Earl L. Goreck
Earl L. Goreck, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2003.
Mr. Goreck was born
Dec. 19, 1919, in Duquesne, Pa., and moved to this area in 1988 from Lake Wales, Fla. He was a retired machinist and a mason. He was a member of Elks in Lake Wales.
Survivors include his daughter, Jacqueline Homes of Harbor Heights, Fla.; several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Mr. Goreck was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline; and sons, Gary Lee Goreck, Richard Homes and Godfrey "Jeff" Homes.
Private memorial services will be held by the family.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Goreck's memory to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.
Frank Lancing Jr.
Frank Lancing Jr., 84, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Hospice House of Venice, Fla. Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Englewood, is handling arrangements.
Margaret P. Porter
Margaret Phyllis Porter, 79, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
Stanley T. Rzad II
Stanley Thomas Rzad II, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2003. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
Rita M. Surprenant
Rita Marie Surprenant, 90, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at Englewood Community Hospital in Englewood. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Lenke Vonoczky
Lenke Vonoczky of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, in Punta Gorda. Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda chapel.
Luetta R. Baker
Luetta R. Baker, 94, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte.
She was born
June 12, 1909, in Herkimer County, N.Y., and came to this area 51 years ago from Utica, N.Y. Mrs. Baker was a high school business teacher. She was a member of Republican Women of Charlotte County and First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte.
Survivors include her stepchildren, Terry, Donna, and Teddie; several nieces and nephews, including Jacqueline Girvan of New Hartford, N.Y., and Barbara Rebston of New Port Richey, Fla.; and several step-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 3044 Caring Way, Port Charlotte. A private Burial will be held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Sheldon C. Stevens
Sheldon C. "Pappy" Stevens, 94, former resident of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Rock Port, Mo.
He was born
Oct. 4, 1908, in Crawford County, Ind., to Isaiah P. and Ida E. Clifton Stevens. He was a retired security guard from the Pillsbury Co. in New Albany, Ind. He was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda.
He is survived by two sons, James E. Stevens of Punta Gorda and Edward R. Stevens of Port Charlotte, Fla.; a daughter, Thelma Jean Miles of Fairfax, Mo.; a brother, Stanley Stevens of Corydon, Ind.; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Zelma F. Simon Stevens.
Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, with a funeral service at 2 p.m., at Swarens Funeral Home, Ramsey, Ind., followed by Burial at Woods Chapel Cemetery in Ramsey. Arrangements are by Swarens Funeral Home, Ramsey.
James Ragan
James "Sandspur" Ragan, 77, of Sarasota, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003.
He was born
June 16, 1926, in Thomasville, Ga. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He moved to Sarasota from Cairo, Ga., in 1949. He attended the Ringling School of Art from 1950 to 1953 and graduated from there. In 1981 he retired as a crew line foreman with Florida Power and Light Co. after 33 years in Sarasota. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sarasota.
He is survived by his daughter, Robin C. Stafford of Sarasota; two sons, Randy Ragan and John Ragan, both of Sarasota; two stepsons, Bill and Cecil Altman, both of Arcadia, Fla.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Colonial Chapel at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota. The Burial will be private at Palms Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Epilepsy Foundation of Southwest Florida, 40 N. Osprey Ave. Suite A, Sarasota, FL 34236. Arrangements are by Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota.
Katherine I. Gresens
Katherine Irma Gresens, 89, of North Port, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Doris S. Kanhai
Doris S. Kanhai, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at her residence. Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Merle A. Lange
Merle A. Lange, 76, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, in Tampa, Fla. Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Barbara J. Schulz
Barbara Jean Schulz, 66, of North Port, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at home. Arrangements are by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port.
John E. Hoffmaster
John E. Hoffmaster Sr. 65, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at his residence.
He was born
Dec. 31, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pa. He moved to Punta Gorda from Pennsylvania in 1974. He was a residential house painter and owned and operated Hoffmaster Painting.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa E. Hoffmaster of Punta Gorda; a daughter, Carol E. Reineck of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four sons, John E. Hoffmaster Jr. of Port Charlotte, Thomas F. Hoffmaster of Cape Coral, Fla., Kurt A. Hoffmaster of Texas and Karl D. Hoffmaster of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Anne Cyrway of Margate, Fla., and Mary Jane Hoffmaster of Philadelphia.; three brothers, Paul D. Hoffmaster, Eugene Hoffmaster and Robert Hoffmaster, all of Philadelphia; 11 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel, followed by entombment at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel.
