John P. Richards
John P. "Jack" Richards, 69, of Arcadia, Fla., died Dec. 26, 2002, at DeSoto Memorial Hospital in Arcadia.
Born May 2, 1933, in Warren, Ohio, Mr. Richards was a winter resident of LaBelle, Fla., before moving to Arcadia four years ago. He attended Warren city schools and retired after 45 years as an automotive mechanic and owner-operator of Jack Richards Service Center in Warren. He was a member of St. Peter and Paul's Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren, as well as St. Paul's Catholic Church in Arcadia. He was a member of the DeSoto Gun Club, Arcadia; the National Rifle Association; was a 29-year member of the Elks fraternity as a member of the Lehigh Elks lodge and associate member of the Arcadia Elks lodge. Mr. Richards was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Chapter 620 in Warren, as well as a volunteer with the Knights of Columbis Boy Scout troop. He was a volunteer automotive shop teacher at DeSoto High School. An avid hunter, motorcyclist and RV'er, he was a member of the Arcadia Motorcycle Club, the Florida Mobile Home Association and the Florida Sheriff's Association.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy A. Richards; a daughter, Lorie Ripple (John Jr.) Nolder of Ozark, Ala.; and two grandsons, Bradley John and Ian Robert Ripple. He was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Richards; and a sister, Barbara Chagnot.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Warren.
The family has requested that memorial donations be made to St. Peter and Paul's Byzantine Catholic Church, 180 Belvedere, Warren, OH 44483. Robarts Funeral Home Inc., Arcadia, is in charge of arrangements.
Mary E. Yarborough
Mary Elizabeth Treadwell Yarborough, 91, of Greenville, S.C., died suddenly Dec. 24, 2002, surrounded by her family, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Arcadia, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Myrtle Kavanaugh Williams (DAR) and John H. Treadwell Sr., a pioneer attorney in the state of Florida. She attended Sullins College and Florida State University. "Mac," as she was known to her family and friends, was a member of First Baptist Church of Greenville and the Poinsett Club. A gifted pianist, fluent in French, she was also a New York City runway model and an interior designer for her husband's company, Danco, in Mauldin, S.C. She was active in garden clubs in North and South Carolina and was a founding member of the Foxcroft Garden Club in Charlotte, N.C. She was a member of the Fripp Island Homeowners Association on Fripp Island, where she had a beach home for more than 20 years.
She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, William Daniel Yarborough; and two brothers, John H. Treadwell Jr. and Lowndes Treadwell, both of Arcadia. She is survived by her four children, Jean Yarborough Helms of Charleston, S.C., Jane Yarborough Creech, Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Yarborough and William Daniel Yarborough Jr., all of Greenville; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Dr. Willard V. Treadwell of Santa Ana, Calif., and Thomas Lee Treadwell of Naples, Fla.; and sister, Jean Treadwell Dowd of Arcadia.
Visitation was Dec. 27, followed by graveside services at Woodlawn Memorial Park Remembrance Chapel in Greenville.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Greenville, 847 Cleveland St., Greenvilee, SC 29601. Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown, Greenville, is in charge of arrangements.
Peter A. Richards
Peter A. Richards, 79, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Dec. 26, 2002, at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda, Fla. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Sadie B. Sprague
Sadie B. Sprague, 89, of Englewood, Fla., died Dec. 26, 2002, at River Oak Assisted Living in Englewood. ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Mike J. Povec
Mike J. Povec, 90, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Dec. 22, 2002, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
He was a machinist, long retired from Alcoa Aluminum in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born
April 4, 1912, in Austria. He and his wife moved to Port Charlotte eight years ago from Cleveland, Ohio. Mike's beloved wife of 61 years, Eleanor, died in 2000. His last two years were happily spent with his new extended family at Sandhill Gardens in Deep Creek, Fla. Mike enjoyed good health until October and, with the death of their spouses in 2000, he and his daughter and their golden retriever, Cassie, became best friends and enjoyed wonderful times together.
He is survived by his son, Dennis (Carol) Povec of Dallas Texas; daughter, Joyce Robbins of Port Charlotte; grandson and pal, David Robbins of Leuven, Germany; two granddaughters, Laura (Brandon) Waldo of Munich, Germany, and Lynn Rae (Bill) Kastle of Dallas; and sister, Marie (Joe) Elmo of Silver Spring, Md., and his family. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joe and Steve.
A memorial service will be held at Sandhill Gardens. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society.
Thomas Workman Sr.
