Obituaries: August 24, 2013

Mary Etta Baker, 73, of Vero Beach, Florida died Thursday, August 22, 2013 at VNA Hospice House. She was born October 31, 1939 in Ft. Wayne, IN and had been a resident of Vero Beach since 1993, coming from Clemson, SC. She was a member of the Community Church in Vero Beach along with their knitting group, “Knit Wicks.” Mrs. Baker served as a Hospice House volunteer. Prior to retirement, she worked for Clemson University in the Bursar’s Office. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jesse Merle Baker; son, Jesse Lee Baker of Naples, FL; daughter, Jody Ann Baker of Charlotte, NC; son, David L. Baker of Nashville, TN and 4 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Rev. Joseph and Gertrude Trueax. Services will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to VNA & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or to the Community Church, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/24/13)

Holly Margery (Waker) Bair, 97, went to be with the Lord on August 17, 2013. She was a pioneer and had the distinction of being the first girl baby born in the Indian River Farms District. She was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1915. She spent her school years in the elementary and high school of Vero Beach and was graduated as valedictorian of her class of 1933. After she was graduated from Florida State in 1937, she taught one year at Campbellton, Florida, and then spent the remainder of her career teaching English and Latin at Vero Beach High School until she retired in 1962. She was a sponsor of the Arrowhead Annual for two years.   She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Florida at Gainesville. She was a member of the Eta Sigma Phi Classical Honorary Association and served as National Secretary for one year. She was also a member of the Indian River Historical Society.   In 1942 she met Harvey Franklin Bair at the roller skating rink. Harvey was from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was stationed at Banana River Naval Air Station (now Patrick’s Air force Base). He was a member of the Transition Training Squadron Atlantic. Harvey and Holly were married on July 14, 1943, at the Community Church.   They lived in Melbourne, Florida, Altoona, Pennsylvania, and in Corpus Christi, Texas, until Harvey was being readied to be sent to San Diego, California, to be shipped out to the Pacific War Zone when World War II was declared over, and he was sent back to Vero Beach and then to Jacksonville for his honorable discharge. They returned to Vero Beach for the remainder of their years.   Holly and Harvey celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on July 14, 2006. They were members of Tabernacle Ministries for over 31 years.   Holly was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Franklin Bair. She is surrived by two sons, Franklin Harvey of Fort Pierce and wife, Judy; Dennis Robert of Matthew, N.C., and wife, Joyce; 4 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, 8 nieces and 6 nephews.   Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 31, 2013, at Tabernacle Ministries, Vero Beach. Funeral services will follow at the church with the Rev. David Foster, Pastor, Tabernacle Ministries, officiating.   Interment will be in Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach.   Memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Christian School, 51 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32962 in memory of Holly. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Harriet Brill, 98, of Sebastian, FL, passed away on August 18, 2013. Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian, Florida http://seawindsfh.com (8/24/13)

John Dobinsky, 86, of Sebastian, FL, passed away on August 21, 2013. Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian, Florida http://seawindsfh.com (8/24/13)

Bonnie Gaynor, 70, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on August 9, 2013. Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian, FL http://seawindsfh.com (8/24/13)

Barbara Ann Gordon, 71, of Vero Beach, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Mrs. Gordon was born November 12, 1941 in Providence, RI. She had been a resident of Vero Beach for 13 1/2 years, coming from East Providence, RI. Prior to her retirement she worked for the State of Rhode Island School System for 28 years. She attended Saint John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, and served as a head usher. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Fred Gordon; son, Fred Gordon III of Warwick, RI; daughters, Jean-Christy Gordon of San Antonio, TX and Barbara A. Gordon of Barefoot Bay, FL; and 5 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2013 at Saint John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Inurnment will be held on Monday, August 26, 2013 at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Saint John of the Cross Catholic Church at 7550 26th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32966. Arrangements by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/24/13)

Lucy Guzman, 98, of Vero Beach passed away on August 18, 2013 at Palm Gardens of Vero Beach. Mrs. Guzman was born December 13, 1914 in Puerto Rico. She had been a resident of Vero Beach since 2008, coming from Austin, TX. Survivors include hers sons, Jose Guzman and John Guzman; daughter, Dorothy Guzman; brother, Agustin Izquierdo; and 11 grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory. A service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/24/13)

