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The Rev. Milton Dow Durrance
The Rev. Milton Dow "Tiny" Durrance, 77, of Bowling Green, Fla., passed away April 20, 2001, in Sebring, Fla.
He was born Oct. 9, 1923, in Wauchula, Hardee County, Fla., and lived his life in Hardee County, DeSoto County, Fla., and Walker County, Ga. He was the first of five children born to the Rev. Dow and Nell Durrance. He was from a pioneer family with his father, uncle and two grandfathers being Baptist ministers. He was a graduate of the Hardee County High School and the Tennessee Temple Bible School. A member of the First Baptist Church, Bowling Green. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in February 1943, and became a flying instructor. He flew P 51 Mustang fighters during World War II and was discharged as a First Lieutenant, September, 1945. He was ordained as a Baptist minister, May 7, 1950, and served as pastor in the following churches: First Baptist Mission, Woodruff Heights, Avon Park, Fla.; Antioch Baptist Church, Kensington, Ga.; Chattanooga Valley Baptist, Chattanooga Valley, Ga.; First Baptist Church, Bowling Green; First Baptist Church, Williston, Fla.; First Baptist Church, Arcadia; Lookout Baptist Church, High Point, Ga. He is a former director of Dunklin Memorial Camp, Indiantown, Fla.; a former vice president of the Florida Baptist Convention; a former member of the State Board of Missions; trustee, Baptist Bible Institute, Graceville, Fla., and past president of the State Pastor's Conference. He was a shepherd of many flocks and was loved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma; four daughters, Brenda (Robert) Philpot, Williston, Fla., Kay (Bud) Wilson of Wauchula, Alisa (Rick) Poorbaugh of Flintstone, Ga., and Darlene (Tom) Glenn of Chattanooga; two step-daughters, Shirley McClentock of Marietta, Ga., and Gail (Bud) Parent of Bradenton, Fla.; one brother, Willard (Gloria) Durrance of Wauchula; three sisters, Faye Shackleford and Noveta (Bill) Beeson, all of Wauchula, and Jean (Jack) Hancock of Sebring; six grandchildren, Amber and Rob Philpot, Emily and Jennifer Crawford, Lauren and Garrett Glenn. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Vivian Weeks Durrance, and a son, Dennis.
Visitation was 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 21, at the Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. April 22, at the Bowling Green First Baptist Church, Bowling Green, with visitation one hour prior to service time. Burial to follow in New Hope Cemetery, Wauchula. Clergy to officiate: the Rev. Jim Williams, the Rev. Mickey Evans, Dr. Clay Smith and the Rev. Grant Hignight.
Memorial donations may be made to the Dunklin Memorial Camp, 3342 S.W. Hosannah Lane, Okeechobee, FL 34974.
John H. Mullen
John H. "Jack" Mullen, 70, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Thursday, April 18, 2002.
He was born Oct. 4, 1931, in Boston, Mass., to the late John J. and Alice F. (Bickford) Mullen. He came to this area in 1990 from Boston. He was a retired sales representative for Hilron Industry, and more recently worked as a driver for Dial-A-Ride since its inception in January 2001. He was a member of Punta Gorda Elks Lodge 2606, and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was past president of the Lions Club in Kingston, Mass. Jack enjoyed both golf and boating.
Jack will be greatly missed by his wife of 30 years, Carol; children, Jack (Sandy) Mullen of Pittsburgh, Pa., Karen Delaney of Wakefield, Mass., Jimmy (Mary Ann) Mullen of Seattle, Wash., Diane Mullen of Massachusetts, Mary (John) Rodwell of Billerica, Mass., Matthew (Michelle) Mullen of Peabody, Mass., and Maureen (Ralph) Capozzi of Woburn, Mass.; stepsons, Jamie Pittman of California and Jeffrey Pittman of Gloucester, Mass.; brother, Robert (Jean) Mullen of North Fort Myers, Fla.; sisters, Marilyn (Paul) Hardman and Elaine (Richard) Kestle, both of Reading, Mass.; and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 22 at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services. The service in celebration of Jack's life will follow at 2 p.m., with Father Vicente Martin officiating.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Charles Louis Schmeich
Charles Louis Schmeich, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Friday, April 19, 2002, at Hospice House, Port Charlotte, Fla.
