Norman M. Franklin
Norman M. Franklin, 78, died Sept. 27.
He was born Sept. 11, 1937.
He was a long-time resident of Anna Maria Island, where he was a marine mechanic. He served as a National Guardsman, was a member of the National Rifle Association and enjoyed going to the gun range.
A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Seafood Shack, 4110 127th St. W., Cortez. Condolences may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com. Memorial donations may be made to South Eastern Guide Dogs, Paws For Patriots, 4210 77th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221-9912.
He is survived by wife Marie of 55 years; daughters Dina and Dawn and husband Dusty Bates; grandchildren Johnathon, Tiffany, Tyler and Travis; two sisters, two brothers and his faithful companion Zion.
Elizabeth B. Kissick
Elizabeth B. Kissick, 86, of Bradenton Beach died Sept. 19.
She was born Oct. 24, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee, and lived her formative years in Clarksdale Mississippi. She lived a debutante lifestyle and graduated with honors from Lindenwood College.
She was a military wife and volunteered with numerous military and community organizations over the years, while raising her four children.
She moved to Bradenton Beach in the early 1970s and managed The Beachcomber, where she earned the nickname “Bette Beachcomber.” The Beachcomber was an island newspaper with tidbits of information, recipes and crossword puzzles, printed on yellow newsprint, distinguishing it from other publications.
In the 40-plus years she lived on Anna Maria Island she was involved in many organizations. She especially enjoyed her involvement with the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and served as a board member of the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach.
Her final career before retiring was working for Griffith Cline Funeral Homes, where her coworkers were like family. She worked at the Island Chapel, where she loved helping people in many ways, even collecting items for the Marines Toys for Tots program through Griffith Cline.
She was a “people person.”
A memorial Service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Griffith Cline Funeral Home, 720 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Interment will be in Manasota Memorial Park at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice at 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238.
She is survived by brother William H. and wife Lanie Brandon; children Peggy and husband Jerry Jamison, Ginger McLin, Jim Kissick III and Mary Kay Vanasse; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Charles Knopp
Charles Knopp, 90, of Anna Maria Island and formerly of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and New York City, died Sept. 25.
He was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Philadelphia and spent part of his childhood in Germany.
He attended Brooklyn Technical High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. His tour of duty in the Pacific was aboard the USS Owen. For the next 20 years, Mr. Knopp was employed by Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, New York. He then became a self-employed carpenter and cabinetmaker.
In retirement, he continued to build furniture for family, friends and charities.
He married Jean Whitten Oct. 16, 1948, and they enjoyed many family camping trips and travels to Europe over the years.
A memorial service is being planned. Donations may be made to Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
He is survived by wife Jean; children Laurie Brussow, Ray, Barbara Kanner, David and Karlyn Tabb; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Jane Riley
Jane Riley, 96, Bradenton, died Sept. 28. She was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Clatus and Jeanette (Dodge) Nelson.
She moved to Manatee County in 1971 and settled on Anna Maria Island. In the mid-1990s, she moved to Bradenton.
She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach, where she was active in the Rosary Society and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Burial was Oct. 1 at Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton. Memorial donations may be made to Covenant House of Ft. Lauderdale, 733 Breakers Ave., Ft. Lauderdale FL 33304. Condolences may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.
Survivors include son Peter and wife Valerie of Bradenton; daughter Jane and husband Alan McPherson of Bradenton; grandchildren Jeffrey Wilkinson of Bradenton and Amanda McClure and Riley Vandecar of Asheville, North Carolina; great-grandchildren Dane and Hunter Wilkinson, Mariah and Mycal McClure and Myles Vandecar, and many extended family members and friends.