Daniel Long Bell, Jr., 88, Vero Beach
Daniel Long Bell, Jr., 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on Nov. 29, 2017, after a long, hard fought, and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Durham, N.C., on Sept. 29, 1929, to Daniel Long Bell Sr. and Allie Peoples Bell.
He grew up in Pittsboro, N.C., attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he earned his law degree.
He was hired by Grand Central Railroad in New York City where he moved in 1954 to start his career. It was in his beloved new hometown of New York City in 1955 where Dan met his future wife, Mary Anne Bowns. They married in 1956 and started their lives together.
Dan and Mary Anne settled in New York City for two years and then moved to Riverside, Ct., in 1958. Dan continued to work in New York City, and took a job as a corporate lawyer with Columbia Gas System in 1958.
In 1970, Columbia Gas relocated their corporate headquarters to Wilmington, Del., where Dan took the job as Assistant General Counsel. Dan received a promotion in 1973 to become Senior VP and General Counsel of Columbia Gas Transmission in Charleston, W. Va.
He and his family lived in Charleston until 1976 when Dan was promoted to President of Columbia Gas Distribution in Columbus, Ohio. He took his final promotion and job transfer in 1979 back to Wilmington, Del., to become Chief Legal Counsel and Senior VP of Columbia Gas System.
In 1995, upon retirement from Columbia Gas System, Dan and Mary Anne relocated to Vero Beach, where they lived in Johns Island and enjoyed the many social activities there and in the Vero Beach community.
Dan enjoyed being active in the communities where he lived and most recently was in the Rotary of Vero Beach. He was a member of Community Church of Vero Beach. Throughout his life, he enjoyed boating and fishing, playing squash, tennis and golf.
He was a member of Johns Island Club of Vero Beach, The Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C., and The University Club in New York City.
Dan was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary Anne; and his sisters Elizabeth “Betty” Bell and Alice Sebrell.
He is survived by his three daughters, Mary Anne Bell, Lila (Craig) Hartman, Celia (Drew) Huggins; and six grandsons, Steven (Ashley) Hartman, Brian (Megan) Hartman, Chase Hartman, Thomas Mullen, Daniel Mullen and Troy Huggins; and several nieces and nephews.
The family extends a special thank you to the many caregivers that assisted Dan the last few years of his life. We want to recognize and especially thank Margie Thomas, his loyal caregiver for over four years.
She was a wonderful companion and friend to Dan and brought him great joy every time she arrived. She was his fishing and card playing buddy and his confidant.
A service and celebration of Dan’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Mental Health Association of Indian River County, c/o: Our House Drop In Center, 820 37th Place, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Moniram Charitar, 57, Vero Beach
Moniram Charitar, 57, of Vero Beach, died Nov. 30, 2017.
Moniram loved to go for walks, fishing, gardening, and helping whoever was in need.
He was a great husband and father. He surely will be missed.
Moniram is survived by his wife of 36 years, Chitrakah Charitar; sons, Anthony, Andrew, Anil and Anand Charitar; and many other loving family members and friends.
Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Strunk Funeral Home, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian. A celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Strunk Funeral Home followed by interment at Sebastian Cemetery, Sebastian.
James “Jim” Sharp, 93, Vero Beach
James “Jim” Sharp, 93, of Vero Beach, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. Born in Jacksonville, Fla., he and his family moved to Vero Beach in 1964 from Atlanta, Ga.
He was in the United States Army during WWII serving in the Italian campaign. Prior, he was a Cadet at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston.
After the war he studied at the University of Florida, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
He worked in radio and the early days of TV in New York City and Atlanta before acquiring WAXE radio and moving to Vero Beach.
He was a member of First Church of Christ Science and often attended First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Oceanside Rotary Club for over 30 years.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bertha Sharp; son, Jay Sharp, of Vero Beach; daughter, Susan Sharp, of Tucker, Ga.; and son, John Sharp, of Jacksonville Beach; grandchildren, Michaela (Joe) Heaton, Carly Sharp, and Macy (Zeke) Hurst; great-grandson, Gage Hurst, all of Vero Beach; and nephew, Fland Sharp, of Jacksonville Beach.
Jim was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Felix Sharp, Jr. and Ollie Sharp.
A visitation will be 6-8 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Tuesday, Dec. 5.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, at First Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Crestlawn Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Honor Flight, Attn: Diane Gresse, 175 S. Tuttle Rd., Springfield, OH 45505.