From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Catherine A. Hansen, 90, Vero Beach
July 10, 1932 – August 23, 2022
Catherine A. Hansen of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, under the care of VNA Hospice with her family by her side. She was 90.
She was born on July 10, 1932, to the late Otto Henry Neuber and late Rilla Eva Vail-Neuber. She was a lifetime resident of Port Jervis, NY until moving to Florida in 2016 to be closer to her family.
She was a former member of the Rosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post No. 161, Port Jervis where she was active and had many friends, some lifelong.
Catherine spent her career as a Nurse’s Aide, working at Sunnyside Hospital and in private duty. Her compassion and care for her patients and others was one of the things she will always be known for.
Her passion for cooking, baking, entertaining and feeding family and friends was her gift from the heart that she leaves behind. She also spent time sewing and doing crafts, all of which brought her joy. After having grandchildren, she could not have been more fulfilled than to have them in her life. She loved and cherished each of them and taught them all how to bake cookies whether it was in Port Jervis or while visiting Florida.
Preceding her in death in 2016 was her husband of 66 years, Frank P. Hansen. Also deceased are her brothers Earl Neuber, John Neuber and sister Louise Meyer.
She leaves behind her son, Frank L. Hansen and his wife Pauline of Vero Beach, Kevin Hansen and his wife Janis of Sebastian, FL, grandchildren, Phillip Hansen and his wife Courtney, Alyssa Hansen-Todd and her husband Gary (TJ) Todd, Adam Hansen and Sara Hansen and great granddaughter, Mallory Hansen, all from Vero Beach and Sebastian. She also leaves behind her sisters, Francis Smith, Emma Hall, Elizabeth Ritzel, and Margaret Anderson, many nieces, nephews, special friends, and her dear caregiver, Patti Horner of Port Jervis. Catherine will always be remembered for her generous and loving heart.
A private service will be held in Florida. Interment will follow in Port Jervis at a later date to be announced.
Donations can be made to your local Hospice in Catherine’s name and honor.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of CATHERINE A. HANSEN, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
William (Bill) Papke, 85, Vero Beach
December 26, 1936 – August 16, 2022
William (Bill) Papke, 85, of Vero Beach, FL, formerly of Meriden, CT, passed away August 16, 2022 with his loving wife, Sandy, daughter Christine Papke, grandson Justin William Nunes (Corrine) and granddaughter Anne Nunes by his side.
Bill also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren, brothers John and Richard Papke and sister Helen Marsh, several nieces and nephews, and so many wonderful friends. He is preceded by his parents Edna and Alfred Papke and sister Dorothy Banky. Golf, carpentry and guitar playing were some of his favorite things.
We will all miss him.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM September 9, 2022 at Cox Gifford Seawinds, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL.
If interested in attending via Zoom, please contact the family directly.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit William Papke’s memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of William Lewis Papke, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Sally Jane Bowes Holmes, 93, Vero Beach
August 23, 2022
Sally Jane Bowes Holmes, 93, died on August 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
Sally was born in Chicago, IL on October 20, 1928. She married David Oliver Holmes, whom she met while attending Purdue University, in 1951. They raised their family in Columbia City, IN before moving permanently to Vero Beach. Her husband died in 1998.
Sally was an excellent golfer, tennis player, seamstress, needleworker and quilter, as well as coach of the Columbia City Swim Team for several years.
Sally was predeceased this year by her beloved granddaughter, Michelle Sweeney Hedrick. Her brother, Arthur S. Bowes, Jr. also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughters, Sally (William) Stanton of Jupiter FL, Jane (Jack) Peabody and Carol (Richard) Johnston of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Erin Peabody, David Peabody, Meghan Sweeney Kology, and Taylor Stanton; step-grandson Drew Stanton; and great-grandchildren Olive Peabody, Zachary Hedrick and Haylee and Dillon Kology.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michelle S. Hedrick Memorial Scholarship Fund: https://gofund.me/f4fdb202
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Sally B Holmes, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
George Henry Schmidt, Jr., 86, Vero Beach
August 28, 2022
George Henry Schmidt, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home while surrounded by the love of his family on August 28, 2022.
He was born 86 years ago to George and Emily (Brussow) Schmidt on February 19, 1936 in Astoria, New York. He is survived by his brother David C. Schmidt of Ventura, California.
George married Judith L Clark on July 27, 1957 in Merrick, New York. They recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary.
George’s greatest joy in life came from being a husband, father, and grandfather.
George and Judy have 3 children: Debbie, George and his wife Lisa Schmidt and Dwayne and his wife Sherri Schmidt, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
George was an Elementary educator beginning as a teacher, a guidance counselor then Principal at New Hyde Park Road School for 20 years. Upon his retirement in 1992 he and Judy moved to Vero Beach, Florida where he enjoyed winters playing golf, going on cruises, entertaining family and friends and working local Real Estate. Summers were spent at the cherished family cabins in Wayne, Maine on Androscoggin Lake.
George had a gently way, clever wit, and deep loyalty – he will very much be missed by many friends and family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 9th at 2:30PM at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, George is asking for donations to be made to and animal shelter/sanctuary of you choice or the VNA Hospice. Dear to his heart was Tiger Haven in Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary also in Tennessee and Save the Chimps in Florida.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of George Henry Schmidt, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Norman Ellwood Oates, 83, Sebastian
November 4, 1939 – August 20, 2022
Norman Ellwood Oates, 83 passed away on August 20, 2022.
He was born in Randallstown, Maryland on November 4, 1939, to the late Norman Oates & Hilda (Bere) Oates. Norman was a graduate of Millford Mill High School & served in the US Army Reserves in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Norman married his wife, Karen (Koleff) Oates, in 1966. After his marriage, he moved to Dayton, Ohio where he worked as a Manager for Reynolds Aluminum. He relocated to Sebastian, Florida 1986 working in Heavy Equipment Sales until retirement.
His passion was sports of all types. He loved baseball and was chosen to try out for the Baltimore Orioles. In later years he became an avid golfer and member of the Barefoot Bay Golf Association.
Norman is survived by his wife of 56 years, Karen (Koleff) Oates, Son, Gregory Michael Oates of Palm Bay, He is also survived by four grandchildren, Brittany Oates, Rylee Oates, Aubrey Oates and Gregory Michael Oates Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Norman’s memorial page at https://seawindsfh.com/.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Norman Ellwood Oates Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
William Richard Lawrence, 80
September 15, 1941 – August 26, 2022
William Richard Lawrence, known as Bill to those close to him, 80, passed away on August 26, 2022 at Sebastian River Medical Center. He was the husband of Dora Lawrence. They shared 56 beautiful years together.
William was born in Bronxville, New York, and was the son of William and Harriet Lawrence. He was a volunteer police officer with Fellsmere for four years.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. William will be remembered as someone who was hardworking, quite yet caring, helpful to anyone he met, and most importantly, a sweet and loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Dora Lawrence, daughter Martha Ruiz (Antonio), daughter Yesi Antepara, and grandchildren: Tony Ruiz Jr, Michael Ruiz, Nicholas Ruiz, Mackenzie Lawrence, and Stephan Lawrence.
The Service of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at Seawinds Funeral Home at 735 S. Fleming Street Sebastian, Florida 32958. The visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and the service will start promptly after.
Memorial donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of William Richard Lawrence, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
