Dianne Bell passed away June 16, 2004 at her home in Naples, Florida. Loving daughter of Glenys and Bill Rogers, darling mother of Marc Buhrig and Heidi Lau, grandmother of Brandi Voss, sister of Maurice and Anita Rogers, favorite aunt of Matthew Rogers, beloved partner of John DeVencenzo, teacher, artist, confidant, friend and counselor to all. Dianne was the person we all aspire to be, and we will miss her unending courage, wisdom and grace, her always open arms, brilliant smile and comforting shoulders, her strength which had no limits, her kindness, wit and humor, and the million ways she made this world a brighter, better place. She will now be in heaven the angel she was on earth.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, 28840 Mango Drive in Bonita Springs.
Alphonse (Al) DiNoto, died Saturday May 22 at age 85 in Ft. Myers, FL. Predeceased by his mother and father (Philapena & Joseph); brothers (Henry & Fred); and wife (Mary Elizabeth). Al DiNoto is survived by his children: Joseph (Gerry); Phyllis (William) Thieme; Joyce (Sam) Saporito; David (Joanne); Alphonse (Suzanne); brother, Philip; sister, Josephine (Tumminelli); 13 grandchildren & 8 great-grandchildren.
Al was a master carpenter, not to mention a warm-hearted prince of a man to all who knew him.
There will be a short memorial service for Al on the beach at 'Tween Waters Inn, Captiva Island, on Saturday, June 26th at 12:30 PM, immediately followed by a reception in the Crow's Nest Restaurant (1:00-2:30 PM). Those wishing to make remarks at the service are welcome. Any memorials in his name should be directed to the Salvation Army, 2476, Edison Ave., Ft. Myers, FL 33901.
Charles John Galcher, 89, a Cape Coral resident since 1973, formerly of Wyckoff, NJ, died June 15, 2004 in Cape Coral. He was born March 2, 1915 in Paterson, NJ to the late Leo and Monika Galcher. Mr. Galcher was a member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church and was a US Army Reserve veteran where he served with the Civil Air Patrol. He was a graduate of the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, the Newark State Teachers College, Rutgers University and the Academy of Aeronautics at LaGuardia Airport. Mr. Galcher also worked for the Paterson, NJ Board of Education where he setup an Aircraft Engineering Program in the vocational high school as well as the industrial arts program and auto shop program before he retired after 25 years of teaching. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and was a Past Grand Knight Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Galcher thoroughly enjoyed fishing, woodworking, cutting coins for jewelry and listening to classical music.
Survivors include a son, Howard Galcher and wife Sharon of Hoffmeister, NY and a special friend, Frances Miller of Cape Coral.
Mr. Galcher was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 1992.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Monday at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Fuller Funeral Home - Cremation Service, 1910 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral. 574-3434.
George F. 'Fred' Lescher, 86, of N. Ft. Myers, died June 18, 2004. He was born in Champaign, IL, the son of Frank M. and Virginia Lescher. Fred moved to the local area in 1970 from St. Louis, MO. He worked for over 10 years as a bridge facilities manager for Lee County retiring in 1986, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed flying, he was a member of N. Ft. Myers Baptist Church.
Mr. Lescher is survived by his wife Dorothy Cross Lescher, his children John Lescher and Chris, Stephen Lescher and Sandy, his step children Lee Cross and Sue, Bill Cross and Kathy, Wayne Cross and Julie, Judy Ryckman and Ron, his grandchildren Chris and Erik Lescher, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be conducted in the Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Monday at 7 PM, friends are invited to attend. Interment will be in Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In his memory, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice of Lee County.
Ruth Watson Rickards, 81, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 16, 2004. She was a lifelong resident of Fort Myers, growing up in Iona and graduating from Fort Myers High School in 1941. She married David F. Rickards on September 28, 1942, and was his devoted wife for 62 years. They met and were married at First Baptist Church of Fort Myers and continued as active members until the present.
She is survived by her husband David, sons, Tommy (Bonnie), Paul (Dale), and Chuck. Surviving brothers and sisters include Wincie, Eunice, Catherine, George, Frances, Tommy, Charles, Beth, and Anne. She had eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Ruth invested herself in her sons' lives, being present for support and encouragement in all of their areas of interest. Ruth loved all children. Throughout her life she sought ways to give of herself as a school volunteer, Cub Scout den mother, Sunday School teacher, and Vacation Bible School worker. She also volunteered at Beacon Manor Nursing Home for over thirty years.
Ruth was exceptionally creative person and used this creativity to shower gifts on family and others through sewing, cooking, crafts, painting and gardening. She and David enjoyed traveling, visiting all but three of the fifty states.
Ruth battled Alzheimer's for over ten years but felt loved and supported by her family and church friends to the very end. The family would like to thank Peggy Shaw for the loving care she provided Ruth during the last fourteen months of her life.
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Fort Myers, on Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive visitors one hour before.
In lieu of flowers please make gifts in Ruth's honor to the building fund of First Baptist Church of Fort Myers.
