Hi Betty:  Vicki and I just wanted to pass on our sincere condolences on the loss of Walt.   Vicki saw Linda's wonderful Facebook comments earlier this week, which is how we became aware.  I talked to both Frank and Linda yesterday, and Vicki and I now just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family.  From what Linda told me, you have the whole family around you to support and help get through what still must be an impossible time.  I remember with fondness my visit to your house, your hospitality, and meeting yourself, Walt and some of your family when your mom (Auntie Madge to my mom and dad) was staying with you during my visit to Florida a few years ago.  Frank's remembrances below describe a terrific person.  We are sorry for your loss and will be thinking of you as you and your family also remember Walt in the coming days.

We are so sorry to hear of Walt's passing.  We will never forgot his kind and gentle manner.  We have all enjoyed getting to know Walt over the past 14-15 years and all your visits to Newfoundland.  I am so glad I got to visit you both in Florida in November.  Your kindness will always remembered.

 Many of you personally know our Brother-in-law Walt and others have heard us talk a lot about him.  My sister Betty and the entire family was at his side as Walt tried so hard to overcome the medical issues he had, but in the end,God took Walt home with him.

I have always called Walt "St. Walter" for the wonderful life he shared with my sister and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  If there was ever an award given for being the ideal son, father, husband, brother, Uncle, grandfather, great grandfather & brother in-law, Walt would win hands down. 

 I recall, when as a 12 yr. old, I admired my Navy war veteran Brother In Law.  My sister certainly made great decisions in her life by creating a fantastic family around Walt, 1 son, 3 daughters and their families.  Many of you have met some of them so you know what I mean.

Jo & I are devastated as we have shared our families lives with all of them.  We had family trips to England, Ireland, Italy, western US, Alaska, Israel, Newfoundland etc and we are all so close. We feel privileged to be included in their family gatherings.

When Walt & Betty came back from Yokohama, he worked full time all day and part time at night earning a college certificate with 4 kids aged 5 mo's to 4 yrs. Wow what a work ethic.  He founded a successful Door business which he worked with his family. I could go on and on about his accomplishments but you get the idea. He was a great example in every thing he did. 

Walt's father died of heart problems at a young age so Walt beat all the odds by getting to 80 with his family history. He was at Jo's surprise birthday party last Wed. and looked and seemed in good shape.  He was feeling ok on Sat but for the last few weeks he had a lot of tiredness and just didn't feel right.   

We ask that you pray for the family as they continue on with their lives without St. Walter.  He will NEVER be forgotten,only remembered in loving ways.
 

With sadness,

Frank & Jo

To The Spangler Family


We express our deepest condolences on your loss. The first time I can remember Walt was having Christmas dinner at his house in 2009. I was a little tense at first going to a strange house for the first time and meeting my cousin Betty with Frank and Jo who before then were strangers to me. I was only in their house a short time before the tension was gone and I was relaxed knowing I was with family. Walt engaged me in conversation telling me about his trips to Newfoundland and how much he enjoyed them. Before long I felt like I knew him and Betty all my life. The atmosphere at the house was surreal it was like I was at my own house a year later. The whole family was so happy Walt and Betty children and grandchildren all were pitching in with the preparation and the cleanup. I can remember saying to my wife and sister after what a perfect family that we had found Walt and Betty as well as Frank and Jo. Later that week we went out for dinner and came back to their house for tea. We talked for hours until after midnight just getting to know each other better. Later when we saw Frank and Jo they said they rarely seen Walt and Betty up so late. We repeated the visit in 2011 and again joined them for Christmas dinner and when we arrived it was like it was like coming home. We have only one regret, not finding our Florida family until later in life. Again we would like to express our deepest sympathies and the hearts of your Canadian families are with you.


God be with you

The Wiseman family

Les, Shirley, and Kathleen

Betty and Susan...We are so sorry to hear of Walt's passing. He was a dear friend and we will miss him.  Gary and Betty DiVecchia

Betty, Granny and I were greatly saddened by the news of Walt's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and we send prayers of comfort and peace to you.

Dear Betty, 
Our prays are with you during this time..Walt will be MISSED..he was wonderful person and a great neighbor...we love you Betty.
Jim and Connie

Susan,
I am so sorry to hear this news. Stuart and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I wish we could be there for you.
Love,
Shari Nichols Clifton

A kind and friendly man, a true patriot and a wonderfull Christian. Walt will be missed by all that knew him. Our thoughts are with the entire Spangler family

    At our Friendship Center writing group, we were introduced to Walt as a man who was willing to share his bedroom with Betty's aging mother.  I knew I had to meet this man!  What love and compassion.  I became a Ditchfield Singer groupie through Walt and Betty and love to meditate to their music.  My husband Sudhir became a pool buddy with Walt at the Friendship Center.  Walt gave him some good pointers, and he is a better player because of this.
    The writing group has learned a lot about Walt in the past couple of years. We loved hearing about Betty taking off on a tramp steamer during the war, to meet and marry him in Japan.  Everything I heard about Walt was good, with one exception.  I learned that when Walt was asked to watch his young children while Betty rested a little bit, he did just that--he watched them!  He didn't feed them or change their diapers.  He watched them.  I loved seeing his deprecating smile as Betty told me that story.  
     The last time we were together as couples, he told us how he had come to share Betty's faith.  Betty and Walt's marriage is an example to us all.  I thank God that I could view it firsthand.  Sudhir and I will miss his understated sense of humor and welcoming spirit.
                                             Jan and Sudhir Patel (Sarasota, FL)

We had the privilege of knowing Walt for a much too short time.
Remembering him greating us with such a welcoming smile and a soft voice that made us feel so important.The heart has a memory all it's own.
We will miss him.
Nos plus sincères condoléances à toute la Famille.
                                                   Murielle et Pierre Filion (P.Québec) Canada

A kind, warm, giving man, with a gift of graciousness and joy that he shared with those he touched.  Walter was a true prince, and an exemplary human being. We will miss his gentle smile and his loving presence.

Theodora Dorf and Denise Lieman

I only knew Walt for a short time and I found him to be a kind and gentle man.  I will miss him.

Remembering a great man of both God and family. Warm memories of a smiling Walt welcoming you to his home, to his table.  And I had the privilege of being his godchild.  He welcomed me into his home at a time in my life when I needed a place to live and welcomed my little girl to call him Papa, grandfather.  We will all miss you.

Soft sweaters...soft heart... a gentle touch...a smile that lit up the room...gentle words... a true gentleman... Grandpa's good buddy... an exemplary husband... passionate about life but most importantly God... a source of comfort and stability... A true reflection of Christ. xo

OBITUARY

Walter J. Spangler

March 24, 1933 – May 14, 2013

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park

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