Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 28

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2005 FLORIDA TODAY DEATH NOTICES BAGG John 88, of Indialantic, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005. Arrangements by Florida Memorial Funeral Home in Rockledge. BARRON Cecile 98, of Melbourne, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2005.

Arrangements by Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne. DEPPNER Jack, 69, of Indialantic, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. Arrangements by Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne. MERCER James, 80, of Hawthorne, died Wednesday, Jan.

5, 2005. Arrangements by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach. METZLER George, 92, of Lake Worth, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2005. Arrangements by BeckmanWilliamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach.

MONDELLI LaVerne, 85, of Palm Bay, died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005. Arrangements by South Brevard Funeral Home in Melbourne. NELSON Elena 71, of Palm Bay, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005.

Arrangements by Palm Bay Funeral Home in Palm Bay. OKONIEWSKI Mary 86, of Cocoa Beach, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004. Arrangements by Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Viera. PHILLIPS Craig, 52, of Melbourne, died Thursday, Jan.

6, 2005. Arrangements by BrownlieMaxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne. SMITHSON Dorothy 95, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. Arrangements by Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home in Merritt Island.

WYBRANOWSKI Doris, 71, of Hernando, died. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. Arrangements by Wilder Funeral Home in Homosassa Springs, Fla. JOHN L.

BAGG INDIALANTIC John Lucian Bagg, 88, of Indialantic, an aerospace engineer, died Saturday, January 8, 2005. He was born in DeKalb, Illinois. John earned his B.Ed. degree from Northern Illinois in 1938. After a year of teaching at Danforth, he sought his advanced education at the University of Illinois.

On a Musical Scholarship, he obtained his M.S. degree in 1940, while he played in the Illinois Concert Band. In late 1941, he enlisted in the Air Force. John studied Meteorology and Air Sea Rescue in Air Force Training. He was then sent to Casablanca and Senegal in Africa.

He taught Math and Science at Keuka College at Keuka Park, N.Y., then at Western Maryland State Teachers College at Frostburg, Maryland. Hoping to live in a warmer climate, he applied and taught Mathematical Statistics at Florida State, 1948-1950. It was time to get some more education, so John got a Teaching Scholarship at Michigan State, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1956. Then it was back to Florida State.

During the summer school vacation time in 1959, he worked for RCA at the Tech Lab at Patrick Air Force Base. He left Florida State after first semester of 1959-1960 and settled down to the missile business. His Department Head, Dr. Jerome P. Keuper, was getting started with Brevard Engineering College and John and several co-workers at RCA traveled to Pratt-Whitney in South Florida to teach courses.

Eventually, Brevard Engineering College became Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. John alternated his RCA and Aerospace Corp. work with teaching at F.I.T. He had joined the Air Force Reserve and retired with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John married Olga Carroza Seith in 1972 who died on July 17, 2002.

He is survived by his nephews, Bruce Bagg and Rodger Bagg and his first wife, Mildred Bagg. Funeral services are Saturday, January 15th at Florida Memorial Funeral Home. Burial is at Florida Memorial Gardens. CARD OF THANKS The family of the late Henry and Irene Strickland extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our friends for the prayers and expressions of love shown to us during our time of need. Please know that we love you and will never forget your love for us.

We regret not being able to contact many friends and relatives due to Irene's passing during the holiday season. In Christian Love, Thelma Evans and Family 4201 Homer Road North Jacksonville, FL 32209-1611 JACK DEPPNER RALPH JACKSON INDIALANTIC MIAMI Teacher, Coach, Historian, Jack Deppner, 69, of Indialantic, passed away, Thursday morning, January 6, 2005. Born June 9, 1935, in Dayton, Ohio, Jack devoted the majority of his life to teaching and coaching. Whether as a parent, a history teacher, lifeguard, or a coach of gymnastics, football, baseball, volleyball, swimming or diving, Jack took the greatest pleasure in sharing his enthusiasm, passion, knowledge and his extremely distinctive humor on all things athletic and historical with his students. Jack moved to Brevard County in 1968 and distinguished himself as a "hands on" historian.

