Obituaries: November 7, 2013

Myrtle Bye, Sebastian, Florida, 97 years old, died November 1, 2013 in Vero Beach, Florida. Myrtle Bye was born March 15, 1916 in Mekinock, North Dakota and moved to Sebastian, Florida in 1979. She was a homemaker and member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sebastian, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon Bye of 52 years. Surviving are her sons; Gerry Bye of Crookston, MN, Roger Bye of Vero Beach, FL; daughter; Susan Gjerde of Key Largo, FL and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 1150 41st Ave., Vero Beach, FL. 32960. A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1150 41st Ave., Vero Beach, FL. 32960 on November 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

David Hubert Clark, 60, of Lakewood Park, Fort Pierce, Florida died Sunday, November 3, 2013 at his home. He was born in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and moved to Fort Pierce in 1980 coming from Miami where he had lived since 1970. A graduate of Central High School and Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, David had been a very well liked route milkman for Velda Farms and MacArthur Dairy on the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee before his retirement. He was of the Lutheran Faith and had attended Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Vero Beach with his family. David was a devoted father and grandfather, and beloved in return. Aside from the passion to his job, David greatly enjoyed the outdoors. He was a fisherman, golfer and just found joy in gardening around his house. Survivors include his children Dwayne D. Clark, Michelle Clark Cobb and Bryan Clark all of Louisville, Kentucky, brothers Dan, James, Donald and John Clark, sister Cindy Troyanek, and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Dwayne E. and Anna Marie Fuenger Clark. The family will receive friends 4-7 PM, Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach and 2:30-3:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home. A Life Celebration Service for David will begin at 3:30 PM on Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Ray Huddle officiating. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Ruth Conner, 92, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on November 5, 2013. Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian, FL http://seawindsfh.com

Marilyn Farwell, 85 – Drawing her final breath on earth, Marilyn Farwell passed away peacefully on November 6 at her daughter’s home in Vero Beach, Florida. Surrounded by her three children and son-in-law, Marilyn crossed over to Heaven. Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1928, Marilyn came to Ft. Lauderdale in the early 1960’s. In her early days in Ft Lauderdale, as a housewife and mother, she volunteered at Holy Cross Hospital, served on the PTA at Bayview Elementary, and offered her services to the Children’s Home Society. Marilyn, a natural beauty, could also be seen modeling for Oleg Cassini and local designers. She also enjoyed playing piano with her young children and family by her side. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Burton S. Farwell and her dear brother Gerald Sinkoe. She is survived by her loving children and their spouses, son Mark Farwell (Laura) daughter Renee Farwell, and daughter Stacey Morabito (Jerry). She leaves behind a treasured grandson Ryan Matthew Farwell (Mark) and his mother Linda Kaiser. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews, her brother Benjamin Sinkoe, her dear sister-in-law Fay Sinkoe and her loving step grandsons Jason and Michael Morabito. She was loved by all in the Morabito Family. Marilyn befriended many but most special among them was her devoted friend Richard Lopez. The family would like to thank the many doctors and health care workers both in Ft Lauderdale and VNA Hospice Care in Vero Beach for their compassion and care through the years and Dr’s MP Zaccaraiah and Molly Zaccaraiah who always made her smile. A celebration of her life will be held at Mishkan David Messianic Congregation at 7774 NW 44th Street Sunrise, Florida 33351 on Sunday November 10 at 3PM. Her final resting place will be next to her husband at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Robert Eugene Kroepke, age 92, died at VNA Hospice House November 5, 2013 after a long battle with heart disease. He was born in the Bronx, New York on February 15, 1921 to the late August H. and Lillian McLaughlin Kroepke. Robert graduated from Evander Child’s High School in the Bronx, joined the Maritime Service as a seaman and was subsequently appointed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York as a cadet, graduating in 1944. While a cadet, and later as an engineer, he served on many ships in the European and Pacific theatres of World War II and the Korean War. After leaving the sea, he took various jobs working for the Staten Island Ferry and the NYC Power Plants. Robert retired from the Engineering Departments of AT&T in White Plains, NY after 35 years. Locally, he enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Robert is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Carnaghan Kroepke. He is also survived by his nephews, Thomas (Robin), John (Annemarie), James (Kathy), Paul (Sue) Healy and nieces, Anne Healy and Mary (Anthony) Impicchiche. He was predeceased by his sister, Lillian Kroepke Healy and nephew, Daniel Healy. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, November 9th at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 475 43rd Ave., Vero Beach. A reception will be held in the parish hall immediately following the service. We wish to express our gratitude to the very special aides from Home Instead Senior Care who provided loving care for almost four years, and to our marvelous local VNA/Hospice staff. Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to St. Augustine Church or VNA/Hospice. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Fred N. Lee, 69, a resident of Vero Beach for 57 years passed away peacefully on November 3, 2013. Mr. Lee was born November 18, 1943 in Yanceyville, NC and moved from Mebane, NC to Vero Beach in 1956. He was a graduate of Vero Beach High School and was a loyal employee of Wachovia Bank from which he retired in 2006 after 42 years of dedicated service. Mr. Lee was predeceased by his parents Bronson and Ada Lee. He is survived by his sisters’, Faye Godfrey and Bonnie Lee of Vero Beach, and nieces, Ronda Cerulli of Port St. Lucie, and Debbie Beasock of Enterprise, AL as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach at 11:00 AM on Sunday, November 10, 2013. An online guestbook is available at http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Rodney A. Lindy, 84, of Vero Beach, passed away on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Mr. Lindy was born October 21, 1929 in Thompsonville, MI. He had been a part-time resident of Vero Beach since 1979, and became a full time resident in 1987. He served in the United States Army as a Master Sergeant during the Korean War.Prior to his retirement he worked as an Engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation for 35 years. Rodney was a member of the Congregational Church in Thompsonville; a lifetime member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and a member of the American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan Lindy; niece, Karen May of Wisconsin; and nephews, Craig Meredith and Dr. Lowell Lindy, both of Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Berga & Irma Lindy; brothers, Carl and Onto Lindy; and sister, Dorothy Meredith. A memorial service will be held in Michigan this Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, Attn: Connie Cotherman PO Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961. 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.

