Raymond J. Langlois
Raymond J. Langlois, 78, of North Port, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte, Fla. Arrangements by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port.
Robert A. Mandeville
Robert A. Mandeville, 78, of Englewood, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003, at his Sarasota County residence. Arrangements by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood.
Harold J. Miller
Harold J. Miller, 57, of Coram, N.Y., and formerly of Englewood, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003. Arrangements by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood.
Robert J. Barbee
Robert J. Barbee, 75, died Jan. 8, 2003.
He was born
Sept. 2, 1927, in Raleigh, N.C. He attended High Point University and graduated with a degree in architecture. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Boxer. He then relocated to Punta Gorda, Fla., where he met his wife, Brenda, as he was her first patient at a local dentist's office. After they wed, Robert went on to become one of the founding members and senior vice president of the original team that developed Punta Gorda Isles, Burnt Store and its subsidiaries, including Deep Creek. Robert then went on to assist in the development of Sugarmill Woods in Homasassa, Fla. Robert retired at the age of 55. He traveled the world extensively and loved to play golf, fish and hunt. Robert was a true family man. He loved spending quality time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Brenda of Lake Suzy, Fla.; daughter, Faith Barbee Hoover of Canton, Ga.; son, Robert Lee Barbee of Palm Bay, Fla.; granddaughter, Summer Chavarria of Punta Gorda; grandson, Derek Whisenant of Punta Gorda; granddaughter, Baile Hoover of Canton, Ga.; grandson, Chauncey Hoover of Canton, Ga.; great-granddaughters, Kendall, Kaylie and Kaitlyn Chavarria of Punta Gorda; brother, Jim Barbee of Greensboro, N.C.; sister-in-law, Veda Barbee of Greensboro; nephews, Curt and Bill Barbee of Greensboro; and many wonderful friends. To all that you were to us, a brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, we will miss you dearly!
No services will be held. At the family's request, donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Cooper Street Recreation Center, 650 Mary Street, Punta Gorda, FL. Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Wilma Breischaft
Wilma Breischaft, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 9, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
She was born
Dec. 26, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pa., the only child of Frederick von Nieda and Anna M. (Harmer) von Nieda. In 1982 she moved to Port Charlotte from Newtown (Bucks County), Pa., with her loving husband of 60 years, Herman Breischaft, who died in 1999. Wilma was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte and for many years was a faithful member of the quilting circle of the church, making quilts for Lutheran World Relief.
She is survived and will be sadly missed by a daughter, Dolores J. (the Rev. Arthur P.) Bliese of Port Charlotte; a son, Ronald F. (Eleanor S.) Breischaft of Portage, Mich.; four grandchildren, Julianne K. Shade of Port Charlotte, Kristin N. (Sean P.) Casey of Sebring, Fla., Kurt F. (Rhonda M.) Breischaft of Richmond, Ind., and Kyle R. (Leigh T.) Breischaft of Alto, Mich.; and six great-grandchildren, Kylie and Madison Casey of Sebring, Reese, Collin and Keeley Breischaft of Richmond and Katie Breischaft of Alto.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 13, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Charlotte, with the Rev. Ken Barrios officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Entombment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33952; or Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel.
Dorothy J. Graham
Dorothy Jacqueline "Jackie" Graham, 97, passed away while sleeping peacefully Jan. 8, 2003, at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda, Fla.
Jackie will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 56 years, Robert P. Graham.
At her request, Burial was in Indian Springs Cemetery with no ceremony. To express condolences to the family, visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Phillip D. Long
Phillip D. Long, 70, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 7, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Long was born
Jan. 20, 1932, in Boston, Mass. He had been a resident of Port Charlotte since 1984, when he moved here from Maine with his wife of 29 years, Lucy Long (nee Massa). Mr. Long was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Navy from 1951-54. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include two sons, Phillip A. Long (Reneé) of Stroudsburg, Pa., and Paul F. Long of Port Charlotte; three daughters, Gemma M. Tucker of Maine, Karen A. Long of Arizona and Noreen F. Long of California; and many grandchildren.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 13, at Charlotte Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home.
Joseph S. Mc Hale
Joseph S. Mc Hale, 81, Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Jan. 7, 2003.
He was born
Feb. 16, 1921, in Dunmore, Pa. Joseph served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He worked as a pipe fitter for Worthington Pump in Harrison, N.J., for many years before retiring. He came to this area in 1999 from New Jersey. Joseph was of the Catholic faith.
Joseph will be greatly missed by his son, Michael (Imelda) Mc Hale of Cape Coral, Fla.; sister, Mary Donnelly of South Hampton, N.J.; and grandson, Domonic Rufolo of Port Charlotte.
To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Michael R. Tobin
Michael R. Tobin, 64, of Englewood, Fla., and formerly a longtime resident of Malden, Mass., died Jan. 3, 2003.
He retired in 1994 from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he worked in the public works department, engineering division, as a contracts specification writer. During his 20 years of service, he received many honors and commendations.
