BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – James “Jim” Drexel Lepper, beloved father, grandfather, and educator, passed away peacefully at his home in Palm Bay, Florida, on November 6, 2025, after a long illness. He was 84 years old.

Born on March 29, 1941, in Melbourne, Florida, Jim was a lifelong resident of Brevard County and a proud graduate of Melbourne High School, Class of 1959. A standout athlete, he lettered in all four varsity sports, was voted Most Athletic, and was inducted into Mel-Hi’s Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jim set track records that stood for more than two decades and earned MVP honors in both football and basketball.

After high school, Jim was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and received a football and baseball scholarship to the University of Florida, where he was voted All-SEC Freshman Quarterback before a knee injury ended his athletic career. He went on to graduate from UF in 1964—a lifelong Gator through and through.

Jim devoted more than 50 years to teaching American History in Brevard County.

His career included teaching at Southwest Junior High, Melbourne High School, Florida Air Academy, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. He also served as a football coach at Melbourne Central Catholic, Florida Air Academy, and Melbourne High, where his passion for sports and mentorship left a lasting legacy on generations of students and athletes.

A man of great intellect and curiosity, Jim found joy in conversations about history, literature, and sports.

He loved poetry—especially the works of Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, and Shakespeare—and enjoyed lively trivia matches and deep discussions with family and friends. His family fondly remembers his “high fives” with his twin great-granddaughters, Maeve and Finley; Gator talks with his son-in-law Doug; and history debates with his grandson Clay.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Robin Slentz (Doug); three grandchildren, James Slentz (Jamie), Sarah DeJong (Patric), and Clayton Slentz (Mikayla); and seven great-grandchildren—Grace, Brennan, Nolan, Nora, Cade, Maeve, and Finley. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Jacqueline, and his daughter, Kelly.

Jim will be remembered for his love of family, his sharp mind, his passion for teaching, and his fondness for the music of Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 14, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Miller Street in Palm Bay.

A “Celebration of Life” barbecue will follow on Sunday, November 16, at 1 p.m. at Kingery Pavilion, 3575 Hield Road, West Melbourne. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Jim’s memory.

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ABOVE VIDEO: Retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Wayne Justice talks about his early career. The Canaveral Port Authority is mourning the passing of Admiral Justice at age 70.

ABOVE VIDEO: Retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral and Port Commissioner Wayne Justic talks about his days working under Presidents Bush and Clinton. The Canaveral Port Authority is mourning the passing of Admiral Justice at age 70.

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The Canaveral Port Authority and the Brevard County community are mourning the passing of Admiral Wayne Justice, its esteemed Chairman and longtime Commissioner, at age 70.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice,” the Port Authority said in a statement.

“Admiral Justice was elected in 2014 and has served continuously, including three times as board chairman. He was a champion for the Port, his beloved Coast Guard, and our Port district community. His spirit, enthusiasm, leadership, and passion for the maritime industry will be deeply missed.”

At the Nov. 5 State of the Port address, Commissioner Kevin Markey requested prayers for Justice, who was dealing with health issues.

Elected to the Canaveral Port Authority Commission in 2014, Admiral Justice served the Port Canaveral community with distinction for more than a decade, including three terms as Chairman of the Board.

He was widely respected for his visionary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to advancing the Port and the maritime industry.

During his tenure, Admiral Justice championed numerous initiatives that strengthened Port Canaveral’s role as one of the nation’s leading gateways for commerce, tourism, and maritime operations.

His long and distinguished career in the U.S. Coast Guard provided invaluable experience that guided his decision-making and leadership at the Port.

Colleagues and community members remembered Admiral Justice for his enthusiasm, integrity, and deep passion for public service.

“Admiral Justice’s spirit, enthusiasm, and leadership were unmatched,” the Port Authority said in a statement.

“He was a true champion for the Port, his beloved Coast Guard, and our Port district community. His legacy of service and passion for maritime excellence will be deeply missed.”

