FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, June 22, 1935-- George Oaks, 75-year-old Captiva resident, died yesterday morning at the Lee Memorial hospital as the result of complication of diseases caused by old age. Oaks was a clam digger and often visited Fort Myers where he sold clams and other seafood. He is a native of Philadelphia and funeral arrangements are being delayed while Lawrence A. Powell is trying to get in touch with survivors living in Pennsylvania. listed as “Charley”in Ft Myers Cemetery records.

Ft Myers News-Press, 2002-05-25 - Alice Josephine Parker O'Bannon, 74, of Fort Myers, passed away Friday, May 24, 2002 at her residence. She was born May 11, 1928 in Fort Myers and has been a SW Florida resident all of her life and an active member of this community for over 45 years. She was a realtor for over 40 years and served on the Board of Realtors for many of those years. She attended First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Garden Club. Survivors of Mrs. O'Bannon include, two sons, Philip (Mary) O'Bannon of Boca Grande and Rick (Linda) O'Bannon of Punta Gorda, a daughter, Susan (Tony) Flint of Lehigh Acres, mother, Elizabeth Parker of Fort Myers, brother, William Lee Parker, Jr. of Carrabelle and three grandchildren, Richard David O'Bannon, Houston Flint and Parker O'Bannon. She was preceded in death by her father, William Lee Parker and her brother, David Parker .Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at Harvey-Engelhard-Metz Funeral Home, 1600 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers with the Reverend Archie Buie officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.

FT Myers News-Press, 1998-10-06 - Julia Marguerite Fulghum O'Bannon, 89, of LaBelle, died October 4, 1998 at Altamonte Springs. Mrs. O'Bannon was born June 26, 1929 at Fort Denaud, FL to the late Fulghum and Mary Esther Robinson Fulghum. She was retired as a service representative with the former Inter-County Telephone Co. She was licensed as a Pastor with the Churches of God. She and her late husband Rev. Floyd O'Bannon, Sr. co-pastored Churches of God at Zellwood, Lake Wales, Naples, Vero Beach, Nocatee, Chokoloskee, Jasper, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and Irwin, NC.Survivors include sons: James D. O'Bannon of Fort Myers, Rev. John O'Bannon of Lehigh Acres, Dr. Robert O'Bannon of Cleveland, TN; daughters: Elizabeth Hynes of Altamonte Springs and Mary Lu Edgar of Jacksonville; a sister, Mildred Nesmith of Jacksonville, 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be Thursday, October 8, 1998 at the LaBelle Church of God at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. John O'Bannon, Rev. John M. Holloway, Rev. Vep. Hudson, and Rev. Dennis Edgar officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Denaud Cemetery.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, 1998-08-22 -- Oddis Louise O'Bannon, 92, of LaBelle, died August 19, 1998. Mrs. O'Bannon was born May 23, 1906, at LaBelle to the late Lewis Blount and Mary Dyess Blount. She was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a member of the LaBelle Church of God. Survivors include a son, Thermon O'Bannon; a daughter, Myrna Holland, step-daughter, Kathryn Ford; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul O'Bannon and a daughter, Eileen Topham. Funeral services will be Monday, at 10:00 a.m. at the LaBelle Church of God with Rev. Vep Hudson and Rev. Frank Deerey, Jr., officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Denaud Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be Sunday 2 - 4 and 7 - 9.p.m. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home of LaBelle.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Sept. 6, 1932--W. L. Ob(g)lesby,(sic) 78 years old resident of Bonita Springs, died yesterday afternoon at the Lee Memorial hospital. The funeral will be held at the graveside at 10 a.m. today with the Rev. W. H. Edwards conduct the service. Lawrence A. Powell is in charge. Ft Myers Cem etery records list him as L.M.

The Fort Myers News -- Apr 26, 1918 -- Kate McLeod O’Farrell , sister of Mrs N G Stout of this city dies at Apalachicola Today Mrs N G Stout received the sad intelligence that her sister, Mrs C J O’Farrell, formerly Miss Kate McLeod, of this city, which occurred a 9:00 o’clock this morning at the home of her brother, R Don McLeod, with whom she was staying. Deceased leaves, besides her husband, two little children, a boy and a girl. She had been ill for the past two weeks, but it was thought she was on the road to recovery. The funeral will be held at Apalachicola.

