Philip “Rob” Lykins, 44, of Vero Beach, died peacefully on December 2, 2013. Rob moved here in 1988 from Minford, Ohio. He worked at Piper Aircraft from 1989-2005. Rob is survived by his wife, Linda; four children, Elizabeth, Ronnie, Robbie and Roger and two grandchildren, Abby and Allie all of Vero Beach; his father, Philip Lykins and brother, Michael of Minford and his mother, Julianne Story of Crawfordville, FL. Rob was an avid fisherman and loved his family and the outdoors. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 6th, 2013, at 2:00 PM at St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of IRC.  Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. www.lowtherfuneralhome.com/ (12/05/13)

Karen Lynne Elliott Merrill, 55, was born on March 29, 1958 to Richard and Eloise Elliott. She spent most of her childhood in Upstate New York, Catskill Mountain Area. During Karen’s “teens” the Elliott family moved to Amherst, Massachusetts where Karen went to high school. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart, Craig Merrill. After living in Australia with her family for six months, Karen returned to Amherst, Massachusetts to attend The University of Massachusetts where she and Craig graduated and married in 1980. Karen was recruited by Hyatt Hotels for their Corporate Management Training Program. She spent a year training at The Hyatt Regency Lexington, KY. After successfully completing her training program, she was promoted to open the new Hyatt Regency Miami. She spent six years there as Personnel Director. In 1986 Karen had her first child, a son, Lee Merrill. Around that time, Karen’s parents, The Elliotts, had started a community management company in Vero Beach. Craig and Karen were seeking a better quality of life and fell in love with Vero Beach. In 1987 Craig and Karen joined the business now known as Elliott Merrill Community Management. In 1991 Karen had her second child, Megan Merrill. Life was complete, a son and a daughter. She was very blessed. Elliott Merrill Community Management grew and grew over the years. Karen was certified by The State of Florida to teach classes to clients and was certified to teach the CAM class at Indian River State College. Karen loved life, enjoying time with her husband and adult children, adventurous vacations, cooking for family gatherings, boating, spending time at their Georgia lake house, and going to the beach. She volunteered for United Way for many years and also was a volunteer with the Guardian Ad Litem program, theses were a few of the organizations that meant a lot to her in their ability to help others. Karen, supported by family and friends, fought a three year long brave battle with cancer. She passed peacefully on December 2, 2013, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Craig Merrill and her beautiful beloved children, Lee Merrill and Megan Merrill; her loving mother Eloise Elliott; her paternal Uncle Bob and Aunt Shirley Elliott, along with numerous cousins and many dear friends. Karen is predeceased by her father, Richard D. Elliott. A Celebration of Life Service will be held December 14th at 1:00PM at The Unitarian Church, 1590 27th Avenue Vero Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen’s name may be made to The Hibiscus Children’s Center P.O. Box 1742, Vero Beach, Fl. 32961 or http://www.hibiscuschildrenscenter.org. www.strunkfuneralhome. (12/05/13)

Howard J. Pollen, 70, formerly of Homestead, FL, and New Haven Connecticut died at his home in Vero Beach, FL with family surrounding him in love on Tuesday, December 3rd. Howard entered the U.S. Navy in 1965 at the age of 22 and served 5 years with an honorable discharge due to his health. He received a National Defense Service Medal at the rank of E4 3rd Class Commissary Man and he served on the USS Roosevelt and the USS Saratoga during his service. He later worked for Dade County Parks and Recreation, starting as an engineering aid and advancing to Park Attendant, Landscape Foreman, Forman 2 and then Maintenance Manager of Matheson Hammock Park & Marina. He retired with 30 years of service. After retiring from Dade County, he and his wife Marty moved to Vero Beach to be closer to family. In semi-retirement Howard worked at the TA Truck Shop as a buffet cook, and at Flying J. He finished his semi-retirement with Winn Dixie on Oslo Road as a Seafood Associate before his health forced him to retire from work completely. Preceded in death by his parents Sarah and Soloman L. Pollen and his son Brian Pollen, his survivors include his wife of 30 years Marty; his sister Roz Starr, brother Jay Pollen, nieces Marla, Debbie and Gayle; nephew Bradley; step sons Matt and Mike Kiefer, grand- children Alexander, Chelsea, Jackson and Jacob Kiefer, Caitlin Davis, Casey Mitten, and Christin Chapman as well as great-granddaughter Avaleigh Davis. A Funeral Service will be held at the Temple Beth Shalom on Monday 9, 2013 at 11:00a.m. Visitation will be held at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home on Monday 9, 2013 form 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. A Graveside service will be follow at the South Florida National Cemetery at 2:15p.m with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memorial to Howard at either Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or VNA and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, http://www.vnatc.com Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. Online condolences may be sent at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (12/05/13)

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