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Miscellaneous Indian River County, Florida Obituaries - 1997


First Name:
Last Name:
Dorothy Geils
Dorothy E. Geils, 76, of Barefoot Bay, died Oct. 25, 1997, at her residence after a brief illness. She was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Newark, N.J., and moved to Barefoot Bay 17 years ago from New Jersey. Mrs. Geils was a homemaker. She was a member of the Friends and Neighbors Bowling Club, the MahJongg Club, the German Club and the Friday Shuffleboard Club, all in Barefoot Bay. She was also a member of the Citizens Observation Patrol of Brevard County. Surviving are her three daughters, Janet Schiefer, of New Milford, N.J., Sandra Austin, of Barnsboro, N.J., and Patti Job, of Elmer, N.J.; one sister, Carol Grube, of Barefoot Bay; one brother, Seibert Ungemach, of Norfolk, Va.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. At the family's request, there will be no repose or visitation. No services are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society (Barefoot Bay), Brevard Unit, 6983 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, Fla. 32940, or to Holmes Regional Hospice Inc., 1900 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, Fla. 32904, in Mrs. Geil's memory. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Indian River Cremations Inc., Vero Beach.

Genevieve Alagood
Genevieve Winifred Alagood, 86, of Bare foot Bay, died Oct. 26, 1997, at Palm Bay Community Hospital, Palm Bay, after a prolonged illness. She was born Dec. 2, 1910, in Pennsylvania, and moved to Barefoot Bay 13 years ago from Daytona Beach. Mrs. Alagood was an executive secretary at Conde Nast Publishers, New York. She was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church and the Polish-American Club, both of Barefoot Bay.She was a former president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Father Lopez Catholic School, Daytona Beach. She was a member and former treasurer of the Women's Guild of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Ormond Beach. Surviving are her husband of 63 years, Woodrow; two sons, Woodrow Joseph Alagood, of Malabar, and Jacob Basil Alagood, of Valrico; two daughters, Ann Alagood Clark, of Berwyn, Pa., and Patricia Else, of Emmaus, Pa.; two brothers, Edward Usowski, of Malabar, and Andrew Usowski, of Yarmouth, Mass.; two sisters, Mary Saroka, of Levittown, N.Y., and Helen Mayer, of Greenwich, Conn.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 30 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Barefoot Bay, with the Rev. Lucien Duquette officiating. Interment followed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery, Palm Bay. The Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, was in charge of arrangements.

Catherine Tagner
Catherine Veronica "Kay" Tagner, 82, of Sebastian, died Oct. 27, 1997, at Wuesthoff Hospital, Rockledge, after a brief illness. She was born Jan. 11, 1915, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Sebastian 19 years ago from Boca Raton. Mrs. Tagner was a cashier at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. Surviving are her husband of 61 years, Bob; four sons, Robert Tagner, of Port Jefferson, N.Y., Donald Tagner, of Boynton Beach, Allen Tagner, of West Palm Beach, and Douglas Tagner, of Port St. Lucie; one brother, Edward Corr, of Sebastian; two sisters, Florence Bosch, of Floral Park, N.Y., and Dorothy Tessier, of Wantagh, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. A memorial service was held Oct. 30 at Strunk Funeral Home Chapel, Sebastian, with the Rev. Lucien Duquette officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to American Cancer Society, North Indian River County Unit, P.O. Box 1749, Sebastian, Fla. 32958 in Mrs. Tagner's memory.

Bill Keane
George William "Bill" Keane, 72, of Barefoot Bay, died Oct. 31, 1997, at Sebastian River Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was born June 25, 1925, in New Haven, Conn., and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1989 from Margate. Mr. Keane was the Coral Springs assistant police chief for nine years He was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church and Elk's Lodge, both in Margate, and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Guadalcanal Veterans Association and Retired Police Officers Association in Barefoot Bay. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Helen; two daughters, Linda Mummaw, of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Kathy Johnson, of Stuart; three sons, George Keane, of Wrights town, N.J., Edward Keane, of Lighthouse Point, and James Keane of Davie; and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service was held Nov. 4 at Strunk Funeral Home Chapel in Sebastian.

