Obituaries - Nancy Oyler, Deborah Swank, Lawrence Hatchard, Carmalita Osceola, Vera Deese

Nancy S Oyler, age 82, of Fort Myers, passed away November 10, 2021 in Lehigh Acres. She was born Mar. 8, 1939 in OH, to the late Raymond and Zona Starr.

Survivors include three sons: Paul Oyler, Donald Oyler and David Oyler,
5 grandchildren & 4 great grandchildren

Graveside service will be held Monday, November 15, 2021 at 11:00 am at Alva Cemetery. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Fort Myers.

Deborah Ann Swank, age 67, of LaBelle, passed away November 8, 2021 in LaBelle. She was born Nov. 17, 1953 in Allentown, PA, to the late Charles C and Agnes E (Keglowitz) Bechtel.

She formerly owned a Beauty Shop.

Survivors include her husband: Rodney Swank
son: Brian Rabenold
step sons: Richard Swank and Thomas Swank
brother: Jeff Bechtel
sister: Karen Faust
grandchildren: Melania G Rabenold; Aria G Rabenold; Christopher Swank
great grandchild: Lincoln Swank

A Memorial Service is Pending. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.

Lawrence E Hatchard 87, of Clewiston passed away Sunday November 7, 2021 at Home. He was born in Utica, NY to Archibald and Mary (Parkinson) Hatchard. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a Building Contractor.

Arrangements are being handled by the Akin-Davis Funeral Home-Clewiston, FL.

Carmalita Betty Osceola 47, passed away Friday November 5, 2021. Carmalita was born on December 16, 1973 in Clewiston. 

She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed by everyone who loved and cared for her. She loved to do beading, spending time with her grandchildren and making her famous potato salad.

Carmalita is survived by her mother, Ruth Osceola, children; Emmitt Osceola of Naples, Chauncey Osceola of Immokalee, Whitney Osceola of Big Cypress Reservation, Dacia Osceola of Big Cypress Reservation, sisters; Geraldine Osceola of Big Cypress Reservation, and Jennifer Osceola of Hollywood, Florida and six grandchildren and many extended family members and family friends.

Celebration of Carmalita's life was at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Big Cyrpess Cemetery on Big Cypress Reservation with Pastor Salaw Hummingbird presiding.

Celebration arrangements were handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home in Clewiston.

Vera Frances Prince Baldree Deese, 92, of Clewiston, FL passed away peacefully on November 3, 2021 in the Clewiston Nursing Home. Frances was born in Plant City, FL, on May 10, 1929, to Grady Prince and Sadie (Capley) Prince. 

She lived in the Tampa area before moving to Clewiston in the early 1950s. Frances was an entrepreneur, way ahead of her time. She tackled every job with energy and enthusiasm. Throughout her working years, she co-owned the family-operated, Baldree’s Grocery store. She worked in the direct sales market offering multiple product lines such as Beeline clothing, Studio Girl cosmetics and Lifetime cookware. Frances was the previous owner of Clewiston Florist, along with her business partner Opal Hancock. 

She worked as a real estate agent, bakery owner, and school bus driver. 

Frances was very artistic and taught her children how to make something beautiful out of next to nothing. She is fondly remembered by many for her quick-spun handmade ribbon roses, by her family for Sunday dinners, by her grandchildren for homemade biscuits, an endless supply of Oreos and cartwheels well into her 60s, and, by her bus riders for putting happy, and toothless, smiles on their faces. 

She was a devoted Christian and long-time member of the Evangel Assembly of God, where she previously served as Sunday school teacher, secretary and sang in the choir. 

She was a big fan of Minnie Pearl and often enjoyed impersonating her and telling her jokes. 

In recent years, when Frances had callers or visitors, she would ask them to pray that the Lord would take her to the heavenly home she so fervently longed for. In His perfect timing, the Lord graciously answered her prayer, and we might imagine she entered the pearly gates with a jubilant, how-DEE!!

Frances is survived by her daughter Oveida (Paul) Shackleford, daughter Gayle (Mike) Davis, brother Charles (Betty) Prince, brother James “Jimmy” (Linda) Prince, sister Evelyn Coleman, sister Joyce (Richard) Sommers, daughters-in-law JoAnn Baldree and Vicky Baldree and sister-in-law Peggy Prince.

Grandchildren Pam (Tracy) Moorman, Angela Baldree, Erika (Mark) Sabatos, Belinda Lee, P.J. (Stephanie) Baldree, Rebecca (Eric) Price, Shanna (Sam) Lupica, Sarah (David) Pittman, Michael (Cheri) Baldree, Tashahnda (Steve) Coody and Michael Clasen.

Great-grandchildren, Kamie (Caleb), Chelsa, Ethan, Wesley, Alan, Rusty, Patrick, Joey, Jase, Jonathan, Hendryk, Kennedy, Berkeley, Madison, Reagan, George, Alastair, Winston, and Alivia.

Great-great grandchildren, Samantha, Gracelyn and Liam. Many nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her, husband Willard Deese, beloved sons Pat and Mike Baldree, parents, Grady and Sadie Prince, sister Joanne Coleman, brother Robert “Lamar” Prince, brothers-in-law Al Coleman, Daniel Coleman, and Robert Lyons, and, life-long friend and family caregiver Rebecca Castleberry.

Visitation was held at New Harvest Church in Clewiston, FL, on Thursday November 11th at 10:30 am. A celebration of life immediately followed at 11:00 am.

Internment at Fort Denaud Cemetery, LaBelle, FL, at 2:00 pm.