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Richard “Rick” Elgersma Jr., 68, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, at his home in Marathon, Fl.Rick was born in Holland, Mich., on Nov. 14, 1950, one of six boys born to Richard and Rosalynd Elgersma. The family relocated to Hollywood, Fl., in the ’50s where Rick made many lifelong friends on Cody Street. A 1969 graduate of Hollywood Hills High School, he went on to become an electrician and traveled all over the country to places as remote as Nome, A.K. Eventually he bought a home in the Florida Keys, where he would spend the rest of his life.Rick was an amateur architect and loved art and design. He enjoyed going to local festivals, tinkering with tools in his workshop, thoughtful conversation and watching a variety of sports. Over the years, he took on different roles within his family and helped many through the trials of life. Always ready with a smile and helping hand, he touched the lives of many in his quiet gentle ways. His passing was sudden and painless.Rick is preceded in death by his parents and older brothers Kenneth and Dennis Elgersma. He leaves behind his younger brothers David of Cumming, Ga; Edwin of Marathon; and Robert of Fort Lauderdale; as well as many nieces, nephews, family members and friends who loved him dearly. Please say a prayer for our family as we look to each other for encouragement and love during this time.A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens North, 3001 N. 72nd Ave., Hollywood, FL 33024In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stanley Switlik Elementary, 3400 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL 33050. Please designate specifically “for the Art Department in memory of Richard J. Elgersma, Jr.””What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” – Helen Keller
Claude LaVern Gourley Jr., 77, of Margate, passed away on November 3, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale.Claude LaVern Gourley Jr. was born West Palm Beach, Florida to Claude L. Gourley Sr. and Margaret Ann James Gourley Koschnick on February 28, 1942. He went to school at Lake Worth Junior High. He married Ruth G. Gourley on July 15,1961 in Lake Worth, Florida. He worked as an Auto Parts/Tire advisor for Bridgestone/Firestone for 17 years. Claude LaVern Gourley Jr. is preceded in death by (Father) Claude L. Gourley Sr. (Brother) Charles “Chuck” Gourley Koschnick (Mother) Margaret Ann Gourley-Koschnick (Claude LaVern Gourley Jr.) is survived by (Spouse) Ruth G. Gourley, (Daughter) Cynthia A. Holliday (Son-in-law) Michael P. Holliday, (Son) Claude (Bernie) L.Gourley III, (Sister) Gloria Koschnick, Grandchildren, Crystal Holliday Somers (spouse) Sean P. Somers and Katie Leigh Holliday, Brandon Louis Gourley-Ferrara, Great-Grandchildren, Liam Somers, Cheyanne Somers and Savannah Somers.The family of Claude L. Gourley Jr. wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Coconut Creek/Margate Fire Rescue and all the Doctors and Nurses at Florida Medical Center for their compassion during our hardship.
On November 4, 2019, Samuel Ward Fritz passed away. He was born on September 8, 1972 (47 years old). He succumbed after a valiant and epic battle with a rare blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Sam was surrounded by loving family and friends. Sam will be missed everyday by his father, Arthur Fritz, mother, Cleaette Fritz, his sister, Emma Chong, brother-in-law, Robert Chong, his nieces, Eva and Lucy Chong, aunts, uncles, cousins and his great extended family and friends. We know that Sam is with his loving grandparents, George and Emma Fritz and Martin and Mary Lou Briefer. Samuel (Sam, Sammy or Sambo) spent most of his life in South Florida. He attended South Plantation High School and supplemented his education by devoting time to his beloved local waterways, fishing holes and bike trails. As a man who never met a stranger, Sammy was happy to share his adventures with those who dared, spreading his joyfulness and love of life and creating many stories along the way. Mr. Fritz graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aviation Business and worked most recently as a pilot for Florida West, flying the Boeing 767ER aircraft. Sam enjoyed flying but the true delight came from sharing this passion with his father who is a retired Airline Captain who flew numerous types of airplanes including the 767. Sam loved airplanes, boats, cars, motorcycles and bicycles. He was a master tinkerer taking everything apart and putting it back together better and making it faster. Sam’s extensive collections verify his enthusiasm for the very existence of these machines. Beyond the mechanical world Sam loved and was loved by his family and friends. Sam Fritz will forever be missed. There will be a Celebration of Life service at Fort Lauderdale Country Club, 415 E Country Club Circle, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317 on Sunday, November 17, from 1 – 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made in Sam’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. tmralph.com
Helen D. Shiskin, 94, of Davie, FL passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 in Cocoa, FL. Born in Thomas, West Virginia, she was a longtime resident of South Florida. Helen will be remembered for her love of family and always having a kind word of support and comfort for everyone. She was a person of high integrity, possessed a wonderful sense of humor and had a wonderful generous nature. Predeceased by her husband Richard, her parents, sister and five brothers. Also by her son Mark and step-son Richard Jr. Helen is survived by her loving son Paul, daughter Tina, step-daughters Patricia and Pamela, brother-in-law James (Kathleen) and sister-in-law Jean. Also Helen leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-granddaughter due in March 2020. Helen is survived by her nieces and nephews, extended family members and so many wonderful friends. The family will receive friends Monday November 11, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with a Celebration Of Life service at 7:00 PM at T. M. Ralph Funeral Home Sawgrass/Weston 371 NW 136 Ave Sunrise, Florida. tmralph.com
In loving memory of Jean Baird Pitcairn,85, born in Shotts, Scotland. Jean passed away in the early morning hours on October 27,2019 in Fort Lauderdale after a long battle with ill health. She is survived by her loving children, Jean Ann Holden, (Florida), Rodger Jordan and his wife Alice,( UK,) 4 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren and 1.5 Great Great Grandchildren. She tirelessly contributed to the community by volunteering at Imperial Point Hospital for 17 years. Jean’s sharp wit and sharper sense of humor and unforgettable laugh along with the love she shared will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. R.I.P
