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In Memory: June 27

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Lawrence J. Blakeslee Sr., 87, Vero Beach

June 20, 1935 – April 14, 2023

Lawrence J. Blakeslee Sr., 87, passed away on April 14, 2023 at his residence in Vero Beach, Florida. He was the widow of Hope V. Blakeslee. They share 60 years of marriage together.

Born in Bordentown, New Jersey, he was the son of Lawrence F. Blakeslee and Grace Marlin. He was employed as a machinist for many years.

He was a member of the Red Mens Club and the Elks Lodge. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, RV camping, and spending time with his family.

Lawrence is survived by his seven children: Melody Carr, Edward Blakeslee, Sherrie Gautieri, Hope Horner, Larriene Ojeda, Tracy Todd, and Lawrence J. Blakeslee Jr.; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by both of his parents, his wife, and his son Walter Blakeslee.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org) or the Dementia Society of America (https://www.dementiasociety.org).

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Lawrence J. Blakeslee Sr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Joan Cecila Saxon Faust, 92, Sebastian

January 6, 1931 – April 14, 2023

Joan Cecila Saxon Faust, 92, passed peacefully away on April 14, 2023, in her Sebastian, Fl home. She was the widow of Robert C. Faust, Jr. They shared 45 years of marriage together.

Joan was born January 6, 1931, in Moore Haven, Florida. She was the daughter of Raleigh Lyman Saxon and Nola Cecila Saxon. Joan was a 1949 graduate of Miami Edison High School. She was employed at the City of Fort Lauderdale as the City Manager Secretary.

Joan was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian. She enjoyed painting oils of seascapes, landscapes, and flowers, working in her yard, playing cards weekly with friends and spending time with family. Joan loved to travel, and she had just returned 2 weeks prior from a Southern Caribbean Cruise with her son Robert and daughter-in-law Gloria and she had the time of her life. It was God’s plan.

Joan is survived by her son, Robert Morrell Easton Jr, OD (Gloria Flores Easton) of Oakland Park, Florida, grandchildren; Robert Morrell Easton III, MD (Stephanie Park Easton) of Honolulu, HI, Linda Easton, RN of Oakland Park, FL, Jeffrey Raleigh Easton Jr (Kara Belcher Easton), Ryan Christopher Easton (Melissa Feindt Easton), Robert Daniel Easton (Rachael Melendrez) and William Tyler Easton (Jennifer Cessna Easton), great grandchildren Abigail, Liam, Jackson, Berkeley all of Virginia and step-great-grandchild Robert. Joan is survived by her nieces and nephews; Robin (Harley), Martha Lynn (Barney), Molly (Larry), Kyle (Dale), Leslie (Bud), Dawn (Marty), Kevin, Janet (David), Virginia (Eric), Raleigh (Lisa). Joan is survived by her Stepchildren Debbie Faust Lamberti (Robert Lamberti), Cynde Faust Thompson and step-grandchildren; Jenna and Tyler (Courtney) Thompson. Joan was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey Raleigh Easton, Sr, Step-Grandson Robert C Faust III and her first husband Robert Morrell Easton, Sr.

The memorial service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian on April 26, 2023. 1405 Louisiana Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958. The visitation time will be held from 1130am to the time of the service at noon.

Joan will return to her birthplace with an interment service at the Ortona Cemetery 12870 State Road 78 Moore Haven, Glades, Florida, 33471 at 10am on June 3, 2023.

Memorial Donations can be made to her favorite Churches; Lake Harbor Methodist Church at 29 W. Corkscrew Blvd, Lake Harbor, FL 33459 or POB 37, Lake Harbor, FL, 33459 and First Presbyterian Church Sebastian.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story are asked to visit Joan’s memorial page at www.seawindsfh.com.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joan Saxon Faust, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Albert “Dave” Miller, 92, Sebastian

March 25, 1931 – April 20, 2023

It is with deep sadness, we announce the passing of Albert “Dave” Miller, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and Air Force Korean War veteran [51-54} of Sebastian. Dave passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on April 20, 2023.

Dave was born in New London, CT to Homer and Ruperta Miller. Dave married Collette Castelpoggi and had his son Wayne David Miller. He made East Hampton, Ct his home with his late wife Judy and deceased daughter Melissa until moving to Florida in 2006. He later married JoAnne Laughead Williams in 2015 and happily gained four more children.

Dave was known for his positive attitude, and humor and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Dave had a passion for airplanes, boating, and snowmobiling.

Dave is survived by his loving wife JoAnne, five children Wayne (Lisa) Miller of CT; Johnnie (Rhonda) Williams and Nicole (Leroy) McClain both of PA; Tamika Williams; LeAnne (Mark) Williams; Heather (Ritchie) Bourassa all of Sebastian, Fl., and his awesome fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition, he leaves his lifetime friends Dick and Pauline Beit their son Brett and friends Bill and Edy Clemons. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him; his kindness and strength will live on through his family and friends.

