From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Joan Atkinson Kay, 93, Vero Beach
June 04, 1927 – March 19, 2021
Joan Atkinson Kay died on March 19, 2021 at her apartment in The Regency of Vero Beach, following a battle with cancer. Joan was the eldest child born to Marjorie Hindman Wood and Raymond Stewart Wood on June 4, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan.
Joan graduated from the Northrop Collegiate School for Girls in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1945, and thereafter from the Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1949–majoring in Biology.
In 1951, Joan married Robert Coleman Kay, a graduate of the University of Virginia, a Lieutenant JG in the U. S. Navy during World War II, and a resident of Lynchburg, Virginia. The newlyweds first moved to Cincinnati Ohio, then Kettering, Ohio and East Grand Rapids, Michigan while Coleman was employed by the Reynolds Metals Company. In 1964, Coleman took a job with Olin Corporation and moved the family to Kirkwood, Missouri, a suburban city within the greater St. Louis area. In 1990, Joan and Coleman retired to Vero Beach, Florida. During the course of their 56+ year marriage (Coleman died on January 16, 2008), they enjoyed traveling around the country and the world, including trips to England, France and the Middle East.
Prior to her marriage, Joan worked in Eli Lilly’s Research Department and thereafter at Cincinnati General Hospital. She raised three sons, and then worked in the Guidance Counseling Department at Kirkwood High School.
Her greatest work outside the home–over decades in several different communities–was reflected in her devotion and leadership to the many not for profit organizations she served and supported. At the age of 16, she sold more war bonds than any other student in the State of Michigan. While living in Kettering, Joan was on the committee that started what is now called Wright State University. While living in Kirkwood, she quickly rose from a volunteer delivering meals for the Meals on Wheels organization to its Co-Ordinator for an entire four city market, supervising the efforts of over 250 volunteers.
When Joan and Coleman moved to Vero Beach, she quickly immersed herself in various local organizations. She became the President of the Bermuda Bay Homeowners’ Association within a year after her arrival, and was elected again on three separate occasions. She joined the Indian River Hospital’s Auxiliary, first as a volunteer and later was elected its President. Thereafter, Joan was chosen as the Chairman of Orientation for the State of Florida Board of Auxiliaries. Joan also served on the Founding Board of the Indian River Symphonic Association, was an ordained Stephen’s Minister, and an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach.
Her work on behalf of her alma mater, Randolph Macon Woman’s College, reflected Joan’s inner drive to make a beneficial impact, as well as her leadership skills. Joan served as the Chapter President (in two different cities), then as the College’s District Director for five states, as her Class Secretary, and finally on the 50th Reunion Committee.
More than anything, Joan loved her family. She taught us to be self-sufficient and strong, but she was always there to provide her unconditional support whenever we needed help. She encouraged us to learn more, to travel more, to support more people and causes, and to do more with our lives–to make the same kind of meaningful and significant impact with our lives that Joan made with her life. We were indeed blessed to have such a loving, strong, exemplary role model.
Joan is survived by her three sons and their families: Christopher Kent Kay, wife Kristine, their daughter Lauren and son-in-law Adam Soufleris, and Joan’s two great-grandchildren, George Soufleris and Eleanor Soufleris; Robert Wood Kay, his wife Roberta, their son Griffin and daughter in law Nichole Dial-Kay, and daughter Hannah Kay; and Andrew Stewart Kay, his wife Adrienne, their daughter Kathryn Shields, son-in-law Michael Shields, and Joan’s two additional great-grandchildren Quinn Shields and Preston Shields, as well as Joan’s grandson Spencer Kay. Joan is also survived by her only sibling, the Rt. Rev. R. Stewart Wood, Jr. and his wife Kristin of Hanover, NH.