His leadership and contributions will leave a lasting mark on Port Canaveral and the broader maritime community.

Retired Rear Admiral Wayne Justice can never complain of having endured a boring job, for his career in the Coast Guard had taken him from captaining anti-drug running ships to assisting the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America.

He had been part of President George H. W. Bush’s wallyball (also known as rebound volleyball) team at Camp David. He has been at the helm of multi-million-dollar drug seizures off the Bahamas.

He rescued thousands of Cuban and Haitian refugees. He was the man literally strapped to the “satchel,” the suitcase that carries the nuclear code for the President of the United States.

Justice’s story began in Staten Island, where his father was a public health physician.

A graduate of the New York City public school system, Justice, like his father, chose public service, earning a degree from the Coast Guard Academy in 1977.

After a stint in fisheries patrol off the coast of New England, Justice was sent to the warmer waters of Florida as head of a 95-foot patrol boat moored in Rivera Beach.

“I’m 23 years old and in command of this boat that is tasked with seizing tons of drugs from Jamaica and the Bahamas,” he said.

“It was madness. We would get rammed by Jamaican mother ships. We shot machine guns. It was absolute cowboys and Indians.”

First On the Scene of Mariel Boatlift

Those “good old days” of the early 1980s law enforcement were soon replaced by even more demanding work, as drugs evolved to more sophisticated options than bulk marijuana, and drug dealers would try to save their valuable cargo from the Coast Guard by using everything from sophisticated secret compartments to semi-submersibles that were almost impossible to detect.

“Our last seizure was a Mexican fishing boat with almost 10 tons of uncut cocaine,” said Justice.

“It was so important that the Mexican government sent a ship to protect us. It was the largest seizure at the time.”

Over the course of his career, Justice’s cutters seized 40-drug smuggling vessels, over 140 tons of marijuana and cocaine, and arrested more than 135 smugglers.

Human cargo was also on Justice’s radar, for his ships patrolled an area of the ocean teeming with refugees.

“The first boat we picked up was the very first Cuban boat from the Mariel boatlift,” he said.

“Cuban families from Miami were also paying cash for these derelict boats to go to Cuba and pick up their relatives, and we had to stop these unsafe vessels. We found a lot of people trying to get out of Cuba. We also found empty rafts.”

The Cubans were not the only ones trying to escape their beleaguered homeland.

“The Haitian refugees were truly in dangerous situations,” said Justice.

“One time, we found 230 Haitians stacked like cordwood in a 50-foot sailboat. The people at the bottom were unconscious or dead. At that point, the Haitians were happy to see us, even though we would take them back to Port au Prince.”

Justice remembers the Christmas of 1989, when the Haitian government, because of the holiday, would not take the 200 of their citizens that Justice and his men had delivered to Haiti’s capital. There was nothing to do but settle back on the boat and wait for the next day.

“We ended up spending a very nice Christmas with them,” said Justice.

Justice was involved in the rescue of more than 4,500 Haitian, Chinese, Ecuadorian and Cuban immigrants.

Justice’s life changed dramatically when the Coast Guard selected him as one of five candidates for the coveted position of military aide to the President of the United States. One representative from each of the military services is assigned to this critical position.

“A White House limo picked me up at the airport and I headed to 30 different interviews for the job,” said Justice.
“They wanted to get a good feel for the type of person you were.”

Justice got the job, and spent the next two years shadowing President George H. W. Bush.

Wherever the President went, Justice went. He lived in the White House and traveled aboard Air Force One to all four corners of the globe.

On weekends, he followed President Bush to Camp David. The job provided an incredible vantage point into the life of the Commander in Chief.

“President Bush loved Camp David,” said Justice.

“After church, he would set up the teams for wallyball games. If you were any good, he put you on his team. If you were not, he would put you on the other team. He didn’t like losing.”

It didn’t matter if a guest was important. If he couldn’t play well, he was “fired” from the “Bush League,” such as was the case with Arnold Schwarzernegger.

