Carrie L. Helton
Carrie L. Helton, 83, of North Port, Fla., died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002, at Mariner Health of Port Charlotte, Fla. Arrangements by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Patsy R. Dees
Patsy R. Dees, 69, passed away Oct. 14, 2002, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
She was born
April 14, 1933, in Punta Gorda. Mrs. Dees was a lifelong resident of Punta Gorda and was of the Baptist faith. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family.
She is survived by her daughters, Bessie (Dennis) Shanaway of Port Charlotte, Fla., Trudy (Mike) Cosby of Arcadia, Fla., Linda (Glen) St. John of Williston, Fla., and Carolyn (Robert) Douglas of Bronson, Fla.; a stepdaughter, Gail Bruno of Lehigh, Fla.; a stepson, Joseph Lusk of Port Charlotte; sisters, Bobbie (Alfred) Barnhill of St. James City, Fla., Virginia (John) Knight of Arcadia, and Lavinia Granger of LaBelle, Fla.; 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter. Her brother, Thomas Earnest, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 16, at the Punta Gorda Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 17, at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow services at Indian Springs Cemetery, Punta Gorda.
Arthur W. Gustavson
Arthur W. Gustavson, 79, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Oct. 11, 2002.
Born Dec. 11, 1922, in Worcester, Mass., he moved to our area in 1991 from Worcester. He retired in 1988 as co-owner of Thermo-Engineering Inc., a heating and air conditioning business, in Worcester. He was proud of being co-founder of the Worcester Chapter of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and taught safety classes for 12 years. He was a lifelong yachtsman and enjoyed sailing and power boats. He was a member of the Englewood Elks Club. Arthur was veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve and a long-standing member of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester.
Arthur is survived by his sons, Sten A. Gustavson of Worcester and Leif E. Gustavson of Spencer, Mass.; a brother, E. Allen Gustavson of Worcester; two grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 17, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a donation is suggested to First Unitarian Universalist Church, 90 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608.
Byrdia C. Krotine
Byrdia Strickland Conover Krotine, 83, a well known and loved resident of Punta Gorda, Fla., for more than a half century, passed away Oct. 14, 2002, in Punta Gorda.
She was born
in Bainbridge, Ga., Dec. 26, 1918, and moved with her mother and six brothers and sisters to Fort Myers, Fla., in 1922. Her father, Cornelius, moved the family up the Peace River to Tice, Fla. It was there that Byrdia ("Byrd") grew up. Byrd was the next to the youngest of the children and graduated from high school at the young age of 16. That was the same year she married Haywood Conover and moved with him to Punta Gorda. Haywood managed the A&P while Byrd, who had friends who were still in high school, joined the Women's Club and the Garden Club. She worked for a while at Eagle's Nest Lodge, first as a waitress and later as dining room manager. The rich and famous, like Mrs. Thomas Edison, visited the Eagle's Nest and were always taken care of by Byrd. At this same time, she was a relief telephone operator at night, sleeping on a cot at the telephone office between calls. During World War II, Byrdia worked at Buckingham Air Force Base while Haywood, who had enlisted, went overseas. She would help the soldiers with letters home and stayed in touch with some of those she befriended until her arthritis made writing too difficult. When Haywood bought Punta Gorda's only laundry, Byrdia opened a pottery shop in the rear along with an orchid hothouse. The energetic Byrdia also worked at First National Bank and later received her real estate license and acted as an agent selling property in Punta Gorda Isles. Byrdia retired from real estate after she was remarried to Edward Krotine in 1974. They traveled extensively and entertained often.
Byrdia is survived by her daughters, Holly Conover-Wade of Orlando, Fla., and Jennifer Pearson of Spruce Pine, N.C.; her granddaughters, Whitney and MacLean Wade and Jenny and Holly Pearson; a stepdaughter, Mary Lou Hershey of Lancaster, Pa.; and a sister, Olga Luttrell of Atlanta, Ga.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17, at First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, with funeral services at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Indian Springs Cemetery, Punta Gorda.
Those who wish may make contributions in Mrs. Byrdia Conover Krotine's name to First United Methodist Church, 507 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Arrangements are by the Punta Gorda Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home.
Gladys E. Patton
Gladys E. Patton, 89, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Oct. 13, 2002, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda.
Born March 20, 1913 in Shabona, Michigan, Gladys, lived most of her life in Dauphin, Pa., working for the United States Postal Service as a postal clerk before retiring as Dauphin's postmistress. She moved from Dauphin to Harrisburg, Pa., about a year or so prior to moving to Punta Gorda in 1992. She was a member of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Punta Gorda, and active in the Eagle Point Mobile Home Park community where she resided.
