James C. Houser
James Clayborn Houser, 67, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at DeSoto Health & Rehabilitation in Arcadia.
He was born
Sept. 18, 1935, in Charlotte, N.C. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, serving in the Korean Conflict as a sergeant in the airborne division. He was a house painter. He came to Arcadia in 1971 from Sarasota, Fla., where he lived from 1956 to 1971. He was a member of United Pentecostal Church in Arcadia.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Houser of Arcadia; two sons, Jeffrey (Heidi) Houser of Tampa, Fla., and James (Diane) Houser of Arcadia; four daughters, Melissa (Buddy) Norris, Teresa (Lelon) Murphy, Melinda (Buddy) Suggs and Michelle (James) Shattles, all of Arcadia; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia chapel, 163 N. Brevard Ave., Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at United Pentecostal Church, Arcadia, with the Rev. Joseph Cannon, of United Pentecostal Church, officiating. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, with military honors at the graveside. Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Carmen Messina
Carmen Messina, 91, of Arcadia, Fla., died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla.
He was born
Dec. 21, 1911, in Brazil. His occupation was masking (striping) on automobiles. He was very active with the bingo group in Arcadia. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and the Elks lodge.
He is survived by his friend of many years, Frances M. DeCheske of Arcadia.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church during an evening Mass in Arcadia. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
Fleeta M. Begue
Fleeta M. Begue, 88, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at her Charlotte County residence. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Gaylord L. Peters
Gaylord L. Peters, 94, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at the Punta Gorda Elderly Care Center in Punta Gorda, Fla. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel.
Frances F. Baerwald
Frances Forney Baerwald, 94, of Atlanta, Ga., and formerly of Charlotte County, Fla., died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, in Charlotte, N.C.
She was born
Aug. 13, 1909, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She graduated from Waynesburg College and received her master's degree from Auburn University. She served as a social worker in Baltimore, Md., before moving to Anniston, Ala., where she taught in the Talladega County and Anniston school systems before her retirement in 1972. She was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority.
Survivors include her daughter, Velma (Randy) Lanford of Atlanta; her son, Ross (Brooke) Baerwald of Southlake, Texas; four grandchildren, Julia Lanford of Atlanta, Lisa (Rick) Craig of Charlotte and Blake and Brittany Baerwald of Southlake; two great-grandchildren, Lauren and Lacey Craig of Charlotte; and a sister, Elizabeth Bailey of Ojai, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Baerwald Sr.; and her son, Kenneth Baerwald Jr.
Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in Punta Gorda, Fla. There will be a memorial service at a later date at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Memorial donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2461 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305; or to First Presbyterian Church, 2230 Hariet St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Funeral Home.
Donald R. Dickey
Donald R. Dickey, 76, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away peacefully Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, after a long illness at his home.
He was born
May 4, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to the area in 1997 from Bainbridge, Ohio. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of American Legion Post 0103 in Punta Gorda, Scottish Right of Dayton, Antioch Temple Shrine in Dayton and Bainbridge and Masonic Lodge 196.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. Dickey; 11 children; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons.
Those wishing to express condolences to the family may visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Eva Dugmore
Eva (nee Shale) Dugmore, 96, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and formerly of Parsippany, N.J., died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla.
She was born
Nov. 21, 1906, in Birmingham, England. She resided in Port Charlotte since 1993.
Surviving are two daughters, Ruth (James) Cummins of Middletown, N.J., and Lois (Kenneth) Cottrill of Punta Gorda; a stepdaughter, Jill Officer of Ontario, Canada; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Albert Hatwell of England and Harold Dugmore. The Worden-Hoidal Funeral Home, Red Bank, N.J., is in charge of arrangements.
