From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Leslie Rundles Wallace, 53, Vero Beach
September 19, 1972 – April 29, 2026
Born on September 19, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Leslie grew up primarily in Georgia. She graduated from Tift County High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mercer University, and later received a Master’s degree from North Georgia College.
Leslie dedicated her career to special education. She began teaching at North Hall High School, where she started and coached the girls’ volleyball team. Most recently, she taught in the School District of Indian River County, where she led the ALTOSS program with passion and commitment.
Above all, Leslie cherished her family. She was married to her husband, Seth Wallace, for 27 beautiful years. She found her greatest joy in being a mother to their three children: Micah, AnnaGrace, and Esther Wallace. She also leaves behind her loving parents, Michael and Becky Rundles, and her siblings, Dana (Clay) Smith and Wil Rundles, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Leslie’s strong faith in Jesus led to a deep love for cross-cultural ministry, where her unique gifts shone brightly. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone around her feel comfortable, welcomed, and at home. Authentic, real, and full of warmth, she touched countless lives through her genuine spirit and caring heart.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 4050 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967. There will be a visitation (12-2pm) followed by a graveside service (2pm) at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville, GA on May 16.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ the King Presbyterian Church for the Benevolence Fund to help those in need.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Robert James Smarto, 91, Vero Beach
July 18, 1934 – April 29, 2026
Robert James Smarto, 91, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026.
Born on July 18, 1934, in Crestline, Ohio, Bob – affectionately known as “Butch” – was the son of the late Nicholas Smarto and Catherine (Mascaro) Smarto. He graduated from Ohio University in 1957, earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and History, and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Following graduation, Bob served in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps. While stationed at Fort McPherson in Georgia, he met the love of his life, Joan Mary (Howell), affectionately known as “Sandy.” The two built a life together rooted in love, family and shared experiences.
After his military service, Bob began a long and successful career in advertising, starting with the Saturday Evening Post in Atlanta. He later made his home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while working with Ladies’ Home Journal and other affiliated publications on Madison Avenue in New York City. Over the course of more than 35 years, he contributed to the print advertising industry during a time when publications served as the primary source of communication and news.
Bob will be remembered as a wonderful storyteller who always brought warmth and humor to those around him. When not cheering for his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes, Bob enjoyed life’s simple pleasures and the company of those he loved. He had a deep appreciation for good food, classical music and his faith, and he cherished the time spent with his family.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan Mary (Howell) Smarto, and his siblings Vincent Smarto, Mary Baylor, Catherine Smarto, Donna Bender, Francis Smarto, John Smarto, Charles Smarto, Bernice Gwirtz, and Rita Navin.
Bob is survived by his sister, Dorothy Fry of Crestline, Ohio; his daughters, Mary Ann Smarto of Newtown, Pennsylvania, Jennifer Lang (John) of Newtown, Pennsylvania, Susan Klinsport of Vero Beach, Florida, and Carrie Martin (Enda) of County Kildare, Ireland; his cherished grandchildren, Kailyn Lang of Alabama, John Lang Jr. of Pennsylvania, Alisa Klinsport of Sarasota, Florida, Edward Klinsport of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ciara and Emer Martin of County Kildare, Ireland; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Bob’s legacy lives on through the stories he shared, the love he gave, and the family he cherished.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Vernon Walter Petty, 91, Vero Beach
December 8, 1934 – April 26, 2026
Vernon Walter Petty of Vero Beach, FL and Wethersfield, CT passed away peacefully at home on April 26, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Miami, FL on December 8, 1934, he later resided in Normal and Peoria IL, and was a stand-out athlete in the class of 1953 at Peoria High School. He paused his education at the University of Illinois to join the U.S. Army in 1955 and was initially stationed in Frankfurt, Germany and then in Paris, France at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
On June 6, 1956, Vern took a sightseeing cruise on the Konigsee in Bavaria, Germany, Vern’s eyes were drawn to a beautiful girl taking her turn at steering and he shouted in German “be careful.” He later borrowed her binoculars to view a goat on the mountain.
