The Stuart News, FL
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
J. Donald Raffensberger, 'Pop-Pop,' 81, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Don was born September 7, 1925, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, son of John Wallen Stewart Raffensberger and Anna Kathryn Kough Raffensberger. He was a resident of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie since 1957, coming from Lewistown, Penn.
Don was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Following discharge from the service, Don began his first career, in broadcasting, at radio stations WMRF and WKVA in Lewistown, Penn. After moving to Florida, he became known as Don Raffey on radio station AM 1400, WIRA, hosting the Morning show and providing sports announcing and commentary. Later he served as General Manager of TV station WTVX of Fort Pierce. In 1968, Don began a second career, in the sport fishing tackle business, associating with Buck White and White's Tackle Shop in Fort Pierce. Don purchased White's in 1973, and he owned and operated the tackle shop until his retirement in 1996. With his wife, Martie, he was a charter member of the Fort Pierce Sports Fishing Club. He was active in the Fort Pierce/Saint Lucie County Chamber of Commerce and was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Steele and her husband, Richard, of Fort Pierce, Kathy Harrell and her husband, Dan, of Port St. Lucie; two sons, John D. Raffensberger II and his wife, Patti, of Port St. Lucie, and David Raffensberger and his wife, Karen, of Fort Pierce; grand children, Greg Gibbons of Fort Pierce, Jeff Gibbons of Vero Beach, Jason Finn of Port St. Lucie, Kristin Perga of Atlanta, Ga., Jonathan "Woody" Harrell of Tampa, Rebecca Harrell of Port St. Lucie, Ryan Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, Rachel Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, and Aaron Pollock of Fort Pierce; sister, Lenore Largent of York, Penn.; nephew, Miles J. "Skip" Heckendorn, III, of St. Cloud, Minn.; niece, Patti Heffelfinger of Jensen Beach; nephew, Bryan Largent of Warner Robbins, Ga.; niece, Linda Wagner of York, Penn.; and nephew, Todd Largent of York, Penn; and his faithful companion beagle, "Charlie."
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Martha 'Martie' Raffensberger.
Friends may call on Thursday, July 19th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Yates Funeral Home, 1101 South US 1, Fort Pierce. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 20th at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ronald Thomas Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Renee Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 10360 South US 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 or First United Methodist Church, 616 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950.
Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: John Donald Raffensberger
[John D Raffensberge]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1925
Birth Place: East Waterford, Pennsylvania [East Waterfo]
Death Date: 16 Jul 2007
Father: John W Raffensberge
Mother: Anna K Ferguson
SSN:
Notes: Mar 1943: Name listed as JOHN DONALD RAFFENSBERGER; 20 Jul 2007: Name listed as JOHN D RAFFENSBERGER
Contributor: Stoney
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
J. Donald Raffensberger, 'Pop-Pop,' 81, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Don was born September 7, 1925, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, son of John Wallen Stewart Raffensberger and Anna Kathryn Kough Raffensberger. He was a resident of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie since 1957, coming from Lewistown, Penn.
Don was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Following discharge from the service, Don began his first career, in broadcasting, at radio stations WMRF and WKVA in Lewistown, Penn. After moving to Florida, he became known as Don Raffey on radio station AM 1400, WIRA, hosting the Morning show and providing sports announcing and commentary. Later he served as General Manager of TV station WTVX of Fort Pierce. In 1968, Don began a second career, in the sport fishing tackle business, associating with Buck White and White's Tackle Shop in Fort Pierce. Don purchased White's in 1973, and he owned and operated the tackle shop until his retirement in 1996. With his wife, Martie, he was a charter member of the Fort Pierce Sports Fishing Club. He was active in the Fort Pierce/Saint Lucie County Chamber of Commerce and was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Steele and her husband, Richard, of Fort Pierce, Kathy Harrell and her husband, Dan, of Port St. Lucie; two sons, John D. Raffensberger II and his wife, Patti, of Port St. Lucie, and David Raffensberger and his wife, Karen, of Fort Pierce; grand children, Greg Gibbons of Fort Pierce, Jeff Gibbons of Vero Beach, Jason Finn of Port St. Lucie, Kristin Perga of Atlanta, Ga., Jonathan "Woody" Harrell of Tampa, Rebecca Harrell of Port St. Lucie, Ryan Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, Rachel Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, and Aaron Pollock of Fort Pierce; sister, Lenore Largent of York, Penn.; nephew, Miles J. "Skip" Heckendorn, III, of St. Cloud, Minn.; niece, Patti Heffelfinger of Jensen Beach; nephew, Bryan Largent of Warner Robbins, Ga.; niece, Linda Wagner of York, Penn.; and nephew, Todd Largent of York, Penn; and his faithful companion beagle, "Charlie."
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Martha 'Martie' Raffensberger.
Friends may call on Thursday, July 19th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Yates Funeral Home, 1101 South US 1, Fort Pierce. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 20th at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ronald Thomas Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Renee Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 10360 South US 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 or First United Methodist Church, 616 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950.
Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: John Donald Raffensberger
[John D Raffensberge]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1925
Birth Place: East Waterford, Pennsylvania [East Waterfo]
Death Date: 16 Jul 2007
Father: John W Raffensberge
Mother: Anna K Ferguson
SSN:
Notes: Mar 1943: Name listed as JOHN DONALD RAFFENSBERGER; 20 Jul 2007: Name listed as JOHN D RAFFENSBERGER
Contributor: Stoney
The Stuart News, FL
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
J. Donald Raffensberger, 'Pop-Pop,' 81, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Don was born September 7, 1925, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, son of John Wallen Stewart Raffensberger and Anna Kathryn Kough Raffensberger. He was a resident of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie since 1957, coming from Lewistown, Penn.