“As big and strong as Schwarzernegger was, he couldn’t play volleyball, so he was fired,” said Justice.

Dedicated Public Servant

After retirement in 2010, Justice segued into a career as a maritime consultant and expert witness, providing counsel on maritime issues and expert testimony in maritime cases.

The latest chapter in his life was his job as District 3 Commissioner for Canaveral Port Authority and Chairman.

The Canaveral Port Authority extended its condolences to Admiral Justice’s wife, Barbara, and to his entire family following the news of his passing.

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Judith “Judi” Louise Harden, 85, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Paddington, England, to Louisa and Archibald Downie, Judi’s life was one of adventure, faith, and devotion to family.

At just 18, Judi married the love of her life, Floyd Harden, beginning a journey together as a proud U.S. Navy wife.

Their adventures took them around the world — from Maryland to Rota, Spain, to California and Washington — before eventually settling in Florida, where she spent her later years in Melbourne.

Judi is survived by her beloved husband, Floyd Harden, and her cherished children: Gina Harden, Tina Young (Randy Young), Kimberly Weinberg, and Keri Crisler (Mark Crisler).

She leaves behind her adored grandchildren: Nicole Zundel, Brett Young, Nicolas Weinberg, Alexandria Weinberg, Daniel Weinberg, and Evan Crisler; and great-grandchildren, Ellison and Easton Zundel. She now joins her dear brother Thomas and sister Betty in Heaven.

Judi was a woman of deep faith, strong logic, and endless compassion. She had a gift for listening and offering guidance that was both wise and kind. Her family and friends will remember her as a beacon of positivity—someone who lifted others up and helped them find their path.

She loved music, especially show tunes and the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and passed on her love of singing to generations after her.

She enjoyed sewing, traveling, reading, playing cards, and tracing family history through her passion for genealogy. She was a strong advocate for the proper treatment and care of animals. Her adventures were many, but her heart always came back to family and faith.

Judi’s warmth, humor, and wisdom touched countless lives, and her legacy lives on through those who were blessed to know her. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and loved.

Judi will be interred in a private family service in Cape Canaveral.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Humane Society in Judi’s name HERE.

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Dick Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States, who served two terms under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, died on November 4, 2025, from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family announced. He was 84.

Cheney has been called the most powerful and influential vice president in U.S. history, having taken an unusually active role in the Bush administration as a trusted advisor who pushed for the expansion of presidential power.

Cheney was particularly instrumental in guiding the country’s escalation of the War on Terror following the 9/11 attacks.

He was one of the prime movers behind the creation of the USA Patriot Act, which gave the government more power to identify, monitor, detain, and interrogate individuals suspected of supporting terrorism.

“Dick was a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges,” former President Bush said in a statement.

“I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people.”

Before the vice presidency, Cheney had notable roles in the cabinets of several Republican presidents, dating back to Gerald Ford, for whom he served as chief of staff.

During the Reagan years, he represented Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he quickly rose to become House Minority Whip.

President George H.W. Bush named Cheney the Secretary of Defense, where he became highly influential over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, including the Gulf War of 1991.

Between his tenure at the Pentagon and his time as vice president, Cheney worked in the private sector as chairman of the board and CEO of the oil company Halliburton.

He consistently articulated a pragmatic foreign policy, unafraid to use the United States’s power to advance the nation’s interests abroad.

“The good Lord didn’t see fit to put oil and gas only where there are democratically elected regimes friendly to the United States,” he said in a 1998 speech. “Occasionally, we have to operate in places where, all considered, one would not normally choose to go. But we go where the business is.”

Cheney, a longtime heavy smoker, had heart problems throughout much of his adult life, beginning with his first heart attack at age 37.

He would go on to have four more heart attacks, in addition to undergoing coronary artery bypass in 1988, receiving a stent in 2000, being rushed into coronary balloon angioplasty in 2001, and having a pacemaker installed later in 2001. Cheney received a heart transplant in 2012.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne, and his daughters, Liz, a former U.S. Representative from Wyoming, and Mary.

