Florence McGuinness
Florence W. McGuinness, 83, of Melbourne Beach, died Thursday, April 3, 2008. She was born in New York City, NY to Edward and Florence Wilbern. Florence came to Brevard County 25 years ago. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Leon; son, Kim Edward Kerns; and two grandchildren. No services are scheduled. The family asks for donations to be made to Brevard County Humane Society. Local arrangements are entrusted by Beach Funeral Home East Chapel.
Ruth I. Morris
Ruth Irene Morris, of Satellite Beach died on Sunday, March 30, 2008. She was born to James and Josephine Van Velsor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY where she attended school. Ruth worked for NBC in New York City as the secretary to the producer of the Edgar Bergen Show, as well as Mr. Bergen's personal secretary. She is proceeded in death by her parents, sisters, Erma and Dorothy; brother, Alfred and her loving husband of 64 years, Tom in May of 2007. Ruth leaves her son, Gary, wife Jackie and grandchildren, Jason, Han Tine, Huan Jek and Jun Jek; her daughter, Gale and grandchildren, Thomas and Julie; great-grandchildren, Brian, Nicholas and Sean; niece, Judy Asher Juras, nephew, James Finkle and their children. Visitation will be held 2-4 PM on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Beach Funeral Home East Chapel. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2008 at Prince of Peace Anglican Church in Viera. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery on May 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Prince of Peace Anglican Church. Arrangements by Beach Funeral Home East Chapel.
Edward Bress
Edward Bress passed on to heaven on February 28, 2009. Ed was born in Buffalo NY on Sep-3, 1922 and grew up in tough times during the great depression. Ed joined the US Navy in 1940 and fought to protect his country including surviving the sinking of his ship, the destroyer USS Brownson, in the battle of Cape Gloucester New Britain. Ed served aboard several ships and after the war was an instructor during his twenty year career in the Navy. Ed retired from the Navy as a Master Chief Fire Control technician. Ed will be remembered by so many as a great American patriot. Ed is predeceased by his loving wife Virginia. Ed and Virginia were married for 50 years until Virginia’s death in 2000. Ed and Virginia raised three children, Betsy, Doug, and Jim whom have been close to their Mom and Dad till the end. In addition to the many training classes he completed while in the Navy, Ed also earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. Ed placed a very high value on education his entire life. Ed’s long career continued after his Navy retirement including a twenty-five year career with Lockheed in California and New Jersey working as an engineer and retiring as a Director of the corporation. Ed then had a 10 year career working as a systems engineer for the US Army at Fort Monmouth in NJ. Ed’s last major career (his fourth) was as Vice President of Engineering at AST Technology Labs, his son Jims’ company in Melbourne FL, where Ed designed and built telecommunications test equipment starting in 1995 and working continuously up until just a couple months before his death. Ed loved his family and was always willing to give his time whenever and wherever he was needed. One of Ed’s last jobs was one he enjoyed and one for which he was very effective which was as a math tutor for his granddaughter Elizabeth. Ed loved his wife Donna. The family is eternally grateful for the great care Donna gave to Ed especially in his last months while fighting cancer. Ed is survived by many loving family members: Donna, his wife for the last 8 years, children: Ed, Betsy (husband Matt), Doug (wife Karla), and Jim (wife Pam); step-children: Cory (wife Erin), Jason (wife Janenne), Jaime (husband David) and all his grand-children which he loved dearly: Trystan, Anna, Jonathan, Natalie, Andrew, Justine, Kimberly, Elizabeth, Katherine, Andrea, Daniel, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Sarah, and Jessica. Ed’s life will be remembered by so many especially for his patriotism, his amazing skills and abilities, his dedication to work, and his love and generosity of his time to his friends and family. The family invites friends to share in a memorial service for Ed at the New Hope Church at 2676 Post Rd. in Melbourne, on Tuesday, March-3 at 3:00pm. A burial ceremony will be on Wednesday, March-4 at 2:00pm at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell FL. Ed did not like to waste money on frivolous things so in lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the New Hope Church with Pastor Bruce Cadle (321-254-7621)
