U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014Edward H. Hebden, 96, of Fort Myers passed away Sunday, February 27, 2005. Ed whose ancestors came from Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, was born July 12, 1908 in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania , the son of Thomas and Florence Hebden. His was no ordinary life, this was a life well lived and well loved by his wife, Marjorie. Ed began a coal mining career at the age of nine with his father near Baltic, Pennsylvania . Leaving school in the 8th grade, he worked at various mines in the area with an interlude in Jersey City with Campbell Soup Company. Returning to the mines in 1925 at the age of seventeen, he went to night school, earned foreman's papers and joined Jeffrey Manufacturing Company in Columbus, Ohio. Ed then joined Rochester and Pittsburg Coal Company in Indiana
, Pennsylvania in 1940 becoming Superintendent of Mines. He rejoined Jeffrey in 1962 and then was with Galis Electric and Machine Company of Fairmont, West Virginia.
In 1947, Ed founded the prestigious King Coal Club and was it's sole surviving charter member.
In 1964, he formed his own Manufacturers Representative Company, Hebden, Schilbe and Smith with former employees Jim Smith and Carl Schilbe. He retired as chairman of Hebden, Schilbe and Smith in 1990.
In 1970, he married Marjorie and they moved to Fort Myers in 1979. He loved to play golf and played until age 86. He was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing with the guys until shortly before his passing.
A child laborer in the mines with his father and a mule named "Lion", cutter, motorman, foreman, company C.E.O. and guest lecturer at Ohio State University, School of Engineering, Ed had a full life.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie, sons: Edward, Jr. (Joan) and Gary (Patricia), step-daughters: Karen (Michael) Stewart, Kathy (William H., III) Lesser, Patricia (James) Luckenback, grandchildren: Valerie Sellars, Brenda Hebden, Michelle Smith, Lorrie Murray, Eddie Hebden, Lara and Kyle Stewart, Marjorie and Bill Lesser, Kristen Luckenbach, great-grandchildren: Adam Sellars, Natalie and George Murray, Mallaory and Drew Naftzger.
Friends will be received at Lee Memorial Park on Thursday, March 3, 2005 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with the funeral service at 2:00 PM.
The family would prefer contributions be made to the charity of one's choice...
Vincent J. (Rube) LaRosa born on April 24, 1927 died at home with his family on Pine Island, FL February 25, 2005.
He is survived by his wife and partner of 57 years Ann. He is also survived by his children; Vincent J. LaRosa II of Gaylord, MI, Jo Ann (Scott) Rector of Harbor Springs, MI, James A. (Janet) LaRosa of Cape Coral, Kristina (James) Beery of Zachary, LA, Michael J. (Christine) LaRosa of Gaylord and Jacklyn M. (Michael) Prusakiewicz of Gaylord; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a sister Alice (Glenn) Miller of Dexter, MI and several nieces and nephews.
He was Assistant Fire Chief of the Dexter Michigan Fire Department. He was a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force. Vince was a charter member of the American Legion Post 557 in Dexter, MI. He was on the Board of Directors of Old Kent Bank of Gaylord. He was a member of the Gaylord City Council. He was on the original board for the development of the Gaylord Air Industrial Park.
Vince and Ann established LaRosa & Company in Gaylord in 1960. They retired to Pine Island, Florida in 1978 where Vince established Rubes' Rod Repair. He was a member of the Pine Island Moose Lodge and the V.F.W. of Ft. Myers Beach, FL. He was an avid hunter, golfer and fisherman. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has asked to have contributions made to Cape Coral Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Pkwy., Cape Coral, FL 33909. 239-574-4888 or 800-788-8091
Christina Elaine Neal, 13, precious daughter of LD and Lynne Neal of Bonita Springs, FL went to be with her Lord, February 28, 2005.
Christina was a native of Ft. Myers, FL and resided in Bonita Springs, FL for the past 2 years. She was a member of McGregor Baptist Church where she performed in musicals and was active in the youth group. Christina was an honor student at Paul Lawrence Middle School where she was in the Chamber Choir, the Mixed Chorus and the soccer team for 2 years. She recently represented her school in the Florida All State Chorus and was to recently receive a scholastic award for the Duke TIP program. Christina had a love for music, animals and soccer. For those of you who knew Christina, you will be a testament to her life. Christina will be remembered, for every time we hear a child sing like an angel, when we see a puppy, sparkly earrings or someone with a big smile and kind heart, we will remember our Christina.
Christina is survived by her parents, LD and Lynne, 4 sisters; Jacquelyn, Stephanie, Alexandra, Rebecca, Maternal grandparents, Mary and Billy Buff, Paternal grandmother, Ruth Neal, Maternal great-grandmother, Irene Brown, Paternal great-grandmother, Elizabeth Neal, 2 aunts, Karen and Chuck Good and their children, Nichole and Christopher, Kim and Chip Smallwood and their children, Morgan, Lauren and Mariah, 2 uncles, Billy Buff, and Lloyd and Cheryl Neal and their children, Sarah and Rachel.
Funeral services will be held Friday March 4, 2005 at 10:00 AM at McGregor Baptist Church, 3750 Colonial Blvd. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, 12777 State Road 82.
In lieu of flowers, Christina wishes that donations be made to: The Humane Society of Lee County, PO Box 5043, Ft. Myers, FL 33994-0430.
"Larry" O'Connor, 81, of Ft. Myers died at home on Feb. 5, 2005, born in Wellsburg, WV.
