From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Debra Hall, 58, Fellsmere
November 29, 1962 – August 27, 2021
Debra Hall, age 58, Passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center
She was born in Vero Beach, FL and lived in Fellsmere, FL her entire life. Graduate of Vero Beach High school, Class of 1980.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years Thomas Hall, daughter Amber Mepham, son Jared Hall, her 3 beloved grandchildren Ashby, Simon, and Olive, Mother Robbie McMillian-Burmeister, and Brother Billie Ashburn. Preceded in death by her father William Ashburn.
Debra was employed by Bendcare of Vero Beach where she was an office manager.
A Celebration of Life will be held September 11th 2021 at 4:00pm at Masters Stable in Fellsmere, FL. Attire will be casual.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests potted plants. These will be enjoyed for a memorial garden for their home in Okeechobee.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Elaine Florence Wolford, 95, Vero Beach
November 08, 1925 – August 17, 2021
Elaine Florence Wolford, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away August 17, 2021. She was 95.
A direct descendant of William Brewster, the spiritual leader of H.M.S. Mayflower and The Mayflower Colony, a popular secondary school English and drama teacher for forty years, and the recipient of many educational awards and accolades, she was born Elaine Florence Allen in Cadillac, Michigan on November 8, 1925. She was the eldest daughter of Clifford L. Allen, a renowned Michigan poet and chiropractor, and Leora (Bertholf) Allen, a schoolteacher, and artist.
Elaine married Clarence Lloyd Wolford in 1948, to whom she was married for 50 years and with whom she had four children.
Elaine received her Master’s degree from Rollins College in Orlando, Florida. While an English teacher and drama coach at Merritt Island High School, Elaine produced numerous plays and theatre productions (which included building entire stage sets) for MIHS. She retired from Brevard County Schools after 40 years of service.
Following her career as a teacher, Elaine became an entrepreneur and worked with World Books and Mary Kay earning her many awards and recognition.
She enjoyed painting, writing poetry, and listening to classical music throughout her life. She adored living by the ocean and the beauty of the natural world. She was a member of Christ by the Sea, United Methodist Church and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Elaine loved her family and friends. She was warm and giving and continued to stay in touch with many of her students long after retirement.
She is survived by her daughter, Lyn O. Osborne (Michael) of Rose Hill, VA; Son, Alan M. Wolford of Vero Beach, FL; daughter Diana G. Kirschner (Jonathan, dec.), of Fairview, NC. Grandchildren: April (Jeff) Mather, Darlene (Daimon) Glenn, Lori Collins, Hannah Kirschner (Alonzo Lopez) and Ashlyn Wolford; nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased in death by her parents; husband, Clarence L. Wolford; a son, Gary W. Wolford (2015); brothers Raymond and Louis Allen Jr; and sisters, Norma Webber, and Lois Clough.
Due to COVID 19- A Memorial Service will be scheduled in the future and that information can be found on Lowther’s website.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute FAU, Ft. Pierce, Florida or Christ by the Sea, United Methodist Church, Vero Beach, Florida.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Jean Marie Chaffee, 87, Vero Beach
February 11, 1934 – August 31, 2021
Jean Marie Chaffee, 87, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on August 31, 2021.
Jean was born on February 11, 1934, to Floyd and Florence Perry in Chateaugay, New York. After graduating from Chateaugay High School, she landed her first job as a cashier at Market Place in Ithaca New York where she met her future husband, Marvin Robert Chaffee, they wed in 1952,
When Jean had her first son, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Jean excelled at propping up her family and supporting them through the challenges and difficulties of their lives. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Marvin, sister Kathy Reynolds, brother John Perry and her daughter-in-law Jennifer Chaffee. She is survived by her children, Robert (Paul), William, Nancy (Jerry), John (Cathy) and Susan (Nayden), her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and her great-great grandchild who will all miss her.
There will be a celebration of life at the Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach, Florida announced at a later date, on the funeral home website.
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Sue Ellen Soldano, 72, Vero Beach
October 23, 1948 – August 29, 2021
Mrs. Sue Ellen Soldano, 72, of Vero Beach, FL left her earthly home Sunday, August 29, 2021.
Sue Ellen was born in Berwyn, IL to the late John and Rita Lapenda Lukesand moved to Vero Beach in 2018 from Hampshire, IL.
