Barbara R. Walsh
Barbara R. Walsh, 71, of Englewood, Fla., died Jan. 31, 2003, at her Charlotte County residence.
Born Sept. 14, 1931, in Fairfield, Conn., to Theodore and Emmalyne (Nash) Reed, she had been a resident of the Englewood area for 14 years, coming from Rockaway Township, N.J. Mrs. Walsh was a technical clerk for the drafting company Keuffel and Esser in Morris Plains, N.J., for four years, retiring in 1981. She was a member of Englewood United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Raymond F. Walsh of Englewood; daughter, Diane (Ralph) Dahlgren of East Bridgewater, Mass.; a son, R. David (Edith) Walsh of Rockaway; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 6, at Englewood United Methodist Church, Doan Chapel, with the Rev. Gale Williamson officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 in memory of Mrs. Walsh.
Wilton C. Hamblett
Wilton C. Hamblett, 69, of North Port, Fla., died Jan. 29, 2003, at IHS of Port Charlotte, Fla.
He was born
Feb. 25, 1933, in Trinidad to Lallrington and Ruby Yard Hamblett. He came here in 1993 from Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a member of New Testament Church of God in North Port and was a Bible student. He was an auto mechanic.
He is survived by his wife, Magdalena of North Port; sons, Kurt Hamblett of Tampa, Fla., and Allyson Hamblett of Tacarigua, Trinidad; daughters, Amy Ventour of Queens, N.Y., Patsy Hamblett of Toronto, Canada, and Wendy Ventour of Tacarigua; a stepson, Anthony Phillips of Kentucky; a stepdaughter, Angela Charles of Brooklyn; brothers, George Hamblett of Toronto, and Gabriel Hamblett of Tunapuna, Trinidad; and four grandchildren.
Visitation was Feb. 3 at James A. McKee Funeral Home, 14538 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port. A service will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 4, at the funeral home, officiated by Beryl Bernard, pastor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Diabetes Foundation would be appreciated.
Richard K. Struthers
Richard K. "Dick" Struthers, 78, of North Port, Fla., formerly of Phillipsburg, N.J., and Reese, Mich., died Feb. 1, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla.
He was born
Dec. 18, 1924, in Phillipsburg, the son of the late Alexander and Sarah Ellen (Lambert) Struthers. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School. Dick served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the European Theater during World War II, flying 75 sorties in B-17's, as a top turret gunner. He married the former Agnes Evan on June 29, 1946. He was employed for more than 35 years with Ingersoll-Rand Co. in both Phillipsburg and later in Allentown, Pa., retiring in 1986. After his retirement, Dick and Agnes moved to Reese. While in Reese, he worked with his son at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and was an honorary member of Resse-Blumfield Fire/Rescue. In 1988 he and his wife moved permanently to their winter home in North Port and he became an active member of San Pedro Catholic Church. While living in Phillipsburg, Dick was a member of St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, worked as a football, baseball and basketball referee for many years and was inducted into the Warren County Midget Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He was a former member of Delaware Park Fire Co. No.1 and Lopatcong Emergency Squad.
Surviving are his wife, Agnes; his son, Richard J. (Neva) Struthers of Reese; daughter, Sandra S. (Daniel) Kennedy of Phillipsburg; four grandchildren, Christina Struthers of Saginaw, Mich., Michael Struthers of Reese, and Shawn and Nicole Kennedy, both of Phillipsburg; a brother, Robert Struthers of Pennsylvania; several sisters-in-law; and many nieces. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia; and four brothers, David, Wayne, Lambert and Donald Struthers.
Dick's family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 4, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel, with a Scripture service at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Feb. 5, at San Pedro Catholic Church in North Port, with the Rev. Tomasz Ochej officiating. Burial will be in Venice Memorial Gardens.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Delaware Park Fire Co. No. 1, Park Avenue, Phillipsburg, NJ 08665; or Reese Blumfield Fire/Rescue, River Street, Reese, MI 48757.
Mary C. Carmichael
Mary Catherine Carmichael of Rushville, Ind., and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Feb. 1, 2003. Arrangements are by The Meeks Mortuary Chapel, Muncie, Ind.
Phyllis J. Feldkamp
Phyllis Jean Feldkamp, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Feb. 1, 2003. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
J. Merlin Tovey
J. Merlin Tovey, 86, of Rotonda West, Fla., died Jan. 30, 2003, at Englewood Health Care Center in Englewood, Fla. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood chapel.
John W. Caldwell
John W. Caldwell, 79, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Jan. 31, 2003.
John was born
April 5, 1923, in Springfield, Ohio, to Carey and Minnie Caldwell. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After his retirement, he moved to Punta Gorda from the San Fernando Valley of California in 1995. He enjoyed the unique craft of lamp-making in his spare time.
He will be forever loved and missed by his two sons, John W. (Barbara) Caldwell and Daniel Scott Caldwell, both of West Hills, Calif.; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home of Punta Gorda, Fla., is serving the family.
