Helen D. Nichols
Helen D. Nichols, 87, of Grove City, Fla., passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, at Charlotte Harbor Health Care in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Mrs. Nichols was born
May 22, 1916, in New Haven, Conn., to Joseph F. and Catherine Giecold. Helen was a precision machinist with Micro-Tech Corp. in Meriden, Conn., for more than 20 years. She moved to Englewood in 1978 from there. Helen was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Grove City.
She is survived by her daughters, Helen D. Wolenberg of Port Charlotte and Nina Garret of Grove City; sons, Thomas of Port Charlotte and Robert of Meriden; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Charlotte Harbor Health Care at a later date. Inurnment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service has been selected to handle arrangements.
Hilda M. Richter
Hilda M. Richter, 94, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, at Englewood Health Care Center in Englewood.
Mrs. Richter was born
March 14, 1909, in McComb County, Mich., to Robert and Earnestine (Billiau) Kepsel. She worked several years as a seamstress with Krausenech Drapery. Hilda and her husband, Richard, moved to Englewood in 1986 from Mount Clemens, Mich. She was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Waldenberg, Mich., and Redeemer Lutheran Church of Englewood.
She is survived by her sisters, Alice (Herbert) Bohm of Englewood and Leona Sulflow of Orange City, Fla.; brother, William (Ann) Kepsel of Armada, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in 1995.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kenneth M. Ferrier officiating. Funeral services will be in Mount Clemens, with Burial in Clinton Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood chapel.
Anna Morth
Anna Morth, 95, of Arcadia, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, in Arcadia.
She was born
May 2, 1908, in Austria, and moved to Arcadia in 1950 from Massachusetts. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Arcadia.
She is survived by her nephew, Frederick Morth of Massachusetts.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, at First Baptist Church of Arcadia. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Arcadia.
Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia.
Samuel P. Dukeman
Samuel P. Dukeman, 83, of Englewood, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, at St. Petersburg General Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
M. Kaye Freeman
M. Kaye Freeman, 63, of Venice, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, at Bon Secours-Venice Hospital in Venice. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood, Fla.
Henry R. Behringer
Henry "Hank" Robert Behringer, 76, of Palm Bay, Fla., and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Fla.
Hank was born
Feb. 1, 1927, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Henry and Mabel Behringer. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and Korean Service Medal. He was also a ham radio operator. Hank moved to Fort Myers, Fla., in the 1950s, and lived there for many years before moving to Port Charlotte. He later moved to the east coast of Florida. He divided his time between Franklin, N.C., and Palm Bay. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 46 years, Tretha Behringer; six daughters, Margie Jones, Kathryn Guerin, Charlotte Luettich, Betty Wiggins, Debra Nolen and Tretha Galeone; two sons, Tommy Allan Behringer and Jack Styles Jr.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and all who knew him. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Styles Callahan; and a grandson, Jack Lawrence Wilson.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19, followed by services at Palm Bay Funeral Home in Palm Bay. Burial will be at Fountainhead Memorial Park.
Arrangements are entrusted to Palm Bay Funeral Home, Palm Bay.
Ronald A. Geimer
Ronald Albert Geimer, 67, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at his residence.
Ron was born
Sept. 19, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a retired boilermaker, and was a member of St. Louis Boilermaker Union Local 27. He attended St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in St. Louis. He moved to Port Charlotte from St. Louis in 2000. He was a loving husband, father and friend.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Ramona G. Geimer; two sons, Ron F. Geimer of St. Charles, Mo., and Gary K. Geimer of Crestwood, Mo.; two brothers, Melvin Geimer of South County, Mo., and Ralph Geimer of Cape Coral, Fla.; four grandchildren, Kelly, Katie, Gary and Nick; two great-grandchildren, Danny and Sophia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in St. Louis.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Michael S. LaPorta
Michael S. LaPorta, 81, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003.
Michael was born
Dec. 4, 1922, in Chicago, Ill. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired from Ford Motor Co. after 30 years and moved to Port Charlotte in 1977. He was a founding member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 2507 and the Italian-American Club of Charlotte County. He was a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Disabled American Veterans and Senior Friends of Port Charlotte.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Rose J. LaPorta; his loving sons, Michael V. (Jeanene) LaPorta, John J. (Diana) LaPorta and Vincent N. (Cynthia) LaPorta; grandchildren, Cheryl (Kevin) Mazzoni, Nicholas (Kimberly) LaPorta, Matthew LaPorta and Nina Rose LaPorta; great-grandchildren, Kevin and Annamarie; a brother, Nicholas LaPorta; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Teresa LaPorta; brother, Salvatore LaPorta; and sister, Mabel Musalo.
Donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Daniel J. Sefcik
Daniel J. Sefcik, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Friday, Dec. 12, 2003.
He was born
April 2, 1917, in Holyoke, Mass., and came to Port Charlotte in September 1980. He worked as a chemist for Holyoke Paper Mill. He was a member of the Elks Club and San Antonio Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Jessie; a daughter, Joyce of South Hadley, Mass.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth of Stockbridge, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at San Antonio Catholic Church, Port Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to San Antonio Catholic Church, 24445 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980; or American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Mary A. Smith
Mary Alice Smith, 86, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at her home in Punta Gorda.
She was born
Nov. 15, 1917, in Ligonier, Pa., and had lived in Charlotte County for more than 50 years. Mrs. Smith worked as an office manager for a collision repair and recovery company. She was a matron of the Order of Eastern Star Lodge 58, and past maharani of Alabac Shrine Guild. She was a member of the Scottish Rite Club, Amaranth Club, charter member of the Punta Gorda Garden Club, a member of the First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda. Mary Alice had undying love for her family and a strong will to live.
