Holly M. Fowler
Holly MacGibbon Fowler, 61, of Canby, Ore., and formerly of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004.
She was born
Dec. 2, 1942, in Memphis, Tenn., to Hugh C. and Kathryne MacGibbon.
In 1947, her family moved to Punta Gorda, Fla., where they would remain throughout her childhood. Holly was a member of First United Methodist Church while living in Punta Gorda. She attended the schools in Punta Gorda from first grade until her graduation from Charlotte High School in 1962. Holly moved to Jacksonville, Fla., as a young adult where she met her future husband, William Parsons Fowler. She and William were married in Kingsland, Ga. In 1968 they celebrated the birth of a son, followed in 1971, 1975 and 1978 with the birth of three daughters. William resigned his commission in 1973 and in 1974 Holly and her family moved to Aurora, Ore. In 1978 the family settled in Canby. Shortly after moving to Canby, Holly was widowed when on June 6, 1980, her husband, William, lost his battle with cancer. Holly chose to remain in Canby to rear her four children. For over 20 years Holly touched countless lives with her spirit, humor and candor while serving as the receptionist for, and as a member of Canby Christian Church.
Holly is survived by her mother, Kathryne "Kit" MacGibbon; brother, Hugh "Sandy" MacGibbon III; and sister, Heather MacGibbon Waye; four children, Forrest DeVillo Fowler of San Diego, Calif., Courtney Merritt Kelly of Battle Ground, Wash., Lindsay Paige Svedberg of Chesapeake, Va., and Whitney Sue Fowler of Vancouver, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Mackenzie, 12, Madison, 2, and Mason, 6 months.
Memorial services were held on Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at Canby Christian Church.
Canby Funeral Chapel of Canby was entrusted with the arrangements and services.
Meryl W. Mundwiler Jr.
Meryl W. Mundwiler Jr., 82, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Charlotte Harbor Healthcare. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Mary Ruth Neary
Mary Ruth Neary, 65, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, in Port Charlotte.
She was born
July 6, 1939, in Scranton, Pa.
She is survived by her father, Vincent J. McAndrew; three sons, Jim F. (Tara) Neary, Jeff (Elizabeth) Neary and Sean M. (Georgia) Neary; two brothers, Joseph (Helen) McAndrew and Paul (Mary) McAndrew; two sisters, Diane (Donald) Wilhelm and Susan (Thomas) Armbrewster; three grandchildren, Hayli, Marina and Blake Neary; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded by her mother, Ruth McAndrew, and her brother, the Rev. Roy McAndrew.
Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax, Va.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fairfax.
Interment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borreo, Easy St., Port Charlotte, FL 33980.
Valentine Pio
Valentine Pio, 84, of Punta Gorda Isles, Fla., and formerly of Ridgefield, N.J., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004.
He was born
June 26, 1920, in Union City, N.J.
Mr. Pio was a veteran of World War II. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion, Elks Lodge Unit 2606 and Faith Lutheran Church of Punta Gorda, Fla. He was the beloved husband, loving father and cherished grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Lou (Firtion); daughters, Laura Susan Banyocu and Cynthia Ellen Pio-Gray; grandchildren, Marc Scott Banyocu, Carson and Logan Gray; brother, Joseph Pio; sister, Johanna Fickert; and sister-in-law, Pat (Arthur) Firtion.
He was preceded in death by his brother, John Pio.
A celebration of life will be at a later date.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to Punta Gorda Elks Lodge Unit 2606, 25538 Shore Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950-4254.
Funeral arrangements are by Woodlawn Funeral Home, Orlando, Fla.
Zita M. Stack
Zita M. Stack, 75, Rotonda West, Fla., died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at her residence.
She was born
on Dec. 8, 1928, in Chicago, Ill.
Zita moved from Niles, Ill., to the area in 1996. She was a member of the ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. 7712 in Niles and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, Fla.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, John; two daughters, Deborah (Robert) Bentchiff of Rotonda West, and Donna (Jerry) Osburn of Niles; son, Brian (Kathy) of Englewood, Fla.; brother, Norbert Nashan of Chicago; and two grandchildren, Mark and Kristin.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at the Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Englewood. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Lemon Bay Funeral Homes, Englewood Chapel, is in charge of cremation arrangements.
Edwin B. Cook
Edwin B. "Eddie" Cook, 39, of Arcadia, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004.
He was born, July 15, 1965, in Arcadia.
Eddie worked as a carpenter and was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Heather Cook; two daughters, Nikki Louise Lawrence and Deanna Michelle Cook; a son, Brandon Anthony Cook; mother, Clara Cook; sister, Doyla Denise Zuniga; brothers, Tony (Ruth) Cook and Ronald Paul (Alinda) Cook, Hoyle (Linda) Cook of Alaska, and Robert Dean (Debbie) Cook of Buchannon, Tenn.; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia, with funeral services to follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Interment will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Arcadia.
Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Frances C. Mansfield
Frances C. Mansfield, 92, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004.
She was born
March 3, 1912, in New Haven, Conn., to Charles and Frances Parritt.
Frances retired from a catering business as a banquet waitress. She moved to Port Charlotte in 1975, from New Haven.
She is survived by her two sons, Bob (Sue) Mansfield of Port Charlotte, and Arthur (Deloris) Benz of Port Charlotte; two grandchildren, William Mansfield of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Robyn Mansfield of New Castle, Colo.; a great-grandson, Anthony Mansfield of West Haven; and two nephews, Eugene Bertolini of West Haven and Leslie Bertolini of Seymour, Conn.
