Helen Crosby Colkin
Helen Crosby Colkin, 93, of North Port, Fla., died Friday, March 29, 2002, at her residence. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Irene Dupuis
Irene Dupuis, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 27, 2002. Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home.
Virginia E. Taff
Virginia E. Taff, 81, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 27, 2002. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte.
Ronald L. Grimmett
Ronald Lee Grimmett, 54, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away March 25, 2002, in Punta Gorda.
Mr. Grimmett was born
Dec. 8, 1947, in Mann, W.Va. He had resided in Charlotte County for 29 years. He was a corporal in the U.S. Marines. He worked for the city of Punta Gorda in the Code Enforcement Department. He was a member of Building Official Association of Florida. He was happily married to his wife, Patricia, for 34 years. He was a loving father to his two daughters. He loved hunting and fishing in his spare time. He treasured the time he spent with his three grandsons.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia; two daughters, Renee Grimmett-Butler (Ritch) and Stacy Grimmett Calvert (Wade); three grandsons, Austin Wade Butler, Aaron Lee Calvert and Hunter Ron Calvert; his parents, Alec and Cleo Grimmett; three brothers, Russell, Rick and Randy Grimmett; a sister, Elisabeth Trammell; sister-in-law, Judy Scott (Leonard) and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, with the Rev. Robert J. Mignone, M.D., officiating. The family will receive guests from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Walter J. Fink
Walter J. Fink, 79, a long-time resident of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away
March 25, 2002, at his home in Port Charlotte.
Known as "Wally" to most, he was born
in New York, N.Y., on Jan. 16, 1923. Wally served as a rifleman in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was wounded in the Battle of Normandy and received the Purple Heart. At the conclusion of the war, Wally became a conductor on the Long Island Railroad, where he worked for more than 30 years. He retired in 1972 and moved to Port Charlotte with his wife, "Chickie," and four children. Wally was never one to sit still, so he became the ultimate volunteer. From day one, he was involved in fund-raising efforts for Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, Pop Warner football, and all sports at both Charlotte and Port Charlotte High schools. In addition to his desire to "help the kids," he also wanted to help the elderly and did so by volunteering at many different retirement homes throughout the area. His greatest accomplishment as a volunteer was when he started the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Parking Enforcement Division. Tired of seeing people parking illegally in handicapped spaces around town, he used his own resources to assist the Sheriff in ticketing these cars. He eventually grew the division into what it is today -- more than 20 volunteers providing an invaluable service to this community. Wally didn't make time for hobbies. His zest in life came from helping others and that's how anyone who knew him will remember him. His family was his passion and his love for his bride, "Chickie," is what he truly lived for. He will be missed greatly by many.
Wally is survived by his wife; daughter, Donna Dauer (and husband, Rick) of Ocala, Fla.; sons, Michael A. LaMarca (and his wife, Michele) of Port Charlotte, Lt. Col. Joseph LaMarca Jr. (and his wife, Tracy) of Colorado Springs, Colo., and James LaMarca of St. Petersburg, Fla.; three grandsons; two granddaughters; his niece, Geraldine Buffuto (and her husband, Tom) of New Jersey; nephew, George Fink Jr. (and his wife, Cathy) and family of New Jersey; three great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and close friends.
Visitation was 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, with words said by family and friends at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Helen L. Kistler
Helen Laura Kistler, 94, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of North Port, Fla., passed away March 24, 2002.
Born Oct. 15, 1907, in Edinburg, Ohio, she moved to Florida in 1976 from Warren, Ohio. She retired as an organist from Lutheran Church of the Living Waters in North Port. She was a pianist for the Warren Civic Chorus in Warren, Ohio. She graduated from the Dana School of Music in Youngstown, Ohio. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Warren, where she had also been organist, and Lutheran Church of the Living Waters in North Port.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Taylor of Dublin, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Carole Baker, Chip Taylor, Amy Taylor and Brian Taylor of Columbus, Ohio, and Steven Kistler, Mark Kistler, Maribeth Kistler and Karl Kistler of California.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Lutheran Church of the Living Waters in North Port.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Church of the Living Waters, 12475 Chancelor Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33953.
Lewis R. Kropp
Lewis R. Kropp, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 23, 2002.
He was born
April 24, 1917, in Collinsville, Ill., to the late Corad and Amalia (Dombroski) Kropp. Mr. Kropp moved to Port Charlotte from Iberia, Mo., in 1983. He was a member of the Cultural Center of Charlotte County and was a retired welder.
He is survived by a daughter, Janet Kropp of Saratoga, N.Y.; and two brothers, Leo Kropp of Tuscola, Ala., and Allen Franzi of Edwardsville, Ill. He was preceded in death by his wife, Amalia "Molly" Kropp; and a brother, Dale Kropp.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Alterra Sterling House, 18440 Toledo Blade Blvd., Port Charlotte. Kays-Ponger Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte is in charge.
William G. Tilka
William G. Tilka, 76, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died March 23, 2002.
