Richard G. Schoenbacher
Richard G. "Animal" Schoenbacher, 60, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died
Sept. 6, 2002 of a massive heart attack at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte.
He was born
May 5, 1942 in Chicago, Ill., and came to this area 33 years ago from there. Mr. Schoenbacher was a member of the American Legion Post 110, Port Charlotte, Fla., was an avid Harley enthusiast and worked for Charlotte County for 27 years.
Survivors include his wife Barbara N. Schoenbacher of Port Charlotte, Fla.; stepson Gary Nickerson of Port Charlotte, Fla.; stepdaughter Kimberly Nickerson of Clearwater, Fla., brother Kris Nielsen of Oaklawn, Ill., sisters Terry Mozzi of Mokena, Ill., and Jean Storie of Missouri, two stepgrandchildren, one stepgreat-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 11, 2002 at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte. Funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Wenona Jean Williams
Wenona Jean Williams, 72, of Englewood, Fla., died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 at her Charlotte County residence.
Born on Aug. 23, 1930 in Standish, Mich. to Harvey and Connie (Townsend) Bronson, she had been a resident of Englewood for 15 years, coming from Rose City, Mich. Mrs. Williams was the office manager for her husband's medical practice for 47 years.
She was a life member of Zion Rose Chapter 117, Order of the Eastern Star in West Branch, Mich., and she attended the Englewood United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Dr. William Williams; one daughter: Teri Hagerty of Englewood; two sons, Bill Williams of Nokomis, Fla., and John Williams of Englewood; four sisters, Grace Potter of Pontiac, Mich., Connie Gillings and Nancy Wainwright both of Oscoda, Mich., and Vicky Duley of Sandusky, Mich.; one brother, Gerald Bronson of Cheboygan, Mich.; five grandchildren, John Williams of Englewood, Jessica Williams-Close of Englewood, Emily and Allison Williams of Nokomis, Fla. and Joshua Williams of Marysville, Mich.
All services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South West Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34238 in memory of Mrs. Williams. Englewood Community Funeral Home has been selected to handle arrangements.
Lillian E. Dunn
Lillian E. Dunn, widow of James H. (1994), loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend, died peacefully at home with her family on Sept. 7, 2002.
She was born
in Watertown, N.Y. on March 26, 1921, the daughter of Roy J. and Ethel Greene and graduated from Potsdam State Teachers College in 1942. On Dec. 22, 1945, she and James were married. Lillian will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Lillian was an outstanding and knowledgeable educator having taught primary-aged children for 26 years in Dexter, Belleville, Averill Park, Liverpool, Whitesboro and Mohawk, N.Y. Colleagues knew here as an exemplary professional, truly dedicated to her students. Lillian loved spending, time and created many memories for her family, at a summer home on Millsite Lake, N.Y. She had many wonderful friends in North Port, Fla., where she spent winters. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church wherever she lived, Liverpool, Ilion, Canandaigua, N.Y. and Englewood, Fla. She was committed to the religious education of children and served as a leader in the United Methodist Women.
She was devoted to her children, Don (Sharon) Dunn and Beth (David) Herendeen; grandchildren, Terra Maney, Krista LaRocque, Tricia Rizo, Jim Dunn, Chad, Nathan and Kyle Herendeen; friend of 45 years, Eileen Vivlemore; daughter-in-law, Diane; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford; niece, Linda; brother-in-laws, Earl and John; and nephews, Jim, Bob and John.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Sept. 14 at the First United Methodist Church, Canandaigua. A reception hosted by the UMW will follow in the Parlor. She will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the memorial fund at the First United Methodist Church of Canandaigua or Ontario-Yates Hospice, 756 PreEmption Road, Geneva, NY 14456-1336. Fuller Funeral Home Inc., is in charge of arrangements.
Ruth F. Havlik
Ruth F. Havlik passed away Sept. 5, 2002. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Rudolph J. Cassetti Sr.
Rudolph Joseph Cassetti Sr., 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 31, 2002 at Hospice House of Venice in Venice, Fla.