Thomas Workman Sr., 71, of Port Charlotte, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2002.
He was born
Aug. 10, 1931, in Chattaroy, W.Va. He was the son of the late Nimrod and Millie Workman. He lived in Virginia for many years, where he had many lifelong friends. He retired from Lone Star Industries of Roanoke, Va., with 31 years of service, then went on to pastor Praise Tabernacle Church in Beaufort, S.C., where he lived for 18 years. He was a member of Gospel Life Christian Ministries in Beaufort. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Workman Delp of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a son Thomas Jr. (Gail) Workman of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandsons, Rodney Delp Jr. of Roanoke and Travis L. Delp of Blue Ridge, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Autumn Delp and Kaitlyn Delp; brothers and sisters, Dorothy Hamilton of New Market, Tenn., Charles Workman of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Lillie Mae Moore of Chesapeake, Va., Gladys Pearl McNeely of Williamson, W.Va., James Edward Workman of Lowell, Fla., Harvey Jay Workman of Carpet, Ga., Doris Ann Rivera of Bellview, Fla., Phyllis Sue Liptac of Bradenton, Fla.; Tronnie Scott Workman of Bellview, Fla.; and a very special friend, Fern McCaston of Beaufort. He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Louise Eden Workman; and a brother, Billy Gene Workman.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 27, at Campbell Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 28, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Pook Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Those wishing to express sympathy on-line may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com
M. Alice Johnson
Marie Alice Johnson, 85, of Englewood, Fla., died Dec. 24, 2002, at Englewood Community Hospital.
Born May 25, 1917, in Canada, she had been first a winter resident of Englewood, then became a legal resident in 1983, coming from Connecticut. She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker for her family and was employed for a time by General Motors. She was a member of Lemon Bay Isles Edgewater Club and communicant of St. Raphael Catholic Church.
Survivors include her husband of 23 years, Walter E. Johnson of Englewood; a son, Richard Santerre of Woodbury, Conn.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 26, with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m., with the Rev. Morris Wells at Englewood Community Funeral Home, 3070 S. McCall Road. Funeral service and Burial will be in Connecticut.
William D. Willis
William David Willis, 59, of Englewood, Fla., died Dec. 22, 2002, at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota.
Born June 9, 1943, in Sarasota to William and Madelyn (Dixon) Willis, he had been a resident of Englewood since 1993, coming from Sarasota. Mr. Willis was employed by Webster's Nursery in Osprey for 15 years until an accident forced his retirement in 1989. He was a member of Venice Laurel Church of God.
Survivors include two sons, William D. Willis Jr. of Bradenton, Fla., and Christopher Lee Willis of Sacramento, Calif.; a brother, Roy L. Willis of Englewood; grandchildren, Aaron Willis of Bradenton and Nichole Willis of Tennessee; and two cousins, Mike and Glorimay Willis of Vamo, Fla.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 28, at Venice Laurel Church of God, 216 Brown Road, with Dana Goude, pastor, officiating. The family wishes to thank all of the friends and loved ones who have offered prayers and concern for them at this most difficult time.
Englewood Community Funeral Home is in charge arrangements.
Velma Sailers
Velma Daughtrey Sailers, 98, of Fort Ogden, Fla., died Dec. 23, 2002, in Lakeland, Fla.
Mrs. Sailers was born
June 16, 1904, in Texas and moved as a small child to Fort Ogden, where she lived most of her life. She was a retired cafeteria worker for the Fort Ogden School and a member of First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden.
Survivors include her two sons, Carl L. (Phyllis) Daughtrey of Fort Meade, Fla., and David (Ruth) Daughtrey of Fort Ogden; a daughter, Doris (Terry) Hargis of Englewood, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 27, at First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden, with funeral services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Wayne A. Earnest officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Ogden Cemetery. Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia, will be in charge of arrangements.
Edward J. Fry
Edward J. Fry, 93, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002.
Born Sept. 27, 1909, in Breedsville, Mich., he was the fifth child of William E. and Elizabeth Fry. Of the five sisters and three brothers, only one, Ellsworth W. Fry, is still living and will soon be 95. Edward married Regina (Jean) Yuker, Feb. 12, 1934, and they were married for 68 years.
Edward and Regina came to Punta Gorda in 1963, buying Lazy Lagoon Trailer Park on Riverside Drive, which he developed into Lazy Lagoon HOA, now a resident-owned park. He retired in 1971 to fish.