He is survived by three children, John of Bridgewater, N.J., Michael Jr. of Rochester, N.H., and Kelly of Durham, N.C.; and six grandchildren.
A private family ceremony will be held in Rocky Mount, Va.
In lieu of flowers, send expressions of sympathy in his name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220.
Richard A. Buckau
Richard A. Buckau passed away Jan. 8, 2003, after a valiant battle against lung cancer.
Mr. Buckau was born
Jan. 10, 1930, in Appleton, Wis. His love of flying and airplanes led him to a long career in the aviation industry, from maintenance to flight instruction. First and foremost, he was a pilot. His affinity for flying allowed him to live and visit all over the United States, leading him to Arcadia, Fla., and to the warmth and sunshine he loved. It was in 1995 that Mr. Buckau moved here from Ware, Mass. He never retired from flying and aviation. Mr. Buckau's career included piloting for Continental Coffee Co. in Chicago, Ill., and the Wyman Gordon Co. in Grafton, Mass. He was instrumental in establishing the endangered bald eagle into Massachusetts by bringing two bald eagles from Canada to Worcester, Mass., and later transferring them to Quabbin Reservoir in West Ware, Mass., where they managed not only to survive, but increase in number. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association and the National Rifle Association. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all those lives he touched.
Survivors include a daughter, Susan (Glenn) Kus of Port Charlotte, Fla.; a son, Michael Buckau of Newport Beach, Calif.; a grandson, Max Johnson; and his special friend and companion, Teddy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angel Flight SE Operation Office, 8864 Airport Blvd., Leesburg, FL 34788.
Funeral services are to be held at a later date. For information about the arrangements, call Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266, at (863) 494-4101.
Yvonne G. Kelley
Yvonne G. Kelley, 76, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 9, 2003, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Robert A. Mandeville
Robert A. Mandeville, 78, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Jan. 8, 2003, at his Sarasota County residence. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Edward H. McNeff
Edward H. McNeff of Arcadia, Fla., passed away at home Jan. 8, 2003. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Harold J. Miller
Harold J. Miller, 57, of Coram, N.Y., and formerly of Englewood, Fla., passed away Jan. 9, 2003, at Mathers Hospital, Port Jefferson, N.Y. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Edgar Gogo
Charles Edgar Gogo, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002.
He was born
March 28, 1919, in Big Rapids, Mich., to Edgar and Lucile (Snyder) Gogo. He worked as an exchange repairman for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company before his retirement after 30 years of service. Charles was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a life member of the American Legion, the VFW in Sebring, Fla., a charter member of the Lions Club International in Rockford, Mich., and the Telephone Pioneers Club. For many years he played Santa for the Michigan Bell Pioneers Club. He was member of Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Rockford. Charles and his wife of 25 years, Marjorie, moved to this area in 1993.
Charles will be greatly missed by his wife, Marjorie Tourtellotte Gogo; son, Tim Gogo of Rockford; daughters, Sherry Gogo of Grand Rapids, Terri (Joe) Byrne of Rockford, Gwen Rice of Port Charlotte, Sue (Paul) Hooley of Rockford and Karen (John) Groover of St. Cloud, Fla.; 13 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Norine, and his sister, Adeline.
A celebration of Charles' life will be held at his residence, 21001 Higgs Drive N.W., at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Peace River Telephone Pioneers Club, 25043 Wateau Court, Port Charlotte, FL 33980.
Arrangements by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services of Punta Gorda, Fla. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
Lynel T. Robinson
Lynel T. "Lyn" Robinson, 88, of Deep Creek, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002.
Mr. Robinson was born
April 1, 1914, to Joseph and Amelia Robinson in Minneapolis, Minn. He moved to this area 23 years ago from Minneapolis. Mr. Robinson was a retired dental laboratory technician. He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in North Fort Myers, and the Mound Masonic Lodge 320 and the Knights Templar 23 of Minneapolis.
He is survived by his wife, Harriet; two daughters; Pamela (Robert) Ray of Tennessee and Patricia (Norman) Halenger of Minnesota; two stepdaughters; Roberta (Jerry) Davidson of Florida and Sally (Richard) Watkeys of Michigan; one stepson; Bradley (Sally) Kall of Indiana; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Don F. Snyder
Don F. Snyder, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Jan. 3, 2003, in Punta Gorda.
He was born
May 30, 1911, to Vern and Cora Snyder of Nappanee, Ind.
Don loved John Wayne movies and playing golf.
He is survived by his wife of nine years, Mae Snyder; and his children, daughter, Donna (Bud) Copsey, sons, Phil (Nancy) Snyder, John Snyder and Craig (Debby) Snyder and stepson Hoyt Hill; sister, Enid Snyder Anglin; and brother, Art (Liz) Snyder.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Clara M. Smith
Clara M. Smith, 82, of Moline, Ill., died Jan. 2, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center, Punta Gorda.
Clara has been a winter resident of North Port, Fla., with her husband for the past 14 years. Clara was born
Dec. 14, 1920, in Victor, Iowa, to the late Jules and Louisa (Kersse) Van Nevel. She retired from East Moline International Harvester and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline.
