Sharon Anne Annis
Sharon Anne Annis, 81, of Holmes Beach, died peacefully April 26 at her summer home in Waynesville, North Carolina. She was born July 31, 1940, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to the Rev. James and Pauline Johnson.
She moved to Anna Maria Island in 1972 from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
She worked many years with her husband Dave in their family business, Old Florida Realty. She was loved by her island community.
She enjoyed the outdoors, feeding birds and spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandson.
A celebration of life is planned for at a date and location to be announced. Memorials donations may be made to Four Seasons hospice in Highlands, North Carolina.
Mrs. Annis is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dave Kendall; brother James W. Jr. and wife Karen Johnson; sister Vonnie Bozas; children Debbie Webb, James and wife Cori, William and wife Sara, and Robert and wife Laura; grandchildren Erica and son Luther, Joseph Webb, Brock and Brandon, William and Nicolas, and Gabrielle & Logan.
Chester H. Bell
Chester H. Bell, 89, died May 1.
He was born Oct. 23, 1932, to Aaron Parx and Jessie (Fulford) Bell in Cortez.
He graduated from Manatee County High School in 1950 and began his long career in commercial fishing in Cortez — interrupted by two years of service in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he attended the University of Florida, but soon was called home to work at the family business, A.P. Bell Fish Co. He later became a partner in the Capo Fish Co., another family fish processor in Cortez.
In 1957, he married Ellen Hay. They had three children: Warren Aaron II, Louise Bell Shuman and Brooks Jesse.
Visitation was at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, with burial at Manasota Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Box 280, Bradenton, FL 34206, or the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, Box 606, Cortez, FL 34215.
Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Mr. Bell is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ellen; brother Doug; nieces Karen and Lisa; sons Warren and wife Deb Gamsky and Brooks and wife Sheri Benghiat; grandchildren Lindsey Bell Peacock, Warren Aaron III and wife Beau and Haley Rose; step-granddaughter Jaclyn Benghiat; and four great-grandchildren.
Lois Bowers Debona
Lois Bowers Debona, 79, of Bradenton, died March 30.
She was born July 30, 1942, in Philadelphia to Irene and Samuel Riddell and spent her youth in Upper Darby and Havertown, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Havertown Senior High School in 1960.
She and her four boys moved to her beloved Anna Maria Island in 1977. She volunteered on the board at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.
She was a legal secretary for many years for the law firm of Dye, Deitrich and Petruff in Bradenton.
She will be missed dearly.
A private celebration of life is planned June 5.
Mrs. DeBona is survived by her husband, James, his children and grandchildren; sisters Judith ODonnell of Amelia Island and Susan Curtin of Roswell, Georgia; sons Cole and wife Michelle, Mark and wife Rochelle, Kenny and wife Bonnie and Matt and wife Chrissy; and grandchildren Jordan, Grace, Lane, Brennan, Lilah and Samuel.
Sara Baldwin Falk
Sara Baldwin Falk (nee Fischl) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and Holmes Beach, died April 29. She was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, April 11, 1935, to Paul A. Fischl and Ruth (Smith).
She graduated from Lincoln High School, Manitowoc, attended Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin. Her favorite times were with her children and grandchildren, sailing, golfing, bowling, reading — often several books a week — and traveling the world with family members.
She loved to play cards and laugh. She was a fierce advocate of women’s rights, giving her time and money to women’s causes.
She helped her late husband found the family business, Minco, and supported it throughout her lifetime. She was a mother, dear friend, adviser and confidant to her children and family.
She lived her life in an independent and self-reliant manner and was an intelligent, dignified and self-determined woman.
She is and will be so missed.
The family plans to hold a service July 15 in Manitowoc. Memorial donations may be made to the Door County Humane Society.
Mrs. Falk is survived by her children, Elisabeth Ruth of Denver, Melanie Arden of Snowmass Village, Colorado, and Richard Joel and wife Erin of Lighthouse Point, Florida; grandchildren Nicole and husband Andrew Schonlau, Kiefer, Michael, Sara Falk-Mann, Maura and husband Maxim Marling, Julia Falk-Mann, Rachel, Meredith Webster and husband Jorge Miguel, Emily and husband Mustafa Bagdatli, and Chip Webster and wife Ami Schmidgall; brother Paul A. Fischl Jr; and great-grandchildren Christopher, Aiyla, Bedri and Demi.