The Villages Daily Sun

William (Bill) H. Freeland of The Villages, Florida passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the age of 90. He was born on January 25, 1934 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Bill and Sally were raised in Halifax, Pennsylvania area. He was a pilot in the United States Airforce for 20 years, and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He then was a corporate pilot with the Fargo Forum in North Dakota for another 20 years.. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and sporting clays shooting. He was a life long member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. He was preceded in death by his wife Sarah Heckert Freeland, daughter, Susan Carlson, parents, William B. Freeland & Elizabeth S. Freeland. He is survived...

Richard Banzaca, 84, passed away on April 14, 2024. A loving husband and Father with a kind heart and generous spirit. Richard was a world traveler with an appetite for adventure. Always passionate about learning, especially math and science. In addition to a successful career in electronics, he was an avid golfer and boater as a member of the coast guard auxiliary. He was devoted to his pets and was a lifelong supporter of the Nature Conservancy. A true Gentleman; an optimist with a wonderful sense of humor, he will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, his children, his sisters, brother and his lifelong friends. We were all fortunate to have him in our lives

Linda Lu Kennedy, a gift of joy, beauty, and kindness, joined her Lord, Jesus, on April 11, 2024. Born on April 27, 1947, in Paris, Illinois, Linda's life unfolded exactly as God planned, full of faith and purpose. She is celebrated by her loving husband and best friend of 54 years, Steve Kennedy, her sister, Judy, their children Tara Davidson (Michael Sr.), Tami Graham (Todd), and their grandchildren, Michael Jr., Garrett, Joshua, Matthew, Abigail, Grace, and Eden. Linda and Steve's love story began in 1965 at a Rose Hulman Institute of Technology dance following a basketball game. Steve went to retrieve his belongings when he found Linda's feet on his shoes in the bleachers. Linda was...

John Joseph Sowa went home to our Lord on April 10, 2024 in The Villages, Fl. John was born on August 4, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Loretta Sowa. After a high school career at St. Anthony of Padua in Watkins Glen, NY where John excelled in basketball, baseball, soccer and cross-country, he went on to graduate from St. John's University in Brooklyn, NY with a teaching degree and furthered his education with Masters Degrees in English and Administration. John's long career in education began as a high school teacher at Franklin K. Lane in Brooklyn, NY and then at Middle Township High School in Cape May County, NJ. He went on in the district to become Principal of Elementary 1. ...

George Bieze, 86, of The Villages, passed away on April 9, 2024. He was born in Chicago, IL to Theodore and Minnie Bieze (Schuknecht) on August 9, 1937. He married Barbara Leszczynski on May 24, 1958 in St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL. They were married 65 years, raising 3 children in the Chicagoland area before moving to The Villages in 2005. After completing his undergraduate degree, he received his Master's in Business from The Lake Forest School of Management. He worked as a Draftsman, an Engineer and in Computer Software Sales. He was an avid sportsman: fishing, bowling, golfing, softball. He was a joker who loved to laugh and loved getting together with family and...

Richard Irvin Houck "Doc", beloved of his heavenly Father and loved by his family, went home to be with the Lord April 8, 2024. Born June 12, 1933 to Irvin and Margaret Houck, Doc lived his childhood in Oak Park, IL with his sisters, Peggy and Mary. Having an early love for animals, he pursued and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State in 1957. His veterinary skills were used for three decades in his large and small animal practice in Southeastern Wisconsin/ Northeastern Illinois and later for 18 years with Ringling Brothers Circus. Always desiring to work with excellence, every animal in his care received the best from his brilliant mind, strong yet gentle hands, and...

Hon. Clifford Hoover Yorks, Jr. born May 23, 1936, died peacefully at his home in Summerfield, FL early in the morning of April 7,2024. He would have been 88 years old on his birthday. Born in Bellefonte, PA to Clifford H. Yorks and Ella Dann Yorks, he was a 1954 graduate of Bellefonte High School. Upon graduation he worked for Penn State University. He enlisted in the United State Air Force in 1961, serving in Berlin, Germany during the Berlin Airlift as an Air Policeman until his discharge in 1964. After his service, he first joined the Bellefonte and later State College, PA Police departments promoted to Sergeant, then acting Chief of Police until running for the office of District...

