Obituaries: May 22, 1014

JERRY LEE HAMMER, 76, of Fellsmere, Florida passed away Monday, May 19, 2014 at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida. Jerry was born in Crooksville, Ohio and moved to Fellsmere in 1986 from Louisa, Kentucky. After graduating from high school in Ohio, Jerry joined the US Army before beginning his career as a mechanic. His craft led him to work as a mechanic for Mid-Florida Farms before his retirement. Known as “The Nicest Guy In Fellsmere”, Jerry was a member of the VFW of Sebastian, Italian American Club of Sebastian and the Indian River Airboat Association.

Survivors include his wife Jenny Spears Hammer of Vero Beach, Florida, sons Jerry Hammer and his partner Karin Amditis, Jason Hammer, and his partner Amie, of Vero Beach, daughters Shannon Lee Rooney of Lehigh Acres, Vickie Covert and her husband Darrell of Rushville, Ohio, Jennifer Hammer and her husband Glynn Young of Fellsmere and Teresa Walker of Vero Beach, sister Nancy Finlaw and her husband Dave of Micco, brother Jim Hammer and his wife Roberta of Sandusky, Ohio, grandchildren Jessica, Johnathon, Jerika, Jillian, Rachael, Daliah and Camille of Fellsmere and Vero Beach, and ten great-grandchildren. Jerry was proceeded in death by his parents Sam and Ruth Hammer and a brother Sam and sister Debbie, also a granddaughter Stephanie Gaddis.

A private memorial service commemorating Jerry’s life will be celebrated at a later date.www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/22/14)

WILLIAM C. (BILL) HEPFER passed away on May 18, 2014 after a short but fierce battle with cancer. Bill was born to the late Harold and Anne Hepfer on March 13, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA.   Bill began his twenty years of service to The United States Air Force in August of 1954. While he traveled the world during his military service, his favorite station overseas was in Japan, where he met and married the love of his life Janice Brenner Hepfer (Fred).   Bill retired from The United States Air Force in August of 1974 after twenty dedicated years, with his final station being at The Pentagon.

Later in 1974, Bill, Janice and their two children moved to Vero Beach. It is here where Bill began his second career of twenty years with the Vero Beach Police Department, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. Bill was known to be professional, compassionate and honest with all those he came in contact with. No one was ever a “stranger” for long after meeting Bill.   Bill was a devoted husband, partner and friend with his family being the most important part of his life. Bill was an avid golfer, gardening partner, and lover of all things outdoors.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of forty-six years, Janice; daughter Lynn H. (Kris) Smith; son Mark R. (Jennifer) Hepfer; four grandchildren, Josh, Logan, Katie and Alan as well as his brothers, sisters and numerous friends.   A Memorial Service will be held at The Veterans Memorial Island Park at 2pm Saturday, May 31st, followed by a celebration of Bill’s life at The Bethel Creek House.   In Lieu of flowers, contributions as a memorial may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association of The Treasure Coast 1150 35th Lane #1 Vero Beach, Fl. 32960. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/22/14)

PAUL HAIG NORAIR, JR., 53, of Vero Beach, FL passed away suddenly on May 18, 2014 at Indian River Medical Center. He was born February 13, 1961 in Washington, DC and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 23 years, coming from Cape Cod, MA.Paul enjoyed boating, golfing, and of course, riding his Harley.

Paul is survived by his wife of 10 years, Diane Norair; daughters, Brittany Norair, and Amber Small; son, Josh Vermeulen; The Beard Family from Vero Beach and The Munsey family from Cape Cod. He was pre-deceased by his parents when he was very young, and although he has left his family behind, he has been reunited with his parents in Heaven.

A gathering will be held from 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm, Thursday, May 22, 2014 with a Memorial Service to begin at 6:00 pm at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach.

Paul had always been an animal lover and in his memory, his family request in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, 6230 77th St, Vero Beach, FL 32967.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory 1950 20th Street Vero Beach, FL. For online condolences please visit http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (5/22/14)

CLYDE L. PARKIS, 70, of Vero Beach FL, died May 18 in Vero Beach at the VNA Hospice House. Clyde gave 38 years of service to US veterans and the Veterans Health Administration. He retired from the US Navy Reserves as a Commander.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynn, his sister Margaret Schneck, his son Larry (wife Heather and daughter Raven), son Chris (wife Amy), honorary son Brian Grogan, nieces Lisa and Amanda, and nephews Brad and Rick. Clyde is predeceased by his father Clyde Lawrence Sr., Mother Evelyn O’Neil Parkis McGurn, and brothers Earl and Patrick.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park CA 94026, brainsupportnetwork.org. With their assistance, Clyde has donated his brain to the Mayo Clinic for the study of Parkinson’s-related diseases like the Corticobasil Degeneration he was diagnosed with.

Clyde will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be posted to the website at a later time.. A guestbook is available at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (5/22/14)

MARYLOU PROCTOR, 80, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Monday, May 19, 2014 at her home with her daughter at her bedside. MaryLou was born in Taunton, Massachusetts and was the daughter of the late John D. and Marion E. (nee Ives) Mallon.

After working for the Federal Aviation Administration for years, MaryLou was one of only three women selected from a larger group as the first women to qualify and work as air traffic controllers at the Miami Air Traffic Center. When she retired from Miami ATC Center, she landed on the Treasure Coast, living in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce before finally settling in Vero Beach.

MaryLou had been a frequent visitor and sometimes resident of her beloved Ireland, the country of her family. She was a member of the Port St.Lucie Crazy Quilters and Laura’s Sewing Group in Port St. Lucie. MaryLou was an expert seamstress. She began sewing clothing in her late teens, and then later progressed into learning Martha Pullen Heirloom Sewing techniques. But it was when she first discovered machine embroidery and digitizing that she found her niche. MaryLou became a local expert on machine embroidery, design and digitizing using the Brother Machines. She not only exhibited her work in shows where she won many awards, but she also began teaching machine embroidery classes locally in Vero and Port St Lucie. Many of her students went on to exhibit and win awards for work learned at MaryLou’s classes. Through her sewing and her classes MaryLou built up a large group of friends and former students who will miss her dearly.

Survivors include daughter Cynthia Sinead MacLochlainn of Vero Beach and Doire, Ireland, grandson Daniel E. MacLochlainn of Doire, Ireland and great-granddaughter Molly McManus of Doire, Ireland. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Otis Proctor.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 N Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325 or VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. The family will receive friends 1-3 PM, Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Life Celebration Service for Mary Lou will follow the visitation and begin at 3 PM at the funeral home with Rev. John Kerry of Asbury United Methodist Church, Vero Beach officiating. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/22/14)