He was born
July 10, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Port Charlotte 18 years ago from Huntington, Conn. He was a missile division director for the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring after 27 years of service. He was one of the first procurement inspectors to be hired by the former U.S. War Department. Most of his work, which involved military weapons systems and projects, was classified. During his tenure with the Department of Defense, he visited most military bases, missile sites, contractor plants, forts and arsenals throughout the United States, Canada, Labrador and Greenland. His last assignment was at Avco-Lycoming and Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte; Italian American Club of Punta Gorda; Knights of Columbus St. Teresa Council 2961 of Trumbull, Conn.; and the Connecticut Club of Port Charlotte. He was also a member and past commander of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 71 of Stratford, Conn.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Cassetti of Port Charlotte; a daughter, Andrea (Paul) Lewicki of Port Charlotte; a son, Rudolph J. (Karen) Cassetti Jr. of Shelton, Conn.; a brother, Joseph (Gerri) Cassetti of Port Jefferson, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Holly Lewicki of Port Charlotte, Tim Lewicki of Wolcott, Conn., Laura Cassetti of Phoenix, Ariz., and Kara Cassetti of Shelton; a niece, Maria Cassetti of Catskill, N.Y.; and a nephew, Robert Cassetti of Pleasanton, Calif.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 5, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952; or Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Lee K. Fleming
Lee K. Fleming, 91, passed away Aug. 31, 2002.
Mr. Fleming was born
March 15, 1911, in Adams County, Ind., to the late R.K. and Mary (Brown) Fleming. He moved to Port Charlotte, Fla., in 1971 after retiring earlier that year from International Harvester. Mr. Fleming was a charter member and was on the first council of Hope Lutheran Church of Gulf Cove, Fla. He served on the El Jobean Community League board of directors and was a past treasurer. He was a member of the El Jobean community watch program and was a volunteer for the Cultural Center of Charlotte County for more than 15 years.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dora Fleming of Port Charlotte; three children, Allen L. Fleming of Grove City, Jim (Carol) Fleming of Angola, Ind., and Kathleen (Paul) Bergdall of Hoagland, Ind.; a sister, Esta Ginter of Decatur, Ind.; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 4, at Hope Lutheran Church of Gulf Cove, with Pastor Lee A. Magneson officiating. Burial will be announced at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church of Gulf Cove, 14200 Hopewell Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33981; or a charity of your choice. Local arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Juanita P. Roberts
Juanita P. "Nita" Roberts, 77, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Aug. 31, 2002.
She was born
July 13, 1925, to the late Homer and Bertha (Callow) Roberts. She moved to this area in 1991 from Venice, Fla., where she had lived since moving from Kettering, Ohio, in 1985. Nita was a homemaker and was of the Protestant faith.
Nita will be greatly missed by her husband of 45 years, Jack; son, Scott E. (Suzanne) Roberts of Malta, Ohio; brothers, Quellen Oris Roberts of Spencer, W.Va., William Roberts and Charles Roberts, both of Parkersburg, W.Va.; sisters, Betty Boyd of Vienna, W.Va., and Mary Creighton of Nitro, W.Va.; four grandchildren; and special friends, Nancy and Lou Steele of Summerfield, Fla., and Doris and Ron Lichtenwalner of Venice. She was preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Davis.
There will be no local services. Family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Walter T. Davis Jr.
Walter Thaddeus Davis Jr., 67, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Arcadia, Fla., passed away at his home Aug. 30, 2002.
He was born
Sept. 29, 1934, in Arcadia, the son of Walter T. Jr. and Elizabeth (Hickman) Davis. He was a classical pianist and gave concert performances. Thad, as his friends knew him, attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a member of the teaching staff at Manatee Community College in Bradenton for several years. He attended the Bolles Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Arcadia.
He is survived by a brother, Donald T. (Darlene) Davis of Hardee County, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, George.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 4, at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsboro Ave., Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 5, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, with the Rev. Ted Land officiating. Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia, is in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn Bischoff
Kathryn Bischoff, 80, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 3, 2002, from respiratory and other complications after 30 days, mainly in intensive care, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda.
Mrs. Bischoff was born
in Asheville, N.C., and -- after her marriage to the late Otto Bischoff, a jewelry designer -- lived in Queens County, N.Y., for many years before retiring to Punta Gorda in 1983. She was a resident of Punta Gorda Isles for 19 years. Among activities Kay was involved in during her Florida years were as greeter at the PGI Civic Center, member of the PGI Civettes organization, as well as the PGI Afternoon Pinochle Club. She was also a member of the Bayfront Center Card Club, an election aide at local polling precincts, a member of Friends of the Library and a longtime volunteer assistant at the Punta Gorda Public Library. Her major interests included the theater, travel, reading and swimming.
She leaves her sister, Mrs. June James; her nephew, Lt. Lawrence (Karen) James (Greensboro Police Department), both of the Greensboro area; and her late brother's children of the Seattle, Wash., area.
