In Memory: April 12

From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory

Michael Joseph Rooth, 24, Vero Beach

October 06, 1996 – April 06, 2021

Michael Joseph Rooth, age 24, passed away at Lawnwood Regional, Vero Beach.

He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Melody and Joseph Rooth and moved to Vero Beach from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 2016.

He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was a Sheet Metal Apprentice at Piper Aircraft, Inc in Vero Beach.

Michael enjoyed music. He loved animals and enjoyed working on cars. Michael was adventurous. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling to snowboard as well as riding BMX Bikes.

Survivors include mother, Melody Rooth; father, Joseph Rooth; sister, Brittni Sanders; niece, Gianna Sanders; and Teagan Padelford whom he was about to embark on a new life together with.

He was predeceased by grandmothers, Dorothy King and Anna Rooth; and grandfather, Joseph E. Rooth.

A Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory. A Funeral Mass will be held at Noon on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue, 710 Jackson Street, Sebastian, FL 32958.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Alma Leah Carney, 94, Vero Beach

November 25, 1926 – April 8, 2021

Mrs. Alma Leah Carney, 94, of Vero Beach Florida passed away in her home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah Mace (Rob), her grandson John Mace (Amanda) her granddaughter Caylea Mace, and her great grandsons Levi and Kason Mace.

Alma was born 11/25/26 in Memphis Tennessee to Earl Canada and Ruth Wilson. She moved to Vero Beach over 50 years ago with her husband John Marvin Carney.

Alma graduated from Memphis State (University of Memphis) in 1949 with a Bachelor’s in Science.

She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, Editor-in-Chief of Desoto Yearbook, and a member of Who’s Who Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Post collegiate community/club involvement included Alpha Delta Kappa teacher’s sorority, Florida Retired Educators, Rosewood Breakfast Club, and the Primetimer’s Committee of Pathway Church.

A couple of her numerous achievements include starting the first elementary school science fair in Vero Beach and receiving Teacher of the Year for Rosewood Elementary in 1989.

Mrs. Carney taught for 30 years collectively, 17 of them at Rosewood Elementary teaching 4th grade, eventually retiring in 1989. Retirement did not prevent her from continuing to be active in the school system teaching advanced math and sciences, especially for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the minds of young people grow in and out her classroom, trying to instill a love for learning in every student.

Services will be held at Pathway Church on April 17th 2021 at 2pm officiated by Pastor Doug Vogt. Visitation will precede the service from 1-2pm at the church. Reception will immediately follow the service at The Plaza Reception Center located at 884 17th Street (Just east of Strunk Funeral Home).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks to please consider donating in memory of Alma to the following organizations.

– The Historical Society https://www.irchistorical.org/

– The Education Foundation of Indian River https://www.edfoundationirc.org/.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Ronald Gail Morris, 87, Barefoot Bay

June 6, 1933 – April 9, 2021

Ronald Gail Morris, late of Barefoot Bay, Fla., son of the late Charles Luther and Sarah Inez (Daubenspeck) Morris of Blue Creek, WV passed away Friday morning, 9 Apr 2021, at the age of 87.

Ron, a graphic arts manager, was a Columbia Gas retiree, an avid golfer, fisherman, outdoor enthusiast, and fan of West Virginia University sports.  He was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, Fla.

Ron was a gentle soul and a fighter both in one breath.  His humor was infectious, his moral compass pointed true north.  He loved children, and they gravitated toward him.  He gave to the poor, mowed grass for his church, and scrubbed every car he ever owned until it shined like a new penny.

“Paw Paw” grew up in harsh times, but he had the fondest of childhood memories.  “Piggin’ on the light” was one of his favorite stories and he loved telling it.  His affection for his family was front and center, and he taught us the true meaning of love.  He had a profound distaste for the haughty and the ostentatious; he showed malice toward none, yet neither was he afraid of any man.  He judged his peers by the way they treated others, not by the weight of their purses nor the prizes of their ambitions.  He was, in short, a good man.

Although small in stature, he swung a golf club like a man twice his size. He punched above his weight in all things and was surprisingly strong for a man who had struggled with his health since infancy.

Ron fought until the very end.  Taking the poet Dylan Thomas at his word, Paw Paw did not “go gentle into that good night,” but raged against the dying of the light.  He was much loved and respected by his friends and family, and he left an indelible mark on the world, on his kids, and on his grandchildren.  He will be missed.

Ron’s survivors include: loving wife of 67 years Thelma Jean (Miller) Morris;  brother Robert “Bobby” Morris of Blue Creek, sister Barbara Jean Brotherton of Dunbar, Michael Morris of Ohio, sister-in-law Martha Morris of Teays Valley; eldest son Gregory (Kate) Morris of Huntington, much beloved daughter Lisa (Leo) Stamm of St. Albans, and son Steve Morris; affectionate grandchildren Zoe, Blair, Yoko, Rosie, Olivia, Courtney, and Cordelia; his great-grandchildren Trail, Layla, and Claire; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, by brother Charles R. “Buster” Morris, sister Peggy Joan Morris, brother Jennings Dean Morris, sister Marian June Myers, and deeply beloved grandson Nathan Patton, late of St. Albans.  Ron was the descendant of the pioneer William Morris, Sr., through both son Henry and daughter Francis (who married the storied frontier scout “Breechless” John Jones), and pioneer Jacob Daubenspeck of Clay County.  Ron’s immigrant ancestors all arrived in the Colonies prior the Revolution; most were pioneers, at least nine were Revolutionary soldiers.  He was a “Tater Hole” Woodson.

Ron was blessed with good friends, the closest being two very special couples; Loretta Durrett and her late husband Tom Durrett of St. Albans, and the late John and Sandy Mandeville, also of St. Albans.  Their friendships spanned over sixty years.

A celebration and marking of Ron’s passing is being planned for June, 2021.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Richard ‘Dick’ Paul Allen, 84, Barefoot Bay

July 27, 1936 – April 5, 2021

Richard ‘Dick’ Paul Allen, age 84, of Barefoot Bay, passed away Monday, April 5, 2021.

Born July 27, 1936, in Watertown, NY to the late Paul and Mavis Allen.

Retired from the US Air Force, where he proudly served for over 23 years, and was a top recruiter from January 1976 to June of 1976.  He was an accomplished ping pong player while in the Air Force and represented the the Air Force in tournaments overseas.   After his retirement Richard enjoyed being a car salesman for Longley Dodge and a school bus driver.

He married Carole Wilson on November 5th, 1958.  In 2004, Richard and Carole retired to Barefoot Bay, Florida.  Richard enjoyed volunteering with the VA as a Bus Driver and participating in multiple clubs.

Richard is survived by his wife Carole (nee Wilson), their 5 children Timothy (Melissa) Allen, Cheryl (Lawrence) Blum, Vickie (Ronald) Smith, Robert (Annie) Allen and Susan (David) Reiner.  Also survived by 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents Paul and Mavis Allen, two brothers Frederick and Robert and a sister Sally.

Visitation will be held at Seawinds Funeral Home, on Monday, April 19th, from 1-2 PM, followed by a private reception.  Interment with Military Honors will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, on Wednesday, April 21th at 4:00 PM.

His family would like to dedicate the song Chickery Chick, by Frank Sinatra, to Richard and the many people he has touched throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers memorials to the Wounded Warriors Project will be appreciated.

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