From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Jim Keegan, 78, Vero Beach
January 14, 1947 ~ April 10, 2025
Jim Keegan, age 78, of Vero Beach, Florida died on April 10, 2025. He was born in Washington, D.C. on January 14, 1947, the first of five children into a blue collar, Irish Catholic family.
Following high school he located to Leesburg, Virginia, and drove a food delivery truck in order to supplement funds for college. He discovered Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on his delivery route and enrolled. In school he developed an interest in economics, particularly neoclassical economics, and its ability to create personal and societal wealth. He also developed a strong interest in Suzi, who became his wife of 55 years.
Jim and Suzi enrolled at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, for graduate school where Jim received his law degree and was a member of the Law Review.
Following graduation, he sought to pursue his interest in the bipartisan consensus that emerged to increase competition among regulated industries. He began a 26-year career at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., mostly as the Chief of the Domestic Facilities Division. He supervised staff responsible for developing and implementing policies for domestic satellites, telephone terminal equipment, the divestiture of AT&T, and long-distance interconnection, among many other issues.
Jim was active in civic matters, serving as the President of Rock Creek Hills Citizens Association in Kensington, Maryland, and as the President of the Sea Oaks Property Owners Association in Vero Beach, Florida. He was an enthusiastic tennis and platform tennis player as a 50-year member of Aspen Hill Club in Silver Spring, Maryland, and a 22-year member of Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club, In Vero Beach.
Jim and Suzi enjoyed traveling, first to Ocean Club in the Bahamas and later to national parks throughout the U.S. and Canada. Europe was a favorite destination where many memories were made. A particularly memorable experience for Jim was visiting the modest grave of Adam Smith in Edinburgh, Scotland; he found the site did not have the dignity it deserved.
Jim is survived by his four siblings, seventeen nieces and nephews, and his wife and lifelong companion, Suzi.
He died of complications of prostate cancer.
A Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA & Hospice Foundation, 920 37th Place, #101, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Rita Mary Widenhofer, 81, Vero Beach
September 22, 1943 ~ April 05, 2025
On September 22, 1943, the world became a better place when a little ray of sunshine named Rita Mary was born to Edward and Mildred (Ziener) Trautman in Allegheny County, PA. It was there that she lived the farm life before moving a few times, to Vero Beach and back to Pennsylvania, making lifelong friends at both VBHS and Knoch High in Saxonburg. Before graduating high school in 1961, she acquired a know-it-all boyfriend, Dennis Widenhofer, who she married in 1963 and lovingly tolerated for 62 years.
Rita graduated from Passavant Nursing School in Pittsburgh in 1963. After a few years of moving around the country and having kids, Rita and Dennis settled down in 1966 in Vero Beach, where she enjoyed a now-legendary nursing career at IRMH and several elder care facilities. She was a member of the Community Church of Vero Beach and also attended services at Ryanwood Fellowship and Tabernacle Ministries.
Having lived a long and happy life, Rita left us on April 5th, surrounded by family. We assume she has moved back in with her parents, somewhere in the Great Beyond.
Rita is survived by her husband, Dennis Widenhofer, her brother Edward Trautman and his wife Mary Ann, and her daughter Linda Hagen, as well as their families in Vero Beach; her son Robert Widenhofer and his family in Austin, TX, and countless friends and extended family in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Graveside service will be held Saturday, May 3rd at 10:00AM at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, directly followed by a reception at Tabernacle Ministries, 51 Old Dixie Hwy. Rita loved cats. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
William Ralph Strother Jr., “Bill”, 70, Vero Beach
January 30, 1955 ~ April 10, 2025
William Ralph Strother Jr., “Bill” of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away at home on April 10, 2025. Born on January 30, 1955, in Detroit, he was the son of William “Ralph” Sr. and Joyce Strother.
William was a loving husband, father and grandfather known for his positive attitude, humor and joy he brought to his family. He graduated high school at Howe Military Academy in Howe, Indiana where he played soccer and ran on the track team and then earned a degree in Communications from Oakland University in 1976. After college, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and lived there for 47 years. Upon retirement, he moved to Vero Beach, Florida.
He had an exceptional career in sales and marketing working at the companies Hoechst Celanese, Clariant and Pam Fastening Technology. He had a genuine passion for sales, building strong relationships and always growing professionally. His enthusiasm was infectious and clearly felt by both colleagues and clients. He traveled around the world for his career and enjoyed seeing places and meeting people.