Clyde Hamrick Kennedy, co-founder of Kennedy Groves, died August 20, 2013, at her home. She was born May 21, 1920, in Aucilla, Florida, the daughter of Florida pioneers John and Bessie McEntire Hamrick who moved to the Wabasso area in 1925.   Clyde was a fourth-generation Floridian. She graduated from Vero Beach High School and attended the University of Tampa Business College. She worked in the citrus industry all her life, beginning as a packer at Deerfield Groves. There, she met Tom Kennedy and they were married in 1946. As partners with Tom’s brother, Purnell, and his wife, Nannie Lou, they founded Kennedy Groves.   Assisting their efforts in the beginning was Tom and Purnell’s uncle, Indian River pioneer Frank Ayers. Their first place of business was a palmetto shack on North US 1 in Vero Beach. In 1949, Kennedy Groves moved to a new building on South US 1. The family continued expanding in the retail and gift fruit shipping business at that location until 1991 and was recognized as one of the leading gift fruit shippers in Florida.   In the early years, Clyde packed all the orders and made the juice. As the business grew, she assumed administrative duties and made sure the packing staff maintained her high standards. Her outgoing personality won her many friends who often stopped by her office to visit with her and her little dog, Charlie. She will be remembered as an active member of The Pilot Club of Vero Beach.   Clyde always enjoyed spending time with her large extended family of nieces and nephews who gave her the nickname “Peachie.” While family was dearest to her heart, and work took most of her time, Clyde’s passion was travel. She was always planning her next trip to see the far-away places she read about and she continued to travel well into her eighties.   Clyde was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Rochelle Kennedy, and nine sisters and brothers. She will be remembered and cherished by her many nieces and nephews in both the Hamrick and Kennedy families.   Services will be Tuesday, August 27, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. in the Strunk Funeral Home Chapel in Vero Beach. Interment will follow at Winter Beach Cemetery.   Donations may be made to the Indian River County Citrus Museum, 2140 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960, the Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961 or the charity of one’s choice. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Paul Kilcullen, 94, of Vero Beach passed away surrounded by his family on August 17, 2013 at his home. He was born Tangipahoa, LA on January 15, 1919 the son of James and Mary Allen Kilcullen. He played basketball in high school for the Sumrall Bobcats in Sumrall, MS. He received a 5 year athletic scholarship for basketball at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. While attending Delta State University he received a Bachelors of Science degree, and then received his Masters degree. Paul then entered the United States Navy in 1943. He graduated from the Naval Flight Academy in Pensacola, FL and became a Naval Fighter Pilot. He served aboard the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier from 1944 to 1945 during WWII. He also served aboard the USS Princeton during the Korean War (CVA-37), USS Duxbury Bay (AVP 38), and the USS Shangri-la (CV-38). He retired in 1954 as a Naval Commander. During his time in the service he received numerous declarations and medals including the American Theater of War, Asiatic-Pacific Area, WWII Victory Medal, 5 air medals, Navy Commendation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon and the Korean Service medal. He remained a member of the Naval Reserves until 1980. Following his career in the military he became flight instructor at Spence Air Force Base in Moultrie, GA from 1954 to 1959. He returned to school in 1960 for FAA training, and became an Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport in 1961. He retired after nearly 20 years of service. Paul was an avid golfer, and made his first hole in one in the 1950s. He hit his 6th hole in one at the age of 90 in 2009. Survivors include his son, Allen Paul Kilcullen and daughter-in-law, Michung Kilcullen of Kennesaw, GA; daughter, Sara Patricia Moody and son-in-law, Dwight E. Moody of Vero Beach; son, Malcolm Hayles of Vero Beach; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by is first wife, Mary Virginia Kilcullen; second wife, Norene Cahill Kilcullen; children, Jennifer Sheryl VanDale, Alma Dessa Diangelo and Paula Diane Kilcullen. Services: A visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Buddy Tipton of Central Assembly Church officiating. Arrangements by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/24/13)