Edward and Regina had five children. Edward is survived by sons, James E. (Sandy) Fry, William E. (Becky) Fry and Jerry R. Fry; a daughter, Jean M. (Kert) Lancaster of Warner Robins, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a son, Donald W. (Mary) Fry.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at Lazy Lagoon Harmony Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte is in charge of arrangements.
William Benjamin Jones
William Benjamin "Bill" Jones, 29, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 30, 2002.
He was born
May 28, 1973, in Port Charlotte, Fla., and was a lifelong resident of Charlotte County. Bill will always be remembered for his love for his family and his willingness to help people.
He will be greatly missed by his mother, Debbie (Scott) Hansen of Punta Gorda; father, Wesley Jones of Arcadia, Fla.; brother, John Joseph Daniels of Punta Gorda; stepbrother, David Earl Jones of Arcadia; and grandparents, Lonzo and Myrtle McClain.
A memorial service in celebration of Bill's life will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 12 at 903 La Villa Drive in Punta Gorda.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda.
Anne G. Podkulski
Anne G. Podkulski, 66 of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002.
She was born
Dec. 9, 1935, in Miami, Fla., and moved to Port Charlotte in 1985. Mrs. Podkulski was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Survivors include her husband, Daniel S.; daughters, Judy (Daniel) Gaub of Crosby, Minn., and Margaret (Jim) Chouinard of Fruita, Colo.; sons, Daniel E. (Judy) of Kingwood, Texas, and John of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Lena, Bradley, Everett, Lianne and John.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday Oct. 6, 2002, at Mrs. Podkulski's residence.
Memorial donations may be made to American Legion Post 110, 3152 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte is in charge of arrangements.
Ronald Charles Root
Ronald Charles Root, 60, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002.
He was born
March 5, 1942, in Plainwell, Mich., to Edna M. (Senholtz) Root and the late Charles B. Root. Ron came to this area in 1985 from Kalamazoo, Mich. He received his bachelor's degree from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, and earned his MBA from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He worked in real estate for 17 years, most recently with ERA Randol Realty; his specialty was commercial real estate and he had earned the designation CCIM. Ron was also very involved with the National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors and the Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port Association of Realtors.
Ron was an avid fisherman and spent many happy hours teaching his children and grandchildren to fish. His greatest joy was sharing activities with his family, including bowling, camping, travel and boating. He was also active with Boy Scouts in Michigan. He was a great handyman who enjoyed working on projects around the house.
Ron will be greatly missed by his wife of 39 years, Bonnie; daughters, Christine L. Stidd of Ketchikan, Ark., and Michelle M. Sanchez of St. Petersburg; son, Kenneth C. Root of Kalamazoo; mother, Edna M. Root of Port Charlotte; sisters, Janice Hunter of Port Charlotte and Marilyn Anderson of Burlington, Mich.; and four grandchildren.
The family will receive friends 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. A service in celebration of Ron's life will be held in Plainwell, Mich., with Burial at Hillside Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda.
Edna M. Thomas
Edna Mae Thomas, 78, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002.
In memory of a wise and wealthy woman of God, wise in life issues and the Word of God, wealthy in all the fruits of the Spirit: love, kindness, long-suffering, joy and peace. We salute you the greatness of your service to mankind and God. Mother Edna Thomas was born
Dec. 25, 1923. She became a member of the Church of the Living God Pillar Ground and Truth in 1939, under the pastorate of Elder M.J. Jackson. She remained a member until death, under the pastorate of Bishop Alto Blanding, presently known as True Holiness Church of the Living God. She attended public schools in DeSoto County. The family later moved to Punta Gorda, Fla., where she worked and continued to further her education at the training academy on Bethune Cookman Campus. She strived and was a proponent of education. Mother Thomas was a loving and devout wife to Bishop Isaac Thomas before his demise. She and Bishop Thomas owned and operated a small restaurant for many years, as she also continued to be a housekeeper. Mother Thomas later saw a need to educate preschoolers in the neighborhood. She started the first black kindergarten located in the True Light Bible School building that they also owned. She is perhaps best remembered for the yearly Vacation Bible School, originally housed in True Light on Showalter Avenue. After its demolition, she continued to hold Vacation Bible School in her home, the church, and often under the mango trees. Mother Thomas' true love was the Word of God. She could teach and reach. We will always cherish her for appreciating the simplicities of life. She has counseled the counselors. A friend to all; we love you!
