From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Jerelene Fowler, 82
April 26, 1943 – July 1, 2025
Jerelene was born on April 26, 1943 to William Spikes and Mamie Kate (Hall) Spikes in Milledgeville GA (Baldwin County) There were six children born in this union, two sons William Jr and James Edward and 4 daughters Jorell, Mammie E, Jerelene and Dorothy A.
The family migrated to Florida in the early 50s and Jerelene received her basic secular education at Gifford High School. She received on the job training and worked as a CNA and also worked in the Dietary Department of IRMH where she retired in 2006.
Jerelene married and became a mother to 3 children, Debbie Bartee, Tara Bartee and James Bartee. She had several grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved her dearly. She was “Auntie” to many nieces and nephews.
Early in her life, curiosity entered Jerelene from a religious nature. The life of a group of people was observed and she was introduced to them and became satisfied with her quest for knowledge of the true God and His purpose for mankind. She was assisted with educating herself with Bible knowledge and on December 7, 1976 Jerelene made a public declaration of her life as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and vowed to serve him loyally throughout her life.
On October 1 8, 1982 she remarried to Jimmy L Fowler and together they continued to make the truth their own, endeavoring to conform to Jehovah’s righteous standards.
Jerelene Fowler entered rest on July 1 , 2025.
She left to mourn her husband Jimmy L Fowler, son James (Ranae) Bartee, daughter Tara Bartee and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Daughter Debbie Bartee preceded her in death. Also remembered by her 5 step children, Christina Sands-Nance, Cecelio Fowler, Michael Duff, Shenan Wesley, and Jasmia Newton.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Jerelene Fowler, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Nicholas Anthony Trovato, 90, Vero Beach
November 6, 1934 – June 19, 2025
Nicholas Anthony Trovato, 90, passed away on June 19, 2025, in Vero Beach, Florida.
Born on November 6, 1934, in Ambler, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Dominic Trovato and Grace Serreo Trovato. Nicholas spent his time between Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Vero Beach, enjoying the best of both places and the people he loved in each.
Nicholas is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Trovato; his daughter, Cheryl Trovato of Vero Beach; his sister, Jean Schmids; two grandsons, Nicholas Trovato and his wife Marisa of Lancaster, PA, and Bill Trovato and his wife Sara of East Petersburg, PA; and three great-grandchildren, Emerson, Luca, and Olive Mae.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose quiet strength and gentle nature touched the lives of many.
Nicholas was a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and spent 31 dedicated years working for the William H. Rohrer Pharmaceutical Company in Fort Washington, PA. He had a love for casinos and thoroughbred horse racing, passions he enjoyed with great enthusiasm throughout his life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 16 S. Spring Garden St., Ambler, PA, with Fr. McGuinn as Celebrant.
Nicholas will be fondly remembered for his quiet strength, warm heart, and the joy he found in life’s simple pleasures. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Nicholas Anthony Trovato, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Charles J. Dent, 83, Vero Beach
June 28, 1941 – June 25, 2025
Charles J. Dent, 83, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025.
Born on June 28, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, Charles was the son of the late Charles Dent, Sr. and Ruth Smith Dent. He was a quiet, steady presence with a strong work ethic and an unwavering commitment to provide for his family.
Charles dedicated much of his life to his work at Piper Aircraft, where he was employed for many decades. His depth of knowledge and experience made him an invaluable member of the team—so much so that he continued working with Piper right up until his final days. He was respected by all who worked alongside him, not only for his skill and dedication, but for his quiet strength and humility.
Charles is survived by his wife, Joanne Dent of Vero Beach; and his children, Brian Dent of Melbourne, FL, Scott Dent of Marion, FL, and Sheryl Dent of Vero Beach, FL.
A memorial service to celebrate Charles’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 5:30 PM at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
He will be deeply missed by his all who had the privilege of knowing him.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Charles J Dent, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Bonnie Shelton, 86, Vero Beach
November 29, 1938 – July 1, 2025
Bonnie Shelton, aged 86, died on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at VNA Hospice Home in Vero Beach, Florida, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was born on November 29, 1938 in Waterloo, Iowa, the first child of Darrell Lee and Leona Ruth Shelton (Brown). Bonnie has resided in California, Illinois, Indiana, Italy, Virginia and Massachusetts before retiring to Vero Beach, Florida in 2004.
