In Memory: Aug. 24

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

James Loyd Carroll, 88, Vero Beach

July 12, 1935 – July 27, 2023

James Loyd Carroll, 88, died on July 27, 2023, at his home with his loving wife by his side.

James was born on July 12, 1935, in Winchester, TN to Hubert and Virginia Carroll.  He grew up in Frost, Texas before entering the Army.  During his service, he was a member of the Old Guard and played on his command’s baseball team.

James was stationed in Washington, DC when he met Ruth Huddleston. They married and lived in West Virginia and Ohio before settling in Florida with their 3 boys. James was dedicated to coaching his sons’ baseball teams, worked in automotive sales, and enjoyed golfing and following Major League Baseball.  Ruth passed away in 1993, and James continued living and working in Vero Beach as his family grew to include 8 grandchildren who he loved and supported, attending sporting events and performances, and cheering them on in their endeavors.

James found love again when he married Marika Nemeth in 2002. Together they built a beautiful life, embracing each other’s children and grandchildren as their own.

James leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to his family.  His infectious smile, sharp wit, and wise guidance will be deeply missed by those who knew him well.

James is survived by his wife, Marika Carroll, sons James (Cheryl), John (Julie), and Bela, daughter-in-law Beth, 9 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, sisters Mary Rash and Virginia Milligan, and brother Gwindel Carroll.

He was preceded in death by his parents Virginia and Hubert Carroll, wife Ruth Carroll, son Joe Carroll, and brothers Bill Carroll, Weldon Carroll, Hubert Carroll, and Dennis Carroll.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 12, 2023, from 4-6pm at Strunk Funeral Home, The Plaza in Vero Beach, Florida.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of JAMES LOYD CARROLL, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Barbara Joan Carpenter, 88 

March 12, 1935 – July 23, 2023

Mrs. Barbara Joan Carpenter, 88, died July 23, 2023, at Moffitt Cancer Center Magnolia Campus in Tampa, Florida from complications from surgery.

She was born in Jasper, Florida on March 12, 1935, to B.E. Tutten and Sadie Kathleen Reed.

Barbara was a graduate of Fort Lauderdale High School.

She enjoyed working as the Bookkeeper for Crowne Liquor Stores Corporate office located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She was married to J.W. Goodwin and had one child, William Eldred Goodwin.

She later met and married Richard P. Carpenter, who had four children she loved and adored Dean, Ellen, Scott and Ann.

Barbara and Richard loved to travel and in true spirit even after his passing she would find herself fulfilling her bucket list which included a Caribbean Cruise in March of 2023. Doing so allowed her to meet people as she always thought the best of everyone.

Survivors include her son, William Eldred Goodwin and wife, Nancy; stepdaughters: Ellen Poitras and Ann Carpenter; grandchildren Tammie, Tina, Kamy, Andrea & Jillian; great grandchildren Kaylee, Brody, Korra, Terra, Zoe & Cohan.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, J.W. Goodwin and Richard P. Carpenter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Visitation will be held 12:00 PM on Thursday August 10, 2023, at Strunk Funeral Homes Chapel.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 PM on Thursday August 10, 2023, at Strunk Funeral Home Chapel, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.

Interment will immediately follow the service at Sebastian Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Sebastian, Florida. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of BARBARA JOAN CARPENTER, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Robert Riney, 72, Vero Beach

December 9, 1950 – August 15, 2023

A Celebration of Life will be held in Bob’s honor September 9, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at The Plaza, 884 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Further obituary info to come.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of ROBERT RINEY, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

WILLIAM “BILL” EDWARD NORTHFIELD, SR., 89, Vero Beach

May 29, 1934 – August 13, 2023

WILLIAM “BILL” EDWARD NORTHFIELD, SR. – 05/29/1934 – 08/13/2023

Born in Minneapolis, MN, Bill lived and traveled in many places.  He was a long-time resident of Lincoln, NH and enjoyed Vero Beach for over twenty years.  His father was Harold Luke Northfield and his mother, Elsie Christine Northfield.  Raised in Minneapolis, Bill was graduated from Edison High School.

Against all expectations, Bill left Minneapolis and entered MIT in Boston, MA.  He joined the Sigma Nu Fraternity.  At MIT, he earned his BS & MS in Electrical Engineering, graduating with the Class of 1956.  Bill’s internships included work in GE’s nuclear division and manufacturing sites.  He also rowed at MIT.

