Announcements
This page will contain any announcements you'd like to make or the committee would like everyone to know about. Send your announcements to John Pitcock at (jpitcock@mindspring.com).
Marilyn McPherron Wilson just sent me a message that John "Shane" Mobley's younger brother, Gary, passed away today, 8/22/2017. He was in the hospital and had been suffering from cancer.
Our prayers and condolences to the friends and family of our classmate, Jim Boone.
Our belated condolences to the friends and family of our classmate, Linda Haskins.
http://www.newcomertitusville.com/obituary/103744/Linda-Haskins/Titusville-Florida
Our condolences to Ron Dickens on the loss of his wife Jill. We will miss her at our quarterly dinners.
http://www.geibfuneral.com/obituary/jill-bennett-dickens/
Our condolences to our classmate Harmony Harden-Shewmake on the loss of her husband, Dr. Shewmake.
UPDATE:
VHS Class of 1966 50th Reunion
The confirmed dates are October 21-23, 2016.
VHS Class of 1966 50th Reunion
The confirmed dates are October 21-23, 2016.
VHS Class of 1966 50th Reunion
We are in the early planning for our 50th reunion. The possible dates are October 14-16, 2016 -- OR -- October 21-23, 2016; but it will be in October 2016. Please let us know if you will or might attend because we are trying to get a rough count for planning purposes. Thanks from your committee.
We are in the early planning for our 50th reunion. The possible dates are October 14-16, 2016 -- OR -- October 21-23, 2016; but it will be in October 2016. Please let us know if you will or might attend because we are trying to get a rough count for planning purposes. Thanks from your committee.
UDPATE FROM Janie Gunnel:
Chas Smith
Visitation Thurs. 7/23/2015
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Heath Funeral Home
328 Ingraham Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
Funeral Fri. 7/24/2015
11:00 AM
Resurrection Catholic Church
3720 Old Hwy 37
Lakeland, FL 33813
Family will be receiving guests at Florida Southern College following the Funeral Mass.
With deep sorrow I just received word that Chas has passed away. No other information is available at this time. Continue your prayers for his family.
UPDATE ON CHAS:
Janie Tamer Gunnel has been in NC with Susie since Thursday. Drs are not optimistic. Their children are all there and so is Liz. Keep praying for this family.
Janie Tamer Gunnel has been in NC with Susie since Thursday. Drs are not optimistic. Their children are all there and so is Liz. Keep praying for this family.
PRAYERS NEEDED:
Chas Smith was riding his bike in the North Carolina mountains yesterday, and was found in a ditch next to his bike. At this point it does not appear that he was struck by a vehicle, but instead had a cardiovascular “event.” He is in a hospital in Asheville. He is on a ventilator, and the prognosis is not good. Please ask everyone to pray for Chas, Susan and his daughters.
More updates as I get them....
Message from Nona Bass Markham (VHS Class of 1966):
My sister, Delcie Bass Stephens (VHS Class of 1965) has ended her journey with the disease MDS cancer (Myelodysplastic syndrome). God took her home this morning (November, 16th) around 6 o'clock. All her children and I, and my daughter were with her, along with her dog Penny. Our hearts are breaking, but we're so glad the battle and the fight is over. Pray for our recovery.
**************************************
Yesterday (11/12/2014) we said our goodbyes to Ron Kish and our condolences to his family.
Nancy (Taylor) Sanders, just informed me that her brother-in-law, Ronnie Kish (Class of 1966) passed away either late last night or early today. Details not yet available regarding service. Her sister (also a VHS grad but not our year) is Denise Taylor Kish, Children: Shonda Kish and Jimmy Kish.
Ronnie's service will be on Wednesday, November 12th at 5pm in Victory Baptist Church, 261 Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 34275.
Charles R. "Charlie" Hodges
November 18, 1947 - August 12, 2014
Charles R. “Charlie” Hodges, 66, of Nokomis, FL, formerly of Camden, TN, passed away on August 12, 2014. Charlie moved to Venice in 1956 and graduated from Venice High School in 1965. He received a full scholarship to Memphis State University to play football, where he met his wife, Cathy. Charlie was a teacher and coach at Venice High School where he coached football, girls’ basketball, and girls’ track. He had the first undefeated girls’ basketball team at Venice High School and led them to the state championship. He even taught many high school students how to drive. Charlie also worked for Nationwide Insurance in Venice, FL.
