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Ann Margaret Bowerman
Ann Margaret Bowerman (nee Bell), 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, in Port Charlotte.
She had resided here since 1969, moving from Bradenton, Fla. She was born Sept. 16, 1918 in Cadillac, Mich. Ann was a caring, gentle woman who enjoyed her family and friends. She loved to go deer hunting and belonged to the Lake City Garden Club and Knitting Club. Craft work was her most recent pastime.
She was preceded in death in 1993 by her husband, Gordon C. Bowerman.
She is survived by two daughters, Darleen (Michael) Kinney of Port Charlotte and Maureen (Lloyd) McGee of Lake City, Mich.; a son, Lance (Cherly) Bowerman of Fort Myers, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger Funeral Home with the Rev. Timothy S. Stewart officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL. 33952.
Cremation arrangements are by the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger Funeral Home.
Sue K. Challinor
Sue K. Challinor, 79, of Port Charlotte, Fla., the wife of the late Commodore John R. Challinor, passed away at her home on Friday, Oct. 5, 2001.
She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 10, 1922. Sue and John moved to Port Charlotte in December of 1978 from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. In the 1980s, Sue was the church secretary for Peace Lutheran Church. A loviing wife, mother and friend, she will be greatly missed. Her courageous fight with ALS is an inspiration to all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Richard K. Challinor of Port Charlotte and Susan Disney-Greenberg of Savannah, Ga.; two grandchildren, Deborah A. Disney of Port Charlotte and Second Lt. Robert J. Disney of Fort Gordon, Ga.; her sister, Sally (Buzz) Arpin of Naples, Fla.; two nieces, Bonnie Watts and Deborah Doucette; nephew, Jeffery Arpin; four great-nieces; and one great-nephew.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte. Pastor Edward H. "Skip" Struebing will officiate. The family will receive friends and family at Sue and Richard Challinor's home following the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to the ALS society of choice.
Local arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, Chapel.
Bertha M. Johnston
Bertha M. Johnston, 91, passed away Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, at Fawcett Memroial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla., of natural causes.
She was born May 14, 1910, in Madison, Wis.
She is survived by her sister, Alma Schwartz of Texas; and two sons, James (Rita) Keepers of East Troy, Wisc., and Tom (Shirley) Keepers of Port Charlotte.
Memorial services are pendinig.
Arrangements are by the Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home in Madison, Wis.
William J. Mulholland
William J. Mulholland, 90, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Nursing Care Center in Port Charlotte.
He was born June 4, 1911, in New York, N.Y., and moved to Port Charlotte 29 years ago. He was a former Longshoreman in New York City and he was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte. Mr. Mulholland attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
He is survived by his wife, Sue C. Campulli Mulholland; a son, Brian of New York, N.Y.; daughters Maureen Glenn of New York, N.Y., and Margaret (Ray) Caponi of Port Charlotte; several brothers; nine grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Paul Schelm Funeral Home and a Catholic wake service will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte.
Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Robert L. Rich
Robert L. Rich, 74, of Punta Gorda, Fla., beloved husband of Norma Jean Rich, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla., after a long battle with cancer.
Born Oct. 10, 1926, in Gainesville, Ga., to Robert W. and Clara V. (nee-Wallace) Rich, Robert, a veteran of World War II, served with the United States Army Air Corp. in Panama at the Panama Canal Zone and returned home to enjoy a long and successful career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He completed his career as head of Goodyear's Strategic Planning Division in 1987. He moved to this area from Bath, Ohio, 12 years ago and is a former member of both the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 2606 of Punta Gorda, and the Punta Gorda Boat Club.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Norma J. Rich; four sons, Walter Rich of Milpitas, Calif., James Rich of Pierport, Mich., Michael Morrissey of Lake Orion, Mich., and Richard Paquette of Yorba Linda, Calif.; a daughter, Dayna Blakely of Lansing, Mich.; mother, Clara V. Rich of Hapeville, Ga.; sister, Carolyn Rich of Atlanta, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Walter Rich; daughter, Darlene Paquette; and first wife, Martha.
