Julia L. Palermo, 84, Vero Beach
Julia L. Palermo, 84, of Vero Beach, died Feb. 8, 2020. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to Vero Beach from Covington, Ga.
She retired from the U.S. Customs Department of Treasury where she worked from 1986-2001.
She was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church and the Republican Headquarters of Indian River County.
She is survived by her son, Steven Aftanis; daughter, Susan Aftanis Towns; and son-in-law, Todd Towns; her grandson, Steven Afantis, Jr. (wife, Shirley) Afantis; and great-granddaughter, Ananda Aftanis.
Family will greet friends 2-4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Jeffrey Kenneth Sturgeon, 80, Sebastian
Jeffrey Kenneth Sturgeon, 80, of Sebastian, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. He was born in Bristol, Ct., to the late G. Kenneth Sturgeon and Freida Schweiger Sturgeon on Jan. 22, 1940.
Jeff enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1957 and was one of the first jet mechanics in Hawaii during his military service. He was deployed to Japan and honorably discharged in 1960.
He made his way back to Bristol and worked as a roofer and at New Departure Manufacturing. He became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in 1967 and retired in 1992. During his time as a letter carrier, Jeff was an active union member and steward.
In his retirement, Jeff continued to work. He worked security at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Ct., where he was able to meet some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
He moved to Florida and worked at Indian River State College.
Jeff’s hobbies included attending Pow Wows, collecting Native American artifacts, and helping veterans. Jeff loved watching westerns especially westerns starring John Wayne. He also loved listening to the Everly Brothers. He was a member of the Marine Corps League, a member of the Four Chaplains Monument Committee, which placed the Four Chaplains Monument in Sebastian’s Riverview Park, and an active Christian.
Jeff was a loving father and grandfather!
Jeff is survived by his four sons, Jeffrey A. Sturgeon (Jennifer), Todd W. Sturgeon (Alison), and Scott T. Sturgeon, all of Connecticut, and Jaime K. Sturgeon (Christine), of Sebastian; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey, Scott, Matthew, Sarah, Danielle, Gabrielle, Alyssa, and Taylor; and three siblings, Alan, Laura, and Charlene, all of California.
He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Wayne A. Sturgeon.
A military service is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL in memory of Jeff Sturgeon.