Sara Ivalene Gossett, 83, of Somerset, PA & Lehigh Acres, FL died August 10, 2004 at Select Specialty Hospital, Johnstown, PA. She was born June 12, 1921 in Somerset, PA daughter of the late John Calvin Heiple & Carrie Gladys (Ogline) Heiple. She was preceded in death by her parents, 1st husband Lynn A. Diehl who died Sept. 10, 1981, sister Thelma Hartzell, brother Merle W. Heiple and step-son Douglas Lyle Gossett.
Sara is survived by her husband Marvin Hartwell Gossett to whom she was married to for 19 years, 3 daughters, 1 step-daughter, 3 grandchildren, 5 brothers & sisters.
She was a member of First Christian Church of Somerset and Ft. Myers, FL, a 1938 graduate of Somerset High School. Retired in 1983 working for the PA Department of Public Assistance with 11 years of service. Also a member of Majestic Golf Club in Lehigh Acres, FL.
Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Friday at the Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home, 494 West Main St., Somerset, PA (814) 445-5698, where services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Saturday, Aug. 14, with the Reverend William Sleasman officiating. Interment will be in Somerset County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 168 W. Union St., Somerset St., 15501.
Funeral services for Lumer Wesley Pearsey, Jr. will be 12 Noon, Saturday, August 14, 2004 from Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 2250 Palm Ave., Ft. Myers, FL. Visitation will be 6-8 PM TODAY from Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 3105 Douglas Ave., Ft. Myers. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hickson Funeral Home, Inc., 2530 Highland Ave., Ft. Myers, FL 334-6440.
Dr. Vincent J. Rapp of Aurora, Ohio and Ft. Myers, FLA. passed away on Sunday, August 8, at age 78. He was the beloved husband of Bertha Piccirillo, who passed away last month, on July 16. They had been married for 52 years. His parents were Dominic & Lillian Belfiore Rapp of Meadville, PA where he grew up and spent his childhood. He was the loving father of Shelly Schwartz who lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with her husband Scott. He was the proud 'Papa' of his only granddaughter, Erica. Loving brother of the late Connie (Ray) Knapp, and uncle of Carol (Dan) Klingensmith of Warren, Ohio, and the great uncle of their children Danny and Cassie. Dear brother-in-law of Rosalie & Roy Genis of Erie, PA, Theresa Salvia also of Erie, and Mary Grace & John Waychowski of Sebastian, FLA. He was 'Uncle Vinnie' to all of their children. Dr. Rapp was voted 'most likely to succeed' by his St. Agatha High School Class of 1945. He graduated from Gannon College in 1948, and from Medical School at The Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1953. After specializing in Radiology, he joined the staff of Brentwood Hospital in the early 1960's as the Chairman of the Department of Radiology where he practiced until his retirement in the late 1980's. During this time, he was an active member of numerous professional associations such as The Cleveland Radiological Society, The American & The Ohio Osteopathic Association and The American Osteopathic College of Radiology. He also served as an Ohio University Assistant Clinical Professor, as he was active in teaching interns and residents that came through Brentwood as part of their learning experience. Vince and his wife divided their time between Aurora, Ohio and Ft. Myers FLA. He enjoyed family and friends and loved playing golf. He was a member of Walden Country Club in Ohio and The Forest Country Club in Ft. Myers. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to all; he was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. In lieu of flowers, The Dr. Vincent J. Rapp Family Memorial Fund has been created by his daughter in honor of her Dad. This fund will be used to help support the Palliative Care Program that is currently in development at South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. This program will be used to benefit patients and their families that are in the end stages of life. Donations can be sent to The Dr. V. J. Rapp Memorial Fund care of South Pointe Hospital, Development Office, 20000 Harvard Road, Warrensville Hts., OH 44122 Prior to cremation, private family services were held. Future plans for a memorial service are pending. For further information please contact his daughter at Shelly726@aol.com and please sign their online register book at www.cleveland.com/obits. Arrangements by Johnson-Romito, A Golden Rule Funeral Home, Twinsburg, Ohio.
