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Esther C. Wallner
Esther C. Wallner, 88, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 28, 2002.
She was born May 30, 1913, in Germany to the late Johann and Anna (Kroner) Onigkeit. She and her husband, C. Kurt Wallner, spent many years entertaining children in both Europe and New York with handmade marionettes. Mrs. Wallner was the costumer for the marionettes her husband made; she also acted as stage manager, props assistant, box office assistant, and female voice for the marionette cast. She came to this area in 1975 from Remsemburg, N.Y. She retired as restaurant manager at the Suffolk County Air Force Base. Mrs. Wallner was a member of the Ladies of New York Dance Club.
Esther will be greatly missed by her daughter-in-law, Nancy Wallner of Georgia; grandsons, Kurt (Stephanie) Wallner and Michael Wallner, both of Port Charlotte and Robert (Nancy) Wallner of Georgia; granddaughters, Donna (Donald) Montgomery, Devin Wallner, and Lisa (Joe) Paynter all of Georgia; great-grandchildren, Chad Wallner, Brittney Wallner, April Paynter, J.T. Paynter, and Andrew Wallner; brother, Albert Onigkeit of Germany; and nieces, Ruth Swartz and Ingrid Iacovetto, both of California.
Services in honor of Esther's life will be private. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Charles E. Tannehill
Mr. Charles E. (Chuck) Tannehill, 67, of Englewood, Fla., passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2002, at his summer home in Lineville, Ala.
He was a native of Ohio where he lived until 1968 when he moved to Englewood. Before his retirement he had been employed with GTE as a switchroom technician for 21 years. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1933 in Englewood and the Tig-Mill Hunting Club in Lineville,.
Mr. Tannehill is survived by his wife, Sally Tannehill; one daughter and her husband, Shelly K. Hartzell and Stan Hartzell; one son and his wife, Randy Scott Tannehill and Barbara Tannehill, all of Englewood; six grandchildren, Randy Tannehill and his wife, Mandy Tannehill, Karen Dowd and her husband, Jeremy Dowd, Jennifer Johnson, Kevin Tannehill and his wife, Danielle Tannehill, Nathan Myers and Jonathan Hartzell; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at John Cotters (Oasis) on Morningside Drive, Englewood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in memory of Charles Tannehill/ac: Sally Tannehill, NRA-ILA, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, or Englewood Little League, P.O. Box 605, Englewood, Fla. 34295-0605.
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.
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.
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.
John E. Alman
John Edward Alman, 56, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died March 20, 2002.
He was born Nov. 3, 1945, in Queens, N.Y., and had lived in Port Charlotte for the past five years.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Alman; a granddaughter, Nicole; and a sister, Anne DeFranco, all of Port Charlotte.
A memorial service will be conducted from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Port Charlotte Chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Robert W. Lentz
Robert W. Lentz, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 21, 2002.
He was born in Irwin, Pa., to the late Joseph and Lillian (Wagner) Lentz. Mr. Lentz moved to Port Charlotte from Murrysville, Pa. He was a captain in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, in the 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regular. He served in the front-line infantry from the D-Day assault on Utah Beach to V-E-Day. He retired from U.S. Steel in 1970 and was of the Baptist faith. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte, Port Charlotte Elks Lodge, American Legion, Scottish Rite of Valley of Fort Myers and Masonic Lodge 699 of Penn Hills, Pa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth M. Lentz. He is survived by a son, John M. Lentz of Geneva, Ill., a daughter, Gayle L. Bina of Macon, Ga.; seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Graveside services will be announced at time of interment in Pennsylvania. Memorial may be made to Bethphage Mission, P.O. 67, Axtell, NE 68924. Local arrangements under the direction of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Emilio P. Panateri
Emilio Paul Panateri, 87, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away March 20, 2002.
He was born in Chicago, Ill., to the late Luigi and Maria (Rizzo) Panateri. He retired from the railroad before moving here in 1975. He was a member of NARVARE Unit 113 of Port Charlotte and Port Charlotte Elks No. 2153. Mr. Panateri loved life and will be missed.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Thelma P. Panateri; a son, John Foran of Sunrise Beach, Fla.; two brothers, Ernie Panateri of Chicago Heights, Ill., and George Panateri of Skokie, Ill.; a sister, Elvira Brennen of Port Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews.
Local services are under the direction of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel.
Dr. T. Walter Carlin
Dr. T. Walter Carlin, 70, of Sarasota, Fla., who spent 11 years serving Port Charlotte, Fla., as founder and president of the Hearing and Balance Center at InterMedic Health Clinic, died March 18, 2002.
Carlin, a former professor and health care administrator, was was born Feb. 25, 1932, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. He graduated from Ithaca College in upstate New York and received his diploma and Ph.D. from Victoria University, Manchester, England. After working in public schools in Rye, N.Y., Carlin became a professor at his Alma Mater, Ithaca College. While there, he established the Ewing Clinic and took deaf awareness to the streets by starting the first mobile audiology unit, treating children and senior citizens whose hearing problems might have otherwise gone undiagnosed and untreated. He spent nearly every summer helping lead a camp for disabled children. Dr. Carlin also headed a deaf education program at a training college in Ghana, West Africa. In demand as a speech and hearing expert, he consulted in Europe, the Middle East and Central America, and served on a United Nations task force. In 1978, he was named Director of the Speech and Hearing Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. In 1988, he moved to Sarasota and, in 1990, founded the Hearing and Balance Center in Port Charlotte. One focus of his work there was helping patients overcome difficulties keeping their balance. Dr. Carlin died of complications related to a heart condition.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Jenefer; a brother, William J. of New York City; a son, David of San Diego, Calif.; daughters, Mary of Sarasota and Anne Spindel of Mexico City, Mexico; and a grandchild, Ava.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742. Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota, is handling a private memorial service.