Kathryn Eaton
Kathryn Wilkie Eaton, 96, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 26, 2003, at Harbour Health Care, Port Charlotte.
She was born
Dec. 20, 1906, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was the daughter of the late William G. and Louise Henriken Wilkie. Kathryn and her late husband, Joseph J. Eaton, bought their home in Port Charlotte in 1961 and moved here permanently in 1968 when she retired. Katherine graduated from Summit High School, Summit, N.J., New Jersey State Normal School and received her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. She taught elementary school in Englewood, N.J., where she became a principal and in New Rochelle, N.Y., until her retirement. In memory of their daughter, she and her husband, Joseph, founded the Joyce Eaton Memorial Society, which offered scholarships for music and further education to the vision-impaired. Kathryn was a certified Braille transcriber. She was very active at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County from its very early stages until the early 1990s. She was especially well-known at the cultural center for presenting slide shows of her worldwide travels. She was also active in the Association for the Blind, Retired Teachers Association and Right to Breathe. Kathryn was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Charlotte Harbor, and a Sunday school teacher for many years.
She is survived by her loving family, a daughter, Joryn E. Schmitz of Port Charlotte; a sister, Grace W. Nagle of Kilmarnock, Va.; a brother, Wallace J. (Winifred) Wilkie of Saline, Mich.; five grandchildren, William (Janice) Schmitz of Punta Gorda, Fla., Wes (Lynne) Schmitz of Port Charlotte, Jory (Brian) Schmitz Bradshaw of Greer, S.C., Walter Schmitz Of Merritt Island, Fla., and Jill (Scott) Timmerman of Columbus, Ohio; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
At the request of Mrs. Eaton, there will be no services. Private inurnment will be held at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
Carl P. Ficera
Carl P. "Bull" Ficera, 91, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Jan. 30, 2003, in his home.
Carl was born
May 24, 1911, in Stevenson, Minn., to Frank and Ralphelina Ficera. Carl moved
to Stamford, Conn., in 1936. He worked and played baseball for the Stamford Rolling Mill for 34 years and later worked for Fidelity Bank and Fleet Boston Financial. He moved to Port Charlotte in 1980 from Stanford, Conn. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church bowling league in Stamford for 35 years. He bowled with the St. Pedro league in North Port and Elks league in Venice.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Josephine Ficera; his two children, Carla Thompson of Darien, Conn., and Sheila (Joseph) Toto of Port Charlotte; four grandchildren, Wendy Carolluzzi, Lori Swanson, Richard Thompson and Craig Thompson; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Feb. 3, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda, Fla. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Charlotte Memorial Gardens.
Robert L. Kirby
Robert L. Kirby, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 31, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
He was born
April 20, 1927, in Baltimore, Md., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1974 from Arnold, Md. He retired from the Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad after 30 years of service. He was a retired building inspector for the Charlotte County building department and currently was a building inspector with the city of Venice, Fla., building department. He was a Kentucky colonel and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Helen L. Kirby of Port Charlotte; a daughter, Carol (Bill) Gard of Punta Gorda, Fla.; two grandchildren, Kerri (Scott) Birchfield and William D. Gard II, both of Punta Gorda; a great-grandson, Tyler Birchfield of Punta Gorda; four sisters, Anne Brodes and Sara O'Day, both of Annapolis, Md., Elsie Jones of Cambridge, Md., and Elizabeth Zimmerman of Baltimore; four brothers, Royal Kirby of Arnold, William F. Kirby Jr. of Annapolis, Ronald Kirby of Williamsburg, Va., and Guy Kirby of Westerville, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8,30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 4, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 5, 2003, at the funeral home, with the Rev. James R. Kuse of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church officiating. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.
Jeannette B. McHugh
Jeannette B. McHugh, 86, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Jan. 13, 2003, at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda.
She was born
July 28, 1916, in White Plains, N.Y. Mrs. McHugh was a retired bookkeeper and she moved to the area in November 1980 from Akron, Ohio. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She spent much of her free time painting and playing bridge. Years ago she volunteered at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda.
She leaves behind a daughter, Penny (Greg) Leet of Port Charlotte; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Phillip Yahn, and her second husband, Frank McHugh.
A service of remembrance will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Feb. 3, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda, followed by inurnment in Charlotte Memorial Gardens. Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda is in charge of arrangements.
James J. Williams
James J. Williams, 86, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Jan. 31, 2003, in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Williams was born
July 20, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was an air conditioning/heating technician at a marine depot in Philadelphia, retiring in 1963. Mr. Williams relocated to Punta Gorda, Fla., from Havertown, Pa., in 1981 and relocated to Port Charlotte in 2001. He had been a member of Punta Gorda Alliance Church. More recently, he was a member of Sonshine Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Dorothy M. Williams of Port Charlotte; two daughters, Karen A. (Steven P.) Peters of Port Charlotte and Dorothy M. (Daniel G.) Boone of Jacksonville, Fla.; six children and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from noon to service time at 1 p.m. Feb. 4, at Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, with the Rev. William Bales officiating. Burial will follow in Royal Palm Memorial Gardens.