H. Alan Smith, 78, of N. Ft. Myers, was born June 14, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away August 11, 2004. He attended Miami University of Ohio in Oxford. After graduating he moved to Detroit, MI and worked as a purchasing specialist for thirty years at Ford Motor Company. Mr. Smith spent the next sixteen years residing in N. Ft. Myers.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanie, three children, and three brothers. Arrangements by Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home & Crematory.
David and Dale Veneziano of Cape Coral passed away at home on August 9, 2004. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on SATURDAY AUGUST 14, 2004 at 12 Noon at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Condolences may be made on-line at www.mem.com. Memorials in David and Dale's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4575 Via Royale, Suite 110, Fort Myers, FL. 33901.
Pastor Dale Vessell, 74, died Saturday, August 7, while visiting with his son John in Yuba City, CA. He died in his sleep of natural causes. Dale was born in Gilmer, Texas on Sept. 30, 1929. Dale and his wife Virginia moved to Sanibel Island in 1960. He and Virginia both retired as teachers from the Lee County School Board in the 1980's.
Dale's passion was to see churches started in Southwest Florida. He founded and pastored the First Baptist Church on Sanibel, a Baptist Church at Goodland/Marco, and was the current Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in N. Ft. Myers which he also founded.
He is survived by his wife Virginia, Daughter Jewel, sons, Timothy (Barbara), John (Teresa) and three grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, 8/14 at Emmanuel Baptist Church at 1819 Hill Ave., in Ft. Myers, conditions permitting. There will be a viewing prior to the service and burial will be private on Monday at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.
Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home
334-4880
Ernesto 'Ernie' Longoria passed away on August 10, 2004. He was born on November 6, 1966 in Ft. Myers. His father 'Tomas 'Quino' Longoria preceded him in death.
Survived by his loving wife Maria I. Longoria and children Robert, Delia, Ernesto Jr., Judy, Diana, Jasmin, Lilliana and Jose Angel: his mother, Martha Longoria; brothers Tomas Longoria, Daniel Longoria of Ft. Myers: Guadalupe Longoria of San Benito, TX, sisters, Concepcion Garcia and Maria E. Martinez of Ft. Myers; Alicia Alvarado of Tampa, FL, Leticia Lozano of Harlingen, TX; Patricia Longoria of Lehigh Acres, FL.
The family will receive friends Monday, August 16th, from 6-8 PM at Anderson's Funeral Home, 3654 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 17th, 10:00 AM at 'Jesus Obreo' Catholic Church, 881 Nuna Ave., Ft. Myers, FL.
In lieu of flowers donations to assist the family will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Rosa Sanchez (239) 693-1745.
Melburn Francis Conley, Lt. (jg) USN (Rtd.), age 91 of Fort Myers died on Monday, August 16, 2004 at his home. Born on July 14, 1913 in Cleveland, OH to Earl and Florence Conley. Mel moved from Indian River, MI to Wind Mill Village, North Fort Myers in 1966 where he lived for 33 years until he moved to Ft. Myers.
Mel graduated from high school in Marion, OH, then joined the US Navy and served his country for the next 30 years. From 1968-1980 he was employed as a Realtor for Kay Smith Realtor, Ft. Myers.
Mel was the husband of the late Doris Conley who died in 1991 after 56 years of marriage. He is survived by his nephew, Earl Conley and his niece, Rita Wilson, both of California. His closest friend and caregiver, Ruth Burroughs and his dear friend, Kay Ann Bauder both of Fort Myers.
A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, August 20, 2004 at 2:00 PM in the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where friends may call from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. Entombment will be private at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in Mel's memory to Faith in Action, Interfaith Volunteers, 3595 Broadway Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Gertrude M. Heck of Ft. Myers, FL born on Sept. 14, 1923 in Chicago, IL left this life under the care of of her sons Robert & John and Hope Hospice August 13, 2004.
