Ann Hoskins passed away peacefully in the presence of family on May 12, 2015 at the age of 105. She was born in Benwood, West Virginia on Valentine's Day 1910 to Michael Berletic and Emma (Krizmanic) Berletic, both of whom were Croatian immigrants. Ann was one of eight children and Croatian was often spoken in the home. Her early years were spent in the Wheeling and Benwood areas of West Virginia and she worked at Wheeling Corrugating. During World War II, her company became a defense plant and her job was to test grease drums for leaks. Ann was finding too many leaks to the dismay of her supervisor, who was more interested in meeting production quotas than in quality of product. As a result, she was reassigned to be a spot welder for artillery shell casings. After the war, she returned to her former job in the corrugating plant.
She was introduced to Thomas J. Hoskins, a former prisoner of war of the Japanese, at a social event. They were married in May 1946 and resided in Fairborn, Ohio and later San Antonio, Texas before transferring to Tyndall AFB in 1953 with their three children.
For many years Ann was an active member of St. Dominic's and later of St. John's Catholic Church. She liked to sew and made her home's curtains as well as clothes for herself and her two daughters. She enjoyed working in the yard and repainting her home's interior and exterior. Ann was a wonderful cook and made the best variety of old-fashioned Christmas cookies for her family as well as neighbors to enjoy. She loved to dance, especially to Polka music. Her life was long, full of activity and she was extremely proud of her heritage. She was a loving, caring mother, grandma and great grandma who will always be loved and missed.
She was preceded in death by her brothers: Matthew, George, Michael, Peter, Max and Rudy, her sister Barbara, her former husband Thomas J. Hoskins and her daughter Deborah A. Frowert. Ann is survived by son Thomas J. Hoskins, Jr. and wife Diane of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Beverly Hoskins Smith and husband Hart of Smithfield, Virginia; son-in-law Tom Frowert of Panama City Beach; granddaughter Jennifer Hoskins DeMillio of Point Pleasant, New Jersey; grandson Rodman Frowert and wife Lora of Panama City Beach; grandson Ryan White of Yorktown, Virginia; great grandchildren Arthur DeMillio, Mason Hoskins, Reid Frowert, Jordan White and Cohen White.
A deep sense of gratitude and heartfelt thanks is extended to her primary care physician Dr. Bruce Josten and his staff, caregiver Bobbie from ResCare HomeCare, the staff of Gentiva Home Health and RNs Marie and Sarah of Emerald Coast Hospice, who addressed Ann's needs in the final days of her life.
As a Meals-on-Wheels recipient, Ann often said receiving these meals was one of the best things that ever happened to her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals-on-Wheels at the Bay County Council on Aging, 1116 Frankford Ave., Panama City, FL 32401. Every dollar specifically contributed to Meals-on-Wheels is matched by nine additional dollars. A memorial service will take place Monday, May 18, 2015, at 6 PM. Family will receive friends from 5 to 6 PM.