John L. Rinella, M.D., dearly beloved husband of Kathleen (Budzik) passed away on November 5, 2019 at age 89. Dr. Rinella was born in Viola, IA, the son of Joseph and Edris (Patterson) Rinella of Iowa City, IA. He is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen and his children: Nancy (Ray) Lyons, Anne, Catherine (Alex) Currais, James (Sherry), David (Jeanne), his sister Mrs. Edris McCarthy, and 13 grandchildren. One son, Joseph, predeceased him.Dr. Rinella graduated from City High School, Iowa, City, IA in 1948 and received his MD from the University of Iowa in 1956. He Interned at Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Canada in 1956-57.Dr. Rinella was a surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1957-59.His OB/GYN Residency was served at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital, Jersey City, New Jersey from 1959-60. He completed his Residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI from 1960-63. During his career he continually took time to learn new techniques in OB/GYN including courses in surgical fiber optics technique with Dr. Jacques Hamou in Paris, France, Dr. Hamou Was internationally recognized in this specialty. He also studied with Dr. Hubert Mahnes in Vichy, France. Dr. Rinella applied these GYN surgical techniques throughout the duration of his private practice in Fort Lauderdale Florida which he started in 1964. Dr. Rinella was loved dearly by his family and was highly respected by his patients and colleagues. He was totally dedicated to his practice of medicine. During his years in practice Dr. Rinella was Chief of Department of OB/GYN at Plantation and Broward General Hospitals. He was president of the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale OB/GYN Societies, a member of the AMA, American Association of Gynecology and Laparoscopists (an association recognizing work in advanced laparoscopy), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Fertility Society, Board Certified by the American Boards of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and he was accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound. Dr. Rinella retired in 2002.Memorial donations may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association www.apdaparkinson.org.Visitation TM Ralph Funeral Home7001 NW 4th StreetPlantation, FL 3331711/11 Monday2-4 pm and 6-8 pmMass of Christian BurialSt Gregory Catholic Church200 N University DrivePlantation, FL 3332411/12 Tuesday 11 amInterment will take place in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. Arrangements entrusted to T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home (954) 587-6888
It is with heavy hearts, love & affection that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary on October 2, 2019 in her 87th year of life at her Breakwater Surf Club home in Ft. Lauderdale with her adored son, Wm. Mobley McClellan by her side. Predeceased by her cherished husband of 55 years, Lucius William “Bill” McClellan, beloved daughter, Novice Marie McClellan and Pompano Beach pioneering parents E. A. “Lon” & Marie L. Mobley. With her enduring elegant style, cheerful demeanor, forever nurturing spirit, unwavering love for her family & her “joie de vivre”, Mary lived a life filled with many wonderful & happy moments. She touched many lives around the World and will be deeply missed & fondly remembered by all who were privileged to have known her. She truly personified the motto that she lived by, “Always Make Happy Memories”.A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, November 16th, 10:30 AM at the Old Pompano Beach Cemetery 400 SE 23rd Avenue, Pompano Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Veterans Support Organization of your choice.
Ruth Eikevik, at the beautiful age of 93 flew to the arms of her Messiah, Jesus on November 7, 2019. Public visitation will be held at 12:30pm on Friday, November 15, 2019 at Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 718 South Federal Hwy. Rejoicing and memorial service will start at 1:00 p.m. with graveside service to follow at Lauderdale Memorial Park. Please visit www.FredHunter.com/obits for further details.
Jerome L. Tepps died Nov. 6 at his home in Plantation, Fla. He was 64. Jerry was a lawyer in the Fort Lauderdale area for 40 years. He also invested in real estate, buying and rehabbing apartments and houses. In recent years he owned four apartment buildings and a handful of smaller properties. Work was his hobby.Nothing energized him more than winning in court or making a real estate deal. He was very competitive in law and real estate while doing business in a way that built tremendous loyalty. Friends and colleagues said they were loyal because he did so much for so many of them.”He was always willing to bend over backward to help people,” said his associate at his law firm, Bill Treco. “That was for clients, friends, anyone.”It pained Jerry greatly when he downsized his holdings to “only” two dozen apartments and a few other properties and couldn’t justify keeping one of his longtime workers. Although Charlie had recently been laid off, he checked in with Jerry almost every day as Jerry sought treatment for cancer in September and October.He loved telling stories about big or quirky court cases and just about any real estate deal.He graduated from the University of Miami and the University of Florida law school.”Professionally he was top-notch,” said Broward County Judge Joel Lazarus. “What better tribute than to say, ‘You could trust his word.’ “Jerry and his identical twin, Dave, a longtime journalist, were born in Chicago and moved with their parents to Fort Lauderdale when they were 15. They both became lifelong Cubs fans. There will be a private burial at Temple Beth El Memorial Gardens in Davie. The twins’ parents, Sheldon and Charlotte Tepps, are buried there.A celebration of life will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Fred Hunter’s funeral home, 2401 S. University Dr., Davie. All are welcome.
60, of Grand Island, FL formerly of Stuart, FL passed away on October 30, 2019. Memorial services at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL on Sat. Nov. 16, at 2PM. Full obituary available at www.hardenpauli.com