Kathryn is being interred at Royal Palm Cemetery off Jones Loop Road in Punta Gorda with graveside services at 11 a.m. Aug. 7, prior to interment. Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Funeral Home of Punta Gorda.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Library, 424 W. Henry St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Norman H. Clarke
Norman H. Clarke, 87, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Aug. 3, 2002.
Mr. Clarke was born
March 15, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was a medic during World War II in the U.S. Army, 119th Evacuation Hospital. He moved to Punta Gorda from the Philadelphia area where he was the owner of a chocolate shop. By trade, Mr. Clarke was a salesman and the manager of Gateway Condominiums.
Norman leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Bertha Eva Clarke, of Punta Gorda; a sister, Eileen Scholfield of Lakeland, Fla.; and many friends.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 8, 2002, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda.
Morris W. McMillan
Morris W. McMillan, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died July 10, 2002 at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla.
He was born
July 6, 1919, in Beaver Dam, Wis., and came to this area 23 years ago from Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Mr. McMillan was a commercial fisherman. He was a member of the VFW Post 5690; American Legion Post 110, Port Charlotte, and American Legion Post 274, Fort Myers Beach; and the Florida Peace River Chapter Ex-POW. He served in the U.S. Army in the Battle of Corregidor in the Philippine Islands and served in the U.S. Army's 17th Cavalry. He was in the Bataan Death March, a POW in camps in Lipa and Cabanatuan, Philippines, and was in Osaka and Akenobe, Japan. He was decorated with the Distinguished Unit Badge (two oak-leaf clusters), the American Defense Ribbon, a Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and a World War II Victory Medal.
Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Anne McMillan and Jean Michele McMillan, both of Port Charlotte; a brother, James C. (Dorothy) McMillan of Beaver Dam; two sisters-in-law, Junetta (David) Robinson and Vera (David) Taylor, both of Fort Myers, Fla.; special niece, Sylvia (Ronald) Martin of Fort Myers; three grandchildren, Glenna (Lee) Jones of North Port, Fla., Robert and Lydia of Port Charlotte; four great-grandchildren, Lia, Cody, and Travis of North Port, and Nicoletta of Port Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth E. Parker McMillan, in 1992; a brother, Gerald; and his parents, Margaret Fitzgerald McMillan and Ralph McMillan.
The funeral was July 12 at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, with Deacon Michael DiMeglio officiating. Burial was in Indian Springs Cemetery, Punta Gorda.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; or H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Dennis R. Morris
Dennis Richard Morris, 37, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Aug. 3, 2002.
He was born
March 7, 1965, in Greenville, Pa., to James Dean Morris Sr. and June Louise Hovis. He had resided here since 1992 and was employed by Publix in Charlotte Harbor.
Surviving are his mother, June L. Morris; his sisters, Debby Morris, Amy Joe (Ron) Yurkovitch and Andrea Morris, all of Port Charlotte; one niece and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Dean Morris Jr., in 1975; and his father, James Dean Morris Sr., in 1995.
A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 7, in the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Homes, with the Rev. Larry W. Pope officiating.
Mearl C. Choate Sr.
Mearl Clyde "MC" Choate Sr., 80, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Aug. 4, 2002, in Fort Myers, Fla.
He was born
in Wauchula, Fla., on Feb. 5, 1922, and had lived in Arcadia for the past 28 years, moving here from Hardee County, Fla. He was a retired truck driver; a member of the American Legion, Wauchula, Fla.; and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II. He was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Arcadia.
Survivors include a son, Mearl Clyde Choate Jr. of Lake Wales, Fla.; three daughters, Joan Hazel (Bill) Fairall of Kissimmee, Fla., Rhoda Jean Choate of Arcadia and Martha (Jimmy) Wilson of Winter Haven, Fla.; two brothers, Virgil (Pat) Choate of Tampa, Fla., and James (Alberta) Choate of Sebring, Fla.; a sister, Janice (Jim) Richardson of Sebring; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances Hazel Choate.
Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7, at the Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home Chapel in Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 8, at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Arcadia, with the Rev. Terry Hudson officiating. Burial will be in Wauchula City Cemetery.
Frank B. Goltry
Frank Boyd Goltry, 82, of Englewood, Fla., passed away at home on Aug. 4, 2002. Cremation arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel.
Robert A. Johnson
Robert A. Johnson, 68, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 1, 2002, at his residence in Punta Gorda. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, Fla.
