This Week's Obituaries

TBT provides basic obituaries as a free service. To place a local obituary in our publication, simply email the listing to obituaries@thebradentontimes.com.

Frank G. Coleman, 101, of Bradenton, FL died peacefully on May 22, 2014 under Hospice care at the Windsor Oaks of Bradenton, FL. Frank was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Margaret, in 1996; his companion of 10 years, Valerie Bryce in 2008; and his brother, Ernie Coleman in 2012.

He is survived by his four sons: James (Kathleen) of Webster, NY; Thomas (Peggy) of Jackson, MS; Lawrence (Kristine) of Bradenton, FL; and Steven (Kathleen) of Madison, WI; 13 grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren. Frank was born in Rochester, NY.

He worked for many years at Speas Vinegar in Lyndonville, NY. Upon retirement he moved to Bradenton, FL. He was an avid and talented amateur golfer. Frank’s life-long love of golf began at age 12, and he played his final round at age 95. Several times he won the Gulf Coast Senior Games, and the Florida State Senior Games. He twice won the National Senior Games for his age group.

Visitation will be held at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, Wednesday, May 28, 2014 between the hours of 6 and 8 PM. A funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 9:30 AM at Ss. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, 2850 75th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209.

Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tidewell Hospice, Inc. 5595 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238. Condolences towww.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Mary Alice Burkett, 90, Bradenton, died May 21, 2014. Born in Huntington, Indiana she moved to Bradenton in 1959 from Lakeland, FL and she was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Bradenton.

Predeceased by parents, Jack and Claudia Mae (Betts) Bybee; husband, Warren L. Burkett, Jr.; survived by sons, Warren Burkett, III ''Butch'' and his wife, Emme of Bradenton, FL and John Parker ''Jack'' and his wife, Betsy of Bradenton, FL; daughters, Claudia Gusarson of Los Gatos, CA and Kathleen Burkett of Bradenton, FL; grandchildren, Mary Eva Parker, Whitney Yost and Elizabeth Gusarson; great grandchildren; Brody and Corey Yost.

Visitation 6-8 PM Monday, May 26, 2014 at  Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 342098. Services 10AM Tuesday May 27, 2014at Hope Lutheran Church, 4635 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207 with Burial to follow at Skyway Memorial Gardens in Palmetto, FL. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Jean G. Lambert, 90, Bradenton, died May 17, 2014. Born in Medina, ND she moved to Bradenton in 1980 from Glenview, IL and Atlanta, GA, she was a member of Glenview Community Church of Glenview, IL. Jean was active serving her church and community through the Women's Association, PEO and on the Board of the Greater Chicago YWCA.

Predeceased by her husband Joseph and her parents, Gustave Franz and Alma Theresa (Peterson) Geissler; survived by daughters, Judy Lambert McKinley of Atlanta, GA and Jana Lambert (Scott) McClure of Bradenton, FL; 5 grandchildren, Daniel and David McKinley, Sarah Melton all of GA, Brittany Jemmoua of PA and Todd McClure of Bradenton, FL; 4 great grandchildren.

There will be no services locally. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations to the Salvation Army or PEO. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Carlos F. Ochoa, 35, Bradenton, died May 19, 2014. Survived by wife, Natalie & family. Visitation 6-8PM Tues, May 27, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel.  Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Harold Nils Pelta, 79, Ellenton, died May 21, 2014. Born in Paterson, New Jersey he moved to Ellenton in 2003 from Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania. A Veteran of the US Air Force and the US Coast Guard he worked for IBM before going to Columbia Law School.

Predeceased by his brother,  Mark Stark and sisters, Esther Gordon and Betty Davis; survived by wife of 53 years, Helen of Ellenton, FL.

Burial will be at 9:30AM Friday, May 23, 2014 at Sarasota National Cemetery. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Elizabeth Ann Croake, 83, of Bradenton, died May 20, 2014.  Born in Plattsburgh, NY, she was the daughter of Lawrence Edward and Helen Margaret Croake and raised in South Orange and Maplewood, NJ.  She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 1952, and worked as a chemist for Bell Telephone Laboratories. In 1954 she joined Maryknoll International, and remained a Maryknoll sister until 1972. She served as a teacher at Maryknoll College in The Philippines and at the Maryknoll training centers in Boston and New York.