Ogden, Dorothy

Fort Myers News-Press Dec 11, 2002 Reaburn James O'Harra, Jr., 66 years, of Fort Myers died December 9, 2002. Mr. O'Harra was born in Chicago, IL and was the son of the late Reaburn and Hazel O'Harra. He moved to Fort Myers with his family in 1946 and graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1954, he then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and worked many years with American Airlines at O'Hare Field in Chicago and several years in Dallas, Texas. After retiring Mr. O'Harra returned to live in Fort Myers. He is survived by his son, Sean Reaburn O'Harra of Granbury, TX, and a brother John and Sister Lillian Beyer both of Fort Myers and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Home 1600 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Funeral services will be conducted at the Hursen Funeral Home in Hillside, IL Saturday at 100 p.m. with interment at the Oakridge Cemetery. FMHS 1954

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, March 27, 2007-Benjamin J. O'Keefe, 87, died March 24, 2007. He was a long time resident of Lehigh Acres, FL formerly of Chicago South Deering area. He was a loving husband of the late Ewaldene (Evelyn) Kreitz, and the father of Payton, Michael (Lynda), Thomas, James (Linda), Mary Therese (Jeff) O'Neill, and Kathleen (Charles) Lazzara; proud grandfather of 12, great-grandfather of 16, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews, dear brother of the late John (Mary) O'Keefe, the late Catherine (Joe) O'Neill, the late Nora (James) Ryan, the late Mary (George) Becich, the late Eileen (James) Smith. He was a 1937 graduate of Leo High School, 1941 graduate of Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. Retired General Foreman of Wisconsin Steel Coke Plant. A private burial will be held at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Loras College Dubuque, Iowa. Arrangements were made by Anderson Funeral Home, Lehigh Acres, FL.

Fort Myers News-Press, Dec 28, 2004 - Allen E. Oldham, 44, of Conyers passed away on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Conyers, GA. A native of Florida, Mr. Oldham graduated in 1978 from Ft. Myers High School and in 1979 from Edison Community College. He served 5 years with the Lee County Emergency Medical Services in Ft. Myers, FL and 20 years with DeKalb County Fire and Rescue, most recently as a Rescue Captain, He was a coach with Rockdale Youth Baseball and soccer, a member of the Men's Senior League Baseball Association and played on the Bluejay's team. He was also a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Conyers and will be always remembered as a loving and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Jill Oldham, Conyers; sons, Andrew Oldham of Conyers and David Oldham of Conyers; parents, John and Peggy Oldham of Ft. Myers, FL; brother, Kevin (and Becky) Oldham, Grand Rapids, MI; nephew, Josh Oldham; niece: Maegen Oldham, both of Grand Rapids, MI; uncles and cousins. Memorial contributions may be made to Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2375 GA 20, Conyers, GA 30094.

Fort Myers News-Press, 2005-04-09-- Barbara Marie Brunais Oler , of Fort Myers, FL. Daughter of Dr. Osborne C. and Marguerite A. Brunais, born in Chicago, IL, in 1931. Has passed away. Leaving to cherish her memory are her three son's Ronald, Darrell, and Raymond. Ray's wife Danette, grandchildren, Shannon, Amanda, and Eric, and great-grandchildren, Andrew, and Elijah. Barbara, moved to Fort Myers, in 1963, and worked at Orangewood Elementary School, as, a nurse, secretary, and crossing guard. Barbara's fondest wish was to be a teacher, and she found her calling, at the YMCA, in the water, giving swimming lessons. She taught classes, ranging from toddlers through senior's, lifeguards, and the mentally/physically challenged in Lee and Charlotte Counties for over 20 years. Barbara was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was a secretary, until her retirement in 1998. Internment will be held at Coral Ridge Cemetery.

