Obituaries: May 27, 2014

FANNIE YOUNG MURRAY, 84, of Vero Beach passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. She was born in Watertown, New York to John and Ruby Young. In 1957, Fannie and her husband Jack moved to Vero Beach from Mayodan, North Carolina. Fannie was a Registered Nurse and the first Hospice Nurse with the VNA. She also worked for IRMH, Vero Home Care and TriCo during her nursing career. Fannie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also an avid gardener, talented artist, and expert seamstress. She and Jack worked together to design and build their homesteads. They shared a love for the North Carolina mountains and looked forward to spending time together at their retreat in High Rock, NC. She was a Charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Vero. www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/27/14)

Survivors include her daughters Maribeth Stough (Terry) of Vero Beach, Nancy DeMarco of Avon Park and Tabitha Johnston (Lon) of Vero Beach, granddaughter Melissa Albright (Dave) of Strasburg, Pennsylvania and their children Dawson, Gracie, Sydney and Madelyn, granddaughter Katherine Wolf (Tim) of Vero Beach and their children Jackson and Ella, granddaughter Stacey Westerberg (Chad) of Vero Beach and their children Carl and Evelyn, brothers Walter Young of Powhatan, Virginia and John Young of Potomac, Maryland, sisters Juanita Spires of Miami and June Washburn of Vero Beach, and Fannie’s charming dog Chloe. Fannie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Jack Daniel Murray. Also, a brother William Young.

Memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. The family will receive friends 2:30-3:30 PM, Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Her Life Celebration Service will begin at 3:30 PM at the funeral home, followed by a reception at The Plaza. Interment will then take place at 6 PM at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach.

GEORGE HARVEY RUDING, JR., 73, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at the VNA Hospice House. George was born in Neptune, New Jersey and moved to Vero Beach in 1968 from the Jersey Shore. George was a graduate of Asbury Park High School and had attended Penn State University before graduating from Monmouth University. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the US Army.

George began his career in New York City in 1966 working with Merrill Lynch and EF Hutton before joining Raymond James which he retired from as the office manager. As an avid golfer, he had been a member of the Deal Country Club in New Jersey, John’s Island Golf Club, Vero Beach Country Club and Quail Valley. George was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach and the Bobby’s Lunch Group.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years Linda Ruding, son George “Tripp” Harvey Ruding, III and his wife Rebecca of Fort Myers, sister Judy Polonofsky of Upper Montclair, New Jersey and his beloved cats Harley and Phoebie. He is also survived by his extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1750 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. A Life Celebration for George will begin at 2 PM, Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/27/14)

FRANK P. SMIAROWSKI, 59, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Frank was born in Yonkers, New York and moved to Vero Beach 25 years ago from his place of birth. For the past fifteen years Frank had worked at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and was currently the Airport Operations Specialist Lead. Recently, as the result of his efforts and those of his colleagues, the airport was recently recognized for its excellent rating and awarded the Blue Light Award. Frank enjoyed his work and he loved his family, but his Honda motorcycle ran a tight second behind them. A passionate New Yorker, Frank maintained an extensive 911 memorabilia collection and a love of the American Eagle.

Survivors include wife Debbie Neider Jones of Vero Beach, sons and daughter-in-laws Scott Smiarowski (Vickey) of Sebastian and Chris Smiarowski (Lisa) of Vero Beach, daughter and son-in-law Nicole Jared (Corey) of Vero Beach, mother Doris Smiarowski of Palm Coast, brothers Robert Smiarowski of Poughkeepsie, New York and James Smiarowski of Palm Coast, and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Frank Smiarowski, Sr., a brother Mark Smiarowski and a granddaughter Tiffany Smiarowski .

Memorial contributions may be made to March Of Dimes, 800 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982 or American Diabetes Association, 1101 N Lake Destiny Rd # 415, Maitland, FL 32751. The family will receive friends 1-3 PM, Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the Strunk Funeral Home with a memorial service celebrating his life will begin at 3 PM. www.strunkfuneralhome.com. (5/27/14)