From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Ruth Marion Wisdom Campbell, 99, Vero Beach
June 17, 1922 – January 14, 2022
Ruth Marion Wisdom Campbell died after a short illness on January 14, 2022, in Vero Beach, Florida. Ruth was born on June 17, 1922 in Gainesville, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, her family relocated to Tampa, Florida, where she lived throughout her childhood. She graduated from Plant High School, Tampa, where among her many activities, she was a member of the cheerleading squad. She attended Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University), graduating with a degree in Political Science. She was a member of the sorority Kappa Delta, where she made friendships that lasted a lifetime.
She met and married LTJG Joseph F. Campbell, USN during World War II while LT Campbell was stationed in Florida. Ruth and Joe remained married for 63 years until his death in 20007. After Tampa, Joe’s career took the growing family to Baldwin, New York; Longview, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Garden City, New York; Fayetteville, New York; Rocky River, Ohio; Garden City again, and finally, retirement in Vero Beach, Florida. During those years, Ruth served as Cub Scout Leader, Brownie mother, Little League mom, football and baseball coach, dance and gymnastics critic, head chef and disciplinarian, and was the center of all family life. Ruth also embraced her new role as a lifetime fan of all things Notre Dame.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents Ruth Marion Wisdom and Louis Wisdom, Sr., brothers Louis Wisdom, Jr. and LT John W. Wisdom, USAAF, and husband Joseph F. Campbell, Sr., and survived by children Joseph, Jr., (Erika), John (Sally), Edward (Sharon) and Katherine Logan (Douglas). Ruth is also survived by nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Ruth was defined by her service and her faith. She was a Founding Member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, a long-time member of the Holy Cross Women’s Guild and for more than 40 years, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, where she counseled many to a better life.
Due to the current pandemic, services and burial at John’s Island will be private. Sometime in the future as events allow, there will be a Celebration of Life for Ruth. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice in Ruth’s memory.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Mildred Robinson Correll (Millie)
April 04, 1922 – January 08, 2022
Mildred Robinson Correll (Millie) Millie was born on April 4, 1922, to Bland and Minnie Robinson of Charlotte, NC. She was the youngest child of four. Her sister Evelyn died at the age of one year. Her older brothers Bland Jr and Bill served, respectively, in the US Army and the US Navy during WWII.
Millie grew up during the Great Depression in a Craftsman bungalow in Charlotte. Her father was the Superintendent of the Dilworth Post Office. She was happiest when she was reading some of the loads of books she borrowed from the Public Library. She attended Charlotte Public Schools and graduated with honors from Central High School in 1940. After attending Business College, she went to work at Union National Bank in 1941 and became the first female bookkeeper of any bank in Charlotte at the age of 21.
She and Bill Correll met in February of 1948 and were married in August of that year. Bill was serving as a Flight Instructor at Pensacola Naval Air Base after having served as a Naval Aviator in WWII. Bill and Millie then started out on a journey of following Bill’s aviation career, moving many times as he held various positions, first as a corporate pilot in Mobile, AL and finally as Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation for International Paper in White Plains, NY. Three children were born. First Nancy in 1951, then Charles in 1954, and finally Amy in 1960. Nancy passed away in 1971. During the twenty one years that Bill, Millie, and family lived in Weston, CT, Millie was a volunteer in Weston Town Government. During that time, she founded and served as Chair of the Weston Warm Up Fund, a 501(3)c fuel assistance fund for the people of Weston. She enjoyed singing in the choir at the Norfield Congregational church in Weston, where she and Bill were active members and had many friends.
After Bill retired in 1990, they started spending winters in Vero Beach, FL moved to Vero full time in 1996. Bill loved playing golf and Millie enjoyed volunteering At the Vero Beach Museum of Art. They both loved gazing at the ocean. They enjoyed traveling during their retirement years, especially to Paris. They were married for 61 wonderful years until Bill passed away in 2010. Millie continued to live in and maintain their beautiful home until just a few days before her death. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on January 8, 2022, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach.
Millie is survived by her son, Chuck Correll, daughter, Amy Correll, son-in-law Jamie Smith, and grand-daughters Allison Correll-Buss and Katherine Correll Buss. She also will be greatly missed by nieces Anne Torrence, Genie Munn, Susan Hickerson, and Gail Pope.
