Frances Lane Gustafson
June 5, 1916 – June 19, 2019
Frances Lane Gustafson, age 103, of Grand Rapids, passed away June 19, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest E. Gustafson; father and mother, Ralph and Frances Lane; sister, Margaret E. Lane; and brother, James A. Lane. Frances is survived by her children: Peter L. (Ginny) Gustafson, Andrew L. (Pam) Gustafson, Jeffrey L. (Andrea) Gustafson; grandchildren: Tanya Gustafson, Lindsay Bathie, Kristen Frank, Michael Gustafson, Erik Gustafson, Anna Gustafson; great-grandchildren: Addyson Frank, Griffin Bathie, Lochlan Bathie, Greta Gustafson and Isla Bathie. All her grandkids had Lane for middle names except Anna, who had Elane, E. for her two granddads. Now, Fran has a great-granddaughter, Isla Frances Lane Bathie, born the same day she died. She was born 103 years ago on June 5, 1916, in Worchester, Ma.
<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-25807" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2019/07/Frances-Lane-Gustafson1-120x200.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="200" />Frances graduated with a degree in education from Wheelock College in Worchester, taught kindergarten and was married to her husband of 54 years, Ernie Gustafson, on November 29, 1941. They honeymooned in Puerto Rico, returning to New York in early December 1941 on the last cruise ship operating in the Atlantic following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Fran was a loving homemaker and mother to three boys, who were raised in Clarence, N.Y., and Plymouth, Mich.
The family enjoyed vacations with good friends for many years at Kirk Kove Resort in Ontario, Canada. She was active in her church and school affairs; she was an accomplished artist and a lifelong birder, nature lover and a member of the Audubon Society and other conservation organizations. She always encouraged her children and grandchildren in their many interests and activities. Fran was also a loving and supportive mother-in-law to her three daughters by marriage, Ginny, Pam and Andrea.
She and Ernie retired to Sun City Center, Fla., in 1978 and Fran lived there 38 years, where she was active in lawn bowling, square and ballroom dancing and synchronized swimming well into her 90s with the Sun City Center Swim Dancers. She told her grandchildren that her secret to a long life was to stay active and have some chocolate each day.
The family plans to arrange a memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, N Y 10014 or Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Dr. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.
<h2>Herbert J. McKittrick, Jr.</h2>
<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-25808" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2019/07/McKITTRICK-120x200.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="200" />Herbert John McKittrick Jr. died peacefully on June 26, 2019, after declining health following a stroke on Feb. 1, 2019. He was born June 11, 1926, in Darby, Pa., to Herbert John McKittrick Sr. and Isabelle Peoples McKittrick, who had immigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s.
He was a graduate of Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby, Pa., and became part of the Naval Air Corps., serving on the USS Bennington during World War II. After the war, he returned to Philadelphia and later moved to Maryland. Over the years he worked as a salesman for Central Soya Feed and Koester Bakery and was a distributor for the Washington Post for 30 years.
After he retired in 1996, he moved to Sun City Center, where he joined the SCC Emergency Squad, became an EMT, and served as chief from 2000-2001. He also worked part time at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and was an EMT at Freedom Plaza.
He enjoyed playing softball and golf. He loved to learn, especially about history, and participate in philosophical discussions. He enjoyed music and dancing and was president of the Big Band Club. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Drake; former wife, Flavia S. Robertson; daughters: Ruth Ann Henry (William) of Oxford, Pa., Jan DiSantostefano (Anthony) of Apex, NC, and Jill M. Jones of Alexandria, Va.; son Herbert J. McKittrick III (Sandy) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; step-daughters and two step great-grandchildren; brother, William Jones, and siblings: Alexander Joseph, Maray Isabelle and Steven Lenox. He was the oldest member of his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sun City Center Rescue Squad at https://sccems.com/support-us// A Celebration of Life service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 13, at 1 p.m.
<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-25807" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2019/07/Frances-Lane-Gustafson1-120x200.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="200" />Frances graduated with a degree in education from Wheelock College in Worchester, taught kindergarten and was married to her husband of 54 years, Ernie Gustafson, on November 29, 1941. They honeymooned in Puerto Rico, returning to New York in early December 1941 on the last cruise ship operating in the Atlantic following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Fran was a loving homemaker and mother to three boys, who were raised in Clarence, N.Y., and Plymouth, Mich.
The family enjoyed vacations with good friends for many years at Kirk Kove Resort in Ontario, Canada. She was active in her church and school affairs; she was an accomplished artist and a lifelong birder, nature lover and a member of the Audubon Society and other conservation organizations. She always encouraged her children and grandchildren in their many interests and activities. Fran was also a loving and supportive mother-in-law to her three daughters by marriage, Ginny, Pam and Andrea.
She and Ernie retired to Sun City Center, Fla., in 1978 and Fran lived there 38 years, where she was active in lawn bowling, square and ballroom dancing and synchronized swimming well into her 90s with the Sun City Center Swim Dancers. She told her grandchildren that her secret to a long life was to stay active and have some chocolate each day.
The family plans to arrange a memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, N Y 10014 or Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Dr. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.
<h2>Herbert J. McKittrick, Jr.</h2>
<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-25808" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2019/07/McKITTRICK-120x200.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="200" />Herbert John McKittrick Jr. died peacefully on June 26, 2019, after declining health following a stroke on Feb. 1, 2019. He was born June 11, 1926, in Darby, Pa., to Herbert John McKittrick Sr. and Isabelle Peoples McKittrick, who had immigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s.
He was a graduate of Upper Darby High School in Upper Darby, Pa., and became part of the Naval Air Corps., serving on the USS Bennington during World War II. After the war, he returned to Philadelphia and later moved to Maryland. Over the years he worked as a salesman for Central Soya Feed and Koester Bakery and was a distributor for the Washington Post for 30 years.
After he retired in 1996, he moved to Sun City Center, where he joined the SCC Emergency Squad, became an EMT, and served as chief from 2000-2001. He also worked part time at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and was an EMT at Freedom Plaza.
He enjoyed playing softball and golf. He loved to learn, especially about history, and participate in philosophical discussions. He enjoyed music and dancing and was president of the Big Band Club. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Drake; former wife, Flavia S. Robertson; daughters: Ruth Ann Henry (William) of Oxford, Pa., Jan DiSantostefano (Anthony) of Apex, NC, and Jill M. Jones of Alexandria, Va.; son Herbert J. McKittrick III (Sandy) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; step-daughters and two step great-grandchildren; brother, William Jones, and siblings: Alexander Joseph, Maray Isabelle and Steven Lenox. He was the oldest member of his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sun City Center Rescue Squad at https://sccems.com/support-us// A Celebration of Life service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 13, at 1 p.m.