Lee Memorial Park
334-4880
Richard H. Romstadt, 86, formerly of Marco Island, Florida and Toledo, Ohio was called home to be with Jesus, from his North Fort Myers home with his family by his side, April 16, 2004.
Richard was the founder and president of the Toledo Tank Company and Toledo Metal Fabricators. Both were highly successful companies operated in Toledo's north end. In 1975 Richard retired to Marco Island where he was active in San Marco Catholic Church and the Marco Island Country Club.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Elizabeth (McPartland) Romstadt. Four remaining children survive him: Pete (Carol) Romstadt, Mary (Fred) Mills, Lucy (Jim) Dick, Joe (Nancy) Romstadt, nine grandchildren: Chris Foy, Doug Romstadt, Mike Romstadt, Danielle Mandel, Jamie Dick, Josh Mills, Erin Mills, Patrick Dick, Amy Romstadt and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass and burial were conducted in Toledo, Ohio. Contributions may be made in his memory to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, Florida 33903.
Joseph Curcio, 79, of Cape Coral passed away June 20, 2004. Cremation arrangements by Horizon Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
Lee Doney, 67, of Cape Coral, FL passed away on June 19, 2004 in the comfort care of Hope Hospice in Lee County after battling a long illness. Lee was born in Richard Mine, New Jersey and lived half her life in Morris County, New Jersey. Lee and her husband Art were on a long overdue vacation trip to the Keys and St. Augustine when they happened to visit Fort Myers. They were impressed with the small town, congenial people, and water for boating. They decided to move their family to the Ft. Myers area in 1967 since her husband's interests were boating and camping at that time. It was Ft. Myers where Lee devoted her life to raising her children and caring for her husband. She was blessed with an extraordinary gift of balancing her family responsibilities while caring for others. She dedicated her life in service to others providing endless support, care and love to all that needed it. As primary care-giver for her son Larry during his battle with Aids, she founded the Lee County Aids Task Force and was a spiritual supporter for many of their patients. Lee has two generations of scouting experience starting with her own children continuing through with her grandchildren. She committed over ten years of leadership involvement with Troop 82, aiding in fund raising and public relations while serving as committee secretary. Lee was an energetic, charismatic woman who selflessly supported every interest of her family. She was fully present and active in the lives of each grandchild. She will be forever remembered and greatly missed by everyone that knew her.
Lee is survived by her son Gary A. Doney, Sr. (Sue), daughter Shari L. Thompson (Dan), and daughter Terri L. Cratch (Danny) and grandchildren Trista K. Scott, Melissa Arias (Cisco), Gary A. Doney, Jr., Jessica L. Scott, Kelsey A. Thompson, Charlee J. Scott, and Caitlin L. Thompson of Lee County. She is also survived by brothers Jesse R. Stickle, Jr. of Kenvil, NJ and Charles D. Stickle Sr. of Lower Berkshire Valley, NJ. Lee is predeceased by her loving husband Arthur R. Doney, Jr. and sons Lawrence R. Doney and Barry M. Doney.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 2:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, 13 S.E. 21st Place, Cape Coral, FL. A reception will be held directly afterwards at Gary & Sue Doney's residence at 1925 S.E. 6th Lane, Cape Coral, FL. Donations in Lee's name, may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
Helen Wainwright Evans, 96 of Ft. Myers died Sunday, June 13, 2004. She had been a resident here for the past 6 years formerly of Chicago, IL.
Mrs. Evans was the beloved mother of Barbara (Pat) McGuffin of Sanibel, sister of Caroline McGivern of Evergreen Park, IL, grandmother of William White, Virginia Rasmussen, Doug Evans, Amy Evans, and Daniel McGuffin, and great-grandmother of 10. She was preceded in death by her son, Glen W. Evans.
Arrangements are private. Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.
Kiser Funeral Home
481-4341
Darcey Ferenz, 45, of Ft. Myers passed away June 21, 2004. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Horizon Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
Clark E. King, 69, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away June 17, 2004. He was born July 24, 1934 in Sutherland, Iowa and moved to this area in 1996 from Tulsa, OK. Mr. King was employed for 40 years at Public Service Company of Oklahoma, retired as Vice President. He was a U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce Senator in Tulsa, OK; District Commander District 22 U.S. Power Squadron; Past Commander Peace River Power Squadron. Mr. King graduated from Finlay Engineering College in Kansas City, MO in 1954 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and he served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife Kay Boatright King; daughter, Kathy (Luke) Soard of Tulsa, OK; son, Ron (Julie) of San Juan, Puerto Rico; step-daughter, Leslie (Allen) Wood of Oahu, Hawaii, step-sons Jeffrey (Claudia) Boatright of Decatur, GA; Mac (Mary) Boatright of Lawerence, KS; grandchildren, Ryan Soard; Gianna, Marissa Alyssa King; step-grandchildren, Aaron Hardin, Thomas and Samuel Boatright. Mr. King was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Margaret Thompson.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 1:00 PM at Church of the Good Shepherd, 401 W. Henry St., Punta Gorda, FL. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of S.W. Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