Millie requested a Service of Remembrance of her life to be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach. The date is yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Church of Vero Beach or VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
John Labellarte, 69
July 18, 1952 – January 11, 2022
Mr. Labellarte passed away January 11th, 2022. A Memorial Gathering in his honor will be held January 29th, 3:00 pm at Strunk Funeral Home’s Vero Beach Chapel. Further obituary information to come.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of John Labellarte, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Robert Bridigum, 77, Vero Beach
November 18, 1944 – January 13, 2022
Robert Bridigum, age 77, died Thursday January 13, 2022 from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident. He and his wife Susan have been residents of Vero Beach since 2007.
Bob leaves Susan, children Gretchen (Bert) Curtis, Todd (Gina) Bridigum, Tom (Amber) Anderson and Brent Anderson, grandchildren Crystal Anderson, Michael Anderson, Alyssa Anderson, Carson Bridigum, Andrea Shoemaker and Nathan Timermanis.
Bob received his undergraduate degree from Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA and his advanced degree in physics from Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA. One of his first jobs was working for NASA helping to develop technology for simulators used to train astronauts.
His career included being director of the Des Moines Science Museum, working in avionics for Honeywell, developing novel technologies for DataCard that allowed printing on plastic (drivers’ licenses, credit cards, etc). At Stratasys, he miniaturized 3D printing from a large Xeroxsize machine to desktop size, allowing widespread access for the general public, and finished his career working on security biometrics such as fingerprint capture, facial recognition and iris scan for L1 Technologies.
Bob was an avid bicyclist, riding an average of 150 miles each week. He rode with friends and neighbors nearly every day in both Vero Beach and White Bear Lake, Minnesota where he Susan spent time each summer. Last summer, he completed the Register’s Annual Great Ride
Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), a ride that attracts over 10,000 riders. The riders start on the western border of Iowa and over the course of a week, ride to the eastern border and Mississippi River. He had a ball!
Bob was an accomplished woodworker, using both power and hand tools to create beautiful heirloom pieces for family and loved ones. He completed a rocking chair for his grandson that won an award in October at the Northern Woods Woodworking Show in Minneapolis, MN.
Friends describe Bob as a kind, friendly, gentle man with an ever present smile and sense of humor. His laugh was large and contagious! He made a significant impact on lives around him, from family to friends and neighbors to business colleagues.
Services will be held: 1:00pm, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th Street, Vero Beach, Florida.
A gathering will also be held in early February in Minnesota, details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name may be directed to the MN Woodworkers Guild.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of ROBERT BRIDIGUM, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Dr. Nicholas Coppola, 58, Vero Beach
November 22, 1963 – January 14, 2022
Dr. Nicholas Coppola, 58, born November 22, 1963 in Mt. Vernon, New York, passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2022. Nick was a beacon of light in the community and was a friend to all and a loving husband and father.
Vero Beach, Florida lost a tremendous individual whose kindness, generosity and love was overflowing. Perhaps his Facebook profile says it best, “Husband and father of three beautiful children.” This is how he would most like to be remembered – his family was his pride and joy and the grounding force in his life. Nicholas was the loving husband of Elaine and proud father to Melanie, Cole, and MaryGrace.
Following high school, Nick attended Nova Southeastern University where he earned a degree in finance and ultimately achieved an MBA. Nick’s heart was always focused on helping people, so the next logical step was to pursue a career in medicine where he felt he could truly make a difference in the lives of others. Nick returned to Nova Southeastern where attended medical school and completed his advanced education. Nick’s finance background and knack for business proved invaluable in helping him develop and grow a successful medical practice.
Beyond Nick’s many accomplishments, his greatest achievement began with his love story, when he met Elaine. Nick and his family frequented Elaine’s family’s restaurant (it should be known that the parents were secretly hoping for a love match). It wasn’t until later that he was introduced to Elaine through their mutual friend, Dwayne. They began dating and for three months they didn’t tell their parents to avoid any disappointment if things didn’t work out. However, this was a love that was meant to be and resulted in three beautiful children, each with a kind heart, strong moral compass and one that withstood great tragedy and heartache.
Throughout Nick’s life, he always had a passion and joy for music. He was a talented guitarist who loved classic rock. Nick worked as a songwriter, lyricist, singer, and guitarist on nearly 30 songs dating back to 2010. Nick had a gift for melodies and lyrical hooks, which compelled him to write prolifically. His wife Elaine, his son Cole, and his daughters Melanie and Mary all became the subjects of songs which he wrote to profess the greater and deeper love he felt for them and beauty they brought to his life.