He was born May 4, 1919, in East St. Louis, Ill., and moved to this area in 1981 from Mokena, Ill.. He was a retired trackwork design engineer for ABEX Corp. of Chicago Heights, Ill., with 40 years of service. He was a member of the Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 110 of Port Charlotte and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of Englewood. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by a daughter, Carla Gale Harnew of Punta Gorda; two stepdaughters, Cindy Baumhardt of Port Charlotte and Kim Pennington of Monterey, Tenn.; a son, Charles K. Schmeich of Port Charlotte; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial services and inurnment will be held at a later date in Homewood Memorial Gardens, Homewood, Ill.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.
Hazel T. Williams
Hazel T. Williams, 100, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Thursday, April 18, 2002.
Born June 19, 1901, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she moved to Florida in 1954 from Putney, Vt. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal in Punta Gorda.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Tengquist of Flagstaff, Ariz.; two sons, Kenneth Williams of Port Charlotte and Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Alan Williams of Dover, Mass.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Norton Moore Williams in 1965.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal in Punta Gorda.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 494708, Port Charlotte, FL 33949-4708.
National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret A. Ahearn
Margaret A. Ahearn, 77, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away on April 19, 2001.
Mrs. Ahearn was born on April 20, 1923, in Scranton, Pa. She was a homemaker in her own home. Margaret moved to this area in 1990 from Waldwick, N.J. Mrs. Ahearn was a member of San Antonio Catholic Church.
Surviving is her husband, Patrick Ahearn of Punta Gorda; her son, Patrick Ahearn of Oak Ridge, N.J.; and one grandchild. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Liedel.
A visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 20, at Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, with a service at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 6221 14th St. West, Ste. 305, Bradenton, FL 34207-4637.
Bernice V. O'Rane
Bernice V. O'Rane, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died April 17, 2001.
Bernice was formerly of Miami, Fla., and had resided here for the past four years.
Surviving are her children, Alexander A. (Beryl) Bernard of Port Charlotte, Gladstone (Janet) O'Rane of California, Joyce Ogunshuyi of Nigeria and Anthony (Eleanor) O'Rane of New Jersey; one brother, Granville Bernard of New York; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 22, in the chapel of the Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte. A memorial service will celebrate Mrs. O'Rane's life at 1:30 p.m. April 23, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 17520 Lake Worth Blvd. Interment will be at 3 p.m. April 23, at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the North Port Church of God, PO Box 7163, North Port, FL 34287.
George L. Ostertag
George L. Ostertag, 75, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died April 18, 2001.
He was born July 20, 1925, in Covington, Kentucky. Mr. Ostertag moved to this area in 1989 from Lexington, Ma.
He retired after 20 years of service from the U.S. Air Force and then retired as Security Manager at Polaroid Corp. After moving to Florida, Mr. Ostertag was a door greeter at Wal-Mart in Port Charlotte.
He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion Post #0110 and the Elks Lodge #2153, all in Port Charlotte. Mr. Ostertag was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
Survivors include his wife, Jane; one son, John Joseph, of Gainesville, Fla.; and one sister, Shirley Trautman, of Detroit, Mich.
Memorial services will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Memorial donations maybe made to the American Lung Association of S.W. Florida, 1436 Royal Palm Square Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919
Arrangements are by the National Creamation Society.
Christine Nye Haviland Schneider
Christine Nye Haviland Schneider, 86, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died April 17, at Health Center of Daytona, Daytona Beach, Fla.
She was born in Worchester, Mass., and moved to Florida in 1976 from Wareham, Mass. She was retired from the clothing industry and enjoyed duplicate bridge.
Mrs. Schneider is survived by her daughter, Lyn S. Stowell of New Smyma Beach, Fla.; two sons, Peter H. Schneider of Northridge, Calif. and George W. Schneider of Stuart, Fla.; three grandchildren, Lee S. Green of Millburn, N.J., Cynthia S. Harvey and Walter H. Stowell, Ill, both of Sudbury, Mass.; four great-grandchildren, Benjamin Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Kaetan Mazza and Natalie Mazza; and longtime friend and companion, Randall Klefbohm of Punta Gorda.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. April 22, at the Alligator Park Clubhouse, 6400 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda.