Daniel A. Farricker
Daniel Anthony Farricker, 67, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Farricker was born
Feb. 13, 1936, in New York City, N.Y., and came to this area 30 years ago from Brooklyn, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a deputy for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He was a member of American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte, the Florida Sheriff's Association and Elks Lodge 5690 in Port Charlotte. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police Chapter 66. He was also a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Farricker is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Josephine M. Farricker of Port Charlotte; three sons, Daniel A. Farricker Jr. of Montgomery, Ala., Todd Andrew Farricker of Fort Collins, Colo., and Chris M. Farricker of Montgomery, Calif.; one daughter, Julianne M. Farricker of Port Charlotte; two brothers, Martin Farricker of Brick, N.J., and Edward Farricker of Keansburg, N.J.; two sisters, Mary Warren of Port Charlotte and Ann Youngsworth of Dumont, N.J.; and six grandchildren, including Danielle Farricker of Port Charlotte.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 3044 Caring Way, Port Charlotte, with a Catholic wake service at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 21505 Augusta Ave., Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Julio V. Garcia
Julio V. Garcia, 77, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
He was born
May 22, 1926, in Havana, Cuba, the son of Valentin and Antonia (Dominguez) Garcia. On Aug. 29, 1952, he married Maria Martinez in Havana. Julio worked as a building engineer in Queens, N.Y., before retiring. He moved to this area in 1992 and attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. He enjoyed reading and fixing things like televisions, radios and cars, and tinkering with home repairs.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Angela (Juan) Guzman of Port Charlotte; son, Isidro (Debbie) Garcia of Levittown, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Sean, Christopher, Jessica and Veronica. His wife Maria, preceded him in death in 1993.
It was Julio's wish that there be no services. Those wishing to send condolences to the family may visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Lucille Harper
Lucille Harper, 83, of Deep Creek, Fla., and formerly of Rockford, Mich., went home to be with her Lord on Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Mrs. Lucille Harper was born
Dec. 29, 1919, in Big Rapids, Mich. She received Christ into her life on Sept. 9, 1980. Besides being a full-time wife and mother, she also worked at Holland American Wafer, Monroe Industries and R.C. Allen.
Surviving are her children, Patricia Yard of Port Charlotte, Fla., Ronald and Gloria Harper of St. Cloud, Fla., George Harper of Tallahassee, Fla., and Gloria and Michael Haney of Rockford; 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; brother, Clyde Hesser of Plano, Texas; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vinton E. Harper; her parents, Ernest and Myrtle (Troupe) Hesser; brothers, Ernie, Earl and Marvin; sister, Betty; and great-granddaughter, Ashley.
Memorial services will be Tuseday, Sept. 30 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 24515 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford.
Merrill J. Laplant
Merrill James Laplant, 81, of Sarasota, Fla., and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003.
Merrill was born
April 7, 1922, in Newark, Vt. After serving in the U.S. Army in Panama during World War II, he returned home, married Beatrice Wilder and moved to Keene, N.H., where he owned and operated Laplant Moving and Storage and Laplant New & Used Furniture. Merrill and family moved to Punta Gorda, Fla., in 1968, where he owned and operated the Cadillac Motel. In 1972, he moved to Port Charlotte to start Merrill's Furniture Repair & Refinishing and Aunt Bea's Furniture World. He and his wife relocated their home and businesses to Sarasota in 1980. When Beatrice died in 1995, Merrill spent time with his sons and daughter until Alzheimer's disease and a stroke required him to move into Sarasota's Kensington Manor nursing home in 1999.
Survivors include a daughter, Marolyn Remillard of Sarasota; sons, Gary of Seffner, Fla., Fred of Tampa, Fla., and M. Dennis of Sarasota; brothers, Maurice, Roland and Raymond, all of Lyndonville, Vt., and Kenneth of Rutland, Vt.; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota.
Gary W. Tyson
Gary W. "Tidy Bowl" Tyson, 55, of Arcadia, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003.
