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.

Douglas James Becker, 68, of Springfield, OR, passed away July 24, 2013, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Douglas chose to spend his final month in the home of his eldest son, Richard in Oxnard, CA. In those final hours, he was surrounded by his two sons, loved ones, and family.

Douglas was born Oct. 2, 1944 in Sycamore, IL but grew up an “oil brat” in Venezuela until the age of twelve, and then attended high school at St. Bede Academy in Illinois. He was a proud graduate of Notre Dame, where he received his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering. Commissioning with the USAF as an officer, he then did post-graduate work at Purdue and the USAF Air War College and later earned his MBA from University of Dayton, OH. In his career with the US Air Force, his original station was Wright-Patterson AFB, OH then transferring to Germany with his first wife, now Sandy Stewart Bauer. Upon return to the US, he served at the Pentagon and retired(Lt. Col.) from an assignment at Norton AFB, CA.

Douglas raised his two sons in Redlands, CA with his second wife Sylvia. In his second career, he became a project coordinator with Northrop Grumman. He retired to Bradenton, FL, and later moved to Springfield, OR. In his retirement, he enjoyed reading, following sports such as soccer, visiting friends and family across the US, photography, genealogy, as well as attending reunions, museums, and air shows. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Ruth Becker née Duffy of Princeton, IL. He is survived by his sons Richard (Katie) Becker of Oxnard, CA and John Becker of Seoul, South Korea, his brother Kenny (Debra) Becker of Dallas, TX, his sister Kathy (David) York of Fowler, IN, his aunt Jean Raso née Duffy of Gardnerville, NV, nieces Kristin (Jonathan Fabrizi) Becker of Dallas, TX and Emily (Eric) Gruber née York of Lafayette, IN, his nephews Russell (Aarika) York of Fairmount, IN, and Owen (Melissa) York of Camby, IN, as well as five great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and interment are planned for July 26, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in Princeton, IL at the Becker family plot in Oakland Cemetery. Donations in memoriam may be sent to the American Cancer Society or other charity of your choice.

Margaret Theresa Tischbein, ''Sissy'', age 88, of Bradenton, FL, went home on June 24, 2014. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 27, 1926. She attended Bushwick High School Brooklyn, NY. She met, fell in love and married Frank Tischbein and together they raised 6 children and lived a life full of music, laughter and love in Floral Park, NY.

They moved to Spring Hill in 1987. She loved dancing, learning, reading, cooking, music and her family. Her husband Frank passed in 1989. In 1996 she moved to Bradenton, FL. Keep moving, that was her motto. She was a very strong woman, and filled with pride for her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren’s accomplishments and shared each victory with them. She was respected and loved by more people than she ever knew. Her faith in God never wavered, and now she is in Heaven with her loved ones who went on before her and watching over all of us.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Frank Tischbein; sons, Tommy (Gloria, deceased) Tischbein and Frankie (LuAnn) Tischbein; survived by her sister, Kay (Al, deceased), Bischke of Oakdale, NY, her daughters, Cathy (John) Zoro of St. Augustine, FL, Jeanne Tischbein (Dean Keller) of Arvada, CO, Mary Tischbein of Bradenton, FL, Margaret (Paul) Keller of Bayville, NY; grandchildren, Christine, Theresa, Jason, Sarah, Jen, Laura, Cory and Maxwell; great grandchildren, Wyeth, Olive, Henry and Mason; all her nieces and nephews and their children and their children and her many, many friends.

Visitation 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207. Eulogy 9:15AM with Mass to follow at 9:30AM Monday, June 30, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Chapel, 3100 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Committal Service 1PM Monday, June 30, 2014 at Florida Hills Memorial Gardens in Spring Hill, FL. Memorial donations to St. Joseph Catholic School. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Miljoy Harvey, 68, Bradenton, died June 24, 2014. Born in Bunnell, FL he moved to Bradenton in 1960 and he was a member of Amazing Grace Church.

Predeceased by parents, Lyston and Essie Marie (nee Melvin) Harvey; brother, Solomon Harvey; sisters, Geraldine Auld and Ethel Mae Franklin; survived by wife of 24 years, Dawn of Bradenton, FL; sons, Verdell of Rubonia, FL and Marshall of Sarasota, FL; daughters, Tonya of TX and Haley of Bradenton, FL; sisters, Inez Anderson, Gloria Harvey, Johnnie Mae Pinkey all of Palmetto, FL and Sandra Johnson of Monticello, FL; three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Visitation 1-3PM Saturday, June 28, 2014 with Services following at 3PM at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Richard A. Kaylor, 63, Bradenton, died June 23, 2014. There will be no local Services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Dorothy V. Gault, 98, Bradenton, died June 22, 2014. Born in Scottdale, PA she moved to Bradenton in 1990 from  Greensburg, PA and she was a Presbyterian.

Predeceased by husband, Allan; daughter, Carol Jeanne Davis; sister, Marjory Jenkins; survived by daughter, Pat (Donald M.) Crytzer of Bradenton, FL; 4 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be at a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Memorial donations to Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Shirley Ann Contreras, 62, Bradenton, died June 21, 2014. Memorial Services will be announced at a later date.

Luis Lemus, 87, Bradenton, died June 20, 2014. Born in Cuba he moved to Bradenton in 1973 from Long Island, New York and he was a member of St Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church.

Survived by wife of 40 years, Palma of Bradenton, FL; son, Michael (Roseanne) Lemus of Los Angeles, CA; daughter, Betty (Jose) Estopinales of Miami, FL; 5 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren.

