From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Betty Ann Michta, 83, Vero Beach
May 12, 1938 – May 04, 2021
Betty Ann Michta of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully Tuesday,
May 4, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born May 12, 1938 in Huntington, NY to Albert and Anna Sammis.
During her time in Huntington, NY she worked as a bookkeeper and was a member and President of the Halesite Fire Department Junior Ladies Auxiliary. Betty Ann retired in 2002 and moved to Vero Beach, Florida, with her husband William Michta, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Betty Ann loved traveling and creating memories with her loved ones. She enjoyed many amazing adventures with her lifelong friends, Mimi Taylor and Barbara Grignon. She and her husband were fortunate to visit places such as Alaska, Sweden, Russia, Norway, and many other places.
Betty Ann loved to cook. Thanksgiving was one of her favorite holidays. She always had large gatherings of relatives, friends, and anyone that did not have a place to go. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and teaching them how to cook all sorts of special food.
She is survived by her brother Walter Sammis of Huntington, NY; her daughter Jodi (Halligan) Schmalried(Greg) of Vero Beach, FL; her granddaughter, Christie Tostevin(Shelby) of St. Augustine, FL; her granddaughter, Jessica Kay(Scott) of Chesapeake, VA; her grandson Christopher Simon, Jr.(Julia) her twin great-granddaughters Mikala and Isabella (The Dolly Sisters);Her great-granddaughter, Tyley; her great grandson Tyler; her great-granddaughter Zoe; and her great-granddaughter Chelsea.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, George Halligan (1976) and by her husband of 38 years William Michta (2017).
Burial services will be held June 1, 2021 at 11:00 am at Huntington Rural Cemetery, 555 New York Avenue, Huntington.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Fisher Center of Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Beuke, 100
August 30, 1921 – May 01, 2021
Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Beuke, formerly Elizabeth Ann Stumpf of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021, in Vero Beach, FL.
She was born August 30, 1921, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Frank Louis Stumpf and Wilhelmina Anna Helene Stumpf (Minnie Rosebrock). One of seven children, Elizabeth grew up in the Stumpf family home on South Meridian Street, Indianapolis.
The youngest daughter in the family, Betty attended Manual High School. Following high school, she trained to be a comptometrist. Betty was employed by LS Ayers & Company and Eli Lilly & Company. In 1941, a mutual acquaintance introduced Betty to her future husband Henry (Hank) A. Beuke. Thus began a love affair and marriage in 1942 that lasted for more than 60 years. They traveled extensively wherever Hank was assigned. Assignments included Germany, Japan, Virginia, California, Kentucky. and Maryland. One of her favorite past times was walking on the beach which she did for 40 years
Betty loved dogs and horses, played the violin, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She also sang with the bands that Hank played in, and as a fledging artist drew sketches using charcoal. An accomplished horsewoman, she participated in rodeos and other venues with the horses she owned. Her love of dogs began early when people would abandon their dogs in front of her dad and uncle’s meat packing plant (Stumpf Brothers Meat Packing Plant) during the depression. Betty and her siblings took care of the dogs and loved them.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Henry A. Beuke who passed in 2003., her parents and brothers Louis and Frank and sisters, Marie, Helen, Frances, and Genevieve. She is survived by her son Henry A. Beuke, Jr, of North Myrtle Beach, SC, his wife Jennifer Wattenbarger Beuke, and her daughter, Betsy Beuke Flood of Vero Beach, FL and her husband William Flood. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was a loving wife, devoted mother, and will be missed by those whose lives she touched.