Fort Myers News-Press Feb 26, 2009 Marvel Marie Onstott, age 98, entered the presence of her Lord on February 23, 2009. She was born June 23, 1910, of parents Walter and Della Dallas Peter. She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil and son Robert Onstott. Also preceding her in death were brothers Harvey (Rosilla) Peter, William (Rovilla) Peters Walter Scott (Nora) Peters, Joe (Shirley) Peters and John Peters. Marvel was also preceded in death by her precious granddaughter Debbie Jo Osgood, her beloved sons-in-law William (Bill) Minnear and Orlando (Moe) Moore. Her sister-in-law Leah Peters also preceded her in death.She is survived by her daughter, Shirley and husband Jim who were her caregivers for the past twelve years. She also leaves behind her daughter, Virginia Minnear, daughter-in-law Barbara Moore, cousin, Melba Day, and special friends, Mildred Clark. Also surviving are her brother Woodrow Peters and her sister Mary Jane (Dan) Brown, and her sister-in-law Nell Peters. Grandchildren who survive her are David Minnear (Marianne), Lori Eberhart (Charles), Susie Prieto, Leanne Onstott, Lisa Resh (Jim), and Eric Everett (Karen), great-grandchildren include Charles and David Eberhart, Matthew Minnear, Christian Prieto, and Joanna, Jon, Jay and Josh Resh. Survivors also include numerous nieces and nephews and many many loving friends.Marvel lived most of her life in Hicksville, Ohio. She has lived in Fort Myers, Florida for the past twelve years. She was a true servant of the Lord - long standing Sunday School teacher, homemaker, fabulous cook, and outstanding seamstress. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.Marvel was devoted to her Lord Jesus Christ and her family. She lived a life that honored and glorified God. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her so much. She was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Bryan, Ohio. She was also a member of Park Alliance Church in San Carlos for the past few years. Visitation will be held at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd. on Friday, February 27th from 5-9 PM. Memorial service will be held at Park Alliance Church, 7469 San Carlos Blvd. in Fort Myers at 2:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the Debbie Osgood Scholarship, Huntington University, 2303 College Ave., Huntington, Indiana 46750-1299, Alliance Women Missionary Fund, Park Alliance Church, 7469 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33912, or Love a Child (a missionary organization in Haiti), P.O. Box 30744, Tampa, FL 33630.Funeral arrangements under the direction of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, June 26, 1933--Mrs. Grace Mable Opitz died at 2 o'clock yesterday morning at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Elvidge, on Palmetto avenue. She had been ill for about five months. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the First Presbyterian church. Dr. William Graham Kennedy will read the service. Pallbearers have been asked to meet at the Lawrence A. Powell funeral home at 1:30 today. They are Dr. Henry Needham, E. M. Adams, Jack Beater, J. Colin English, W. W. Raymond and J. W. Matthews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Opitz is survived by her husband, Emil W. Opitz. They have been residents of Owanita for many years.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Aug. 16, 1949 - Mrs. Katherine Elizabeth Opitz, 86, wife of the late Charles f. Opitz, died at her home yesterday. She and her husband came to Fort Myers 30 years ago from Philadelphia. They lived at Owanita and Alva for a number of years and later made their home at 2220 Henley Place. She was a charter member of the St. Michael Lutheran Church of this city. She is survived by one son, Emil W. Opitz. Funeral services will be held at the Leo W. Engelhardt funeral home at 2 pm Wednesday with the Rev. F. R. Zucker officiating. Burial will be in the Fort Myers Cemetery.

Ft Myers News-Press April 18, 2009 April M. O'Quinn, a lifetime resident of the community of Immokalee passed away April 16, 2009.A member of the First United Methodist Church of Immokalee, she is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, James, her mother, Elsie R. Miller, 2 sons, Charles R. St. John, Micah (Lesley) O'Quinn, 2 daughters, Krista (Andrew) Higginbotham, DeAnn (Jamie) Silguero, a sister, Mary Ellen Miller, 9 grandchildren, Samantha and Lexie St. John, Dalton and Dayne O'Quinn, Brittney, Ricky and Juliana Silguero, Emily and Amanda Higginbotham, and 2 nephews, Luke and Max Miller. Memorial services will be held Monday April 20 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church of Immokalee. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Avow Hospice of Naples, or the charity of your choice. Lee Memorial Park 334-4880

