Obituaries: February 24, 2014

FRANK RICHARD BURDICK, 76 lost his long battle with Alzheimer’s on Friday, February 21, 2014. Frank was born in Vero Beach and moved with his parents to Miami at the age of four. He attended the University of Miami and Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL majoring in Agriculture and Business. He proudly served in the US Marine Corp.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (Bobbi) of 56 years, daughter Kim Burdick Whitehurst and husband Joe, daughter Lisa Burdick Grey and husband Bob, and daughter Ginny Burdick Hunter. He has two grandchildren, Ron Michael Matheny and Katie Marie Hunter. He has one sister Donna Sue Brudick Mosley living in Miami. Frank was an avid outdoorsman! He loved hunting, fishing, diving and being on the water in his boat. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. Any contributions should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (2/24/14)

STEPHEN JOSEPH GROCHMAL, “Stefan”, age 75, passed away suddenly while asleep in his Vero Beach home on February 15th. He was born at home on August 9, 1938 in Chicopee, MA and was of the Catholic faith. Steve proudly worked as a time study engineer and in the safety and security department at Smith & Wesson for more than 35 years before retiring to Florida. He was an avid gardener and gave away more produce to friends than he kept for himself. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and hiking in his younger days. He had a love for history and his Polish heritage. Stephen was a huge sports fan, but was particularly fond of the Boston Red Sox, from Yaz and Petrocelli to Big Papi. He loved music, even more than sports, and shared this passion with all who knew him. His smile was ever present, especially when in the company of his five grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Lisa Lariviere and (Sam) of Oak Ridge, TN and his son, Stephen J. Grochmal, III and (Carol) of Harrisburg, NC. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Corinne M. Lariviere, Kathryn R. Lariviere, and Samuel Joseph Lariviere (all of Oak Ridge, TN), as well as Matthew Stephen Grochmal and Daniel Joseph Grochmal (both of Harrisburg, NC).

Stephen also leaves his high school sweetheart, Constance M. Fagnant. They graduated from Chicopee High School and married on July 4, 1960 at St. Anne’s in Chicopee. They made their home in Granby, Massachusetts for 22 years, but later divorced.

Stephen leaves a brother, John Grochmal and (Jutta) of Ludlow, MA, a stepsister, Annette Suski of Monson, MA and a stepsister, Eileen Martin and (Edward) of Chandler, AZ. Steve spoke frequently and fondly about his aunt, Trudy Howle from Grand Prairie, TX, his cousins, Jim and (Marian) Grochmal of Wilbraham, MA and Joseph and (Shirley) Grochmal of Chicopee, MA and his nephew, Andrew Caponi of Granby, MA. He also leaves his godson, Colonel Michael Fagnant of Arlington, VA. and was very proud of Michael’s service. Additionally, Steve leaves behind a host of friends he helped throughout his lifetime.

Stephen was predeceased by his parents Anita Verdin Suski of Ludlow, MA and Stephen Joseph Grochmal, Sr. of Chicopee, MA; an infant son, Michael Stephen Grochmal, and sister, Evelyn Caponi, (both formally of Granby, MA.) A memorial service will take place in Granby, MA at a later date. We thank all of those who have helped our dad throughout the years and kindly ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Jimmy Fund at JimmyFund.org http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (2/24/14)

JOAN W. KIRKLAND, 76, died February 22, 2014 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian. Mrs. Kirkland was born in Madison, Florida and was life time resident of Vero Beach.

Survivors include her sons, Clayton Kirkland of Roseland and Eric Kirkland of Vero Beach; daughters, Louise Leggett of Wabasso, Joy C. Holland of Neosho, MO, Barbara Friend of Hardy, AR, Vickie Rainbolt of St. Joe, AR and Frances Ruiz of Vero Beach, 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great- grandchildren. Mrs. Kirkland was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Kirkland and daughter, Glenda Thorton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 in memory of Joan W. Kirkland. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Strunk Funeral Home with Rev. Eldon L. Ash, Sebastian Church of God officiating. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (2/24/14)

LELAND MYER KLINETROBE   died at Hospice House of Vero Beach, Florida, on February 21, 2014. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 19, 1929, to Ruth Klinetobe Schmitt and Ted Klinetobe.   He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sally Schmitt Klinetobe; four children, Michael Klinetobe and his wife, Helen of Clemmons, NC; Laurie Crowe and her husband Greg of Rutherfordton, NC; Dan Klinetobe of Brea, CA; and Carol Baker and her husbnd, Ted of Morristown, TN. He had eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.   He served in the army for four years before studying political science at the University of Washington in Seattle. Most of Mr. Klinetobe’s business career was in textiles. He became president of Hanes Knitwear in 1978. He was president and finally owner of Stedman in Asheboro, NC, and then CEO of Pannill Knitting of Martinsville, VA.   He and his wife moved to Vero Beach in 1988 where he became involved in the community on the board of the Environmental Learning Center. He was elected to the board of Indian River Medical Center in 1996, and he became chairman in 2002. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Lee’s McRae College in Banner Elk, NC. Mr. Klinetobe also served on the board of the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic minister.   There will be a private family service at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons, NC.   http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (2/24/14)

JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER SOUZA, 93 of Vero Beach, FL passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014 at VNA Hospice House. Joseph was born in Sommervile, MA. He been a resident of Vero Beach for 6 years coming from Yarmouth, ME. Joseph, proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII. He was of the Catholic faith and worked for Johnson & Johnson Baby Products for 10 Years. He is survived by 2 sons; Robert Souza of Durham, ME and Richard Souza of Kennebunk, ME , 2 daughters; Penny Fifield of Biddeford, ME and Janet Kohl of Goose Rocks Beach, ME, sister, Mary Portais as well as 8 Grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. No services are planned at this time. The family suggest that memorials be made to VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (2/24/14)