OBITUARIES DECEMBER 7, 2004 THE NEWS-PRESS Local State B5 LOCAL DEATH 'Gus' to help Ex- Fort Myers funeral BY DAN WARNER Former Fort Myers resident William "Gus" Belcher was a funeral director by profession, but his heart belonged in police work. In fact, Belcher always wanted to be a cop, said his friend, Fort Myers attorney and former state representative Paul Nuckolls. So much so, in fact, that he served in the Florida Highway Patrol auxiliary and as a reserve officer in Eagle Lake. That is why Nuckolls wasn't one bit surprised when he learned that Belcher, 68, died Saturday after helping two Haines City police officers subdue a large, violent man they were trying to arrest. "That is in character with what you would expect Gus to do," said Nuckolls.
Belcher's daughter-in-law, Pam Belcher of Fort Myers, agreed. he could have written a script of how he would go out, this would be it. He would have himself saving the day," she said. Belcher lived in Fort Myers from 1968 until 1981. In recent years, he lived in Dundee and recently opened a new funeral home there.
While in Fort Myers, Belcher BRIEFS MIAMI Noriega back in prison after hospital stay Ousted Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega returned to federal prison Monday after being hospitalized for irregular blood pressure, a woman at his lawyer's office said. Noriega, 70, was hospitalized. over the weekend after his blood pressure went high and then low, said the woman, who Belcher dies trying subdue suspect director was 68 coached a Babe operated funeral homes in North Fort Myers and, later, on Cypress Lake Drive, the forerunner of what is now the Phil Kiser Funeral Home. Belcher sold real estate, was president and long- -time member of the Fort Myers Kiwanis Club, president of the Babe Ruth League and managed and BELCHER Ruth team that Heart belonged included both in police work his son and future major league star Mike Greenwell. In one way or another, Belcher knew a whole lot of people in town.
"I don't know whether he was famous or infamous," said his son, also a William known as Gus and a Fort Myers attorney. "He used to have a lot of fun in the old days. "He was always willing to help people. When I was a little boy in North Fort Myers, it was not unusual for him to pick up a hitchhiker." Belcher really did save the day for them, Haines City police said. The suspect they were trying to arrest was giving them a great deal of trouble.
"There were several people answered the phone at the office of attorney Frank Rubino. Federal prison officials refused to comment Monday, citing privacy regulations. Noriega was ousted in 1989 by a U.S. invasion and is serving a 30-year sentence at a Miami federal prison for his protection of Colombian cocaine shipments through Panama in the 1980s. He is scheduled to be released in 2007 after deductions in his sentence for good behavior.
The Most Trusted Name For SIMPLE REGISTER CREMATION TODAY $495 HORIZON MARK E. DAVIS FUNERAL HOME 939-0050 FUNERAL OWNER DIRECTOR CREMATION CENTERS" Call 24 hours DECEMBER HEARING AID SPECIAL Starkey ENDEAVOR $1295 Now ea. Digital Full Shell Reg. '1700 ea. HUNTER HEARING AIDS 939-2374 BOB HUNTER Offer expires 1-01-05 Not valid with other offers or discounts NOTICE Social Security Disability Claimants If you are disabled or unable to work because of sickness, injury or disease which has or will last 12 months, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits.
We can help you with your SSI or Disability Claim and provide representation through the appeals including Administrative Law Judge hearings and Federal Court. KUSHNER KUSHNER, ATTORNEYS 2077 First Street, Ft. Myers, Florida Call For Appointment 239-337-3600 1-800-261-8787 NO FEES unless there is a recovery (Costs Additional) of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisem*nts. Before you decide, ask us to send- you free information about our qualifications and experience." "The hiring HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS A The stylish Holiday gift to match Perfect any Gift decor HAPPY HAPPY Heat Great Multiple and selections position massage of recline fabrics available HOLIDAYS starting at $495 Sales end HAPPY Chairs APPY www.mds4u.com MEDICAL PREMIER 239-482-6111 PROVIDER OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT 1-800-741-1761 SINCE 1979 STORE www.mds4u.com HOLIDA (Corner of College Parkway Winkler Rd.) HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS FUNERALS MEMORIALS Information in 'Funerals Memorials' is paid advertising. To place an obituary call 335-0324.
Please visit for archived obituaries. IN LOVING MEMORY OF ANNETTA B. (FLYNN) DUKE It has been one long year since our precious mother traveled from earth to heaven to be be with Jesus, whom she taught us love and serve. Who find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies! In her tongue is the law of kindness. She provided for her family (loved her fudge, cakes, pies, fried mullet hushpuppies).
