Gilbert Gusler
Gilbert "Gib" Gusler, 75, of Arcadia, Fla., and Alpena, Mich., passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at his winter residence.
He was born
May 19, 1928, in Fairview, Mich. He had been a winter resident of Arcadia for 10 years. He was a retired machinist from Besser Manufacturing in Alpena. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Arcadia and First Church of God in Alpena.
He is survived by four sons, Gil (Jeanine) Gusler of Central Point, Ore., Steve (Diane) Gusler of Fairview, Scott (Krista) Gusler of Traverse City, Mich., and Marty (Tracy) Guster of Woodstock, Ga.; two daughters, Kelly (Jerry) Peterson of Alpena and Jody (William) Jalovec of Romeoville, Ill.; two sisters; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie.
Visitation and services will be at Brannan Funeral Home in Alpena. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Fairview. Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia chapel, is in charge of local arrangements.
Fay R. Hansen
Fay Rees Hansen, 79, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Royal Palm Retirement Centre. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Mary J. Shaffer
Mary Jean "Momma Jean" Shaffer, 72, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Arrangements are by Shannon Funeral Home, town chapel, Bradenton, Fla.
William A. Stringfellow
William A. Stringfellow, 75, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at his residence in Englewood. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel, has been selected to handle the arrangements.
Christina Woomer
Christina Woomer, 88, of Englewood, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003. Lemon Bay Funeral Homes, Englewood chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ronda Zadroga
Ronda (Byrd) Zadroga, 29, passed away unexpectedly.
She was born
in Arcadia and spent a big part of her life in the Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda, Fla., areas.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 5200 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda. There will be a visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Church of God of Prophecy, 662 Cooper St., Punta Gorda. The family has entrusted care and services to Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Robert M. Gormley
Robert M. Gormley, 69, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at Harbour Health Center, Port Charlotte.
He was born
Jan. 20, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1989. He was a retired senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and a veteran of the Vietname War. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, and a life member of Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by a daughter, Joanne Gormley of Sicklerville, N.J.; a stepdaughter, Tina (Tom) Ortmann of LeMars, Iowa; two stepsons, Jeff (Paula) Pridie of Faribault, Minn., and Chris Pridie Sr. of Poplar Grove, Ill.; and six grandchildren, Joe Ortmann, Beth Pridie, Erinn Pridie, Cassie Pridie, Tonia Pridie and Chris Pridie Jr. Mr. Gormley's wife, Viola J. Gormley, died Oct. 1, 2003.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 7, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Interment will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla., with military honors by the U.S. Air Force.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel.
Viola J. Gormley
Viola J. Gormley, 68, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at her residence.
She was born
Oct. 17, 1934, in Afton, Okla., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1989 from Jamestown, N.D. She was a retired bookkeeper, working in the banking and real estate businesses during her career. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.
She is survived by a daughter, Tina (Tom) Ortmann of LeMars, Iowa; a stepdaughter, Joanne Gormley of Sicklerville, N.J.; two sons, Jeff (Paula) Pridie of Faribault, Minn., and Chris Pridie Sr. of Poplar Grove, Ill.; a sister, Ann Hodson of California; three brothers, Chuck Hodson of Idaho, Kenneth (Linda) Hodson and Gene Hodson, both of California; and six grandchildren, Joe Ortmann, Beth Pridie, Erinn Pridie, Cassie Pridie, Tonia Pridie and Chris Pridie Jr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Gormley, on Sept. 30, 2003.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Interment will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel.
Wilfred R. Wiltfong
Wilfred R. Wiltfong, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
He was born
Jan. 17, 1916, in East Chicago, Ind., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1977 from Crown Point, Ind. He was a retired salesman for a printing company in Indiana. He was a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church and Charlotte Promenades Square Dancing Club in Port Charlotte.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor E. Wiltfong of Port Charlotte; two daughters, Karen (Jerry) Shaw of Port Charlotte and Gail Hall of Savage, Minn.; a son, Charles (Eileen) Wiltfong of Monon, Ind.; two sisters, Helen Kesler of Middleburg, Va., and Ethel Merkel of Munster, Ind.; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the funeral home, with the Rev. J. Ralph Burton Jr. officiating. Inurnment will be at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in Punta Gorda, Fla. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
Benjamin Brown Sr.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, God called Benjamin Brown Sr., 89, of Punta Gorda, Fla., home to rest.
He was preceded in his homegoing by his wife, Mary Brown; sister, Jesse Brown; daughters, Almeter Ferrell and Rosetta Brown; son, George Brown; and granddaughter, Angela Evans.