After serving in MIT’s ROTC, Bill joined the US Army, Signal Corps, “Project Hardtack” (1958).  Bill married his sweetheart, Sandy, began re-vitalizing and selling companies, and started the family.

Bill and Sandy worshipped with Community Church of Vero Beach and First Congregational Church of Winchester, MA, and other congregations.  They were active Deacons and assumed other responsibilities such as leading the Finance Committee, Parish Visitors, Church Library, and Sunday School.

As an MIT alumnus, Bill joined the Cardinal & Gray Society and usually attended reunions and Tech Day.  Bill and Sandy were active members at the Quail Valley Golf Club and Marina, playing tennis as long as possible.  Bill returned to golf for a summer at the age of 87 and continued to enjoy his cars.  Bill loved his 53-20 Fleming SALTY-B as well as his other motor and sailing vessels. The engine rooms and maritime technology particularly attracted him.  Bill also followed aviation, especially Experimental Aviation.

During his career, Bill held various technical and leadership positions, culminating in the late 1960’s working with MIT classmates and founders, Ray Stata and Matthew Lorber, at Analog Devices, Inc.  After ADI went public, Bill became a serial entrepreneur in the high-tech industry.

From the 1970’s through 2008, Bill founded his own companies and participated as an angel/early stage investor for other start-ups.  His expertise spanned innovation, product development, marketing, sales, and mergers.  Communications in all media fascinated Bill, as did ongoing research at MIT’s Koch Institute and other sites of important health and technological discovery and innovation.

Bill’s final company, Airstar Communications, provided satellite phones for aviation, marine, and public safety applications (e.g. Indian River Shores Public Safety during 2004 hurricanes).

Bill’s beloved wife of 62 years, Sandra “Sandy” Sabin Northfield, predeceased him on 03/31/2020.

Offspring of Bill and Sandy are Christy Joan Northfield – daughter, Wendy Ellen Berman – daughter, William Edward Northfield, Jr – son, Kelechi Ellen Nwosu – granddaughter, Chiaka Joan Nwosu – granddaughter, Henry William Lembeck – grandson.

A private service will be held at Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, FL.

Please direct any memorial donations to:  VNA Hospice House, Indian River Community Foundation, Community Church of Vero Beach.  Thank you on behalf of his family.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of WILLIAM “BILL” EDWARD NORTHFIELD, SR., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

MARY FRANCES (JOY) KOVACS, 103, Florida

February 2, 1920 – August 12, 2023

Mary Frances Joy was born on February 2, 1920, in Newburyport, Massachusetts as World War I ended and the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution gave women the right to vote; the League of Nations was created and the infamous “Roaring 20’s” signaled the beginning of Prohibition. She was the second of seven children born to Newfoundland immigrants, Frances and James Joy, who settled in Bronx, New York to raise their family. Adventure seemed to follow Mary, starting when she was just 3 years old, when she was shipwrecked on the coast after visiting with her mother’s family in Newfoundland.

Mary enjoyed a varied career beginning as a private secretary, purchasing agent and entrepreneur. She was a Notary Public for 30 years and an avid golfer who taught golf to beginners. She was a Chaplin for the Ladies Auxiliary of the Purple Heart Society and started the Veterans Club here in SLCCV.  Mary traveled extensively for business and pleasure. Along the way she became interested in theatre and acted in several small productions, as well as writing poetry and stories. She knew many of the period celebrities and dated movie actor, Jack Palance.

However, her real interest was in creating, directing, and producing shows with the Spanish Lakes Players. Every Spring, residents were treated to another Mary Kovacs variety show which was always well attended and always popular. Recently, she collaborated with Bill Hill, a talented singer, to produce Gospel Hour programs which were also enthusiastically received.

In 1962, Mary met and eventually married Anthony Kovacs, who owned a beer distributorship in Pennsylvania. Mary spent the next 30 working side by side with Tony to build a successful business from which they retired and then moved to Florida in 1985. Tony passed away in 2016 at the age of 99, after almost 50 years of marriage.

When asked what her secret for such a long life is, Mary always replied, “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret!” Humor, apparently, is the secret!!

VIEWING: 8/23/23 4:00 – 6:00 PM at STRUNK Funeral Home, 916 17TH St, Vero Beach

MASS: 8/24/23 10:00 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Ln, Vero Beach

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MARY FRANCES (JOY) KOVACS, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

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