From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Charles Varney “CV” Roberts, 77, Vero Beach
December 03, 1943 – January 17, 2021
Charles Varney “CV” Roberts, age 77, passed away January 17, 2021 at his home.
He was born in Philadelphia and moved from Bethesda and Ocean City, MD prior to moving to Vero Beach.
Charles started Sunshine House Surf Shop in Ocean City, MD, Bethesda Surf Shop, Top of the Tropics Surf Shop, Vero Beach, and was a part of Quiet Storm Surf Shop. Charles had also worked at Vista Plantation, Vero Beach.
He enjoyed surfing, doing crossword puzzles, and time spent with family.
Charles attended Georgetown University and the University of Maryland.
Survivors include his wife, Gretchen; son, Christopher; daughter, Katherine; brothers, Richard, Andrew, and Geoffrey; 3 nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Charles was predeceased by his beloved brother, Tom.
Memorial contributions in Charles’ name may be made to Surfrider Foundation at Surfrider.org.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Raymond “Ray” Michael DuShane, 83
October 05, 1937 – January 14, 2021
Raymond “Ray” Michael DuShane married the love of his life, Diane Patricia Elizabeth O’Brien over sixty years ago on February 6, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan. Quickly followed were the birth of his three children, Carrie Catherine Walter, Kimberly DuShane Stiffle (Scott), and Keith Michael DuShane (Carolyn). He delighted in the artistry and athleticism of his eight grandchildren; Brittany, Chelsea, Savannah, Chloe, Jake, Audrey, Dylan, and Natalie, and is also survived by his sister, Alice McDonald.
Ray, age 83, was born in Rossford, Ohio on October 5, 1937 and died in North Hutchinson, Florida resting at home on January 14, 2021. He was educated as a Civil Engineer in Detroit yet joined Pure Oil Company as a draftsman at 16 in Toledo. He pushed the pen for the company through its many incarnations and retired from Unocal/Chevron after 40 plus years of service in 1997.
Ray loved construction and spent many hours renovating and building homes in Michigan, Illinois, and Florida. Activities of outdoor life included dirt biking, boating, golfing, cruises, and evening sunsets with friends in West Bloomfield, Mullet Lake, Crystal Lake, Manistique, and Vero Beach. Diane and Ray enjoyed decades of duplicate bridge and built family time overboard and card games, fantasy football, and crossword puzzles. Yet his favorite job was to care for Diane and act as her roadie as she played piano in a variety of bands during their many years together.
Donations may be made in Ray’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. An outdoor celebration for Ray and his beautiful life will be held with family and friends in Crystal Lake, Illinois this coming summer.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Robert Dawson Drulard, 70
January 15, 1951 – January 19, 2021
Mr. Robert Dawson Drulard, 70, died January 19, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida.
Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard having served during the Vietnam era.
He was a member St. Luke Catholic Church, Micco, Florida, St. Casimir Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Robert is survived by his wife of 48 years, Caroylnn Drulard; a son, several siblings, and a host of friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to one of the following charities: St. Luke Catholic Church, 5055 Micco Road, Micco, Florida 32976; St. Casimir Catholic Church, 324 Wharton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, or National Shrine of St. John Neumann, 1019 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19213 in loving memory of Robert Dawson Drulard.
Viewing will be held from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at St. Luke Catholic Church, 5055 Micco Road, Micco, FL 32976 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM with Father Tony Welle, celebrant. Military Honors will be conducted by the Sebastian Area Veterans’ Honor Guard.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Sebastian, Florida.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Jean Lehman, 86, Barefoot Bay
April 25, 1934 – January 20, 2021
Mrs. Wilma Jean Lehman, 86, of Barefoot Bay, FL, formerly of Grover Hill, OH, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian.
Jean was born in Perry Township, OH to the late Leroy and Zelma Counts Hunt. It was after graduating from Continental High School in Continental, OH that she met her future husband Elmer Aaron Lehman, Jr. while Aaron was in the Army. They happily married April 25, 1953 in Dupont, OH.
Jean was a member of the Church of The Bretheren in Dupont, OH where she was a member of the Willing Workers Club. Throughout her life, Jean remained an avid reader and loved puzzles especially word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.
Survivors include a son Larry W. Lehman of West Palm Beach, FL, grandchildren Jessica (Jason) Gillespie and Joshua Lehman, great grandchildren Corbin Lehman and Ava Gillespie, brothers Gary (Deb) Hunt of Defiance, OH, Dave (Vickie) Hunt of Defiance, OH and Clifford (Janet) Hunt of Continental, OH, sister Lois Massie of Ashboro, NC, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving extended family.
In addition to her parents Leroy and Zelma Counts Hunt, Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years Elmer Aaron Lehman, Jr., daughter Judy Lehman, grandson Jason Lehman, and two sisters Betty Parlette and Elaine Hunt.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 7825 Baymeadows Way, Suite 104A, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 32256.
No services are currently planned.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
William Francis Pritchard, 73, Sebastian
October 2, 1947 – January 18, 2021
Mr. William Francis Pritchard, 73, died January 18, 2021 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida after a brief illness.
He was born in Syracuse, New York and moved to Sebastian, Florida upon retirement to enjoy his passion of Golfing, fishing, and beach days.
William was a graduate of West Genesee High School, Camillus, New York.
He worked as a Pipefitter for Dietz and Kilian Manufacturing companies both in Syracuse, New York.
Survivors include his daughters, Michele Seelman of Syracuse, New York and Jamie Pasternak of Maumelle, Arkansas; companion, Vivian J. Thompson of Sebastian, FL; brother, Mark Pritchard of Florida; sister, Vivie Pritchard of Syracuse, New York and 3 Granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian Krupka and William Pritchard and sister, Sherry Ashbeck.
At the request of the family services will be private.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Gregory M. Sopkin, 74, Vero Beach
October 7, 1946 – January 21, 2021
Gregory M. Sopkin, 74, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach.
He was born October 7, 1946 in Providence, Rhode Island. Greg graduated from Tabor Academy and Boston University before serving six years in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Greg spent 30 years in the restaurant business culminating in owning his own restaruant on The Upper Eastside of New York City with his wife of 40 years, Phyllis Sopkin.
In 1987, he and Phyllis, moved to Vero Beach where he worked at The Village South Restaurant and Bobby’s on the beach before retiring.
Survivors include a stepdaughter Deborah Ivory of Flushing, New York, stepson Tony Maestri, and grandsons Duane, Anthony, Marc, and Nick.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis Sopkin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
The family will receive friends 1-5 PM, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A memorial service celebrating his life will begin at 5 PM with military honors given by Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard followed by Chaplain Chad Elberson.
