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.
It’s an honor for us to provide this service to our readers…
Bonner Joy, Publisher. news@islander.org
Margaret Carlisle Chapman
Margaret Carlisle Chapman, 101, of Anna Maria, died Nov. 4.
She was born March 2, 1924, the only child of Paul and Norene Carlisle. She grew up in Niagara Falls.
She graduated from the University of Michigan.
She married Forrest Chapman in 1947 and, through his work with DuPont, they lived in Bogota, Colombia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, before returning to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1965.
Her parents retired to Anna Maria in 1950 and bought the Anna Maria Motel, the first motel in the city. Her father was elected mayor of Anna Maria.
In 1980, Mrs. Chapman retired to Anna Maria and ran the motel after her parents died. She remodeled the motel in the early 1980s and sold it in 1989.
Besides running the motel, she was an active volunteer at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity, the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of Roser Memorial Community Church.
Four generations of her family will cherish the many memories they have of vacationing on the island, adventures at the motel and later at her house on Bean Point.
Services and burial were private. Arrangements were by Brown and Sons Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be expressed at brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Wildlife Inc., 2207 Ave B, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217; or Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, P.O. Box 1114, Holmes Beach, FL 34218.
Mrs. Chapman is survived by daughters Sherry Grizzel and husband Ralph of Hockessin, Deleware, and Chris and wife Dee of Bradenton; sons Jeff of Elkton, Maryland, and Scott and wife Lesli of Atlanta; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joe Dobosz
Joe Dobosz, 84, of Bradenton, died Nov. 5.
He was born to Charles and Angelina Dobosz and raised in Chicago. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school and served four years.
He and his second wife, MaryAnn, settled in Bradenton in 1977.
He became fast friends and a mate for fishing guide Capt. Scott Greer of Stray Dog Fishing in Cortez. He fished at every pier and fishing hole around the Anna Maria Island area.
He was known for his charm and humor. He loved to fish and he excelled at any handicraft. He could make anything he set his mind to, from dollhouses to furniture.
Mr. Dobosz is survived by his children Mark, Lisa and Judy; and grandchildren Loren, Taylor and Abigail.
Michael Steven Kendall
Michael Steven Kendall, 74, died Sept. 18.
He was born March 3, 1951, in Urbana, Illinois, and grew up in Illinois, California and Michigan, graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1970.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of specialist 5 and earning numerous honors, including the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal.
After his military service, he built a career in food service, managing several restaurants, including Sambo’s, Golden Corral and Crabby Bill’s. In the mid-1990s, he joined the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office food services unit, retiring in 2014. Later, he became known at the Fish Hole miniature golf course in Bradenton Beach, where his personality made him a community favorite.
He was a lifelong supporter of his fellow veterans, serving as a Commander’s Club member and Diamond Leader member of the Disabled American Veterans. He also supported the Florida Sheriff’s Association, having been an honorary gold member for 25 years
A celebration of his life will be held in 2026.
Memorial donations may be made to the Florida Sheriff’s Association or the Disabled American Veterans in his honor.
Mr. Kendall is survived by his children, Clifford Kendall of Bradenton and Jordan Kendall of Madisonville, Tennessee; granddaughter Myiah; and siblings Peter W. Kendall, Karen E. Callens, Jon D. Kendall, Susan M. Fritz and Mary R. Duncan, along with their families. He also helped raise Porsche and Kay Gregory.