Donald J. Gilman, Jr., 77, Vero Beach
Donald “Don” J. Gilman, Jr., 77, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 23, 2020. Born Nov. 25, 1942, in Leonardsville, Md., he was a son of the late Donald Gilman and Elizabeth Chism Gilman.
Don was a member of the Elks Lodge as well as a lifetime member of the NRA. He retired after several years of service as an electrician leaving him plenty of time to concentrate on his Friday night darts.
He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Winifred “Winnie” Smith Gilman; a son, Joseph Gilman (wife, Bethany); two grandchildren, Orion and Aurora; a sister, Elizabeth Griffith; and many other loving family and friends.
The Gilman Family asks for privacy at this time. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice in Don’s honor.
Dorothy H. Kirby, 88, Vero Beach
Dorothy H. Kirby, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away Jan. 24, 2020.
She was born May 2, 1931, to the late Shelvie and Daisy Hendrickson in Four Mile Bell County, Kentucky.
Dorothy attended Lone Jack Elementary, Cardome Academy in Georgetown, Kentucky, The University of Kentucky, and was a graduate of The Louisville Kentucky Medical Technological School as a Laboratory Technician.
She and her husband moved to Vero Beach in 1975. Mrs. Kirby was a member of Vero Beach Country Club, Riomar Country Club, and Riomar Bay Yacht Club. In Kentucky she was a member of Indian Hills Country Club and Harlan Country Club.
Dorothy was an avid golfer, tennis player and bowler. She also enjoyed audio books, and traveling with her late husband, Dr. Keith Kirby M.D., visiting more than 20 countries in addition to most of the United States.
She is survived by her children, Peggy Kirby Sewell (husband, Doyle), and Robert K. Kirby; niece, Carolyn Wilson (husband, Terry); two nephews, Clayton Ray (wife, Ilona), and S. Bruce Hendrickson (wife Jan); and numerous great-nieces, nephews and other family whom loved her dearly.
In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Kirby was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence M. Hendrickson, and Winston Hendrickson; one sister, Wanda Lee Ray; and one nephew, Charles M. Hendrickson.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, from 4-7 p.m. at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Burkesville Cemetery in Burkesville, Ky., under the direction of Norris-New Funeral Home in Burkesville.
Memorials can be made in Dorothy’s honor to Burkesville Cemetery, VNA Hospice in Indian River County or Mt. Dora Children’s Home.
Robert Johnson Lamm, 65, Sebastian
Robert “Taz”Johnson Lamm, 65, of Sebastian, passed away on Jan. 23, 2020. Born Oct. 29, 1954, in Miami, Fla., he was a son of the late Harold and Dorothy Teamon Lamm.
A lively jokester who never met a stranger, Taz always had a story to tell. He attended Grace Baptist Church at Vero Beach, was a former member of CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association); and a current member of First Coast PT Cruisers.
While he spent the majority of his working career in transport for oxygen supply companies, he really enjoyed his time in the security and investigations field.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Lorri Stukus Lamm; a brother, Bill Lamm (wife, DeeDee); a sister, Doree Lamm; sister-in-law, Joni Lamm; and many other loving family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Hal Lamm.
Memorial services will be at a later date.
Donations may be made to the VNA Hospice House, 901 37th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960; or the American Heart Association 2300 Centrepark W Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.
Robert L. Perry, 79, Vero Beach
Robert L. Perry, 79, of Vero Beach, died Dec. 29, 2019, at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach. He was born in Boston, Mass., to James Albert and Alice Perry on Nov. 9, 1940. His father was from Liverpool, England and his mother was from Cumberland, R.I.
He married the love of his life, Grace H. Mason, on Jan. 7, 1978, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in West Roxbury, Mass.
He was as a truck driver for over 40 years most recently working for Picker International Inc.
He was a member of The Hot Rod Club EN REGLE, rode motorcycles and was a drag race driver for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Grace H. Perry; daughter, Robin Lee Henderson (James); granddaughter Sophie Elise Henderson; sister Alice I. Cloran; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bruce H. (Jean); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Urban Cloran; and his nephew, Christopher.
A memorial service will held at a later date in Massachusetts.
Donald R. Pescia, 79, Sebastian
Donald R. Pescia, 79, of Sebastian, passed away Jan. 13, 2020, in Sebastian. He was born Feb. 26, 1940, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Joseph and Hilda Pescia.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Brooke; grandchildren, Taylor and Maya; and great-grandchild, Sofia.
Services will be Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 901 Clearmont St., Sebastian.
Patricia Barry Wallace, 62, Vero Beach
Our beloved mother, mimi, sister and friend, Patricia “Patti” Barry Wallace, 62, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 21, 2020.
Patti was an Air Force Brat born in 1957 at McGuire AFB, Mt. Holly, NJ. She lived many years in Westfield, Mass., graduated from Westfield High School and acquired her LPN from Western Mass Nursing Hospital.
Alaska became her next home and she earned her RN from the University of Alaska. In later years she worked as an OR RNFA in the Philadelphia, Pa., area.
She moved to Vero Beach in 2015 and recently retired from nursing.
Patti was a people person and loved spending time with her friends and family and flying her plane every chance she got.
Patti is survived by her sons, Michael D. Halla and Marcus W. Halla (wife, Alexandra); and grandchildren Elijah, Tobias and Adele Halla; and her siblings, Bill, Sue, Barbra, and Nancy.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 2655 5th St. SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 or you may donate online at www.salvationarmyusa.org in memory of Patricia Barry Wallace.
She was preceded in death by her parents, R. David and Hope Wallace; her cherished daughter, Lindsey Elizabeth Halla; and the love of her life, Gary McAnelly.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Feb. 1, from 2-4 at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th St, Vero Beach. Patti will be buried with family in Maine at a later date.
Michael Allan Witt, 78, Vero Beach
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Michael Allan Witt, who was born Dec. 28, 1942, and died, age 78, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fla.
Michael attended Boston Latin School and graduated first from New York University and then from Babson College with a Master’s Degree in Finance.
He served in the US Army Special Forces.
In 1980, having worked at Chase Manhattan Bank for several years, he was asked to move to London to help coordinate the establishment of an International Investment Department for the Bank. He later moved to Morgan Stanley, from which he retired in 2005.
Michael enjoyed sports of all kinds, was an enthusiastic cook and thoroughly enjoyed the cultural and sporting life of London.
After retirement, Michael and his wife, Michèle, spent half each year in John’s Island in Vero Beach where they were blessed with the close friendships and support of a caring community.
Michael will be much missed.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach.
In Lieu of flowers, contributions as a memorial may be made in Michael’s name to VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.