Whether, as President of the Brevard Historical Society, an underwater salvage diver, a past Teacher of the Year, or a member of the Space Coast Monthly Meeting (Quakers) he took it upon himself to inspire his students and fellow Floridians to recognize the fact that Florida is steeped in tactile history. A nationally recognized athlete in his youth, Jack prided himself a great deal on the achievements of his students, both athletic and academic. Despite his successes, mentioned and unmentioned, it would be remiss not to recognize the great degree of his likeability, his penchant for storytelling and his funny yet often irreverent sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Barbara; his three children, Linda (Eric) Snyder, Charles (Imelda) Deppner, and Rebecca (Jerome) Courtois; his three grandchildren, Jessica Snyder Patterson, Joshua Snyder and Sophie Courtois; and his brother, David. Memorial Services will take place at Indian Harbour Beach Recreation Center, 1223 Yacht Club at 2 p.m., Sunday, January 9, 2005.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's name can be made to Southeastern Yearly Meeting (Quakers) Youth Fund seym.org/) or Hoover Middle School. DOROTHY I. SMITHSON MERRITT ISLAND Dorothy I. Smithson, 95, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2005 at Wuesthoff Hospital. She was born in Peoria, Illinois, married Oscar Smithson and lived many years in Lansing, Illinois before moving to Winter Haven, Florida in 1964.

In 1972 Dorothy relocated to Merritt Island. She loved to sew and was a beautiful seamstress. She was always ready to help others. Dorothy was active i in the Merritt Island Moose Lodge for many years and she enjoyed attending church services at Baxley Manor. Dorothy is survived by her son, Marvin and his wife Carole, four grandchildren, Mark, Karen (Gary) Henderson, Jon (Mary) Smithson, Cheryl (Ted) Forman and four great grandchildren, Amanda, Lillian, Katherine and Eric.

She also leaves her sister, Myrtle Naylor of Winter Haven, Fla. and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home in Merritt Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice, 8060 Spyglass Hill Viera, FL 32940. CRAIG PHILLIPS MELBOURNE Craig Phillips, 52, of Melbourne, died Thursday, January 6, 2005 in Gainesville, Fla.

He was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. He was a medical transporter and came to Brevard County in 1966 from Mobile, Alabama. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Indialantic. Craig enjoyed all sports, fishing, the beach and spending time with his friends and family. Survivors include his wife Nelda; son, Will; stepson, Joe (Amber) Coulter; two grandchildren, Devan and Emily; his parents, Jim and Dena Briggs; sister Anne (Jay) Humphreys; brother Jim (Amy) Briggs and many nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his sister Beth. Calling hours are Monday, January 10th from 5-8 p.m. at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home. Funeral services are Tuesday, January 11th at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Indialantic.

Please share your thoughts at wwwbrownliemaxwell.com Ralph Kenneth Jackson was called to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 30, 2004, at age 88. A 40-year resident of Ralph recently moved to Miami from Central Fla. Born in Dexter, Maine, on August 2, 1916, he was the son of Ralph C. and Gertrude. He enrolled in the U.S.Marine Corps in 1942 and attained CW04 status before retiring in 1968.

He was also a 50-Year Mason attaining 32nd degree Scottish Rite status. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Zelema Kathleen. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary K. and Milton Rey, Miami; son and daughter-in-law, Ralph Kenneth Jr. and Judy, Flint, MI and grandchildren, Frank, Matthew, Tim, Kevin, and Beth.

Services will be held Tuesday, January 11th, at 11 a.m., at Fountainhead Memorial Funeral Home, 7303 Babcock St SE, Palm Bay. DORIS WYBRANOWSKI HERNANDO, FL Doris Wybranowski, 71, formerly of Satellite Beach, died Thursday, January 6, 2005 at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Fla. She moved to Hernando 2 years ago from Brevard County. Born February 8, 1933 in Birmingham, Doris sang and was considered by many to be "one good bass She performed at many Florida Bluegrass Festivals with her husband Ed and daughter Christy as "The Wybranowski Mountain She also played at the Sertoma Youth Ranch. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Edward Wybranowski, Hernando; daughter, Christine Ann Wybranowski, Hernando; brother, Harry (Josephine) Glass; and sister, Mary Florence (C.F.) Payne, all of Birmingham, Ala.

and numerous extended family and friends in the Bluegrass community. Wilder Funeral Home in Homosassa Springs, Florida is handling arrangements. MARY OKONIEWSKI COCOA BEACH Mary Martha Okoniewski, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2004. Mary was born in Duryea, Penn. to Joseph and Maryanne Bloch on September 30, 1918.

She graduated from Binghamton General Hospital School of Nursing in Binghamton, N.Y. Mary worked at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton and later assisted her husband in his practice of dentistry. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Paul P. Okoniewski; son, Paul P.

(Diane) Okoniewski, Cocoa Beach; granddaughters, Jennifer Oliver, KY and Laura (Harper) Shull of SC; as well as four great-granddaughters, Kristin, Ashely and Emily Oliver and Anne Shull; and a great-grandson, Harper Shull. Mary was predeceased by her son, Joseph P. Okoniewski. Mary was a Roman Catholic and had been a devout member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church in Binghamton, NY.