William is survived by his loving wife of 24 years together, Silvia Strother; his seven children Laura (Brian) Carver, Suzanne (Tom) Griffith, Meredith (Ryan) Owens, Caroline (Eric) Hill, Emily (Shawn) Teague, William Ralph Strother III “Rafael” and Benjamin Strother; his ten grandchildren, Cole, Austin, Reese, Wells, Kelsey, Reagan, Amelia, Blair, Finley, and Lucy; and his sisters Carol Petrea and Harriet Schram. He was preceded in death by his parents William “Ralph” Sr. and Joyce Strother.
William lived an active lifestyle, loved the outdoors and listening to music. He liked to run, bike, swim, ski, and roller blade. He participated in several marathons and triathlons. He enjoyed traveling to mountains and beaches throughout his life.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Cornerstone Christian Church in Vero Beach, Florida with a reception at 1pm followed by a service at 2pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church, 5950 12th St., Vero Beach, Florida 32966.
William will be remembered for his kind heart, encouragement, laughter, enthusiasm for living a full life and love for his family. His memory will be cherished forever.
Arrangements are by Thomas s. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Robin Kay Plessl, 65, Vero Beach
July 21, 1959 ~ April 03, 2025
Robin Kay Plessl, age 65, passed away April 3, 2025, peacefully at home in Vero Beach.
She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and lived in Allentown, Pennsylvania before moving to Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. Robin settled in Vero Beach, Florida.
She retired from Nokia Corporation as Vice President of Business and Operations in the Network Services Division. Her illustrious career of over 42 years spanned across Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent, and Nokia.
Robin attended Calvary Chapel, Vero Beach. She previously served in the children’s ministry, and various volunteer groups at Lake Oconee Church in Greensboro, Georgia.
She was a graduate of Lebanon Valley College and attended Drexel University.
Robin loved the outdoors. She enjoyed hiking, biking, golf, pickleball, among many other activities. Robin was adventurous and loved taking active vacations, as well as just relaxing on the beach.
Survivors include her loving husband of 40 years Gary J. Plessl; son Dr. Daniel Plessl (Carlie); step-son, Gary T. Plessl (Sarah); grandchildren, Robbie and Luke Plessl; step-grandchildren, Jacob, Olivia, and Joey Plessl; sister, Marsha Zehner (Glenn); brothers-in-law, Joe Robb and Joseph P. Plessl (Kathleen); sister-on-law, Diane Plessl Deily; nephews, Greg Zehner and John Robb (Carrie); niece, Joanne Robb-Lanciano (Pascal); dearest friends, Ed Walker (Kathy), Keith Fleckenstein; and her beloved goldendoodle, Lacey.
She was predeceased by her parents, Robert & Dorothy Edwards and sister, Janice Robb.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Humane Society of Vero Beach, 6230 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
John Scott Sherman Jr., 96, Vero Beach
August 13, 1928 ~ April 03, 2025
John Scott Sherman Jr., 96 passed peacefully on April 3rd, 2025, at home in Vero Beach, Florida.
“Jack” was well known for his intelligence, wit, generosity, kindness, and was of Christian faith.
He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on August 13th, 1928, and moved to Miami, Florida at 2 months old. His parents were Miami Pioneers and lived in Coral Gables.
He served in the United States Army during WWII.
He retired from the Indian River Property Appraisers Office after many years of independent real estate brokerage and appraisal. Retirement brought a move to Blowing Rock, North Carolina where he and wife, Nan, lived for many years.
He was a past president of the Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution and the local Board of Realtors. He had many interests such as golf, painting, needlepoint and was an avid reader. He served as museum docent and became a master gardener.
Jack received his BA from the University of Florida, class of 1952 and was an enthusiastic member of Theta Chi fraternity (TAU). Go Gators!
He is survived by his children, Roger, Liz and Andrew (Carman) Sherman; grandchildren, Christopher and Katir Sherman; and four beloved nieces, Adrienne, Julia, Rosemary, and Nancy Kain.
A Memorial Service and celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10th at 2 pm at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Indian River Land Trust, 3150 Cardinal Drive, #201, Vero Beach, FL 32963 or www.irlt.org/cfiles/join_memorial.cfm
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