Marko Komazec
Marko Komazec, 85, of North Port, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003.
He was born
May 20, 1918, in Beaver Falls, Pa. He came to Naples, Fla., from Massillon, Ohio, in 1989, and moved to North Port in 1993. He was a crane operator employed by Republic Steel, and retired after 23 years of service. He was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in North Port.
Survivors include, his wife, Slavica of North Port; his daughter, Martha Schneider of Marco Island, Fla.; a son, Bryan Komazec of Naples; a sister, Helen Rogich of Massillon; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a service at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel. An additional service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Naples Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Farley Funeral Home and Crematory, North Port chapel.
Rudolph A. Di Cicco
Rudolph A. Di Cicco, 80, of Englewood, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at his Sarasota County residence. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel.
Francis A. Grim
Frances A. Grim, 91, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, August 8, 2003, in Punta Gorda. She was born
Oct. 23, 1911, in Chicago, Ill. Arrangements are by the Punta Gorda chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home.
A. Jean Markovich
A. Jean Markovich, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Jean was born
March 25, 1917, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Enos and Emma Vaughan. She was the loving wife of John Markovich for 57 years, moving here from Detroit in 1977. Jean enjoyed her role as mother and homemaker and also loved to shop.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters and sons-in-law, Betty (John) Mason of W. Bloomfield, Mich., and Diane (David) Schmitt of North Port, Fla.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Jean's life from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, 1515 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, Fla. Those wishing may express condolences by visiting www.LTaylorfuneral.com and signing the guestbook.
Memorial donations may be directed to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Viola S. Quimby
Viola S. Quimby, 83, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003.
She was born
May 22, 1920, in Perth Amboy, N.J., to Francesco and Rafaella Novolino. She graduated from Perth Amboy General Hospital as a registered nurse. She joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. After serving during World War II as a lieutenant junior grade, she was honorably discharged in 1946. She retired in 1993 after 30 years of service as an occupational health nurse for the Government Printing Office. She lived in District Heights, Md., for many years, before retiring to Annapolis, Md., and subsequently moving to Punta Gorda in 1998. Viola was a member of Mount Calvary Catholic Church in District Heights and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda. Viola's greatest accomplishment and her greatest love was raising her four children and subsequent grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her children and family.
She is survived by her daughter, Monica (Philip) McClean of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sons, Greg (Dale) Quimby of Colorado Springs, Pete (Debbie) Quimby of Punta Gorda and Dan Quimby of Reno, Nev.; three sisters, Frances Sicurella of Stockbridge, Mass., Angelina Flynn of Pittsfield, Mass., and Anna Auth of Toms River, N.J.; seven grandchildren, Jason (Surai), Erica (Joshua), Jessica (Christopher), Gina, Seth, Pam and Kyle; and four great-grandchildren, Marina, Mikayla, Morgan and Jordan.
A gathering of friends will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services. A memorial service in celebration of Viola's life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Those wishing may express condolences by visiting www.LTaylorfuneral.com and signing the guestbook.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Vauneta D. Sellers
Vauneta Dockery Sellers, 80, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Hospital in Punta Gorda.
She was born
April 18, 1923, in Dandridge, Tenn., the daughter of Herman and Martha Chambers Dockery. She spent many years working in health care, but cherished her role as a wife, mother and active member of her church.
She is survived by her daughter, Jolene Mowry of Punta Gorda; son, Dean Sellers of Belmont, N.C.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Joe Thomas Sellers; her parents; a brother; and two sisters.
A graveside service will be held in Charlotte, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Charlotte Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
Etta Crosby
Etta (Robbins) Crosby, 68, of Englewood, Fla., and formerly a resident of Barnstable Village, Barnstable, Mass., died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at Falmouth Hospital in Falmouth, Mass.
