Norma L. Koons
Norma L. Koons, 84, of Port Charlotte Fla., passed away at her home on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003.
She was born
Sept. 19, 1918, in Florence, Ala. She was co-owner, with her daughter, of a kindergarten and day-care service for 10 years in Sheffield, Ala. She spent several years providing private home health care in Sheffield, until she moved to Cullman, Ala., in 1985 to live with her daughter. Norma moved to Port Charlotte with her daughter in 1997. She was a member of Port Charlotte Church of Christ.
Norma will be best remembered for her dedication to making others happy through the many devoted hours she spent corresponding with them. The countless cards and letters she composed deeply touched the lives of many individuals.
Norma will be greatly missed by her daughter, Glenda Fleming; brother-in-law, Don Fleming; granddaughter, Hollie Watson; and two great-grandchildren, Griff Howard and Jordan Howard.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at Port Charlotte Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Norma L. Koons to Port Charlotte Church of Christ Building Fund, 20484 Midway Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952; or Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 3044 Caring Way, Port Charlotte, Fla.
Vauneta Sellers
Vauneta Dockery Sellers, 80, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Hospital in Punta Gorda.
She was born, April 18, 1923, in Dandrige, Tenn., the daughter of Herman and Martha Chambers Dockery. She spent many years working in health care, but cherished her role as a wife, mother and an active member of her church.
She is survived by her daughter, Jolene Mowry, of Punta Gorda; son, Dean Sellers of Belmont, N.C.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Joe Thomas Sellers; her parents; a brother; and two sisters.
Richard R. Shakeshaft
Richard R. Shakeshaft, 78, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away, Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Richard, known as "Dick" by friends and family, was born
March 2, 1925, in Bronxville, N.Y. He served in the Marine Corps in World War II and received the Purple Heart for injuries incurred in the battle for Okinawa. Dick served with the 29th Marine Company E of the 6th Marine Division.
Dick moved to Florida in 1958 and resided in Port Charlotte for nearly 45 years. He owned and operated his own lawn mower shop, owned and operated a delivery service for Sears Department Stores, and was the golf course superintendent at Punta Gorda Country Club for 17 years before retiring. He is survived by his brother, Russell Shakeshaft of Port Charlotte; his sister, Madelyn Yopp of Jacksonville, N.C.; and 11 nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 3044 Caring Way, Port Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home.
Charles G. Stevens
Charles G. Stevens, 86, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003. A retired courier, formerly of Franklin Park, Ill., he resided here for the past 15 years.
Mr. Stevens is survived by a son, Lester (Beverly) Stefanis of Punta Gorda; and a grandson, George Stefanis of Chicago, Ill.
Services were held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by North Fort Myers Memorial Funeral Home.
John J. Vallant
John J. Vallant, 87, of Gulf Cove, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Englewood Community Hospital in Englewood, Fla.
Mr. Vallant was born
May 13, 1916, in West St. Paul, Minn., to Ferdinand and Dorothea (Dietz) Vallant. John was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Merchant Marine at the rank of chief carpenter and made more than 14 crossings transporting troops and supplies. Mr. Vallant was a carpenter by trade and worked out of the Carpenter and Joiners Union Local 87 in St. Paul, and was the general foreman for several of the Veterans Administration hospitals and banks in the Minnesota area. Following retirement, he and his wife, Hazel, moved to the Englewood area in 1980 from St. Paul.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Hazel (Kvanbeck) of Port Charlotte; daughters, Linda C. Hansen of Davenport, Iowa, and Elaine M. Vallant of St. Paul; son, Paul D. Vallant of Eagan, Minn.; sister, Dorothy Haider of Chandler, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Nancy Hollen, Allison Vallant and Katherine Vallant; and great-granddaughters, Hannah and Naomi Hollen.
Visitation was Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel. Funeral and Burial will be later in St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Salvation Army, 1051 Albee Farm Road, Venice, FL 34292. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel.
