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
Deloris ‘Butch’ Jean Carden
Deloris “Butch” Jean Carden, 85, also known as “Boo Boo,” of Anna Maria Island, died May 2, the date of her 67th wedding anniversary, with her husband by her side.
She was born Feb. 17, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, to Oren Dennis and Mezzie Madelene (Metz) Carter. She moved from Cuyahoga Falls in Summit County to Anna Maria Island in 1974.
A lifelong, dedicated Buccaneers fanatic and season ticketholder, she was an active member of her community. She worked for WBRD radio station in Bradenton and built a career at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s at the island branch office, where she later retired.
She volunteered for the Anna Maria Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and as a softball coach at the island community center. She also worked as a seamstress and tap instructor for Tracey Vita dance studio. She took part in the Democratic Party and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She was loyal to her family and many friends.
A family memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice.
Mrs. Carden is survived by her loving husband, James (JC); sons, Patrick and wife Connie and Timothy; sister-in-law Gale (Burkhardt) Carter; grandchildren Ryane Fitzwater, Catherine and husband Jake Sikes, Joshua and wife McKenna, and Connor; great-grandchildren Knox Fitzwater, Ellie Sikes and Ryder; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Daniel Francis Fels
Daniel Francis Fels, 67, of Holmes Beach, died April 26 in Bradenton after a brief illness.
He was born July 15, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He graduated from Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, in 1977. He spent many years working in the hospitality industry in Indiana and South Florida before building a career as an independent contractor in the communications technology field.
He was a passionate sailor, a skill learned from his father, and he found lasting community and purpose on the water. He was a member of the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach, having served the club for two terms as commodore, and as vice commodore, rear commodore and director. He was recently honored with a unanimous vote as a life member.
He also enjoyed golf and bowling, and he valued time spent with family and friends above all else.
He was a loving and loyal husband, father and brother. He will be remembered for his steady presence and his enduring commitment to family and friends, and the quiet way he brought people together — whether on land or sea.
A celebration of life will be June 20 at the Tampa Sailing Squadron in Apollo Beach. For details, please visit everloved.com/life-of/daniel-fels.
Memorial donations maybe be made to the Tampa Sailing Squadron’s Memorial Garden: tampasailingsquadron.com.
Mr. Fels is survived by his loving wife, Wendy (Perelman); children Shan Menozzi, Ryan Owens, and Sarah (Owens) Emmanuel; siblings William F. IV, Deirdre and husband Curt McDaniel and Michael and partner April Deshong; and his grandchildren.