Obituaries, October 25, 2013

Joanne Day Grymes, 82, of Vero Beach Fl died peacefully at her home on October 21. Joanne (Jo) was married to the late Arthur Johnson Grymes III for 53 years until his death in 2005. She leaves her two daughters Day Keel and Randall Fivecoat and her two sons, Arthur Grymes IV and Peter Grymes and seven grandchildren; Caroline Grymes, Arthur Grymes V, Harrison Grymes, Attison Keel, Walker Keel, Thayer Keel and Mason Keel and four step grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister Thyrza Zabriskie of Bozeman Montana and her husband The Reverend George Zabriskie. Her other sister , the late Linda Day Ogle passed in 1999. Born in Short Hills NJ, she was the granddaughter of the renowned real estate auctioneer, the late Joseph P Day. She was the daughter of the late Bernard Pope Day and Lucinda Day of Short Hills. She grew up in Short Hills NJ and went to the Miss Beard School and graduated from Centenary College. She wed Arthur J Grymes of East Orange in 1952 and first lived in Essex Fells NJ. Then they moved to Bedminster NJ, where she was an avid horse woman who hunted with the Essex Fox Hounds for many years. She also loved her golf, skiing and paddle tennis. She moved to Vero Beach Fl in 1986 and built a home on Johns Island Florida and lived there until 1993 when they moved to Riomar, in Vero Beach. She was a member of The Somerset Hills Country Club, The John’s Island Club, Bent Pine Golf Club and finally settled at the Riomar Country Club where she played golf well into her 70’s. After her husband’s death in 2005, she moved from her home in Riomar across the inland waterway to Regency Park. She suffered a stroke in 2007, but very happily remained at Regency until her death. She was a member of the US Senior Women’s Golf Association and it was golf that was her true passion in her later years. She was however truly devoted to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County where she was co chairwomen for seventeen years and became an honorary member of the board. She spent endless hours running and helping raise money through their Cause for Paws program. Over her last several years, she raised five dachshunds from the Humane Society and leaves behind her beloved Yorkshire terrier, Lacy. She wanted to thank her many, many close friends at Regency Park for making her home there so special. She would also like to recognize the wonderful staff of Regency Park for their outstanding service and constant patience and kindness. She especially would like to recognize Dianna Hmielewski, her true friend and main caregiver for her endless kindness and care giving. A Celebration of Jo’s life will be held at the Community Church in Vero Beach on Monday October 28th at 10:00 am. In lieu of flower’s Jo’s wish would be to make donations to The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, 6230 77th St Vero Beach, FL 32967 and The Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (10/23/13)

Paul Santiago, 84, of Vero Beach, Florida, died Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at Palm Garden of Vero Beach. He was born July 6, 1929 in Patillas, Puerto Rico and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 28 years, coming from New York. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean War.
Paul worked as a chef. He is survived by a son, David Santiago of Vero Beach; 3 daughters, Lisa Santana of Vero Beach, Ruby Mirada of Ft. Pierce and Lucy Martinez of Vero Beach; 3 sisters, Carmen, Lola and Rosa; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Lucy on July 17, 2013. At the request of the family there will be no services. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com/ (10/25/13)

Particia Ann Van Schaick, 79, of Vero Beach, FL died Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at her home.
Mrs. Van Schaick was born in New York, NY and moved to Vero Beach in 1977 from Coral Springs, FL. She had worked at the Indian River Memorial Hospital Cancer Center prior to her retirement. Previously she had worked at the Clock Restaurant and was a co-owner of the Charleston Restaurant in Vero Beach. Survivors include daughters Nadine (Tom) Council and Lisa Catrone Al-Khammash of Vero Beach, granddaughter Jennifer (Ronaldo) Council Crespo and their daughter Ariana Rose Crespo of Jacksonville, FL, granddaughter Shawn Marie Council of Vero Beach, granddaughter Anyssa (Jason) Cutrone Beattie and their daughter Gracelynn Marie Beattie of Stafford, VA, granddaughter Lindsey Joy Council of Vero Beach, and a sister Kathleen Mullins of Marlton, NJ. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Van Schaick, sister Geraldine Merone and brother James Hughes. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 SERVICES: The family will receive friends 12 Noon – 1 PM Sunday, October 27, 2013 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach and a Life Celebration Service beginning at 1 PM with Pastor Roger Ball of Immanuel Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Fort Pierce. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (10/23/13)