There will be no local Services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St W Bradenton, FL 34209 in charge. Memorial donations to His Helping Hands Ministries, 1020 59th St W, Bradenton, FL 34209. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Dorothy M. Korcheck, 85, of Bradenton, FL passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 20, 2014.  She was born on March 11, 1929 in Bradenton, FL as one of 5 children of the late Wesley and Ruby Glass. She graduated from Manatee High School, lived and worked in Elkhart, Indiana for several years then settled in Bradenton in 1978.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 24 years, Dr. Stephen Korcheck; her daughter, Marjie Wenger/Dr. Richard Funk of Sarasota, FL; her son, Douglas Wenger/Kim Wenger of Bristol, IN; granddaughter, Diana Menchinger/Adam Menchinger of Elkhart, IN; stepson, Michael Korcheck/Sandy Korcheck of Valrico, FL; step-granddaughter, Kristin Korcheck of New York City; step-granddaughter, Lauren Korcheck of Tucson, AZ; step-grandson, Matthew Korcheck of Tucson, AZ; stepdaughter, Stephanie Korcheck of San Marcos, TX and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, David Wenger of Elkhart, IN; brothers, Raymond Glass and Richard Greene; and sisters, Thelma Masten and Marilyn Miller. She was a loving wife and mother, a devoted Christian, a wonderful golfer and bridge player. She always enjoyed time spent with her family.  

Services will be held at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church on July 2, 2014 at 10:00am with a reception to immediately follow at the Rosedale Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Korcheck Family Scholarship at the State College of Florida, PO Box 1849, Bradenton, FL 34206. Brown and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel are handling the arrangements. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Liane Walker, 87, Bradenton, died Jun 20, 2014. Survived by husband of 70 years, John, son, Bruce (Barbara) & 4 grandchildren.

Services will be private for the family. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel in charge. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

William Pelot Strobhar, Jr. ''Bill'', 83, died June 19, 2014. Death occurred at Lakewood Ranch Medical Hospital,  where he had been treated for pneumonia and complications of pulmonary disease. Family and friends were by his side, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bill was raised in Palm View, FL, on Terra Ceia Bay, Manatee County, attended local schools and joined the Navy at age seventeen. He continued his education in the Navy, studying missile and rocket technology. After a distinguished career in the submarine service - first on diesel and then nuclear submarines - he retired with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

In 1970, Bill embarked on a second career in the aerospace industry where he furthered his education in his field, accepting assignments throughout the world. Both careers were distinguished by awards, accolades and honors. Bill loved baseball - he was a little league coach; he enjoyed golf, reading, working outside, fixing things and being with family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Pelot  Strobhar and Mildred McDonough Strobhar; sons, Mark Strobhar and Mike Strobhar.  He is survived by his dear wife, Judith Katherine Strobhar; daughter, Peggy Strobhar Lewis (Ray); stepsons, Kevin L’heureux, Brian L’heureux, and Robert L’heureux; brother, Whalen Strobhar (Lou); three grandchildren, Jessica L’heureux, Katey L’heureux, and Scott L’heureux; and nephews, Scott Strobhar (Cindy) and Patrick Strobhar (Vickie).

Service arrangements are being handled by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel,  604  43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL.   Funeral Services will be held at  Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 833 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, at  10:00 AM, Tuesday July 1, 2014. Ashes will be interred with Military Honors at Sarasota National Veterans Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, at 11 AM on July 2, 2014. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital and Our Ladies Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, Sarasota, FL. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Fred Vandergraff, Jr., prominent local business man, went to be with his Jesus on June 18, 2014.  He was born on December 29, 1926 in Lafayette, IN.

He was preceded by parents, Fred and Grace and brother, Charles. He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Mildred Swart Vandergraff, of Bradenton, FL; 3 children, Fred Vandergraff III of Bradenton, FL, Michael Vandergraff of Villa Hills, KY, and Michelle Niederstadt of Midland, MI; and 9 grandchildren, Jonathan, Elise, Daniel, Steven, Kaley, Madeline, Lydia, Josiah and Levi.  He also leaves behind 2 sisters, Jane LaRowe of Lake Zurich, IL and Dorothy DeGraaf of Largo, FL.

Fred was owner and operator of Cortez Coins and Auction for 37 years. He was formerly with the Singer Sewing Company. Fred served briefly in the United States Army during WWII.  He was active and known in local political circles. He served as a Cedar Hammock Fire Commissioner; was a member and past president of The Gideons International, Manatee West Camp for 35 years; past president and served on the board with Manatee Religious Services; was active with and served on the board at Bradenton Christian School; was long time President of the Manatee Coin Club and was active and served as an Elder and Deacon at his church, Bradenton Christian Reformed Church. He and his wife, Millie received the 2013 Spirit of Manatee Lifetime Achievement Award.  Fred was active up until his death and will be missed by many.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday June 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Bradenton Christian Reformed Church, 4208 26th St. W., Bradenton. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gideons International Manatee West Camp, Bradenton Christian School, or Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Nancy Fender-Best, 72, of Bradenton, passed away on May 31, 2014. She spent her life helping others. Born on January 21, 1942 in Raytown, Missouri. In 1956, she moved to Bradenton with her family and graduated from Manatee High School in 1960.

She is survived by Charles Best, her husband since 1981; her children, Bill Graham, Lorna Yankee and David Dreggors; her mother, Helen Layton-Fender; her siblings, Irene Fender-Young, Laura Fender-Cooley, Mary Fender-Bailey and Larry Fender.

Her family will Celebration her Life in a small ceremony at 2:00-5:00PM, July 5, 2014, at the Bradenton Power Squadron, 1200 71st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209 in charge. We wish to thank everyone who has reached out to us with their love and concern. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.