Susan Van Duzer
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date: 12 Jul 1792
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
Parents
Father: Christopher Van Duzer
Mother: Julia Tusten
Spouses and Children
1. *John Dolson
Marriage:
Status:
Susan Van Duzer
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date: 1 Apr 1819
Christening:
Death: 21 May 1866 - ( at age 47)
Burial:
Parents
Father: William Van Duzer
Mother: Sarah Wheeler
Spouses and Children
1. *James L. Woods
Marriage: 19 Jul 1849
Status:
Susan Sayre Van Duzer
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1893
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
Parents
Father: William W. Van Duzer
Mother: Estelle Hickok
William Van Duzer
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1788 - Warwick, NY
Christening:
Death: 12 Oct 1860 - Chemung Co., NY ( at age 72)
Burial:
Events
• Occupation: Chairmaker And Farmer.
Parents
Father: Christopher Van Duzer
Mother: Julia Tusten
Spouses and Children
1. *Sarah Wheeler
Marriage: 18 Jun 1808
Status:
Children:
1. Keturah Louisa Van Duzer
2. James Madison Van Duzer
3. Julianna Van Duzer
4. Lewis S. Van Duzer
5. Susan Van Duzer
6. William Henry Van Duzer
7. Mary Ann Van Duzer
8. John Van Duzer
9. Julia Van Duzer
Notes
General:
William was a chair maker and a farmer.
William Henry Van Duzer
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 24 Dec 1937 - Elmira, New Youk
Christening:
Death: 22 Jan 2023 - ( at age 85)
Burial:
Parents
Father: Henry Bennitt Van Duzer
Mother: Rebecca Putnam Stewart
Spouses and Children
1. Carolyn Sue Stewart
Marriage: 28 Mar 1979 - Ft Myers, Lee County, FL
Status: Married
Notes
General:
"Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKCT-XV9 : 25 December 2014), William Henry Vanduzer and Marilena, 01 May 1978; from "Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Lee, Florida, certificate 024182, volume 2335, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville.
Home / News / Fort Myers Beach News / Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Bill Van Duzer remembered
ort Myers Beach lost a significant figure in its young history as an incorporated town last week when former mayor Bill Van Duzer died Jan. 22 at the age of 85.
Van Duzer, who was given the key to the town when he moved to Marathon in 2011, was on the town council from 2001 to 2005. He served as mayor in his final year on the council, in the wake of Hurricane Ian. He was a longtime member of the town's Local Planning Agency, serving before his time on the council and after his term on the council.
Van Duzer was a contractor who is credited with building many of the homes on Fort Myers Beach. On the Local Planning Agency and town council, he was a major contributor to dealing with planning matters.
According to an obituary provided by the family, Van Duzer was with his daughter Beth and son Stewart at the time of his death. He had been living in an assisted living facility in Naples.
Van Duzer's wife Carolyn predeceased him in 2020.
Longtime friend Fran Myers called Van Duzer an "icon" of Fort Myers Beach. "He was a giant of a man. He spent many, many years on Fort Myers Beach as a contractor and built our cottages on the island. He built many of our homes. He believed in the island," Myers said.
His daughter Beth Coon, who now resides in Lehigh Acres, said Van Duzer "died peacefully." He had been diagnosed with dementia.
"He either built or remodeled most of the homes that are down there," Coon said. Coon, who grew up on Fort Myers Beach, said "he was a wonderful man. He loved Fort Myers Beach. We're going to miss him."
Joellyn Reckwerdt, who was a close friend of Van Duzer along with her husband Ted, said Van Duzer was instrumental in elevating the Fort Myers Beach Lion's Club Shrimp Festival. Carolyn was a former Shrimp Festival Queen.
"He liked the people and the atmosphere of Fort Myers Beach," Ms. Reckwerdt said. "He certainly enjoyed going down to the Keys and going diving and fishing."
Born in the upstate New York city of Elmira, he moved to Fort Myers as a child. He moved to Jacksonville with his first wife Marilena before relocating to Fort Myers Beach in 1962. After working in the roofing business for a number of years, he went to work for Midgley Inc. and secured his Class A General Contractors license. He bought the construction business from Midgley and renamed it Van Care Construction.
He married Carolyn in 1979. She had two daughters from a previous marriage whom Bill adopted. He was active with the Fort Myers Little League and Babe Ruth League. He was a coach, umpire, concession stand volunteer and batting cage builder. He was an avid photographer, capturing his children's sporting events and band performances.
Bill was active with the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club and Lions International. He was always very involved in the annual Shrimp Festival. He was a District Governor with the Lions and an International Director. He belonged to the Estero Island Historical Society and St. Raphael's Episcopal Church.
Bill and Carolyn retired in Marathon for a short time before health issues forced them to move back to the mainland where they bought a place in North Fort Myers.