Beyond music and his family, Nick touched the lives of so many. First, as a physician, Dr. Coppola was known as a talented family doctor with a thriving practice, yet, he knew his patients by name when they walked into his office. He took the time to know each person individually and put them at ease with his kindness and humor. However, Dr. Coppola took a step back from practicing medicine following the tragic death of his son, Cole.
The loss of Cole brought forth the next chapter in Nick’s life, where he and his family demonstrated exceptional perseverance and resilience by launching the Live Like Cole Foundation, focused on improving the lives of Indian River County residents by taking action and spreading kindness. Nick spearheaded a number of impactful initiatives like The Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier as well as programs that were closely aligned with Cole’s passions like fundraisers for the Humane Society, practice uniforms for the VBHS football team, Indian River County Tax Collector tag art program, and the support of local high schools. Perhaps of greater significance are the number of private philanthropic initiatives that Nick Coppola and his family quietly supported, which is where the depth of Nick’s kindness, compassion, and love for others would shine through.
Nick Coppola has left a legacy for many to follow as a man, a husband, a father, a philanthropist, and a friend. We will all miss Nick, but will remember him in a way that will inspire us to be better people.
Dr. Nicholas Coppola is preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Marie Coppola and his son, Nicholas Coppola IV. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Coppola (née Ciambriello); his children, Melanie and MaryGrace; his brother, Dr. Christopher Coppola; his niece and nephew, Madeline and Christopher; his uncle, Bob Sordelet; his mother and father-in-law, Pat and Mary Lou Ciambriello; and his brother-in-law, Tino Ciambriello and his family, as well as a vast group of loving family members and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Strunk Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be on Friday, January 21 at 4:00 PM at St. Helen Catholic Church with burial to follow at Crestlawn Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, January 22 at the Cole Coppola Memorial Fishing Pier in Riverside Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you “Live Like Cole and Love Like Nick”, by making a donation to the Live Like Cole Foundation or the Gifford Youth Achievement Center or simply show someone an unsolicited and unexpected act of kindness.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Gene Chadsey, 96, Vero Beach
July 6, 1925 – January 7, 2022
| Gene Chadsey passed away peacefully in her home with those she cared about by her side on Friday, January 7, 2022. She was 96, and lived a long and wonderful life. Gene was born in Los Angeles, California, to parents Vera Lewis O’Brien and Walter Middleton O’Brien. She grew up happily in the Berkeley, California, area with her younger brother, Mid. In 1942, during her junior year of high school, her family moved to Chicago, Illinois. There she graduated from Roycemore High School and the following fall, entered Northwestern University. She majored in Business Psychology and held various jobs and joined Alpha Phi Sorority, an experience she loved and made life-long friends. It became clear early on that Gene made friends anywhere she went. She was charming, beautiful, kind and loved to have a good time. These wonderful traits would follow her throughout her life.
After graduating college, Gene met and married Ed Woolman in 1948 and had two children, Edward “Ward” Woolman Jr. and Vera Gene Woolman. They lived in a beautiful home in Kenilworth, Illinois and had a lot of happy times raising their children. During these years Gene was very active and busy. She was a member of the Evanston Junior League, served as President on the Women’s board of the Lighthouse for the Blind, and enjoyed playing golf at Glen View Club, where they were members. Once the children got a little older, Gene kept busy with various jobs. She worked as a travel agent, as she absolutely loved to travel. During this time she and Ed took several trips all over the world, solidifying her passion to explore and sense of adventure. In addition, through her work she took several “tour” trips on her own, where she travelled to the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, and took a tour of South America. She also worked as a Social Hostess at a hotel in Bellair, Florida, called the Bellview Biltmore, during their travel season. This was a job she loved and would often recall stories from this time period to her children and grandchildren. She made friends with all the guests and fell in love with the Florida lifestyle. Around this time, Ed became sick and sadly passed away. After Ed’s passing, Gene kept busy with work and travel. She worked at various travel agencies on the North Shore of Chicago and travelled with her mother. During this time Gene visited Turkey, Greece, Alaska, France, the Baltic, Mexico and Asia, among many other places. Gene continued to travel, golf and stay active in her community as she summered in Chicago and wintered in Vero Beach, Florida. She enjoyed two more marriages to Clint Black and Ted Chadsey, respectively, with whom she had many great years with. Gene was an incredible lady and truly loved by all. All who met her will never forget her warmth and beautiful smile. She loved her family, friends, church, travel, golf, bridge, working and parties and was always the most gracious hostess. She enjoyed many rounds of golf and curling at Glen View Club in Chicago and at John’s Island Country Club in Florida. She is survived by her son, Ward, his children, Ashley and Adam Woolman, her granddaughter, Laura Beardsley (Andrew), Lyndsy Gallins (Peter) and greatgrandchildren, Austin and Eliza Beardsley and Michael and George Gallins. She was preceded in death by Ed Woolman, Clint Black and Ted Chadsey, as well as her brother, Mid O’Brien, and her beloved daughter, Vera Soltau. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 29, at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Visitation from 11-1 pm; Memorial Service from 12-1 pm and a reception immediately following from 1-2 pm.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Beverly A. (Scott) Chaples, 87, Barefoot Bay
May 30, 1934 – January 11, 2022
Beverly A. (Scott) Chaples, age 87, formerly of Newburyport, MA, Amesbury, MA, and Barefoot Bay, FL, passed away on January 11th.