A private memorial will be held for Dave. He will be laid to rest with military honors, at East Neck Cemetery, in Waterford, Ct. We ask that you join us in honoring Albert’s memory by celebrating his life and the impact he had on all of us.

Donations in Dave’s name may be made to Space Coast Honor Flight (https://www.spacecoasthonorflight.org/donate).

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Miki Scott Murray, 91, Sebastian

January 25, 1932 – April 19, 2023

Miki Scott Murray passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, April 19th, 2023, at Sebastian River Medical Center at the age of 91. Her children were by her bedside during her final moments.

Miki had been a resident of Sebastian since 2004, having moved from Palm Beach Gardens. A Floridian from birth, she was born in Fort Myers, and loved to travel the world extensively. But Florida was always home base.

Miki met her husband, Julian Nathan Murray, while attending Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, where they both grew up. They got married in 1952. Julian went on to become a US Air Force pilot, was a veteran of the Korean War, though he didn’t fly again until later in life when he reignited his passion for flying as a hobby. In 1974, Miki was tragically widowed at the age of 42 when the plane that Julian was piloting went down en route from West Palm to the Bahamas. In our family history, Julian was the first to pass and now Miki is the last to pass of their generation. This marks the end of a generational era for the Murray, Scott and Thorsen family lines.

Miki was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. Besides traveling, her other interests included collecting seashells, sea glass and flat rocks at the beach to decorate her garden, eating seafood, and creating culinary delights. She was a successful real estate broker for many years mostly in Palm Beach County. She always loved dancing, enjoying all kinds of music, and was known to really rock out tapping into the energy of her younger self. Miki once told her daughter that she would have loved to have been a Rockette! She was an avid horticulturist and her patient demeanor paired well with her most recently acquired passion of assembling puzzles with her companion of 11 years, Carlton “Butch” Havens.

Miki loved her family immensely and treasured every moment spent with them. She is survived by her son, John Murray and wife, Michele; daughter, Julie Murray Kantor and husband, Cary; grandchildren, Aubrey Thelen and husband, Ross, Julian Ness, Brett Murray and wife, Katie, Brian Murray and wife, Jackie, Lauren DaCosta and husband, Ryan; great-grandchildren, Parker and Elliot Thelen, Tyler, Ryan, and Allison Murray, Brennan, Braden, and Isabella Murray, Wes, Van, and Cal DaCosta.

Miki is predeceased by her husband of 23 years, Julian Murray, who passed away on July 13th, 1974, and her sister, Marge Thorsen.

A memorial service and celebration of Miki’s life and legacy will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Vero Chapel, 3980 12th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960, on Saturday, April 29th, at 11:00 AM. Visitation to greet the family begins at 10:30 AM.

I AM FROM…

I am from strong female stock,

From witch hazel and petroleum jelly.

I am from the sand along the peninsula.

(Clean, golden,

made of crushed shells and coral.)

I am from the hibiscus bush,

the coconut palm

whose whispering fronds echo in my ears

like a gentle spring rain.

I am from oatmeal raisin cookies and flip-flops.

from extra and missing links.

I’m from the folly of dreamers

and the wisdom of regrets,

from heard and not always seen.

I’m from I am a Child of God

not knowing what I had

until life gave me a firm jolt.

I’m from Julian and Miki’s Branch.

Banana pudding and hot chocolate.

From the scars of my father’s

almost-nine lives

that turned out to be only eight.

Unless you count those he lived in his thoughts.

Stored away, boxes and boxes

full of countless pictures,

and other puzzle pieces of life-

which float through my mind.

Specks of the past, lives, loves, heartbreaks-

I am from all of them.

They are the tree of strong roots of which

I have become my own branch.

 – Julie Murray Kantor

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Miki Scott Murray, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Kimberly Ann (Halulko) Sandberg, 53

May 17, 1969 – April 26, 2023

Kimberly Ann (Halulko) Sandberg, age 53, passed away on April 26, 2023 while in AdventHealth Hospital, Orlando FL after a brief illness. She was married to Stacey Olaf Sandberg for 25 years before his death in 2022.

Kim was born in Rochester, PA. She was the daughter of Michael (Barb) Halulko and Delores Halulko.  She attended Southside Highschool and graduated with a bachelors degree from Thiel College in Greenville, PA.

Kim worked at Little Royal’s Dentistry in Jupiter, FL as a pediatric dental assistant. She felt passionate about her work, loved her work family and spoke often and highly of her employers Dr. Sal and Dr. Yasi, who loved Kim very much.  Kim and her husband created, owned and proudly operated ‘Grah-Toe Studios’ for many years, and together created beautiful custom hairforks that, to this day, adorn the crowns of long-haired people around the world.