A women that feareth the Lord. She shall be praised! Her children grandchildren arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and her dear friends! After the storm, the rainbow, after the darkness, dawn, blessed by hose and her legacy, we find strength to carry on! Dr. Max Owen Flynn Charlotte Rae Nicely Kay F. Chandler Janet Flynn Lee Margaret L. Mitchell All her precious grandchildren and great grands! ETHEL M.
OBODICH DECMEBER 4, 2004 Ethel M. Obodich, 83, of Ft. Myers, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2004 while at Lee Convalescent Care in Ft. Myers. Ethel was born in Barberton, OH on June 14, 1921, the youngest of seven children of her parents, Michael and Matolyak.
A 45 year resident of Ft. Myers, she retired from Yoder Bros. with years of service. Ethel was a devoted member of St. Cecelia Catholic Community and The St.
Cecelia Women's Guild. She enjoyed her family and with them, she could during her later, years, living enjoy the great grandchildren and the family pets, Bailey and Annie. Survivors include a son, Roger R. Obodich and wife Debbie of Ft. Myers, sister-inlaw, Bessie Akers of Fairlawn, grand-stepson, Bryan Miller, grand-stepdaughter, Keista Ransom and her children Tiessa and Kwazi of Ft.
Myers and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband Ralph L. Obodich predeceased her in 1982. Her sisters; Ann Kepnes, Julia Hornyak, Katherine Reynolds, Dorothy McClain, Helen Zema and brother Michael Matolyak also all predeceased her. Metz Funeral Home is arranging her bu burial at Memorial Gardens Cemetery next to her husband.
Memorial service will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 10th at 10:30 AM at St. Cecelia Catholic Church. LARRY J. MELTON NOVEMBER 30, 2004 Larry J.
Melton, 61, of N. Ft. Myers passed away November 30, 2004. He had been a resident for over 24 years formerly of Mt. Pleasant, lowa.
Mr. Melton was born Feb. 19, 1943 in Ottumwa, lowa the son of Floyd and Martha Dabney Melton. He was the sales manfor RV Kountry in N. Ft.
Myers. Melton is survived by his daughter Belinda (Ray) Nichols of Bonfield, IL brother William Melton of Las Vegas, NV and one granddaughter. Family will receive friends at the Tues. evening from 6 to RaPA Chapel, 1600 Colonial Blvd. CLYTUS JUNE MURRAY DECEMBER 4, 2004 Clytus June Murray, 83, of N.
Ft. Myers FL passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2004. June 16, 1921 in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Carl and Wilda Budd Campbell. Clytus was a Veteran of World War serving in United States Women Air Corps. Survivors include her brother, Donald Campell, nieces and nephews, Donald Campbell Pamela Fleming, Chrystal Mitchell, Pamela Fitzpatrick, Nikki Mitchell and Terry Mitchell all of N.
Ft. Myers. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM on Tuesday (TODAY) Dec. 7, 2004 at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 Pine Island Cape Coral. Burial will follow at Charlotte Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda.
Arrangements by Charlotte Funeral Home Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda. Pay Tribute Remember your loved ones. with a memorial tribute ad in Obituaries, featured everyday in the Local State section. CALL TODAY AND PLACE YOUR IN MEMORIAM AD AT 335.0324 Delivering your world THE NEWS PRESS SIDNEY W. BODDISON DECEMBER 5, 2004 in the area and he was the only one who came forward and helped out," said Det.
Brannon Sheely. "His family should be extremely proud of him. We are fortunate that we have citizens like him who will help us out when we need it." Nuckolls recalled that Belcher, who earned a criminal justice degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, "got very upset by virtue of people stopping, looking and gawking and not giving assistance when the police needed them." After helping subdue the suspect, who was arrested on a loud music violation, Belcher walked back to his truck, where he was found slumped over the steering wheel. He died of natural causes and was suffering from heart disease, according to the Polk County Medical Examiner's office. Belcher's community service activities continued in Polk County, where he was active in American Legion baseball, the VFW, the Masonic lodge and Shrine temple.
Belcher leaves his wife of 47 years, Jane Rose; his son, William Gus Belcher II; daughter, Lisa Renee Klemm; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Baptist Temple Dundee in Dundee, which he attended. ST. AUGUSTINE Woman charged with running down boys A woman ran over two teenage brothers, leaving one with life-threatening injuries, after they accidentally hit her sport utility vehicle with a golf ball, officials said.
