Feb. 24: Obituaries

LYDA BETTY DEAN died at Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL after a short battle with illness. She was the widow of Donald Dean and the mother of six children: Mike, Mark, Phil, Scott, Todd and Melissa. She has sixteen grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Her home was in New Castle until the time of her retirement from Telephone Company and moving to Florida. While in New Castle, she was a member of Highland United Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be arranged at Arlington National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, Donald Jacob Dean, a Korean War Veteran. Strunk Funeral Home (2/24/15)

PAUL J. FEMMEL, 94, died February 21, 2015 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach.Paul was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Vero Beach for 33 years coming from East Rockaway, New York. He was a United States Navy veteran having served during World War II. Paul retired from the New York City Fire Department as Batallion Chief in 1979 after 30 years of service.He was a member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach, FL

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Arline Femmel of Vero Beach; son, Paul Femmel of Danbury, CT; daughters, Lisa Messineo and her husband Joe of Spencer, WV and Thea Femmel of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Christopher and his wife Karina, Rachel, Jason, Ethan and Arline and great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Katya and Kira.Paul was preceded in death by his grandson, Patrick Warner and brothers, Edward Femmel and Henry Femmel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach.Interment with Military Honors will follow in South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL at 2:15 p.m. Strunk Funeral Home (2/24/15)

WILLIAM H. MCCLURE, JR., 63, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Bill was born November 6, 1951 in Dyersburg, Tennessee son of William H. McClure, Sr., and Glenn B. McClure. Bill graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1969. He attended Georgia Tech University and Indian River State College. Bill worked for Cox, Gifford, Baldwin Funeral Home and for the Indian River Sheriff’s Department for more than 10 years. After his retirement, Bill enjoyed walking his dog Chrissy, and talking with the neighbors.

Bill is predeceased by his mother, Glenn B. McClure. He is survived by his father, William H. McClure, Sr., his sister, Suzanne McClure Wilk (Robert), two uncles, Major James H. McClure of Dyersburg, TN and Dr. Jere P. McClure of Littleton, CO. He is also survived by close friends, Bill and Martha Kulp of Vero Beach. At Bill’s request, no services will be held. Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home (2/14/15)

BRUCE K. FISHER, 83, of Indian River Shores passed away peacefully at home on February 21, 2015, surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness. He was born August 18, 1931 in Bridgeton, New Jersey, son of the late Nathan Fisher and the late Jessie Fisher. Mr. Fisher was a graduate of Staunton Military Academy in Virginia and received a B.S. degree from the University of Alabama. He was a Korean War Veteran, having served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. During his lifetime he devoted twenty-two years of pro bono public service in many roles including Board of Education member in Cumberland County NJ, Chairman of the Indian River Shores Planning, Zoning, and Variance Board for thirteen years until March 2002, and as the first Chairman of the Indian River County Citizens Advisory Board. Mr. Fisher was a mason and a founding member of Brotherhood Chapter 292 in Vineland, New Jersey. He was the owner of several successful businesses in Miami and retired as a stockbroker in 1984. He became a Florida resident in 1969, having lived in Coral Gables and South Miami prior to relocating to Indian River Shores in 1986. Mr. Fisher was an avid fisherman, boater, tennis player, and a certified scuba diver. He delighted in traveling the world with his cherished wife and was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years Jennie, three loving daughters, Susan Fisher of New York, Sally Hays of Sebastian, and Nanci Robinson (Robbie) also of Sebastian, three grandsons, Nicholas, Matthew, and Thomas, brother Allen Fisher of West Palm Beach, and nephews Gregg, Michael, David, and Andrew. He was predeceased by his parents Nathan and Jessie, and sister Carol Balin of Fort Lauderdale.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from 1:30pm-2pm at Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce, FL. A Graveside service will follow at 2:00pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, FL. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Aycock Funeral Home (2/24/15)

MADELINE MCGOWAN passed away on February 21 , after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born, along with her twin sister Mary, in Broooklyn on April 22, 1925, Madeline lost her father as a young child. She grew up in Flatbush, attending Catholic schools, and graduating from St. Joseph’s College in 1946 with a degree in mathematics. Childhood summers were spent in Bayhead on the Jersey shore. In 1941, she met Bill McGowan. The pair corresponded during Bill’s military service in World War II, and were married in 1948. Madeline worked for the Grumman Aircraft Corporation and the Equitable Insurance Company until the birth, in 1949, Barbara the first of her seven children (five girls and two boys. The family lived in Malverne and Hampton Bays (during the summers) on Long Island. The early death of her twin sister in 1960 was the great sorrow of her life, just as her husband and children were its great joy.