Memorial contributions are preferred 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, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Iona S. Stimson
Iona S. Stimson, 85, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 5, 2001, at Kindred Hospital in Tampa, Fla., after a brief illness.
Born March 26, 1916, in Berlin, N.H., to the late Thomas B. and Vanessa (Sulley) Sheehe, Iona graduated from Lebanon High School, Lebanon, N.H. She then graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Keene Normal School in Keene, N.H., where she met her future husband, Paul K. Stimson. Iona moved back to the Lebanon area and eventually taught fifth-grade at Hanover Elementary School from 1951 to 1971. Iona and Paul moved to the Tampa area for their retirement and, following Paul's death, she moved to Punta Gorda, Fla., in 1987. For the past year, she resided in Port Charlotte. She was a member of Congregational United Church of Christ in Punta Gorda and frequently volunteered her time at the three area hospitals and the Port Charlotte Cultural Center.
Surviving her are two sons, John K. Stimson of North Fort Myers, Fla, and Robert J. Stimson of Gilford, N.H.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2001, at Congregational United Church of Christ in Punta Gorda. Rev. Bill Klossner of Congregational United will officiate. Committal ceremonies and inurnment will be held this coming spring in Hanover, N.H.
Memorial contributions are preferred to Congregational United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 510838, Punta Gorda, FL 33951-0838.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Punta Gorda Chapel.
Raymond H. Grandjean
Raymond H. Grandjean, 81, of Englewood, Fla., died Aug. 22, 1999, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital, Port Charlotte, Fla.
Mr. Grandjean was born Sept. 19, 1917, in New York, N.Y., to Leon and Emma (Klause) Grandjean. Mr. Grandjean was a self-employed independent carpenter and painting contractor working nearly 40 years in Florida and Michigan, retiring in 1989. He and his wife, Blanche, wintered in the Englewood area beginning in 1954 and moved to the area permanently in 1970 from Rose City, Mich. Ray was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Grove City, and is remembered to have entertained and amused family and friends alike with his artistry and cartoon humor.
Survivors include his wife, Blanche J. (Prokop) Grandjean of Englewood; daughter, Patricia Peterson of Englewood; granddaughters, Julie Mayhew of Montone, Ala., and Robin Carroll of Englewood; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 25 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Francis of Assisi Garden of Memory. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood.
James Dorian
James Dorian, 68, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 20, 1999, in Milwaukee, Wisc.
He was born March 21, 1931, in the Bronx, N.Y., and moved to Punta Gorda in 1996 from East Northport, N.Y. Mr. Dorian was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Punta Gorda, the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club and Knights of Columbus in New York.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred P. Dorian of Punta Gorda; daughter, Marianne Fishler of Bel Air, Md.; sons, Kevin Dorian of Little Falls, N.J., James Dorian of New York, N.Y.; sisters, Peggy Heaney of Bronx, N.Y., Patricia DeBlasio of Monroe, N.Y., Delores Magam of the Bronx; brother, Michael Dorian of Bronx; and five grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Roberson Funeral Home, Punta Gorda chapel with a Catholic Wake Service at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 28441 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 208, Bonita Springs, FL 34134, or to your favorite charity.
Matthew A. Elshoff
Matthew A. Elshoff, 74, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 21, 1999.
Born Oct. 24, 1924, in Egg Harbor, N.J., he moved to this area in 1985 from Dayton, Ohio. He retired after 26 years of service as price negotiator for the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Mr. Elshoff's affiliations were BPO Elks Lodge No. 2606 in Punta Gorda, Masonic Lodge No. 753 in Beavercreek, Ohio, Cavalier Yacht & Country Club in Virginia Beach, Fla., Twin Base Golf Club at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Greene Country Club in Fairburn, Ohio, and Burnt Store Country Club in Punta Gorda. He obtained a degree in business from Willamette University in Salem, Ore. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star as a combat medic. He attended St. Marks' Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio.
Survivors include his wife, Adelle; daughter, Nancy Parks of Xenia, Ohio; son, Mark of Tampa, Fla.; brother, Calvin of French Glen, Ore.; and one grandchild.