Mary will be buried at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Viera is in charge of arrangements. AP photos Full honors. A congressional honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of former Rep. Shirley Chisholm after memorial services at the First AME Church of Palm Coast on Saturday.

Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress, in 1968. Chisholm remembered as determined crusader Former teacher broke down political barriers ASSOCIATED PRESS PALM COAST Former U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm was remembered at a memorial service Saturday not only for being the first black woman to run for president but for never backing down from the courage of her convictions. "She exemplified what a politician should be and that is to stand up for what you believe is right and fight until you have no fight left," Robert Gottlieb, who worked as the national student coordinator for Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign, said outside the small church where the service was held.

"There is no one who has combined her willingness to speak out and work within the system for change." Chisholm, 80, died on New Year's Day in a town north of Daytona Beach. She had been in declining health since she suffered small strokes last summer. After becoming in 1968 the first black woman elected to Congress, she was an outspoken champion of women, minorities and the poor during seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Chisholm ran for the Demo- IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory Of Kimberly Michelle Corley (Shelly) June 19, 1993 January 9, 2004 We have a heart full of memories That's all we have left of you.

Each one treasured fondly With all the things you used to do We have a sweet angel In Heaven high above. A beautiful Angel We were blessed to love. We love and miss you Love, Mommy and Daddy Your sister, Tiphani Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles and lots of Cousins rust your health to those who care Dr. Chandra Cardiologist, Internal Medicine, Brevard's Authority on Alternative Medicine and Chelation Therapy SEMINARS 022093 Congestive Heart Failure Hypertension R. Chanda, MD, PHD, FACC Diabetes Weight Loss The Doctor With the Ponytail Chelation Therapy EECP Therapy On the Radio Every Sat.

on 1560 AM 951-7404 20 E. Melbourne Ave. Melbourne www.rehandra.com In memory. Muriel St. Hill, the sister accepts the flag from Chisolm's Rainwater, left, after memorial First AME Church of Palm Coast on cratic presidential nomination in 1972, a campaign that was viewed as more symbolic than practical.

The former nursery school teacher from Brooklyn won 152 delegates before withdrawing from the race. Hundreds of mourners, including more than a half-dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which Chisholm helped establish, came to the service at the First AME Church of Palm Coast where she was a member. Chisholm's open casket lay in the front of the chapel draped with an American flag and surrounded by flowers during a morning viewing. During the service, a gospel choir sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Afterward, there was a 21-gun salute. She was to be buried in New York.

"Today, the Lord is saying to the angels, 'Step aside. I'll handle Shirley Chisholm U.S. Rep. Ed Towns, D-NY, told mourners in the church. Outside the church, many credited her with either nurturing their political aspirations or inspiring them to run for office.

"Perhaps if there was not a Shirley Chisholm, I would not be a member of the United States FLORIDA TODAY floridatoday.com This week's entertainment line-up is waiting for you. TV WEEK For home delivery, log on to floridatoday.com or call 631-2780 in N. Brevard, 259-5000 in Cen. S. Brevard and 772-562-1771 in Indian River Co.

of former Rep. Shirley Chisolm, casket from former Rep. Annette services for Chisolm at the Saturday. Congress," said U.S. Rep.

Julia Carson, D-Indiana, a member of the black caucus. "She just did what she believed was right and that is rare among politicians." A woman who took pride in her independence -the title of one of her books was "Unbought and Unbossed" Chisholm nevertheless had a practical understanding of how to use power, said U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D- also a member of the caucus. "She would say: 'Stay involved.

Stay committed. But get the job done. Learn how to do the "Lee said. Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton of Washington said Chisholm "broke open feminism for black people." "She stood up and was the very first to make people understand that we were both black and women and we should own up to being both," Holmes-Norton said.

Added former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek of Florida, "Shirley was one who showed America what the double standard is in this country in terms of race and sex." On a lighter note, Meek also remembered that Chisholm was a consummate dresser who loved to wear high heels. "She was not at all inhibited by high heels," Meek STRUGGLE TO BATHE? WALK TUB MANY OTHER OPTIONS GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES! Safety Dignity Independence 1-888-253-1234 Hours 24 023344 In times of loss, your family has enough to do without worrying about travel costs. Your Dignity funeral provider knows how important it is for families to be together in times of loss.

That's why Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation, and cemetery service providers offer special travel fares that can often be much lower than the airlines' bereavement rates. For a Dignity Memorial provider near you or to request your free Funeral Reference Guide, please call 1-800-DIGNITY or visit DignityMemorial.com. Memorial.