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – John Raho, 86, of Merritt Island, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and beloved dog Amber, on October 25, 2025.

Born in the Bronx, New York, John grew up in Queens, where he met the love of his life, Audrey, sixty-five years ago. They were married in 1961 and enjoyed a beautiful and exciting life together that would take them from New York to Florida, then California, before returning home to Merritt Island, Florida.

He spent his life devoted to his lovely wife, whom he loved with all his heart. Together they raised three sons: Johnny, Billy, and Frankie, who predeceased him. He was extremely proud of his boys and cherished them immensely.

As a young family, they always had adventures together, whether going to the beach, boating, cross-country road trips, camping in the family Airstream, or, in later years, exploring in one of his many motorhomes with his wife and dogs.

Those adventures created a lifetime of memories that will live on for his wife and children with great fondness and laughter. John had a great sense of humor and warmth that came naturally without effort.

He was an amazing storyteller —very entertaining and funny without trying. People gravitated towards him (maybe more than he would have liked at times), but he was always welcoming to everyone he met!

He was extremely proud of his distinguished career as an aerospace engineer, from his time at Grumman Aircraft on the F-14 Tomcat to his work on the Apollo program’s Lunar LEM. He would later work in Cape Canaveral on the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, and Boeing’s Delta rockets launching satellites before his retirement a decade ago.

He absolutely loved his work and would enjoy pointing out his many contributions to all the programs he had been a part of.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as a cook and received honors for his skill as a sharpshooter and expert marksman. He enjoyed telling his kids stories about his days in the army and they enjoyed hearing them even more (of course told with his great sense of humor, made them very entertaining)!

He enjoyed watching and cheering for his favorite sports teams, the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning, among others. He was also a big muscle car and race fan, a true enthusiast, who always enjoyed working on his cars. His children were relegated to always being there to ‘hold the light’ or go fetch a missing socket; little did they know at the time how much he taught them about working on a car! As a result, his boys inherited his love and passion for cars!

At home, his heart belonged to his many pet dogs over the years, his most recent and loyal companion, Amber, a miniature Schnauzer who followed him everywhere.

Merritt Island also held a very special place in John’s heart, throughout his life, he lived in some wonderful places, however he was most fond of Merritt Island where he enjoyed watching the rocket launches and everything else this great little town has to offer.

One of his greatest joys in life was truly coming home to one of Audrey’s fine gourmet meals she had cooked for him. During the holidays, he would help out in the kitchen, especially preparing homemade pies together. John lived a wonderful life with purpose and strength and was loved by many.

He will be deeply missed by his best friend and beautiful wife, Audrey, his sons Johnny and Billy (wife Wednesday), his grandchildren, Julianna, Johnny, Blake, Brianna, and Jessica. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a local animal rescue in John’s memory.

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BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Gerald Pete Godke passed away on October 23 at home while recuperating from a fall in May. He celebrated his 94th birthday on October 7.

He was survived by his wife, Juanita, of 72 years of marriage; his three daughters: Paula, Sharon, and Sherry; and his grandchildren: Katie, Tina, Sean, and Jen. He was also blessed to know his five great-grandchildren: Weston, Cason, Penelope, Peter, and Colleen.

He was told he was a Florida native, but was born in Kewanee, IL, in 1931. His parents, Paul and Ann Godke, were looking for a better life for their boys, Dale and Pete.

They settled in Cocoa Beach, where they ran the Ocean Lodge, a hotel that was located on the site of Coconuts restaurant. He always had stories about life on Cocoa Beach during World War II and his father being the first voter in Cocoa Beach.

Pete’s school life took him by bus, driving on a one-lane bridge to Cocoa, which started on Minuteman Causeway. At Cocoa High School, Pete enjoyed a successful athletic career on the football team.

He enlisted in the Air Force and became an OSI (Office of Special Investigations) Agent. During his military years, he married and had three daughters.

