From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Anne Marie Lau, 68, Vero Beach
March 07, 1953 – October 24, 2021
Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Mrs. Anne Marie Lau, 68, passed away October 24th, 2021. She touched so many lives and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew and loved her.
Anne was born on March 7th, 1953 in Negaunee, Michigan. She attended Northern Michigan University and moved to Vero Beach, Florida in 1979 where she met Stephen who she married in 1980. Anne was a teacher for over 40 years before retiring from the St. Lucie County School Board. Upon retirement she worked for Crossover Mission in Vero Beach as a math tutor. She also belonged to the Florida Retired Educators Association.
She is survived by her Husband, Stephen Lau; Son, Joshua Lau; Daughter, Sarah Chnupa; and Grandchildren, Ella Chnupa and Easton Chnupa.
Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Hilding and Esther Erickson.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at 2:00pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 6th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960, masks required.
The Family requests that any Memorial Contributions be given to support Crossover Mission of Vero Beach, 4425 US-1, Vero Beach, FL 32967, as this organization was very special to Anne.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Jack W. Pennell, Jr., 66, Vero Beach
May 16, 1955 – October 18, 2021
Jack W. Pennell, Jr. passed away on October 18, 2021. During his 66 years, he was a life long resident of Vero Beach. He worked at Russell Concrete for several decades. Prior to battling Alzheimers, Jack had been an avid golfer, baseball player, fisherman, and bowler. He enjoyed tinkering on his many vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Even when his memory was fading, he was a Rays fan. He will be missed by many.
Jack is survived by his siblings, Shawna Pennell, Kathi Weems (Bob) and Anna Martin (Michael); his Step-Mother, Ellie Pennell; his late wife’s devoted family (Piedmont), his friend “brother” since elementary school, Jacky Saucerman; and a large extended family and group of friends.
Jack was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Piedmont Pennell; his mother, Kathleen Kitchen; his father, Jack W. Pennell Sr.; and his siblings, Cathy Pennell Halvorsen and Robert Bergandi.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest a donation to Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County (https://alzpark.org/donate/)
or to one’s charity of choice.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Manuel “Manny” Elias Garcia, 84, Vero Beach
December 31, 1936 – October 23, 2021
Manuel “Manny” Elias Garcia, 84, longtime resident of Vero Beach, died peacefully on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021.
Manny is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years Margaret Lehman Garcia, and his children Michael Garcia of Sebastian, FL, Carolyn Saxon (John) of Vero Beach, FL, Stephen McCormick (Adriana) of Bowie, MD, and Patrick McCormick (Jennifer) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; his eight grandchildren, Robert, Lindsey, Madelyn, Michael, Megan, Patrick Jr., Thomas, and Lilly; his sister, Nena Garcia of Vero Beach, FL, and brother Frank Garcia (Cheryl) of NJ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen Jewels, his brothers Edmond and Joseph Garcia, and his daughter Gigi Garcia.
Manny was born December 31, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, to Elias Manuel Garcia Del Busto and Maria Louisa Cetina. Manny graduated from New York Military Academy in 1957, then moved to Chambas, Camaguey, Cuba, to manage his family’s ranch and farm, Finca Neita Barrow Amarillo. In 1958, Manny and his family fled Cuba for New York when Casto’s regime raided and seized the family home, leaving everything behind.
He worked in New York 1958-1962, eventually becoming Vice President of United Container Ship Tank Container. In 1962 Manny moved to Florida and was appointed vice president of operations of MG Ranch, Fellsmere, FL, and Diamond G Farms, subsidiary of Camino Del Rio Racing Stables. In 1983 the properties were sold to St. John’s Water Management District, and the Fellsmere property was flooded and named Lake Garcia. Manny was also a Real Estate Broker 1980-1990, Florida General Realty, Indian River County.
Manny enjoyed traveling, golf, tennis and baseball. Manny will be remembered for his gentle spirit, kindness and deep devotion to his faith and family. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church where he served as an Eucharistic Minister.
Memorial contributions may be made to Care-Net Pregnancy Center, Vero Beach, FL 32960. www.carenetirc.org
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Friday, November 5, 2021, at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Vero Beach.
Burial will be in Conshohocken, PA.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MANUEL “MANNY” ELIAS GARCIA, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Betty Jo Washburn, 84, Vero Beach
February 19, 1937 – October 19, 2021
Mrs. Betty Jo Washburn, 84, passed away October 19, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach.
She was born in Tuscarora, New York on February 19, 1937 to Walter Graham, Sr. and Ruth Cole Graham and moved to Vero Beach, FL in 1970.
Betty retired from being the secretary and owner of Ace Plumbing.
She enjoyed baking, bingo and playing cards, however, most of all she loved her family.
Survivors include her husband, Julian Washburn of Vero Beach; daughters, Donna Simons (Stanley), Diane Spyker (David) of Sebastian, Darlene Peterson of Vero Beach, Dale Carini of Vero Beach and Debbie Loucks of Bentonville, Arkansas; sons, Douglas Julian Washburn (Vicki) of Vero Beach and Daniel Joe Washburn (Tracy) of Vero Beach; brother, Robert Graham (Eva) of Campbell, New York; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of which whom love and will miss her dearly.
Betty was preceded in death by her son, David Washburn, brother, Walter Graham, Jr., father, Walter Graham, Sr., mother, Ruth Cole Graham, and sister, Mary Graham Washburn.