Charlie enjoyed golf, travel, reading, and spending time with his family. He was club champion at Mission Valley and played in, and won, many Golf Channel league tournaments. He still holds a few receiving records for football at Venice High School.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Cathy; daughter, Tracy Hogan; son, Charles H. “Chip” Hodges and his wife Michelle Hodges; grandson Charles Brady Hodges; granddaughter Josie Hodges; grandson Hays Hogan, all of Venice, FL; aunt Billie Sue Bryant of Lake Providence, LA; mother-in-law Kaaren Biggs of Springdale, AR; and many other loving family members, including cousins and in-laws. Charlie was predeceased by his parents Charles S. Hodges and Bertlyn Cagle Hodges.
Burial will be private. Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Venice Church of the Nazarene.
Memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
November 18, 1947 - August 12, 2014
Charles R. “Charlie” Hodges, 66, of Nokomis, FL, formerly of Camden, TN, passed away on August 12, 2014. Charlie moved to Venice in 1956 and graduated from Venice High School in 1965. He received a full scholarship to Memphis State University to play football, where he met his wife, Cathy. Charlie was a teacher and coach at Venice High School where he coached football, girls’ basketball, and girls’ track. He had the first undefeated girls’ basketball team at Venice High School and led them to the state championship. He even taught many high school students how to drive. Charlie also worked for Nationwide Insurance in Venice, FL.
Charlie enjoyed golf, travel, reading, and spending time with his family. He was club champion at Mission Valley and played in, and won, many Golf Channel league tournaments. He still holds a few receiving records for football at Venice High School.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Cathy; daughter, Tracy Hogan; son, Charles H. “Chip” Hodges and his wife Michelle Hodges; grandson Charles Brady Hodges; granddaughter Josie Hodges; grandson Hays Hogan, all of Venice, FL; aunt Billie Sue Bryant of Lake Providence, LA; mother-in-law Kaaren Biggs of Springdale, AR; and many other loving family members, including cousins and in-laws. Charlie was predeceased by his parents Charles S. Hodges and Bertlyn Cagle Hodges.
Burial will be private. Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Venice Church of the Nazarene.
Memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Carney, Charles Terrence "Chuck"
May 17, 1947 - Jan. 13, 2013
Charles Terrence Carney (Chuck), 65, of Venice, FL, died peacefully on Sun., Jan. 13, 2013, at home with family by his side. Born in New York to Walter and Elizabeth Carney, he lived in Venice since 1948. A member of the first graduating class from Epiphany, a Venice High graduate and Vietnam Vet, Chuck was very passionate about automobiles. He touched the lives of many locals while working at Datsun and Nissan, as well as helping friends and family.
He is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Janice; siblings, Jim, Kate, Beth and Don; children, Angela, Joseph and Chuck, Jr.; grandchildren, niece, nephews, and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Epiphany Cathedral [350 Tampa Avenue West, Venice, FL 34285], Tues., Jan. 22, 2013, at 12:00 pm with burial at Sarasota National Cemetery [9810 State Road 72 (Clark Road), Sarasota, FL 34241] to follow at 2:30 pm. A reception will be held at the Carney's home [311 Aurora Rd, Venice, FL 34293].
Arrangements being handled by Ewing Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to All Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 3142, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/heraldtribune/obituary.aspx?n=charles-terrence-carney-chuck&pid=162438372
Rest In Peace (January 13, 2013) for our friend and classmate Charles Carney. More details when we have them.
Gordon Struble's funeral will be this Friday, November 16th at Ewing funeral home in Venice from 5-7:00pm. Sarah Davis' (Gordon's daughter) home will be open for anyone wanting to visit after.
45th Reunion Photo Memory Books...!!!
We are in the final stages of having Shutterfly print photo books to be sent out to everyone who attended the October 2011 45th reunion. The books will be free of cost to attendees. These will be hard cover, very beautiful photo books from the reunion.
If you were unable to attend but would like a Shutterfly photo book mailed to you with this shipment, the cost to you would be discounted to $25.00 as we are ordering a large quantity. If you do not choose to order a book now but decide later on that you want one, the price would be doubled to $50.00 as they would have to reprint in a very small amount and that would be costly.
So the committee is asking you to respond ASAP (BY JUNE 8th) as the order will go in shortly after that. You will need to send your check for $25.00 made out to Venice High School Class of 1966 and send to:
John Pitcock
P. O. Box 1966
Nokomis, FL 34275
If you have any questions, you can contact me, Peggy Rich-Pitcock at parinfla@aol.com or John Pitcock at JPitcock@mindspring.com and we can try to answer your questions.