He was born
Feb. 21, 1948, in Arcadia. He was a lifelong resident of Arcadia. He served in the U.S. Navy. He was an owner and operator of Tyson Concrete. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Willene Blackmon Tyson of Arcadia; mother, Letty Beard of Arcadia; two daughters, Ashley Tyson and Michelle Harrison, both of Arcadia; one son, Chris Tyson of Arcadia; stepson, Brad Davis of Port Charlotte, Fla.; three sisters, Jeanne Thomas, Lois Hudson and Glenda (Ronnie) Beard, all of Arcadia; stepsister, Diane Tyson of Port Charlotte; three brothers, Mike (Carol) Tyson, Hank Tyson and Frank Tyson, all of Arcadia; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and close friends.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the funeral home, with military services rendered by DeSoto County Honor Guard. There will be a cremation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ashley Tyson Fund at First State Bank of Arcadia, 400 N. Brevard Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Grace N. Ambard
Grace North Ambard, 93, of Rotonda West, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Alterra Sterling House in Rotonda West. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Charles H. Geyer
Charles H. Geyer, 84, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at DeSoto Memorial Hospital in Arcadia. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Edith A. Baldwin
Edith Amelia Baldwin, 95, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla.
She was born
Aug. 9, 1908, in Danville, Ill. She moved to Punta Gorda in 1960 from Missouri. She was a member of Wheeler Congregational Christian Church in Missouri and First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. She enjoyed traveling with her daughters. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Charlotte Regional Medical Center, especially the nurses on the second floor who showed such compassion and caring.
Edith is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Lewis) Wilson of Meta, Mo., Barbara Williams and Sally Baldwin, both of Port Charlotte; her sisters, Lucille Russell of Punta Gorda, Christine (Harold) Rhodes of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Peggy (Russ) Rose of Punta Gorda; her brother, Berlin Tuggle of Danville; her grandchildren, Gregory (Kathy) Williams, Jeffrey (Nance) Williams, Toni and Darrell Davis, Tami Helmig and Mitchel Wilson; 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 5200 Indian Springs Road, Punta Gorda, with services to follow at 4 p.m. Entombment at Charlotte Memorial Gardens will be private. The family has entrusted care and services to Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
William G. Norcott
William G. Norcott, 80, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at Hillcrest Convalescence Center in Durham, N.C.
Mr. Norcott was born
Sept. 12, 1922, in New York, N.Y., to Alec and Isabella (MacLennan) Norcott. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army who served during World War II. William was an insurance agent who spent most of his career working in the Parsippany area of New Jersey, until moving to Englewood in 1986 from there. He was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving are his brother, Al Norcott of Verona, N.J.; daughter-in-law, Patricia Norcott of Texarkana, Texas; stepchildren, Pamela Price of Darlington, Pa., Diane Easton of Durham, David Roberts of Abilene, Texas, Marcia Scruggs of Fort Madison, Iowa, Wendy Roberts of Saugus, Mass., Susan Phillips of Stockbridge, Ga., and Linda Phillips of Houston, Texas; seven step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, in November 2002; and his son, William Jr., in April 2003.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, in the Chapel of Peace at Gulf Pines Memorial Park Cemetery in Englewood.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association, Affiliate Headquarters, Attention: Memorials, P.O. Box 2145, St. Petersburg, FL 33743. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood.
Larry A. Walchle
Larry A. Walchle, 64, of North Port, Fla., died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003.
He was born
Oct. 9, 1938, in Decatur, Ind., to Walter and Waneta Walchle. He moved to North Port in 1985 from Nokomis, Fla. He was an engineer at Bon Secours-Venice Hospital for seven years. He attended South Biscayne Baptist Church in North Port. He was a lifetime member of the Moose.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Walchle of North Port; two daughters, Elizabeth Phillips of North Port and Jill Goetluck of Venice, Fla.; two sons, Scott Walchle and Larry Walchle, both of North Port; a sister, Violet Sheets of Venice; four brothers, Dallis Walchle and Randall Walchle, both of Englewood, Russell Walchle of Decatur and Walter Walchle of Nokomis; five grandchildren, Tabitha Price, Laura Willis, Justin Willis, Jacob Goetluck and David Walchle-Bailey; and five great-grandchildren, Makayla, Emily, Dakota, Ty and Lucas.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel. A funeral service will follow at 5 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742; or to the charity of your choice. Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Tucker D. Wright
Tucker D. Wright, 61, of North Port, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003.