Jane Louise Siegel, 87, of Vero Beach, died Friday, October 18, 2013 in her home surrounded by the love of her family. She was born September 9, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 30 years, coming from Rock Falls, IL. Mrs. Siegel was a member of the Treasure Coast Red Hats. She loved dogs and grew to love cats. She is survived by her three daughters, Karen Schulte of Cincinnati, OH, Robin Ives of Hampton, VA and Laura Siegel of Delray Beach, FL; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Shirley Wohlstadter and their five sons, spouses, and children, and her dearest friends, Armandzo and June Gelinas. Mrs. Siegel was predeceased by her daughter, Sue Schulte in 2007. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2013 at the Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, Vero Beach, with Deacon Lewis Gwyn, officiating. Donations may be made payable to: H.A.L.O. Rescue: http://www.halorescuefl.org/donations/ or the Celiac Disease Foundation: https://cdf.thankyou4caring.org/tribute-giving-page. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com/ (10/25/13)

Phyllis Evelyn Smith passed away peacefully on October 19, 2013 at the home of her daughter Cindy Carter in Vero Beach, Florida. She was born in Tattenham, Ontario, Canada. Her family moved to Vero Beach in 1968 where she and her husband Trevor owned and operated Vero Rental Center for many years, then they worked at the Driftwood Inn before retiring together. Phyllis fought a long and courageous battle against cancer, but, cancer hath no victory as she rose light as a feather to meet the Lord surrounded by her loving family. Phyllis is survived by her loving husband, Trevor of 53 years; son, Jeff (Julie); daughters, Cindy (Aaron) and Lisa; grandchildren, Kristy, Kenny (Tina), K.C., Justin and Jared; great grandchildren, Dylan, Jordyn, Christopher and Andrew. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Haven Ministries Church, 9695 Angle Road Ft. Pierce, Florida on October 28, 2013 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Haven Ministries. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Donald Richard Staszewski, 76, of Vero Beach, passed away on October 23rd, 2013 at the VNA Hospice House. Don was born on January 23rd, 1937, in Meriden, CT to Frank Staszewski and Mary Krupa Staszewski. He was the youngest of five children with 3 living sisters: Dorothy Buonanni (Meriden, CT), Elaine Winarski (Brookton, ME) and Wanda Staszewski, Wallingford, CT). He met and married JoAnn Marino in 1963 in Meriden, CT. where he owned and operated 3 service stations. They moved to Vero Beach in 1972, after traveling the country for three months looking for a new place to live. After working as a transmission expert at Arnold Ford for a couple of years he pursued his dream of operating heavy equipment and started Staski Enterprises. After 20 years, his son, Michael, continues it today. His love then turned to tractors and as “Don’s Tractor Service” he could be seen mowing lots and acreage around town or restoring an old bucket of parts into a shiny new workhorse. Folks often said: “If it has an engine he can fix it”. He was also “Mr. Maintenance” at Wings of Joy Christian Bookstore, which he and his wife operated for 30 years. He served in the Army Reserves for six years and he was an avid member of Florida Flywheelers and loved camping and fishing. Throughout his lifetime he volunteered for the Salvation Army, Hospital Auxiliary and Polish American Club. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jo Ann; his children: Don Jacques and his wife, Mary and their daughter, Shayna; Michael Staszewski and his wife, Ann and their daughter, Kaitlyn; Gina Staszewski and her children, Marina and Kyle Von Stein. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Jenny Lynn, his sister, Irene and both parents. Service will be held at First Church of God on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10:30. Reception for family and friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to The Woman’s Refuge Scholarship fund. 1850 Lemon Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com/ (10/25/13)

Virginia Collins Wenzel, 90, died October 22, 2013 at her residence in Barefoot Bay. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1981 coming from East Williston, Long Island, NY. She retired as an Administrative Assistant in Church Administration. She was a member of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Barefoot Bay, FL. Survivors include daughters, Carla Melville (John) of Malone, New York and Cheryl Rossi (John) of Wheaton, Illinois; stepdaughter, Jane Wenzel of Libertyville, Illinois; grandsons, Eric Melville (Julie) of Huntsville, Alabama, Jason Rossi (Margret) of Downers Grove, Illinois, Kevin Rossi of Bloomingdale, Illinois and Ryan Rossi of Wheaton, Illinois; granddaughters, Kerry Marchese (Michael) of Saugus, Massachusetts, Emily Wine of Chicago, Illinois and Amanda Wine of Libertyville, Illinois. She was preceded in death by husbands, Robert J. Collins and Wilbur R. Wenzel; three sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, 300 Barefoot Boulevard, Barefoot Bay, FL 32976 SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on October 26, 2013 at Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Barefoot Bay, FL. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (10/23/13)