From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Marion “Mickey” Degen, 94, Vero Beach
June 19, 1926 – January 10, 2021
Marion, also known as Mickey, Big Mare, or Moth (short for “Mother, not the insect…) was born in Buffalo, New York where she lived for most of her life.
After graduating from Bennett High School and the University of Buffalo, she married William E. Degen on September 18, 1948. Their only child “Little Bill” was born in July 1950.
Mickey worked part-time for years at Buffalo General Hospital as a medical technologist, but always found time for family gatherings, days at the beach, and Little Bill’s sporting events.
After many Florida vacations, Mickey and Bill bought their beloved Vero Beach condo, where they lived part-time until about 15 years ago when they moved to Florida full-time.
Mickey and Bill loved the Vero Beach lifestyle. They enjoyed dinner with family and friends, parties at the clubhouse, bridge with “the girls,” Blue Grass night downtown, and theater season tickets right up to their final days.
Mickey took up golf when she retired and played regularly in both New York and Florida. She even won the Women’s Club Championship at the Buffalo Golf Club. She always took her clubs on trips to the west coast, and on Caribbean vacations.
Bill preceded Mickey in death exactly one month after celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary. They are survived by their son William (Sarah) in Santa Barbara, California, and by a grandson (Brookes) in San Francisco.
A joint service for both Mickey and Bill will be held at a future (yet undetermined) date. Mickey and Bill were long time members of the First United Methodist Church (1750 20th St, Vero Beach, 32960) The church was incredibly supportive of both Mickey and Bill in their final days. Donations in memory of Marion Degen would be welcome and appreciated.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Shirley Anne Miller, 74, Vero Beach
November 11, 1946 – February 01, 2021
Shirley A. Miller, age 74, of Vero Beach, passed away February 1, 2021 at her home.
She was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to Vero Beach.
Shirley was a bookkeeper for many different companies in Indian River County, never truly retiring.
She volunteered at Riverside Theater in many different capacities.
Shirley had attended Indian River and Broward Community College.
She is survived by her mother, Elnor Paul Matthews of Vero Beach; brother, Lawrence Paul (Pamela) of Sebastian; sister, Donna Miller (Wayne) of The Villages; aunt, Rosalind Robb of Pompano Beach; stepmother, Lynn Paul of Englewood; nephews, Eirk Paul and Joshua Paul; nieces, Danielle Kane, Jacqueline Rhodes, and Teresa Smith; and nine grandnephews and grandnieces.
Shirley was predeceased by her father, Walter Paul of Englewood.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
George M. Purcell, 88, Vero Beach
September 24, 1932 – February 1, 2021
George M. Purcell, a long-time resident of Vero Beach and a member of the Vero Beach Country Club, passed away on February 1, 2021 of natural causes. George was born in Trenton, Missouri on September 24, 1932. He earned an engineering degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA from University of Detroit. He was a Korean War veteran who served as a fighter pilot in the Air Force holding the rank of Captain. Flying was a passion that he pursued as a private pilot and instructor well into retirement. After serving in the military, George married and raised his family in Northville, Michigan while working at Ford Motor Company. Upon retirement, he moved to Vero Beach in 1989, where he spent the remainder of his life with his loving and dedicated wife JoAnn while enjoying flying, golfing, singing, boating, and playing cards. He is survived by his wife, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends 3-5 PM, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Prayer Service celebrating his life will begin at 10 AM the following day at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Fort Pierce, Florida.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Irene Langstaff, 91
June 10, 1929 – February 01, 2021
A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, February 23rd, 12:00 p.m. at St. Helen’s Catholic Church. Visitation will precede services at 10:30 a.m. at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Chapel.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joshua David Harding, 16, Sebastian
December 23, 2004 – January 26, 2021
Joshua David Harding, 16, left this world too soon on January 26,2021, in Orlando, FL.
He was born in Jacksonville, FL on December 23, 2004. He lived in Sebastian and had many hobbies. He loved playing basketball and going to the beach. He was also in the Boy Scouts, enjoyed going on hikes, fishing, four-wheeling, hanging out with his friends, and always maked new friends!
He was preceded by Poppy David.
Joshua is survived by his mom Krystle, his dad Joshua, step-dad Jesston, a sister Peyton, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles, as well as many, many cousins.
Visitation will be held at Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, on Saturday, February 6, 2020 at 11 AM. For information (772)589-1933.
