From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Kathy Elizabeth Parker, 70, Vero Beach
April 09, 1951 – March 14, 2022
Kathy Elizabeth Parker, age 70, died unexpectedly, Monday, March 14th, in Vero Beach, Florida. She was born April 9, 1951, in Needham, Massachusetts to John and Norma O’Connor and relocated to Vero Beach during her high school years where she met her husband of 50 years, David Parker, who passed in October 2020.
They moved to West Palm Beach in the early 70’s and made their way west to Texas where they lived for six years. They continued north to Middleton, Massachusetts until 1997 when they moved back to their forever home, Vero Beach.
Kathy retired from The Place at Vero Beach in 2013 where she was the receptionist who always had a smile and open arms for the families who visited their loved ones. She was also a volunteer in the NICU at the Indian River Memorial Hospital, loving and caring for the newborn babies. She would always talk about how lucky she was to be able to love and care for these precious gifts.
Kathy picked up the game of tennis in 1985 and has been an avid player ever since. She adored her Tuesday Night Tennis Group and organized all of their games at Riverside Park. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed puzzles and always had a crossword nearby. She was feisty, and funny, and always had a dirty joke at the ready. She had a big personality, an infectious laugh and was always the life of the party. If she wasn’t zipping around town in her little black convertible, she could always be found by the water’s edge.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents and husband as well as her sister, Jinny Jackson. She is survived by her loving daughters Wendy (John) Clement, Kris (Troy) Anderson; four grandchildren: Kasey Barnes, Scott Clement, Taylor and Parker Anderson; two great-grandchildren: Chase and Azlynn Clement; her brothers Kevin and Paul O’Connor, her sister Mary O’Connor and her beloved chorkie, Toby.
A visitation will be held at Thomas S. Lowther Home & Crematory located at 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, on March 31st, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM; with the Memorial Service beginning at 2:30 PM.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
John C. Lightfoot, 91, Indian River Shores
April 29, 1930 – March 19, 2022
John C. Lightfoot, of Indian River Shores Florida, died peacefully at home on March 19, 2022, surrounded by his three beloved daughters. He was born on April 29, 1930, in Port Chester, New York to Fred and Grace Lightfoot.
He graduated from Mamaroneck High School where he met his first wife, Joanne Van Noppen.
He went on to graduate from Amherst college in 1952 and maintained many deep and lifelong friendships from his school years.
2 years of service in the Army Finance Corps was followed by an MBA from NYU Graduate School of Business in 1954. He began his career at Merrill Lynch, later rising to Senior Partner and Executive Committee member at Oppenheimer & Co.
John retired early and, with Joanne, followed their shared dream to venture west to Sedona, Arizona. There, he pursued his passion for collecting Southwestern painting, sculpture, and Native American pottery.
Widowed in 1993, he subsequently married Kathy Hoffmann and they relocated to Vero Beach, Florida and Cashiers, North Carolina, where they resided for more than 25 years.
John’s qualities of loyalty, integrity and generosity were reflected in all aspects of his life.
He was dedicated to the American ideals of liberty and personal responsibility which he expressed in many ways, including through both private and public philanthropy.
A USTA ranked tennis player and avid golfer, he was an exceptional all-round athlete whose many country club memberships across the country gave him enormous pleasure.
He is predeceased by his two wives and his sister, Carol Clements.
John is survived by his three daughters, Susan Moran of Madison, WI, Cathy Lightfoot Bayne of Los Angeles, California and Carrie Lightfoot of Phoenix, Arizona, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held privately in Sedona, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org/donation
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Mary Montanti, 95, Vero Beach
February 19, 1927 – March 17, 2022
Mary Montanti was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother during her 95 years. She passed away March 17th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family in Vero Beach, Florida.
Mary was born February 19, 1927 in New York City, to the late Bartholomew and Mae Gomenginger. She grew up in New York and also lived in Florida, California and New Jersey. She has been a Vero Beach resident since 2010, coming from Spring Lake, New Jersey.
Mary was a hard worker who had many crafts. She was a seamstress, and a dental assistant but most of all a homemaker.
Mary’s first love was spending time with family. She held a few titles – Mom, Grandma, Grammie and G-Ma. Her smile was beautiful and welcoming. Her laughs were absolutely infectious.
Mary was an avid baseball fan – and if the New York Yankees were playing she was cheering them on wherever she was. Her favorite activity was shopping. She always loved a good bargain. She loved music, animals and plants. But, mostly she enjoyed her breakfasts with all her wonderful friends in the “breakfast club” at Seaside Grill.
Mary is predeceased by her husbands Rosario (Sal) Grasso and Charles Montanti.