Isiah Grayer, 14, and his 16- year-old twin stepbrothers, Justin and Jamel Marshman, were bouncing a golf ball in a shopping center parking lot Sunday afternoon when it went astray and struck a sport utility vehicle driven by Kathy Feaganes Allen, 47, St. Johns County sheriff's Deputy Greg Suchy said. Suchy said no damage was done, and the boys apologized and began to walk away. Allen started to drive away, but suddenly made a U-turn, ran over a median and struck Grayer, causing severe injuries, and Justin Marshman before knocking over a light pole, Suchy said. She then drove after Jamel Marshman, crossing two medians and striking a utility box before her SUV stopped in a ditch, Suchy said.
The boy ran away and was not struck. A Ay judge ordered Allen held without bail Monday on three counts of attempted murder. Brent Woolbright of the St. Johns County Public Defender's Office said he was assigned her case Monday and was trying to get all the facts. Grayer was in critical condition Monday at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.
Justin Marshman was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries at Flagler Hospital. The Associated Press TUESDAY FISH CAN FRY EAT $9.95 No other offers apply. PARROT KEY Caribbean Grill 2500 Main St. Ft. Myers Beach 463-3257 R39884 Try it before HEARING you buy it.
AID SERVICES McGregor Point Shopping Ctr. McGregor Blvd. at Gladiolus (near K-Mart) ACTUAL SIZE 433-2060 The Small Canal Hearing Aid That's Beach Road Concealed In Your Ear Plaza, across the road from $398 Bonita Publix 947-2222 Bch facing Rd Hearing Evaluation in Home or Office Custom Aids Rentals Repairs Reconditioned Aids TS8831 CATHERINE JOSEPHINE "MAMO" NAULT. DECEMBER 4, 2004 Catherine Josephine "Mamo" Vault, 88, of Ft. Myers, died Saturday, Dec.
4, 2004 at her residence. She was native. of 16, 1918 Mena, to Arkansas Matthew and Madi Simons. Mrs. Nault came to this area 1945 from California.
She had been a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Community for 59 years. Survivors include her son Donald (Barbara) of Warene, North Carolina, her daughter Linda Browning of Ft. Myers Shores, her grandchildren Dona Nault (Eric) Schuster, Keven Nault, Tina Browning (Brian) Gordon, David Browning, her great-grandchildren Alexa Browning Brian Gordon 11, and Conner Gordon. She was preceded in death by her son James Michael Nault and her husband Armand Nault.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated as 12:30 PM Wednesday, December 8, 2004 in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; committal services and burial to follow in Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens. A Christian Wake Service will be held this evening at 8:00 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Palm Beach Blvd.
Anderson ch Funeral Home, 3654 CHARLES LUTHER NEWBERRY, JR DECEMBER 2, 2004 Charles Luther Newberry, 42 passed away December 2, 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Diane, a daughter Lynn Newberry, son Jason Newberry and brother-in-law Thomas Forehand and sister Janice Brass. Arrangements by HarveyEngelhardt-Metz Funeral Homes, Ft. Myers.
JAMES THOMAS JIM" PENDY DECEMBER 5. 5, 2004 James Thomas "Jim" Pendy, 46, of Cape Coral, FL formerly of Grosse Pointe, MI passed away December 5, 2004 at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral. Jim was born August 5, 1958 in Detroit, MI a son of Elizabeth VanWalleghem and the late Dr. John M. Pendy.
He graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School and attended Macomb County Community College. He worked in the lumber business for the past 15 years, first with Causeway Lumber and recently with Raymond Building Supply in N. Ft. Myers. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cape Coral Babe Ruth Association and was the coach of his son's team.
He was a communicant of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Cape Coral and had resided here since 1984 coming from Grosse Point, MI. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Liz" Pendy, his son M. Pendy and his daughter, Kathleen Pendy all of Cape Coral; his mother, Elizabeth Pendy of St. ClairK Shores, MI; his brother, David (Susan) Pendy of St.
Louis, MO and a sister, Margaret Zimmerman of Sterling Heights, MI. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004 at 4:00 PM in the chapel of Coral Ridge Funeral Home in Cape Coral. There will also be services in Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Pkwy.
Cape Coral, FL 33909. WILLIAM K. SCHWERDTFEGER "DUTCH" DECEMBER 1, 2004 Dutch Schwerdtfeger, 88 of Cape Coral, died suddenly December 1, 2004. Dutch was a CW03 Naval Officer, he served on the USS Colorado BB45 in WWII, also served on the USS Valley Forge Aircraft Carrier during the Korean War. Dutch completed two tours in the Paris and US Embassy.
