From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Skylar Reid Davis, 29
July 21, 1994 – June 8, 2023
Skylar Reid Davis
Born July 21, 1994 in Columbus, Ohio
Passed June 8, 2023 In Philadelphia
Survived by mother, Kerrie Walton and father, Timothy Davis, brother Noll Davis, Stepfather Alan Walton, Grandparents Shirley Bourdow, Gene Jacobs and Donnal Davis, daughter Ahri Grace, aunts Michelle Bourdow, Kim Meegan, and Kimm Davis, uncles Stephen Bourdow, Rick Davis and Donny Davis. He is preceded in death by Grandpa Dow, Grandma Nancy and Cousin Gracie.
Skylar Reid Davis (although his middle name should be listed as “Adventure”) could shine up the room like the son of a sun. His vivacious thirst for experiencing life FOR the experience itself was infectious as his laugh. Known for being a voracious reader, eloquent writer and gifted musician in this age is as remarkable as he, himself.
Skylar always had his finger on the pulse of music and across all ages of literature as if devouring it all. He held great faith in himself, his family and his God. He loved intentionally and with every fiber of his marrow.
Skylar was a lover of the natural world and animals from his first day. He traveled his great nation and met many quality humans along his journey. He sought out the unknown and could show you new things in your own neighborhood! His shining soul will be missed beyond comprehension yet remains with us all as his energy endures.
“I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken, in the morning’s hush of quiet birds circled in the light. I am the soft star that shines at might.”
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” John 4:07
“He bowed low, down to the ground, bowed to the motionless sitter, whose smile reminded him of everything that he ever loved in his life, that had every been valuable and holy to him in his life.”
Visitation will be held from 3-4PM, Friday, June 23, 2023 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Funeral services will begin at 4PM in the funeral home chapel.
An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Skylar Reid Davis, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Michael Sullivan, 81, Hutchinson Island
March 30, 1942 – June 11, 2023
Michael Sullivan, 81, of Hutchinson Island passed away on June 11th with his loving family by his side.
He was born in Malden, Massachusetts on March 30th, 1942 to the late Leo and Georgia Sullivan. Mike graduated from Malden High School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart Marcia Coles They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.
He is survived by his children, Michael Sullivan of Jacksonville Florida; Laurie (William) O’Rourke of Hobe Sound, Florida and Lee (Christine) Sullivan of Reading Massachusetts, sister Barbara McHugh of Malden; brother Frank Sullivan of Pompano Beach, Florida.
He is also survived by six grandchildren.
Mike was owner and operator of A&A Window Products Inc in Malden for 45 years before retiring to Florida. He served as President of The Subcontractors Association of Massachusetts.
Mike was also very active within the community as a volunteer and board member at The Bread of Life for many years. He enjoyed boating, driving his sports car, and traveling with his wife.
A future Memorial Service is planned. Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit https://obits.coxgiffordseawinds.com/guestbook/michael-sullivan.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his memory may do so at The Bread of Life, Malden Massachusetts: http://www.breadoflifemalden.org/donate.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John Harry Matthews III, 84
John Harry Matthews III was born on October 4th, 1938 in Bangkok Siam to British and American parents. When WWII broke out John and his mother Helen relocated to her home town of Sherman, Texas. It was in Sherman that John’s love for the outdoors began. After graduation from high school, John earned the nickname “Pope John” at Texas A&M from his classmates while leading the universities Catholic men’s group. In the summer months, after completing his Eagle Scout badge, John worked at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. These summers were some of his fondest and further nurtured his passion for hunting and fishing, as well as his love for camping.
Upon graduating for Texas A&M, John was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air force. While on active duty John met the love of his life Alice, Elaine “Sis” Goolsby and proposed to her after only a week of dating! John and Sis were married 59 years before his passing. During his 13 year military career John served in the Office of Special Investigations (O.S.I), working closely with the C.I.A., F.B.I, and various foreign intelligence services, including the Korean C.I.A and the British MI5. John’s detail was even in charge of guarding President JFK and President Johnson. During this time John further pursued higher education and received his master degree, and eventfully his PhD in History, retiring as a Captain in the Air Force.
After retirement from the military, John and Elaine and the five J’s settled in Vero Beach, where he began a new career at Indian River Community College as the Director of the Police and Fire Academy. After a few years he then became a professor in the History Department. While at IRCC, John served as president of the Florida Criminal Justice association, while teaching History and Political Science. He eventually retired and vigorously pursued his love of the outdoors hunting and fishing as much as he could, while traveling the globe to see his kids and grandkids and many friends.