Elizabeth worked with the New York City Addiction Services Agency as Director of Training beginning in 1966. In 1970, she co-founded the Training for Living Institute in New York City, a non-profit agency for prevention and rehabilitation services, and served as Director of Training, Director of Consultation Services, and Director of TFL Press. In 1976, she moved to Mattituck, L.I., New York, where she co-founded New Directions for Women (a women's resource center in Riverhead, NY), and served on the Board of Directors of the Victims Information Bureau of Long Island. Moving to Florida in 1988, Elizabeth became a resident of the Southwinds Condominium Association in Bradenton, and served for many years on its Board  of Directors.

Four generations of family members have been touched by her love. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence E. (Marionne) Croake, Jr. of New Kensington, PA. She was predeceased by her sister, Frances Croake (Edward) Frank, and by her brothers, Thomas James Croake (killed in action in World War II) and John Patrick Croake. Six nieces will miss her: Laura Chudd of Westmont, NJ; Mary Helen Young of Buckeye, AZ; Catherine (David) Hyland of Moon Township, PA; Megan (Paul) Olson of St. John, V.I; Regina (Blaise) Janov of North Versailles, PA; and Mary Claire (Timothy) Grantz of West Leechburg, PA.  She is also survived by great-nieces and nephews, Daniel (Shannon) Chudd, Susan Chudd, Brian (Jill) Young, Lindsey (Robert) Bogard, Jennifer (Anthony) Palazzolo, Amy Hyland, Brian Olson, Sean Olson, Corinne Olson, Laura Janov, Nathaniel Janov, and Matthew Grantz. Great-great nieces and nephews will carry on her spirit as they grow: Gregory and Audrey Chudd, Keegan and Kherington Young, and Madison Bogard.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:30AM on Tuesday, May 27, in the Chapel at SS. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church Parish, 2850 75th St. West, Bradenton.  Her ashes will become part of the church's Memorial Garden. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Elizabeth's memory to a charity of your choice which reflects her generosity of spirit. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Bonnie Birke, 85, of Anna Maria Island, Florida passed away on May 15, 2014.  

She is survived by her loving husband, Robert J. Birke, daughter, Roberta Birke, and she is predeceased by her son, Eric Birke. She was born November 25, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan.  She was a devoted educator who  taught in Hastings Michigan for 25 years. After retiring to Anna Maria, she became an accomplished water color artist and enjoyed many dear and special friends in the area.

There will be no Services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Benjamin A. Mastovich, 37, Bradenton, died May 16, 2014. Born in Clarion County, PA he moved to Bradenton  in 1981, attended Christ Episcopal Church of Bradenton and was a Veteran of the US Air Force.

Survived by wife, Sara of Bradenton, FL; step-son, Nathan Bower of Bradenton, FL; daughters, Anna Mastovich of Bradenton, FL and Haley Mastovich of Kennesaw, GA; parents, Louis and Sonja Mastovich of Wimauma, FL; brother, Louis Mastovich of Wimauma, FL.

Celebration of Life will be at 4 PM Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Rose K. Boettner, 94, Bradenton, died May 11, 2014. Survived by son, Bill; daughters, Patty Killingsworth and Barbara Kos all of Bradenton, FL and their families. Services will be private for the family. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Frederick J. Coyne, 59, passed away on May 16, 2014. Fred was born in Albany, New York on September 4, 1954 to the late Charles and Joan Coyne. For 28 years, Fred was employed by the US Postal Service and he was former Coach at the DeSoto Boys Club. He will be long remembered for his love of sports, coaching youth, his practical jokes and great sense of humor.

He is survived by his daughter, Emira McCabe Tucker (Jason) and loving granddaughters, Jessica, Shiloh and Zarah; brothers, John Coyne (Holly), Edward Coyne (Jeannine); sisters, Mary Anne Clark (Bill) and Patricia Eaton (Edward). Fred is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 20 years, Zizi S. Coyne.

Services will  be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. In Lieu of flowers please send donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.