Barbara Janice (Vaughn) Baker
Barbara Janice (Vaughn) Baker, 84, of Bradenton, died May 15 at home.
She was born May 1, 1939, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to the late Leslie Paul and Susie May Vaughn.
She was a 1957 graduate of Portsmouth West High School and graduated with an associate’s degree in business from Shawnee State University, also in Portsmouth.
She spent her early married years as an at-home mom, raising three kids, working small jobs and helping her husband with his vehicle repair business, Baker’s Body Shop. She later went to work 23 years in the nuclear industry at a uranium enrichment processing plant in Piketon, Ohio, retiring in 1999.
Mrs. Baker moved to Florida in 2000 and began another career, this time in the hospitality industry. In 2009, she became a partner in a property management company, Anna Maria Island Resorts, retiring in 2021.
She then shifted her passion to two new initiatives, All Clams on Deck and the Brain Health Initiative. Both nonprofits created to scientifically promote and improve qualities within their own realms.
She served on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and was active in the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island.
She was an energetic and driven individual who impacted the lives of many people. She always tried to find the good in each person. She will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life will be held at the Sandbar Restaurant Pavilion 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 10.. Memorial donations may be made to All Clams on Deck, allclamsondeck.org, and Brain Health Initiative, brainhealthinitiative.org.
Mrs. Baker is survived by her former husband, Donald W. of Wheelersburg, Ohio; sons Nick and wife Darlene of Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and Jeff and wife Kim of Mount Vernon Ohio; daughter Denise of Clarksville, Tennessee; and grandchildren Megan, Brandon, Joey, Nikki, Jacob, Jill and Rylan.
Stacey M. Boone
Stacey M. Boone, 57, of Bradenton, died May 19.
She was born July 18, 1965, in Bradenton, the daughter of the late David L. and Rosemary (Davisson) Boone.
She was a member of Elwood Park Baptist Church in Bradenton and worked for A Paradise Realty in Holmes Beach.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Manatee County Humane Society, 2515 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205, and to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Ms. Boone is survived by her partner of more than 25 years, Shawn Waters; stepmother Robin; stepfather Fred Hetzendorfer; sisters Cheryl Semrinec and Laura Payne and husband John; niece Stephanie Roth; nephew Anthony Smith; and a great niece and five great nephews.
Jack Fiske
Jack Rodger Fiske, 89, of Anna Maria, died May 26.
He was born Oct. 11, 1933. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Arthur.
He spent his life at sea as a Merchant Marine. He was a chief engineer on seagoing tugs and loved his life, traveling the world as part of his job.
He had called Anna Maria Island home since 1936 and loved his life on the island.
Mr. Fiske worked over the years dredging canals and helping to make Anna Maria Island what it is today.
In his later years, he developed a passion for travel and cruising. He always felt at home on the water and enjoyed multiple around-the-world cruises, completing his final world voyage just prior to his passing.
He was beloved by many.
A private memorial service will be held in the future to celebrate his life.
Mr. Fiske is survived by his life partner, Della Merle Senchuk; daughter Jill Luxford Fiske of Virginia; and many extended family members and friends.
Bradley Keith Olson
Bradley Keith Olson, 58, died May 8.
He was born, raised and lived in Milwaukee until a chance road trip landed him on Anna Maria Island in the early 1990s.
He worked at many restaurants on the island and told many a story — some pretty unbelievable.
One of his favorite places was Annie’s Bait and Tackle in Cortez. He also loved the Green Bay Packers, fishing, boating and his dogs, Grady, Lilly and Atlas.
A private service is planned at a later date.
Mr. Olson is survived by his significant other, Sacha Ross; sisters Christine, Barbara and Carol; brother Dennis; niece Diane; and nephew Derek and wife Elizabeth.