The family will receive friends at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at Kays-Ponger Funeral Home in Port Charlotte followed by a funeral service at noon. Interment will be at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Red Cross Charlotte County Hurricane Charley and Frances Relief Fund, 1300 Enterprise Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33913.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Leonard J. Wieczorek
Leonard J. Wieczorek, 80, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at Kindred Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla.
He was born
Dec. 31, 1923, in Detroit, Mich.
Mr. Wieczorek was a World War II veteran serving in the U. S. Army. He moved to the Port Charlotte area 15 years ago from Farmington, Mich. He worked in the circulation department of a newspaper business. He attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Wieczorek is survived by his daughters, Linda M. Parker of Detroit and Diane Killewald of Heron, Mich.; his sister, Victoria Jones of Shelby Township, Mich.; and three grandchildren.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at Promenades West Apartments Club House (next to the pool), 3006 Caring Way, Port Charlotte.
Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Margaret E. Wilson
Margaret Ellen Wilson, 89, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society, Inc., Port Charlotte.
Bill Allen
Bill Allen, 64, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004.
He was born
Feb. 10, 1940, in Christmas, Fla.
Bill moved to Punta Gorda 15 years ago from Anchorage, Alaska. He was active in the Eagles Club and the Moose Lodge in Port Charlotte, Fla. He served as a past president and was an active member of the Charlotte County Country Music Club. He enjoyed dancing, singing and gaming.
Bill is survived by his loving companion of 18 years, Betty Lanham; his two brothers, Dewayne Allen of Anchorage and Harvel Allen of Colorado; a stepson, Larry Tippens of Fort Pierce, Fla.; a granddaughter and a great-grandson.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at the Eagles Club, at the corner of Kings Highway and Harborview Road in Port Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Port Charlotte Eagles Club or the Charlotte County Country Music Club, 3376 Peace River Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33983.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Nancy L. Lees-Fernandes
Nancy L. Lees-Fernandes, 55, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
She was born
Oct. 9, 1948, in Acushnet, Mass. Mrs. Lees-Fernandes relocated to Port Charlotte from New Bedford, Mass., in 1991.
She is survived by her husband, Steven N. Fernandes of Port Charlotte; a daughter, Sherry Cardinal of Rochester, Mass.; a stepdaughter, Chelsea Ann Hunderup of Port Charlotte; two sisters, Joyce Senna of Palm Bay, Fla., and Robin Prezner of Rochester; her mother, Laura Andrews of Rochester; and three grandchildren, Heather, Jarid and Hans. She was preceded in death by her father, William Lees, in 1996; and her brother, Russell Wayne Lees, in 1976.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Bernard E. Gallagher
Bernard Edward Gallagher, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 6, 2004.
He was the son of Edward and Leona (Buennagel) Gallagher, born
Oct. 9, 1921, in Indianapolis, Ind.
Bernard served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. He worked for Bailey Meter Company as an electrical engineer and with the State of Minnesota as an EPA before retiring from both. Bernard was the sole inventor of the multi-zone furnace temperature and atmosphere control system on which he held a U.S. Patent. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1782.
Bernard will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Anita; daughters Mary Ann Byrne of Indianapolis, and Charlotte Gallagher of Good Thunder, Minn.; sons Paul Gallagher of Ames, Iowa, Mark Gallagher of Chatahoochee, Fla., and Ed Gallagher of Lake City, Minn.; sister Marie Conley of Cincinnati, Ohio; and six grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at San Antonio Catholic Church in Deep Creek, Fla., with Father Phil Sheffeld officiating. Burial will take place at Florida National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hurricane Relief Fund, c/o St. Vincent dePaul, 24445 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980. 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, Chapel.
Virgil W. Goff
Virgil William "Bill" Goff, 57, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004.
He was born
Oct. 22, 1946, in Punta Gorda, and was the firstborn son of Virgil and Betty Goff.
In 1961, Bill became a baptized Jehovah's Witness and remained faithful throughout his life. He was a graduate of Charlotte High School in 1964. He was a commercial fisherman in the past, working hard as a framer, carpenter and supervisor with his son, Rick Goff. He was a loving husband and a devoted father to his children, and was blessed with six wonderful grandchildren. Bill was loved by all who knew him and is greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy Bules Goff; his children, Rick William (Amander Gardner) Goff, Teresa Goff, Melissa Goff (Brian) Ewing and Timothy (Daniel Buglivia) Goff; grandchildren, Derik, Lucas, Taylor, Brenna, Rebecca and Gavin; brothers, Dennis, Larry and Steve; and sisters, Claudia Goff Aurandt and Linda Goff Bryant.
A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in the Punta Gorda Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 27265 Jones Loop Road.
Mildred Ingram-Leaman
Mildred Ingram Leaman, 88, of Arcadia, Fla., died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
She was born
Nov. 11, 1915, in Thomas County, Ga.
Mrs. Leaman lived in DeSoto County for most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Limestone Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Ross B. Leaman; one brother, John Giles "J.G." Ingram Jr. of Sarasota, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at Robarts Funeral Home, 163 N. Brevard Ave., Arcadia. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Arcadia.
Arrangements are by Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Lela F. Collins
Lela Frances Collins, 83, of Virginia Beach, Va., and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at her residence.
She was born
Feb. 13, 1921, in Raleigh, N.C.
She moved to Port Charlotte in 1962, before moving to Virginia in 2002. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Collins was an active member of First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte, where she enjoyed Prime-Timers, the W. M. U., and Sunday School. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Collins is survived by her daughter, Annette (Nathan) Collins Dressler of Virginia Beach; brothers, James A. Bruce of Robbins, N.C., and Arthur W. Bruce of Norfolk, Va.; and nephew, Jim (Joyce) Bruce of Oak Island, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Olen C. Collins.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte, 20035 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, with Burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. The Rev. James Kibelbek will officiate.
Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