Survivors include her eight nieces, Jenny Reed of Cornwall, Pa., Donna Kasurow of Naples, Fla., Lou Ann Reed of California, Evelyn Teise of Mount Clemens, Mich., Dorothy Barker of Green Valley, Ariz., Barbara DeGolia of Jackson, Miss., Carolyn Worel of Winter Park, Fla., and Beverly Buckingham of Davison, Mich.; and one nephew, Kenneth Austin of Winslow, Ind. Her husband, Frank L. Patton, preceded her in death in February 1987.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 511286, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-1286. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Harold V. Wortmann
Harold V. Wortmann, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Oct. 10, 2002, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Port Charlotte.
He was born
Aug. 18, 1918, in St. Louis, Mo., and has been a longtime resident of Port Charlotte. Mr. Wortmann was a former chef at the Elks Club. He was a member of the American Legion Post 110 and the Elks Club 2153, both of Port Charlotte, and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, where he was a former choir member for 15 years. He was also a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Stella Wortmann of Port Charlotte,; brother, Bernard Wortmann of Clearwater, Fla.; and four nieces.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 21505 Augusta Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33952; or St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Fund, 21505 Augusta Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Thomas Malta Jr.
Thomas Malta Jr., 41, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Punta Gorda, Fla., died Oct. 14, 2002, at his residence. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Elisa Duarte
Elisa Duarte, 90, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, at Tandem Health Care.
Mrs. Duarte was born
July 20, 1912, in Ecuador, South America.
She is survived by five children, Galo, Raul, Bella, Electra and Alicia; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002, at the Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 5200 Indian Springs Road, Punta Gorda, Fla., with funeral services following at 11 a.m.
Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to Hospice of Charlotte, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Brian Anthony Emerson
Brian Anthony Emerson, 13, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 5, 2002.
He was born
June 26, 1989, in Fort Myers. Brian attended Punta Gorda Middle School. He brought love and happiness to many people. He succeeded at his mission in life and was surrounded by many loved ones. Brian will be deeply missed by all.
Brian is survived by his parents, Tracy and Barry Emerson; his sister, Amanda Emerson; his stepsisters, Amy Porter, Haley Porter, Becky Burnetti, Brenda Hebert and Beth Cramer; his great-grandmothers, Pauline Williams and Annabelle Emerson; grandparents, Phyllis Emerson, Mike Cummins and Doris and Lyman Becker Jr.; great-great-uncles Vitus Emerson and Donny Emerson; great-aunts and great-uncles Ruth and Bill Riley, Thomas and Nicole Williams II, Edward and Bea Becker, Robert Addison, Lucy and Larry Groger, Ronald and Sharon Becker; aunts and uncles Brett and Tonya Emerson, Greg and Beth Emerson and Leslie and Marlee Emerson; first cousins, Ashley, Josh, Kelly, Lee and Gabriel Emerson; second cousins, T.J. and Ashley Williams, Debbie, Donald, Paul, Alisa, Neal and Cindy Trombley, Diane and Terry King, and Jack and Brenda Adamo; and third cousins, Bryce, Chase and Gavin Trombley, Renee and Sarah Adamo, and Ernie, Teddy and Missy Becker.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 10, 2002, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Interment will be in Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Brian's memory to Punta Gorda Middle School, 825 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Wayne Killingsworth
Richard Wayne Killingsworth, 61, of Hamilton, Mont., and formerly of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, Aug. 9, 2002.
He was born
Jan. 7, 1941, in Mansfield, Ohio, and was a longtime resident of Castalia, Ohio. Mr. Killingsworth was a cowboy and a carpenter and was a member of the Wild Bunch in Montana. He served in the Army from February 1962 to February 1965, attaining the rank of sergeant.
Survivors include his son, Jeffrey of Sandusky, Ohio; two sisters, Jean Cummings of Punta Gorda and Dolores Mathews of Port Clinton, Ohio; one brother, Kenneth Killingsworth of Castalia, Ohio; and three grandchildren.
Memorial services will be private.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte is in charge of arrangements.
J. Marvin Saefkow
J. Marvin Saefkow, 95, of Ohio, passed away Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002.
He was the beloved husband of the late Helen (nee Hale); dear father of Jack Saefkow (Betty) of Port Charlotte, Fla.; grandfather of Dave and Thomas; and the great-grandfather of five.
A funeral service will be held at a later date in Cleveland, Ohio.
Arrangements are by Nicol-Wells-Kloss Funeral Home, Lyndhurst, Ohio.
Phyliss Lee
Phyliss Lee, 65, of Englewood, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, at Englewood Community Hospital. Arrangements by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood.
Shanna G. Carter
Shanna Gay Carter, 74 of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Dec. 25, 2002.