Retired as a in Washington DC, relocated to Cape Coral, FL in 1974. Dutch was a member of the American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral, VFW Post 8463, a Master Mason at Kemper Macon Ware Lodge Dutch also volunteered at the VA Clinic in Ft. Myers for 12 years. Dutch is survived by his two sons, Bruce and Karl, grandsons Brandon, Jeffery and Alan, great-granddaughter Jana Tyler. Dutch will be cherished and sadly missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado, Cape Coral, 2004 at 11:00 after service at 5401 SW Pleaser join the family 6th Cape Coral. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Horizon Funeral Home Cremation Center. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matter compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson FOR Ni Sidney W. Boddison, age 88, of Ft.
Myers, died on December 5, 2004 at his residence. Born on October 31, 1916 in Peterboro, Ontario, Canada he has lived in Ft. Myers for the past 24 years. Mr. Boddison graduated a for and from Myers.
16 lived high He years in was school prior employed Orangebury, in to Canada until Ft. SC age 83 in the food service department at the whiter Myers Middle School he worked for 22 years. He is survived his wife of 36 years, Barbara Boddison, his sons, Terry and James, both of Canada, David and Dennis, both of Ft. Myers, his daughter, Catherine Whitmire of Cedartown, GA, 17 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and his sister, Peggy Parsons of Rhineland, WI. A funeral service celebrating his life will be celebrated Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 5:00 PM, Rev.
Hugh Mc Guigan OSFS officiating, in the Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd. (239) 936-0555. Entombment is private for the family. The family would appreciate memorial gifts in place of flowers be sent in his memory to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Ft.
Myers, FL 33908. JAMES HAROLD (HAL) WAGGONER DECEMBER 4, 2004 James Harold (Hal) Waggoner passed away, on Saturday, December 2004. 74 years of age. Hal resident of Ft. Myers since 1979.
Hal taught at Ft. Myers High School for 17 years. He loved teaching the ESE students and coaching the Freshman football team. Hal will be greatly missed by his wife, Keiko Alice. He is survived by four children; Scott and wife, Holly, Sherri, Laurie, and Janson Waggoner and his grandchildren; Courtney, Garrett and Mallory children of Scott Holly).
In Canada, his is survived by his 3 step-children; Roberta MacDonald, Deborah Craven and Greg Kariatsumari and 5 grandchildren. Friends will be received on Thrusday, Dec. 9, 2004 at Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Ft. Myers from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
Memoral service will follow at 7:00 PM. JOHN DARWIN YEOMANS DECEMBER 2, 2004 John I Darwin Yeomans born June 13, 1935 passed away Dec. 2, 2004. He was a native of Ft. Myers.
John is survived by his son John Yeomans, sisters; LaVerne Arnold and Judy Sims, his Aunts Vera Taylor and June Robinson. A memorial service be held Thursday, Dec. 9, 7:00 PM at Bethel Assembly of God, Evergreen Road, N. Ft. Myers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice. DEATHS The News-Press reports the deaths of area residents free. To place a listing call 335-0324. LEE COUNTY BODDISON, SIDNEY, 88, of Fort Myers, died Sunday. Arrangements by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.
EARP, RUSTY 55, of Fort Myers, died Sunday. Arrangements by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. FIRTH, JUDITH, 81, of Fort Myers, died Monday. Arrangements by Kiser Funeral Home. FONDROSE, ALTILDA, 48, of Fort Myers, died Sunday.
Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home. FREDERICK, JAMES, 26, of Fort Myers, died Thursday. Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home.
HOROWITZ, RICHARD, 68, of Fort Myers, died Saturday. Arrangements by Horizon Funeral Home Cremation Center. MIKHAIL, GEORGE 52, of Cape Coral, died Sunday. Arrangements by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. NAULT, CATHERINE JOSEPHINE "MAMO," 88, of Fort Myers, died Saturday.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home. WARREN, JAMES 73, of Fort Myers, died Sunday. Arrangements by HarveyEngelhardt-Metz Funeral Home Crematory, Fort Myers. CHARLOTTE ALLEN-CROSSDALE, FAY 61, of Port Charlotte, died Nov. 30.
Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home. MEROLES, JOSEPH, 56, of Port Charlotte, died Sunday. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home. OUT OF AREA CLASSON, DOROTHY 86, of Bedford, Texas, died Friday. Arrangements by Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home, Fort Myers..