John A. Walters
John Abner Walters, 86, of Arcadia, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003.
He was born
Jan. 25, 1917, in Murphysboro, Ill. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He moved to Arcadia from St. Louis, Mo., in 1948. He had been a food service director at G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital in Arcadia. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1524, Peace River Masonic Lodge 66 and American Legion Post K11 of Arcadia. He was also a member of New Hope Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Walters of Arcadia; a daughter, Carol Sue Palmer of Arcadia; a son, John Thomas Walters of Arcadia; a sister, Tessa Armstrong of Port Lavaca, Texas; two grandchildren, Carol Ann and John T.; and four great-grandchildren, Aaron, Rebecca, Noah and Morgan.
There will be a cremation. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Donna L. Coffin
Donna L. Coffin, 29, of North Port, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at her residence. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Sarasota, Fla.
Edward D. Dorland
Edward D. "Ed" Dorland, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Saturday, July 26, 2003, in Wayne, Neb.
He was born
June 5, 1928, in Table Rock, Neb., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1983 from Coal Valley, Ill. He retired in 1982 as a general foreman in the assembly division of John Deere Harvester Works, East Moline, Ill., after 35 years of service. He was a member of Valley Lodge 547, Order of the Eastern Star and Coal Valley Lions Club, all in Coal Valley. He was also a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church and Punta Gorda Country Club in Punta Gorda, Fla.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Dorland of Port Charlotte; two daughters, Diane (Grant) Scholtman of Milford, Neb., and Denise McMaster of Port Charlotte; a son, David (Nancy) Dorland of Rock Island, Ill.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel, with the Rev. J. Ralph Burton Jr. officiating. Funeral services and Burial were held Aug. 2 in Coal Valley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Treatment & Research Center, 640 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101; or Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.
James R. Halter
James R. Halter, 81, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, July 25, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla.
He was born
Nov. 15, 1921, in Hornell, N.Y., the son of John E. and Emma Maud (Johnson) Halter. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with an engineering degree. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, in the European Theater. He was a life member of the Masons. James retired from Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., and moved to Punta Gorda in 1977. He attended Peace River Baptist Church. He enjoyed every day of his long retirement and loved to tinker and travel.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Luella; his children, Sharon (Mel) McClaire of Brockport, N.Y., Mary (Dennis) Phillips, Donna Catracchia of Rochester, James Halter Jr. of Rochester, Martha (Vic) Dion, Russell (Marcelle) Blissett and Cindy (Mike) Bell of Punta Gorda; many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A service celebrating James' life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, 1515 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, with the Rev. John Damazo officiating. To express condolences to the family, visit www.LTaylorfuleral.com and sign the guest book.
Memorial donations may be directed to Peace River Wildlife Association. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Rojer W. Jackson
Rojer W. Jackson, 49, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003.
He was born
Oct. 7, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to this area in 1969 from Cleveland. Mr. Jackson was a drywall finisher in Long Boat Key and a member of Moose Lodge 2121 in Port Charlotte.
Survivors include his wife, Lauretta; daughter, Ami McGrath of Orlando, Fla.; sister, Robin Lee (Robbi) Duren of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.,; brothers, Robert F. (Karen) Jackson of Cleveland; Randy (Renee) Jackson of Port Charlotte, Ronald (Tammy) Jackson of Port Charlotte; six nieces and four nephews.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Moose Lodge 2121 on Loveland Boulevard in Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte
Grace V. Panzeri
Grace Virginia Panzeri, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and formerly of Bradenton, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2003.
She was born
March 17, 1917, in Ballston, Va., to Grover and Lollie Palmer. Mrs. Panzeri worked for the U.S. Department of the Navy in administration. She moved to the Port Charlotte area five years ago from Bradenton.