Fort Myers News-Press, March 30, 2007--Russell W. O'Rourke, 85, of Cape Coral, FL and formerly of Northfield Center, OH and Lake Temagami, Ontario died March 28, 2007. He was born Dec. 23, 1921 in Monesson, PA. He is survived by his wife Jeannette O'Rourke of Cape Coral, son Russell (Georgia) O'Rourke of Bratenahl, Ohio, daughter Diane P. O'Rourke of Wellington, New Zeland, grandchildren Jason & Stacey and 6 great-grandchildren. Rus adored his wife Jan. They loved to dance and travel the world together. Rus was proud of his children's accomplishment. Daughter Diane earned a PHD in Anthropology and son Russell earned a Juris Doctor. Rus was dedicated to his role as a pilot in WW II. Rus was a member of the Araba Shrine Club, past-president of the Cape Coral Shrine Club, member of the Araba Mariners, the Royal Order of Jesters, the Kentucky Colonels, and the Masonic Temple of Twinsburg, Ohio. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday April 1, 2007 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Anderson Officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center, 10051 McGregor Blvd., suite 101, Fort Myers, FL 33919 or to the Araba Shrine Temple 2010 Hanson St. Fort Myers, FL 33901. Arrangements by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 936-0555.

Ft Myers News-Press, June 21, 2001 - Julia 'Yuya' Ortiz, age 87, of Fort Myers, FL, died June 19, 2001. Ms. Ortiz was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico and lived in Florida for the past 40 years. She is survived by sons, Raul Matias and Mario Matias of North Carolina; Norberto Matias and Ismael Matias of Puerto Rico; daughters, Haydee Matias, Celida Matias, Nereida Matias, and Luz Matias all of Florida, and Julia Estreella Matias of Puerto Rico; 50 plus grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren. The viewing will be held Thursday, June 21, 2001 from 2 - 4 p.m. and from 6 - 8 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2001 at Jesus Obrero Church. Burial will be at Lee Memorial Park.

Fort Myers News-Press, Jan 4 2006 -- Melissa Marie Osborne passed away December 27, 2005. Melissa was born September 9, 1979 to Sharon Hague Osborne and Lee Osborne in Dayton, OH. The family moved to Germany where she spent her early years, returning to the US, Melissa attended Alva Middle School and was a graduate of North Fort Myers High School class of 1997. She excelled in soccer and track and was involved in many clubs, there she made many lifelong friends. Melissa spent much of her adult years with her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey M. Chitwood of Cape Coral. They had one daughter Jasmine Marie Chitwood, who preceded her in death in 1998. Melissa worked as a paralegal for the law firms of Troy and Yeslow. In 2002, her interests turned from law to real estate. Melissa became a licensed title agent, employed by Cape Coral Mortgage until 2003. Her goal was to become a mortgage broker. She was due to start classes in January. Melissa loved animals, music, dancing, movies, fishing, trips to the Keys, and shopping at Express. Melissa had a heart of gold, a sense of style and grace, elegant taste and amazing sense of humor that will stay with many for the years to come. Most recently, Melissa had a son, whom she is survived by . Chase Noah Johnson was born September 29, 2005 in Cape Coral. Chase was truly the love of Melissa's life. Melissa also leaves behind her "boys" Apex and Damon, her beloved German shephards. Surviving are her grandparents George and Kazuyo Hague of Austin, Texas, her mother Sharon Jones of Greer, SC, and her brother Christopher Osborne along with his wife and children of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A trust fund will be set up for Chase Noah Johnson in honor of his mother, Melissa. For details please contact Jeffrey Chitwood 239-872-1840. Memorial service will be held Thursday, January 5, 2006, 5-7 PM at the Church of God, North Fort Myers Church, on US 41. (North of Pondella).