Don was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Following discharge from the service, Don began his first career, in broadcasting, at radio stations WMRF and WKVA in Lewistown, Penn. After moving to Florida, he became known as Don Raffey on radio station AM 1400, WIRA, hosting the Morning show and providing sports announcing and commentary. Later he served as General Manager of TV station WTVX of Fort Pierce. In 1968, Don began a second career, in the sport fishing tackle business, associating with Buck White and White's Tackle Shop in Fort Pierce. Don purchased White's in 1973, and he owned and operated the tackle shop until his retirement in 1996. With his wife, Martie, he was a charter member of the Fort Pierce Sports Fishing Club. He was active in the Fort Pierce/Saint Lucie County Chamber of Commerce and was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Steele and her husband, Richard, of Fort Pierce, Kathy Harrell and her husband, Dan, of Port St. Lucie; two sons, John D. Raffensberger II and his wife, Patti, of Port St. Lucie, and David Raffensberger and his wife, Karen, of Fort Pierce; grand children, Greg Gibbons of Fort Pierce, Jeff Gibbons of Vero Beach, Jason Finn of Port St. Lucie, Kristin Perga of Atlanta, Ga., Jonathan "Woody" Harrell of Tampa, Rebecca Harrell of Port St. Lucie, Ryan Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, Rachel Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, and Aaron Pollock of Fort Pierce; sister, Lenore Largent of York, Penn.; nephew, Miles J. "Skip" Heckendorn, III, of St. Cloud, Minn.; niece, Patti Heffelfinger of Jensen Beach; nephew, Bryan Largent of Warner Robbins, Ga.; niece, Linda Wagner of York, Penn.; and nephew, Todd Largent of York, Penn; and his faithful companion beagle, "Charlie."
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Martha 'Martie' Raffensberger.
Friends may call on Thursday, July 19th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Yates Funeral Home, 1101 South US 1, Fort Pierce. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 20th at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ronald Thomas Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Renee Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 10360 South US 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 or First United Methodist Church, 616 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950.
Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: John Donald Raffensberger
[John D Raffensberge]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1925
Birth Place: East Waterford, Pennsylvania [East Waterfo]
Death Date: 16 Jul 2007
Father: John W Raffensberge
Mother: Anna K Ferguson
SSN:
Notes: Mar 1943: Name listed as JOHN DONALD RAFFENSBERGER; 20 Jul 2007: Name listed as JOHN D RAFFENSBERGER
Contributor: Stoney
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
J. Donald Raffensberger, 'Pop-Pop,' 81, died Monday, July 16, 2007, at his home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Don was born September 7, 1925, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, son of John Wallen Stewart Raffensberger and Anna Kathryn Kough Raffensberger. He was a resident of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie since 1957, coming from Lewistown, Penn.
Don was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Following discharge from the service, Don began his first career, in broadcasting, at radio stations WMRF and WKVA in Lewistown, Penn. After moving to Florida, he became known as Don Raffey on radio station AM 1400, WIRA, hosting the Morning show and providing sports announcing and commentary. Later he served as General Manager of TV station WTVX of Fort Pierce. In 1968, Don began a second career, in the sport fishing tackle business, associating with Buck White and White's Tackle Shop in Fort Pierce. Don purchased White's in 1973, and he owned and operated the tackle shop until his retirement in 1996. With his wife, Martie, he was a charter member of the Fort Pierce Sports Fishing Club. He was active in the Fort Pierce/Saint Lucie County Chamber of Commerce and was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Steele and her husband, Richard, of Fort Pierce, Kathy Harrell and her husband, Dan, of Port St. Lucie; two sons, John D. Raffensberger II and his wife, Patti, of Port St. Lucie, and David Raffensberger and his wife, Karen, of Fort Pierce; grand children, Greg Gibbons of Fort Pierce, Jeff Gibbons of Vero Beach, Jason Finn of Port St. Lucie, Kristin Perga of Atlanta, Ga., Jonathan "Woody" Harrell of Tampa, Rebecca Harrell of Port St. Lucie, Ryan Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, Rachel Raffensberger of Fort Pierce, and Aaron Pollock of Fort Pierce; sister, Lenore Largent of York, Penn.; nephew, Miles J. "Skip" Heckendorn, III, of St. Cloud, Minn.; niece, Patti Heffelfinger of Jensen Beach; nephew, Bryan Largent of Warner Robbins, Ga.; niece, Linda Wagner of York, Penn.; and nephew, Todd Largent of York, Penn; and his faithful companion beagle, "Charlie."
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Martha 'Martie' Raffensberger.
Friends may call on Thursday, July 19th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Yates Funeral Home, 1101 South US 1, Fort Pierce. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 20th at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Ronald Thomas Jr., Pastor, and Rev. Renee Lawrence officiating. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 10360 South US 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 or First United Methodist Church, 616 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950.
Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: John Donald Raffensberger
[John D Raffensberge]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1925
Birth Place: East Waterford, Pennsylvania [East Waterfo]
Death Date: 16 Jul 2007
Father: John W Raffensberge
Mother: Anna K Ferguson
SSN:
Notes: Mar 1943: Name listed as JOHN DONALD RAFFENSBERGER; 20 Jul 2007: Name listed as JOHN D RAFFENSBERGER
Contributor: Stoney
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