Mary is survived by her three children Catherine Murphy (Danny), son John Grasso and son Frank Grasso (Lisa), her seven grandchildren, Cindy, Christine, Dan, Alyssa, Nick, Michael and Robert and her 11 great-grandchildren.
Please join us in celebrating her life Friday morning at 10:00 a.m., April 1st, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 1998 20th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or VNA.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
John Wesley Brown, Jr., 86
May 29, 1935 – February 23, 2022
John Wesley Brown, Jr. passed away on February 23, 2022, in Vero Beach after a brief illness. He was born on May 29, 1935, in Micco, Florida, where he spent his youth and a portion of his adult life.
Wesley was a graduate of Melbourne High School Class of 1953 where he played football for the Mel-Hi Bulldogs. After high school graduation, Wesley enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces and was a veteran of the Army serving 1953-1956 at Fort Bragg and in Korea and Hawaii.
Wesley was the fifth sibling of three brothers and six sisters. He is survived by four sisters: Margaret Brown Redfern and Laura Brown Conner of Cocoa, FL; Jeanette Brown O’Meara of Blackshear, GA; and Daisy Brown Knowles of Micco, FL. He is also survived by nephews and nieces: LaVerne, Barbara Ann, Elaine, John, William, Pam, Donnie, Karen, Joni, Kelley, Tanya, and Becki, as well as many grandnephews and grandnieces. His companion of the last ten years, Eva Sherrill, also survives him.
Wesley was preceded in death by his parents John Wesley Brown, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth (Davies) Brown; two brothers: Rodney Phelps and Wilford Phelps; and two sisters: Melba Phelps McLain and Verna Brown Davis.
Wesley was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sebastian. He also was a Master Mason.
Wesley was a General Contractor and owned and operated Wes Brown Masonry & Concrete serving Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach Counties. Being an outdoorsman, Wesley loved air boating, fishing, hunting, and gun collecting. He also enjoyed reading, bowling, repairing old clocks, and organizing his workshop. He will be missed by his family and many friends.
No calling hours are scheduled. Services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, Florida.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 (1-800-342-2383) or Wounded Warrior Project, (woundedwarriorproject.org) (1-855-448-3997).
Arrangements entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joanne E. Renc, 80
November 08, 1941 – March 04, 2022
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Joanne Ellen Renc, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Duane L. Owens, 83
August 15, 1938 – March 13, 2022
Duane L. Owens passed away on March 13th, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. Owens. They shared 61 years together.
Born in Ashland, Ohio on August 15th, 1938. He was the son of Edna and Robert Owens. He attended Savanna High School. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Army on February 5th 1957. He received an honorable discharge on January 15th 1959.During his term of service he received the rank of Private First Class.
He was employed by Copperweld Industries and was a crane operator. He was a member of the American Legion and the Eagles. He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors. He truly enjoyed fishing, boating, and hunting.
He is survived by his loving wife Patricia. His sisters Roberta (Ron), Janet (Joe), Karen (James), and brother Timothy (Gert). His children Jeffery (Margaret), Debra (Richard), James, and his grandchildren Megan (Zackery), Collin, Jenny (Randy), and Courtney.
He is preceded in death by his parents Edna and Robert Owens and his daughter Kimberly Owens.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
We will always carry your memory in our hearts.
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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
James Walter Lutz, 75, Sebastian
June 08, 1946 – March 17, 2022
James Walter Lutz died at home surrounded by family on March 17 in Sebastian, Florida at the age of 75.
James is survived by his children: Sheryl Neely (Jason), Jamie Stanley (Greg), James Lutz Jr.,
Greg Tims, Scott Tims, and Sean Tims; his mother, Doris Lutz; his brother, Harry Lutz (Susan);
six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and nieces and a nephew. He is preceded in death
by his wife, Mary who he adored; his sister, Gail; and his father, Horace.
James was born in Woodbury, NJ to Horace and Doris Lutz. He graduated from Pitman High
School. Served in the Air Force and was medically discharged. James worked at Chemical Leaman
in Paulsboro, NJ . After moving to Sebastian, Florida in 1988 James began working for Indian
River County Sheriff’s Dept as a Corrections Officer and retired from there in 2008.
James enjoyed listening to old style country music, watching western movies and watching
his beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
A memorial service is scheduled for March 25, 2022 at Seawinds Funeral Home in Sebastian at 4:00 PM till
6:00 PM. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim’s life.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of James Lutz, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Giovanni Fiorentino, 76
December 23, 1945 – March 17, 2022
Please join us to celebrate the life of Giovanni Fiorentino. A visitation will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Seawinds Funeral Home in Sebastian, Florida. The funeral service will take place the next day at 12pm. Internment will be at Sebastian City Cemetery.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Giovanni Fiorentino, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.