The family will receive friends from 1-3:00 PM on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A Memorial Service will immediately follow.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of BETTY JO WASHBURN, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Russell E. Hawk, Jr., 92
April 17, 1929 – October 8, 2021
Russell E. Hawk, Jr., 92, passed away October 8, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital, Vero Beach. A full obituary is forthcoming.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of RUSSELL E. HAWK, JR., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Frederick Fields Grone (Fred), 88, Vero Beach
March 22, 1933 – October 2, 2021
Frederick Fields Grone (Fred), 88, passed away October 2, 2021 in Riverview, FL.
Fred was born on March 22, 1933 in Ashland, Kentucky to Clyde Pratt Grone and Jess Marie Scalf Grone.
He moved to Vero Beach in 1961, where he met the love of his life, Sandra. Their daughter, Gina was born in 1967 and was his pride and joy.
Fred was employed at Piper Aircraft and thereafter, Citizens Federal Savings and Loan as the Assistant Vice President.
After retiring from Citizens, he worked part time at the Indian River County Clerk of the Court and volunteered for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department as a Civilian Auxiliary Patrol (CAP).
He had a passion for playing golf and loved cheering on Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins on Sundays, however, his truest love was traveling around the United States with his family to watch his grandson, Paulie, play hockey.
Fred and Sandy were married 58 years upon his passing.
A Memorial Service will be held at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL on Saturday, November 6th at 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2300 5th Avenue, Suite 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach.
A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of FREDERICK (FRED) FIELDS GRONE, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Maxine Baucum, 94
January 8, 1927 – October 26, 2021
Maxine Baucum, 94, passed away October 26, 2021 om Vero Beach, FL. A full obituary is forthcoming.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MAXINE BAUCUM, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Thelma Houser, 96, Vero Beach/Sebastian
August 19, 1925 – October 17, 2021
Thelma Houser passed on October 17, 2021 in Sebastian, Florida.
She is survived by her children., Rose Praznovsky (Michael), Cheri Orchard (Carols), Rita Lawson and Michelle Houser and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Houston Houser, Jr. and children, Greg Houser and Sandra Houser.
Thelma was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, August 19th, 1925. At the age of 19 (1944) she worked for the United States of America War Department in the US Army Service Force Corps of Engineers at Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the Manhattan District. She participated in work essential to the production of the Atomic Bomb, thereby contributing to the successful conclusion of World War II and was awarded a certificate from the War Department for effective service on August 6, 1945.
In 1954, Thelma moved to Florida with her husband, Houston Houser Jr. and her two daughters, Rose Menagh and Cheri Menagh when Houston was offered a job with the Florida East Coast Railroad. The family moved to Miami Springs in 1959 where she and Houston raised their six children. Thelma later took a real estate course at the University of Miami and went to work for Fred Deno Reality in Miami Springs and later with MCM Reality. They also belonged to the Optimists Club and she was an OPTI-MRS.
In 2016, Thelma moved to Vero Beach/Sebastian area to be with her daughters, Rita Lawson and Rose Praznovsky. She enjoyed going to Sebastian Methodist Church and Elk Club dances and concerts in the park.
A private family service will be held at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida where she will rest beside Houston, a Navy Veterans from World War II.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Sebastian, Florida.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of THELMA RUTH HOUSER, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Marie Dutece, 88
October 09, 1933 – October 15, 2021
Please check back for an obituary shortly
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Marie Dutece, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Cynthia Louise Russo Reno, 61, Sebastian
November 11, 1959 – October 18, 2021
Cynthia Louise Russo Reno, 61, of Sebastian, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on October 18th, 2021.
Cindy spent most of her life in South Florida surrounded by her large family. Cindy had six brothers and four sisters and many nieces and nephews. Cindy attended culinary school where she went on to work for the local schools and hospitals until relocating to Sebastian, Florida.
Cindy was a vibrant woman that is loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. She dedicated her life to being a loving, strong, extraordinary mother and wife. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others and fill her home with warmth and kindness. Family came first and was above all else to Cindy, a value she instilled in all those around her. Cindy loved animals and always had a dog by her side.
The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew and loved her. When you think of Cindy, celebrate the good memories you have of her. Remember that life is fragile and short and should be lived to the fullest.
Cindy is survived by her immediate family, husband Terry Reno and daughter Chrisie Reno.
A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Cynthia Louise Russo-Reno, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John H. Hirsch, 84, Vero Beach
June 13, 1937 – October 22, 2021
John H. Hirsch, age 84, of Vero Beach, Florida peacefully passed away October 22, 2021. He was born in Buffalo, New York, raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1955, he graduated from South Hills High School in Pittsburgh. He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. Penn State University was where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master’s of Meteorology. In 1965, he moved to Rapid City, South Dakota and was employed at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as Professor of Meteorology. He retired and moved to Florida in 2010.
He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Carol Vande Bossche Hirsch, twin sister Barbara Engleka of Eustis, Florida, sister Peggy McBee of Fort Pierce, Florida and several nieces and nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Marion Hirsch and sister Mary Ellen Hirsch-Champion.
A gathering will be held from 3-4 pm with a Memorial service on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 4 pm. Seawinds Funeral Home Chapel in Sebastian, Florida.
Graveside services will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at a later date.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of John H. Hirsch, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.