36
V E R O
B E A C H
N E W S W E E K L Y
!
A P R I L
5 ,
2 0 1 2
!
OBITUARIES 2206 16th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
Ralph J. “Jupe” Merrick Ralph J. “Jupe” Merrick, 92, died March 26, 2012, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. He was born in Corydon, Iowa, and lived in Vero Beach for 27 years, coming from Downers Grove, Ill. He worked in the insurance industry. He was a Marine Corps veteran, World War II, stationed at Vero Beach from 1944 to ‘45. He graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Betty Merrick of Vero Beach; son, Jeff Merrick of Vero Beach; daughter, Jill Merrick of Wilmington, N.C.; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dr. Robert Merrick and Carlos Merrick; and sister, Kathleen Campbell. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Gilbert R.H. Kennedy Gilbert R.H. Kennedy, 76, died March 25, 2012, at Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., and moved to the Treasure Coast 15 years ago, coming from Houston. Before retirement, he worked as a venture capitalist and then became an environmentalist. He was the former board member of New Horizons and a member of the Marine Resources Council. Survivors include his son, Dr. Gilbert Kennedy of Jacksonville; daughter, Dr. Sarah Blain Kennedy of Vero Beach; brother, John B. Kennedy of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Ellen D. Kennedy of Houston; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Kennedy. Memorial contributions may be made to Michael James Olkowski Marine Resource Council, 3275 Dixie Highway N.E., Palm Bay, FL Michael James Olkowski, 65, 32905. A guestbook is available at died March 23, 2012, at home. He www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. was born in Greenpoint, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 15 years, Rev. Dr. Robert J. Lamont coming from Portland, Ore. He The Rev. Dr. Robert J. Lamont, was a printer in the Air Force for 92, died March 26, 2012, at Palm 20 years, retiring as a teacher and Garden of Vero Beach. He was tech sergeant for the Joint Armed born in Philadelphia and lived Services in 1985. He served in the at Indian River Estates in Vero Air Force during the Vietnam War. Beach for 22 years, coming from He was of the Roman Catholic Bryn Mawr, Pa. He served for 10 faith. Survivors include his daughyears on the board of ACTS Life- ter, Tammy Olkowski of Vero Retirement Communities Inc., Beach; brother, Robert Olkowski which owns Indian River Estates. of Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.; sisSurvivors include his wife of 69 ter, Christina Scigowski of Comyears, Edna Lamont; son, Rob- mack, N.Y.; three grandchildren; ert J. Lamont Jr.; daughters, Edna and two great-grandchildren. A Karen Shuter and Joanne Marie guestbook is available at www. Hathorn, all of Vero Beach; sis- strunkfuneralhome.com. ters, Doris Weikel of Perkasie, Pa. Kevin James Schmitz and Eleanor Latham of Lansdale, Pa.; one grandchild; and one stepKevin James Schmitz, 56, died grandchild. A guestbook is avail- March 20, 2012. He was born in able at www.aycock-hillcrest.com. Monroe, Mich., and lived in Vero
Beach for five years, coming from Jackson, Mich. He worked for H.J. Schmitz and Sons in Michigan; was a self-employed truck owner and driver owning JK Leasing in Saline, Mich., and working with Best Block Co. in Warren, Mich. He was a member of St. Mary Church, Monroe, Mich. Survivors include his parents, James G. and Joan T. Schmitz of Monroe, Mich.; sisters, Marilyn Prucka of Monroe, Mich., and Nancy Nemec of Ida, Mich.; and brother, Eric Schmitz of Amanda, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary M. Schmitz; maternal grandparents, Vallie and Alice Dussia; and paternal grandparents, Harold and Martha Schmitz. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 5480 85th St., Wabasso, FL 32967. A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com.
Jesse B. Shurns Sr. Jesse B. Shurns Sr., 60, died March 24, 2012, in Lake Worth. He was born in Reform, Ala., and lived in Gifford for 50 years. He was retired from the agricultural industry. Survivors include sons, Jesse B. Shurns Jr. of Tampa and Jeffery Brink of Vero Beach; daughters, Sabrina Shurns of Atlanta, Wanda Bowles and Jessica Shurns, both of Goldsboro, N.C., Jacquline Pierce and Thaila Agnew, both of Vero Beach, and Stephanie Shurns of Pittsburgh; sisters, Betty Jean Perry of Dallas, Gracie Lee Shurns of Vero Beach and Josephine Shurns of Harrisburg, Pa.; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Becker and is survived by her sister, Marion Becker, of New Berlin, NY. She was a legal secretary in Vero Beach for many years. In her youth she was a skater and she loved music and dance. Online condolences may be sent at www. cox giffordseawin ds.com.
Joseph Michael Vartain Joseph Michael Vartain, 87, died March 24, 2012, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. He was born in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach the past 20 years, coming from Merrick, N.Y. He served in the Army in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was a member of the Garden City Country Club in New York and Dodger Pines Country Club. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Claire Vartain; and his four children, Ellen VaVak of Vero Beach, Michael of Palo Alto, Calif., Mary Cordes of Dallas and Richard of Bowie, Md.; and nine grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice House Foundation, 110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www. coxgiffordseawinds.com.
G. Sharon Williams G. Sharon Williams, 71, died March 18, 2012, at her home. She was born in Chicago and was a local resident for 13 years, coming from her birthplace. She was employed as an engineer in the construction industry. Survivors include her sons, Kenneth R. Williams of Bourbonnais, Ill., Daniel Williams of East Hazelhurst, Ill., and Donald B. Williams of ValGrace Trinkino paraiso, Ind.; sisters, Jane RuzGrace Trinkino, 88, passed away icka and Artlene Hendricks, both peacefully at Atlantic Healthcare of Fort Pierce; six grandchildren; Center, Vero Beach, on March and three great-grandchildren. 23, 2012. She was born in Coop- A guestbook is available at www. erstown, NY, to Willis and Ethel coxgiffordseawinds.com.