Austin F. Meeks, 86, Vero Beach
Austin F. Meeks, 86, a lifetime resident of Vero Beach went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2019.
Graduating from Vero Beach High School in 1952, he was president of the senior class and won awards in track and field.
He then served in the US Army guarding secrets on the White Sands Proving Grounds in Alamogordo, N.M.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Rachel, for 65 years.
Austin was one of the first licensed general contractors in Indian River County. He supervised construction and renovations of John’s Island condos and their clubhouse; the Kentucky Club, the Moorings, and many residential homes in Vero Beach.
He brought with him and shared his deep love of Jesus everywhere he went. Austin was well-known for his many hours of volunteering at the Life for Youth Ranch, Gideons International, Missionary Flight International, the Source, missionary trips and many families in the community.
Austin leaves his memories to be cherished by his loving wife of 65 years, Rachel; daughter, Diane Meeks, of Vero Beach; son, Don (Jane) Meeks, of Vero Beach; son, Maurice Meeks, of Vero Beach; daughter, Alice Johnson, of Lake Wales, Fla.; son, Aaron Meeks, of Lake Wales; 9 grandchildren, Angela Swarat, Brian (Andrea) Swarat, Eric Meeks, Jeff (Valerie) Girard, Valerie (Shawn) Li, Michelle Meeks, Amber (Kyle) Albritton, Ted (Shirley) Johnson, Christopher Sherman; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his siblings, Betty (Alfred) Tomerlin, Lavelle (Tommy) Graham, Johnny (Andrea) Meeks, and Lamar (Mary) Meeks.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Pathway Church of God, 1105 58th Ave., Vero Beach.
Carol Louise Pratt Spooner, Vero Beach
At 3:30 a.m., Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2019, Carol Louise Pratt Spooner went home to be with the love of her life, Karl.
Carol spent over 40 years working at Piper Aircraft and had been a resident of Vero Beach since 1959.
Carol was the daughter of the late Raymond and Lilyan Pratt, of Hornell, N.Y., and sister of the late Norma E. Talipski.
She is survived by her five children, Karen Spilman, Kim Pilger, Kelley, Karrie and Kevin Spooner; her grandchildren Benjamin, Rachel, Cora and Jeron Pilger. Also, nieces Laurie Ann Larsen, Susan Talipski and Linda Semyon; nephews Terry Spooner, Larry Spooner and Raymond Talipski as well as great nieces and nephews.
The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach.
Services and interment will be private at the family’s request.