Upon retiring after 20 years, he became the operator of his parents’ Hallmark Gift Shop, Ann-Lias, in Cocoa Beach. Pete and Juanita became the store’s owners, and it became a mainstay on the beach. Over the next 36 years, he and Juanita worked hard to make the store very successful.

Pete was a man of ethics and morals. He attended the Lutheran Church and had a strong Christian faith.  In the military, Pete learned life lessons, including teamwork, integrity in your work, and respect for people. These values were instilled in their children.

Even at the very end, Dad always wanted people to know that he appreciated them and they meant a lot to him. These included my mom, family members, and people who interacted with him at his house and through the store.

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Daljit and his partners launched the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard, where they introduced therapies and technologies previously available only at major academic medical centers.

Daljit Singh Saini, a pioneering medical physicist, humanitarian, and devoted family man, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025, at the age of 76. Born in rural Punjab, India, he rose from humble beginnings—growing up in a village without electricity until his college years—to become a leader in radiation therapy and cancer care in Central Florida.

From his early training at PGI Chandigarh and the Bhabha Atomic Research Center outside Mumbai, Daljit carried his passion for medical physics across the ocean, arriving in Boston in 1974. There, he began his distinguished tenure at Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital, where his expertise and compassion quickly earned him recognition.

During this time, his work drew the attention of the U.S. Air Force, which offered him an elevated commission, and of colleagues who recommended him for accelerated admission to Tufts Dental School. He declined both, choosing instead to remain true to his first calling: medical physics and the fight against cancer.

After his years in Boston, Daljit continued his work at Tampa General Hospital. His life entered another defining chapter when he moved to Melbourne, Florida, to help launch the Radiation Oncology Department at Holmes Regional Hospital, laying the foundation for advanced cancer care on the Space Coast.

From there, Daljit and his partners launched the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard, where they introduced therapies and technologies that had previously been available only at major academic medical centers. Together, they were among the first in the region to deliver advanced radiation techniques and innovative treatment approaches that expanded access for patients across the Space Coast.

With both scientific rigor and deep compassion, they cared for tens of thousands during their years of practice, and the centers they established continue to serve thousands more each year, carrying forward their legacy even after their retirement.

Daljit’s life was also defined by seva—the Sikh concept of selfless service, offered without desire for recognition or reward. Through Cancer Care Centers of Brevard’s charitable arm, Daljit and his partners provided free cancer care, ensuring no one was left behind.

Together with his closest friend and partner, and supported by a wider circle of colleagues, they went on to establish multiple hospitals and clinics across rural India, transforming regions where modern healthcare had once been out of reach.

What began as a shared dream grew into a network of healing spaces—places where advanced medicine met compassion, and where families who had long been underserved could finally receive dignity, care, and hope.

His commitment to seva also extended to his faith community. As one of the central founders of the Sikh Society of Central Florida, Daljit helped establish a spiritual and cultural home for Sikh families across the region. The Society became a place of worship, fellowship, and service—a living expression of the Sikh principles he embodied throughout his life.

He also led dedicated teams that organized medical camps across India, supported orphanages for children displaced by terrorism and conflict, and coordinated relief efforts to assist in disasters that struck communities across the nation and abroad.

Though he often shouldered much of the burden himself, he preferred to remain just adjacent to the spotlight, ensuring that the focus stayed on the mission and the people being served rather than on his own role.

Beyond these efforts, Daljit quietly poured his energy into countless other projects—large and small—that carried hope and healing to those who needed it most.

One of his greatest passions was helping people find their path. He mentored countless students and young professionals, guiding many toward their first jobs, making introductions, and building networks that allowed others to thrive. He loved connecting people, believing that relationships were the true foundation of progress and service.

Just as naturally, he extended the same spirit of care to his own community—offering quiet acts of generosity, whether through a kind word, a thoughtful connection, or a simple gift placed in the right hands at the right time. His guiding belief was simple yet profound: “Every act, no matter how small, must carry your personal stamp of excellence.”