The family suggests memorial donations to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32119. Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, New Smyma Beach is in charge of arrangements.
David James Scharff
David James Scharff, 57, of North Port, Fla., passed away April 17, 2001, following an extended illness.
Mr. Scharff is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Cathlee and Tina Scharff, both at home; a son, Clinton (Susan) Scharff of Louisville, Ky.; a brother, Patrick K. Scharff of Albuquerque, N.M., and two grandchildren, David James and Hannah Marie Scharff, both of Louisville.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. April 21, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 1500 Indian Springs Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda, with Donald Ahrand officiating. Friends may call from 1 p.m. April 21, until the time of the service. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, American Cancer Society or Boy Scouts of America.
John Turner McElroy
John turner McElroy, 55, of Arcadia, Fla., died April 18, 2001.
Mr. McElroy was born Dec. 9, 1945, in Meridian, Miss., having moved to the area in 1989 from Petal, Miss. He was employed as a probation and parole officer for the state of Florida for 10 years.
His survivors include his wife, Sue; his son, John T. McElroy II of Arcadia; a daughter, Amy (Pat) Neel of Vidor, Texas; his father, A.P. McElroy Sr. of Gulf Shores, Ala.; brothers, Allen P. (Dianne) McElroy Jr. of Orange Beach, Ala. and George A. (Glenda) McElroy of Cullman, Ala.; and his sister, Martha (Dave) Phillips, Mobile, Ala.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. April 21, at the Ponger-Kays-Grady Chapel with Rev. Ken Galloway officiating. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. April 20 at the funeral home.
Those who wish may make donations to the First Baptist Church of Arcadia, General Fund, 1006 N. Brevard Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266 or Hospice of SW Florida, 115 W. Oak St., Arcadia, FL 34266 in memory of Mr. McElroy.
Anna P. Ritchie
Anna Ritchie, 95, of Englewood died Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at Englewood Community Hospital.
Born on November 15, 1905, in Cynthiana, Ky. to William and Elizabeth (Stivers) Perkins, she had been a resident of Englewood a short while coming from Lake Placid, Fla.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2001, from 10-11 a.m. A service will follow at the Englewood Community Funeral Home, 3070 South McCall Road, with the Rev. Robert Gibbs, Pastor of the Englewood United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Placid.
Arrangements are by Englewood Community Funeral Home.
Albert O. Carr
Albert O. Carr, 86, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, April 15, 2002.
Mr. Carr was born March 24, 1916, in South Portland, Maine. He started the New England Telephone Company in 1935, retired in 1976 and moved to Punta Gorda. He was the president of The Pioneers of Maine and a member of the Pioneers of Florida. He was instrumental in starting a scholarship program in Port Charlotte at the Charlotte Vo-Tech. He was a member of the Scottish Rite in Punta Gorda and Fort Myers, a 55-year member of Seaside Lodge Gin, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and an active member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Punta Gorda.
Mr. Carr is survived by his wife, Anna, of 64 years; a son, Jon (Nancy) Carr of Brunswick, Maine; two daughters, Jo Anne (Steve) Cushing of Mountain Home, Ark., and Jean (Dick) Powers of Brunswick; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be conducted at Church of Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda at 2 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2002. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Church of Good Shepherd building fund or charity of choice.
Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Delbert Combs Sr.
Charles Delbert Combs Sr., 96, of Harbour Heights, Fla., passed away Thursday, April 18, 2002.
Born Jan. 26, 1906, in Ogdin, W.Va., he moved to Florida in 1996 from Lake of Egypt, Ill. He was a physical therapist and was a member of the Illinois Masonic Lodge for 60 years. He was a member of Christ Community United Methodist Church in Harbour Heights.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Harriet; a daughter, Mary (Bill) Dixon; three sons, Charles D. (Betty) Combs Jr. of Surprise, Ariz., Leonard (Erika) Combs of Lakeville, Ind., and Les (Heidi) Combs of Enterprise, Ala.; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Community United Methodist Church, 27000 Sunnybrook Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33983.
Arrangements are by National Cremation Society, Port Charlotte.
