The Islander is a free weekly community newspaper serving Anna Maria Island. There is no charge for our standard obituary, including survivors, services, photo and other lifetime information for present and former residents of Anna Maria Island and people with affiliations on Anna Maria Island.
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— Bonner Joy, Publisher. news@islander.org
Jack Lee Messmer
Jack Lee Messmer, 71, died June 1 in Bradenton.
He was born Sept. 6, 1954, in Martinsville, Indiana, to Bob and Ruth, growing up south of Indianapolis.
A pivotal moment in his youth came when a radio station opened in his hometown. He visited the station and saw how radio equipment worked, leaving him with a lifelong fascination for radio communications.
At Indiana University in Bloomington, he majored in broadcast journalism and soon after began his career at a Midwest radio station.
A highlight of his time in radio came when he teamed with entertainer Tom Bergeron, whose sense of humor was juxtaposed Mr. Messmer’s serious news-reporting demeanor.
His career took him to New York and a career with the Associated Press at its headquarters at Rockefeller Center.
There, he met his future wife, Ellen, a native New Yorker. The two wed shortly before he s transferred to the AP’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.
He later worked for trade publications, including Radio & Records, and wrote extensively about the television industry as well.
After two decades in the D.C. area, the couple moved to Bradenton and worked from a home office.
In retirement, he enjoyed walking his dogs, an afternoon swim, riding a bike or paddling a kayak at Robinson Preserve. He was an avid reader who also found joy in classical music concerts and volunteering at the Palma Sola Botanical Park.
He enjoyed family get-togethers in the North Carolina mountains and was an accomplished chef.
He attended the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach, where his roles over the years ranged from acolyte to treasurer.
A memorial service is being planned at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Interment is planned in August at Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville.
Mr. Messmer is survived by Ellen, his wife of 43 years; brother Jim; nieces Talia and Chloe Stringfellow; nephew Mark; and Heather McAllister, a spiritual daughter.
Mary Lee Zerkel
Mary Lee Zerkel, 86, of Bradenton and formerly of Bradenton Beach, died May 8.
She was born Aug. 11, 1939, in Portland, Indiana, to George and Dorothy Brigham.
She served as a guardian ad litem for many years.
Lee, as she liked to be called, graduated from Portland High School and Warner Beauty School and attended Ball State University.
She loved knitting and crocheting, with difficult projects her favorite. She was a member of the Thursday Knitting Group and the Moose Lodge 2188 in Bradenton Beach.
During her 35 years in Bradenton Beach, she served on the Tingley Memorial Library board, ScenicWaves Committee, and volunteered many years with the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch.
There will be a celebration of life, date to be announced.
Mrs. Zerkel is survived by her husband of 68 years, Marvin; daughters Leslie Gau and husband Steve of Winter Springs and Krista Bazell of Bradenton; son John Bradley and wife Gayle of Tempe, Arizona; brother John and wife Carole of Bradenton; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.