Peter F. Murphy
Peter Francis Murphy, of Satellite Beach, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2009. He was born in Boston MA, to Peter and Helen Murphy. He came to Brevard County in the 1992. Peter's passion was his family; he also enjoyed the outdoors and camping. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne of 48 years; son's, James S. Murphy (Brenda) Retired Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, of Roy Utah, Brian T. Murphy (Debbi) College English Professor, of Queens, NY, Timothy S. Murphy (Jessica W. Guite) Artist, of Havertown, PA, Grandchildren, Sean, Coleen, Erin, of Utah, and Owen Connor, of PA, sister, Mary Bechtold, of Brockton, MA, brother, Philip Murphy of Folsom, CA, his dog, Shannon and a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins in MA, CA and Ireland. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother James. Beach Funeral Homes & Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Roger L. Bostedt
Roger L. Bostedt, 62 Beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away Saturday, February 28, 2009 after a valiant fight with cancer. He was born November 15, 1946 in Oconto, WI. Roger, an avid outdoorsman enjoyed golfing, boating, diving and camping. He traveled to over 40 countries successfully achieving a personal goal in his life. Roger served in the U.S. Air Force, worked on the Apollo missions, deep space programs and as a long time Harris Corp. engineer received recognition and respect as an outstanding personal contributor to the programs he supported. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his son, Michael and two granddaughters, Brittney and Angela; a daughter, Deborah Kight and granddaughter Jessica Kight; his mother, Laura Bostedt; brothers, Charles, William, and Thomas; sister, Barbara Babaish and "cousin/brother" Robert Giesler. Beach Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in Charge of local arrangements. In Lieu of flower donations may be made in his name to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice.
Marcus Rene' Lewis
Marcus Rene` Lewis, 22, of Indialantic, unexpectantly passed away Wednesday, March 04, 2009. He was born in Oklahoma City, Ok. Being from an Air Force family, he traveled all over the world. The family came to Indialantic in 1997. Marcus graduated from Mel High in 2004, where he was a member of the Mel High Marching and Jazz Bands. He was an altar server and in the music ministry at Holy Name of Jesus. He loved the Gators, Cowboys and was an Emmitt Smith fan. Marcus was attending Universal Technical Institute, in Orlando. Everyone who knew Marcus couldn't help but love him. He is survived by his parents, Rene` and Thelma "Tee" Lewis, brother; Vincent Lewis, USAF, stationed in Germany, sisters; Alysse Lewis, Las Vegas, NV, and Marlena Lewis; Indialantic, FL, niece; Azha, and nephew; Marcell, and a large extended family. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Beach Funeral Homes, 1689 S. Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Burial to immediately follow. Beach Funeral Homes & Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Maria Rogers
Maria J. Rogers, 82, died on Thursday, April 3, 2008. She was born in Gwynned Valley, Pennsylvania and came to Brevard County in 1983. Maria is survived by her husband, Harry; sons, H. Steven Rogers and J. Scott Rogers; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Graveside services will be held in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Beach Funeral Home East Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
Marie J. "Pat" Hudak
Marie J. Hudak, ”Pat” 75, of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, passed away Sunday, March 08, 2009. Marie was born in Middle Village, New York. She was an avid bingo player and loved to be around her grandchildren.. Marie is survived by her five sons; Kenneth of W. Palm, FL., James, of Melbourne, FL., Joseph of Saco, ME., Matthew of Minneola, FL., William of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., her daughter Linda Bartolo, of Palm Bay, FL., and 16 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth in 2002. Private funeral services will be held.