Elizabeth will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery where Hank is buried at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elizabeth’s memory to the Florida Baptist Retirement Center, 1006 33rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Bradford Winston Gronquist, 84, Sebastian
February 15, 1937 – May 11, 2021
2100 S. Knik-Goose Bay Rd.
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Carmen was born in Cincinnati Ohio on June 30, 1929. She attended Villa Madonna Academy in Covington Kentucky, Saint Ursula Academy Cincinnati, Ohio and college years at the University of Cincinnati and Barry University where she earned her degree in teaching. Carmen first worked for the United States Air Force (USAF ) in Columbus, Ohio and coordinated all the youth programs and was Assistant Service Director for the enlisted men. She met her husband Gilbert Keay, a pilot in the USAF and truly enjoyed the social and comradely of being a member of the Airman’s wives club and Officers Club. Being stationed in Germany, France, Colorado, Orlando, Alamogordo and Panama City during the era of the Cold War and Cuba Missile crisis brought adventure and challenges to Carmen and the family. After leaving the Air Force Carmen settled in Waterville Maine and she taught Physical Education and health and was a Field Hockey and Basketball coach for Lawrence High School in Fairfield, Maine. Carmen moved to Michigan where she joined the YMCA as an Aquatic Director and then Program Director with the South Oakland YMCA in Royal Oak, Michigan and Wayne Westland YMCA. In March 1980 Carmen moved to Vero Beach, Florida where she worked with the YMCA and in 1983 moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and became the Executive Director of the YMCA. After retiring from the YMCA, she was very active with Palm Beach Community College and was selected to serve as a mentor for the Leadership of Palm Beach Programs and loved her work at Publix supermarket.
Carmen’s most memorable times were her times as a PE teacher/coach, working with teens, the YMCA and being a devoted mother and grandmother.
Carmen dedicated her life to her Catholic faith and sharing her faith with her children and grandchildren and lived her faith in community service and helping those less fortunate. With a strong devotion to our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary, Carmen was a faithful member of the Saint Mary’s Catholic Community in Royal Oak, Michigan, Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Helen Catholic Church and generously supported the Poor and underprivileged.
Carmen’s love for life, fun and faith will be in our hearts forever.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00AM Friday, May 21, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach.
Interment will be held at St. Mary Cemetery & Mausoleum in Cincinnati at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to SafeSpace, St. Helen Catholic Church, and Halo Rescue.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Kathleen Rosemary Kemp, 73, Vero Beach
March 31, 1948 – May 15, 2021
Kathleen Rosemary Kemp surrendered to the will of her Heavenly Father on May 15th, 2021 at 3:30 pm. Her husband and two daughters were by her side. She was born on March 31, 1948 to the late Vera and Gerald Kane of Saddle River, New Jersey. She was a past resident of Ridgewood and Mantoloking NJ and currently resided in Vero Beach Florida.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years John B Kemp III of Vero Beach, Florida, two daughters, Kristin Seelert (husband Steve) of New Canaan, Connecticut and Lynsey Jackson (husband Joe) of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and her five grandchildren, Riley, Macklin and Robert Seelert and John and Paige Jackson. Kathy’s talents were endless; painting, golf, and cooking, but her passion was her grandchildren. With her infectious smile and personality, Kathy was adored by anyone who was lucky enough to know her.
Kathy was a member of The John’s Island Club of Vero Beach Florida, a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She was a past Chairwoman for the Vero Beach Museum of Art Gala, was a mentor at the Crossover Mission in Vero Beach and had been an artist at the Palm House Gallery.
Her family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the many supportive friends, family members and doctors who helped her to courageously fight through an 18-month battle with lung cancer. Kathy leaves a legacy of strength, love and faith.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday May 25th from 5:00-8:00pm at the C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home, 306 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Wednesday May 26th at 10:00am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Ridgewood. Interment will be private. www.vanemburgh.com.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Ralph Stanley Hersey, 83, Barefoot Bay
February 16, 1938 – May 19, 2021
Mr. Ralph Stanley Hersey, 83, died May 19, 2021 in Barefoot Bay, Florida.
He was born in Waterville, Maine and lived in Barefoot Bay, Florida.
Ralph was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Arolyn “Lyn” Hersey of Barefoot Bay, Florida.
At the request of the family services will be private.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