Upon stepping down from the Town of Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency in 2011, the committee issued the following proclamation:
"Bill Van Duzer is recognized for his hard work and dedicated service to the Town of Fort Myers Beach. He contributed his expertise in land planning to benefit the Local Planning Agency of the Town, providing insight and recommendations to address issues of concern to the welfare of the residents and visitors, and to support the local commercial interests. He created a positive environment for the Local Planning Agency while maintaining an attitude of courtesy toward colleagues, citizens and staff during discussions and deliberations. He discharged his duties without favor or prejudice while respecting all laws, rules and regulations. His contributions worked to insure that the unique and natural characteristics of the Town of Fort Myers Beach will be preserved."
Bill is survived by his son Stewart and three daughters Beth, Shelley, and Suzie. He has 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren to date.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home in Fort Myers.
Obituary
William (Bill) H. Van Duzer
12/24/1937 \endash 1/22/2023
Bill Van Duzer passed away peacefully on 1/22/23 with his daughter Beth and son Stewart by his side. The family is comforted in knowing that he is now in a better place in heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is also reunited with his wife of 42 years Carolyn who predeceased him on 6/12/2020.
Bill was born in Elmira, NY but moved with his family as a child to Ft Myers. He graduated from Ft. Myers high school. After graduating HS Bill started working with a large roofing contractor Giffen Industries. He and his first wife, Marilena, lived for a short time in Jacksonville before moving to Ft. Myers Beach in 1962. Stewart was born in Jacksonville before they moved and Beth was born in Ft. Myers after they settled on Ft. Myers Beach. After working in the roofing business for a number of years Bill met Jim Midgley who was a builder on Ft. Myers Beach. He went to work for Midgley Inc. and ultimately secured his Class A General Contractors license. After a divorce from his wife Marilena, Bill bought the construction business from Jim Midgley. It would later be renamed Van Care Construction.
Bill met Carolyn, the love of his life, while getting some periodontal work done. It was love at first sight. They married in March of 1979. She was everything to him. She had 2 daughters from a previous marriage. Shelley and Suzie moved to the beach with their Mom. Later on Bill adopted Shelley and Suzie so they became Van Duzer's as well.
Over the years Bill would build or renovate more homes on Ft. Myers Beach than any other single builder. He also completed many commercial projects. But besides work he was also a devoted father. He was very active with the Ft. Myers Little League and Babe Ruth League. He was a coach, umpire, concession stand volunteer, batting cage builder, etc, etc. He was an avid photographer capturing his son's athletic endeavours and his daughters band performances with his camera.
Bill was also very active with the Ft. Myers Beach Lions Club and Lions International. He was always very involved in the annual Shrimp Festival. He was a District Governor with the Lions and an International Director. He and Carolyn traveled extensively with the Lions. Carolyn also became a member. Ultimately Bill became a lifetime member of Lions International.
After Ft. Myers Beach incorporated and became a city Bill became very involved with the city council and actually served a term as Mayor of Ft. Myers Beach.
Bill and Carolyn retired in Marathon, FL for a short time before health issues forced them to move back to the mainland where they bought a place in North Ft Myers. Altzheimers struck Carolyn shortly thereafter. After her passing Bill's health quickly declined and Dementia took its toll on him.
Bill is survived by his son Stewart and 3 daughters Beth, Shelley, and Suzie. He has 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren to date.
A "celebration of life service" will be held at 1:30 PM on 2/11/23 at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home 4320 Colonial Blvd Ft. Myers, FL.
Family and friends may sign the guest register by visiting www.baldwincremation.com.
William Henry Van Duzer
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 16 Feb 1821
Christening:
Death: 15 Nov 1880 - ( at age 59)
Burial: in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, Chemung, NY
Parents
Father: William Van Duzer
Mother: Sarah Wheeler
Spouses and Children
1. *Susan Rachel Sayre
Marriage: 16 Jan 1845
Status:
Children:
1. Jonas Sayre Van Duzer
2. Julia Ellen Van Duzer
3. Catherine Sayre Van Duzer
4. Selah Henry Van Duzer
5. William W. Van Duzer
6. Louis Sayre Van Duzer
William Henry W. Van Duzer
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 14 Jul 1884
Christening:
Death: 1968 - ( at age 84)
Burial:
Parents
Father: William W. Van Duzer
Mother: Estelle Hickok
William W. Van Duzer
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 26 Feb 1858
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
Parents
Father: William Henry Van Duzer
Mother: Susan Rachel Sayre
Spouses and Children
1. *Estelle Hickok
Marriage: 14 Jun 1883
Status:
Children:
1. William Henry W. Van Duzer
2. Ralph Hickok Van Duzer
3. Katherine Elizabeth Van Duzer
4. Amanda Estelle Van Duzer
5. Susan Sayre Van Duzer
6. Mildred Eaton Van Duzer
Notes
General:
William was a farmer in Horseheads NY.
Catalyntie Van Elsant
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date:
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
Spouses and Children
1. *Jacob Abrahamszen Van Deusen
Marriage: 23 Sep 1663 - Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam
Status: