This is a monthly segment from Supermarket News chronicling workers we’ve lost in grocery.
Bill J. Bulman (Aug. 4, 1957 - July 11, 2023): Bill J. Bulman, 65, of Colona, Ill., passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Genesis East Medical Center, Davenport, Iowa. Bulman was previously employed as the store director at Hy-Vee Food Store in Silvis, retiring in 2007, after 33 years. Through his years with Hy-Vee, Bulman so appreciated his employees hard work, loyalty, and dedication. He enjoyed tending to his yard and fixing up properties. Family was incredibly important to him, and he loved the trips they took together to their home in Wisconsin and vacations to Disney World.
Sandra Burnette (Dec. 7, 1961 - July 29, 2023): Sandy Swafford Burnette, 61, of Willisburg, Ky., passed away Saturday morning, July 29, 2023, at her home. Burnette was a retired deli manager with Winn Dixie and of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed watching car races, camping, working on the farm, shopping, and watching Hallmark movies. Burnette was precious to her family and was a loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister.
Ronald Marion “Ronnie” Gulotta (June 7, 1953 - July 23, 2023): Ronald Marion “Ronnie” Gulotta, age 70, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 23, 2023. He was a graduate of Hammond High School, class of 1971, and a 1975 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and served in the Louisiana National Guard. He retired after 43 years with Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Karen Suzanne Ziemer Hamlett (Dec. 25, 1951 - Aug. 2, 2023) Karen Suzanne Ziemer Hamlett passed away on Aug. 2, surrounded by family, after her two-year-long battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Randy Hamlett, and children: Jason (Shannon) Hamlett; Jeremy (Kristine) Hamlett; Jordan (Mike) Zieff. She also had six grandchildren whom she adored: Cooper, Marley, Reece, Brooks, Ryenne, and Vaughn. She attended college at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, and then worked at Hy-Vee and Citizens State Bank after. Karen moved with her husband and children to Colorado in 1984, but always prided herself on her Iowa roots.
Kyle Herbert (April 23, 1997 - July 22, 2023): Kyle Joseph Herbert, 26 years of Marthasville, Mo., passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at his residence. He was born April 23, 1997, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Herbert worked for Dollar General in Marthasville as a floor supervisor. He loved art, was president of the art club at East Central College, and he had several of his art pieces displayed in museums.
Victor C. Vilela: Victor C. Vilela, 42, passed away peacefully July 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at Center for Hope Hospice in Elizabeth, N.J., after a 17-year battle with brain cancer. Vilela was born in Elizabeth and was an active member of the Central New Jersey Brain Tumor Support Group. He worked for Elizabeth General hospital, Shoprite in Linden, and most recently Wegmans in Woodbridge.
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Aware of someone in the grocery industry who has recently passed? Email us and we’ll include them in our next grocery in memoriam. ([email protected])