Her earthly accomplishments will be remembered by her survivors, including her daughter, Debra Spruell of Punta Gorda; one son-in-law, Ronald Spruell of Punta Gorda; two sisters, Eleanor "Pat" Wood of Punta Gorda and Marjorie "Jean" Bowser of Lake City, Fla.; one brother, Lyman Carroll of Ocala, Fla.; one grandson, Doug (Denise) Heavener of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and two great-grandchildren, Zackary Heavener and Andrew Heavener, both of Port Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Smith, in 1997.
Friends are welcome to attend funeral services at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Restlawn Memorial Gardens Chapel in Port Charlotte. Inurnment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.
Donations may be made to Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Main St., Enterprise, FL 32725.
Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Garrett F. Van Dien
Garrett F. Van Dien, 88, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2003.
He was born
Jan. 7, 1915, in New York, N.Y., the son of Walter and Marjorie (Hunter) Van Dien. He served with field artillery in the U.S. Army. He was a retired general contractor, specializing in residential construction. He was a past master of the Masonic Lodge.
Garrett will be greatly missed by his daughter, Janet Freidle of Glendale, Ariz.; son, Walter Van Dien of San Diego, Calif.; four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
The services in celebration of Garrett's life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services in Punta Gorda. Interment will be at a later date in Warwick Cemetery. 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, Punta Gorda.
Wilbur L. Starry
Wilbur L. "Bill" Starry, 80, of Rotonda West, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Tandem Health Care in Port Charlotte, Fla.,
He was born
Dec. 23, 1922, in Greenfield, Iowa, and moved to Florida from Michigan in 1993. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked in the field of property management and owned and operated the Swinging Door Bar in Michigan. He retired from Operating Engineers Local 324. Mr. Starry was a member of the Elks and Moose clubs in Englewood and the American Legion in Rotonda.
He is survived by his devoted fiancee, Helen Marotte; three stepchildren, John of Texas, Stephen of Arizona and Doreen of Massachusetts; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Private family services will be conducted.
Donations may be made to Make A Wish Foundation.
Arrangements are by Veterans Cremation and Burial Society, Clearwater, Fla.
Ronald J. Young
Ronald J. Young, 70, of North Port, Fla., and Alexandria Bay, N.Y., and formerly of Tully, N.Y., passed away Friday, Dec. 12, 2003.
He was born
July 3, 1933, in Fairfield, N.Y., the son of Ralph and Mable Horr Young. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. He married Barbara Ryan on Aug. 22, 1959. Mr. Young was employed as an operating engineer for IUOE Local 545 in Syracuse, N.Y. He was also employed as a wage investigator for the New York State Labor Department until his retirement in 1999.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ryan; daughter, Ellen (Donald) Nash of Ballston Lake, N.Y.; sons, Robert Young of Greene, N.Y., and Richard (Karen) Young of Mistley, England; sister, Virginia Maxwell of Hurleyville, N.Y.; grandsons, Shawn Nash, Connor Nash and Joshua Young; granddaughters, Brianna Young, Mary Young and Molly Young; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Harold Court.
Memorial services will be held in the springtime in New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bon Secours-Venice Hospital Foundation, 540 The Rialto, Venice, FL 34285; or Shriners Hospital for Children, 12502 Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.
Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Marie R. Lalumiere
Marie Rose Lalumiere, 84, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at DeSoto Memorial Hospital in Arcadia.
Marie was born
Nov. 4, 1919, in Plainfield, Conn. She was a homemaker and mother and was of the Catholic faith.
She is survived by sons, Louis (Judith) Lalumiere of Arcadia and Donald (Suzanne) Lalumiere of Connecticut; a daughter, Claire (Ronald) Tilley Sr.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There will be no services.
Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
John J. Victor Jr.
John Joseph Victor Jr., 82, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at home in Arcadia.
John was born
March 22, 1921, in New York City, N.Y. John married Mary Katherine. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He worked for the National Security Agency at Fort George Meade, Md., for more than 30 years. John pursued a bachelor's degree in 18th century medicine from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Dressed in full costume, he lectured to many groups. John derived great pleasure in his volunteer work. He was a Florida Guardian Ad Litem for the 12th judicial circuit. He also volunteered in the HOSTS program and HIPPY for DeSoto County.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Katherine; his daughter, Barbara Diane Cichocki of Manassas, Va.; sons, John Robert of Berryville, Va., and William Joseph of Arcadia; grandchildren, Christian, Brad, Daniel, Stephanie, Justin and Robbie; and great-granddaughter, Angel Marie.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Final interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
George M. Wallis Jr.
George Marsden Wallis Jr. of Lebanon, Tenn., and formerly of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, in Lebanon.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at Robarts Funeral Home in Arcadia. Graveside services will be at Joshua Creek Cemetery in Arcadia.
Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Helen D. Anderson
Helen D. Anderson, 85, of North Port, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla. Arrangements are by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port.
Harry A. Jones
Harry A. Jones, 83, of North Port, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at home. Arrangements are by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port.
George E. Shelton
George E. Shelton, 70, of Englewood, Fla., died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Heritage Healthcare Center in Venice, Fla. Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood, has been selected to handle arrangements.
Alfred L. Gilmore
Alfred L. Gilmore, 64, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003.
He was born
Nov. 21, 1939, in Leominister, Maine, to Ronald and Eldora Morse Gilmore. He moved from Maine to Punta Gorda in 1986, and was the owner of Fred's Foods in the carnival industry.
Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Marilyn; two children, Ronald Gilmore of Punta Gorda and Michigan, and Teresa Lowe of Farmington, Maine; a brother, George Gilmore of Sarasota, Fla.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy Coats of Kenduskeag, Maine.
A memorial service will be held in Maine at a later date.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Homes, Punta Gorda Chapel.