He will be deeply missed by his sister, the Rev. Willie Lee Culpepper; children, the Rev. Benjamin Brown Jr., Cynthia Brown, Richard Brown, Shirley Evans and Major Evans, Nadine Brown, Gearldine Brown, Sandra Hamm and Michael Brown; brother-in-law, Joseph Price; sister-in-law, Sarah Price Murrell; 20 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, cousins, nephews and friends.
Graveside funeral services and Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens cemetery, Punta Gorda, with the Rev. Mary Green, pastor of House of God Church, Keith Dominion, Fort Myers, Fla., officiating.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hickson Funeral Home, Arcadia, Fla.
Ruth E. Church
Ruth E. Church, 91, of Charlotte Harbor, Fla., passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Mrs. Church was born
March 2, 1912, in Wilkinsburg, Pa. She had resided in this area since 1976, relocating here from Salem, Ohio. She was a member and church secretary for Trinity United Methodist Church, retiring in 1990. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Salem and the Lions Club of Port Charlotte, Fla. She enjoyed working with crafts.
Survivors include her daughter, Sandra Church of Wichita Falls, Texas; a grandson, Ian Church of Punta Gorda; and two granddaughters, Sigrid Church of Fort Riley, Kan., and Emily Church of Columbus, Ga.
She was preceded in death by her son, George Church, in 1997; and her husband, Wendell Church, in 1998.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, at the Punta Gorda chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, with the Rev. Richard Dickey officiating and the Peace River Chapter 30 of the Order of Eastern Star. Burial will be at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to a favorite charity.
Arrangements are by the Punta Gorda chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home.
T.J. College
T.J. "Tay" College, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte.
He was born
Aug. 28, 1917, in Blairsville, Pa., and retired from Conrail Railroad Corporation, where he had over 33 years of service as a conductor.
Tay moved to Port Charlotte in 1977 from Pittsburgh, Pa., and was a resident of Villa Sans Souci Retirement Community. He was an avid golfer, a member of the Punta Gorda Country Club and a former member of the BPOE Elks, Port Charlotte Lodge. He also attended First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte.
Tay is survived by his loving wife of more than 62 1/2 years, Jessie; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many special friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 5200 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Bob Carlson officiating. Entombment will be private at Charlotte Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952; or First Presbyterian Church, 2230 Hariet St. N.E., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
The family has entrusted care and services to Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home.
Doris L. Kennedy
Doris L. Kennedy, 80, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and formerly of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Mrs. Kennedy was born
June 24, 1923, in Berlin N.H., into a family of eight children of Charles and Roseanna Nault. She and her entire family moved to Fort Myers in the 1920s from Berlin, making them local pioneers. Every one of them played a significant part in the construction of the Fort Myers area.
She is survived by her three children, William F. Kennedy of Harbour Heights, Fla., Rose Mary Kennedy Hughes of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Bruce H. Kennedy of Naples, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Kennedy; a son-in-law, Billy Hughes; brothers, Armand Nault of Fort Myers, Robert Nault of Sanford, Fla.; sisters, Geneva Scott of Punta Gorda and Florida Scott of Venice, Fla.; four grandchildren, Rudy Kennedy, Todd (Lynda) Hughes, Burt Kennedy and Ginger Hughes (James) Mace; and nine great-grandchildren, Austin Kennedy, Spencer Hughes, Caleb Kennedy, Jeremiah Kennedy, Miranda Kennedy, Rosey Kennedy, Josh Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy and Hannah Mace.
Mrs. Kennedy was preceded in death by her husband of many years, William Kennedy; sisters, Jeannette Lavoie and Irene Lamb; and one brother, Morris Nault.
A celebration of her life will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, at the family residence. For any additional information or directions, call Rose Mary Hughes.
In lieu of flowers, your presence at the memorial will be greatly appreciated.
Raymond J. Bosco
Raymond J. Bosco, 78, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Punta Gorda. Arrangements by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Marion C. Barrett
Marion C. Barrett, 88, of Englewood, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at her Sarasota County residence. Arrangements by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood.
Frank T. Schmidt
Frank T. Schmidt, 72, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003. Arrangements by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Elaine Schumacher
Elaine Schumacher, 76, of Englewood, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003. Arrangements by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Kenneth Beardsworth
Kenneth Beardsworth, 66, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003.
