William A. Stephens, 76, of Oak Run
William A. Stephens, of Oak Run, died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at TimberRidge Rehabilitation Center, Ocala. A native of Trenton, N.J., he has lived in the Ocala area since 1995, formerly from Peoria, Ariz. He was 76.
Mr. Stephens was a retired engineer with the space industry and was Presbyterian. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving with the U.S. Army Company C 7th Medical Battalion.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; daughter, Catherine Forlines of South Hampton, N.J.; son, John Stephens of The Colony, Texas; two sisters, Marion Brown of Bradenton and Edna Jarvis of Summerfield; and one grandchild, Samantha Forlines.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge Chapel, handled the arrangements.
Emily Thorkelsen, 85, of OTOW
Emily Thorkelsen, of OTOW, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at West Marion Community Hospital. She was born in St. Paul, Minn. She was 85.
Mrs. Thorkelsen was a retired cosmetologist and Protestant.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Paul; five nieces, Lanor Relford, Lorraine Harath, Gloria Iverson, Lois Larsen, Lorraine Gresmann, all of Minnesota; and three nephews, Al Von Trat, Bub Shenze and Leo Shenz, all of Minnesota.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge Chapel, handled the arrangements.
John J. Truitt, 77, of Ocala
John J. Truitt, of Ocala, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Estelle's Hospice House, Ocala. A native of Waleyville, Md., he has lived here since 1965, coming from New Jersey. He was 77.
Mr. Truitt was a retired thoroughbred horse trainer for Merry Brooks Farms, Ocala. He was a member of the Elks Club of Ocala and a U.S. Navy veteran serving during World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Claire F. Truitt, in 1979.
Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Ann Paton of Rockton, Ill., and Frances Elizabeth Truitt of Homosassa; and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Marion County, Ocala.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge Chapel, handled the arrangements.
L.A. "Al" Wangerien, 76, of Oak Run
L.A. "Al" Wangerien, of Oak Run, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his residence. A native of Floral Park, N.Y., he has lived here since 1988, formerly from Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y. He was 76.
Mr. Wangerien was a retired detective with the Nassau County Police Department, Long Island, N.Y. He was Lutheran. He was a member of Wantagh, N.Y. Morton Lodge No. 63 F&AM; Nassau County Patrolman's Benevolent Association; Nassau County Detectives Association, L.I., N.Y.; past member of South Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police; member of Angela Santos VFW Post 4781 Ocala; American Legion Post 377 of Goshen, N.Y.; charter volunteer of the Marion County Sheriff's Funeral Escort Unit.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard of World War II and served in the Normandy invasion and Okinawa campaigns.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Gloria M.; son, Robert E. Wangerien of Turlock, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Matilda B. Wangerien of Turlock, Calif.; four grandchildren and one step-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his son, Brian Wangerien, on September 1974.
Memorial may be made to Hospice of Marion County, Ocala.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, TimberRidge Chapel, handled the arrangements.
Kenneth L. Ackett, 79, Contractor
Kenneth L. Ackett, 79, of Bushnell, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, in Bushnell. A native of Flint, Mich., she was a resident of Bushnell since 1961, formerly of St. Petersburg. Mr. Ackett was a contractor in the construction industry. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II. He was Episcopal. Survivors include his wife, Patsy R.; daughter, Merry Ackett of Bushnell; two stepsons, Dave Gary Whitlock of Haywood, Calif. and "Buddy" Anderson of Atmore, Ala.; stepdaughter, Carla Sue Anderson of Cape Cod, Mass.; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services were held July 22 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Shirley Newman officiating. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Rose M. Berardinelli, 90, Waitress
Rose M. Berardinelli, 90, of Webster, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Webster. A native of Johnston, R.I., she was a resident here since 1993, formerly of Delray Beach. Mrs. Berardinelli was a member of the Cooties of the VFW and a member of Woodlands Lutheran Church. She was a waitress. Survivors include her husband, Ed; granddaughter, Sharyl Weatherby-Hyatt of Webster; two great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Edward Weatherby of Webster. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Myrna L. Deal, 63, Teacher
Myrna L. Deal, 63, of Sanford, died Monday, July 14, 2003, in Orlando. Ms. Deal was born on March 6, 1940 in Inverness and moved to Sanford in 1967 from Jacksonville. She had been a guest at Disney World before it officially opened and thousands of times since that day. She was known for her love of riding roller coasters and was a teacher at Colonial High School, Seminole Community College and Valencia College. She will be missed by her family, which includes her daughter, Erica Ryder Wogoman and her husband Don; her son, Mark A. Ryder and his wife Janet; her brother, Donald Deal; her granddaughters, Carrie Jessica, Brittany and Ella; and also loved as family are: Iswan, Ade, Yana and Inong Iswan. There was a memorial service on July 19 at the Gramkow Funeral Home in Sanford with Rev. Richard Wagoner as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33742; 800-929-2033.