During John’s lifetime his faith was always at the forefront, second only to his family. During retirement John helped found the prison ministry at St Helen Catholic Church. He also became a Secular Franciscan and volunteered as much as he could in helping spread the good word. John’s strong Catholic faith and belief in family produced five wonderful children and seven grand children. It was having grand children that earned John his greatest title in life- Popa Doc. John loved his children and is survived by all five John H Matthews IV, wife Cheryl, and son Johnny 5 of Maui Hawaii; son James C Matthews of Key Largo FL; son COL Joseph G Matthews, wife Sarah, daughters Alaina, Mary Margaret, and son David of Cumming GA; Joan Dare and daughter Grace from Savannah GA; son Jeffrey Matthews, wife Elizabeth, daughter Lileigh, and son Grayson of Vero Beach. John was preceded in death by his Parents John and Helen; and his step father Alfred A Rolfe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 10am at St Helen Church, in lieu of flowers and donations please seek and thank all of our veterans for their service.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Judith Northrop Pond, 86, Vero Beach
June 22, 2023
We are sad to announce the passing of Judith Northrop Pond of Vero Beach, Florida. She died, surrounded by her loved ones, at age 86, on June 22nd, 2023. Judith was preceded in death by her husband, James Maxcy Pond. She is survived by her son Grady (Ky) Welchel, Jonathan Pond (stepson) and 3 grandchildren. Judith lived a full life. She leaves us with many stories still untold.
There will be a private ceremony with only close family members present.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
James Martin Koester, 82, Vero Beach
January 16, 1941 – June 22, 2023
James Martin Koester passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023 at the age of 82.
On January 16, 1941, Jim was born in Butler, PA. He graduated from Hamden High in 1958, then attended Michigan State in 1959 and Quinnipac College in 1961 – 1963. Afterward he worked for Sherwin Williams from 1962 until he retired in 1998.
While living in Litchfield, CT he married Benay and had three children before moving to Vero Beach, FL in January 1985. There he met and married Deborah on June 13, 1987.
Jim is survived by his wife Deborah Landers Koester and his children Kristine Koester Devaux, Kimberly Koester, James Koester and step children Shane Landers and Shawna Landers Carton. Also Jim’s pride and joy, eleven grandchildren, each of whom he loved dearly and taught to enjoy fishing, cooking and his passion for tinkering. Surviving also are his sister Barbara Koester Lyall, his first wife Benay Civitello Koester Skoglund.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gustav Koester and Margaret Davidson Koester also his brother David Koester.
The family will have a private gathering in the fall of this year for a Celebration of Jim’s Life.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: The Hope for Families Center Inc by mailing a check to 715 4th Place in Vero Beach, FL 32962, using a credit card by calling 772-567-5537, or Click Here to visit the online donation site: Hope for Families Center.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.
Loving Memories.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James Martin Koester, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joseph F. Lynch, 91, Vero Beach
October 4, 1931 – June 26, 2023
Joseph F Lynch, 91, of Vero Beach died Monday, June 26th with his children by his side. He is preceded by his wife (Maureen), his parents (John and Ellen) and his sisters (Mary and Bridie). Joe is survived by his 3 children (Aileen, Sheila and Jerry), his sister Phil, and many nieces and nephews.
Joe was born in Lisroe, County Clare, Ireland to John and Ellen Lynch on Oct 4, 1931. Joe grew up on a farm in Ireland and immigrated to NYC in 1952 on a ship. He met his wife, Maureen, at a dance and married her in 1955. Joe and Maureen were married for 59 years and lived in the Bronx before moving to Vero Beach when he retired in 1993.
Joe was hard working and ambitious. While first married, he went to school and worked 2 jobs. Joe was a custodian engineer working for the NYC Board of Education until he retired in 1993.
Joe was a talented carpenter and house renovator. Joe loved spending time with family and friends. He loved having good “chats” with his friends, who he made sure to keep in touch over the years. He also appreciated visits from his nieces and nephews. He was a golfer and a fisherman. He loved dogs, particularly Finn McCool. Joe and Maureen traveled the world during their marriage going many places including visiting Ireland regularly. He was proud of being Irish and belonged to different Irish organizations and marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. One of the things Joe loved was eating especially holiday meals like Thanksgiving.
Joe was Maureen’s primary care giver over the last years of her life. Her sight was not good and she had an open sore on her leg requiring the bandage to be changed daily. He faithfully changed the bandage daily and brought her to various doctors. She was very appreciative.
Faith was important to Joe. Joe said the rosary daily and went to mass regularly, whether in person or watching on TV.