She was a graduate of Northwestern University and worked for and retired from the Illinois Y.M.C.A. She came to Florida to join her sons Robert & John.
She loved to play bingo at 41 Bingo and was a member of the Hide A Way Country Club.
Survived by Robert and Sally Heck, John Heck, and brother John Rosier of Punta Gorda.
Arrangements by the National Cremation Society. No services. Donations to Hope Hospice or charity of your choice.
Melvin Kestenbaum, 73, Ft. Myers, FL passed away Sunday, August 15, 2004. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and was a retired salesman. He came to Ft. Myers in 2002, from Pembroke Pines, FL and was a member of the Miramar Lodge, Miramar, FL.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Koo Carcione Kestenbaum, a son, Clifford Kestenbaum, Pembroke Pines, FL 2 daughters, Debbie (Rick) Crusoe, Pembroke Pines and Janet (David) Eftekhar, Ft. Myers; a daughter-in-law, Amya Kestenbaum, W. Sacramento, CA; a sister, Thoda Tillman, Delray, FL; sister-in-law, Esther Kestenbaum, New York City, NY; and grandchildren; Vickki Mandell, Cory Crusoe, Kevin Kestenbaum, Danelle Kestenbaum, & Diandra Eftekhar. He was preceded in death by a son, Mitchell and a brother Daniel.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2004, at 2:00 PM, at the Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials in his name may be directed to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL. Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gary 'The Captain' Meinel, age 64, of Spring Lake, died Satruday, August 14, 2004. He was the former Captain of the Harbor Steamer. He loved being around the water.
Survivors: 3 sons, Russell Meinel and Steve (Pat) Meinel both of Grand Haven, MI, Greg (Tricia) Meinel of Ft. Myers, FL; daughter, Wendy (Bill) Deverney of Grand Haven, MI; 8 grandchildren; sister, Nancy (Bill) Clarkson of Sarnia, Canada; brother, Dennis (Pattie) Meinel of Bonita Springs, FL; severa nieces and Nephews.
Funeral arrangements by Clock Funeral Home of Grand Haven, MI. Memorial services for Mr. Meinel, will be held Thursday, August 19, 2004. Memorials to Hopsice of North Ottawa Community, 1515 S. DeSpelder St., Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Elizabeth Ann 'Liz' (Balda) Radley, 71, of Ft. Myers died August 13, 2004, she was born Oshkosh, Wisconsin a daughter of the late Frank and Helena Balda, Liz was an honor student at Oshkosh High School, and worked as a secretary for the F.B.I., in Washington , D.C. before her marriage to Melvin G. Radley July 25, 1953, she moved to the local area 27 years ago, Liz worked as a secretary for 10 years at Lee County Utilities, she also worked as a bookkeeper at the Well-Ness Center at Lee Memorial Hospital retiring in 1995, she was an avid Neal Diamond fan and attended many of his concerts in Kansas City and Tampa, she was a devoted loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother, she loved being an Army officer's wife who loved to travel, her passion was knitting afghans for friends and family.
Mrs. Radley is survived by her husband of 51 years Melvin G. Radley, her children Stephanie (Malcolm) Sammons of Rotunda West, Fl., Chris (Teresa) Radley of Des Moines, IA, Michele (Kevin) Dirks, of Shawnee, Ks., Mike Radley, Pat Radley, Stacy (Jim) Hopkins all of Ft. Myers., her sister Kathleen (Jack) Greenough of The Villages, Fl., 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of the Resurrection on Wednesday at 10 AM, with her nephew Fr. Patrick Greenough who is the National President and Guardian of Marytown, in Libertyville, IL, officiating, the family will receive friends at the Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7 PM.
Liz lived for her husband, children, grandchildren and her many boxers, she will be greatly missed by her family, but she is with the Lord now and in peace.
Entombment will be in Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