Caloosa Belle--April 1, 2009 BRIGHTON INDIAN RESERVATION - Faith Carol Osceola, of Brighton Indian Reservation, died Saturday, March 28, 2009, in Hollywood. She was 53. She was born Dec. 28, 1955, in Philadelphia, Miss. Mrs. Osceola had been a resident of Brighton Indian Reservation for the past 24 years and was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Miss. Ms. Osceola is survived by her husband of 34 years, Johnny Osceola; sons, Richard Osceola (Dana), Ryan Osceola, Cody Osceola, George Osceola, all of Brighton; daughters, Jennifer Jones of Okeechobee and Minnie Osceola of Brighton. In addition, she is survived by brothers, Clayburn Jefferson (Shirley) of Mississippi, Malcolm Jefferson (Maureen) of Union, Miss.; sister, Rosie McMillan of Philadelphia, Miss.; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; special cousin, Evaline Davis of Philadelphia, Miss.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive today from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Buxton Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held Thursday in the Ortona Cemetery at 11 a.m. All arrangements are under the direction and care of the Buxton Funeral Home and Crematory, 110 NE 5th St., Okeechobee.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, September 29, 1939 - Chief John Osceola of Seminoles Dies - Miami, Sept. 28 - (AP) - Chief John Osceola, venerable patriarch of South Florida's Seminole Indians, died suddenly today at his hut in a Pirate's Cove village. The elder tribal statesman, believed to be 71 years of age or more, went through the white men's courts three years ago for administering summary justice to a "bad" Indian believed to be guilty of several slayings. Crippled by rheumatism and a bad heart even at that time, the elderly chief had himself carried to the offending Indian's hut in the Florida Everglades and executed him in tribal fashion with one shotgun blast. He won exoneration in circuit court. A short time after Osceola's death today, he was buried on the Indian resevation west of Dania.

Ft Myers News-Press, June 15, 2001 - Elizabeth Katherine 'Betty' O'Shaughnessy, 88, of Lehigh Acres, died Monday, June 11, 2001 at Lehigh Acres. She came to this area in 1960 from Waterbury, Connecticut. Betty had worked twenty five yeas for the State of Florida as a Cottage Life Training Facilitator at the then 'Sunland Training Center' for the profoundly handicapped. She had been a founding communicant at St. Raphael Catholic Church. She was a member of the New England Club, The Irish-American Club, The Lehigh Chapter of A.B.W.A. She is survived by her son John M. 'Jay' and daughter-in-law Kathi V. O'Shaughnessy of Fort Myers, her Mary J. Ryan of Torrington, Connecticut, many nieces and nephews and beloved friends and neighbors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday June 18, 2001 in St. Raphael Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Lee Memorial Park. It is suggested that memorial contributions be made to Hope Hospice. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2001 in the Anderson Funeral Home of Lehigh Acres, 2701 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS March 16, 2007-James Francis Ossanna, 49, of Cape Coral passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. Born in East Chicago, IN, James moved to FL in 1972. His passion was spending time with his children whom he loved deeply. He is survived by his 3 beloved children John, Mara, Amanda and their mother Mary; mother Nina (Ralph) Myers; brother John (Sharon) Candiano of Blairsville, GA; 2 sisters Debbie (Mike) Newborn and Lisa (Jim) Heckler; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held between the hours of 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Sunday, March 18th at the chapel of the Coral Ridge Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, March 19th at Coral Ridge Funeral Home with entombment to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in James' name to The Ossanna Children Trust Fund in The Bank of America.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS - October 26, 1943 -- Funeral Tomorrow For Mrs. Osteen. Funeral services for Mrs. Agnes Katherine Osteen will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Spooner and Engelhardt chapel.  Mrs. Osteen, the wife of Lt. O. L. Osteen, died Saturday in a Washington hospital, and her body is expected to arrive today.  Active pallbearers will be E. R. Barden, Ewing Starnes, Lawrenc e Williams, Charlie Gibson, W. F. Foster and G. E. Johnson.  The services will be conducted by the Rev. James Barber, and burial will follow in the Fort Myers Cemetery.