She was an active member of Cornerstone Christian Church in Vero Beach where she could regularly be found organizing or participating in activities honoring God and Jesus. Sue Ellen had worked at Hines VA Hospital in Illinois, and International Harvestor, which became Navistar, where she worked as a Graphics Designer prior to retiring.
Survivors include her husband Thomas Adam Soldano of Vero Beach, brothers Allen (Barb) Lukes of Frankfurt, IL and John (Donna) Lukes of Huntley, IL, nieces and nephews Denise, Timmy, and Chrissy, and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church, 4940 Eighth Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A service celebrating the life of Sue Ellen will begin at 10 AM, Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Cornerstone Christian Church. Interment will take place Monday, September 13, 2021 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery with a committal service beginning at 1 PM.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of SUE ELLEN SOLDANO, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Maria Gazzara, 56, Vero Beach
February 5, 1965 – August 27, 2021
Mrs. Maria Gazzara, 56, of Vero Beach passed away August 27, 2021.
She was born February 5, 1965 in Hartford, Connecticut to Santo Gibilisco and Assunta Giallongo Gibilisco, where the family resided until they relocated to Port Saint Lucie, Florida in 1971.
Maria was a 1983 graduate of Fort Pierce Westwood Highschool and attended Indian River College.
She was an owner and operator of the family business “Guy’s Quality Meats” in Fort Pierce which originated in Vero Beach in 1995.
Family was everything to Maria, she found the most joy spending time with her loved ones, especially her grandchildren, she also enjoyed traveling the world with the love of her life, Gaetano.
In addition to her parents, Maria is survived by her loving husband, Gaetano Gazzara of Vero Beach, they were married in Sicily, Italy in 1984 for 37 years; children, Michael Gazzara and wife Sarah and Gabriella Gazzara both of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Kirra Gazzara, Arianna Gazzara, and Luka Gazzara, all of Vero Beach; siblings, Cecilia Gazzara and brother-in-law Sebastiano Gazzara of Vero Beach, Michele Gibilisco of Orlando, Joe Gibilisco and wife Cherie of Vero Beach, Lucia Gazzara of Sicily, Italy, and Carmela Gazzara of Fort Pierce; 13 nieces and nephews, and loving extended family members in Italy.
She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Michele Gazzara, grandmother, Cecilia Sbriglio, and brother-in-law Luciano Bottaro.
Funeral Service will be held 1:30 p.m. on Saturday September 11, 2021 Pathway Church with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Crestlawn Cemetery.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MARIA GAZZARA, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Lawrence “Larry” Michael Alge, 57, Vero Beach
February 29, 1964 – August 28, 2021
Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Michael Alge, 57, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away unexpectedly August 28, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, Florida.
Larry was born in North Miami Beach, Florida to the late Thomas Walter Alge and Patricia Whitney Alge. He moved to Vero Beach 10 years ago from Los Angeles, California.
Larry served in the US Marine Corps during the first Desert Storm military action. He had worked in the sales division of La Mesa RV Sales and Service in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Survivors include his wife Kellie L. Alge of Vero Beach, sons Walter (Rebecca) Alge of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Sean Woodburn of Madison, Wisconsin, daughter Lawren (Eric) Freudenthal of Virginia Beach, Virginia, grandchildren Kayden and Noah Frudenthal and Odin and Eli Alge, a brother Stephen (Lynn) Alge of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and a sister Sharon (Paul) Puhaida of Harrison, Arkansas.
A committal service with military honors will take place 9:00 AM Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of LAWRENCE MICHAEL ALGE, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Ronald Otto Heinicke, 89, Sebastian
August 13, 1932 – August 20, 2021
Ronald Otto Heinicke was born in Yonkers, New York. He lived and worked in Suffolk Co., N.Y., where he met his wife of 60 years, Mary Bradley Heinicke.
Heinicke was drafted into the Army and was deployed in the Korean War, then returned to continue his service to our nation as a Lloyd Harbor Police Officer holding roles that included Marine, motor, and patrol positions. Additionally, he service with the Centerport Fire Department.
After retirement, Heinicke relocated to Sebastian, Florida, where he opened and operated Ron’s Auto Repair Shop for an additional 25 years.
Heinicke spent time with his friends and family until his passing. He was preceded by his daughter, Allison (Bill), son, Ron Jr. (Scott), and grandchildren, Victoria (Tony), and William (Megan).
Services for Ronald Heinicke will be held for immediate family on Friday, September 3, 2021 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, Florida.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Ronald Otto Heinicke, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.