Obituaries: March 31, 2014

OANN S. BERRY, 79, of Vero Beach, Florida, died Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at VNA Hospice House with her loving family at her side. She was born December 30, 1934 in Frostproof, FL and had been a resident of the Treasure Coast for 20 years. Joann worked 25 years for 7-Eleven convenience stores and retired as store manager. She was an animal lover and enjoyed crafts. She especially liked to crochet blankets and caps for babies.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen L. Morris; son, Timothy Case, both of Vero Beach; brothers, Billy (Edna) Stewart of Cocoa Beach and Donald (Emily) Stewart of Georgia; grandchildren, Mallory Case, Shawn Wolfe and Jennifer Wolfe all of Vero Beach.

At the request of the family, services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (3/31/14)

JUDITY ANN CARTER, 63, of Vero Beach, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2014 at her home. She was born on July 26, 1950 in Jacksonville, FL, and lived in Vero Beach for 40 years, coming from Jacksonville. Prior to the illness she was a Legal assistant for 5 years for John Moore Attorney.

She is survived by her husband, of 40 years, Burney Carter of Vero Beach, FL; sons, Marshall of Chicago, IL, Nathan Carter of Ft. Mitchell, KY and Jack Carter of Tallahassee, FL; daughter, Lauren Carter of Denver, CO; and sister, Carolyn Bolick of Jacksonville, FL.

A Celebration of life will be held at the First Church of God in Vero Beach at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Foundation 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the First Church of God 1105 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32966. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. Online condolences may be sent to www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (3/31/14)

ROSE DALESSIO passed away on March 28 , 2014 at Harbor Chase of Vero Beach. Born in 1924, to Agnes and Giachino Cannella, in New York City where she grew up with her late sister, Vivian. While attending Julia Richmond H. S.,she participated in a Cooperative Job Program which gave her the opportunity to work at Macy’s on 34th Street. After high school, she worked at the Lexington School for the Deaf.

After marrying her late husband of 55 years, Anthony Dalessio, and staying home with her daughter, Rose returned to work for Planter’s Peanuts followed by the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. She then started her progressive career with Canada Dry for 16 years and retired as an Executive Secretary at their HQ in Manhattan.

After retiring, Rose and her husband traveled extensively throughout the USA and wintered in Florida until 1994, when they moved to Vero Beach. Over the years, she volunteered at the Arthritis Foundation, the VNA, the Vero Beach Museum and the Riverside Theatre. She was a member of the Holy Cross Women’s Guild and was very active for years with the Holy Cross Handcrafters, where she did beautiful embroidery and needlework projects. Rose was a loving mother and best friend to her daughter Carol Tromba of Vero Beach, and thought of her son-in-law, Tony Tromba as a son. Her family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Mandina; the Nurses and Care Managers who treated Rose with compassion and care above and beyond; and to the VNA/Hospice who helped make her final months comfortable.

The family will receive friends from 2-6PM on Sunday, March 30 , 2014 at Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a prayer service at 5:30PM. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Monday, March 31, 2014 at Holy Cross Church. Interment will be at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)

JOSEPH EDWARD GALARDI, 86, died March 27, 2014 at Indian River Medical center in Vero Beach, FL. He was born in Mason, Michigan and lived in Vero Beach and Sebastian since 1978 coming from Utica, Michigan. Mr. Galardi was a Marine Corps veteran. He was employed by Velde Ford for more than 30 Years, most recently as Sales Manager. He was a former member of the Elks in Michigan.
Survivors include wife Sharon Galardi of Sebastian, and survived by the following children and step children: son Mark Galardi of Walled Lake, Michigan, daughters Sheila Galardi-Hodge of Fenton, Michigan, Patricia Cormier (Edward) of Tucson, Arizona, Mari Modesto (Anthony) of Billerica, Massachusetts, Karen Jensen Foran (William) of Pembroke Pines, FL, Janet Jensen Meyer (Jeff) of Vero Beach and Susan Pamela Killingsworth (Kirk) of Missouri City, Texas, Mark (Paula) Mills, Kevin (Sharon) Mills, Ted (Jennifer) Mills, and Kelly (Eric) Kinder from Michigan, twenty Grandchildren, three Great Grandsons and three sisters, Mary, Irene and Georgina.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 or the American Cancer Society, 3375 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 in memory of Joseph E. Galardi. A gathering of family and friends will be held 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday April, 5, 2014 with a brief service at 5:00 PM at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL.http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)

HOYT M. HOWARD JR., 66, of Vero Beach, died March 26, 2014 at his home in Vero Beach. He was born in Vero Beach, FL and has been a lifetime resident of Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Hoyt was a graduate of Vero Beach High School, Class of 1965. He worked for Egan Groves, Ft. Pierce for 27 years and later for Pantuso, Inc. for 12 years.