Gerhart Duerr
Gerhart C. Duerr, 64, 1135 N. Waterway Drive, Barefoot Bay, died Oct. 30, 1997, at his residence after a prolonged illness. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1995 from Philadelphia. Mr. Duerr was a retired nuclear engineer who worked for 32 years with United Engineering Construction Co., Philadelphia. He was a graduate of Temple University, Philadelphia. He was a member of the Nuclear Society, Philadelphia, Barefoot Bay Yacht Club, Barefoot Bay Golf Club and Barefoot Bay Computer Club. Surviving are his wife of 17 years, Trudy; one brother, Reimar Duerr, of Berwvn, Pa.; and one sister, Dora Scogna, of Upper Darby, Pa. A memorial service was held Nov. 3 at Fountainhead Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, Palm Bay. The family suggests donations be made to Holmes Regional Hospice, 1900 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, Fla. 32904 in Mr.Duerr's memory.

Essie Griffin
EssieMae Griffin, 90, of Sebastian, died Nov. 6, 1997, at Mariner Health Care of Melbourne, Melbourne, after a prolonged illness. She was born Sept. 24, 1907, in Soperton, Ga., and moved to Sebastian two years ago from Vidalia, Ga. Mrs. Griffin worked in the retail industry as a saleswoman. She attended Hope Baptist Church, Sebastian, and was a member of Community Baptist Church, Sebastian. Surviving are one son, Omas Morris, of Sebastian; one daughter, Faye Jarriel, of Royal Palm Beach; one brother, Leon Morris, of Santa Claus, Ga.; two sisters, Gladys Edge, of Soperton, and Mildred Sammons, of Dublin, Ga.; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Nov. 10 at Berean Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, with the Rev. Dan L. Burrell officiating. Interment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park, West Palm Beach. Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, was in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Fornash
Anne M. "Nancy" Fornash, 62, of Sebastian, died Nov. 7, 1997, at Indian River Memorial Hospital after a prolonged illness. Mrs.Fornash was born June 15 1935, in Kingston, Pa., and moved to Sebastian 20 years ago from Hudson, N.H. Mrs. Fornash was an elementary schoolteacher and a newspaper reporter in Hudson. She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. Surviving are her husband, Thomas; one son, Sean Fornash, of Hudson; six daughters, Mary Rae, of Sebastian, Michelle Boynton, of Milford, N.H., Anne Wiltz, of Merrimack, N.H., Elizabeth Fornash and Margaret Schumacher, both of Vero Beach, and Thomasina Moore, of Fort Lauderdale; one brother, John O'Brien, of Gross Isle, Mich.; five sisters, Katherine McDermott of Mobile, Ala., Florence Shaw, of Virginia Beach, Va., Mary Frances Andrews, of Orlando, and Helen O'Brien and Maureen Stout, both of Fort Lauderdale; and 11 grand children. A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 11 at St. Helen Catholic Church.Interment followed at Sebastian Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Arthritis Foundation of In dian River County, P.O. Box 2036, Vero Beach, Fla. 32961 in Mrs. Fornash's memory.

Norman Steen
Norman Thompson Steen, 83, of Barefoot Bay, died Oct. 28, 1997, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, after a brief illness. He was born Jan. l7, 1914, in Browns Mills, N.J., and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1984 from Naranjo Lakes. Mr. Steen was a clothing sales man.He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Barefoot Bay.He was an Army veteran of World War II, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10210, Sebastian River Moose Lodge No. 1767 and Smoothies Dance Club of Barefoot Bay. Surviving is his wife, Amy, of Vero Beach. A memorial service was held Nov. 12 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Barefoot Bay, with the Rev. Grant Kilps officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 300 Barefoot Bay Blvd., Barefoot Bay, Fla. 32976, in Mr. Steen's memory. Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian.

Thomas Hepburn
Thomas Emlin Hepburn, 80, of Sebastian, died Nov. 10, 1997, at Sebastian River Medical Center, Roseland, after a prolonged illness. He was born May 16, 1917, in Grampian, Pa., and moved to Sebastian in 1957 from Pennsylvania. Mr. Hepburn was retired. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian. Surviving are his wife, Mildred; one son, Thomas L. Hepburn, of Fort Lauderdale; one daughter, Karen Mann, of Sebastian; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Sebastian Catholic Church Building Fund, 13075 U.S. 1, Sebastian, Fla. 32958 in Mr. Hepburn's memory. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lowther Cremation Service, Inc., Vero Beach.