Mrs. Panzeri is survived by her husband, Peter F. Panzeri Sr. of Port Charlotte; four sons, Maj. Peter F.(Jodi) Panzeri Jr., U.S. Army, of Houston, Texas, Cmdr. Gregory Skinner, U.S. Navy, of Pensacola, Fla., John D. (Judy) Skinner of Port Charlotte and Richard Bright of Austria; one daughter, Ruth Uecker of Elizabeth City, N.C.; three sisters, Ruth Burton of Greenbelt, Md., Florence Brand of Alexandria, Va., and Mary Vanhorn of Annapolis, Md.; one brother, Tom Palmer of Bradenton, Fla.; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel, with the Rev. Cesar Olivero of St. James Episcopal Church officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
John J. Vallant
John J. Vallant, 87, Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Englewood Community Hospital in Englewood, Fla.
Mr. Vallant was born
May 13, 1916, in West St. Paul, Minn., to Ferdinand and Dorothea (Dietz) Vallant. John was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Merchant Marine at the rank of chief carpenter and made more than 14 crossings transporting troops and supplies. Mr. Vallant was a carpenter by trade and worked out of the Carpenter and Joiners Union Local 87 in St. Paul, and was the general foreman for several of the Veterans Administration hospitals and banks in the Minnesota area. Following retirement, he and his wife, Hazel, moved to the Englewood area in 1980 from St. Paul.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Hazel (Kvanbeck) of Port Charlotte; daughters, Linda C. Hansen of Davenport, Iowa, and Elaine M. Vallant of St. Paul; son, Paul D. Vallant of Eagan, Minn.; sister, Dorothy Haider of Chandler, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Nancy Hollen, Allison Vallant and Katherine Vallant; and great-granddaughters, Hannah and Naomi Hollen.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel. Funeral and Burial will be later in St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Salvation Army, 1051 Albee Farm Road, Venice, FL 34292. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel.
Lindsay Adams
Lindsay Adams, 81, of Englewood, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla.
He was born
Dec. 24, 1921, in Kenosha, Wis. He served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division and 3196 Signal Service Company during World War II. He had been a resident of the Englewood area since 1984, coming from Palos Hills, Ill. He retired from SBC, formerly AmeriTec, formerly Illinois Bell Telephone Co., as a dispatcher. Mr. Adams was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 336 IBEW and was of the Catholic Faith.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Elaine J. Adams of Englewood; three sons, Robert L. (Judy) Adams of Lockport, Ill., Michael B. (Angela) Adams of Orland Hills, Ill., and Thomas H. Adams of Englewood; a daughter, Donna L. (Joseph) Floren of Burbank, Ill.; a sister, Virginia Wing of Dripping Springs, Texas; and six grandchildren, Tracy, Nathan, Jeffrey, Dana, Jeremy and Nicholas.
His remains will be returned to Palos Hills, where a service will be celebrated. Englewood Community Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been selected to handle arrangements.
Robert G. Varner
Robert Gentry Varner, 85, of Arcadia, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003.
He was born
Aug. 8, 1917, in Marvell, Ark. He moved to Arcadia from Natchitoches, La., in the 1980s, establishing Live Oak RV Resort in 1990.
He is survived three daughters, Connie Prudhomme of Leesburg, Fla., Bobbie Archibald Scaife of Rio Honda, Texas, and Francis Varner of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sons, Robert J. Varner of Arcadia and Joe Varner of Natchitoches; a sister, Louise Haney of Withrope, Ark.; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jamie Ruth Varner.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda chapel. Burial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Stephens Cemetery Perpetual Care Park in Stephens, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; or American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. Arrangements are by Proctor Funeral Home, Camden, Ark.
John A. Walters
John Abner Walters, 86, of Arcadia, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003.