Hope to hear from many of you soon!
We are in the final stages of having Shutterfly print photo books to be sent out to everyone who attended the October 2011 45th reunion. The books will be free of cost to attendees. These will be hard cover, very beautiful photo books from the reunion.
If you were unable to attend but would like a Shutterfly photo book mailed to you with this shipment, the cost to you would be discounted to $25.00 as we are ordering a large quantity. If you do not choose to order a book now but decide later on that you want one, the price would be doubled to $50.00 as they would have to reprint in a very small amount and that would be costly.
So the committee is asking you to respond ASAP (BY JUNE 8th) as the order will go in shortly after that. You will need to send your check for $25.00 made out to Venice High School Class of 1966 and send to:
John Pitcock
P. O. Box 1966
Nokomis, FL 34275
If you have any questions, you can contact me, Peggy Rich-Pitcock at parinfla@aol.com or John Pitcock at JPitcock@mindspring.com and we can try to answer your questions.
Hope to hear from many of you soon!
Look who's coming to our 45th class of 1966 reunion:
Dennis Anderson, Harry Bibbee, Danny Blackburn, Linda Breeden, Kathy Fox-Brogan, Gayle Brohard-Frederick, Chuck Carney, Jane Chenault-Kitchel, Carol Cutler-Gates, Dave Deegan, Sue Bass-Deegan, Cindy Drobisch-Barco, Carol Heise-Johnson, Ron Kish, Don Lane, Joyce Lerew-Williams, Mary Jean Kelly-McCullough, Susan Mattingly-Pafford, Eran Rumbaugh-Meilinger, John (Shane) Mobley, Mary Morrison-Jerpi, Paul Peden, John Pitcock, Peggy Deen-Pitcock, Charlie Powell, Marc Powers, Susie McCracken-Powers, Bruce Potter, Richard Rohlwing, Wanda Holder-Snook, Lynda Case-Speek, Donna Story-Smith, Marilyn McPherron-Wilson, Jack Wright, Carole Ward-Long, Charlie Copp, Shepp Lawrence, Joe Henriques, Sharon Leggett-Babbington, David Girard, Jane Chenault-Kitchel, Bruce Leinback, and more on the way...!!! We hope you are one of them....
*** +++ *** +++ *** +++
Dick at St. Andrews (The Old Course)
Dear Classmates,
Dick Stafford has passed on and is in the arms of his Lord. He died peacefully at home without pain on Sunday evening (May 29th) with his wife Nina and his best friend John by his side. Thanks to each and every one of you for your prayers, love and support. His obituary and information about the time and place of the funeral service can be found at:
JOHN A. SLEASMAN
John Alden Sleasman, 87, passed away September 2, in Gainesville, Florida. Born in Rockwood Pennsylvania, Mr. Sleasman was a combat veteran of World War II and awarded the Purple Heart. He received a B.A. from Indiana State Teachers College and a Masters degree in education from the University of Florida. Residing in Venice, Florida, he was an educator and administrator in the Sarasota County School System for over thirty years. After retirement, he moved to Gainesville where he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Gainesville Orchid Society.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Alice Sleasman, sons, John W. and Peter P. Sleasman, his daughters- in-law, Muff and Mary, and four grandchildren, Katherine, Glenn, Lauren, and Mathew.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 23rd at 11:00 in the morning in the Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the University of Florida College of Education's general scholarship fund.
Published in Gainesville Sun from September 12 to September 13, 2010
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gainesville/obituary.aspx?n=john-a-sleasman&pid=145293146
Our next "Get-Together" is going to be July 24th at Bentley's (the old Holiday Inn/Ramada Inn/Osprey Inn/etc.) that is on the west side of US-41 about a mile south of Blackburn Point Road (north access to Casey Key). Here's the other info you will need:
5:00pm - 5:30pm Arrival & Cocktails
5:30pm All Guests are to be seated in Rolls Room
& Place their food Orders (see Menu choices below -- all $20)
5:45pm Bread & Plated Salads Out
6:00pm-6:30pm Dinner Served
7:30pm Dinner Service Complete
Please note the GFORCE band will be playing in the ballroom at 7:30pm. (The
room right next door to your dinner party). Once your dinner service is
finished...we would like to open up the air-wall that separates the Royce
Ballroom from the Rolls Room (where you are having dinner). This way anyone who would like to stay for dancing & live music will already
have a seat. All tabs must be paid for with the designated servers for our
group before opening up the wall. Then if you would like to start a
new tab, they can at any bar or with any cocktail waitress working in the
ballroom.