Bonnie had two sons, Jeffrey David and Daniel James, with her former husband Ralph Leland
Blankenship.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey and his life partner, Colleen Linko, three granddaughters – Sarah, Emily, and Diana, her half-brother Patrick Shannon, and devoted loving friend, Jerry Shaw. Bonnie was preceded in death by her son, Daniel, her parents, her brother John Shelton and half-brother Dennis Shelton, and by her long-term friend, Michael Chinigo.
Bonnie graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1956 and began a career in journalism. Her first job was with the Waterloo Daily Courier, and in Illinois as a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana News Gazette, where she interviewed visiting celebrities, and personally covered the civil and racial unrest of the late 1960’s.
Bonnie attended the University of Illinois, where she earned a BS Degree in Communications in 1971, and her Masters in Journalism in 1974. Bonnie started her second career in 1978, holding leadership positions in nonprofit organizations until her retirement in 2004. She became the Executive Director of the Indiana University Graduate School of Business, Program Director for the National Federation of Business and Professional Women, the Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation, and the Director of the National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals. Her continuing education included earning a Certificate in Administration and Management from Harvard University in 1989, and she earned the title of Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 1993.
Bonnie had a life-long love for singing. She enjoyed singing in the Treasure Coast Chorale, and cherished her role as a soloist in several productions. She was a supporter of the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Space Coast Symphony, Riverside Theater, and the Atlantic Orchestra Chamber Music series.
Bonnie loved to travel, and had adventures in countries throughout Europe, Egypt, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. A particularly adventurous feat was a mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at age 77.
A young Bonnie became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church after meeting Waitstill Sharp when he was a minister in Davenport, Iowa. Since then, she has always been an active contributor of her time and energy. She applied herself as a member of the choir, as a frequent committee member, and Editor of the Fellowship newsletter.
Bonnie was full of spunk even at the last hours of her life, when she sang, “Blue Skies” to those who were visiting her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 12th at 11 AM at the Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship, 1590 27th Avenue, Vero Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach.
Please enjoy reading the text of the Eulogy for Bonnie, as written by her son, Jeff Blankenship. After which you can use the link to view a recording of her service on YouTube Celebration of Life for Bonnie Shelton
Good morning. My name is Jeff Blankenship. I am Bonnie’s surviving son. I thank you all for gathering here with me to celebrate the life of my mother, and to inter her remains in this hallowed place.
Mom led a long and eventful life. As she approached milestone birthdays in the past few decades, she created the story boards you see in the lobby. I hope you will view them.
At Bonnie’s core was an appetite for learning and adventure.
When I was about ten years old, Bonnie took my brother and me to the cyclotron at Indiana University, and a professor gave us a private tour. I was old enough to catch on to his explanation of how it worked. That was the first time I had heard of plasma. How did she even know this existed? Looking back, I realize that her curiosity and intellect made her a good journalist – by asking the right questions, and comprehending the answers, she could compose an article on seemingly any topic. Working in University towns, she was at the intersection of our culture and our future. And thanks to her, so were my brother and me.
In the 2000’s, I was an amateur racer. I competed in something called SCCA Solo. The object is to drive a course that is defined by orange traffic cones. A timing system records your lap to 1/1000th of a second. You make several runs, and the best time, wins. I brought mom to an event and took her through my race prep, walking the course and describing my plan. After the competition was finished, the club has “Fun Runs”. As the name implies, these could be the highlight of your day, where you might try to beat your personal best, or ride as a passenger in someone else’s car, or even get behind the wheel of a friend’s car. So of course, I asked if she could drive a manual transmission, and she said yes, so on goes the helmet! Now listen, I just wanted her to participate, because the hard work of racing is all for just a few minutes of adrenaline behind the wheel. So, I expected her to make mistakes like a total novice. To my surprise, despite not having driven a manual for what honestly must have been decades, she never stalled, she stayed on course, hit no cones, and improved her time on every run. And she had fun.