He is survived by his wife Virginia O'Connor, his four sons, one daughter, five grandsons, one granddaughter and one step-son, three step-daughters, four step-grandsons and three step-granddaughters.
There will be a memorial service 7 PM, March 3, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Ft. Myers.
Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 239-936-0555
Ewaldine O'Keefe, 92, of Lehigh Acres, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2005. She was born in Duren, Germany and is survived by her husband, Benjamin O'Keefe of Lehigh Acres.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 3, between 10 AM and 11 AM, at Anderson Funeral Home of Lehigh Acres, 2701 Lee Blvd. Following visitation at the funeral home there will be graveside services at Lee Memorial Park on SR 82.
Eric Lee Rodriguez, age 19, of Bonita Springs, FL, died Sunday, February 27, 2005 from injuries due to an auto accident. He was born December 28, 1985 to Mario and Carrie Wilson Rodriguez in West Branch, MI. They moved to Bonita Springs in March of 1986.
He is survived by his mother and step father, Carrie L. and Walter Kollin of Worthville, KY, a loving brother, Jason Castillo (Allecia Lamp), a niece Kierra, maternal grandparents, Melvin and Gloria Wilson, an aunt, Denise Stolte, an uncle, Jeffery (wife Kindra) Wilson, cousins, Shawna (husband Jayson) Feliciano, Da'sia, Janitza, Jayson, Jr., Kristopher and Destiny Feliciano, Kristen, Kimberly and Desiree Stolte, Kathryn (husband Craig) Mason, Jeffery, Matthew and Joshua Wilson and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Mario Z. Rodriguez in 1995.
There will be a funeral service on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 7:00 PM at Walter Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home with the visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Walter Shikany's
Bonita Funeral Home
992-4982
Family Owned Since 1978
Frederic Alvah Thrall, age 85, of Ft. Myers Beach, died on February 28, 2005. He was born on September 18, 1919 in Newark, NJ.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth, his daughter, Linda S. (George) Becker of Ft. Myers Beach, his son, Steven D. (Pamela) Thrall of Wall, NJ, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 11:00 AM in the Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd. (239) 936-0555, where the family will receive friends after 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent in his name to the American Cancer Society, 4575 Via Royale #110, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
Mabel L. Howard, 91, of Arcadia, passed away March 2, 2005. She was born July 23, 1913 in Venus, FL and was a born again Christian and a member of First Baptist Church of Arcadia.
Mabel was predeceased by her husband Frank J. Howard, her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Will Harn , 11 siblings and 1 grandson.
She is survived by her son F. Marris Howard, J. David Howard, both of Arcadia & Franklin D. Howard of N. Ft. Myers, daughter June Brookins of Miami, sister Dora Tilman, of Savanah, GA and brother John (Cypress) Harn of LaBelle and 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Friday 6 to 8 PM. Graveside service 10:30 AM Saturday, Owens Cemetery, Mt. Ephriam, FL. Memorial donations Gideons Memorial Bibles, Gideons International, P.O. Box 1655, Arcadia, FL 34265. Arrangements by Kays-Ponger-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia, FL.
Betty Powell Courtney, 85, of Ft. Myers, formerly of Lexington, KY passed away Saturday March 19, 2005. The widow of Stanley G. Courtney, she was born in Bloomington, IL on March 18, 1920, the daughter of the late James E. and Mary Etta Powell.
She is survived by her two sons and their families J. Michael Courtney, and wife Kim Hall Courtney, and their three children, Yancey Madison Powell Courtney, J. Sanders Courtney and Forrest Hamilton Courtney; and Dan Hamilton Courtney, and wife Ranel Maloney Courtney and their two children, Duncan Hunt Courtney and Christian Hamilton Courtney.
Visitation will be 5:30 - 7:00 Pm Thursday March 24, 2005 at W.R. Milward Mortuary-Broadway. Private services will be held in Lexington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Elizabeth Benevolent Society, C/O Dan Courtney, P.O. Box 1090, Ft. Myers, FL 33902
Paul L. Eldridge of Cape Coral, FL formerly of Clio, MI, age 75, died Friday, March 4th at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, FL.
He was born in Monterey, TN on May 9, 1929. He served in the US Army. He married Ardyth Barber on January 2, 1954 in Flint, MI. He attended The Church of the Nazarene in Fort Myers. Mr. Eldridge retired from GM, S.P.O in Swartz Creek and was a member of UAW Local #659.
Surviving are wife, Ardyth; Son David and wife Patricia of Grand Blanc; 2 daughters, Judy and Husband Jay Irwin of Cape Coral; Nancy and Husband Joe Mulder of Grand Ledge; 2 grandchildren, Heather and Fiance' John Hocken and Nicole Eldridge; 3 Step-grandchildren; Brother William and wife Sue of Crossville, TN; 2 special couisins, Carl Sutton and Buford Sutton, both of Crossville, TN; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers Tom and Eugene.
Memorial Services will be held on Friday, March 25, 2005 at 6:30 PM at Church of the Nazarene, 4630 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Palm Beach Blvd Church of the Nazerene.
Nanette P. Eliot, 98, of Fort Myers, formerly of North Fort Myers, died March 20, 2005. Born in Hartford, CT, she came to the area in 1987 from the Hartford area.
Survivors include her loving children, Susanne E. Lodbell of Ft. Myers and Steve Eliot and his companion, Joan Smith of Ft. Lauderdale; grandchildren, Marc, Beth, Matt, and Ariel; and great-granddaughter, Ani.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 25, 2005 at 7:00 PM at North Fort Myers Memorial Funeral Home, 3453 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers, 239-995-1113.