Memorial services will be at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach on April 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Her cremains will be buried alongside her beloved husband, Coleman, in a private ceremony at the South Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to make a gift in her memory in support of the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach FL 32960.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Elizabeth Ann Wodtke, 80, Vero Beach
August 7, 1940 – March 20, 2021
Elizabeth Ann Wodtke, 80, passed away on March 20, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived in Vero Beach, Florida since 1954.Elizabeth retired as a Registered Nurse.
She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.Elizabeth volunteered at the Vero Beach Ambulance Squad early on in her career and later on volunteered at the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association in Indian River County.
She was a graduate of Vero Beach High School and Indian River State College, where she studied and received a degree in nursing.Survivors include sons; Jeff and Jerry Wodtke, daughter Angel Casterline, brother Richard Compton, sisters; Becky Jones and Mary Taylor; 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by husband Louis Wodtke, sons Russell, Michael, and Stephen Wodtke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Associations.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Christopher Kevin Pollard Jr., 94
June 04, 1926 – March 17, 2021
Obituary not yet posted.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John Michael Haworth, 74, Sebastian
December 29, 1946 – March 11, 2021
John Michael Haworth, 74, of Sebastian, went to heaven Thursday 11 March 2021, with his daughter, son in law and the caring staff at the West Palm Beach VA Hospice by his side.
He was born to the late John Richard Haworth and Mona Anola Haworth (Nall) on 29 December 1946 in Clarksdale, MS. John attended New Athens Community Unit School in New Athens, Illinois. He then enlisted in the United States Army in 1965, he was then sent to fight in Vietnam after graduating Basic Training, Combat Infantry School and Jump School. He earned several badges while in the United States Army to include Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. John was a proud Vietnam Veteran and served the country with honor. He returned to the US after the war and became a skilled carpenter. John was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John is survived by his daughter Jessica (Justin) Fairchild of Sebastian; His sister Aura (Richard “Dick”) Markgraf , of Casa Grande, AZ. He is also survived by his three granddaughters Maya, Madelyn and Madison Fairchild of Sebastian. Many nieces and nephews and his beloved pup Honey.
John is predeceased by Janice Cavanagh (formerly Haworth) lifetime partner, and soul mate; his Niece Kimberley Hardman (Markgraf) and his Mother, Father and stepfather Rosario (Ross) Marois.
A tribute to his life will be held Saturday, April 17th starting at 1000 am, Seawinds Funeral Home, 735 S. Fleming St Sebastian, FL 32958. A private Internment at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery will be done at a later date.
In lieu of flowers , the family is requesting that donations be made in his name to Next Generation Veterans of Indian River County at www.ngvirc.org
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a memory is asked to visit John’s memorial page at https://seawindsfh.com/
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
William Barry Grader, 61, Sebastian
June 28, 1959 – March 15, 2021
William Barry Grader, 61, of Sebastian, a long-time resident of Weedsport, New York, passed away on March 15, 2021.
He was born to William James Grader and the late Kathleen Ann Barry Grader on June 28, 1959 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. William attended Weedsport Junior Senior High School. He was the long-time contractor and owner of Craftsman Construction. He was a competitive pool player and a member of the Italian American Club.
William is predeceased by his mother, Kathleen Ann Barry Grader, of Montezuma, New York and his sister, Patricia Baity, of Seneca Falls, New York.
He is survived by his children, Nicole Cunningham of Sebastian, and Kari Ann (Frank) Osborne of Palm Bay, Florida. He is survived by 4 grandchildren: Ciara Cunningham, Brigham Gourlay, Franklin Osborne, and Aubree Petersen.
He is also survived by his father, William James Grader, of Montezuma, New York, and his siblings; Theresa (Lyle) Smithler of Weedsport, New York; James (Terri) Grader of Auburn, New York; Rosemary Ingersoll of Auburn, New York; Elizabeth (Tim) Case of Bradenton, Florida; Elaine Glines of Alton, New Hampshire; John “Jack” Grader of Weedsport, New York; Thomas (Penny) Grader of Weedsport, New York; and Linda Florrow of Bradenton, Florida; 17 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit William’s memorial page at https://www.seawindsfh.com/.
