Jerry Knight, 79, Vero Beach
Jerry Knight, 79, died Feb. 28, 2018, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. He was born in Newberry, Fla., was raised in the Vero Beach area.
Jerry and his wife, Madonna, moved from Naples, Fla., to Sebastian in 2006.
He was a US Army veteran and served in post-war Korea.
Jerry was a dealer representative for Onan Generators in Southern Florida for over 40 years.
He was a member of Riverside Church Community Church, Sebastian.
When in good health, Jerry loved fishing.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Madonna Marie Knight; daughter, Melissa Knight; sons, Kenneth E. Knight, Richard P. Knight and Gerald W. Knight; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Donny Knight; brother-in-law, Eddie Hutton; sister-in-law, Rosemary Tompkins; and aunt Carollyn “PeeWee” Sharp.
Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at his church.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Sebastian.
David J. Quinn, 63, Vero Beach
David J. Quinn, 63, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 28, 2018, at his residence. He was born April 5, 1954, in Oshkosh, Wisc.
David was a refrigeration specialist working in the A/C & Refrigeration industry.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Joseph A. Simmons, 54, Sebastian
Joseph A. Simmons, 54, of Sebastian, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. He was born to the late Doris and Joseph R. Simmons on Aug. 18, 1963, in Troy, N.Y. Joe, known to his friends in New York as “Slim/Slimmys,” moved to Sebastian in 2015.
Joe worked as a Senior Workers’ Compensation Examiner for the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board, Administrative Review Division for over 25 years and was a member of the Civil Service Employees’ Association.
He was equipment manager and light man for the entire performing career of the band, City Lights. He was a member of the Teamsters Union, working as part of the stage crew for many rock bands performing in Albany, N.Y.
Joe made many friends very quickly in Sebastian. He was known as “Joe Wheels” to those who knew him from the many concerts he attended along Indian River Drive. This is where he met his very good friend, Val.
Special thanks to his best, lifelong friend, Andy Monell and his wife, Cheryl, who always looked out for Joe and helped him with anything and everything. Joe’s fishing pole will be kept at their home on Kinderhook Lake, where they boated, floated, fished, and jet-skied.
Another huge angel in Joe’s life is Judy Eastman from Schenectady, N.Y. There aren’t enough words to accurately describe Judy’s love and caring for him.
Joe left behind his sister, Brenda and her husband, Richard; his beautiful nieces, Bridgette and Rebecca; grandnephew Jamie; and several cousins.
His family misses him greatly.
At the request of Joe and his family, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers or donations, smile, toast him, play some Rush songs, and enjoy life. All who knew him, know that’s how he liked it! Rock on Joey!
Fred Wiesinger, 95, Vero Beach
Fred Wiesinger, 95, of Vero Beach, passed away Feb. 26, 2018. He was born Oct. 28, 1922, in Schenectady, N.Y.
Fred served in the army during World War II and worked at General Electric in Schenectady until his retirement.
He was a member of the Sebastian River Art Club, and resided in Vero Beach with his fellow artist and dear friend, Marion Alcorn, for 10 years.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda (husband, Richard) Murphy, of Rexford, N.Y.; and granddaughters, Alisia, Elizabeth and Anna Marie.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn; second wife, Evelyn; and daughter, Gail.
In his memory, donations may be made to VNA Hospice Foundation of Vero Beach, 1110 35th Ln, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
John Matthew Willis, 54, Sebastian
John Matthew “Matt” Willis, 54, of Sebastian, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Micco, Fla. Matt was born in Norman, Okla., on Nov. 21, 1963, to Bill and Betty Willis.
He attended school in Bermuda and Sarasota, Fla.
He later became top salesman at 3M/Lanier in California. He then owned CMI, an office copier company, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For the past 20 years, Matt partnered with his father in commercial real estate for Cardinal Property Management and Phoenix Properties.
Matt was a guy who was full of life. All he ever wanted to do was to make people laugh and smile. He was spontaneous and adventurous and had that zest for life that is hard to find. His favorite thing was to spend time with his family and friends; whether it was on the boat tubing or fishing, enjoying sporting events, golfing, surfing, biking, skiing, go carting, waterparks and many other numerous activities.
He will be dearly missed by everyone that knew him.
Matt is survived by his children, Madison, Kendall, Sophia and Matthew Jr.; his step-children, Andrew and Taylor Morrison; his mother, Betty Ash, and her husband, Wayne Ash; his father, Bill Willis, and his wife, Linda Willis; his brother, Paul Willis; and step-brothers, Kerry and Mike Hill.
A visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, at the Strunk Funeral Home located at 916 17th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. Services will follow at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 5.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
