Richard Thomas Palmer, 87, Vero Beach
Richard Thomas Palmer, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Richard was born in Wharton, N.J., and moved to Vero Beach 29 years ago from Succasunna, N.J.
He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Navy as a submariner.
Richard had been an Equipment Specialist at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, N.J., before his retirement.
He was a member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church and a longtime member of the Newport Club in Vero Beach.
Survivors include his wife Jacquinette Barker Palmer; daughters, Phyllis A. Lopez, of El Paso, Texas, and Mary Margaret Palmer, of Arizona; sister, Patricia A. Castle, of Pittsford, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
The family will receive friends 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Mass will be celebrated 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Interment with military honors will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach.
Kenneth J. Seifert, 87, Sebastian
Kenneth J. Seifert 87, of Sebastian, went to be with our Lord on Sept. 17, 2017, and is at peace. He was born in Ellsworth, Wis., to Ernest and Agnes Seifert. He was the youngest of four children.
He graduated from Spring Valley High School 1948 and from Lee Barber School in 1949, barbering in Ellsworth for one year. He served in the US Navy from 1950-1954. He served on air craft carriers as Ship Serviceman.
He married Catherine DeLonais on Aug. 7, 1951. They had six children.
He started his Barber Supply business in 1955, having moved to Anoka, Minn. He called on Barbershops in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. He loved his career, was respected in his field, and made many long-time friends. He worked 43 years before retiring in March of 1998.
On May 3, 1980, he married Gayle Olson.
Upon retiring, they moved to Sebastian, built a new home and enjoyed life on the canal. Especially enjoying visits from family and friends, Ken was an avid card player, enjoyed traveling, movies and time with family and friends. They were soon involved in the community of Sebastian. Through Welcome Wagon Club, they joined the Gourmet couples dinner club, started cooking at The Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen in Fellsmere. They became team leaders, and later Ken served as President and then Treasurer.
He and Gayle were Coordinators of the US Postal Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive for 10 years. He was a member of TOPS Unit 641. He was a proud member of Sebastian Honor Guard. He was a Korean War Veteran, member of American Legion Post 189, Life Member VFW and USS Tarawa Association.
Ken dearly loved his family and friends and found great joy in them. He was always giving encouragement, had a great sense of humor, such a positive attitude. He was a real “people person,” welcoming, friendly and enjoyed meeting and visiting with people and especially other Veterans.
Ken was a man of strong faith in the Lord, which he lived out. He grew up in the Catholic faith and through the years worshipped in both Catholic and Lutheran churches. Ken lived a full and vibrant life being inspirational to all despite his years of lingering health.
Ken is survived by his loving wife, Gayle, of 37 years; son, Steve (Rochelle) of Highland Park, Minn., Craig, of Minneapolis, Ken B. (Michele), of Kenyon, Minn., Cathy Bickharry, of St. Paul, Minn., and Larry (Judi), of Black Canyon City, Ariz; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; his brother, Gordon (Dot), Birmingham, Ala., brother- in-law, Gary Olson (Jan); sisters-in-law, Connie Olson Delano and Betty Olson Inver; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased in death by his sister, Lucille; his brother, John; his son, Timothy; and brother-in-law, Keith Olson.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 1301 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted to Christ The King Lutheran Church, Building Capital Fund.
Internment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
