Joan E. (Lindner) Benson, 65, passed away September 13, 2013 in Vero Beach, FL. She was surrounded in love by her family.  Joan was born August 24, 1948 in Newark, NJ. She married her husband Bruce of 41 years on April 29, 1972 at St. Jude Parish in Bud Lake, NJ by a Lutheran pastor and Catholic priest. They soon moved to Hackettstown, NJ where they purchased their first home and began their family. They moved to Vero Beach in 1988. When their 3 children were young, they enjoy weekend camping trips, trips to the Jersey Shore, and domestic travel. Later they enjoyed traveling and cruising as a couple to places throughout the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii, and Mexico. A devout Christian, Joan felt great warmth in learning her bible studies at First United Methodist Church, First Church of God, and Calvary Chapel. Joan retired in 2010 as office manager after 23 years with the Indian River Country Extension Office, where she enjoyed working with 4-H and master gardeners.  She loved retirement and the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren. Surviving is her loving husband Bruce, daughters Kristen Benson (Heather) of Fargo, ND and Brooke Roodhouse (Nathan) of Vero Beach; and son Brad Benson (Heather) of Vero Beach; and 5 grandchildren who were the light of her life.  A memorial service will take place Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 at 2pm at First United Methodist Church, 1750 20th St. in Vero Beach, FL.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) 60 East 56th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10022 or to Friends After Diagnosis (www.friendsafterdiagnosis.com) 2301 Avalon Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com/ (9/18/13)

Catherine Fanning, 102, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Gardens of Port Saint Lucie. Mrs. Fanning was born December 12, 1910 in Perth Amboy, NJ to John and Margaret Kelly. She had been a resident of Vero Beach since 2008, coming from Highland Beach FL where she had lived since 1973 with her late husband. She was a graduate of Saint Elizabeth’s College in Convent Station NJ and was a schoolteacher/ homemaker. Prior to moving to FL, she lived in Waban, MA and Weekapaug RI raising her family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edmund Fanning. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Survivors include a daughter, Paula F. Herbert and her husband, Ernest L. Herbert of Vero Beach FL, a son, Edmund Fanning and his wife, Frances F. Fanning of Concord MA; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Private memorial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice (1201 SE Indian St; Stuart, FL 34997). Arrangements are by the Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Stuart, FL. http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (9/18/13)

Martha Hanson, 87, passed away September 16. (No details available on funeral home website)  http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (9/18/13)

Mary Carolyn Hammil-Jaroszynski, 74, passed away September 17. (No details available on funeral home website)  http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (9/18/13)

Nancy Littlefield, 60, passed away September 15. (No details available on funeral home website)  http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (9/18/13)

James Kenneth Smith, 90, passed away in his home on September 17, 2013. He was born in Fontana, KS on December 22, 1922. James is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gail Smith; sister, Eleanor B. Smith of Vero Beach; daughters, Pam Runge and husband Mark Runge of North Carolina; Gail Hudmon and husband Grady Hudmon of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Heather Runge Williams and husband Keith Williams; Mark Runge and wife Suzanne Runge; Gail Hendricksen and husband Travis Hendricksen; great-grandchildren, Megan, Andrew and Ayden Williams; Madison Runge ; Garrett, Brian and Victoria Whisenant and Travis Hendricksen.  James is a WWII Army Veteran, having served in the European Theater. He served with the 93rd Boat Company Aviation in Washington and then assigned to the 1st Infantry, 26th Regiment, Company I. He remained with that company until the end of the war and then was sent to the Nuremburg where he provided security for Judge Jackson at the Nuremburg War Trials. He was released from active duty in 1946. In 1941, the regiment once again stood with its sister regiments and prepared for war in Europe. In WWII, the 26th Infantry led America’s first-ever amphibious assault in North Africa, fought at the Kasserine Pass, assaulted Sicily at the Amphibious Battle of Gela, invaded Normandy, conquered the first German city of the war at Aachen, vaulted the Rhine and attacked all the way to Czechoslovakia by the war’s end. The regiment conducted three amphibious assaults, and earned seven battle streamers, a Presidential Unit Citation, and five foreign awards. http://www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/search/pframe.asp HonoreeID=2438612&popcount=1&tcount=11. Beginning another occupation of Germany, the Blue Spaders bore the United States national colors at the Allied Victory in Europe parade, and served as guards at Nuremburg War Crimes Trials. Thus began the lengthy stay in Germany, first as conquerors and later as friends and allies. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice House. http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (9/18/13)

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