Survivors include wife of 45 years, Pamela Howard of Vero Beach; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Hawkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Amanda (Bryan) Divita of Atlanta, Georgia and Meredith(Trevor) Krensle of Littleton, Colorado; mother, Ann Sahina Howard of Vero Beach; brothers, David (Adele) Howard of Vero Beach, James (Kim) Howard of Sebastian and Tom (Katherine) Howard of Sebastian; sisters, Debbie Howard Dobeck of Vero Beach and Karen Howard Mansfield of Vero Beach and grandchildren, MJ Hawkins, Isabella and Willa Divita and Chloe Krensle. Hoyt was preceded in death by his father, Hoyt M. Howard, Sr.

Memorial contributions may be made to Indian River State College Foundation-Agriculture Scholarship Fund, 3209 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce, FL 34981 in memory of Hoyt M. Howard, Jr. There will be a gathering for family and friends from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, March 30, 2014 Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)

BEULAH JANE JOURNEY passed away Saturday, March 29, 2014 at her home in Harbor Chase, Vero Beach, Florida. Born in 1917 in Missouri, the daughter of James A and Jessie Park, She attended Central Missouri State College. She married Kelso Journey in 1936 and they enjoyed 66 years of life together. During WWII, the family was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Vero Beach for 2 years. Their twin daughters were born in Ft. Pierce during that time.
Jane worked several different jobs while her husband finished law school but spent the rest of her life looking after her family and their farm. She was a loving mother, a wonderful seamstress, and a great gardener. Her home was always a gathering spot for friends as well as family.

Jane is survived by 4 children: Sandra (Randy) of Vero Beach,Sharen Pate, Clinton, MO, Karen Smith, Raytown, MO, and James K. Journey (Rachelle), Clinton, MO. She enjoyed nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Staff of Harbor Chase, and her long time caregivers: Janet (Hazel) Carson, Norma Washington, Debbie Crooks & Dana Wilson, who treated her like their own family; and to VNA Hospice who made her final months comfortable.

Strunk Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held in Clinton Missouri, April 6, 2014, 2 pm at the Bradley Hadley Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Carpenter Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Vero Beach 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)

JUDY MORGAN, 76, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 27, 2014 surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her seven children, Charlie Schmidt, Cheryl Cooper, Janet Cobb, Jill Kimbrough, Richard Schmidt, Judy Moore and Tommy Schmidt all of Vero Beach; step-children, Rodney Morgan, Noreen Henty, Candice Marconi, Theresa Kidd all of New York, Andy Morgan and Monica Morgan both of Lakeland, FL; 28 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and sister, Penny Saxton. She was predeceased by her husband, Herb Morgan and her parents.

Judy was a simple lady of faith filled with gratitude & sincerity for her family. Judy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a homemaker her entire life holding many “titles” such as: Home Room Mother, Den Mother, School Volunteer, Lunch Packer, Homework Helper, Seamstress, Cook, Rule Maker and Referee to sibling disagreements.

Judy devoted her entire life to her family, which to her, was her biggest achievement in life. The blessings and richness she felt when her family surrounded her with love and laughter made her days complete. Judy leaves her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with the knowledge that they were truly loved.

A gathering of family and friends will be held 5-7pm, Monday, March 31 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 7pm.www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (3/31/14)

BERTHA R. OGLETHORPE, 96, died on March 24, 2014 at Grace Rehabilitation Center in Vero Beach. She was born in Scottdale, Pennsylvania as one of eleven siblings and lived in Vero Beach for 14 years after moving from Tucson, Arizona where she had lived previously for 33 years. Bertha was an avid duplicate bridge player and major league baseball fan.