Bonnie was such an expressive person, and of course she was, that is the super power of a singer. I want to tell you of an incident I’ll never forget. For my fifty-fifth birthday, Bonnie surprised me with tickets for a balloon ride. The pilot was such a professional. He dressed in a vintage costume from the dawn of flight, and he even wore eyeliner. He delivered the preflight briefing as an actor would, with a history lesson and whatnot, and just one rule: No Screaming. He says even if the basket tips on its side, we are safe, and to not distract him during this critical phase of flight. I think you can see where this is going. The flight was beautiful, what I remember is how the silence of our craft allowed us to clearly hear things below us. But for some of the flight there was a silence like nothing you hear on the ground. As we descended for the landing, it got quiet again as everyone watched the approaching desert, and our pilot did his flying. When the basket hit the ground, firmly, but not violently, Bonnie let out a yelp. The pilot glanced at her, not breaking character one bit, and in an instant, his expression said, “You remember what I said about no screaming?” and the expression on Bonnie’s face said “Yes, I do”. It was precious, we were “all good” in a split second, and laughing. Bonnie did not hold back. If you wanted her opinion, she would try to offer a useful and genuine one, not a guarded one.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Martha I Vargas, 65, Vero Beach
January 22, 1960 – July 4, 2025
Martha I Vargas, 65 years old, of Vero Beach, Florida, died on Julio 4th, 2025 with her family by her side.
She was born on January 22, 1960, in Bogotá, Colombia, to the late Carlos Josue Garcia and surviving Marie Guzman de Garcia. Martha graduated from high school in 1977.
She moved to USA in 1982, one year later her only Son, Jonathan Vargas, was born. Since that time, she has lived in Nueva Jersey and Maryland. In 2016, she moved to Vero Beach, Florida.
Martha attended St Helen and St John of the Cross Catholic Churches.
Martha is survived by her sweetheart and life partner Edward Kierman, her sonJonathan Vargas, daughter in-law Luisa Chica, granddaughters Sarah and Sophia Vargas Chica, her mother Marie Guzman, siblings Javier, Esperanza, Yolanda, Jacqueline, William, y Claudia Garcia Guzman, their spouses, nephews and nieces, and other family members.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00am-1:30pm, Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation beginning at 2pm at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 with Father Emmanuel, Officiant.
For those that may not be able to attend the Mass in person, services will be live-streamed.
You may use the following link to view the live-stream:
https://us01.l.antigena.com/l/jo2NZbdmCCzuYqGqaNp-BxjaHVS25UH11C8NU3GtOobTFl8HzWFEW9eWJjOJMTb4PWVXwSxahJeXXSATlPRPSloL~hA8lbWDGu61yMsMX9nwcrnHdkUMkk27CYYqE1djjtdvVM4va7z4wsF-BiXY1F7AcRIgmzVUj61Slt-kV8-jUB6yI6VWY9Gsp3OKMBi4JYTjI7y~luJqgM6ZxZ009JlJL~tK
Martha I Vargas, de 65 años, de Vero Beach, Florida, murió el 4 de Julio de 2025 con su familia a su lado.
Nació el 22 de Enero de 1960 en Bogotá, Colombia. Hija de Carlos Josue Garcia (F) y Marie Guzman de Garcia. Martha se graduó de la escuela secundaria en 1977.
Se mudo a Estados Unidos en 1982 y un año después nació su único hijo, Jonathan Vargas. Desde entonces vivió en Nueva Jersey y Maryland. En 2016, se mudó a Vero Beach, Florida.
Martha participaba en las Iglesia Católicas de Santa Elena y San Juan de la Cruz, ambas en Vero Beach.
A Martha le sobreviven el amor de su vida Eduardo Kierman, su hijo Jonathan Vargas, su nuera Luisa Chica, sus nietas Sarah y Sophia Vargas Chica, su mama Marie Guzman, y sus hermanos Javier, Esperanza, Yolanda, Jacqueline, William, yClaudia Garcia Guzman, sus esposos(as), sus sobrinos y familia en general.
Se llevará a cabo una velación para familiares y amigos de 11:00 am a 1:30 pm, el miércoles 9 de Julio de 2025 en Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
Luego de la velación se realizará una misa de entierro cristiano a partir de las 2:00 pm en la Iglesia Católica de Santa Elena, 2000 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 con el Padre Emmanuel como oficiante.
Para quienes no puedan asistir a la misa en persona, los servicios se transmitirán en vivo. Se compartirá un enlace a continuación para que puedan hacerlo.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Martha I. Vargas, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Barbara Del Cogliano, 86, Vero Beach
January 25, 1939 – July 8, 2025
Barbara Del Cogliano, age 86, passed away on July 8, 2025, in Vero Beach, Florida. She was born on January 25, 1939, in the Bronx, New York.
Private services will be held.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Barbara Del Cogliano, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
