From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Otis Preston “Pete” Sloan, 85, Vero Beach
February 04, 1937 – February 03, 2023
Otis Preston “Pete” Sloan, age 85, passed away February 3, 2023 at his home in Vero Beach.
Pete was born February 4, 1937 in Melbourne, Florida to the late Otis and Beryl Sloan.
He served in the United States Air Force and attended Miami University. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and had an interest in all things hunting and fishing.
Pete worked for NCR in Dayton, Ohio for over 30 years. He was also a trainer of race horses and after his retirement from NCR, he operated Dan’s Restaurant in Warsaw, Kentucky.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; sons, Greg (Isabel L. Rook) and Ron (Diane); daughter, Laura (Bruce) Benoit; step-son, Dustin (Tammy) Peterson; 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Sara Sloan.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Fellsmere Historical Church, 39 N. Broadway Street, Fellsmere, FL.
In lieu of contributions, please extend an act of kindness to someone.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Michael Craig Durwin, 87, Vero Beach
October 12, 1935 – January 13, 2023
Michael Craig Durwin, age 87, born on October 12, 1935 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 13, 2023.
Mike resided in Vero Beach over 55 years working and raising a family. He was well known to many for his infectious personality. Mike always had the time to spend with a friend regardless of how long he knew them. Being a great storyteller and loving to bring a smile to someone by telling a joke he made friends wherever he was.
Mike served in the Coast Guard and while stationed in North Carolina met his wife of 62 years. He attended college for a degree in Business Administration and made his way to Vero Beach to work at Piper Aircraft where he rose to the position of General Manager. After retiring he continued to work but as he did all his life he made sure to take time for his family. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Everyone in his family knew they were genuinely loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Thomas Durwin (father), Barbara Margaret Murphy (mother) and Daniel Francis Murphy (stepfather). He is survived by his loving wife Margaret Ann, two children, Cole (Brenda) and Kelly, four grandchildren Colby, Chace, Nicole and Caden and two sisters, Kathy and Teri.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of MICHAEL CRAIG DURWIN, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Dan William Bowles, 86, Vero Beach
November 17, 1936 – January 21, 2023
Dan William Bowles, age 86, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away January 21, 2023.
He will be missed by us all…he was a devoted husband, a gentle loyal friend to all who knew him and was a faithful follower of his Lord and Savior in whom he now rests.
Born on November 17, 1936, in Granville County, North Carolina to the late Rosa Lee Daniels Bowles and Hubert O’Briant Bowles of Vero Beach, Florida.
After serving in the U S Army in El Paso, Texas, Dan worked with South West Bell as a technician. After transferring to Florida, he worked for Southern Bell maintaining Electronic Switching systems.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sons; Dan William Bowles, Jr, (DJ) and Mike Blackwell; and his brother Lee Roy Bowles.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Cataldo Bowles; daughter Brandy Blackwell Hall and granddaughter Katie Hall all of Vero Beach, Florida. Also survived by his brothers; Billy C. Bowles (Alice) of Dallas, Texas, Larry Bowles (Susan) of Vero Beach, Florida, his sister Ellen Bowles Harris (Amos) of Oxford, North Carolina.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of DAN WILLIAM BOWLES, SR., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Ronald Alan Murphy, 91
April 30, 1931 – January 24, 2023
Our beloved father, Ronald Alan Murphy passes away on January 24, 2023. He was our family treasure.
He was born to Susan MacPhail and Samuel Murphy on April 30, 1931.
Ronald grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Central High. He joined the Army at age 18 and served in the Korean War, where he received the Silver Star as a citation for valor in combat.
Upon returning from the war, he married Dorothy Elizabeth Miekley.
He became a commercial airline pilot for US Air for 31 years.
Upon retiring, he became an avid golfer.
Ronald is predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy and his daughter Vickie Silber.
