From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Ada Perez Swenson, 90
January 09, 1931 – November 24, 2021
Ada Perez Swenson entered into rest on November 24th, 2021 in Vero Beach, Florida.
Ada’s Celebration of Life will be held at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory; located at 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach Fl. 32960.
A gathering with the family will begin at 10:00 am with a service beginning at 11:00 am.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Mary Hedrick Berles Lindsay, 79, Vero Beach
December 31, 1941 – November 22, 2021
Mary Hedrick Berles Lindsay of Vero Beach, Florida, and East Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at the age of 79. She was born December 31, 1941, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan at Blodgett Memorial Hospital to the late Marian Hedrick Berles and Frank Donald Berles. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 37 years, Leslie Dale Lindsay, son Richard Allen VerStrate (Tricia), daughter Michelle (“Dolly”) VerStrate, step-children, Lisa Arsenault, Jen Lindsay Zuckerman (Seth), and Ian Lindsay (Jen), grandchildren Sarah Barnes (Dave), Shelby VerStrate (Cam), Garrett VerStrate (Valerie), Amelia Arsenault, Nicholas Zuckerman, Leda Lindsay, great-grandchild, Griffin Barnes, sister in law, Mary Kay Berles, niece Kathy Berles Duisterhof and nephew, Jim Berles. She was preceded in death by her only brother, David Hedrick Berles (Mary Kay) on November 3, 2021.
Mary was a member of the Grand Rapids Junior League and the Steketee Guild at Blodgett Memorial Hospital. She modeled for 60 years. At the urging of the Amway photographer at the time, Mary and friend Sandy Gravengood opened the first modeling agency in Grand Rapids. They co-owned Faces, Ltd. for 12 years. Mary was honored to be selected as Homecoming Queen at both her East Grand Rapids High School and her college, Michigan State University.
Mary met her first husband, Wayne VerStrate at Grand Rapids Community College. They were married for 21 years. She married Leslie Dale Lindsay on May 20, 1984, at Mayflower Chapel in East Grand Rapids, and they had their reception at Blythefield Country Club with family and friends. Les and Mary moved to Vero Beach, Florida in 2000 after Les retired.
Mary enjoyed golf and played weekly with her golf group at Grand Harbor. Tennis was the Berles family’s lifelong sport and Mary played regularly most of her life. Mary and Les shared a love of sports and traveled extensively in the 1980s and 1990s. Mary and Les became avid Bridge players at the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League). They also enjoyed a good card game with their kids and had just begun teaching them bridge during Covid.
Mary cherished her grandchildren, who loved visiting her and Les, especially at Easter when they would head to the beach club and hunt for eggs. She loved keeping track of their lives, especially their many sporting events. Mary relished her new great-grandchild, Griffin Barnes, and the many adorable videos his mother would send.
Mary enjoyed a happy, healthy, and long life filled with many caring, generous friends and loving family. Family and friends are asked to hold Mary in their hearts and remember the happy times spent together. She will be dearly missed by so many. At her request, there will not be a funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, Mary’s family asks that you consider a donation to VNA Hospice House https://vnatc.org/waystogive/.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Maurice James Ferris, Jr., 88
December 21, 1932 – November 29, 2021
Maurice James Ferris, Jr. was born December 21, 1932. He passed away on November 29, 2021. He went by “Pete Ferris”.
Pete was born to Maurice (Moe) James Ferris and Dorothy Goerke Ferris in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Orange.
He attended Newark Academy, class of 1951, and Colgate University, class of 1955.
In 1957 he married the love of his life, Katharine Meglaughlin.
Pete’s early career was in banking, Chemical Bank in New York, and National Newark and Essex Bank in Newark.
He later shifted to money management: there he spent 30 years with McRae Capital Management in Morristown, NJ. He was on the Board of the Short Hills Club where he was onetime President, and a longtime Board member of the Papermill Playhouse. He was a member of the Dorset Field Club, VT, and the John’s Island Club, FL.
Pete was a loving and devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Katharine, of nearly 65 years, and by his son, James Scott Ferris, and his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Cyrus Barger, Jr., and a sister, Elizabeth Ferris Puchner. He is predeceased by his parents and a sister, Joan Ferris St. John.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach in Pete Ferris’ name.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MAURICE J. FERRIS, JR., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
John Robert “Robby” Spencer, 41, Vero Beach
September 08, 1980 – November 24, 2021
John Robert “Robby” Spencer, 41, of Vero Beach, FL passed away unexpectedly on November 22nd, 2021.
