Site icon Vero News

In Memory: Dec. 4

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Judith Ziarno Burke, 73, Viera

March 19, 1950 – November 11, 2023

Judith Ziarno Burke, 73 of Viera, Florida passed away on November 11, 2023.

Judy was born on March 19, 1950 in Albany, NY.  At age 9, her family moved to Florida where Judy later attended Southwest Miami High School. Judy earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida International University and retired as a Sr. Budget Analyst from Florida Power and Light after 42 years.

In 1972, Judy began her 51-year marriage to Dr. Joseph Paul Burke Jr.  Judy and Joe lived in Worcester, MA, Miami and Key West, FL, and Springfield, MA, where they made numerous lifelong friends.

Judy was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Viera, Florida.  She was an active member of the Parkinson’s Support Group and enjoyed a newly found interest in painting. Judy loved trips to Disney, dancing, playing cards and games, listening to music and attending the Coconut Grove Art Festival. Above all, she loved spending time with Joe, their dog Winston and family. Judy never met a stranger that she didn’t offer to help. Aunt Judy will be lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews for her incredible generosity and kind heart.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Joe Burke, Jr.; five sisters, Carol (Ziarno) Stallings (Mike), Margie (Ziarno) Stallings (Terry), Ellen (Ziarno) Garrison (Jack), Teresa (Ziarno) Widmayer (Joe), Marie (Ziarno) Keough (Rich); four brothers, Jim Ziarno (Carolyn), Paul Ziarno, Joey Ziarno  (Alycia) and Steven Ziarno (Therese) and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Pearl Ziarno and brother Tommy Ziarno.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 16 from 5-8pm at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th St, Vero Beach.  A eulogy will be delivered at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life will take place on Friday, November 17, at 10am, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. Burial is immediately following Mass.  Family asks that those attending wear bright, cheerful colors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or The Parkinson’s Foundation.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of JUDITH ZIARNO BURKE, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Vincent Samuel Serio, II, 64, Vero Beach

November 29, 1958 – November 12, 2023

Vincent Samuel Serio, II, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Sunday, November 12th at the age of 64 while in the caring hands of VNA Hospice House of Vero Beach following a two-year battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by thirty plus members of his loving family and friends.

Vince was born November 29th, 1958 in Galveston, TX to Samuel and Nina Serio (Tollett), the second of four children and the only son. He graduated from Ball High School in 1977 then traveled to Ft. Lauderdale shortly after to make Florida his home. He started a career in traveling sales for Omega, Zales and several jewelers as his father had, then found his passion in boating and worked as a marine technician for many years for Merritt Marine, Pursuit and others. He was married in 1982, had four boys (Vincent Samuel Serio, III, Steven, Colton and Colby Serio) and taught them all he could about building classic cars, marine repair and maintenance, and coaching them in little league. He moved his family to the Sebastian area in 2006 to pursue a better life for his boys where he became an RV technician at Indian River RV & Marine and eventually started a mobile repair company of his own until he was forced to retire in 2020 due to health issues and received a second cancer diagnosis in 2021.

Vince was very loving and charismatic, so he was blessed with many friends throughout his life. He enjoyed boating, offshore fishing, kayaking, camping, dirt biking, off-roading and just enjoying life outdoors. He was a member of Sebastian Elk’s #2714 in the footsteps of his father who has been a lifelong member for over 50 years and as a teenager he was a lifeguard at the Elk’s Lodge #126 in Galveston.

He was survived by his adoring parents, three sisters (Sharyn Wood, Susanne McCalla and Sammie Serio) his wife of five years, Tammy Serio, four sons, two stepsons (Matthew and Brandon Carpenter) and two grandchildren (Riley and Giana Serio), five nieces and nephews, and seven great nieces and nephews, plus countless, devoted, lifelong friends. Family meant everything to Vince.

Vince did not want a traditional funeral so there will be a Celebration of Life after the holidays at Sebastian Elks Lodge once the date and time is confirmed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center of Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach who took exceptional care of him through this journey. Cancer is a battle we pray no one will have to endure but especially the children.