A Mass will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church at 10 am on July 13th followed by a luncheon at the Knights of Columbus
For those unable to attend in person, services will be live-streamed which may be viewed the day of the service by using the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/3548256
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Lung Association
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joseph Francis Lynch, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Lyle Ray Ostrom II, 75, Vero Beach
May 13, 1948 – June 28, 2023
Lyle Ray Ostrom, II passed away peacefully in his home in Vero Beach, FL surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Wednesday June 28th, 2023, after a 2-year battle with a rare liver cancer. Lyle was born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1948. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandy and his 3 children – Travis Ostrom, Summer Ostrom, and Lyle Ray Ostrom III (aka Skip Ostrom). He is survived by 5 grandchildren- Kyle and Cole Ostrom, Lia and Alexa Ostrom, and Lynda Lou Ostrom. He had his Master in Certified Financial Planning from the College of Denver and was a Certified Insurance Counselor with the NAIC. Lyle created The Ostrom Group in 1980 and has been serving the state of Florida in the insurance & financial planning sector for over 40 years. Lyle built his insurance business by selling Prudential Life Insurance policies door to door in the 1970’s.
Lyle was a long-standing member, and past president, of the IRC Exchange Club, a long-standing supporter of the Indian River Medical Society, American Cancer Society, Vero Beach Museum of Art, the VNA, Humane Society and many more local charities as investing back into the community he served was important to him. Lyle was known to do many comedic and entertainment performances with his best friend, Peter Armfield, for over 40 years for various community fundraisers, as well as America’s Funniest Home videos.
Lyle was a true renaissance man who dedicated himself to the pursuit of knowledge for self-growth and the betterment of society. He played dozens of instruments and sang, as well as playing in a band (whether for fun or money) since he was in his late teens. He had many musician friends in Vero Beach that rotated through playing with him as a band in his home weekly for the past 10 years. Lyle could paint, draw, sculpt, wood carving – literally work in any medium to produce art- as he was always interested in learning a new technique or modality to bring to life the creative inspiration that was always flowing through him. Lyle had an insatiable appetite for books and had a mind like a steel trap, where he could tell you the minute details in an autobiography, he read 20 years ago. He was an avid golfer and played in tournaments and even traveled to other countries to experience the game in more challenging environments. He was a bass fisher, a skier, and even hiked the Appalachian Trail by himself just to see if he could. He was a health nut who took supplements and exercised every day for over 43 years but knew how to live life and enjoy the New York Strip.
Lyle was the life of the party and was an animated storyteller who always got laughs from his audience, even with the “Dad jokes” that got groans. He was kind, compassionate, generous, caring and loving. He was always calm and collected, with a level head on his shoulders and was able to wield logic and reason in a world that constantly threw stressful situations at him.
In lieu of flowers, Lyle asks that those wishing to pay their respects can donate to one of his favorite charities, the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy at 1028 20th Pl, Vero Beach, FL 32960 https://www.youthguidanceprogram.org/
Memorial service will be on July 1st at 10 am at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral home & Crematory located at 1950 20th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Rev. Becky Glass-Calahan will officiate. The service will be available via webcast for those wishing to attend but not physically. A recording of the service is available until July 31, 2023 by clicking here: Lyle R. Ostrom, II Memorial Service
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Lyle R. Ostrom, II, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
William (Bill) Marakis, 81, Vero Beach
January 26, 1942 – June 30, 2023
William (Bill) Marakis, 81, of Vero Beach, died Friday, June 30, 2023 at his residence.
He was born to the late Victor and Ruth Marakis on January 26, 1942 in Miami, FL.
He served in the United States Marines, and the United States Coast Guard.
William(Bill) is survived by his wife Helen (Mo) Carr, of Vero Beach; two daughters, Tracy Stone, of Brandon, FL.; Teri Owen, of North Port, FL.; he is also survived by two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
There will be no service at this time.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to any Humane Society of your choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William Nicholas Marakis, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John B. “Jack” Fischer, 97, Vero Beach
March 5, 1926 – July 7, 2023
John B. “Jack” Fischer, 97, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on July 7, 2023 at his home.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 5, 1926, he was the son of the late Michael and Theresa (Hilliard) Fischer.
Jack was a retired Chevron executive and pilot with a passion for flying and making money in the stock market.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served aboard the USS Cowpens.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley; his siblings, Francis, Michael, Donald, Ralph, and Patricia; and his niece, Theresa Siegrist.
Jack is survived by his nephews, Ed (Beth) Lehman, Mike (Karen) Fischer, Patrick (Fran) Fischer, Ben (Annie) Fischer, Tim (Bob) Fischer, Jeff (Julie) Fischer, Eddie Fischer, Steve (Carol) Fischer; and nieces, Lorraine (John) Maestri, Suzanne (Butch) Burkett, and Donna (Dick) Johnson. He is also survived by several great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as his friend, Gina Edwards.