Bob Koudelka, 85, passed away on April 5, 2024. He was born to R. Joseph and Judy Koudelka on November 22, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, with a B.S. in Engineering and an M.A. in Metallurgical Engineering. Bob was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He began his 30 year career with Union Carbide in the Linde Division as a Development Engineer in Newark, NJ His professional advancement took him and his family to Hibbing, MN, Birmingham, AL, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Antwerp, Belgium, New York City, NY, Danbury, CT and Somerset, NJ. After retiring at the age of 52, Bob returned to school to...

Rodney J. Lucas passed away peacefully at his home in The Villages, FL on April 5th, 2024 at the age of 77. Rod is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rosemary Lucas, daughter Keri Lucas and her husband John Barsosky, and grandson Jackson Barsosky of Huntersville, NC, and daughter Megan Lucas of The Villages, FL. He is also survived by sister Constance Akerley and husband Russell Akerley (predeceased), brother John "Pete" Lucas (predeceased) and wife Lorraine Lucas, sister Christine Currier and husband Bryant Currier (predeceased), sister Janet Welch and husband James Welch, brother L. Michael Lucas, and brother Ronald Lucas (predeceased) and wife Janis Lucas, as well as many nieces...

Marcia Mase Butler, 80, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on April 4, 2024, after a brief illness. She leaves a legacy of unwavering love, dedication to education, and vibrant community engagement. Born on January 10, 1944, in Trenton, NJ, Marcia was the daughter of Darrel and Irene Mase. She was raised in Gainesville, Florida, and attended P.K. Yonge High School before earning her Bachelor of Education from the University of Florida, where she met her husband Al, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. After their children were born, Marcia put her heart and soul into caring for her family. A dedicated mother and playful "GeeBee" to her adoring grandchildren, she created countless...

Derek Archibald Taylor, 81, formerly of Nassau, The Bahamas passed away on April 3rd, 2024 from Dementia at Hearthstone of Wildwood, Florida where he had received excellent care. He was born in 1942 in The Bahamas, the oldest of two sons of Archibald and Patrica Taylor, his brother, Philip has predeceased him. He attended the University of Tampa where he met his future wife, Leslie, and received a B.S. degree. He was a member of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. He played tennis, sailed and went boating with family and friends during his teenage years. When Derek and Leslie became empty nesters they were able to spend more time with their friends and family playing cards, boating and going...

Elliott H. Gathercoal, 89, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024. He was born in Chicago, IL, on October 14, 1934, son of the late Jesse and Elizabeth Gathercoal. At the age of 14 his mother and he moved to Miami Beach, FL, where he graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in the Class of 1951. He then attended the University of Florida, graduating in the Class of 1955 with a bachelor's degree in business. He immediately went to work at Southern Bell Telephone Company in Gainesville, FL, and later transferred with the company to Miami, FL, and then to Atlanta, GA, in 1982. He spent 32 years working in various management positions for the telephone company, retiring from BellSouth...

Joseph Knapp 81, formerly of Charleston, ME was called home to his savior on April 3, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. Born and raised in Drexel Hill, PA, he proudly served in the U.S. Airforce from 1960-1964 and was stationed at Charleston AFB in Maine, where he met and married the love of his life, Lois Pray Knapp in 1962. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. Survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lois P Knapp (Pray), Joe also leaves behind his children, Lori Knapp, Joe Knapp Jr (Denise), and Tim Knapp (Shelly); his Grandchildren, Lindsey Smith (Cynewski) (Ryan), Megan Ross (Knapp) (Alistair) , Maddy Knapp, Josie...

Christine Rae Riposo lost her fifteen-year battle with cancer and was met with extended arms by her creator and Blessed Lord on April 3, 2024. Chris was the second of five children born to Vern R. Hatch and the late Rose Marie Swanberg Hatch on June 5, 1963, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in pre-law. Although Chris intended to pursue a career in law, she was given an opportunity to join the Navy to become a pilot. Since she always loved to fly, this was an opportunity she just couldn't pass up. Christine received her basic training at the Naval Training Center in Pensacola, FL. After receiving her commission to...