She was born
July 23, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, and moved to this area in October 1986 from Walbridge, Ohio. Mrs. Carter was a retired licensed agent in the insurance business and a member of Ladies Shriner Dendarah Court, Zenobia Temple, in Toledo, Ohio. She was of the Lutheran faith.
Survivors include her husband, William; daughter, Valaen Clapsaddle of Cincinnati, Ohio; son, Larry Carter of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
Memorial donations may be made to the donor's charity of choice.
Shirley E. Likovetz
Shirley E. Likovetz, 63, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Dec. 27, 2002.
Formerly of Westland, Mich., she had resided here since 1979. Mrs. Likovetz was an avid bowler and was a member of the Tuesday Night Early Bird League. She had a great passion for gardening and crafts, especially orchids and needlepoint. Mrs. Likovetz was formerly employed at Scotty's in Punta Gorda and Lowes in Cape Coral, Fla.
Her husband, Robert Likovetz, preceded her in death Oct. 5, 2000. Surviving are her sons, Steven D. (Lisa) Gross of Punta Gorda and Michael (Cindi) Gross of Canton Township, Mich.; a brother, William Swan of Westland; three grandchildren, including Kelly Gross of Punta Gorda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will celebrate Mrs. Likovetz's life at 6 p.m. Dec. 30, in the Punta Gorda Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, 635 E. Marion Ave.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; or the American Cancer Society, 22017 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Keturah L. Parkes
Keturah L. Parkes, 93, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Dec. 25, 2002, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
She was born
Dec. 28, 1908, in Jamaica, West Indies, and came to this area 13 years ago from Islip, Long Island, N.Y. She was a homemaker and member of Bethel United Missionary Outreach, Port Charlotte.
Survivors include her stepdaughter, Violet Balfour Logan of Port Charlotte; sister, Sara Hawthorne of Jamaica; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 29, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 30, at Bethel United Missionary Outreach, 4200 Juniper Ave., Port Charlotte. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
William Robinson Jr.
William "Bill" Robinson Jr., 52, of Cape Coral, Fla., and formerly of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Dec. 27, 2002.
He was born
Oct. 16, 1950, in Vineland, N.J., the son of William and Norma (Tilton) Robinson. He received his degree from Toccoa Falls College. Bill did auto transport and was also a handyman. He came to this area in 1980 from Toccoa, Ga. He played with the Charlotte County Church Athletic Association for many years on the Punta Gorda Alliance Church softball team. After moving to Cape Coral, Bill was a member of Calvary Wesleyan Church. Bill had a big heart and loved helping anyone in need.
Bill will be greatly missed by his wife of 23 years, Karen; sons, Billy and Brett Robinson of Cape Coral; and sister, Donna Baur of Quakertown, Pa.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 29, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. A service in celebration of Bill's life will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 30, at Calvary Wesleyan Church, Cape Coral.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Hope Hospice or to Calvary Wesleyan Church. To express condolences to the family, please visit and sign the guestbook. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Elizabeth J. Ross
Elizabeth J. Ross, 93, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Dec. 27, 2002, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda.
She was born
May 9, 1909, in New Castle, Pa., and moved to Charlotte County in 1960 from Aliquippa, Pa. She was a member of First Christian Church of Port Charlotte. Mrs. Ross was an elementary school teacher for many years in Pennsylvania and Florida before retiring.
She is survived by a friend, Charles Anzalone of Punta Gorda. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth G. Ross, in 1985.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 30, at Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel, with the Rev. Dale E. Roberts of First Christian Church officiating. Inurnment will be held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Joan M. Croom
Joan M. Croom, 71, of North Port, Fla., died Dec. 24, 2002.
She was born
April 9, 1931, in Buffalo, N.Y., and had been a resident of this area since 1977, coming from Buffalo. Mrs. Croom was a member of Senior Friends.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, George W. Croom Jr. of North Port; her daughters, Geraldine, Joyce and Cheryn Lee; her sons, George W. Croom III and Roy Croom; her sisters, Barbara and Beverly; her brother, Bob; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, William.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 28, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel, with funeral services to follow.
Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity. Farley Funeral Home and Crematory, North Port Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
William J. Wright
William J. Wright, 61, of North Port, Fla., died Dec. 23, 2002, in Tampa, Fla., after a five-year battle with cancer.
He was a 1960 graduate of Salamanca High School and retired from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was a resident of Florida for eight years.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Ann Wright of North Port; four daughters, Karen and Kim Wright and Cara and Tricia Horonitz; four sisters, Mary Ann Powers, Sharon Smith, Margaret Wineholtz and Linda Rycheck; and a grandson, Aaron Wright.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 28, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Venice Chapel.
Memorial donations may be made to Cancer Care, 275 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Venice Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