He was born
June 28, 1925, in Gary, Ind., to the late Michael and Julianne (Benovits) Tilka. He came to this area 14 years ago from Munster, Ind.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 53 years, Dora; daughters, Lynda (William) Jagadich of Munster, Sharon (Craig) Malecha of Highland, Ind., and Peggy (Howard) Barnett of Modesto, Calif.; brothers, Michael Tilka and Edward Tilka; and five grandchildren.
Services will be private. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Hematologic Malignancies Program, Mayo Clinic, Attn.: Dr. Tefferi, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
William H. Wooten
William H. Wooten, 78, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 25, 2002, in Port Charlotte.
Mr. Wooten was born
Dec. 18, 1923, in Hoskinston, Ky. He served in the U.S. Army from August 1943 to November 1946. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor, Fla. Bill was loved by everyone and we will all miss him.
He is survived by his wife, Deana; two sons, Denny (Mary) of Tinley Park, Ill., William (Katherine) of Hanover Park, Ill; a stepson, Wayne (Teresa) Hill of Glendale Heights, Ill.; two brothers, Finley (Betty) of Crestview, Fla., and Frank of Key West, Fla.; three sisters, Hazel, Gladys and Dorothy of Florence, Ky.; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel, with services following, with the Rev. John Fuoss and the Rev. James Hunt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor, 4506 Church St., Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980.
Genevieve Boyd
Genevieve "Jenny" Reed Johnson Boyd, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 24, 2002. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Winifred B. Hayward
Winifred B. Hayward, 91, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 23, 2002. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Janice I. Johnson
Janice Irene Johnson, 91 of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 24, 2002. Arrangements are by the National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Betty J. Walters
Betty J. Walters, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 21, 2002. Arrangements are by the National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.
Byron F. Haldeman
Byron F. Haldeman, 83, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away March 27, 2002. Born Jan. 6, 1919, in Allentown, Pa., he moved to Florida in 1985 from Troy, N.Y. He retired as a contractor and real estate agent in the Capital District area in New York. He was a member of the Rotary in Troy and a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Troy. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean; daughters, Linda Dunn of Clifton Park, N.Y., Sandra Linendoll of Troy, N.Y., and Patricia Miller of Waterford, N.Y.; son, Peter Haldeman of Waterford; sisters, Mary Alice Weddell of Williston, Fla.; Carol Underwood of Noblesville, Ind., and Neada Hayner of Bainbridge, N.Y.; brothers, Richard Haldeman of Troy, Kenneth Haldeman of East Schodack, N.Y., and James Haldeman of Ithaca, N.Y.; grandchildren, Heather, Bridget, Molly and Abigail Haldeman of Waterford, Michaela and Kelsey Miller of Waterford, Stephen Dunn of Raleigh, N.C.; Dr. Kimberly Linendoll of Albany, N.Y., and Gregory Linendoll of Troy.
Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Stroke Association, 8480 E. Orchard Road, Suite 1000, Englewood, CO 80111.
Charles J. Steffens
Charles J. "Chuck" Steffens, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away March 27, 2002, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Chuck was born
Dec. 31, 1923, to the late Lawrence and Dora Steffens. He spent his childhood in Appleton, Wis., and graduated from Appleton West High School in 1941. Chuck served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. He graduated from the Business Institute, Milwaukee, Wis., with a degree in accounting. Chuck married Betty Hooyman, Aug. 27, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Appleton. He was employed as a data processing manager by Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah, Wis., Memphis, Tenn., and Dayton, Ohio. He retired in 1986 after 30 years of service. Chuck was an avid reader and fisherman and enjoyed doing both at the same time. He also loved to garden, especially growing roses, and enjoyed woodworking, golfing and bowling. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Appleton. Chuck was an active volunteer in church and civic organizations. He spent many years as a Cub and Boy Scout leader in Memphis. Prior to his stroke in 1993, he was a volunteer at the St. Joseph Food Pantry for many years. Chuck was a resident of Punta Gorda since his retirement, spending winters in Florida and summers in Wisconsin.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty; three sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce (Cathy) Steffens of Orlando, Fla., David (Nan) Steffens of Dayton, Ohio, and Alan (Nora) Steffens of Seattle, Wash.; four grandsons, Jeremy (Melody) of Lafayette, Ind., Benjamin of Orlando, and Matthew and Zachary of Dayton; one granddaughter, Shannon of Seattle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ceil Smith; Marge (Donald) Baer; Mary Keller and Ken Steffens, all of Appleton; Edward (Marian) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Larry (Cleo) of Kelly Lake, Wis.; Gene (Connie) of Oshkosh, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Florian; brothers-in-law, Bob Kranhold, John Fentz, Don Keller and Bill Smith; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Kranhold and Florence Fentz.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. April 2 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Appleton, with the Rev. Donald Zuleger officiating. Entombment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton. Friends may call at Brettschneider-Trettin-Lederer Funeral Chapel, Appleton, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 1, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service April 2. A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 1 at the funeral chapel. A celebration of life will be held at the Columbus Club following the church service.