5:00pm - 5:30pm Arrival & Cocktails
5:30pm All Guests are to be seated in Rolls Room
& Place their food Orders (see Menu choices below -- all $20)
5:45pm Bread & Plated Salads Out
6:00pm-6:30pm Dinner Served
7:30pm Dinner Service Complete
Please note the GFORCE band will be playing in the ballroom at 7:30pm. (The
room right next door to your dinner party). Once your dinner service is
finished...we would like to open up the air-wall that separates the Royce
Ballroom from the Rolls Room (where you are having dinner). This way anyone who would like to stay for dancing & live music will already
have a seat. All tabs must be paid for with the designated servers for our
group before opening up the wall. Then if you would like to start a
new tab, they can at any bar or with any cocktail waitress working in the
ballroom.
Dinner Menu
Served with House Salad, Bread Rolls, Coffee, & Iced Tea
Fish & Chips
Tender Filets of Cod Lightly Battered & Fried to Perfection.
Served with Fresh Made Chips, Lemon Wedges, & Tartar Sauce
Pasta Primavera
Fresh Seasonal Veggies Sautéed & Served on a Bed of Linguini in a
House Marina Sauce
Carved Flank Steak
Marinated, Grilled & Topped with Mushroom Demi-Glace.
Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes & Seasonal Veggies
Chicken Marsala
Pounded & Lightly Floured Chicken Sautéed with Mushrooms & Finished with
a Marsala Wine Sauce. Served with Linguine Pasta
Honey Grilled Salmon
Fresh Salmon Marinated & Grilled Served with
Wild Rice & Seasonal Veggies
The Laurel Civic Association Just Say YES Group won in the Community Cleanups category.
The phenomenal success of our efforts is a reflection of the time, energy, and commitment you have made to keep our community beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to make a difference in the lives of others and working to meet the needs of our community. This award was not possible without you.
Please join the rest of our group at this event to accept our award on Thursday, May 20, 2010. The doors open at 4:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 4:45 p.m. Please let me know if you will be joining us for a great barbecue dinner and to accept the award. We would love to have our entire group there. There is no charge for dinner. Family is welcomed. Location: Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Avenue South, Venice.
Thank you,
Kimberly Freedman, Volunteer Coordinator or Sandra Terry, Executive Director
941-483-3338
Nina Kiesling Bailey
Sept. 25, 1916 - May 9, 2010
Nina Kiesling Bailey, 93, of Venice, formerly of Newark, Wis., and Beloit, Wis., died May 9, 2010. Services will include a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Colonial Oaks Baptist Church, 6901 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Farley Funeral Home, Venice Chapel, is handling arrangements. Survivors include her son, Douglas Kiesling of Tallahassee, and a daughter, Diane Kiesling of Monticello.
To send condolences, please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.
James B. Powell
Powell, James B.
Aug. 15, 1934 - March 27, 2010
Coach James B. Powell, 75, of Nokomis, formerly of Dora, Ala., died March 27, 2010.
A celebration of life will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Powell-Davis Stadium at Venice High School in Venice. Burial will be private at Sarasota National Cemetery. Ewing Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda; daughters Lisa Anne Hawkins of Venice and Sherri Kaye of Sarasota; a brother, Billy Ray, of Dora; Billy Ray's wife, Shirley; Lisa Anne's husband, James; and one grandson, Jacob.
Jim was head coach at Venice High School from 1962 to 1989. Along with coaching, he was a history teacher and athletic director. He graduated from Auburn University, where he lettered all four years in football and baseball and was an All SEC catcher. He later received his master's degree from the University of Alabama. He was a member of the Venice-Nokomis Rotary Club, Elks and Moose lodges, American Legion and the Eagles. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Venice Touchdown Club, P.O. Box 997, Venice, FL 34284-0997.
Published in Herald Tribune from March 29 to March 30, 2010.
John G. Meadows Sr.
A memorial service for longtime Venice resident John G. (Jerry) Meadows Sr. will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Venice. There will be a reception following the service in the church parish hall.
Sandra Sims Terry invites you to a dramatic monologue about the greatest black migration America has never heard of -- "The Story of Homesteader and an Exoduster" (see flyer to the left).
Also see another event below....
Sandra Sims Terry also invites you to "Silver Wings & Civil Rights: Story of the Tuskegee Airmen" (see flyer to the right)....