Memorial services will be held in Ohio. Donations may be made to donor's favorite charity.
David H. Fitch
David H. Fitch, 67, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 21, 1999, in Greenfield, Mass., following a valiant battle with cancer.
Fitch, a community leader, family business owner, avid sailor and philanthropist, had been a resident of Franklin County, Mass., for 41 years where he supported and led numerous community organizations. Born in Albany, N.Y., June 15, 1932, he graduated from Mount Hermon School in 1950 and Dartmouth College in 1954. He met Dorothy Ann Rugg on a blind date in 1948 at Northfield Mount Hermon. They were married June 25, 1955. Mr. Fitch was a U.S. Air Force officer during the Korean Conflict (1954-'58), stationed in Denver, Colo., and Naha, Okinawa, and retired as a captain from the Air Force Reserves in 1978. Fitch joined Rugg Manufacturing and Lumber Company in 1958 and retired in 1992 as president. He was past president and director of the Massachusetts Retail Lumberman's Association and past director of the New England Retail Lumberman's Association.
Fitch was an affiliate member of the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church and was very active in the church and the community. He was past president of the Rotary Club, the Greenfield YMCA and Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Franklin County, incorporator of the F.C. Public Hospital and director of the Pioneer Bank. At the Platinum Point Yacht Club, he was a sparkplug and organizer of the Monday Racing Series for the past five years, and winner for the coveted Coffey Memorial Trophy.
Fitch leaves his wife of 44 years, Dorothy; sons, Robert Scott Fitch of Jackson, Miss., and Thomas Rugg Fitch of Greenfield, Mass.; daughter, Laura Fitch Mattson of Rye, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; sister, Barbara Fitch Beckett of Punta Gorda and Dennis, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Second Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield. Following the service a reception will be held in the Parish Hall and then burial in Locust Hill Cemetery, Montague, Mass., with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Leblanc officiating. Calling hours will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Walker Funeral Home, 14 High Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. Call (413) 772-6393. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Burnt Store Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, or to the Visiting Nurse Association or Hospice of Western New England, Greenfield, MA 01301, or to the Platinum Point Yacht Club at Burnt Store Marina.
Ann Louise Ganly
Ann Louise Ganly, 90, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 17, 1999.
Born June 8, 1909, in New York, N.Y., she moved to this area in 1991 from Nanuet, N.Y. She was a retired secretary. She attended St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Nanuet.
Survivors include her daughters, Kerry Reilly of Hingham, Mass., Sharon Ganly of New City, N.Y., Sheila Vanderlinde of Pawling, N.Y.; sons, Killian of New York City, and Niall of Rhode Island; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Deidre Pfliegler.
Memorials services and burial will be Aug. 25 at Ascension Cemetery in Monsey, N.Y.
Edith M. Long
Edith M. Long, 80, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Aug. 22, 1999.
Born Jan. 19, 1919, in Muses Mills, Ky., she moved to this area in 1989 from Amboy, Ill. She attended Tri-City Baptist Church in Port Charlotte.
Survivors include her husband, Huston J. Long; son, James R. Searls of Long Beach, Miss.; stepsons, Chris Long of Rogers, Ark., Rande Long of Longmont, Colo., Michael Long of Copperas Cove, Texas, John Long of Montrose, Iowa; stepdaughters, Donna Findley of Longmont and Darcy Quick of Woodbine, Iowa. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary H. Muse.
Memorial service will be at 12:20 p.m. Aug. 29 following the 11 a.m. church service at Tri-City Baptist Church, 24508 Heritage Place, Port Charlotte, with Pastor Vaughn Foust officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Belle "Skip" Shoemaker
Belle "Skip" Shoemaker, 89, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 19, 1999, at her home.
She was born June 16, 1910, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and lived there through and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She moved to Port Charlotte in 1971.