James Nelson Mank, 46, a resident of Vero Beach and son of the Honorable Mr. & Ms. Miles B. Mank passed away on November 2, 2013 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family and close friends. Nelson is survived by his daughter Kelly Elizabeth Mank and his son Keaton Miles Mank of Vero Beach, mother Shirley Mank, sisters, Donna Andersen, Dr. Carolyn Mank Egana and husband John, brothers Don Carll and wife Joyce, Miles Mank III, Bill Mank and wife Debbie and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. As a child, Nelson loved spending his summers at Camp Pinnacle in North Carolina, he enjoyed golf, tennis, boating, fishing and snow skiing. He graduated from Vero Beach High School and attended colleges in Tallahassee and at Indian River State College. Nelson owned and operated The Cut Above, a local landscape service. He was an aspiring chef who loved the culinary arts and preparing special meals for his family and friends. Services will be held this Friday November 8th at 1pm at the Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home followed by an interment ceremony at 2:30pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church located at 2365 Pine Ave at Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach Florida. Donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of IRC, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Ramone Jacqueline (Jackie) McDonnell, 75 – On November 5th, Jacqueline (Jackie) Sherry Mc Donnell passed away into the hands of Almighty God. She died of a massive brain hemorrhage, at the age of 75. Jackie was born in Brooklyn, NY to John and Marguerite Sherry on April 9th, 1938. She graduated from Dominican Commercial High School and worked for the Brewers Association. She married Bartholomew (Bart) Mc Donnell, who was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps and moved to Quantico,VA. After the service, she and her family moved to Huntington, Long Island where she was active In Catholic activities. In 1999, she and Bart moved to Vero Beach where they joined the Vero Beach Yacht Club, later she became a Captain in the Shipmates. She was also a member of both the Irish American Society and Scottish Society. Jackie was active in attending events in the Knights of Columbus, and a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Bart and four children: Mrs. MaryJean Loria of Huntington, NY, Mrs. Grace Logan of Plantation, FL, Mr. Bart Mc Donnell and Mr. Christopher Mc Donnell both of Albertson, L.I.; and a brother Mr. John Sherry of Winter Park, FL. Jackie was known for her lively personality and good nature. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. Jackie, “flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 7th from 4:00pm-7:00pm with a prayer service beginning at 6:30pm at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 8th at 10:00am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions as a memorial may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 or by visiting wwwp.org http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)

Donald William Sperry, 96, of Vero Beach, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 11:11PM at his home. He was born December 3, 1916 in Westport, CT of Harold and Margaret Sperry of Westport, CT. A graduate of Norwalk High School, Norwalk, CT – 1934. He served in the 460th U.S. Army, Hamilton Field, California during WWII and retired from Southern New England Telephone Company in 1978 after 38 years. He was a seasonal resident for 6 years prior to moving to Vero Beach from Colchester, CT in 1991. He was a member at the First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach and spent summers at Canandaigua Lake, Canandaigua, NY and was a member of the Canandaigua Country Club. Don is survived by his step family Mr. & Mrs. Bill Richards, Mrs. Katie & Donnie Flood and son Ryder Lee, and Christopher Richards of Vero Beach. Kenneth and Deborah Richards of Eastford, CT; Todd and Karen Spicer of Mt. Laurel, NJ; Steve and Nancy White of Ackworth, GA, and their families. He is also survived by a step-daughter, Marla Curley of Peachtree City, GA; Craig and Linda Curley of Churchville, NY; and Eugene and Marilyn Curley of Geneseo, NY and their families. Don leaves many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Donald was predeceased by his first wife, Mabel Sperry in 1978, his second wife of 14 years, Audrey Richards-Sperry in 1998, and his third wife of 12 years, Mona Curley-Sperry in 2011 ~ A Man amongst men! A beloved husband, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Loved by all that met him. Donald we will truly miss your smiles, jokes, laughter, and your stories of old. We will miss your unconditional love, strength, support, and wisdom. Although you are gone from our sight you will remain forever in our hearts. ~ It was Donald’s wish that no memorial service be held but that we all spend some time with our loved ones doing activities that bring a smile. http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com (11/07/13)