Mother Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Isaac Thomas, on Dec. 29, 1996; and a granddaughter, Geraldine Logan. She leaves to mourn a daughter, Earlene Oliver of Punta Gorda; a son, Elder Isaac (Charlie Ann) Thomas; grandchildren, Edna Reaves, Kimberly Thomas, Demetrius Thomas, all of Punta Gorda, Myra Thomas (Lorenzo) Smith of Tallahassee, Fla., Jasmine and Genessa, Donovan Newsome, Carnell Mitchell and Fred (Yolanda) Matthews; daughter and son by choice, Vivian (the Rev. C.C. Reeves) Reeves and Nathaniel Platt; sisters, Almeta Manuel of Arcadia, Fla., Willie Sneed of Philadelphia, Pa.; a brother, William Bruce (Francis) of Philadelphia; nieces, Arlene (the Rev. Rod) Bostic, Shaunte and LaToya Manuel, Ruby Lee (Martin) Robinson, Sara Smith, all of Punta Gorda, and Betty Woodard of Winter Haven, Fla.; nephews, Roderick Bostic, Lloyd Thomas of Punta Gorda, Rudy (Judy) Twiggs of Tampa, Fla., Edward (Eunice) Twiggs of Riviera Beach, Fla., and Edward Lewis of Winter Haven, Fla.; a host of great-grandchildren; loving cousin, Lois Rogers of Fort Myers, Fla.; and devoted friends, Margie Neal, Annie Lou Pugh and Kit MacGibbons.
Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at True Holiness Church of the Living God, Punta Gorda. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m., with Bishop Alto Blanding and Elder Gregory Ford officiating. Burial will be in Charlotte Memorial Garden Cemetery, Punta Gorda.
Funeral arrangements are by Hickson Funeral Home, Arcadia, Fla. "Where there are memories, let them be beautiful."
Jack Weisberg
Jack Weisberg, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., went to sleep on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, to await the resurrection morning.
He was born
on Sept. 16, 1917, to Benny and Sadie Weisberg. Mr. Weisberg served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force as a 1st lieutenant during World War II. He was a devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and served as a hospital administrator within the Seventh-day Adventist Health System in Palatka, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Punta Gorda, Fla.
Surviving are his wife, Ruth; daughter, Martha Tyndal of West Palm, Fla.; sons, John Weisberg of Deland, Fla., and James Weisberg of Port Charlotte; a brother, Samuel Weisberg of Lowell, Mass.; a sister, May Stonner of Manchester, N.H.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A son, Douglas, preceded him in death in February 1994.
The family will receive friends 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, in the Port Charlotte Chapel of the Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home. A memorial service will celebrate's Jack's life at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Port Charlotte.
Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur Sheldon Widzer
Arthur Sheldon Widzer, 88, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Monday, Sept. 30, 2002.
He was a retired chemical engineer, holding a bachelor's of science degree from Case University and a master's degree from the University of Kentucky. He had worked for B.F. Goodrich and Geon-Polyone companies, mainly in plastics.
His hobbies included fishing and horticulture, especially growing fruit trees. He was a member of the Master Gardeners and the Caloosa AARE Fruit Exchange.
Mr. Widzer is survived by two sisters-in-law, five nieces and three nephews.
Contributions may be sent to Temple Shalom, 23190 Utica Avenue, P.O. Box 2671, Port Charlotte, FL 33949 or to the gardening society of Friends for the Extension Foundation Inc., c/o Charlotte County Extension Service, 25550 Harborview, Unit 3, Port Charlotte, FL 33980.
Arrangements are by National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte.
Dennis Ross
Dennis Ross, 58, of Englewood, Fla. (Sarasota County), died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, Fla.
He was born
Feb. 14, 1944, in Tampa, Fla., and came to the Englewood area 35 years ago from there. He owned and operated Ross TV, which was formerly Lemon Bay TV, in Englewood. He was a member of the Jaycees, Elks Lodge 2378 and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1933, all of Englewood. He was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Englewood and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his son, Richie, of Englewood; daughter, Kellie Ward of Boone, N.C.; four brothers, Joey of Tampa, Joseph of Hanover, Md., Ronny of Millersville, Md., and Robert of Crownsville, Md.; one granddaughter, Giana Felice Ward; mother, Frances Ross of Hanover; and a loving companion, Janice Huffman of Englewood.
Visitation will be held 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home in Englewood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Park in Englewood.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Dennis Ross to Richie Ross, 22 Caroll Circle, Englewood, FL 34223.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