Van Dyke Jefferson
Van Dyke Jefferson, 82, of Indian Harbour Beach died Saturday, March 7, 2009 at his residence. He was born in Huntington, WV to Elizabeth and Homer Jefferson. He came to Brevard County in 1968 from Knoxville, TN. Van Dyke was a veteran of the U.S. Navy in WWII, and later served 20 years in the Air Force retiring in 1966. He then enjoyed 23 years as the JROTC instructor at Satellite High School. He was an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan and loved Nascar Racing. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; daughter, Dawn Jefferson of Indian Harbour Beach; son William Dale (Juliana) Jefferson of China; brother, Thomas Jefferson of Huntington, WV; grandchildren, Mary Leigh (John) Gross of Palm Bay, and Elizabeth and Emily Jefferson of China; two great-grandchildren, Laura and Jeffrey Gross of Palm Bay. Van was preceded in death by his grandson, William Matthew Jefferson. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 3 p.m. at Beach Funeral Homes, Indian Harbour Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 2265 N Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935, 321-259-4827. Beach Funeral Homes & Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
Thomas E. King
Thomas E. King of Port St. John, Florida passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2009. Tom was born December 8, 1932 to Angele (DeBonne) King & Thomas R. King in Ardmore, PA. He graduated from West Catholic Boys’ High School (Philadelphia, PA) in 1951. He was enlisted in the US Naval Reserve (Inactive) from November 1953 until November 1961. He began working in the aerospace industry with Northrup Corporation in 1956 as an Associate Engineer. He also served as Base Operations Manager and Senior Corporate Manager for Pan American World Airways, working down range along the Eastern Test Range for both corporations from 1956 until 1959 when he returned to the US. He worked in several capacities with McDonnell Douglas and their successor Boeing Company. During a hiatus from aerospace in the late 1970s and early 1980s he worked in a variety of positions including Technical Recruiter (CDI, Inc., Orlando), Manager of Occupational Safety & Health and Manager of Facilities Support & Security (Systems Engineering Laboratories, later Gould Inc., Ft. Lauderdale). He officially retired in 1998, and later briefly returned to work with Analex Corporation. During his career he studied at Florida Atlantic University, Brevard Engineering College (predecessor to Florida Tech), Florida Technological University (predecessor to University of Central Florida). During his retirement he was active in the Liturgy Committee at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and he also volunteered for Seniors vs. Crime. He enjoyed reading, history, dogs, bicycle riding, yoga and relaxing on his porch with a cup of tea. He was a unique man with a huge heart. Injustices of any nature disturbed him greatly, as he cared very much about how people treated one another. He leaves behind his adoring daughter, Marcia Eileen King (Melbourne, FL), her mother his former wife, Gert King (Melbourne, FL), his sister, Barbara Rorick (Norristown, PA), niece, Linda (Anthony) Goreski (Audubon, PA), nephews, John (Deborah) Rorick (Trooper, PA), and Russell (Amy) Rorick (Norristown, PA), and two grand-dogs, Luke and Dixie. He was also blessed to have many wonderful friends, to whom his family is very thankful. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on US Highway 1 in Cocoa, Florida on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The family expects to be in the church by 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to either the Humane Society of Central Brevard, 1020 Cox Road, Cocoa, FL 32926 or Literacy Alliance of Brevard, 609 Garden Street, Titusville, FL 32781.
Arthur G. Herbert
Arthur Herbert, 52, of Melbourne Florida died Tuesday, March 24, 2009 after a heroic battle of multiple myeloma. He was a dedicated husband and a super dad to his “princess”. He leaves behind his wife of 20 years, Mila, daughter; Mia, his father and sisters, also many other family members and friends. He is predeceased by his mother. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 6-9 p.m. at Beach Funeral Homes, 4999 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne/Suntree. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., also at Beach Funeral Homes. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery, with full military honors.
Blanche L. Ouellette
Blanche L. Ouellette, 83, of Melbourne Florida died Sunday, March 22, 2009. She was born in Tilbury West, Ontario, and came to Brevard 20 years ago to make this her home. Blanche was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. Blanche was an active member of Ascension Catholic Church, and a proud member of the Red Hats Society. She leaves behind her husband of 57 years, Albert, sons; Mark and Ross, daughter; Janice, brothers; Morris and Bernard Marentette, sisters; Marquerite Miller and Isabelle Bonnice, grandchildren; Chris, Lexi, Madison and Owen. She is predeceased by her son Curtis, who died in 2005. Visitation will be at Ascension Catholic Church on Friday, March 27, 2009, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. with an 11:30 Mass of Christian Burial to follow