Burnice L. Windham
Burnice L. Windham, 67, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died March 27, 2002.
Mr. Windham served his country in the U.S. Navy. He retired from U-Save after 29 years of service, and worked part time at Publix for two years.
Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Wilma; three daughters and sons-in-law, Belinda L. (Thomas) Mason and Joyce E. (Jerry W.) Correll, all of Punta Gorda, and Michelle L. (Michael) Lencsak of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will celebrate Mr. Windham's life at 7 p.m. April 1 at the Punta Gorda Chapel of the Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home. Inurnment with military honors will be at 1 p.m. April 5 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
Memorial gifts may be made to Mrs. Windham.
Ida Mae Kennedy
Ida Mae Kennedy, 93, a 20-year resident of North Port, Fla., died March 27, 2002, at her daughter's home in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Mrs. Kennedy was born
Ida Mae Grummett and raised in Duluth, Minn. She owned and operated a summer resort near Cook, Minn., with her husband, Walter C. Kennedy, for about 50 years.
She is survived by her son, Walter, of Tampa, Fla.; her daughters, Virginia Eichholz of Coon Rapids, and Susan Stuardi of Mobile, Ala.; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years and by her daughter, Gayle Blackwell.
Arrangements are by Gearhart Funeral Chapels, Coon Rapids, Minn.
James Berra
James Berra, 66, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died March 26, 2002. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte, Fla..
Federico J. Juliana
Federico J. Juliana, 86, of Nocatee, Fla., died March 24, 2002, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society Inc. of Harbour Heights, Fla.
Joseph Melder
Joseph Melder died at his North Port, Fla., residence on March 27, 2002. Arrangements are by the James A. McKee Funeral Home, North Port.
Harry Arthur Watson
Harry Arthur Watson, 77, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 27, 2002. Arrangements are by National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte.
Aletha M. Bruce
Aletha Mae Bruce, 91, of Englewood, Fla., died March 26, 2002, at her Charlotte County residence.
Mrs. Bruce was born
March 22, 1911, in Swartwood, N.Y., to Arthur B. and Charlotte (Williams) Brigham. She and her husband, Newell, owned and operated the Bruce Fruit Farm in Lafayette, N.Y., where she was the bookkeeper until her retirement. In 1977, they moved from there to Englewood. They were members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Aletha was a member of the St. Francis Altar and Rosary Society.
Surviving are a son, Robert C. Bruce of Englewood; and granddaughters, Amy L. Bruce of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Mary E. Bruce of Buffalo, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her husband, Newell Francis Bruce, in 1995; and two younger brothers.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, at the Epiphany Catholic Church in Sayre, Pa., with Burial following at Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, Pa. Northern arrangements are being handled by Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home Inc.
Jeffrey C. Sentell
Jeffrey Craig Sentell, 42, of Englewood, Fla., died March 26, 2002. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Heather McDonald
Heather McDonald, 24, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2002, in Punta Gorda.
Heather was born
April 25, 1977, in Cadillac, Mich. She had resided in Punta Gorda with her parents since moving here from Cadillac.
Survivors include her parents, Kevin and Carol McDonald; a sister, Courtney McDonald, and a brother, Kevin W. McDonald, both of Punta Gorda; her grandmother, Elizabeth Schweda of Port Charlotte, Fla.; uncles, Jerry Vairo Sr. of Port Charlotte and Louis Vairo Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; aunts, Lee Vairo of Port Charlotte and Lorraine King of Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y.; cousins, Jerry Vairo Jr., Gloria Vairo, Jimmy Vairo and Josh Vairo, all of Port Charlotte, Brian Vairo, and Greg Vairo, both of Colorado Springs, Bill King and Amanda King, both of Oneco, Fla.; and a dear friend, Floyd Miles.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Kays Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 18, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens.
Elizabeth F. McKeown
Elizabeth F. McKeown, 83, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of Narberth, Pa., died Thursday, March 14, 2002, at Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda.
She is survived by her brother, Dr. John J. McKeown Jr. of Wynnewood, Pa., and her sister, Kathryne M. Smyth of Punta Gorda.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date in Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34238.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte is in charge of arrangements.
Orvene Anna Zimbelman
Orvene Anne "Sally" Zimbelman, 80, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2002. Formerly of Oregon, Ill., she had resided here since 1983.
Mrs. Zimbelman enjoyed painting and sewing. Surviving are her husband of 59 years, Richard E. Zimbelman; three children, Stephen R. (Patricia) Zimbelman of Rockford, Ill., Gary A. (Harriett) Zimbelman of Oregon, Ill. and Jean A. Peen of Mt. Morris, Ill.; two sisters, Delores Orzechowski of Milwaukee, Wis. and Germaine Steffan of Greenfield, Wis.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will celebrate her life at 10:15 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2002 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2500 Easy St., Port Charlotte.
Memorials in Mrs. Zimbelman's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Boulevard, Port Charlotte, Fla. 33952. Arrangements by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Homes, Port Charlotte Chapel.