Ken went to be with the Lord on April 1,2024. A resident of Calumet Grove and more recently of Villa Berea, Ken was a kind and gentle man, who worked for more than 50 years in Fire Suppression Systems. He loved his family, pets, travel, drawing, and games. Ken is survived by his loving wife, Sherry; his children, Ken Jr, Kenny's wife, Ruth; Carrie Finch-Burriss and her husband, Erik Burriss; his stepson David Gardner; his grandchildren, Shawn Gardner and Piper Finch; his siblings Charlotte Taylor and her husband Jerry, Michael Finch, Karon Fickey and her husband Edsel, his sister-in-law, Rhetta Finch and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and kin. He is preceded in death by his...

Seabrook, NH - Joseph A. "Joe" Carter, 72, of Seabrook, formerly a 15 year resident of The Villages in Florida, passed away Monday April 1, 2024. Born in Haverhill, MA on February 22, 1952 the son of the late John E. and Mary (O'Shea) Carter. Raised in Haverhill, he graduated from Haverhill High School with the Class of 1970. Joe worked in Security for most of his career, lastly for Brookdale Senior Living in The Villages. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed surfing in his younger years. Joe loved animals, especially his cat, Woody and his dogs Bella and Autumn. Surviving family members include his siblings, John E. "Jack" Carter Jr. of Methuen, MA, Owen Carter of Hampton, NH and...

Judith T MacLean, Age 83, of The Villages, Florida passed away peacefully in her home on April 1, 2024. Judy, (nickname Teri), grew up in Alliance Ohio, she was the daughter of Dr., Michael T. Palen, and Margaret Palen, and the sister of Rosemary Twomey, Michael Palen. Teri had an amazing life, starting in high school, where she excelled at so many activities. She was a Homecoming Queen, a cheerleader, and a Red Cross Volunteer. She was one eleven volunteers selected to travel to Korea with the Red Cross. While in Korea, she was asked to host a radio show for the overseas soldiers. In college, she continued to standout and was voted the Pigskin Queen by the football team. She graduated from...

Hans W. Schapsmeier went to be with his Lord on March 29, 2024. Born on September 15, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio from immigrant German parents. He grew up in the suburb of Lyndhurst. He was active in track while a student at the local Brush High School, excelling in the high jump. Many close friendships formed during school years continued later for many long years. He earned a Bachelor's degree With Honors in Mechanical Engineering at Case Institute of Technology, which later became a part of Case Western University. His career focused primarily on the process chemical and petroleum refining industries. As a project manager he managed the design and construction of many new or expanded process...

Dr. Anne Mallery was a woman with many interests and talents. At Millersville University, she was known as a researcher, professor and administrator. She frequently wrote and received financial grant funding for colleagues throughout the United States and routinely gave presentations at national conferences. Anne was a valuable advisor to Millersville University students, helping them weave a path through the curriculum that allowed them to complete a double major in early and special education and graduate within four years. During that time, she also served as the editor of "Innovative Learning Strategies" a nationwide journal for college professors. Always interested in new adventures,...

Age 101 of St. Paul, MN Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 28, 2024. Born in South Dakota and raised in Iowa, Burt graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in architectural engineering. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for service in the Navy and was stationed in the Pacific. Upon his return, he married Jerry, moved to the Twin Cities, and enjoyed a lengthy career as an architect and life as a family man. Burt and Jerry retired to Florida and after Jerry's death in 2006, Burt remained there until he moved back to St. Paul at age 99. Survived by children Tom (Kathy), Pat (Tom) Hutchings, Joan Adkins, Marcia Abel, Joe (Arielle), Mary (Mark)...

At age 81, Thomas (Tom) passed away peacefully at Shands Hospital on March 26, 2024. Born in Rockford, IL, Tom graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Business Administration. Tom had a gift when it came to sales and during his career, he spent years living in Ohio, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 56 years, Mary Jane (Finlin), daughter Kelly Grutza (Dan), son Brad (Meghan), and grandchildren Harrison Grutza and Brianna Bloom. Tom and Mary Jane moved from New Jersey to The Villages in 2006 where they spent a wonderful retirement playing golf, cards with friends, taking cruises and enjoying the good life. He loved...