He was born
Feb. 21, 1937, in Fall River, Mass., the son of Harold and Hannah (Plouff) Beardsworth. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Kenneth came to this area in 1993 from Fall River, after retiring as a chauffeur for the state of Massachusetts. He was a member of the Moose, Elks, American Legion and attended St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. Kenneth enjoyed fishing and hunting, but his greatest love was his family. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
Kenneth will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Genevieve; daughter, Gail Marie Charest of Manteca, Calif.; father, Harold Beardsworth of Massachusetts; brothers, Harold Beardsworth Jr. of Port Charlotte and Ronald Beardsworth of Massachusetts; sisters, Dolores White and Barbara Beardsworth, both of Nevada; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services. The Mass in celebration of Kenneth's life will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Raymond Jean-Rene
Raymond Jean-Rene, 29, of North Miami Beach, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, in North Miami Beach.
He was born
March 17, 1974, in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. He had resided in North Miami Beach for the past three years. He enjoyed playing soccer.
Survivors include three children, Jennifer and Rayina, both of Port Charlotte, Fla., and a son, Jeff, of Haiti; his parents, Raymond and Francoise Jean-Rene of Port Charlotte; five sisters, Amina (Alix) Dumas, Raymondi Jean-Rene, Nadge (Loinnel) Joechim, Martine Jean-Rene, all of Stamford, Conn., and Jenny Jean-Rene of San Diego, Calif.; five brothers, James Jean-Rene of Sarasota, Fla., Alix Jean-Rene and Joubert Jean-Rene, both of Stamford, Jutland R. Jean-Rene of Port Charlotte and Jerry Jean-Rene of North Port, Fla.; an aunt, Marcella Simon of Orlando, Fla.; and an uncle, Bermude Jean-Rene of Port Charlotte.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, in the Port Charlotte chapel of Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Sept. 27, at St. Charles-Borromeo Catholic Church. Burial will be at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by the Port Charlotte chapel of Kays-Ponger Funeral Home.
Dell O'Dell
Dell O'Dell, 78, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003, at her residence in Punta Gorda, with her loving family at her side.
She was born
July 25, 1925, in Gibson, Mo. Dell was a retired newspaper editor and general manager of numerous newspapers owned with her family. She moved to Punta Gorda in 1985 from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She was a member of the Seminole Lakes Country Club in Punta Gorda, and was an avid tennis player.
Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie (Gary) Wenrick of Alexandria, Ky.; sister, Cona (Lindsey) Williams of Punta Gorda; four nieces; four nephews; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 38 years, Thomas O'Dell, in 1989.
A private family committal service will be held Saturday, Sept. 27. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory, Punta Gorda chapel.
Murry W. Wilmot
Murry W. Wilmot, 80, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
He was born
May 23, 1923, in Canada and moved to Port Charlotte in 1985 from Ferndale, Mich. He was an honorably discharged and decorated veteran, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was also a POW. He was a member of American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte, BPO Elks Lodge 2153 in Port Charlotte, International Motorcycle Touring Club, American Motorcyclist Association, Mid-Michigan BMW Club and National Association of Senior Friends.
He is survived by his daughters, Lois TenEyck of Houghton Lake, Mich., Donna (Bill) Nestor of St. Cloud, Fla., Nancy McNeely of High Springs, Fla., Patricia (Carlos) Gamboa of Westland, Mich., and Elizabeth (Bryan) Headley of Philippi, W.Va.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; his great-great-grandson; sister, Dorothy Flory of Beverly Hills, Mich.; and his brother, Thomas Wilmot of Wayne, Mich. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, in 1995.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 25, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, with entombment and military honors at Charlotte Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Silent Grove Church, Route 4, Box 169, Philippi, WV 26416, Attn: Lillian Mick. The family has entrusted care and services to Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home.
Barbara J. Edington
Barbara J. Edington, 49, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003.
She was born
July 23, 1954, in Shelbyville, Ky., and moved to this area in 1988 from there. Mrs. Edington was a secretary for Bowen Construction in Boca Grande, Fla.
Survivors include her husband, Mike; daughters, Jennifer Johnson of Englewood and Sue Carriss of Shelbyville; son, David of North Port, Fla.; sisters, Geraldine Morgan of Sonora, Ky., Shirley Hall of Shelbyville and Betty Winkler of Cripple Creek, Colo.; brother, Larry Rogers of Simpsonville, Ky.; and grandchildren, Damon and Brittney, both of Englewood, Jeremy, Ashley and Stephanie, all of Shelbyville, Dillon and Brianna, both of North Port.
There will be a private celebration of life. Memorial donations may be made to Charlotte County Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Cleora Faye Resler
Cleora Faye Resler, 74, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003. Englewood Community Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Englewood, Fla., has been entrusted to handle arrangements.
Clayton E. Willauer
Clayton E. "Tater" Willauer, 88, of Pottstown, Pa., and formerly of Englewood, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood.
