From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Stephen Toadvine Brittingham, 73, Vero Beach
June 11, 1949 – August 27, 2022
Stephen Toadvine Brittingham, age 73, passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2022, at VNA Hospice in Vero Beach, Florida.
Stephen was born to William Harold and Lydia Bell Toadvine Brittingham on June 11th, 1949, in Lewes, Delaware. He grew up on Lewes Beach and loved spending his summers on the Delaware Bay. He could be found always helping others whether it be on the beach or in the water. He could be seen towing a disabled boat or saving some young sailors who got stranded due to a storm coming up quickly.
He attended Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. He returned home to Lewes for high school and while there he enjoyed playing football. He graduated from Lewes High School, Class of 1968.
Stephen went to college in Madison, Wisconsin and graduated with an associates degree in marketing. Upon his return he went to work with his dad to help run Brittingham Enterprises. After moving to Vero Beach Florida, Stephen found employment with Indian River County in the Solid Waste Control District. He retired as a foreman at the IRC Landfill.
Survivors include his loving wife of 31 years, Robin H. Brittingham; grandchildren, Julian Yournett, Camron Yournett, and Angelina Yournett; sister, Sara Catherine Bakehorn; and several nieces and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by his parents; father, William Harold Brittingham, mother, Lydia Bell Toadvine Brittingham, and sister, Mary Alice Conrad.
There was never a job too big or too small that Stephen couldn’t conquer, and he would do so with a big smile. He was the one everyone went to when they needed something done. A jack of all trades and respected by all, Stephen will greatly be missed.
Services will be held by the family at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Edward Richard Ochylski Jr., 98, Vero Beach
February 18, 1924 – September 9, 2022
Edward Richard Ochylski Jr, 98, of Vero Beach Florida passed away peacefully at his home, with family at his side, on September 9th, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his son Edward III, and his grandsons Andrew and Daniel Stark.
Edward is survived by his children: Mary Catherine Ochylski, Gabrielle Klein, Daniel Ochylski (Peggy), Juliana Summers (Bill, whom Edward considered his best friend), Jessica Stark (Tim), Kelly Ogborn (Mike). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, his sister Diana Hennigan and his brother Leonard Ochylski (Celeste).
The son of Polish immigrants, Edward grew up in an unheated barn outside of Detroit, Michigan with an outhouse and a Sears Catalog. He learned English at the age of seven when he started school.
Edward enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18 and served in the 579th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division where he participated in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his war injuries, as well as the Combat Infantry Badge. Edward was a part of the liberating American division which was recognized by General George S. Patton. Edward was a real WWII hero.
After the war, he returned to Michigan where he considered himself so “fortunate” to marry his bride of 60 years, Eleanor. Together they began what he called his “Grand Adventure.” In 1959, they moved their growing family to Chicago. There he founded the American Meat Packing Company. A true self-made man, he became known as the “Boar King of the World”, and a legend of innovation in the industry. Edward experienced much adversity in his business career, but often referred to his professional life as “a career of wonderful adversities.” He truly took to heart his father’s advice, “Boy, when you in dat big river, you gotta swim – or you gonna seenk”! He expanded his business to Des Moines, Iowa in 1979 before he and Eleanor retired to Vero Beach in 1997.
Edward was known for his extensive philanthropy, kindness and humility. He was a man of great faith and a lifelong daily communicant. He founded a family foundation and became close friends with Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, Archbishop of Lviv, Ukraine, and most prominently, Pope John Paul II. In response to JPII’s personal request, Edward established a papal foundation to help the poor of Eastern Europe. His legacy of supporting those in need will continue through his children and future generations.
An author of several books, he was especially proud of his own Polish roots, which he documents in his work, Heritage, currently housed in the Library of Congress.
A viewing will be held Friday, September 16, 1-5 pm at Strunk Funeral Home, 916 17th St., Vero Beach FL. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, September 17, at 10 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Cultural Council of IRC WWII Tribute, 1216 21st St., Ste 1, Vero Beach FL 32960.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Jeannette Schacht, 89, Vero Beach
July 31, 1933 – September 13, 2022
Jeannette Schacht, 89, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Cleveland Clinic – Indian River Hospital.
Jeannette was born in Vero Beach to the late Isaac Calvin Reams and Lettie Irene Sheffield Reams.
