Richard W. Fisher, 81, Vero Beach
Richard W. Fisher, 81, of Vero Beach, died suddenly on Dec. 24, 2020. Rich was born in Phillipsburg, N.J., on Oct. 11, 1939.
After high school, Rich joined the Air Force and served his country for 4 years. After the service, Rich started his own trucking business and became a truck driver for many years.
Rich met his wife Patricia after coming home from the Air Force. Rich became a father to her three children and raised them as his own.
Rich was a very simple man and a very comical person. As some would say, a clown. He had an uncanny ability to lighten the mood and make everyone laugh.
He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and everyone who knew him.
Richard “Rich” is survived by his wife, Patricia Fisher; his children, Kat Schinnerer and Tony Cebrynski; and his grandchildren, Toni Taube, Joseph Cebrynski, Steven Schinnerer, Tricia Schinnerer.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Jan. 9, at 3 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens located at 6026 US 1, Fort Pierce.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Indian River County Veterans Council on behalf of Richard Fisher would be greatly appreciate. https://www.veteranscouncilirc.club/end-of-year-giving/
Chaplain Richard H. Flick, Capt. USN, 81, Vero Beach
Chaplain Richard H. Flick, Capt. USN, 81, of Vero Beach, went to his heavenly home on Dec. 24, 2020. He was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, Chaplain, and Pastor. His dedicated service to this country and fellow man will be greatly missed.
Born near DuBois, Pa., on Oct. 3, 1939, to Blair and Anna Flick, “Dickey” graduated from DuBois High School in 1958, and much to his mother’s dislike, ventured from his hometown to enter the Navy as a hospital Corpsman. After serving four years, he was honorably discharged and began his undergraduate studies at Memphis State University.
He married Ruth “Fran” Flick (nee Cary) on Nov. 3, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tenn.
Called to ministry, Dick, Fran and young Phyllis relocated to Atlanta, Ga., where he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University. The family returned to the Memphis area where he served as a minister for four years.
In 1973, Dick decided to return to the Navy as a Methodist Chaplain. This began a 25 year career serving with the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines at eight duty stations, on three ships, and three islands. In 1990 he deployed with the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade on the USS Guam during Operation Desert Storm. He was the recipient of more than 25 military awards and holds the Legion of Merit in recognition of outstanding service.
After his military retirement in 1996, Dick continued his ministry as Pastor to churches in Paducah, Ky., and Memphis. In 2004 Dick and Fran moved to Vero Beach, where he proudly served as a Pastor Emeritus, VNA Hospice Chaplain and Veteran’s Council Chaplain.
Dick is survived by brother David Flick, daughter Phyllis and her husband Tom Zittritsch, his son Rick and wife Robyn Flick, grandsons Jared Otteson, Clint Otteson, Luke Otteson and Landon Flick, granddaughter Lauryn Flick, and three great granddaughters.
He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the Fall of 2021 with full military honors. No local service will be held.
The family requests donations in Chaplain Flick’s honor be made to VNA and Hospice Foundation at vnatc.org/donate/.
David P. Gallagher Sr., 72, Vero Beach
David P. Gallagher Sr., 72, of Vero Beach, passed away Saturday Dec. 19, 2020, surrounded by his family at his home. Born in New Haven, Ct.,, he was the son of the late James T. Gallagher Jr. and the late Barbara (Brosnan) Gallagher.
Dave was always quick with a kind word, a compliment, and had an infectious personality. It is no surprise that he had a thriving career in sales. Dave served as the Executive Vice President and National Sales Manager for Fieldcrest-Cannon whereby his family relocated from Fairfax, VA, to Kennett Square, PA, to Bloomfield Hills, MI, to Coral Springs, FL, to Wycoff, NJ, to Dunwoody, GA, to Chatham, NJ, and back to Dunwoody, GA. Putting his family first (to stop relocating), Dave reset his career as an Insurance Executive for AGA Insurance and later Brown and Brown Insurance. He retired at age 65.
Golf was always an important part of Dave’s life. Dave played collegiate golf for St. Leo University in Central Florida. Dave’s passion for golf led Dave and Janet to gain many happy memories and friendships by way of Dunwoody Country Club in Atlanta, GA, John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fl, and Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach, FL. In 1986 he was the Club Champion at Dunwoody Country Club in Atlanta, GA. Dave enjoyed countless rounds of golf with his wife, children and grandchildren, and his best friends.
Dave’s passion for golf paled in comparison to the love he had for his family, and excitement for creating special moments with his family. Some stand-out memories would include hosting holidays at home, trips to the zoo and to the aquarium, trips to Disney World, Boston, and the beach, golfing with the grandkids, taking the entire family on an Alaskan Cruise, and playing in many John’s Island Member Guest golf tournaments with his son. Dave’s favorite kind of day would be a spring day grilling steaks with The Masters on TV, watching his grandchildren play in the pool at his home in John’s Island, Florida – all after playing 18 holes with his “Pretty Lady.”