She was born in Quincy, MA, the daughter of the late Fred G. and Lillian (Pepper) Scott and was a graduate of Newburyport High School.
She worked for many years in the Amesbury Public Schools as an aide and office clerk. She was later employed at Gould Insurance Agency in Amesbury, MA until she retired.
For over a decade, she enjoyed her time in Barefoot Bay, FL. She enjoyed going to the pool, playing dice games and getting together with friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, John A. Chaples Jr., to whom she was married for 62 years and her brothers, Fred G. and Robert Scott.
She is survived by her daughters, Catherine Patten, Nancy Fauci and her husband, Bob, Marie King and her husband, Ron; her two grandchildren, Caitlin and Travis King; her 3 sisters, Shirley Volak, Carol Plunkett and Bonnie Adams.
Burial will be private.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Sebastian, FL.
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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Thomas Leroy Salmon, 90, Sebastian
September 13, 1931 – December 23, 2021
Thomas Leroy Salmon, 90. passed away on December 23rd, 2021 . Tom was longtime resident and business owner in West Palm Beach, Florida prior to his retirement and settling in Sebastian, Florida.
Tom was born September 13th, 1931, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tom was the first born of John and Leota Salmon. Tom was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Ehrlich and brother Robert Gene Salmon.
Tom, his father and brother were pioneers in underground utilities. Working together for Phillips Petroleum in the mid 40’s from Oklahoma City to South Florida. Tom was a welder by trade and became a prominent business owner in West Palm Beach for some 60 years till his retirement.
Tom, was an avid fisherman. Enjoying the blue skies of Sebastian, Florida. Tom, his wife, sons, daughters, and grandsons boated, fished, crabbed and clamed.
Tom is survived by his wife, Leanora D. Munger Salmon of 61 years. They have 2 sons, Russell T. Salmon, married to Kimberly Salmon and the proud grandfather of John Thomas Salmon, married to Erica Burney Salmon.
Tom’s second son, Scott D. Salmon
In Tom’s early years he was married to Beverle Lane and had 2 daughters. Linda J. Salmon Matute, and his eldest grandson Josh Adam Matute. Tom second daughter: Nita Rae Salmon.
In memory of a life well lived a dedication from his daughter Nita.
My Daddy fell asleep today under the mighty oak tree of his dreams.
With the branches reaching high in the heavens, I held his hand and heard his voice to the silent lullaby.
The gentle song of the rustling leaves, “swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.”
He whispered quietly as his journey unfolds his vision of going home.
“I looked to the clouds and what did I see? A band of angles were coming to my tree.
Come home, come home the angles called, this is your time Tom, this is meant to be.”
“I looked to the heaven and what did I see? The pearly gates were opening for me.
I saw my ma and I saw his pa, saw my brother and saw my sister too.
They all were waving sweetly, come home Tom, come home.”
“I saw the brilliant light, Lord Father I saw there, his hand is on my shoulder
welcoming, encouraging, guiding me home. .
Come home Tom, come home son, come home.”
“I looked back to earth and what did I see? My family there was grieving, grieving just for me.
My wife in tears, my son, his bride, my grandson and daughter I see.
A life so full, God’s gift to me. What greater gift could a man ever need.
Family don’t you grieve.
My daughter at my side to lead me on my way, hand in hand I hear her voice as she bows her head to pray.
“Our Father who art in Heaven”, we give this man today. To walk with you in the garden forever and a day.”
Don’t grieve my loved ones, you must rejoice Jesus is calling me home, ye who are weary come home.
I am home with my Lord Jesus, I am home.
God bless and keep you in his care till we meet again someday, someday we’ll be together, a banquet in the sky.
I am home.
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