Obituaries
Medora S. Fasser
Medora S. Fasser, 96, died Oct. 25. Born in Springfield, Mass., she came to Bradenton in 1978 from Easthampton, Mass. She was a graduate of Wheaton College, class of 1934, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology.
She loved to sing with her sisters and in church choirs. She loved her family, enjoyed traveling to Europe, Hong Kong and Alaska and participated in many Elderhostels.
Mrs. Fasser volunteered at Mote Marine and participated in turtle walks. She also volunteered at Ringling Museum, Museum of South Florida and was a Friend of Snooty.
She was a member of Harvey Memorial Community Church in Bradenton Beach and the Easthampton Congregational Church.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements were by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home.
Survivors include her sons, David and wife Judith Fasser, Stuart and wife May Jean Fasser, James and wife Donna Fasser; daughter Louise and husband John Sobing; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Michael Riki Sato
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Sato
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Michael Riki Sato, 29, of Holmes Beach, and a lifelong Islander died Oct. 23.
Michael attended Anna Maria Elementary School and Manatee High School and obtained a degree from Florida State University. He played nearly all sports and was an avid fan, especially of the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved and cared for all animals.
He traveled to Haiti on several occasions with the Rev. Ron Joseph of Bradenton on behalf of the Ministry of Presence and helped teach and care for children at two schools of orphans, as well as worked on other volunteer projects there.
The ministry in Haiti became a second home and second family to Michael. He developed many friends there, where he traded lessons in English for lessons in Creole. He will be missed by the community in Duval Roche outside of Port au Prince, where a moment of silence was observed in his honor at a community gathering Oct. 24.
Mr. Sato was the second of five sons of Barbara and the late Ryuichi “Sam” Sato. He had a strong faith and was a lifelong member of St. Bernard Catholic Church.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, with the Rev. Robb Mongiello officiating, followed by a luncheon in the church activity center, which will be hosted by the Council of Catholic Women of St. Bernard Catholic Church.
The family has requested memorial donations in remembrance of Michael go to the Ministry of Presence, P.O. Box 784, Oneco FL 34264-0784, to support ongoing efforts in Haiti.
Arrangements were by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara Sato of Anna Maria; brothers Jason Sato and wife Lauren of Holmes Beach, Benjamin of Key West, Joshua and Nicholas, both of Anna Maria, grandmother Sarah Maloney of Holmes Beach; aunt Frances Mangino and husband Doug of Orlando, uncles Shawn and wife Norine of San Francisco and Donald Jr. and Ann of Brainerd, Minn.; and cousins Miki and wife Bridget, Keenan, Mackenzie, Makiley, Hannah, Patrick and Teagan.
Ken Schadt
Ken Schadt, 91, of Anna Maria Island, died Oct. 29.
Born in Watertown, Wis., he moved to Anna Maria in 1960 from Janesville, Wis.
Mr Schadt served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a recipient of the Victory Ribbon. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217. Arrangements are by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home.
Survivors include his daughters, Shirley Kutz and Sharon and husband Alan Flitcraft; son-in-law Gary Garlock; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
M. Ruth Davis Smith
M. Ruth Davis Smith, 77, of Holmes Beach, died Oct. 26 at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Warren, Pa. She and her husband, Harold C. Smith, were graduates of Clarion State Teachers College.
Mrs. Smith was a member of New Goshen Presbyterian Church and an associate member at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria. She was a past president and member of Pewee Valley Women’s Club and a life member of the Kentucky Parent-Teacher Association.
There will be a celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at New Goshen Presbyterian Church, Prospect, Ky. Memorial gifts may be made to New Goshen Presbyterian Church, 12900 Highway 42, Prospect KY 40059, or a charity of one’s choice.
She is survived by her six children, Gary and wife Teresa, Chris and wife Andrea, Sharon and husband David Klosterman, Joel and wife Cindy, Todd and wife Lisa, and Jodi and husband Harold Black; 14 grandchildren, Ariah and husband Steve Faulkner, Conarie Smith, Brent and wife Rebecca Williams, Alex Smith, Nicole Klosterman, Andrew and wife Candace Smith, Jared Smith, Derek and wife Faith Klosterman, Ashley, Christin, McKenzie, Judson and Zach Smith, and Hannah Black; and seven great grandchildren.
Nancy ‘Cricket’ Ellen Johnson Westervelt
Nancy “Cricket” Ellen Johnson Westervelt, a longtime resident of Bradenton Beach, died Oct. 26 at First Community Village in Columbus, Ohio, after a long illness.
Ms. Westervelt graduated from Upper Arlington (Ohio) High School and attended the University of Miami and began her love for Florida, where she lived for most of the past 35 years with her beloved friend Tony Paolucci.
She loved the arts, drama, music and especially dance. Her loving spirit guided her toward rescuing and taking care of animals of all kinds and she operated “Critter Sitter” on the Island for many years.
If you care to make a gesture in her memory, her family asks that you do something to help a needy or stray animal.
No service is planned. There will be a private memorial service in Florida at a later time. Schoedinger Funeral Choices served the family in Columbus.
She is survived by her son, Philip Judy; daughter Melissa Judy Smith; and three grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson Judy and Luke Smith.
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