He is survived by his three loving daughters, Bonnie Murphy, Kathleen Murphy Robey and Susan Murphy. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren, Heather Ware, Tristan Murphy, Colin Murphy, Alex Murphy, Elizabeth Poggie, Robert Poggie, Joseph Poggie, Murphy Robey and Jack Robey.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of RONALD A. MURPHY, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Charles Patrick Schulke, 92
March 17, 1930 – January 24, 2023
Charles Patrick Schulke or simply “Pat” as he was affectionately known, entered the eternal gates of life on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023 surrounded by his loving wife of 74 years, Phyllis Rae Rutherford Schulke, and their six children, passing peacefully, after a brief illness.
Born on St. Patrick’s Day, in the year 1930, Pat was the son of the late Charles W. and Edith Throp Schulke.
He was reared and educated in Dayton, Ohio, graduating from Chaminade High School before proudly serving his country in the United States Navy.
In addition to his loving wife, Pat is survived by their 6 devoted children and their spouses; Timothy of Chattanooga, TN, Kevin and Jane of Vero Beach, FL, Terry and Karen of Long Island, NY, Kathleen Schulke of Vero Beach, FL, Colleen and Terry Haggar of Minnetonka, MN, and Sean and April of Collierville, TN, 13 adoring grandchildren; Kirsten and Matt Gentry, Lauren and Josh Mathews, Ryan and Sandy Schulke, Michael and Jeanette Schulke, Brendan and Mary Schulke, Ashley and Josh Miller, Alexandra and Justin Rojesky, Kimberly and Tim Ford, and Collin, Emily, Carter, Chase, and Carson Schulke, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pat and Phyllis relocated to Vero Beach, FL in 1990 and made the Sunshine State their home. Over his storied career, Pat spent the previous 43 years as an executive in the food industry, in a variety of leadership roles with 8 different US Retailers & Wholesalers, headquartered in 7 states.
A much-admired leader, Pat excelled in empowering teams that consistently delivered strong financial results while providing productive career paths for thousands of his valued employees. Those who knew him best will always remember his professional personality – always a positive attitude and grounded in the respect he showed every human being. Pat was always a gentleman!
Kicking off his career stocking shelves in the grocery store, he tirelessly worked his way up the ‘old fashioned way’ to become a top performer for Kroger, America’s largest supermarket chain, that awarded him a National Association of Food Chains Scholarship to attend Michigan State University.
A results-oriented business leader and powerful motivator of people, Pat earned an industry reputation as a Retail Operations guru which made him a highly sought-after recruiting target. His climb of the corporate ladder led him to executive roles with great Retail Food Companies like Kroger, Allied Supermarkets, King Kullen, Grand Union, P&C, Hills and Weingarten.
Pat then became the President & CEO of Red Owl Stores in Minneapolis, where he and his partners acquired the Retailer/Distributor after successfully maneuvering the company out of Chapter 11.
Giving back to the industry was something Pat was passionate about, so he gladly served in leadership and committee roles with organizations including NGA and FMI, as well as many different State Grocer Associations.
After retiring from the Food Industry in 1991, Pat humbly began the next phase of life’s journey, in the service of God and the Catholic Church. He joined Holy Cross Parish in Vero Beach, FL simply to support his Pastors – Father O’Hare, and his successor, Father Murphy – in accomplishing their Parish Missions.
For 25+ years, Pat passionately served Holy Cross and his extended parishioner family, in multiple capacities, as – Coordinator of Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers – Chair of the Finance Council – Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign – and as a Volunteer Director of Liturgy – along with whatever else he could do to serve the congregation. Pat was ‘all in’, and this was his joy! He also served on the Board of Care Net.
Phyllis and her family will be celebrating Pat’s life and loving spirit with a Mass at Saint Sebastian Church in Sebastian, FL on Friday, February 3rd at 11:00AM. We welcome all of Pat and Phyllis’ friends to join us.
In lieu of Flowers, Pat and his family request donations be made to support one of the organizations he felt strongly about, and donated himself: Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/ Care Net http://www.care-net.org/
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of CHARLES PATRICK SCHULKE, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