St. Jude’s: www.StJude.org

Scully-Welsh: https://rem.ax/3srJzUE

Arrangements entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 916 17th Street Vero Beach, Fl 32960

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of VINCENT SAMUEL SERIO II, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Robert Rapacke, 92, Sebastian

June 20, 1931 – October 26, 2023

Robert Rapacke, 92, passed away October 26, 2023 in Sebastian, FL.  Survived by wife Janice, daughters Mary Rapacke, Cynthia Betz (Jerry); son Michael Rapacke; stepchildren: Sherry Brandt (Ron), Todd Clasen and Lisa Beckerdite (Lew); grandchildren Michael & Julia; sister Sheila Rapacke, brothers John (Donna) and Nick. Preceded in death by his parents Chester and Agnes; first wife, Marie; and brother, Edward.

In lieu of flowers donations to VNA Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place, Suite 101, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 13075 US Highway 1, Sebastian, FL 32958.

Viewing at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, FL, on November 13, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.

Service to follow at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian FL at 11:00. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

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

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Thomas Eugene “Gene” Marples, 75, Vero Beach

January 4, 1948 – March 15, 2023

Thomas Eugene “Gene” Marples, of Vero Beach, Florida, formerly of Clementsville, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Vero Beach. He was 75.

Born on January 4, 1948, in Clementsville, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Unas and Sophie Mae Allen Marples. Gene was a lumber broker for Marquette Lumber Company. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He enjoyed golfing and was very proud of a hole-in-one that he accomplished. He was an avid Kentucky Wildcats fan.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Elton Marples.

Gene is survived by his wife, Rhonda Thomas Marples of Vero Beach, Florida; a son, Aaron Marples of Campbellsville; a daughter, Joanne (Mickey Corcoran) Marples Jansen of Louisville; two brothers, Dale (Barbara) Marples and Jeff (Karen) Marples, both of Liberty; his mother-in-law, Alberta “Granny Bird” Thomas of Russell Springs; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, 2-4:00p.m. at The Plaza,  884 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. (Next to Strunk Funeral Home)

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

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Patrice Crough Swanson, 68, Sebastian

May 16, 1955 – November 1, 2023

Patrice Crough Swanson, 68, passed away in Vero Beach, FL on Wednesday November 1st, 2023 after a long battle with heart disease.

Patrice was born on May 16th, 1955 in Washington D.C. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Sue Crough and her beloved husband Robert Platiau.

She dedicated her life to her family and is survived by her three sons: Jack Camp, his wife Kathryn (Lennon) Camp and their children Byron and Chloe Camp; Joseph Camp, his wife Sarah (Traks) Camp and their son Julian Camp; and Jason Camp, his wife Rebecca (Pearl) Camp and their son Sebastian Camp. Patrice is also survived by her two siblings, Michael Crough and Kevin Crough, and their families.

She lived most of her life in Maryland, raising a family and working as a preschool teacher. Patrice was very involved in her Gaithersburg housing development: Diamond Farms. She dedicated her summers to managing the local pool and organizing any events at the pool.

Patrice gave up her professional life to focus on caring for her parents before they passed, splitting her time between Maryland and Florida for many years.

After both parents passed away, Patrice and Robert moved to Sebastian, FL and spent the rest of her days near her eldest son, his wife, and their children. Patrice frequently traveled back north to visit her other children and their families.

Patrice loved reading a good novel (as long as it involved murder), hanging out with her pets, and being at the beach, but her first true love was her family.  She found no greater joy than in spending time with her parents, spouse, siblings, children, and grandchildren.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at Strunk Funeral Home (1623 N Central Ave, Sebatian, FL 32958) on Wednesday, November 15th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to H.A.L.O. no-kill rescue (https://halorescuefl.org/donate/), any local children’s hospitals or childcare centers in her name.

You may sign or leave a message for the family on our online guestbook at www.strunkfuneralhome.com

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of PATRICE MARIE SWANSON, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

 

Exit mobile version