Richard Coleman, 79, Vero Beach
Richard Coleman, 79, died peacefully on Nov. 11, 2019, of complications from Parkinson’s Disease in Vero Beach. Born in 1940, he was the son of Mary (nee McCullough) Coleman and Francis “Bill” Coleman.
Dick graduated from Saint Thomas Moore High School, Temple University, and received a postgraduate degree from Eccles School of Mortuary Science.
He worked as a funeral director for a number of years, was a sales representative for A.H. Robbins, and later was a seniors sales representative for a court reporting business.
He served many years as secretary for the South Jersey Claims Association and was a fourth degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.
A humble and kind man, Dick devoted much of his time volunteering and helping others in need.
In his younger years, he enjoyed his time as a Boy Scout leader and baseball coach and was a head cheerleader for his children who were involved in gymnastics, tennis, and motocross.
He was a serious Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers sports fan.
Dick has left us all with beautiful memories of a man with a wonderful smile whose life was filled with quiet courage, a zest for life, unconditional love of family and friends, and above all, kindness towards those less fortunate than himself.
With that in mind, donations can be made in his name to your local food bank.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kerby Coleman; sons, Rick Coleman and Dan Coleman; daughter, Kathy Toth (Matt); step-children, Debbie Bochte, Carl Siglin, Kerby Siglin (Pam); brothers, Gerald Coleman and Robert Coleman; sister, Miriam Brown; grandchildren, Lexie, Drew, Michelle, Kate, Emma, Will, Drew, and Collin; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Services are scheduled for later in 2020 in Philadelphia.
Katharine Jackson Merriman, 79, Vero Beach
Katharine “Kit” Jackson Merriman, 79, died peacefully at home on Nov. 21, 2019, after an extended and valiant battle against cancer. She was born in 1940 in Providence, R.I., where she was raised.
She attended Madeira School and Sarah Lawrence College before moving to New York City to begin a long career working in the travel industry.
After meeting Howard Richmond Merriman Jr., “Hap,” to whom she was engaged within six weeks and married for 52 years, Kit moved home to Rhode Island where she and Hap lived, worked, raised a family and cultivated communities in both Providence and Little Compton and later in Vero Beach.
She enjoyed years of playing tennis, paddle, golf and bridge at Agawam Hunt, Sakonnet Golf, Quail Valley and Riomar Country clubs and was an active, engaged and adored member of those communities.
Kit had a passion for all-things travel and, after living as a young woman in Florence, Italy, she embraced every opportunity to adventure the world with family and friends.
A talented artist, Kit expressed her unique and elegant flair through painting, basket weaving, interior design and her signature and widely-admired sense of fashion and personal style. Gracious, generous, playful and kind, Kit was a friend and brought a smile to everyone she met.
Upon becoming a grandmother in 2000, Kit became affectionately known as “Gogo,” a name that reflected her indomitable spirit and passion for fun.
Kit’s “joie de vivre” spirit will be carried on by her husband Hap; her daughters, Katharine “Kim” K. Merriman, and Anne Merriman Wells; her son-in-law, David Wells; her three granddaughters; her brother, Edwin “Sandy” Jackson; and by countless relatives and cherished friends from all walks of life and corners of the globe.
Kit is reunited with her father, Edwin Jackson; and her mother, Katharine Hilton Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Kit Merriman Scholarship Fund for Girls, Unite The World With Africa Foundation, www.Uniteafricafoundation.org
Patricia Louise Bortz McKee, 92, Vero Beach
Patricia “Patsy” Louise Bortz McKee, 92, of Vero Beach, died peacefully on Nov. 14, 2019. She was born on June 25, 1927, to Emma Grace Chapman Bortz and Lewis Arthur Bortz, of Orange, California.
She graduated from Orange High School where she was active in many sports including basketball and tennis. She loved going to the beach with her best friends.
Pat attended Principia College in Elsa, Ill. She received her associate’s degree. She was a member of the Christian Science Church in Vero Beach.
Pat was a Flight Attendant for TWA Air Lines. She always loved to fly, travel and spend time with her grandchildren.
Her kindness, beautiful smile and laughter will always be remembered.
She is survived by her brother, Louis Arthur Bortz (Shirley), of Denver; three children, Deborah McKee Caldwell (James), of Vero Beach, David Lewis McKee Jr. (Elizabeth), of Columbus, Ohio, and Donald K. McKee, of Vero Beach; her sister-in-law, Bessie Mckee Walsh, of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Beau (Amanda), Jay (Alli) and Chase Caldwell, Preston, Carlyn and Meredith McKee, Logan and Taylor McKee; and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents and her beloved husband of 55 years, David Lewis McKee Sr., and her sister, Alice Ann Bortz Armstrong, preceded her in death.
Coleman Clark Pippin, 98 Vero Beach
Coleman Clark Pippin, 98 of Vero Beach, died Nov. 20, 2019, at Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. Clark was born in Gifford, and had been a lifelong resident of Vero Beach.
He was a United States Navy veteran having served during World War II.
Clark retired from Piper Aircraft Corp., Vero Beach, after 15 years of employment as an aircraft assembler.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Winter Beach.
Survivors include his sister, Ellen P. Carlsward, of Vero Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews. Clark was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Edith Frances Pippin, in 2014.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 25, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Strunk Funeral Home with Rev. Buddy Tipton, Central Assembly of God, Vero Beach officiating.
Dolores Ann Roth Purcell, 97, Vero Beach
Dolores “Dodie” Ann Roth Purcell, 97, of Vero Dolores, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, with her family by her side. She was born to the late Bernard and Clara Roth on February 19, 1922, in Ramsey, Minn.
Dodie graduated from J M Atherton High School for Girls in Louisville, Ky., and continued her education at a secretarial school before working as a legal administrative assistant.
She married the late James “Jim” L. Purcell, on Oct. 3, 1944, in Louisville, Ky. They resided in Birmingham, Ala.; Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York; Asheville, N.C.; retired to Port Orange, Fla.; and then in 2007 relocated to the Vero Beach area to be near family.
Dodie was a very active mother of four. She was involved in numerous activities at both Catholic elementary and high schools her children attended, volunteering as librarian at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay. She was an active member of all Catholic Churches she attended.
She belonged to bridge clubs and an investment stock group. She enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends and orchestrating family reunions.
Dodie is survived by her children, Ann (Mike) Purcell Ricciardi, of Vero Beach, Jerry (Nadene) Purcell, of Pittsburgh, Pa., JL Purcell, of Peterborough, N.H., and Tom (Eva) Purcell, of Fairview, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Jane Lubbers, of Fishers, Ind.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Helen’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at Island Club Riverside Clubhouse.
Private Interment will be in Crestlawn Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 2300 5th Ave # 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Mark Stuart Rogers, 51, Vero Beach
Mark Stuart Rogers, 51, of Vero Beach, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 17, 2019. Born Aug. 1, 1968, at Teaneck, N.J., to Sheila Mills Rogers and the late Jack Rogers.
In addition to his mother, Mark is survived by his daughter, Ashlei Fendley; a sister, Julie Romeo; a brother, Dale Rogers; longtime girlfriend, Heather Peterson; three grandsons; six nephews; and many other loving family and friends.
A Celebration of life will be this Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. at the south end of Conn Beach Boardwalk. A reception will follow immediately at The Moose Lodge of Vero Beach.