Fort Myers News-Press, 2005-01-19 - Michael J. O'Toole, 81, of Bokeelia, FL died Monday, January 17, 2005. Michael was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on November 17, 1923, a son of the late William and Eliza Berry O'Toole. He was a Stationery Engineer prior to his retirement. Michael was a communicant of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Bokeelia and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. A special man he was an avid boater and fisherman and also enjoyed endless time in his gardens. He had a great love for his native Ireland and enjoyed his many trips back to his homeland, where he spent time with his brothers. He had resided in Bokeelia for the past 21 years coming from Chicago, IL. He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia O'Toole of Bokeelia, FL; his children, Richard (Cindy) Iwanski, Ronald Iwanski, Randy Iwanski and Renee Corley; several grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Father Tom Collumcille, Liam (Teresa) O'Toole, Patrick (Bridie) O'Toole, Father Sean O'Toole and Francis O'Toole all of Ireland. Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2005 from 6-8 PM in the chapel of Coral Ridge Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, Stringfellow Rd., Bokeelia, FL. Father Sean O'Toole will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Coral Ridge Cemetery.

The News-Press, 1/18/2009--Grace I. Otten, 94, a resident of Lehigh Acres since 1984, died on Friday, January 16, 2009. She was a member of the Lehigh Womens Club & the Homemakers Club. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond. She is survived by her son, Richard Otten; daughter, Linda McDougall; 4 grandchildren, Linda, Laura, Don and Julie; and 9 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Monday, January 19, 2009, from 4-7 PM, at Farley Funeral Home, 1100 Lee Blvd. Lehigh Acres. A Mass of Christian burial will follow on Tuesday, at 11 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Lehigh Acres. Interment will be at Lee Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Heart Association, or Hope Hospice of Lee County, (239) 369-2181.

Cassie Outlaw

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, May 3, 1963 Mrs. John Owens, Retired Statistics Registrar, Dies Mrs. Flossie Felker Owens, 85, registrar of vital statistics in Lee County for 38 years, died last night. Mrs. Owens recorded the births and deaths of thousands of Lee Countians before retiring Jan. 6, 1958, in a statewide changeover of records handling. At that time she turned over her records to the county health unit. Actually, Mrs. Owens had been active at keeping statistics since her late husband became city clerk in 1914. She noted on her retirement that there was no record of her own birth at Ozarks, Okla., in 1878.Mrs. Owens had lived here for the past 59 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, charter member of the Caloosahatchee chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, charter member of the Laetetia Ashmore Nutt Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and a charter member of the Lee County Humane Society.Survivors include her daughter, Miss Janet Owens, Fort Myers; two sisters, Mrs. T. S. McCamey and Mrs. O. C. Alley, both of Dalton, Ga. Funeral service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Leo W. Engelhardt Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Comer Bowden, Ronald Thompson, Bert Chapman, R. D. Griffin, Hugh Wilby and Minor Bott. Interment will be in the family plot in Fort Myers Cemetery.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Sat., Aug. 11, 1934--Funeral services for J. Fred Owens, mechanic, who died here Thursday, will be held at 11 o'clock this morning in the L. W. Engelhardt chapel. Dr. William Graham Kennedy of the First Presbyterian church will have charge of the services. Music will be given by Mrs. Roy Cochran. Pallbearers will include Nolan Durre, Wilson Ward, D. T. Farabee, Russell Underwood, Dudley Hill and Segfred Hansen.

FORT MYERS NEWS PRESS, March 8, 1932--John W. Owens, 67 years of age, a pioneer resident of Fort Myers, died last night at his residence on Cottage street. Death followed an illness of but three days. Mr. Owens came to Fort Myers 30 years ago from Savannah, Ga. He was city clerk here from 1914 to 1923 and was a junior partner with O. M. Davison in the operation of the Grocerteria. Lawrence A. Powell has charge of the body. Funeral arrangements had not been completed last night. Survivors include the widow, a daughter, Miss Jeannette Owens, and a sister, Mrs. Lilla C. Carmichael of Richmond, Va.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Sept. 6, 1935--Reuben Owens, nine-year-old negro boy, was drowned yesterday when he fell into a flooded canal while playing in front of his home on Price street. Although his mother and several neighbor women rushed immediately to the rescue and dragged him from the ditch, swollen by heavy rain until it was several feet deep, he could not be revived. By the time Dr. F. K. Armstrong arrived the boy was beyond hope of recovery. Constable D. M. Ramsey and Justice Peach John R. West investigaged and decided no inquest was necessary after questioning witnesses. The boy was unable to swim and was swept off his feet when he played too near the fast current.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, July 21, 1948-- Robert H. Owens, 52, of Market Street died yesterday morning. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. R. A. Owens; two sisters, Mrs. Dillard Ramsey of Los Angeles, Calif, and Mrs. W. M. Singletary of Fort Myers, three brothers, Horace Owens, Tampa; Will Owens, Fort Myers; and Lawrence Owens of Bradenton; and a nephew, Garland Fowler, in Japan. Owens had been with the Tamiami Trailway as bus driver for the past 23 years. Funeral arrangements, in charge Lawrence A. Powell, will be announced later. (Fort Myers Cemetery)