She was born
May 18, 1935, in Centerville, Mass., and graduated from Barnstable High School in 1953. She was a past treasurer of the Barnstable Fire District and proprietor of Etta's This and That Antiques in Barnstable. She was the wife of Freeman M. Crosby II of Englewood. They were married for 50 years. She and her husband operated Freeman's Friendly Service Auto Repair for many years. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their recreational vehicle. She was involved with Englewood Shell Club and Gulf to Bay Cooperative Park. She also enjoyed gardening, shelling and birds, especially hummingbirds.
Surviving are her husband, Freeman; two sons, Tom O. (Nancy) Crosby II of Weymouth, Mass., and Robert M. (Paula) Crosby of Barnstable; a daughter, Diane Crosby (Keith) Trott of Forestdale, Mass.; two brothers, Burton Robbins of Centerville and Orren Robbins of South Dartmouth, Mass.; five grandchildren, Katie, Bobby, Tommy, Joshua and Julie; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St., Hyannis, Mass. Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to Ronald J. and Tracy Beals Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Barnstable Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 94, Barnstable, MA 02630. Arrangements are by Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home.
M. Grace O'Brien
M. Grace O'Brien, 90, of Hinesville, Ga., and formerly of Englewood, Fla., died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at her residence in Hinesville, under the care of Hospice Savannah.
She was born
April 26, 1913, in Calgary, Canada. She lived the past 10 years in Hinesville. She was formerly employed at Lemon Bay Pharmacy in Englewood for 25 years. She was a past president of American Legion Post 227 in Totowa Boro, N.J.
She is survived by two daughters, Muriel E. Miller of Hinesville and Catherine Seelinger of New Jersey; two sons, James O'Brien of Tampa, Fla., and William O'Brien of Reno, Nev.; two sisters, Violet Kemp and Una McIntyre, both of Ontario, Canada; two brothers, Kenneth Nasson of Nova Scotia and Harold Nasson of Hawaii; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Lemon Bay Cemetery in Englewood.
Memorials are requested to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416-0190. Carter Funeral Home, Oglethorpe chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
James E. Stidham Sr.
James E. Stidham Sr., 76, of Arcadia, Fla., died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003.
He was born
Oct. 15, 1926, in Union City, Ohio. He moved to Arcadia 30 years ago from Urbana, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a cross-country truck driver who loved to drive and loved talking about his travel. He was of the Methodist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Eveline Stidham of Arcadia; a daughter, Barbara (Mike) Dillon of Urbana; two sons, Mike (Becky) Stidham of Arcadia and James (Anna) Stidham of Urbana; two sisters, Edith Kohn of Urbana and Joetta Smith of Milford Center, Ohio; a brother, William Stidham of Milford Center; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday evening, Aug. 8, at Walter/Shoedinger Funeral Home, Urbana. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Kings Creek Cemetery in Kings Creek, Ohio. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Ruth D. Brooks
Ruth D. Brooks, 80, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla. Arrangements are by James A. McKee Funeral Homes, North Port, Fla.
John H. Howarth
John H. Howarth, 73, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003.
He was born
March 15, 1930, in Newark, N.J., and moved to this area in 1978 from Scotch Plains, N.J. Mr. Howarth was a retired plant manager at Weldon Industries in New Jersey and, after moving to Port Charlotte, was a warranty supervisor for McCandless Homes. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was a national member of Veterans of Foreign Wars; and a member of American Legion Post 110 in Port Charlotte; Knights of Columbus 3rd degree in Westfield, N.J.; and a former member of the Elks in Port Charlotte. Mr. Howarth was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte. He enjoyed woodworking and was an avid football fan of the N.Y. Giants.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Joan; daughter, Kelly Anne Brown of Port Charlotte; sons, James F. (Holly) Howarth of North Port, Fla.; Robert J. (Dianne) Howarth of Fanwood, N.J.; William J. (Shelly) Howarth of North Port; and grandchildren, Joelle Brown, Ashley Howarth, Jacob Brown, John Howarth, Amber Howarth, Emily Howarth, Alexis Howarth and Connor Howarth.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Mother of God House of Prayer, 17880 Cypress Creek Road, Alva, FL 33920.