Carolyn F. Eldridge, 60, Waitress
Carolyn F. Eldridge, 60, of Bushnell, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Leesburg. A native of Pineville, Ky., she was a resident of Bushnell for many years, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Eldridge was a waitress and was Protestant. Survivors include her husband, James B.; two daughters, Tracy Fowler and Sandy Schuman, both of Bushnell; brother, Bruce Elliott Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio; two sisters, Jonnie Rose of Bushnell and Joyce Waldron of Cincinnati, Ohio; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held July 19 at Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell, with Rev. Lee Sweet officiating. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Ruth L. Foster, 78, Homemaker
Ruth Leona Foster, 78, of Bushnell, died Sunday, July 20, 2003, in Webster. A native of Lake Panasoffkee, she was a lifetime resident of Sumter County. Mrs. Foster was a homemaker and Protestant. Survivors include two sons, Dick Lovett and Donny Lovett, both of Bushnell; three sisters, Marie Mizell, Louise Posey and Natalie Murphy, all of Lake Panasoffkee; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Lovett. Services were held July 23 at Purcell Funeral Home chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Ronnie Hunt officiating. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Gertrude "Jan" Hamilton, 92, Personnel Director
Gertrude "Jan" S. Hamilton, 92, of Lake Panasoffkee, died Friday, July 18, 2003, in Wildwood. A native of Front Royal, Va., she had been a resident of Lake Panasoffkee for the past 23 years. Ms. Hamilton was a personnel director for Burlington Mills. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Front Royal, Va. Survivors include a sister, Gladys Sealock of Front Royal, Va.; seven nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William P. Hamilton, and two brothers, Henry and Arthur Wood. Services were held July 21 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with Pastor R. Jon King officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lake and Sumter County, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Fla. 32778-9972. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Bill Pickett, 45, Truck driver
Bill Pickett, 45, of Leesburg, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Orlando. A native of Jackson, Mich., he moved here in 1985 from Michigan. Mr. Pickett was a truck driver and a veteran of the Air Force serving during Lebanon and Granada Conflicts. Survivors include his father and stepmother, William and Gail Pickett of Wildwood; mother and stepfather, Donna and James Rowley Sr. of Jackson, Mich.; brothers, Joe, Don and Bob Pickett, all of Jackson, Mich., Cecil B. Collier of Candler, Fla., James A. Rowley Jr. of Munith, Mich., Timothy M. Rowley of Marshall, Mich.; sisters, Susan Denton of Spring Arbor, Mich., Tanya C. Mills of Wildwood, Daphne C. Conley of Wildwood, Denise Wintizer of Ledbetter, Ky., Kathy Rowley of Lorado, Texas; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Translife Organ Services, 2501 N. Orange Ave., Suite 40, Orlando, Fla. 32804. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home, Wildwood, handled the arrangements.
Alice M. Revere, 83, Retail sales
Alice M. Revere, 83, of Bushnell, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Dade City. A native of New York, she was a resident of Sumter County since 1986, formerly of Palm Harbor and Yew York State. Mrs. Revere was a manager in retail sales. She was a member of the St. Lawrence Women's Guild, the DAV Auxiliary and the Hecklers Bowling League. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She is survived by a daughter, Gerry Dunn of Bushnell. Services were held July 18 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Father Peter Sagorski officiating. Interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
Malcolm P. Shepard, 91, Salesman
Malcolm P. Shepard, 91, of Bushnell, died Friday, July 18, 2003, in Inverness. A native of Dodge County, Ga., he was a native of Georgia, moving to Clearwater in 1927 and to Sumter County in 1970. Mr. Shepard was a salesman in the magazine industry. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the 101st Airborne serving during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Wahoo. Survivors include his wife, Ruth E.; daughter, Beverly Ann Lewis of Floral City; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were held July 23 at Purcell Funeral Home Chapel, Bushnell, with Rev. Billy Ready officiating. Interment at Florida National cemetery with military honors rendered by the Marine Corps League #708. Purcell Funeral Home, Bushnell, handled the arrangements.
George De Scala, 79, of Palm Cay
George De Scala, of Palm Cay, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Munroe Regional Medical Center at TimberRidge. A native of Sommerville, N.J., he came here in 1988 from Cape May, N.J. He was 79.
Mr. De Scala was a retired butcher. He was a member of Southwest Ocala Congre-gation of Jehovah's Witness and was a former World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, May B.; son, Lou De Scala of Beachplum Villas, N.J., George and James De Scala, both of Cape May Courthouse, N.J.; daughter, Diane Mairoisi of Lanoke, N.J.; sisters, Jean Manfredi of Whiting, N.J. and Angie Dorsa of Flagtown, N.J.; seven grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.
Roberts Funeral Home, Bruce Chapel West of Ocala, provided the information.
