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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.
Keith Henry
Keith Henry, 44, of Arcadia, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2001, at his residence.
He was born Nov. 15, 1956, in Charleston, S.C. and moved to Arcadia 22 years ago from Memphis, Tenn. He was a talented musician and photojournalist, receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He was an active volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and was a member and organist of Arcadia Gospel Assembly Church.
He is survived by his parents, Merrell and Eva Henry of Jacksonville, Fla.; his former wife, Alice Cramer of Arcadia; two sons, Merrell (Jennifer) Henry of Dothan, Ala. and Brian A. Henry of Arcadia; four daughters, Aaron (Lyle) Thompson, Cher (Donald) Evans, Mary Henry and Paula Torres, all of Arcadia; a brother, Kenton Henry of Lakeland, Fla.; a sister, Karen Henry of Memphis; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 12, at Robarts Funeral Home Chapel, Arcadia. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 13 at Arcadia Gospel Assembly Church, Arcadia, with the Rev. John P. Marlow and Merrell Henry officiating. Interment will follow at Joshua Creek Cemetery.
Family has requested memorial donations be made to Arcadia Gospel Assembly Church, 1528 N.E. Turner Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266.
Marina C. Hiler
Marina Claudette "Susie" Hiler, 55, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2001, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte.
She was born April 10, 1946 in Hazard, Ky. and moved to Port Charlotte in 1982 from Mount Sterling, Ky. She was a licensed practical nurse at Fawcett Memorial Hospital for the past 17 years.
She is survived by her husband, Russell Hiler of Port Charlotte; three daughters, Belinda G. Bergner of Port Charlotte, Angela L. Kibodeaux of Port Charlotte, and Alicia C. Marino of Mount Sterling; two sons, Jeffrey L. Alsept of Port Charlotte and Jackie Alsept Jr. of Mount Sterling; six sisters, Betty Y. Turner of Mount Sterling, Robyn Joann Sponcil of Morehead, Ky., Thelma F. Riddle of Mount Sterling, Barbara J. Hawk of Shelby, Ohio, Jannett Taylor of Perry, Fla. and Carol Sue Stanton of Dayton, Ohio; three brothers, James Jones Jr. of Winchester, Ky., Clyde Walker Jr. and David W. Walker, both of Frenchburg, Ky.; and 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, James Jones; her mother, Christine Whitley Jones; and a brother, Robert E. Jones.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the funeral home. The Rev. J. Ralph Burton Jr. will officiate. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Sidney J. Kimble
Sidney J. Kimble, 51, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 9, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Port Charlotte.
He was born in Corning, N.Y. and moved to this area 30 years ago from there. He worked in lawn care and attended First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte.
He is survived by his mother, Frances of Port Charlotte; brother, Irving Kimble of Corning; sister, Betty Gardner of Corning; aunts, Margaret Burns and Gladis Bowden, both of Venice, Fla.; uncles, Roger Ingram of South Carolina and Donnie Ingram of New York; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte with the Rev. James Kibelbek officiating. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte, 20035 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Verna J. Bettmann
Verna Jean Bettmann, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.
She was born Jan. 16, 1921, in Manilla Village, Ontario, Canada, to Herbert and Stella Avery Johnston.
Mrs. Bettmann was a retired nurse. She moved from Warren, Mich., to the Port Charlotte area in 1969. She was a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her children, Nancy (Mike) Ventimiglia of Clinton Township, Mich., Dianne Bettmann of Punta Gorda, Fla., and John Bettmann of North Fort Myers, Fla.; two grandchildren, Stella and Jay; three great-grandchildren, Michael, Andrew and Alexis; and brother, Vincent Johnston of Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband, R.L. Bettmann.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 5200 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda.
The family suggests memorial donations in Verna's name be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda.
Arkansas Gross
Arkansas Gross, 88, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004.
He was the son of Granville and Lillie (Mays) Gross, born Oct. 17, 1915, in Beattyville, Ky. He was the owner of Asphalt Paving Company before retiring. A.K. and his wife moved to Port Charlotte from Beattyvile, Ky. 25 years ago. He was a member of First Church of God and the Masons.
A.K. will be greatly missed by his wife of 71 years, Mildred; daughter Betty Crabtree of Beattyville; son Bobby Gross Sr. of Port Charlotte; brothers Virgil and Woodrow Gross both of Beattyville; sisters Eula Little of Beattyville, Beulah Estes, Ollie Townsend and Mary Thacker, all of Miamisburg, Ohio; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, followed by the service in celebration of Arkansas' life at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Noah Cox officiating. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Mary L. Ives
Mary L. Ives, 87, of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in ZephyrhiIls.
Mrs. Ives was born Dec. 12, 1916, in Bennington, N.Y., to Charles F. and Ruth (Lewis) Sharp.
She moved to ZephyrhiIls in 1974 from Batavia, N.Y. She was a member of the Winters Park Shuffle Club. Mrs. Ives was a Methodist.