He was born
Jan. 25, 1917, in Murphysboro, Ill. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He moved to Arcadia from St. Louis, Mo., in 1948. He had been a food service director at G. Pierce Wood Memorial Hospital in Arcadia. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1524, Peace River Masonic Lodge 66 and American Legion Post K11 of Arcadia. He was also a member of New Hope Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Walters of Arcadia; a daughter, Carol Sue Palmer of Arcadia; a son, John Thomas Walters of Arcadia; a sister, Tessa Armstrong of Port Lavaca, Texas; two grandchildren, Carol Ann and John T.; and four great-grandchildren, Aaron, Rebecca, Noah and Morgan.
There will be a cremation. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Dmytro Harysch
Dmytro Harysch, 81, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Mariner Health Care Center, after suffering from cancer for the past year.
Dmytro was born
Oct. 7, 1921, in Western Ukraine near L'viv, the son of Ilko and Anna (Kaczmar) Harysch. He had immigrated to the United States about 1953, where he met and married Anna Magdalena Foos, daughter of Robert Foos and Maria Abele of Germany, in December 1956. They resided in New Jersey, where their son, Mark, was born
in 1966. They later moved to Kerhonkson, N.Y., where he worked as a contractor/builder and helped with the family-run hotel. He moved to Port Charlotte in his later years.
Dmytro is survived by his son, Maj. Mark Harysch, U.S.A.F., of Omaha, Neb.; and two grandchildren, Kaitlyn, 9, and Michael, 7. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna, who died in 1983 in Kerhonkson.
Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, Fla. He will be laid to rest at Venice Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to express condolences may visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Sarah Lowry
Sarah Lowry, 91, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at her Sarasota County residence.
Mrs. Lowry was born
Jan. 7, 1912, in Salineville, Ohio, to Sam and Santa (Albo) Macaluso. She and her husband, Howard, moved to Englewood in 1976 from Solon, Ohio. She became a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church, St. Raphael's Council of Catholic Women, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1933 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10178 Auxiliary, all in Englewood. Sarah was a loving wife and mother.
Surviving are her loving husband of 62 years, Howard J. of Englewood; sons, Thomas (Lane) of Jacksonville, Fla., and James (Kristen); brother, Austin Macaluso of Ohio; eight grandchildren, Doug, Todd, Erin, Shayn, Jessica, Coleen, Sean and Scott; and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Niles J. Gillen, OCarm, officiating. Interment will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Park in Englewood.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel.
Charles F. Bucher
Charles F. Bucher, 69, of North Port, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, in Venice, Fla.
He was born
Jan. 11, 1934, the son of Josephine and Andrew Bucher. He was raised in Williamsport, Pa. He graduated from Williamsport High School and attended Purdue University. Mr. Bucher was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. He retired from Sikorsky Aircraft. He moved to North Port three years ago from Shelton, Conn. He was a Shelton Republican registrar of voters for 32 years.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Mills Bucher of North Port; former wife, Diane Knauff Bucher; two sons, Jeff (Sarah) Bucher of North Potomac, Md., and Kevin (Lynn) Bucher of East Berlin, Pa.; five daughters, Leah (Robert) Callaghan of Granbury, Texas, Michelle (John) Rank of Salado, Texas, Natalie (Christopher) Daiello of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Libby (Tom Pine) Bucher of Englewood, Colo., and Pamela (Mario) Rubbo of Princeton, N.J.; stepson, James Grant of Ormond Beach, Fla.; stepdaughter, Lisa (Kyle) Kelley of Ormond Beach; parents-in-law, John and Dorothy Mills; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Joanne (Wayne) Persun and Eleanor (Clark) Grosch. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles John Bucher; and a sister, Catherine E. Bucher.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Holiday Park clubhouse. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Williamsport.
Memorial donations may be made to Charles F. Bucher Memorial Fund, c/o Holiday Park, 5401 Holiday Park Blvd., North Port, FL 34287; or to Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley, 1 Positive Place, Shelton, CT 06484. Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Karola M. Englese
Karola Maria Englese, 65, of Venice, Fla., died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Hospice House in Venice. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