Clara will be greatly missed by her husband of 56 years, J.R. "Dick" Smith; two brothers, Andrew (Elenore) Van Nevel of Belle Plain, Iowa, and Donald (Jeanne) Van Nevel of Victor; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be in Moline at the DeRoo Funeral Home.
Local arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Service of Punta Gorda. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
(Annie) Clare Steeves
(Annie) Clare Steeves, 88, formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Jacksonville, Fla., died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Tampa, Fla., where she had been living for two months.
Born in Fairmont, Ga., she came to Jacksonville as a child, graduated from Landon High School and belonged to Arlington United Methodist Church, where she met her husband, Hartley A. Steeves. They celebrated their 69th anniversary on Dec. 24. She was a homemaker and was very active for many years as a volunteer at the Arlington Women's Club in Jacksonville, as well as Girl Scouting and teaching Sunday school in the Methodist church.
During World War II she was a volunteer "enemy plane spotter" and USO host. She moved to Port Charlotte in 1990, where she was active in the women's ministry at First Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her husband and their three daughters, Neva Ann Sessums and Karen Morin, both of Tampa, and Rita Shannon of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Frank Cole of Jacksonville; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in the Memory Garden at First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, where family will receive friends after the service.
Contributions to Christian missions of contributor's choice are encouraged in lieu of flowers.
Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Tampa, is in charge of arrangements.
Helen Virginia Vore
Helen Virginia Vore, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, in Cape Coral, Fla.
She was born
Sept. 30, 1917, in Fountain City, Ind., to William and Edythe Bond and moved to Port Charlotte in 1979 from Richmond, Ind. She was a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church. In 1986 she received her 50-year pin from the Fountain City Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was a charter member.
She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Robert L. Vore of Port Charlotte; two daughters, Karen (Kent) Fudge of Houston, Texas, and Linda (Scott) Martin of Macon, Ga.; six grandchildren, Lisa, Duane, Kristi, Brian, Kim and Shawn; and nine great-grandchildren, Sara, Kristen, Hannah, Kara, Aubrey, Ashley, Jeremy, Tyler and Mariah.
Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. The Rev. James R. Kuse of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church will officiate. Inurnment and committal services will be held at a later date in Willow Grove Cemetery, Fountain City, Ind.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Arnold S. Lockhart
Arnold S. Lockhart, 96, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at Grove Manor Estates, Braintree, Mass., where he had resided for two years. He also had homes in South Chatham, Mass., and Englewood, Fla., where he had wintered for 18 years. He had lived in Waltham, Mass., from 1927 to 1981.
Mr. Lockhart was the husband of the late Esther (Lagerblade) Lockhart and the late Eleanor (Jones) Lockhart. He is survived by two daughters, Dorothy A. Sherrer of Wellesley, Mass., and Barbara L. Campbell of South Weymouth, Mass.; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was also the father of the late Richard A. Lockhart of Greenfield, N.H.
Mr. Lockhart was born
in Roslindale, Mass., and attended Boston schools. He graduated from Wentworth Institute, where he was a charter member of the Black and Gold Society. His first professional job was at the Vermont State House, drawing plans for the rebuilding of bridges after a major flood. During World War II, he worked at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard. In 1969 he retired from Artisan Industries Inc. in Waltham, where he had been a sales engineer.
Before retiring, Mr. Lockhart had built his own summer home on Cape Cod using only hand tools. He could tackle any job and remained physically active throughout his life, even reupholstering his dining room chairs at the age of 93.
An avid swimmer, he enjoyed ocean and pool swims, even through last summer. As a young father, he introduced his children to the pleasures of mountain climbing and camping. He traveled extensively through the United States and Europe, also taking cruises to South America, Alaska, Hawaii and Scandinavia.
Private services will be held, with Burial at Linwood Cemetery, Weston.
Arrangements were made by C.C. Shepherd Funeral Service in South Weymouth, Mass.
Marion F. Mercer
Marion F. Mercer, 92, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., and formerly of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003, in Port Charlotte, Fla.
She was born
Feb. 20, 1911, in Fredonia, N.Y. She was the 10th great-granddaughter of William Bradford, descendant of an old Florida pioneer family. Mr. Bradford wrote the Mayflower Compact. She was a life-long resident of this area. Marion was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Peace River Order of the Eastern Star 30, Arcadia. She was a member of the Arcadia First Baptist Church, Arcadia.
She is survived by one son, Rodney Mercer of Ocala, Fla.; three daughters, Geraldine (Jerry) Scott of Arcadia, Jo Ann Keene of Lehigh Acres and Thelma Parris of Mt. Dora, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Matt, Brad, Traci, Christi, Steve, Kathy, Britt, Dawn, Wade, Vicki, Jeff and Bryan; 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Mercer, and a granddaughter, Lori.
Visitation will be held 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, at the Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, at the Arcadia First Baptist Church, Arcadia, with Burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia. The Rev. Dan Wade will officiate the service.
Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia is in charge of arrangements.
