From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Barbara May Presnell, 90, Vero Beach
March 15, 1934 ~ October 10, 2024
Barbara May Presnell was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. She passed away peacefully at Palm Garden in Vero Beach, Fl. at the age of 90.
She was born in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Barbara attended Kings Baptist Church.
Survivors include her children Brenda Smith, Patricia Etayo, Sandra Gribble, and Mike Presnell; grandchildren Carley Collins, Amanda Smith, Tim Smith III, Damian Etayo, Derek Etayo, Darion Etayo, Dylan Etayo, Drisana Etayo, Robert Gribble Jr., Brandon Gribble, Kyle Gribble, Donald Gribble, Austin Gribble; great grandchildren Melissa Watson, Cody Cattee, Taylor Smith Rogers, Nicholas Wertman, Cameron Etayo, Savannah Etayo, Hope Ganz, Holland Ganz, Hayden Etayo, Sydney Tajman, Logan Tajman, Payton Gribble, Kimberlee Gribble, Kyle Gribble Jr., Donald Gribble Jr.; great great granddaughter, Jasmine Ganz; brother, Thomas Robertson; and nephew, Tim Smith IV.
Barbara was predeceased by Roger D. Presnell Sr., Roger D. Presnell Jr., and Madison Smith.
A Graveside service will be held on Friday October 25th, 2024, at Winter Beach Cemetery beginning at 10:00am. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after at The Venue in Vero Beach, Fl. from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. (2700 US. Hwy 1).
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
James Mitchell Smith, 85, Vero Beach
April 07, 1939 ~ October 12, 2024
James Mitchell Smith, age 85, passed away October 12, 2024 at his home in Vero Beach, Florida after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was born in Vero Beach, Florida to the late Glenn and Mamie Smith and lived in Vero his entire life. He graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1957 and attended Florida Southern College where he was a member of the KA fraternity. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, skin-diver and sports competitor and loved sharing stories about his biggest bucks, lobster catches and championships. He loved racquetball, tennis, table tennis, basketball and football. He was always looking to pitch horseshoes, teach someone how to water ski and share his love of the outdoors. He was known to be able to fix anything with duct tape and any other supplies on hand.
Mr. Smith was one of the first employees at Walmart of Vero Beach and worked there for over 20 years until he retired. Prior to that he was a researcher for Ciba-Geigy in Vero, also for over 20 years. He grew up working with plants at Glenn and Mike’s Landscaping with his dad and uncle. He had a love of plants his entire life and ran his own part-time landscaping company, Alligator Nursery.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Smith; daughter and son-in-law Stacy and Amit Sircar; son and daughter-in-law, Mason Smith and Amber Mayor; grandchildren, Kyler Sircar, Devyn Sircar, and Mitchell E. Smith.
He was predeceased by his infant son, Mitchell K. Smith; brothers, Don and Gary Smith; and sisters, Anita Eveskcige and Patti Hardin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Indian River County Alzheimer’s/Parkinson Association, 2300 5th Avenue, Suite #150, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A private service for family will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Karl Herget Velde, Jr., 93, Vero Beach
August 09, 1931 ~ October 02, 2024
Karl Herget Velde, Jr. of Vero Beach, FL, and Nantucket, MA died on October 2, 2024, at Hospice House Vero Beach from complications of Covid. He was 93 and is survived by his wife Sandra Wolcott Shelvey Sheffield Velde, his children, Janet (Ward) Paine, Mary-Helen (Lee) Black, Ty (Ronit) Velde, and seven grandchildren.
Born in Evanston IL, Karl was raised in Highland Park, IL, and attended Deerfield Academy in MA, graduating in 1949. Following Deerfield, Karl attended Princeton University where he was a member of Colonial Club and advertising manager of The Daily Princetonian. His thesis, “The Political Activities of the American Federation of Labor,” won the Lyman H. Atwater departmental prize for the best thesis on a subject in political science. He graduated in 1953.
After Princeton, Karl attended the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1958. His law school education was interrupted by 16 months of active duty in Korea where he served as 1st Lieutenant in the Army in charge of the Port of Inchon legal office. Karl was a dedicated alum to his alma maters, attending reunions and donating every year from graduation up through 2024.
Karl settled in Chicago, first in Winnetka, and then in Lake Forest. He became a specialist in municipal bonds and was a partner of William Blair & Company where he headed the municipal department for 15 years. Karl later developed a municipal portfolio service serving individual clients. Upon leaving William Blair in 2007, he joined the Rothschild Investment Corporation and retired in 2015.
Karl loved hiking, skiing, swimming, golf, travel, and collecting antique clocks. His love for the mountains began as a boy attending Cheley Camp in Estes Park, CO, where his children and a grandchild also attended, and where Karl was the 2014 keynote Cheley Chapel speaker. He ascended more than 30 summits including Long’s Peak and Mt. Princeton in CO, the Monch in Switzerland, and for his 60th birthday Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He celebrated his 80th birthday by climbing Mt. Washington in NH with his children and grandchildren and continued hiking well into his 80’s. Karl swam every day, and especially loved swimming in the ocean. He and his wife traveled all over the world, and enjoyed skiing Vail in CO.
Karl was a former member of Indian Hill Club, Winnetka, IL, Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, IL, and the University Club of Chicago. He was a member of the Princeton Club of Vero Beach, The Moorings Club, Vero Beach, FL where he had a hole-in-one on Mens’ Day, Nantucket Yacht Club, Nantucket, MA, and Sankaty Head Golf Club, Siasconset, MA.