Kim loved spending time with her best friend, Alyssa, and her beautiful baby daughter Norah, who brought so much joy to Kim’s heart.  Family was so very important to Kim and she cherished the times she spent with all.  She especially loved time spent talking, mentoring and visiting with her nieces and nephews. Her niece, Grace, visited nearly every day with Kim, looked forward to all of their many adventures together, and dearly loved her ‘Aunt Kimi’.

Some of Kim’s favorite hobbies were watching sunrise, birding, hiking, and biking with her sister- cousin Heather, who was always her ‘partner-in-crime’ and shared cherished moments together every day. Kim was an accomplished artist and loved creating pottery and other works of art to give as special gifts to her family and friends.

Kim was a member of Sebastian Community Baptist Church. She committed her life to Jesus and tried to love and serve Him in all her ways.

Kim is survived by her loving family, including her father Michael (Barb) Halulko, Aunt Susan and Uncle Ray Nice, her mum Delores Halulko, her two brothers Steve (Jen) Halulko, Kevin (Denise) Halulko, two step-brothers Charles (Tammy) Knisley, Tim (Michelle) McKee, step-sister Belinda (Rich) Haspel, her sister-cousin Heather and Grace Waters and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceeded in death by her husband Stacey, her paternal and maternal grandparents, her cousin Ray, and her beloved fur-babies, Felix and Willow.

Kim’s kindness, her happy, loving and giving heart, and her joy in the Lord will always keep her memory strong in the hearts of those who loved and cared for our dearest Kim.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Kimberly Ann Sandberg, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Robert Brian Armstrong, 63, Seville, OH and Sebastian, FL

June 29, 1959 – April 24, 2023

Robert Brian Armstrong, 63, of Seville, OH and Sebastian, FL passed away peacefully on Monday, April 24, at his home in Florida. Brian and his surviving wife of 37 years, Wendy Wetherbee Armstrong, became “snowbirds” when they bought their “fixer-upper” home in the Sunshine State in 2013, as they would head back to Ohio each year in the spring and return to Florida in the fall.

Born in Ironton, Ohio on June 29, 1959, Brian was the son of the late Robert and Patricia Armstrong. He grew up in South Point, Ohio where he was a 1977 graduate of South Point High School. Brian was also preceded in death by his father- and mother-in-law, Winslow and Barbara Wetherbee of Akron, Ohio.

Brian attended the Ohio State University in Wooster, Ohio where he earned a degree in management. After spending several years as a Supermarket Manager, he left the industry and began a career as a professional painter and wallpaper installer. A man of so many talents, Brian was the epitome of a great handyman. It truly seemed he could teach himself to do anything and learn to do it at an expert level.

In addition to his wife, Wendy, Brian is survived by his son Christopher and wife Lauren and their children, Hudson, Leo, and Jett Armstrong of Bowling Green, Kentucky; and daughter Alyssa and husband Chris Prochnow of Salt Lake City, Utah. Brian is also survived by his brother Rodney and wife Crystal Armstrong of Spring, Texas; sister Lee Ann Armstrong-Chapman of South Point, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to being a professional painter, Brian was also an excellent carpenter, drywaller, electrician, mechanic, roofer, and mason – a true handyman. His abilities and work ethic were an inspiration to so many people as he was always willing to help his family and friends with his many talents. In one of his most impressive projects, Brian (with the help of his wife Wendy) completely renovated their Florida residence.

Brian was a devoted husband, loving son, dependable brother, excellent father, proud grandfather, and helpful friend to all those who crossed his path. It was common for family and friends to approach Brian and say:  “I need your help with a project” to which he was always willing to oblige and demonstrate his love through acts of service.

Brian was known for his love of the water, which included fishing, boating, and jet-skiing. These hobbies led to he and Wendy owning their properties near Lake Erie in Marblehead, Ohio and near the Atlantic Ocean in Sebastian, Florida. A true animal lover at heart, Brian owned many cats and dogs throughout his life. Most recently, he loved taking his dog Charlie to the beach and to the dog park for exercise.

Often referred to as “The Mayor” of Plymouth Shore in Marblehead, Ohio, Brian had a positive impact on countless people throughout his life. His willingness to help others, his easygoing personality, and his ability to forge lifelong friendships are some of Brian’s qualities that endeared him to so many. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Brian’s family and loved ones will gather to celebrate his life in a joyous event, rather than holding a traditional funeral. The specific date and details of this celebration of life, to be held in Ohio, will be announced at a later time.

As Wendy prepares to venture north to Ohio in true “snowbird” fashion, the family asks that any expressions of love be delayed until the celebration of life is coordinated.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Robert Brian Armstrong, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

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