In 1981 Bill and Madeline moved with their daughter Kathy and Madeline’s mother, Edith Bainton Martin, to Vero Beach to be near the Dodgers and the ocean. Her husband Bill passed away in 1987. Madeline was an avid reader, a good bridge player, a Scrabble whiz, and was an active volunteer in the local community. Once diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she fought the disease with courage and grace during twelve hard years that also had their moments of joy.

She is survived by seven children, Barbara McGowan, Patricia McGowan, John McGowan, Kevin McGowan, Mary McGowan, Jane McGowan, and Kathleen McGowan, and by seven grandchildren. The funeral services will be held in St. Helen’s Church in Vero Beach on February 27th at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (www.pdf.org) would be appreciated. Strunk Funeral Home (2/24/15)

HERBERT “SONNY” URIAH SANDS II, 51, died February 21, 2015 at his residence in Micco, FL. He was a lifelong resident of Indian River County. Sonny worked for Oyster Bay Resort for 16 years as their Dock Master.He was an member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sebastian, FL where he was an Officer since 2002 and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, #1767, Sebastian, FL.

Survivors include companion of 13 1/2 years, Cindy Weirich of Micco, FL; sisters, Frances Padgett of Georgia, Velma Vaughn of Sebastian, FL and Carol Griffin of Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 1:30 – 2:30 PM PM on Friday, February 27, 2015 at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 PM in the funeral home chapel with Reverend David Duncan Davis Sr., River of Life Church of God, officiating. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Winter Beach Cemetery, Winter Beach, FL. Strunk Funeral Home (2/24/15)

ALLEN WATTERS, JR., 68, died February 20, 2015 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Allen was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and soon after was adopted by his parents, Dr. D.A. Watters, Sr, and Mary Stanaland, of Vero Beach. A life-long resident of Vero Beach, he attended Vero Beach High School, graduating in 1964. He subsequently earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Embry-Riddle University in Dayton Beach, Florida. Following college graduation, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army and saw action in Vietnam.

After returning to Vero Beach, he attended Flight Safety Academy where he trained as a commercial pilot, earning his instrument rating for single and multi-engine airplanes and status as a flight instructor. In 1971, he and Dianne Abrams were married, and in 1978 their only son, D. Allen Watters III was born. Allen Jr., was a devoted and loving father and husband.

Allen donated his time to the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a leader for his son’s pack and troop; during his time as a scout volunteer, he proudly supported his son’s efforts in achieving Eagle Scout. After 30 years of service as an Environmental Inspector, he retired in 2009 from the Indian River County Health Department. In his retirement, he enjoyed camping, traveling, watching any kind of Florida Gator sports, taking naps, photography, nature, animals, visiting his son, reading and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Dianne Watters of Vero Beach, FL; son D. Allen Watters, III (Stephen Szutenbach) of Orlando, FL; mother-in-law, Mary Abrams of Vero Beach, FL; cousin Chuck Schmeer (Denise); cousin Beth Stanaland (Bill); cousin Mary Jane Tippett (Henry); and numerous members of his extended family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Ste 104, Washington, DC 20037, or American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284 in memory of D. Allen Watters, Jr. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. Strunk Funeral Home (2/24/15)

EDWARD G. ZERBE, 90, of Vero Beach, passed away February 19, 2015. He was born January 30, 1925 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Mr. Zerbe was a United States Navy veteran of WWII. He had worked with Piper Aircraft, and Hammermill Paper Corp., both of Lock Haven and finally with Piper Aircraft, Vero Beach. Mr. Zerbe was with Piper for approx. 50 years. He had attended the Methodist Church, Lock Haven. Mr. Zerbe organized and built the Little League Baseball Field in Woolrich, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Orma L. Zerbe; daughters, Bonnie Zerbe of Vero Beach and Debra K. (John) Romano of Sebastian, FL, granddaughters, Sarah K. Romano of Sebastian, Jennifer L. Romano of Sebastian and Laural Zerbe of Lock Haven; great-granddaughter, Olivia Schreckengast of Lock Haven; loved and devoted daughter-in law, Rebecca Zerbe of Lock Haven. Mr. Zerbe was predeceased by his grandson, Steven Michal Zerbe of Vero Beach; son, Robert Guy Zerbe of Lock Haven; sister, Margaret Bowes of Lock Haven; brother, Arthur Zerbe of Lock Haven; father, James Zerbe Sr. of Lock Haven; brother, James Zerbe Jr. of Vero Beach; and his mother, Hazel Lynn of Lock Haven. The family will greet friends beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 27th, at the Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, with a service to follow at 6 p.m. Thomas J. Lowther Funeral Home (2/24/15)