A private service at a future date will be held at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL where he and his wife Sandra were married, and where he was on the Vestry and served as treasurer for 3 years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy www.rmconservancy.org
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Jacqueline Ann Hagerman, 83, Vero Beach
April 13, 1941 ~ October 01, 2024
Jacqueline Ann Hagerman, age 83, passed away October 1, 2024 at her home in Vero Beach. She was surrounded by her loving children, Steve, Scott, and Tami and their loved ones.
She was born on April 13, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Charles and Faith Grady. She moved to Vero Beach from Petosky, Michigan.
Ms. Hagerman was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed her many years of work with Dr. Marc Rose, where she was active up until her passing.
Survivors include children, Steve Hagerman, Scott Hagerman, and Tammy Peirce; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Wayne, in 2014.
A Mass at St. Helen Catholic Church was held at noon on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with a reception following.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Rosemary Grimes Rainero, 83, Vero Beach
January 13, 1941 ~ October 05, 2024
While surrounded by her loving family, Rosemary Grimes Rainero, 83, formerly of Staten Island, NY, passed on to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on October 5, 2024.
Rosemary was born on January 13, 1941 to parents William and Mary Grimes and graduated from Curtis High School in Staten Island, NY. Rosemary attended Drake Business School while raising five children: Jeffery Rainero, Ronald Rainero, Denise DeBlasio, Steven Rainero, and David Rainero. After serving twenty-plus years as a Certified Nursing Aide, she retired from the Lutheran Augustana Center and ultimately relocated to Vero Beach, FL.
Living with a spirit of love and generosity, Rosemary was always present for both the milestones and everyday moments in her family’s lives. Her family admired her perseverance and ability to make light of life’s challenges, always believing that everything would work itself out in the end. She always had a kind word to say about others.
While Rosemary enjoyed visiting Atlantic City, listening to music on her radio, playing Scrabble, entertaining company, and knitting for family members, her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother. She was a loving, caring, fun and supportive grandmother of nine grandchildren: Michael DeBlasio, David Rainero, Mary Rainero, Christopher Rainero, Anthony Rainero, Ronnie Rainero, Steven Rainero, Justine Rainero, and Jake Rainero.
She is survived by her five children whom she loved dearly and two sisters, Karen VanderBurg and Barbara Mattia, whom she adored. She is predeceased by her parents William and Mary Grimes, her brother William Grimes, and her sister Gail Grimes.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Mary Armande LaClair, 91, Port St. Lucie
February 10, 1931 ~ March 07, 2022
Mary Armande LaClair of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully on March 7, 2022 at the age of 91 in Port Saint Lucie, FL where she had been living with her two daughters, Lorna Zaloumis and Darby Boals, Darby’s husband Robert and daughter Morgan. One of 8 siblings, Mary was the only daughter born to Archille “Archie” Dube and Leonilda Benoit Dube of Quebec, Canada. She was born February 10, 1931 in Beecher Falls, Vermont. In September 1951, Mary decided to enlist in the United States Air Force which had permitted women to enlist only 3 years prior in 1948. As Private Mary LaClair in the WAF (Women’s Air Force), she served at 3 Air Force bases: Lakeland AFB in San Antonio, TX, Lowry AFB in Denver, CO and Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force she returned to live in New Hampshire where her family resided. On June 18, 1954, Mary married Clayton Trefley LaClair in Bethlehem, NH. Later that year, Mary convinced Clayton to move to Phoenix, Arizona where she felt she had left her heart after serving at Luke AFB. Together Mary and Clayton raised two children, Lorna Jean and Darby Lynne. At the age of 51, Mary was widowed when Clayton (52) passed away due to cancer.
Throughout her life, Mary worked in a variety of businesses. Her first job in Phoenix was at ITT Cannon Electric and she worked there for over 10 years. Next, she decided to do accounting at Macy’s and Sears and then went to work for her younger brother Leon “Leo” Joseph Dube in his Kennedy Painting business. She then decided to become the church secretary for her younger brother Albert Dube at God’s Grace Church in Tempe, AZ where Albert is the pastor. She worked as the church secretary for over 10 years and loved every minute of it. She was known for being a prayer warrior and for having the gift of prophecy which allowed her to provide encouragement, wisdom and guidance to others.
Mary was a wonderful grandmother to her two granddaughters Morgan Whitney Parker and Kelsey Britain Boals, both children of her daughter Darby Lynne. She spoiled them royally with beautiful clothing and toys. At Christmas especially, she had a tendency to get carried away as she and Clayton had done with Lorna and Darby when they were children.
Mary had lots of friends over the years and was known as the life of the party. She and Clayton hosted many parties and family gatherings and typically the holidays were celebrated in their home with family and friends. At these events, Clayton was known for playing his 12 string guitar and Lorna did her best to accompany Clayton on the piano at her mother’s urging. Mary also had the gift of gab and struck up a conversation with almost every person she met. On many occasions, Mary would introduce others to the family as though they were years-old friends instead of newly acquainted strangers. Known for her amazing jewelry and ability to color coordinate every outfit, Mary will be remembered most fondly for her smile and infectious laugh.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Archille “Archie” Dube and Leonilda Benoit Dube and five brothers Armand Joseph Dube, Renee Lucipe Dube, Adeland , AJ”,Dube, Leon “Leo” Joseph Dube and Farnard Charles “Venner” Dube.
Mary is survived by her two youngest brothers Albert John Dube and Paul Joseph Dube, both living in Phoenix, AZ.
A Celebration of Life honoring Mary’s life and legacy was held on April 23, 2022 at God’s Grace Church in Tempe, AZ. Mary was interred with her husband Clayton Trefley LaClair at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona: 23029 N. Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.