Robby was born on September 8, 1980, in Melbourne, FL. He is preceded in death by his brother, Logan Spencer, and his grandparents John & Faye King. He is survived by his father, John Spencer, mother, Phyllis Spencer, sister Angel Solomon, brother-in-law Chad Solomon, niece Alexis Solomon, nephew, Bently Solomon.
Robby was a 1999 graduate of Sebastian River High School where he played baseball and football. He enjoyed working with his hands and could fix just about anything. Robby was a fun-loving, kind-hearted, loyal son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend who will greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday December 4th at 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm at Strunk Funeral Home, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, FL 32958.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Sebastian, Florida.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of JOHN ROBERT SPENCER, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Nancy Elizabeth Bias, 54, Sebastian
April 18, 1967 – November 24, 2021
Nancy Elizabeth Bias, 54, of Sebastian, FL, passed away Wednesday, November 24th 2021, at the Cleveland Clinic, Vero Beach, FL.
She was born April 18th 1967 in Portsmouth VA, daughter of Elaine Napier (Murphy) & Larry Lauhon. She was formerly a bookkeeper at Vero Insurance. Nancy loved to spend time with her family and she never missed an opportunity to do so. She was clever, humorous, artistic and loving to her family, friends and animals. She enjoyed Florida State football, listening to music and attending live concerts always brought her joy.
Nancy was predeceased by her grandparents: Sarah & Bud Lauhon and Wess & Merle Murphy.
Those of us left behind to forever cherish the many memories of Nancy are her sons: Seth & Shane Bias (she would say her two best accomplishments); biological parents: Elaine Napier & Larry Lauhon; step-father: Larry Napier; brothers: Larry Lauhon, II & Matthew Napier; sister: Michelle Napier; grandchildren: Brody & Kinsley Bias; niece: Lorelai Lauhon; and nephews: Aedan, Levi & Becket Napier-Reisinger.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Dec 11th 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, FL 32958 with Pastor Joe LaGuardia, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nancy’s name to HALO No-Kill Rescue, 710 Jackson St., Sebastian, FL 32958.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of NANCY ELIZABETH BIAS, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Alice Jean Lederer (Havens), 73, Vero Beach
October 04, 1948 – November 23, 2021
Alice Jean Lederer (Havens) passed away in her home in Vero beach Florida November 23, 2021. Born in Red Bank NJ she grew up in Middletown and a part of Middletown North graduating class of 1967. After living in West Long Branch and working for the Perkin Elmer Co, Oceanport, and Syntrex Inc, Eatontown. Alice moved to Toms River with her husband Fred Lederer in 1982. She has been a Vero Beach Florida resident enjoying the warmth for the past 10 years.
Alice was remarkable caregiver and taking care of others has always been a great passion. When she wasn’t taking care of her family , she was a volunteer member of Caregivers Association and drove seniors to their appointments. She also was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. In Vero she was a member of the Elks Club of Vero Beach and Encore Club.
Alice is predeceased by her husband, Fred, sisters, Linda Fallon, Ida Duvall and Patricia Lo Presti, a brother, Paul Murphy, mother Hattie, father Armand and so many dear friends. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Vonnie and Frank Tursi; step daughter and son in law, Courtney and Mark Thierfelder; her beloved 5 grandchildren, Sean, Ashlynne, and Matt Tursi, Zoe and Quinn Thierfelder; great grandson, Shane Tursi and nephews, Larry and Scott Fallon.
Services for Alice will be held in New Jersey, date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers we request a donation to Habitat for Humanity in her name.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Alice Jean Lederer, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Marge Metz, 69, Vero Beach
November 24, 1952 – November 27, 2021
Marge Metz, 69, of Vero Beach, died Saturday, November 27, 2021 at the VNA Hospice House. She was born to the late Marvin and Ruth Ottaway on November 24, 1952 in Sidney, NY. Marge graduated from Vero Beach High School. She married John Metz in 1972, and lived together in Vero Beach, FL.
Marge worked at Senior Life Services since July 1996, in the commission accounting. She always made sure every day to encourage everyone she worked with, and was so up lifting to them.
Marge is survived by her husband, John Metz of 49 years; daughter, Brandi (Greg) Colton; granddaughter, Taylor Colton; grandson, Andrew Colton and great grandson, Abel Wade; brother, John Ottaway. Her great grandson brought her so much joy and happiness
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.
