martie moved to North Carolina in March 2017 and resided at Spring Arbor.
Mrs. Kinner is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Becky Kinner of Corolla, North Carolina; her four grandchildren: Amanda (Brian), Andrew (Sara), Kelsey and Keil; and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Douglass; her son, Donald; her sister, Vera Jones; and her brothers, Clifford Farmer and Austin Farmer.
Mrs. Kinner will be buried in a private ceremony on a future date. A memorial will take place on a future date at the Duck United Methodist Church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mrs. Kinner’s life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Parkinson’s Foundation.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
Merlin “Mert” Lloyd
Merlin (Mert) Elmer Lloyd, 89, peacefully passed away on Jan. 1, 2021, at Hospice House in Ruskin.
He was born April 1, 1931, to Lester G. Lloyd and Irene (Hollender) Lloyd at their home in Oxford, Wis.
He was preceded in death by a son, Keith, of Laurel, Md., in 2014, and a brother, Myron, of Poynette, Wis.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Resop) Lloyd; sons: Jeffrey (Terri) of Newell, W.Va., Scott (Jennifer) of Trumansburg, N.Y., and Todd (Katie) of West Winfield, N.Y.; sisters Marjorie Kelsey of Cottage Grove, Wis., and Mary Lou Byers of Oxford, Wis.; granddaughters: Nicole, Jessica and Melissa; great-grandchildren: Taylynn, Jade and Liam; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lloyd was a 1949 graduate of Oxford High School, and he went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He married his wife of 64 years, Mary (Resop) Lloyd, of Berlin, Wis., in 1956.
While in Oxford he enjoyed playing ball, hunting and bowling. He was a member of the Carpenters’ Union and Lifetime member of the Oxford VFW. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1977, he and Mary started Lloyd Racing Stables and trained and boarded thoroughbreds for the next 23 years, with three of their sons being involved in racing.
On retirement in 2001 they purchased an RV and traveled between Pennsylvania, Missouri and Wisconsin, and had a home in Manatee RV Park in Ruskin, Fla. While living in the park, they enjoyed bowling and park activities, especially the dances. They had met at a dance and enjoyed dancing together throughout their marriage.
He will be sadly missed by family and friends. No services are planned at this time.
James S. Smith
James (Jim) Stuart Smith died December 31, 2020, from Covid19 complications. Born May 31, 1940, the son of Stuart and Blythe Hadcock Smith, Jim spent his formative years in Watertown, N.Y., and Mechanicsburg, Penn. A 1962 graduate of Hamilton College, Jim lived and worked in Penn., N.Y., and Ohio, before settling in Fla. in 2007. Trained in electronics and music composition, Jim was an audio technician with Rock n’ Roll artists, created light shows for disco techs, designed industrial inspection lights and served as audio specialist and as performer with churches, choirs, The Performing Arts Company and Pelican Players in the Sun City Center area. At St John Divine Episcopal Church, Jim was a vestry member, sang bass with the choir and developed the church’s audio system. He is survived by his wife Wendy; son Evan; stepsons Gregory and Timothy Blank; sister and brother-in-law, Liz and Bill George; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Born with a congenital heart defect, he underwent a heart transplant in 2000 and remained grateful to the family that donated “the gift of Life.” Memorials may be made to Donatelife.net or the St John Divine Media Department.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 13, at 11:00 a.m. at St John Divine Episcopal Church, 1015 Del Webb Blvd. E, Sun City Center, and also livestreamed on its YouTube channel.
Patricia M. Stierwalt
Patricia M. Stierwalt of Apollo Beach, Fla., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on the Jan. 3, 2021. She was born on October 27, 1942, to Leo and Mary Francis Shorter in Sullivan, Indiana; they preceded her in death. She married the love of her life, Larry D. Stierwalt, on September 2, 1961; he survives.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory one brother, Charles “Chuck” Shorter and his wife Nettie; one son, Christopher W. Stierwalt and his wife Paula; and one grandson, Ian M. Stierwalt and his fiancé, Sarah Zachrich. Patty (Pat) also leaves behind many friends and family in Sullivan, Indiana, Danville, Illinois, and Apollo Beach.
Pat loved to travel and walk on the beach with Larry by her side. She especially loved spoiling her son and grandson. She worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Eckerds/CVS until she retired. Celebrations of life will be held in Apollo Beach, Fla.; Sullivan, Indiana; and Danville, Illinois, on dates to be determined at a later time. Arrangements by Zipperer’s Funeral Home.