Shortly after graduating Vero Beach High School, Class of 1951, Jeannette married the late Howard Schacht. She went on to work as a secretary for the Indian River County School Board.
She was a member of First Methodist Church in Vero Beach. Jeannette loved spontaneous traveling and nature in general. She loved her church family and the relationships that grew from there. And her passion for her family held no bounds.
Survivors include sons Dan Schacht of Vero Beach, Alan Schacht (Pam) of Vero Beach, David Schacht (Debbie) of Vero Beach and Andy Schacht (Lisa) of Vero Beach, sister Blanche Owen of Vero Beach, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Howard Schacht, son Glenn Schacht, sister Marjorie Day, and brother Donald Reams.
Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics of Indian River, 2455 5th St SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
The family will receive friends 6-8 PM, Friday, September 16, 2022 at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A funeral service celebrating her life will begin at 10 AM, Saturday, September 17, 2022 at The First Methodist Church in Vero Beach.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Deacon Joe DiMauro, 86
August 16, 1936 – September 12, 2022
Deacon Joe DiMauro, one of the first permanent deacons ordained in the Diocese of Palm Beach, and for many years the only permanent deacon serving St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL, died at home Sept. 12 at the age of 86. He was surrounded in his final days by his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and siblings who showered him with the same unconditional love he expressed every day of his glorious life.
Joseph was born August 16, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA to Domenic and Lydia (Salamone) DiMauro. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a brother, John Anthony, who died as a child.
In 1953, while sitting on a bus in Philly, Joseph watched in awe as a young Eleanor Tosh walked down the aisle. He told his friend, “one day I am going to marry that girl.” It took him a year to convince her to go on a date, but his persistence was rewarded. Eleanor and Joseph married on September 3, 1956, and for the next 66 years, never left one another’s side.
In addition to Eleanor, Joseph is survived by five children including Dominic, Thomson (Judy), Joseph, Jr. (Lisa), Maria (Lawrence) Lawson and Lenora (William) Ritchie; a sister, Rosemarie, and brother John (Mary); and beloved niece Marsha (Jeffrey) Redd, who came to live with Joseph and Eleanor when she was 12. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and countless nieces, nephews and cousins, each of whom he dearly loved.
Joseph attended University of Miami, where he was a member of ROTC and the Miami Hurricanes football team. His education was interrupted when his grandfather became ill, and he had to go home to run the family business. Joseph eventually returned to Homestead, FL with his new bride and firstborn, to further his career in retail management.
When Joseph was 12 years old, a family friend inspired an interest in music, which became a lifelong joy and second career. From the age of 14, Joseph reveled in playing bass guitar and singing in various bands from New York City to Philadelphia, Miami Beach and eventually Vero Beach. In the mid-seventies, he mentored his children and their friends to form their own band, serving as their manager and occasional bass player. He continued playing bass well into his later years, mostly at church and with his grandchildren. He died with his cherished, Fender Precision Bass Guitar, purchased in 1956, not far from his bed.
For 57 years, Deacon Joe served St. Helen Church in many roles starting as lector, Eucharistic Minister and teacher of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD). He was a model Catholic his entire life but in 1979, at the age of 43, God led Joseph to join the St. Helen Charismatic Prayer Group. The experience ignited a spiritual awakening that helped Joseph open his heart to the Holy Spirit as never before. Encouraged by family and his spiritual mentor and friend, Reverend Monsignor Irvine Nugent, Joseph entered the Permanent Diaconate Program in 1981. He became an ordained Pastoral Minister and was ultimately ordained a permanent deacon on June 1, 1985, by Bishop Thomas Daily, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach. That day, Deacon Joe pledged to devote the rest of his life to serving the sick, poor, aged, disadvantaged and those unable to speak for themselves.
As permanent deacon, Joseph, served at hundreds of weddings, funerals, and first holy communion services. He was known and admired for using his life experiences as a child, husband and father to teach the word of God through his Sunday homilies…each one delivered with passion and authenticity. However, it was baptizing babies Deacon Joe loved most. He cherished the moments he spent with countless families bringing newborns into the light of Christ. Deacon Joe always seemed most content with a baby in his arms.
