Obituaries: February 14, 2014

LESTER EMANUEL BASS, 62, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Thursday, February 6, 2014 at his home. Lester was born in Madison, Florida and moved to Indian River County 53 years ago from his place of birth. He attended Vero Beach High School and had worked as a welder at Russell Concrete in Vero Beach for 32 years. Lester loved his family, both close and extended and would entertain them with his fishing stories, cooking skins and guitar playing. His enjoyment of car racing continued long after he stopped driving mini-stock cars. Survivors include his children Steve Bass of Palm Bay, Kristal L. Hicks of Sebastian, Kellie Renee McClarty of Orlando and Travis Hamilton Bass of Vero Beach; siblings Gene Bass of Vero Beach, Earl Bass of Vero Beach, Mary Ellis of Okeechobee, Letha Rhodes of Vero Beach, Merle Hedges of Vero Beach, Roy Cleveland Bass of Vero Beach and Jimmy Webb of Sebastian; and grandchildren Josh, Cody, Taylor, Danielle, Ayden and Mark Benjamin. Lester was preceded in death by his parents George and Nellie Mae Colvin Bass, and a sister Dorothy Bass Walker. The family will receive friends 4-7 PM, Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Life Celebration Service for Lester will begin at 2 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be at Winter Beach Cemetery. Following the interment a reception will take place at the home of Roy Bass.Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.

RICHARD PAUL CLUKEY, SR., 81, of Vero Beach, Florida, died, February 11, 2014. He was born August 17, 1932 in Dexter, ME. Mr. Clukey was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, having served during the Korean War.

Prior to retirement, he worked for Piper Aircraft as an aeronautical engineer.

Mr . Clukey was an active member of Abiding Presence International Ministries. He also served as a
Lay Pastor for the past 30 years.

He is survived by his son, Paul Clukey of Orlando, FL; sisters, Winnie Murdock of Vero Beach and Joanne Lord of New Hampshire; brother, Michael Clukey of Venice, FL and three grandchildren, Alexis, Matthew and Joseph Clukey. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Clukey and son, Richard P. Clukey, Jr.

A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero
Beach. A graveside service will be held 9:15 a.m., Monday, February 17, 2014 at South Florida National
Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL.

Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory. www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (2/14/14)

THELMA M. COWEN, 90, died February 13, 2014 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian.
She was born in Akron, Ohio and lived in Sebastian coming from her birthplace in 1964.

During WWII she was known as Rosie the Riveter as she worked in the defense plants.

Thelma was the Owner/Operator Central Beauty and Barber Supply, Orlando, FL.

She was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Akron, Ohio and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #4062, Sebastian, FL where she was an avid bingo player.

Survivors include daughters, Carolyn Buck Turpin (Jon) of Hudsonville, MI, Catherine Buck Crim (Keary) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Christine Buck Sax (Fredrick) of Sebastian, FL; sister-in-law, Ruth Green of Akron, Ohio; grandsons, Robert Saniga, John Saniga, granddaughters, Lori Ann Walker, Jennifer Gibson and Amy Powers, grandsons, Willam Sax, Scott Crim and David Crim; 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville FL, 32256 in memory of Thelma M. Cowen. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (2/14/14)