She is survived by two daughters, Cheryl J. Ives of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Georgette (John) Cowie of Batavia; a son, Douglas (Sandra) Ives of Port Charlotte, Fla.; stepdaughter, Beverly (Joseph) Gomez of Port Charlotte; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Edward Sharp of Byron, N.Y., Clayton Sharp of Oakfield, N.Y., and Willard Sharp of Gerraldstown, W.Va.; and a sister, Eleanor Shuknecht of Elba, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Ives, in 1963; a son, LaVerne Ives, in 1968; a sister, Elizabeth Shuknecht, in 1952; her father, Charles Sharp, in 1974; and her mother, Ruth Sharp, in 1978.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pasco County Fire Rescue, 38410 Sixth Ave., Zephyrhills, FL 33540.
Arrangements are by Whitfield Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Zephyrhills.
Albert G. Karasch
Albert G. Karasch, 88, of Punta Gorda, Fla., and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at his residence in Punta Gorda.
He was born Sept. 12, 1915, in Decatur, Ill.
Albert, was a retired tool and die maker. He moved to Port Charlotte in 1982 from South Holland, Ill., then to Punta Gorda in 2002. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church ELCA in Port Charlotte and the Punta Gorda Country Club. He was a life member of the Moose.
He is survived by his children, Albert F. (Joan) Karasch of Crest Hill, Ill., and Sandra Jean Milazzo of Chicago, Ill.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by the funeral services at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the Port Charlotte chapel of Roberson Funeral Home, 2151 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte. A reverend from Peace Lutheran Church will officiate.
Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association Southwest Florida Chapter, P.O. Box 494708, Port Charlotte, FL 33949-4708.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Bernard M. Steen
Bernard M. Steen, 59, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, in Port Charlotte.
He was born July 29, 1945, in Bronx, N.Y.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968, and was stationed in Germany. Mr. Steen moved to Port Charlotte from Garfield, N.J., in 1991. He was employed as a service manager at Camping World in Fort Myers, Fla.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Eileen M. Steen of Port Charlotte; a son, Sean L. Steen of Port Charlotte; a sister, Luella (Richard) Yuhas of North Port, Fla.; a brother, Myron (Monica) Steen Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla.; five nieces, Christine DiCarlo, Corninne Canastra, both of New York, Evelyn Caravella, Mackenzie Steen and Mason Steen, all of Florida; four nephews, Walter Voeks, James Yuhas, both of New York, Robert Voeks and Michael Steen, both of Florida; and stepmother, Karen Steen of Tallahassee. Mr. Steen was also the great-uncle of 15 nieces and nephews, and the great-great uncle of one.
A visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob W. Carlson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 1101 N. Lake Destiny, Maitland, FL 32751.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Richard T. Swindell
Richard Theodore Swindell, 76, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at his home.
He was born March 9, 1928, in Indianapolis, Ind., and was the son of schoolteachers, Frank and Carmen Swindell.
Richard spent his childhood in the Midwest. He graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill., and began an extensive career in the automotive industry that included driving and building race cars, and managing a fleet of trucks for Sears Roebuck and Co. His career extended to Sears Midwest Training School, teaching the craft that he loved. His expertise with engines included radio-controlled model plane engines. His association with Charlotte Radio Control Society brightened his retirement years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Nita and her three devoted children, Karen Gustafson, Russell Cook and Sara Hudson; six children, Linda Rose Barley, Kathie Lyon, Trudy Smith, Jim Swindell, Karen Ortiz and Richard Scott Swindell; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several stepchildren and their children; one sister, Betty Lowrey; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Jody Turner.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at Robarts Funeral Home, 163 Brevard Ave., Arcadia, Fla. A celebration of Richard's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the donor's charity of choice.
Arrangements are by Robarts Funeral Home, Arcadia.
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.
Sanford T. Shepardson Jr.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sanford Thomas "Shep" Shepardson Jr., 74, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at his home.
He was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Pittsfield, Mass., to Sanford Thomas Shepardson and Esther French Bigelow Shepardson.
Shep graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1947. He graduated in 1951 from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., with a degree in civil engineering. He then entered the U.S. Air Force and attended pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, in Arizona. Shep earned his wings and served as a fighter pilot on active duty with the Massachusetts Air Guard. He retired after 22 years of military service from the Vermont Air Guard in 1973. Shep was also employed as a design engineer for the G.S. Blodgett Company of Burlington, Vt., for 28 years, retiring in 1993.
He moved to Punta Gorda in 1995 and was a member of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Port Charlotte and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Shep is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rose Ann Shepardson of Punta Gorda; five children, Mark Shepardson and his wife, Nina, of Flint Hill, Va., Colleen Gibson of Nashville, Tenn., Rai Shepardson and her husband, Rich, of Georgia, Vt., Paul Shepardson and his wife, Michelle, of Shepherdsville, Ky., and Matthew Shepardson and his wife, Cindy, of Colorado Springs, Col.; his brother, Gordon Shepardson and his wife, Marilyn, of Winter Park, Fla.; and 10 grandchildren.
A celebration of Shep's life will be held at a later date.
The family suggests that memorial donations in Shep's name be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda.