After dating in Paris and across the Atlantic, Vern and Ingrid exchanged vows in Bad Honnef, Germany on July 25, 1959, a marriage lasting over 66 years. Shortly after graduating from the University of Illinois, the pair moved to Wethersfield where they raised their son and daughter. In 1997, Vern finally got his wish to permanently escape the cold New England winters for sunny Vero Beach.
His esteemed 40-year career as an independent life insurance agent and estate planner began at Connecticut General (Cigna) and ended with New England Life Insurance Company. Vern’s contributions to the insurance business, such as giving motivational speeches at national conferences, were honored by his election into the Million Dollar Round Table. He strongly believed in “service first” for his clients, many of whom became his closest friends.
Vern and Ingrid spent many of their decades together traveling and in retirement enjoyed cruises to Brazil, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Alaska, Canada, and the Panama Canal.
He was a dedicated sailor who fished and sang for hours on the open water and spent many summers island hopping in New England with Ingrid, Michael, and Monique. Over the years the wind filled his sails across the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, northern Europe, and up and down the Eastern Seaboard. It was a sailing trip south that led to Vern and Ingrid’s discovery of Vero Beach.
Many of Vern’s friendships were formed as a member of the University Club (Hartford, CT), the Hartford Canoe Club (East Hartford, CT), the Elks Lodge (Vero Beach), the Community Church of Vero Beach, and the Essex Yacht Club (Essex, CT) where he served on the Board of Governors. At Quail Valley River Club (Vero Beach), Vern and Ingrid made lasting friendships that led to trips to the Bahamas on their Grady White, many rounds of golf, and “Twofers” on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Vern put family first and over the years passed on his love of humor, football, musicals, reading, Westerns, James Bond movies, and playing poker. His family will continue to use his favorite phrases including saying “That’s a good one” after every photo taken and muttering “What a revolting development this is” whenever they’re at a stalemate in Skip-Bo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille Evelyn Raschert and Walter Scott Petty, and his younger brother, Lee. Vern is survived by Ingrid, the love of his life, his son Michael Petty and Heather Kilbourn, his daughter Monique Heavren and son-in-law Brian and their children Natalie Allegra (Domenic), Brian, and Christopher.
A celebration of life will be held in Florida at a later date and a private burial will be held in Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to YSF Community Sailing, a local nonprofit that provides free sailing instruction to the children of Indian River County. To donate, go to www.ysfirc.org and click on the “Donate Now” button in the top right corner.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Marguerite Patricia Joan Lynch, 95, Vero Beach
October 22, 1930 – March 30, 2026
Marguerite Patricia Joan Lynch, 95, of Vero Beach, Florida passed peacefully into forever on March 30, 2026. Marguerite was born in London, England as the eldest child of Marjorie and Albert Bullen and enjoyed her childhood in Surrey. She was educated in Great Britain before coming to the United States in 1950. She resided in New York with her first husband and welcomed her eldest daughter, marking the start of Marguerite’s greatest joy of being a mother.
She later moved to Connecticut where she worked at Greenwich Academy before meeting her beloved husband, Jack, and welcoming two more daughters. They were married for 52 years before Jack’s passing in 2019, residing in New Canaan, CT before moving to Watch Hill, RI and Vero Beach, FL. She enjoyed membership at the Country Club of New Canaan as well as The Misquamicut Club and The Watch Hill Yacht Club during her time in these communities.
Marguerite celebrated her overseas heritage as a dedicated member of the Daughter’s of the British Empire (DBE). She held the position of Secretary and then Regent for the Connecticut chapter throughout the late 1970s and the 1980s. Marguerite further donated her time and energy to other organizations including the Waveny Care Center and Strays and Others, both in New Canaan, CT. Marguerite shared her gift of language, alongside her beautiful accent and clear diction, by recording books for the blind. Once in Florida, she enjoyed volunteering with the Vero Beach Humane Society, most recently as a cat cuddler. Marguerite’s love of animals was paramount, having filled her home with many treasured fur-persons over the years.
She was exceptionally creative. She excelled both working behind the scenes at the theatre productions by New Canaan Town Players and by painting, baking, hosting afternoon tea or football tailgates, and setting a formal table at the holidays. While modest about her artistic talents, Marguerite participated in community art shows to strong reviews. Many family members feel fortunate to have her artwork in their homes. She adored being part of the Marge Schilling Art Group in Watch Hill, both for the artistic time and the treasured friendships which resulted. Marguerite was also a strong supporter of the Vero Beach Museum of Art as both a donor and class participant.