David was a cherished husband, loving father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife and “Pretty Lady” Janet Gallagher of 46 years, daughters Daryl (Ron) Davenport, Gretchen (Scott) Harders, son David (Laura) Gallagher Jr., 7 grandchildren Alex Davenport, Wesley Davenport, Hannah Davenport, Ryan Evans, Hailey Evans, Paul Evans, and David Gallagher III, sister Jackie Eastman, brother John Gallagher, and sister in-law Roxie Gallagher and many loving nieces and nephews and of course his dog, Bandit.
He is preceded in death by his Brother James T Gallagher III.
A private service for Dave Sr. will be held on Wednesday Dec. 30th and will be limited to immediate family members. Due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held with immediate family and with extended family and friends later in 2021. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Visiting Nurse Association of Vero Beach, FL, Donate Today – VNA and Hospice Foundation | Vero Beach, FL (vnatc.org), the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation, or the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. Donation Form (donorperfect.net).
Rose Marie Gavin, 87, Sebastian
Rose Marie Gavin, 87, of Sebastian, passed away Dec. 29, 2020. Born Jan. 30, 1933 at Buffalo, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Guiseppi Vastola and Caroline Pepe Vastola.
Mrs. Gavin attended St. Sebastian Catholic Church and was a homemaker. She was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gavin was preceded in death by five brothers, Hank Vastola, Andy Vastola, George Vastola, Joe Vastola and Tony Vastola; and a son-in-law, Bruce Fattey.
She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Dean Gavin; a son, Dean Gavin, Jr. (wife, Nancy); two daughters, Elizabeth Tryon (husband, Jeffrey), and Patricia Fattey; numerous grandchildren; many other loving family and friends; and Buddy “the damn dog” as he was affectionately known.
Services are to be private, the family may be reached at 716-913-1076
Richard Scott Mearns, 67, Vero Beach
Richard Scott Mearns, 67, of Vero Beach, died suddenly on Dec. 16, 2020. He was born in Chicago and lived in Vero Beach. He retired from Fort Dearborn, Colo., as an electrical engineer.
He was a member of the Illinois Elks Association.
Survivors include his wife, Joanne E. Mearns; sister, Susan Nelson, of Fort Myers; and brother, Gary Mearns, of Fort Myers. He had several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Memorial Service will be held on Jan. 8, 2021, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corp., 1201 N. Main, PO Box 222, Chatman, IL 62629-0222.
Barbara Jane Posey-Nottingham, 81, Vero Beach
Barbara Jane Posey-Nottingham, 81, of Vero Beach, unexpectedly passed away Friday Dec. 18, 2020. Barbara was born Feb. 6, 1939, in Christiana, Pa., the daughter of Harry and Gracie Posey. The family moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., where she lived until she left for college.
A pioneer of her days, Barbara was one of three women accepted in the Doctoral of Pharmacy program at the University of Florida, in the first class where women were accepted. Following graduation, she and her husband relocated to Vero Beach where she raised her family and served as a pillar of her community.
During her time in Vero Beach she was a pharmacist at Rexall Drugs, then Indian River Memorial Hospital and finally retiring from Walgreens.
Barbara is survived by her three sons, Jon (wife, Melissa; and granddaughter, Elizabeth); Jeff (wife, Lisa; and grandchildren, Alexis and Jared); and Jim (wife, Lisa; and grandsons, James and Jason).
Charles Edward Smith, 87, Vero Beach
Charles Edward Smith, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 25, 2020. Charles was born in Arlington, Va.
He retired from United Indian River Packers of Wabasso, after 50 years as a mechanic.
Charles is survived by his wife, Cecelia Anne Smith; daughters, Angela (James) McNeil and Stephanie Lasky; son, Charles E. “Ed” Smith; two grandchildren, Shaun Frank and Dana Thomas; and two great-grandchildren, Michael Jr. and Marshall Thomas; sisters, Barbara and Pearl; and brothers, Dootsy and Ashby.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard D. Timmons; mother, Mabel Smith; sisters, Peggy, Virginia, Lillian, Mary, Doris, Nellie; and brothers, William “Bill,” Aurelius “Sugar,” Eugene and Raleigh.
The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, with an 11 a.m. Memorial Service to immediately follow.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
Barbara Ann Welch, 66, Vero Beach
Barbara Ann (nee Daub) Welch, 66, of Vero Beach, passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, at VNA Hospice House. She was born April 6, 1954 in Portsmouth, Ohio, and moved to Vero Beach in 1976.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Stephenie Welch and Kerry (Bryan) Pearsaul; grandchildren, Jacob Horn, Nora Pearsaul, and Alexander Pearsaul; sister, Elisabeth (Rick) Stevens; brothers, Richard A. Daub and Harald (Darlene) Daub; and sister-in-law, Judy Daub.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Perry Welch; parents, Ronald S. Daub Sr. and Laura B. Daub; and brother, Ronald S. Daub Jr.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.