Everything Joseph did he did with intention, including adjusting his career so he could be active in his children’s lives. As a lifelong athlete, Joseph grew up playing baseball and football. As a father, he was well known for coaching his sons’ (and later his grandsons’) teams for recreational football, Little League, and Pony League and he co-founded the Sebastian Area Senior League. He coached several teams to league championships and was selected multiple times to coach All-Stars. To this day, there are grown men who refer to him not as Deacon Joe, but as “Coach D.”
Most notably, Joseph was a lifelong learner and embraced new experiences with passion and gusto. He was an accomplished fisherman, scuba diver, cave diver, model airplane builder, driftwood sculptor and macrame artist. Later in life, he experimented with gardening and turned his entire backyard into an exquisite rose garden with a side of vegetables that were often served at the family table. He even developed a knack for painting, with his grandchildren as his favorite subject.
Any remembrance of Joseph would not be complete without mentioning his unquenchable thirst for science fiction. Books, television shows and movies from the sci-fi genre brought Joseph and his family (most of them anyway) hours of laughter and awe. He traveled extensively after retirement, but some of his favorite memories were Roswell, NM, famous for UFO sightings, and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming which was featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Deacon Joe lived a big life, full of passion and unconditional love. There is no doubt he is in heaven taking full advantage of his brand-new heart – likely organizing a choir of angels or dancing with his beloved mother. He is enveloped in the love of his Savior Jesus Christ who is whispering in his ear, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 22 from 4-7 p.m. at St. John of the Cross, 7550 26th St., Vero Beach, FL, followed by a Prayer Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 23 at 1 p.m. with The Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Deacon Joe’s memory to St. Helen Catholic Church Charismatic Prayer Group or Outreach Ministry, 2085 Tallahassee Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960, www.sthelenvero.org.
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From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Dorothy Howard Mather, 94
July 1, 1928 – September 15, 2022
Dorothy Howard Mather, age 94, passed away on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 while under Hospice Care, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife (pre-deceased), a loving mother and wonderful grandmother. Raised in Stafford, CT, she was valedictorian of her high school class. “Dottie” then attended the University of Rhode and was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She graduated in 1950 with a degree in Microbiology and then went on to work in the laboratory department at Hartford Hospital. In 1954 she married Richard Mather from Windsor, CT and lived in Granby and North Granby, CT for over 30 years. Dottie and Dick raised three girls: Jennifer Mather Clays of North Stonington, CT, Pamela Mather of Annapolis, MD and Leslie Mather-Jones who resides in Vero Beach, FL. Dorothy was integral in her husband’s numerous businesses, including Country Club Cars of New England in East Windsor, CT. They moved to Vero Beach in 1991. For 26 years Dottie volunteered at Indian River Hospital. She loved traveling, cross stitch, tending to her flowers, reading, her dogs, seafood engagements, chocolate and, most importantly, her family. She leaves behind her daughters, son-in-law’s Patrick Cullen and Darren Jones, and five grandchildren: Tyler, Sydney, and Brendan Clays and Haley and Madison Jones. A beautiful woman of grace, she will be remembered for her grateful and generous nature. Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.
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From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Teresa Kathryn Whalen Hattman, 95
September 16, 1926 – September 9, 2022
Teresa Kathryn Whalen Hattman was born breech, at home on Cosgrove Street in Germantown, Pennsylvania on September 16, 1926. She was literally born running. Her parents were Patrick James Whalen and Teresa Genevieve Klotz Whalen. Her siblings were Leonard, Genevieve Stirner (Kurt) and Mary Schneider (William). Her father’s sister was a Sister of Charity in Carville, Louisiana where she nursed people suffering from leprosy. Her name was Sister Julia Whalen.
Teresa was baptized at the Immaculate Conception Church in Germantown. Teresa was educated at St. Vincent’s Elementary and the Little Flower High School Annex. Teresa was accepted into the last group of young women to train as nurses for the Navy – the Navy Nurse Cadet Program. She received her Registered Nurse degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Philadelphia in February, 1949.
Teresa met her future husband, James Bernard Hattman (Jim), in the Summer of 1942 while both were life guards at a Philadelphia public pool. They were both 16 years old and were born 4 days apart. Jim had just returned with his father, mother and brother Charlie from Hawaii where his father had worked at Pearl Harbor Naval Base. On December 7, 1941, Jim and Charlie stood on the front lawn of their home and watched Japanese Zeros fly so close over them that they could see the pilots’ faces. Then they left to go to 8am Mass.