Marguerite was very adventuresome, often with a gleam in her eye toward trying something new. She drove a motorcycle through the mountains in Europe before coming to the U.S. and a race car around the track at Lime Rock in her younger years. She later enjoyed a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany in her eighties. Marguerite found smaller moments equally fulfilling as she loved to read or color alongside her grandchildren, play Rummikub with friends, and linger at the dinner table amidst family conversations. Marguerite was a talented backgammon and gin player, often winning the kitty when playing gin for half a penny a point with her daughters. She loved opera, poetry, and literature, often spending hours reading, and maintained a cherished book collection.
She was known for her intellect, kindness, and generous heart. She embodied love in every facet of life and gave world class hugs. She lived life in color, often taking a moment to soak in the mosaic of her surroundings. Marguerite was beautifully elegant and graceful yet easily approachable. She had a sharp wit and clever sense of humor alongside a contagious laugh which warmly invited others to join her. She was a gifted conversationalist who connected deeply with people. She will be profoundly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Marguerite will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Vee Bostel; her husband, Jack Lynch; and her daughter, Suzanne Lynch. She is survived by her daughters Denise Lynch of Riverview, FL and Michele Matzinger (Bill) of West Hartford, CT; her grandchildren Jackson, Sawyer and Townsend Matzinger, and Dylan Lynch; her sister-in-law Evy Lynch; her sister-in-law Phyllis Lynch; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be arranged at a future date.
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G Daniel Burger Sr. of Sebastian, Fl passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb.28, 2026.
He was 92. He was born in Albany NY the 12th child of 14 by William Burger and Anna (Ketzer) Burger.
He grew up working at his dad’s gas station in Watervliet, NY and that is where he first met his wife to be, Carole Arlene (Debrick) Burger. They were married on August 24, 1957 and were able to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary before Carole passed away in January 2017.
Dan served in the Air Force during the Korean War with an honorable discharge. He worked most of his career at the Ford Motor Company Green Island NY factory complex. He started working on the assembly line but was given the opportunity to learn to work with metal. He became a tinsmith for the company in 1974.
He enjoyed his job and on the side he liked creating bracelets and puzzle toys with metal. He retired in 1988 when the plant was closed. He was one of the last workers on the site. Afterwards, he became a peace officer and worked at the Saratoga Race Track. He enjoyed fishing, numismatics, motorcycling and collecting things. He always had something he was working on to fix up and to sell, like a boat, a lawn mower or moped. He enjoyed tinkering.
Dan and his wife loved to visit family and friends across the country. They travelled to Florida every 3-5 years while raising their family, and more frequently as empty nesters. They owned a house in Sebastian and that is where he settled for the last 9 years of his life. He loved the warmth and sun of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carole Arlene Burger and daughter Arlene Marie Burger, bother-in-law Richard P. Debrick and several of his siblings.
Dan is survived by his sisters Joan F. Wold and Lydia K. Thorpe, brother-in-law Frank Debrick, son G. Daniel Burger Jr. (M. Susan Goodemote Burger), daughter Christine M. V. McCaffery (Brian J. McCaffery), Grandchildren: Michael A. Raphael (Chandra Pingel) , David A. Goodemote, Christine M. Burger McPherson (Billy McPherson III) and great-grandchildren: Michael D. Raphael, Adalie C. Raphael, Brianna J. McPherson, Fiona R. McPherson, and Evangeline M. McPherson. He is also survived by many loving neices and nephews.
Affectionately known as Papa Dan and Uncle Danny, he will be remembered for his silly faces and his “joie de vivre”. He enjoyed making people smile.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Amercian Cancer Society.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff and care givers at the Barclay of Vero Beach and the Vero Beach Care Center who took very good care of him in his last days.
Funeral Mass is being held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Cable Wisconsin on April 23, at 10:30am. His cremated remains will be buried at the Saratoga National Cemetery in New York on Sept. 14 at 2:00 pm. A gathering to share memories will be held afterwards, location to be determined.
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