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, March 27, 1944 Two little colored boys, Elisha Bradwell, 14, and R. T. Owens, 12, were drowned yesterday afternoon while swimming in a marl pit of the new Buckingham roqd near Dobbins dairy. The Owens boy apparently was attacked by cramps while in the middle of the ditch, which was only about 15 feet wide but eight feet deep. The Bradwell boys wam out in an attempt to rescue him, but both went down when the other boy grabbed him about the stomach and held on tightly as they floundered about in the water. Several other small colored boys threw out sticks and logs in an effort to save them, and another rushed back to Safety Hill to get help. Elisha's parents are Elisha, Sr. and Essie Bradwell of 1527 High Street, while the other boy was the son of Rev. Owens of 1534 Lilly St. The bodies were taken to the Baker Funeral Home after they were taken out of the pit. The Fort Myers fire department, assisted by Dr. Bert Reed and Dr. Velasco, worked for three hours with their new "iron lung" in a futile attempt to revive the boys.

Fort Myers News-Press, January 21, 1953 - Will Alexander Owens, 57, a lifelong resident of Fort Myers, died yesterday at his residence, 609 Seminole Ave. surviving, besides his wife, Mrs. Clifford Owens, are his mother, Mrs. Lucy Owens, Fort Myers; a daughter, Mrs. E. P. Crump, Winter haven; two brothers, Lawrence Owens, Bradenton, and Horace Owens, Tampa; and two sisters, Mrs. B. M. Ramsey, Venice, and Mrs. W. F. Singletary, Ft. Myers. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the McQueen & Young chapel with the REv. Herman Boyette officiating. Interment in Fort Myers Cemetery. pallbearers: Kenneth Roberts, Stone Roberts, Roy Reynolds, John Martin, Clifford Cardulo and Mr. Tillis.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - Joe H. Oxendine, 68, Ft. Myers, died July 16, 2001. A loving husband, father, and friend to all who knew him, never complaining during his battle with cancer; stoic in nature, always loved and still loved forever more. Mr. Oxendine was born November 8, 1932 in Jasper, FL, the son of Harry and Thelma Daniels Oxendine. He has been a resident of the Ft. Myers area for the past 45 years, and coached East Ft. Myers Little League for 20 years. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather; he is survived by his loving wife, Ethel B. of Ft. Myers, son, Mike (Sally) Oxendine, N. Ft. Myers, FL, daughter; Ann (Chris) Flaim, Bradenton, FL, daughter; Liz (Mark) Allen, Ft. Myers, FL, son; Greg Oxendine, Ft. Myers, FL, and eight grandchildren; Amy, Nicole, Laura, Kyle, Derek, Taylor, Sarah, and Adam. The family will receive friends TODAY from 6-8 p.m. at the Harvey-Engelhardt Chapel, Ft. Myers. Interment and funeral service will be in Jasper, FL on Friday. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.

FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS, Nov. 6, 1966--Freida S. Oxley, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, at her home in Fort Myers, where she has resided with her son-in-law and daughters for the past two years. She was formerly at Baskin Ridge, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. Ms. Oxley, wife of the late Henry Oxley, is survived by her sister, Edna Pflaum of Phippsberg, Maine, her sister-in-law, Emily Schiller of Jersey City, NJ, two daughters, Elizabeth Langston of Ft. Myers and Marilyn Collins of Palm Coast, FL, 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Saturday evening at her home in Ft. Myers. Funeral services and interment will be held in Jersey City, NJ. Local arrangements by memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial
Blvd.