Her daughter, Sharon was with her, and many members of the Flotilla stopped to reaffirm their love in her final days. Belle was a member of 075 and gave more than 24 years of service to Flotilla No. 98. She was a former staff officer for Public Education, was qualified for on-the-water work and certified as a specialist in five areas. She was also an instructor, and is more remembered in recent years for her efforts in member training of first aid and CPR, teaching Marlinspike Seamanship in the Boating Skills classes, as well as Water-N-Kids and Boats-N-Kids in area schools. Belle, her friend, Jackie Forbes and Skipper the red-lored Amazon parrot, were frequent visitors to entertain and educate elementary school students in Charlotte County.
She was the wife of a soldier and the mother of two soldiers. Her daughter, Sharon, U.S. Army (ret.), established a scholarship in her name at the Puuhonua School in Hawaii for students who provided exemplary community service. Her daughter recalls that Belle taught she and her brother that all children should have an obligation to serve not just their families but their community and their nation. Belle was a shining example of that belief, and a pioneer in many areas.
She was one of the first instructor-trainers with the American Red Cross and was honored in 1997 for 75 years of service as a teacher and as a disaster chairperson. She was also honored with a medal and life membership for 75 years of service to the Girl Scouts of America. She taught boating to the Girl Scouts in our area and a plaque marking the location of "Skips Landing" remains today at a site on the Peace River. Some of the fiberglass dingys still in use today by the Charlotte Sailing Association were built by Belle.
The family has lost not only a committed friend, but one who represented the best of what our nation is about. There was much in Belle that we can all emulate. We will survive with warm recall.
In October 1997 Belle attended the dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C. Her family was awarded medals No. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and an American Flag accompanied each. Belle's own career information was entered into the memorial registry of the Service Women of American History.
She was a retired quartermaster depot secretary for the U.S. government. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, American Red Cross, Charlotte County chapter, Gulf Coast Girl Scouts' Tarpon Camping Club and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla No. 98 of Charlotte Harbor. With the Coast Guard Auxiliary, she helped conduct safety patrols on the vessels, Skybird Unlimited and Windfall on Charlotte County waters.
Survivors include her daughters, Sharon Ann Shoemaker and Dr. Sandra L. Shoemaker, both of Macon, Ga.; son, Dr. David J. Shoemaker of Sacramento, Calif.; sister, Elva May Peterson of Honolulu; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services and laying of wreath ceremonies will be conducted at 2 p.m. Aug. 28 by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla No. 98 on the Peace River. The family will be wearing traditional Hawaiian attire, and friends are invited to do the same. Memorial contributions may be made to the women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Department No. 560, Washington, D.C. 20042-0560, or by calling (800)-4-SALUTE. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte chapel.
Barbara Ann Vellia
Barbara Ann Vellia, 63, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 22, 1999, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital, Port Charlotte.
She was born Aug. 2, 1936, in Queens, N.Y., and moved to Port Charlotte 12 years ago from West Islip, N.Y. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
Survivors include her sons, Eugene K. Vellia of West Babylon, N.Y., Kenneth Vellia of East Northport, N.Y.; brothers, John Laurine of Bayville, N.Y., Robert Laurine of Venice, Fla.; aunt, Gladys Ruton of Youngstown, Ohio; grandson, Ryan Vellia and granddaughter, Kaitlin Vellia, both of West Babylon.
Memorial Mass will be at noon Aug. 25 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte.
Catherine M. Westcott
Catherine M. Westcott, 74, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Aug. 23, 1999, at her residence.
She was born April 16, 1925, in Newark, N.Y., and moved to Port Charlotte four years ago from Oregon, Ill. She was a Presbyterian.
Survivors include her loving husband, Charles A. Westcott of Port Charlotte; daughters, Marian E. Delgobbo of Syracuse, N.Y., Catherine M. Mongrieg of Westmont, Ill, Rosemarie A. Beaulieu of Fort Myers, Fla., Caroline M. Petersen of Cape Coral, Fla.; son, Charles A. Westcott Jr. of Mount Morris Ill.; sister, Helen Amile of Williamson, N.Y.; brother, Jack Robine of Rochester, N.Y.; and 11 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte chapel, with the Rev. Greg Appleby of Church of Nazarene, Port Charlotte, officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Port Charlotte.