Jim and Teresa were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in Germantown on September 11, 1948. Thinking that they might never get to travel very far, they flew out of New York to Bermuda for their honeymoon and straight into a hurricane. The marriage brought forth 7 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Teresa lived her life willfully and taught her children to “go forward”. Another gem was “when in doubt, throw it out”. All she ever really wanted in her life was to have a big family, live long enough to see her children graduate high school and live in a big house. She accomplished that and so much more. Her life was huge and non-stop, filled with travel, parties and events due to her husband’s career in the oil industry. She thought shopping should be considered a hobby and a form of exercise. Her charities were the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Holy Cross Catholic Church of Vero Beach and The Diocese of Palm Beach Televised Catholic Mass ministry.
She is survived by all of her 7 children: her only son James Hattman, Jr. (Gail), Susan Hattman, Teresa Swensied (Al), Kathleen Sharp (Jeff), Barbara Crawford (David), Patricia Bell (Tom, deceased) and Elizabeth Howard (Gene).
Her 9 grandchildren are Jessica Komara (Petrus), Teresa Reti (Dave), Barbara Swensied, Jennifer Sharp (Brian Maloney), Thomas Bell (Miho), James Bell (Sabrina), Timothy Bell, Alexandra Howard and Max Howard.
Her great-grandchildren are Morgan Sarkissian, Teagan Maloney, Jack Bell and James Bell.
Teresa was the last of her generation on both sides of the family. She passed in Vero Beach, Florida on September 9, 2022 at 10:30pm. She will be interred next to her husband in Druid Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland on September 24, 2022.
Mom – you were a great mother. You can rest now. Please. We love you.
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From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert Michael Leykum, 66
April 18, 1956 – September 12, 2022
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM, followed by funeral service at 2:00 PM at King’s Baptist Church, 3235 58th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32966.
Services in care of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.
A detailed obituary will be added at a later time.
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From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joyce Antionette Veerapen
September 14, 2022
A prayer service for Joyce Antionette Veerapen will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 4:00 PM at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday prior to the service 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Ana Karen Lopez, 23
December 30, 1998 – September 10, 2022
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Ana Karen Lopez, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Ana Karen Lopez, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Anthony Hernandez, 23
December 10, 1998 – September 10, 2022
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Anthony Hernandez, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Anthony Hernandez, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Shirley Frances Taylor, 94
June 14, 1928 – September 12, 2022
Shirley Frances Taylor, 94, passed away on Monday September 12, 2022 at Vero Beach, Florida.
Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on June 14, 1928 she was the daughter of William Nixon and Harriet Packer. Shirley worked as an administrative assistant for the state of Florida and she graduated college with an associate degree.
The visitation will be held on Wednesday September 14,2022 at 4pm to 6pm at Seawinds Funeral Home (735 S Fleming Sebastian, FL 32958) with internment at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida on Thursday September 15, 2022 at 1:30pm.
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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Jeanne Ann Lauwers Laurie, 66
September 25, 1955 – September 4, 2022
Jeanne Ann Lauwers Laurie, 66, passed away on September 4, 2022 in her home. She was the widow of Michael Bowles with whom she spent 26 years of marriage.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, she was the daughter of Ann Weaver and Charles Laurie. She attended Palm Beach Gardens High School. She was retired from the US Postal Service where she worked as a Letter Carrier in Vero Beach, Florida.
She most recently traveled to Mt Dora, Florida, a place that she absolutely loved. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, golf carting, the Miami Dolphins, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her unwavering positivity and her smile. She always had a way of lifting others spirits, and spreading happiness wherever she went.
She is survived by her son Derek Bowles, his wife Kristin, her grandson Maverick Bowles, her brother Mark Laurie, and her niece Janet Pavlik. She was predeceased by her husband Michael Bowles.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday September 25, 2022 at noon at SeaWinds at Sebastian 735 S Fleming St. Sebastian, Fl 32958. The visitation will start at 11:30 am to the time of service. After the service a Celebration of Life will be held at Captain Hiram’s Resort in Sebastian.
In Lieu of floral arrangements, the family is asking for living plants or potted plants as they would like to plant a memorial garden in her honor.
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