Survivors include her sons Raymond J. Oglethorpe, Jr. of Vero Beach, FL and Terry L. Oglethorpe of Cleveland, North Carolina and their children, David L. Oglethorpe, Jennifer L. Oglethorpe, Tracey L. Oglethorpe, Katherine E. Toole, and Kimberly A. Oglethorpe. She had four great grandchildren, Harper Q. Oglethorpe, Kailee A. Webster, Raymond W. Toole, and Davis B. Toole. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years who served in WWII and Korea, Raymond J. Oglethorpe. Memorial contributions may be made to The Learning Alliance, PO Box 643446, Vero Beach, FL 32964 or Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090. Internment will be at South Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona at a later date. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)

JOSEPH A. OKAILY, 41, of Vero Beach, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2014 at VNA Hospice House. Joseph was born in Philadelphia, PA. He moved to Vero Beach 10 months ago from West Palm Beach, FL, where he enjoyed working as a salesperson at Walgreens. He is survived by his parent’s, Okaily A.M. and Lois Okaily; brother, Lawrence Okaily and numerous aunts and uncles. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. The family request that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3709 W. Jetton Ave., Tampa, FL 33629. Please share online condolences at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (3/31/14)

COLONEL HOWARD W. ROTH, JR., USA, Retired, 76, passed away on March 28th at Treasure Coast Hospice in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He was born on March 19, 1938 in New York City to Howard and Mary (Russell) Roth. He was a career military officer and government contracts expert who loved his family, the great outdoors, the sea, and especially sailing and boating. Howard grew up in Elbridge, New York. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse in 1956. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, with a degree in History in 1960 and was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an Army Second Lieutenant Infantry officer.

Howard had a distinguished 24 year military career. Following infantry officer and airborne parachute training, he served in Germany during the Berlin crisis with the 3rd Infantry Division. He transferred to the Ordnance officer branch, was promoted to Captain, and commanded a company of soldiers in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership accomplishments, to include actions following an aircraft crash. After service in Vietnam, Howard worked on the program to upgrade the M16 rifle at the Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) in Michigan and was promoted to Major. He then earned a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Detroit and served on the general staff of the Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Howard attended the Army Command and General Staff College and graduated in 1972. A year later he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1975 he studied French at the Defense Foreign Language Institute in Monterey, California. He returned to Europe and directed the upgrades to the Army main battle tank on the Czech border and commanded a battalion of 1,000 soldiers in Stuttgart, Germany. In 1980 he received an advanced degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington DC. Howard then joined the Department of the Army General Staff at the Pentagon. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and was selected to serve as program manager to develop large military vehicles and trucks at TACOM. These are used to this day by the Army’s soldiers around the world.

After successfully developing the Army’s new heavy trucks for use by the Army, Howard retired in 1984. His medals and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Joint Services Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Army General Staff Badge as well as an award from the Republic of Vietnam. Following Army retirement, Howard began work for Lockheed Martin as a program and contracts manager in Orlando, Florida. He retired in 1996 after 12 years. He worked on construction and service contracts to include construction of new rocket manufacturing facilities.

Howard married Nancy in 1982 in a beautiful chapel in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. They were happily married ever since. Howard was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. He loved the great outdoors, and especially boats and sailing. Howard and Nancy lived on a beautiful sailboat and later a cruiser traveling the intercostal waterway from the Chesapeake Bay to Key West and the Bahamas.

Survivors include his wife Nancy Roth of North Hutchison Island, sons Howard W. Roth III and Jill of Seattle, Washington and Christopher J. Roth and Angel Entwistle of Vashon, Washington, daughters Laura Griffith and husband, Russell of Fairfield, Connecticut, Helen Bassell and husband, Gary of Atlanta, Georgia and Karen Harman and husband, Chuck of Portland, Oregon, brothers Richard Roth, Kenneth Roth, Vincent Roth and Peter Roth, sisters Mary Lou Bradley and Colleen Pucko, grandchildren Mary Roth, Bill Roth, Robert Roth, Sarah Griffith, Emily Griffith, Brandon Bassell, Julia Bassell and Rose Harman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Rd #300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or St. Lucie Hospice House c/o Treasure Coast Hospice 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997. Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM, Monday April 7, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach followed by a reception at The Plaza Reception Center, 884 17th St, Vero Beach, FL.http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/31/14)