Those who wish may make contributions to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Geraldine S. Tyler
Dr. Geraldine Tyler, 61, of Englewood, Fla., died Jan. 28, 2003, at her Sarasota County residence.
Born Feb. 6, 1941, in Somerville, Mass., to Michael J. and Mary A. (Burns) Sullivan, Geri had been a resident of Englewood for two years, coming from Atlanta, Ga. A nun with the Sisters of Notre Dame for 15 years, Geri earned her doctorate at Notre Dame University. She was the first woman in the Southeast to attain diplomat status with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors in 1990.
Dr. Tyler was a senior staff and faculty member at Emory University and a lecturer at Duke University. Dr. Tyler's last 12 years were spent in private practice as a psychotherapist in Atlanta, where she was held in high esteem by her patients, colleagues and friends.
Geri is survived by her husband of 16 years, Col. Thomas H. Tyler (retired) of Englewood; sister, Ann Marie Joyce of Milton, Mass.; brothers, Dr. Thomas M. Sullivan of Norwood, Mass., and Dr. Michael F. Sullivan of Vincentown, N.J.; stepdaughters, Renee E. Lindsey of Stockbridge, Ga., and Denise E. Gay of Stockton, Ga.; stepson, Stephen H. Tyler of Snellville, Ga.; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 3, at Englewood Community Funeral Home, 3070 S. McCall Road. The Rev. Morris Wells will celebrate a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Feb. 4., at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Private Burial will be in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Scleroderma Research Foundation, 2320 Bath St., Suite 315, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, in Geri Tyler's memory.
Arthur J. Moore
Arthur James Moore, 72, of North Port, Fla., died Jan. 31, 2003.
He was born
Nov. 7, 1930, in Belle Vernon, Pa. He moved to North Port in 1979 for Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a sergeant major with the U.S. Army for 26 years, serving in Vietnam in 1967-68 and three tours overseas. He was a real estate agent in North Port for several years. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 8203, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, former charter member of the Moose, member of the Elks in North Port and Early Bird Kiwanis.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marsha Moore of North Port; a daughter, Tracy Ramseur of Ponte Vedra Fla.; a grandson, Danny Ramseur of Ponte Vedra; and three sisters.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 3, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel, with the Rev. Ralph J. Burton officiating. Private Burial will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720. Farley Funeral Homes and Crematory, North Port chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
David B. Dooley
David Byron Dooley, 77, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 27, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
Lester H. Hindle
Lester Howard Hindle, 91, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Jan. 30, 2003, at Englewood Community Hospital in Englewood. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Melba J. Mateer
Melba Joyce Mateer, 70, of North Port, Fla., died Jan. 30, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
Mabel McConney
Mabel McConney, 100, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Feb. 1, 2003, at home with Hospice. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
Staff Report
J. Merlin Tovey
J. Merlin Tovey, 86, of Rotonda West, Fla., died Jan. 30, 2003. Lemon Bay Funeral Homes, Englewood chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Frederick J. Walls
Frederick James Walls, 80, of Englewood (Charlotte County), Fla., died Jan. 30, 2003. Lemon Bay Funeral Homes, Englewood chapel, is in charge of cremation arrangements.
Marjorie Canfield
Marjorie Simmons Canfield, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Jan. 26, 2003.
She was born
in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of the late Abel and Lucille Simmons. Marjorie was a former resident of Long Island, N.Y., Warwick, R.I., and St. Croix of the Virgin Islands. She came to this area in 1986 along with her husband, Lavergne "Bud" Canfield. Marjorie was a graduate of Carlton College and earned her master's degree from Georgetown University. She worked as an economist for the government during World War II, before deciding to be a homemaker and raise her two children. She enjoyed golf activities and belonged to several golf clubs, the last being St. Andrews South Golf Club in Punta Gorda.
Marjorie will be greatly missed by her husband, Lavergne "Bud" Canfield; sons, Richard Gillette of San Francisco, Calif., and Michael (Brenda) Canfield of Jupiter, Fla.; sister, Nancy (William) Steinhour of Bradenton, Fla.; grandchildren, Jasara Gillette, Holly Martin and Morgan Canfield; and two great-grandchildren.
At her request, services will be private.
Memorial donations may be made in Marjorie's honor to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Anna E. Casciotta
Anna E. Casciotta, 92, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Jan. 25, 2003, at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda.
Anna was born
July 10, 1910, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to August and Frances Murken Warren. She was an avid bingo player and moved to the Punta Gorda area in 2000.
Anna will be greatly missed by her daughter, Frances (Louis) Flynn of Spring Hill, Fla.; son, John (Carole) Casciotta of Punta Gorda; sister, Frances Lanagin of East Islip, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John Casciotta.
A gathering for friends will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. Additional services and Burial will be held in Kings Park, N.Y. To express condolences to the family, visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
