Oliver Shane Bartel, 15, Vero Beach
It is with incredible sadness and unfathomable grief that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved son Oliver Shane Bartel on Tuesday, Nov. 3 2020, at the tender age of just 15.
A sophomore at Vero Beach High School, Oliver was passionate about education with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Oliver was an exceptional student who was looking forward to attending an Ivy League college. A proud member of the Vero Beach High School Philharmonic Orchestra, Oliver loved playing cello and piano.
Those who knew and loved Oliver would describe him as an amazing human being, filled with kindness, honesty, integrity, intelligence, and humor, among many other attributes. Words are simply not enough to express how enormous the loss of Oliver is to his family, his friends, the community, and the world.
Oliver is survived by his parents, Scott and Sybil Bartel, of Vero Beach; maternal grandparents, Millie and Joel Demski, of Vero Beach; paternal grandfather, Arthur Bartel, of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held for Oliver at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. Live streaming will be available, go to website www.holycrossverobeach.org.
An outdoor celebration of Oliver’s life will be planned for a date to be announced.
Scott and Sybil kindly request that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Oliver’s name to the Vero Beach High School Orchestra Booster Club at https://vbhsorch.square.site/donations.
Cecilia T Koniecki, 88, Vero Beach
Cecilia T Koniecki, 88, died peacefully in her sleep, on Nov. 3, 2020. She lived in Greenwich, Ct., until retiring to Vero Beach with her late husband, Frank. They were married 66 years.
Before retiring, Ceil was a central figure in her extended family, keeping up regularly with the many aunts, uncles and cousins across the country. She was an avid beach goer and a formidable pinochle player.
After retirement, she enjoyed travelling, playing pennies and bunko and socializing with her many friends. Ceil was very active with her homeowners association, serving on the board for several years.
She is survived by her daughters; Jacelyn Hoffman of Dallas, TX, Donna Koniecki of Kailua-Kona HI, and Karen Ann Kuhne of Sandy Hook, CT.
A memorial mass will be said at St Helen’s Catholic Church in Vero Beach on Monday Nov 16 at 10AM.
Donations may be sent to:
VNA & Hospice Foundation
1110 35th Lane
Vero Beach, Fl 32960
Or donate online at: https://vnatc.org/donate/
Marianne Hiller Smith, 98, Vero Beach
Marianne Hiller Smith passed away on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 at The VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL. She was 98.
At her side was her middle son, Douglas Hiller Smith, and her eldest grandson, Ashley Hiller Smith. Also at her side, was Doug’s wife and Ashley’s mother, Viki Hein Smith.
Marianne resided at HarborChase of Vero Beach since August 2019. Vero Beach residences included Seagrove and Garden Grove.
Marianne was born December 30, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Hugh and Lenore Hiller. She moved to Vero Beach in 1988 with her husband of 62 years, Frank Kingston Smith, who passed in 2003.
Marianne and Frank have resided in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Ocean City, NJ.
Marianne attended Friends Select School in Philadelphia, and Ogontz College also in Philadelphia. She married Frank on June 25, 1941.
Marianne was a gourmet cook, and she was associated with several major restaurants during her working life.
She is survived by her three sons: Frank Kingston Smith, Jr., Douglas Hiller Smith, and Hugh Gregory Smith. She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Kendra Pratt, Ashley Hiller Smith, Cameron Todd Smith, and Shannon Smith. In addition, Marianne is survived by four great grandchildren: Cody Pratt, Taylor Pratt, Nathaniel Hiller Smith, and Lillian Rebecca Smith.
A private service will be conducted for the immediate family.
Beverly Ukleja, 66, Sebastian
Beverly Ukleja (nee Valko), 66, passed away on Nov. 5, 2020, in Sebastian. Beverly was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 20, 1954 and she and her husband moved to Sebastian in 2019 to be close to her family.
She fought a long 11 year battle with breast cancer with tenacity, grace and optimism. She was so happy to be in Florida and loved going to the river with her dog, Zippy and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Kubitz, her brother Leslie (Sandee), her sister Roberta and brother-in-law Dallas and granddaughters Hollyn and Poppy.
She had many friends throughout the country and touched so many hearts with her loving and giving ways and will be missed by all.
Due to Covid, there will be no service. Donations in her memory can be made to 2nd City Canine rescue, PO Box 721094, Roselle, Illinois, 60172 or Halo No-Kill Shelter, 710 Jackson Street, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