Paul Smith
Paul H. Smith Sr., 78, of Sebastian, died Nov. 5, 1997, at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne. He was born Dec. 12, 1918, in Baltimore, Md., and moved to Sebastian in 1957 from Charleston, S.C. Mr. Smith retired from the Navy after 20 years service. He worked at Pan American at Patrick Air Force Base for 15 years and Barefoot Bay for 14 years.He was a Protestant. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sebastian River Area Post 10210, Sebastian. Surviving are his wife, Evelyn, four sons, Paul H. MacCionnaith, of San Francisco, Calif., David A. Smith, of Roseland, Mark A. Smith, of Cocoa, Timothy E. Smith, of Apopka; three daughters, Sharon Moss, of Melbourne, Deborah Thompson, of Colonial Beach, Va., and Joanna M. Brown, of Sebastian; one brother, Maynard A. Smith, of Las Vegas, Nev.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of one's choice in Mr. Smith's honor. Brownlie and Maxwell Funeral Home, Melbourne, is in charge of arrangements.

Bart Monolese
Bart Mottolese, 73, 836 N. Tamarind Circle, Barefoot Bay, died Nov. 11, 1997, at his residence after a prolonged illness. He was born March 24, 1924, in Bronx, N.Y., and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1986 from Rockland County, N.Y. Mr. Mottolese was a retired auto parts manager, and a former volunteer fireman and former fire commissioner for the Thiells, N.Y., Volunteer Fire Department. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and fought in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Surviving are his wife, Rita; one son, Anthony Mottolese of Pomona, N.Y., two daughters, Susan McSherry, of Stony Point, N.Y., and Patricia Hance, of New York, N.Y.; his father, Anthony Mottolese, of New Port Richey; two sisters, Emily Langer, of Coconut Creek, and Dollie Rose, of Bearsville, N.Y.; and three grandchildren. A memorial Mass was celebrated Nov. 15 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Barefoot Bay. The family suggests donations be made to Micco Volunteer Fire Department, 301 Barefoot Blvd., Barefoot Bay, Fla. 32976, or St. Luke's Catholic Church, 5055 Micco Road, Barefoot Bay, Fla. 32976 in Mr. Mottolese's memory. East Coast Cremation, Melbourne, was in charge of arrangements.

Adella Graham
Adella J. Graham, 78, of Sebastian, died Nov. 15, 1997, after a prolonged illness. Mrs.Graham was born Feb. 11, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved to Sebastian in 1989 coming from Tryon, N.C. Shewas a homemaker and member of Treasure Coast Rock and Gem Society. Surviving are her husband, Louis; three sons, John Gregg, of Spartanburg, S.C., Jim Gregg, of Tampa, and Robert Gregg of Tryon; one sister, Clara Cook, of Pittsburgh; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. At the family's request, there will be no services. Donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1401 21st St., Vero Beach, Fla. 32960, in Mrs. Graham's memory. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lowther Cremation Service Inc., Vero Beach.

Donald Casavant
Donald Dowd "Don" Casavant, 79, of Sebastian, died Nov. 15, 1997, at Sebastian River Medical Center, Roseland, after a prolonged illness. He was born May 13, 1918, in Pittsfield, Maine, and moved to Sebastian in 1983 from Waltham, Mass. Mr. Casavant worked for Polaroid for 30 years as a model maker in the research and engineering divisions.He was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, where he served as an usher. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society, both of Sebastian. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10210, Sebastian. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Jeanne; one son, Donald Casavant, of Hampton, Va.; one daughter, Martha Wareing, of Randolph, N.J.; one brother, Arthur Casavant, of Waltham, Mass.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 19 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian. Interment will follow at Sebastian Cemetery, Sebastian. Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Gillespie
Ruth K. Gillespie, 84, of Sebastian, died Nov. 16, 1997, after a prolonged illness. She was born April 17, 1913, in Sag Harbor, N.Y., and moved to Sebastian 10 years ago from Michigan. Mrs. Gillespie was a homemaker and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, South Hampton, N.Y. Surviving are five daughters, Ruth Farnsworth, of Sebastian, Laura Willer, of Michigan, Alice Caputo, of New York, Patricia Shaw, of New York, and Kay Jean Jung, of Michigan; three sons, John Willer, of Michigan, Charles Willer, of West Palm Beach, and Gordon Lyon, of Bradenton; one sister, Alice Grossar, of Loveland, Colo.; 30 grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lowther Cremation Service Inc., Vero Beach.