Per Jack’s request, there will be no services. Those who wish to honor his memory may make a donation in his name to St. Ann Catholic School – Open Door Scholarships, 324 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401.
Expressions of the sympathy may be offered to the family at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of John “Jack” B. Fischer, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Adelaide Frances Willis, 81, Vero Beach
March 25, 1942 – July 11, 2023
Adelaide Frances Willis, 81, of Vero Beach passed away peacefully and was taken to heaven by the Lord on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Brookdale Assisted Living and under Hospice “At Home Care.” She was born March 25, 1942, in Adrian, Michigan. Surviving are her three children, Cynthia Turner, Christopher Willis, and Catherine DeSchouwer all of Vero Beach, as well as eight grandchildren, Krystal Ellig, Kristopher Thorpe, Caleigh Willis, Colin Willis, Cadie Willis, Louis DeSchouwer, Elizabeth DeSchouwer, and Morgan DeSchouwer all of Vero Beach. Also surviving are three sisters, Anna Barber of Ft. Myers, Florida, Elizabeth Curran of Jenks, Oklahoma, and Lucille Barber of Ft. Myers, Florida.
In 1964, she received an Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, Florida. She then began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse (R.N.) at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She met and married the late William Willis, a graduate of the University of Florida while there, and they later moved to Vero Beach and began raising their family. She continued her nursing career in Vero Beach and worked in the Hospital Intensive Care Unit. She worked in several different hospitals throughout her long career and the ICU was her strength. As a highly skilled nurse, she also excelled in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and could handle the hardest of cases. She loved her profession and even took on a part-time job in early retirement.
Outside of the hospital setting, she was a devoted mother who had a deep Christian faith, sharing and teaching Biblical Truth to her children starting at an early age. She also served in church throughout her life by singing and playing the flute with the music team. She was also very mechanically inclined and creative with extensive sewing and woodworking skills. She would often make elaborate clothes for her children, especially for holidays and made wooden toys for them too. One of her woodworking projects included the construction of an amazing birthday party cart with functional wheels, two rows of bench-style seats for a small 6 children capacity and a tasseled canopy top to be pulled by the family pony. She later extended her crafting abilities and creations into gifts for her grandchildren while they were growing up. Quilting was her forte, and she gave many hand-crafted quilts as gifts to not only family members, but friends and co-workers as well over the years. She even taught her granddaughters the craft and then received a special quilt from them as well.
She also had a love for traveling and was very adventurous. She knew how to have fun with her kids while they were growing up and as adults when it came to traveling. She enjoyed such activities as snow skiing, white water rafting, challenging hikes, and sight-seeing in general. She also took plenty of photos and there was never a shortage to help remember these special trips. She covered almost all of the United States and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Newfoundland, often along with her children and grandchildren. Throughout her lifetime, she also spent extensive time in both Colorado and North Carolina with a special love of the mountains and for any fun activity that included those mountains.
She also had a love for history, and combined that with her passion for travel. This led her to accept a position while in her late thirties as the nurse for several archaeologists who traveled to Mexico on a special project. She absolutely loved the experience and immersed herself in the history while there, passing her knowledge onto her children and grandchildren, much of which included The Great Pyramid. She would also study in detail the history of the National Parks and Historic sites throughout the United States, especially the ones she planned to travel to. Historic sites were a favorite destination for her.
FAMILY….strong family values were at her core, and her family was everything to her. She tried to consistently be present and supportive of both her children and grandchildren in their activities and milestones, and she loved them all dearly. One of her favorite family activities was singing along with her kids and grandkids often accompanied by the piano and or guitar. Great enthusiasm and a fun-loving attitude were always in the mix no matter the event or occasion. In addition to family, she was also very loving, helpful, and generous with friends all throughout life, especially during times of great trouble and need…she would give the shirt off of her back if necessary. She had a “giving” mindset!
Her Legacy is one of deep devotion to Christ, deep devotion to family, “unforgettable” enthusiasm and support, and a lifetime of incredible generosity on so many levels. She will be cherished forever by her family and friends and will be greatly missed beyond words!!!
A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 17th at the Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home at 1950 20th St, in Vero Beach, Florida with visitation for friends at 9:30, and a service in the chapel at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be held afterward at the Crestlawn Cemetery at 1216 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joseph Spatola, 71, Vero Beach
October 30, 1951 – July 13, 2023
Joseph Spatola, 71, of Vero Beach passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, NY he was a son of the late Joseph R. and Maria Silece Spatola.