Obituary for Mr. Edward W. Fanning, III
MCCORMICK, S.C. - Mr. Edward W. Fanning III, 84, of McCormick, South Carolina, passed away October 19 at Savannah Heights Living Center. He was born in New York City to the late Edward and Alice Fanning and was of Catholic Faith. Mr. Fanning served in the US Army Air Corps in WWII, a purser in the Merchant Marines, and a teacher in Venice Florida. He retired from John De La Howe School. He was also a Pro Baseball Pitcher in New York and a high school basketball, baseball, and golf coach in Venice, Florida. Mr. Fanning is survived by his wife, Holly; two daughters, Laurie Wright and Lynn Lewis of Venice, Florida; two sons, Edward Fanning, IV of Edmund, OK and Michael Fanning of Alpharetta, GA; the children's mother, Jacqueline Fanning Wheeler; a sister, Alice Kennedy of Waterbury, Conn.; and two brothers, Jack Fanning of Warm Mineral Springs, FL and Barry Fanning of Alturas, CA; nine grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. There will be no formal service. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a favorite charity. Please sign the guestbook at www.beggsfuneralhome.net. Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton, GA 30817, phone # (706) 359-4117.
October 10th, 2009 at 6:00pm
Yes, it's our quarterly class get-together dinner. We will be at Ophelia's (in Nokomis) again. Please let Gordon or Sharon know if you're planning on being there. See you soon.....
Yes, it's our quarterly class get-together dinner. We will be at Ophelia's (in Nokomis) again. Please let Gordon or Sharon know if you're planning on being there. See you soon.....
Update (8/6/2009): Mary Jean McCullough called this morning to ask if I would let her classmates know that her husband Bill passed away today. Bill is now healed and in the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ and in our sadness, that is our rejoice and comfort.
Mary Jean's address is:
1115 Groveland Avenue
Venice, FL 34285
2010 All Class Reunion will be as follows:
June 24th -- Thursday night - Hall of Fame - celebrating the anniversary of the first football team as well as the induction of the State Championship 2000 Football team.
June 25th -- Friday night - Bar Crawl Basically the same as we have had in the past. Various restaurants will be designated for each decade (may be more than one).
June 26th -- Event for all at the Venice Community Center in the evening.
June 24th -- Thursday night - Hall of Fame - celebrating the anniversary of the first football team as well as the induction of the State Championship 2000 Football team.
June 25th -- Friday night - Bar Crawl Basically the same as we have had in the past. Various restaurants will be designated for each decade (may be more than one).
June 26th -- Event for all at the Venice Community Center in the evening.
Grand News from Gordie--
Well, Sarah has a load off her tummy!! Yup, she had her third healthy beautiful baby at 1:42 p.m. today (2/10/09)!! She was eight days late and the doctor thought it was time to induce her, four hours later, Camryn Taylor Davis was born. This is a temporary name but Sarah and Jim feel that this name may become permanent. Camryn was 7lbs. 12 oz. and 19 and 3/4" long. Big brother Tyler (3) and big sister Kylie (5) love her and can't wait to hug her and squeeze her more!!
Well, Sarah has a load off her tummy!! Yup, she had her third healthy beautiful baby at 1:42 p.m. today (2/10/09)!! She was eight days late and the doctor thought it was time to induce her, four hours later, Camryn Taylor Davis was born. This is a temporary name but Sarah and Jim feel that this name may become permanent. Camryn was 7lbs. 12 oz. and 19 and 3/4" long. Big brother Tyler (3) and big sister Kylie (5) love her and can't wait to hug her and squeeze her more!!
I am blessed!! Thank you to my relatives and very nice friends.
Gordie
1964 The Tribute
at Carnegie Hall (in NYC)
Coming this January
Tickets are 75.00 65.00 35.00 and 30.00
Hotel is the Wellington Hotel 160.00 for a double bed room
210.00 for a king room
230.00 for 2 double beds
Right now air from Tampa is 213.00 round trip.
If you need anything else let me know....
Charlotte Stoll
Chima Travel
330-867-4770
charlotte@chimatravel.net
Hi everyone!
It was so wonderful seeing so many of you at the reunion, sharing your lives and being brought up to date on what has been happening with each and everyone of you. Now I have some wonderful news to share. Paul (picture 19 in my album) and I are engaged!! Like most relationships we have experienced some bumps and detours in the road and through those we have come to realize we are meant to be together and we are ready for that future to be blessed by God and are making our wedding plans. Too bad Joe or Shepp can’t officiate at our wedding. I wanted all of you to share in our happiness.
Paulette