He was born
June 7, 1942, in Indianapolis, Ind. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He moved to North Port six-and-a-half years ago from Arcadia, Fla. He was an owner of a Carnival company vending business. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1524 and Moose Lodge 1327, both in Arcadia. He was also a member of First Baptist Church of Nocatee, Fla.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Wright of North Port; a daughter, Carla Joe Wright of Wauchula, Fla.; three sisters, Jackie Logan of Tomball, Texas, Pandore Pate of Houston, Texas, and Melinda "Windy" Thompson of Woodlawn, Texas; two brothers, Michael S. Wright of Kingman, Ariz., and Patrick Robert Wright of Corpus Christi, Texas; and a grandchild, Destiny Elder of Bradenton, Fla.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the funeral home. There will be a cremation. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Raymond R. Alves
Raymond R. Alves, 69, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003.
He was born
March 9, 1934, in Rochester, N.Y. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1955, and graduated from the Air Force's navigation school. He served as a navigator with Strategic Air Command. He retired in 1995 after 38 years with United Airlines. He was a winter resident of Blue Heron Pines Golf Community and served on the board there. He worked in the pro shop at Seminole Lakes Golf Club. He was a member of Elks Lodge 260 in Punta Gorda.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa M. Alves; mother-in-law, Mary A. Santino of Newark, N.Y.; two sons, Michael (Cindy) Alves of Cheshire, N.Y., and Shawn Alves of Canandaigua, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerome Alves.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at John C. Johnson Funeral Home in Canandaigua. Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at St. Mary's Church in Canandaigua. Burial will be in North Main Cemetery in Newark at convenience of family.
Memorial donations may be made to Pluta Cancer Center, Red Creek Drive, Suite 101, Rochester, NY 14623. Arrangements are by John C. Johnson Funeral Home Inc., Canandaigua.
Nathaniel F. Bowie
Nathaniel F. Bowie, 72, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at his residence.
He was born
Oct. 7, 1930, in Baltimore, Md. He served in the armed forces for two years. He moved to Port Charlotte in 1987 from Tulsa, Okla., where he was an accountant for Amoco Oil for 31 years. After moving to Florida, he worked for Ambitrans for seven years.
He is survived by his wife, Ann of Port Charlotte; two daughters, Amy Hagerty of Port Charlotte and Rebecca Huffer of Orlando, Fla.; one son, Gary of Las Vegas, Nev.; three granddaughters, Sarah, Jenna and Samantha of Port Charlotte; and an aunt, Harriet Davis of Springville, N.Y.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in the Port Charlotte chapel at Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to L.G.D.A., ALS Research, P.O. Box 11104, Sarasota, FL 34278. Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jane Daily
Jane Donnelly Daily, 82, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and formerly of Venice, Fla., went to the Lord peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Jane was born
Jan. 28, 1921, in New York to James and Anita Redmond. She lived a full life as wife, mother and friend. She and her husband, Gerald Donnelly, retired to Venice in 1982 from Chicago, Ill. She met and married Jack Daily in 1986 and lived in Port Charlotte, where both were active in community arts. Jane was blessed with having many friends here who will miss her. The world is a little smaller without her presence and zest for life.
Jane is survived by her husband, Jack; her sons, Gerald (Marylee) Donnelly of Illinois and Desmond (Betty) Donnelly of Virginia; granddaughters, Jennifer and Stacy, both of Illinois, and Jane of Virginia; great-grandchildren, Sean of Illinois, Courtney and Emily of Virginia; and stepchildren, Gerald, Mark, Tom, Dan and Mary and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; and her sister, Irene.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Charlotte County American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