Kathryn J. Daugherty
Kathryn J. Daugherty, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2002.
She was born
Nov. 2, 1926, in Johnstown, Pa., and moved to Port Charlotte 15 years ago from Williamsport, Pa. She was a retired housekeeper for Villa Sans Souci Retirement Community of Port Charlotte, member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church of Port Charlotte and a charter member of the Women's Memorial Foundation of Washington, D.C. She was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Navy.
She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca L. Daugherty of Delray Beach, Fla.; a son, Ronald E. Daugherty II of Port Charlotte; two sisters, Helen Dyna and Evelyn Schultz, both of Johnstown; a brother, Anthony Janidlo of Jacksonville, Fla.; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald E. Daugherty; and a son, Christopher R. Daugherty.
A Memorial Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Aug. 24, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. Further services will be held at a later date in Pennsylvania with inurnment in Resurrection Cemetery, Montoursville, Pa. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Pauline M. Lenz
Pauline M. Lenz, 82, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2002, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
She was born
in Hawkeye, Iowa, on May 26, 1920, and came to this area 26 years ago from Flint, Mich. Mrs. Lenz was the former owner and operator of a beauty shop. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte and served as a sergeant in World War II in the Women's Army Corps.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur F. Lenz of Port Charlotte; two sons, David A. (Jill) Lenz of Oakhill, Va.; and Dennis F. (Suzanne) Lenz of Grand Blanc, Mich.; a sister, Marlene Graham of McHenry, Ill.; a brother, George E. Schmidt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandsons, Jonathan and Matthew Lenz, both of Oakhill; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 12, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Port Charlotte. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Aug. 13, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home in Port Charlotte.
John P. Swink
John P. Swink, 75, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2002, at IHS of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Born May 6, 1927, in Washington, D.C., he retired at an early age and moved to this area in July 1983 from Falls Church, Va. He was an endowment member of the National Rifle Association and member of the Deborah Hospital Foundation. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 51 years, Margaret E. Swink; son, James Edward (Helen) Swink of Tampa, Fla.; three daughters, Betty Jean (Robert) Brett of Sarasota, Fla., Mary Louise (Lewis) Kimball of Fairfax, Va., and Joan Marie (Ronald) Wright of Punta Gorda; six 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. Aug. 12, at Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 13, at Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel, followed by Burial at Indian Springs Cemetery in Punta Gorda. Elder Robert S. Brett of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bradenton, Fla., and Howard Swink will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Catherine Wood
Catherine "Dolly" Russett Wood, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., passed away Aug. 8, 2002.
Mrs. Wood was born
July 22, 1917, in Jersey City, N.J. A retired schoolteacher, she moved to Port Charlotte in 1977 from Jones Beach, Long Island, N.Y. Catherine was an active parishioner at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte and was on the council of Catholic Women and also Telecare volunteer at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte for many years. She had been active with the Welcome Wagon and participated in a production at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. For many years, she was an avid golfer and member of the Sunny Side Country Club. Dolly was a past parishioner at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Poughkeepsie, where she was a dramatic production coordinator for C.Y.O. Productions for more than 10 years. She graduated from New Paltz Normal School in 1937. She completed her master's degree at SUNY-Farmingdale, N.Y. She and her husband were very active in the Knights of Columbus in Babylon, N.Y., for more than 20 years.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Raymond of Port Charlotte; children, Raymond A. (Kathleen) Wood Jr. of Stoneridge, N.Y., Ann Sarinick of Farmingdale, N.Y., Judi (Charles) Pankenier of Ridgefield, Conn., Kathleen LeMyre of Middleburg, N.Y., and James M. Wood of Hobart, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many cousins, including Ann Marie (Tom) Bocchino.
Calling hours will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 14, at Timothy Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Aug. 15, at Our Lady of the Rosary in Poughkeepsie. Local arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Eugene A. Bassett
Eugene Arthur Bassett, 62, of Route 49, Constantia, N.Y., died July 26, 2002.
He was born
in Fulton, N.Y., and also lived in Port Charlotte, Fla. He was a bartender for many years. He was a member of the Constantia and Port Charlotte VFW posts. He coached Little League in Port Charlotte and was a member of South Florida Billiards League. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietname War, serving from 1958 to 1975.
Survivors include a son, David R. Reichel of Port Charlotte; and four grandchildren. His wife, Rosemarie, preceded him in death.
Services are private. There are no calling hours. Traub Funeral Home, Central Square, N.Y., is in charge of arrangements.