Mario U. Lipari, 92, died August 16, 2013 in Vero Beach.   He was born in New York, New York and lived in Vero Beach for seven years coming from Lantana, Florida.   He was a member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.   Survivors include his wife Mildred Dengler Lipari of Vero Beach; daughter Theresa Hollern of Altoona, Pennsylvania;grandson Steven Hollern of Jacksonville, Florida and granddaughter Briana Hollern of Orange, Virginia.   He was preceded in death by his daughter Loretta Lane.   SERVICES: Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 20 from 6-8pm at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.   A Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on August 21, 2013 St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.   Interment will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Joyce C. McCosh, 97, devoted mother, grandmother and long-time resident of Vero Beach, died August 21, 2013, at Indian River Medical Center.   Joyce, the daughter of George L. Coane and Jane P. Parham both of Philadelphia, was born in Westminster, Maryland on May 7, 1916.   She married Harry C. Straus in Ocean City on September 22, 1950 and moved to Vero Beach in 1963, coming from Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. Harry predeceased her in 1973.   Joyce was also predeceased by husband, Fred McCosh.   She was a longstanding member of the Vero Beach Yacht Club and past member of the Vero Beach Country Club. Joyce was a volunteer aide at Indian River Memorial Hospital and Humane Society Thrift Store for many years. Survivors include her son, P. Barry Straus of Hoschton, GA; daughter, Susan S. Roberts of Vero Beach and grandsons, Lee B. Straus and Michael J. Roberts. Joyce’s love of her family, friends and community will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. http://lowtherfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Walter Payne, 78, of Sebastian, FL, passed away on August 21, 2013. Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian, Florida http://seawindsfh.com (8/24/13)

Richard Laurence Prendergast, 65, of Vero Beach, died Thursday, August 15, 2013 at VNA Hospice House.   He was born September 22, 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Vero Beach in 1979, coming from Marlborough, CT.   Mr. Prendergast was a United States Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.   He, along with his wife, Ginny, owned and operated Richard L. Prendergast, Inc., of Vero Beach.   Mr. Prendergast was a member of the National Association of Accountants and the National Association of Tax Preparers.   He is survived by his wife, Virginia F. Lane; four sisters, Eileen Tofil of CT, Gail Anderson and Barbara Sherman both of Orlando, FL and Nancy Prendergast of Chevy Chase, MD; two brothers, Bill Prendergast of Georgetown, FL and Larry Prendergast of Orlando and his uncle, Richard Calvelli of Vero Beach.   At the request of the family, there will be no services.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://lowtherfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Madison Jane Smith, 6, died August 17, 2013 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville. Madison was born in Melbourne, Florida and was a lifetime resident of Fellsmere, FL. She was a student at Pelican Island Elementary, Sebastian, FL.   Madison was a member of the Horse’n Around Club in Fellsmere and the Indian River Riding Club.   Survivors include parents, Timmy and Janie Smith of Fellsmere; sister, Taylor Smith of Fellsmere; fraternal grandparents, Tim and Brenda Smith of Ellijay, Georgia and maternal grandparents, Jim and Betty Schaus of Ft. Walton Beach, FL.   Memorial contributions may be made to Traumatic Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc., 1637 Metropolitan, Suite B, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 in memory of Madison Jane Smith.   Visitation will be from 3:30 – 4:30 PM on August 23, 2013 at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian followed by a Celebration of Madison’s Life will be held at 4:30 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Sebastian Cemetery. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Donald Clentis Tate, 63, died August 20, 2013 at Saint Lucie Hospice House in Fort Pierce. Don Tate will always be remembered as a man who went through life with passion and gusto. A loving caring father, everything Don did completely revolved around his family. He is survived by his wife, Patti; son, David; daughters, Corinne and Sarah; and grandsons, Michael and Christian. SERVICES: A Memorial Service Service will be held at 6:00 PM on August 27, 2013 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. “Don was so thankful for the Veteran’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL and we are all so grateful for the kindness and support given by the Treasure Coast Hospice. His children, grandchildren, and my own are truly blessed. Don will be greatly loved and forever missed. Always, his wife Patty” http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)

Curtis Arlie Woods, 82, died August 14, 2013 at his home in Vero Beach.   Mr. Woods was born in Winter Beach, FL and has been a life time resident of Indian River County.   He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving during the Korean War.   Mr. Woods worked for Ralph Profeta Construction in Vero Beach for many years. Survivors include wife of 58 years, Helen Howard Woods of Vero Beach; brother, Lonnie Woods (Merilee) of Vero Beach and sister, Anita Lane (Bruce) of Melbourne, FL.   He was preceded in death by parents, William and Teeny Mae Woods; brothers, Roger S. Woods and Lowell Woods.   SERVICES: Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/24/13)