Kenneth Meguin
Kenneth Raymond "Ken" Meguin, 76, of Sebastian, died Nov. 16, 1997, at his residence after a prolonged illness. He was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Sebastian 17 years ago from Hempstead, N.Y. Mr. Meguin was a master plumber and the owner and operator of Meguin Plumbing and Heating, Elmont, N.Y. He owned Meguin Plumbing Supply, Sebastian. He was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, where he served as an usher.He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, Sebastian; Plumbers Local No.1, Howard Beach, N.Y., and the Fireman's Benevolence Association, Hempstead. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post No. 189 , the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10210, both of Sebastian, and the Volunteer Fire Department of, Sebastian. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Marion; two sons, Danny Meguin, of Scotia, N.Y., and Dr. Andrew Meguin, of Glendale, Ariz.; two daughters, Janice Mellott, of Lexington, N.Y., and Ellen Heraty, of Orlando; and eight grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Nov. 21 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church.Interment will follow at Fountain head Memorial Park, Pahn Bay, with full military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10210 and the American Legion Post No. 189. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to VNA Hospice, 1111 36th St., Vero Beach, Fla. 32960, or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 8895 N. Military Trail, Suite No. 304D, Pahn Beach Gardens, Fla. 33410 in Mr. Meguin's memory. Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian, is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Sauder
Paul E. Sauder, 92, of Barefoot Bay, died Nov. 12, 1997, at his residence after a brief illness. He was born June 13, 1905 in Ravenna, Ohio, and moved to Barefoot Bay in 1972 from his birthplace. Mr. Sander was the retired plant manager for Pyramid Rubber Co., Infant Products Division, Ravenna, and was a member of the First Congregational Church, Ravenna. He was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indialantic. Surviving are two daughters, Barbara S. Hungerford, of Barefoot Bay, and Sally Anderson, of West Melbourne; three sisters, Ruth Minnick, of Kent, Ohio, Esther King, of Rootstown, Ohio, and Dorothy Merrell of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 16 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indialantic. The family suggests donations be sent to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 Riverside Drive, Indialantic, Fla. 32903 in Mr. Sauder's memory.

Alice Assad
Alice J. Assad, 80, of Sebastian, died Nov. 17, 1997, at Sebastian River Medical Center, Roseland, after a brief illness. She was born May 12, 1917, in Detroit,, Mich., and moved to Sebastian two years ago from her birth place. Surviving are three sons, Al Assad and Jeff Assad, both of Sebastian, and George Marvaso of Westland, Mich.; a daughter, Fay Dyack, of Sebastian; two sisters, Elizabeth Harris, of Sebastian, and Lilly Murray, of Birmingham, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. An Islamic graveside service was held Nov. 18 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce. Arrangements were under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian.

John Benjamin
John R. Benjamin, 78, of Sebastian, died Nov. 16, 1997, at Sebastian River Medical Center, Sebastian, after a brief illness. He was born March 20, 1919, in Bridgeport, Conn., and moved to Sebastian 18 years ago from Boca Raton. Mr. Benjamin was a supervisor for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., and a carpenter. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Evelyn; two daughters, Beverly Rosner, of Shelton, Conn., and Joan Shirey, of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; one son, John Richard Benjamin, of Brandon; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchdren. At the family's request, there will be no repose or visitation. A private famfly service may be held at a later date. Benjamin was a member of the Indian River Cremation Society.

Mary Blocker
Mary Elizabeth Blocker, 77, 1786 N.E. 21st St., Fort Lauderdale, died Nov. 16, 1997, at Harbor Beach Nursing Home, Fort Lauderdale, after a prolonged illness. She was born Dec. 7, 1919, in Atlanta, Ga., and lived in Sebastian from 1977 until 1993 when she moved to Fort Lauderdale. Mrs. Blocker was a member of the Garden Club of Sebastian, and the Eastern Star. Surviving are one daughter, Gloria Peck, of Fort Lauderdale; two sons, Curt Blocker, of Chicago, and Ricky Blocker, of San Antonio, Texas; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held Nov. 21 at Elmwood Cemetery, Charlotte.

Blanche Cleary
Blanche Cleary, 83, of Sebastian, died Nov. 23, 1997, at Integrated Health Services of Vero Beach after a prolonged illness. She was born July 22, 1914, in Stockport, N.Y., and moved to Se bastian 10 years ago from Willsboro, N.Y. Mrs. Cleary was a retired surgical dental assistant for the VA Hospital in Albany and was owner of a motel in Willsboro. Surviving is her husband of 48 years, John. At the family's request, there will be no repose or visitation. No services are scheduled. Mrs. Cleary was a member of the Indian River Cremation Society.


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