Daljit is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Sukhvinder Saini, whose steadfast love and strength were the foundation of his life and service. Together they raised two sons, Vikram and Robin, and welcomed their daughters-in-law, Sonya and Monica, into the family.

Daljit was a proud and loving grandfather to Vikram and Sonya’s children—Zara, with whom he shared a uniquely special bond, and twins Dillon and Shaan. He also eagerly awaited the arrival of Robin and Monica’s first child this December.

He also leaves behind two sisters and two brothers, as well as countless nieces and nephews— each of whom has achieved significant personal and professional acclaim, and who continue striving to make their own mark in the world, inspired by Daljit’s example of service, excellence, and integrity. He took great joy in celebrating their milestones, encouraging their ambitions, and reminding them that family was both a source of strength and a responsibility to uplift one another.

In truth, much of the Saini family’s presence and progress in the United States can be traced to Daljit’s vision and perseverance. He worked tirelessly to bring family members over, help them establish themselves, and guide them toward opportunity. His constant encouragement and unwavering support for education became the foundation for the next generation’s success.

Today, the family includes physicists, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, lawyers, executives, and law enforcement officers—a testament to his role as the pioneer of their journey, and to the doors he quietly opened for others.

To all who knew him, Daljit was like a great banyan tree. His roots ran deep in faith and humility, his branches stretched wide to shelter and guide, and his strength gave rise to new trunks— generations of family, colleagues, and community who now stand tall because of the foundation he provided.

His presence offered shade, stability, and inspiration, and his legacy will continue to grow outward, touching lives far beyond his own.
Daljit’s life was a testament to the Sikh principles of Naam Japna (remembering God), Kirat Karni (honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others). His legacy of compassion, service, and excellence will continue to inspire generations.

As the Sikh prayer reminds us: “Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhaane Sarbat da Bhala”—In remembering the Divine, may we remain in high spirits and work for the welfare of all.

Daljit’s light will live on in the countless lives he touched, the institutions he built with others, the missions he carried forward alone, and the family he so deeply loved. It will also endure in the hearts of those he cared for, the many he connected and uplifted, and even in the lives of those who met him only briefly—for his presence left a lasting impression of kindness, wisdom, and grace.

Daljit would rather we spend our energy on doing something good for our fellow man and our communities than on mourning his passing—carrying forward his belief that service, in even the smallest acts, is the truest measure of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Khalsa Aid in his Honor HERE.

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Steve Tuller, 86, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, due to complications from a recent surgery. He previously resided in DuBois, PA, from 1999 until 2019, when he and his wife relocated to the Indian River Colony Club in Florida.

He was born April 18, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY, graduated from James Madison High School in 1956, and immediately entered the United States Coast Guard as a seaman recruit.

While serving on active duty, he earned a bachelor’s degree in administration from George Washington University and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.

He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 03 in 1977 and subsequently returned to the organization as a civilian, serving in various management positions at Coast Guard Headquarters. In 1987, he was named Chief of the Health and Safety Division of the Pacific Area, USCG, from which he retired in 1999.

His passion was the Coast Guard, but he derived tremendous pleasure from sharing his knowledge and love of flags with all he met. As a vexillologist, he possessed over 150 flags representing nations, states, the military, and history, among others. All could be seen flying at some time below Old Glory on his front and rear flagpoles.

In addition, he devoted numerous hours in retirement to community involvement, serving on the Treasure Lake Board of Directors and later as a board member of the Indian River Colony Club.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Tuller of Melbourne, and a brother, Michael Tuller, and spouse, Elena of Brooklyn, NY, along with a nephew Ezra, his wife, Miriam, and their six children.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors on November 3, 2025, at 1130 in the Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL, with Rabbi Patricia Hickman officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow on November 22, 2025, in his beloved community of Indian River Colony Club, Melbourne, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, suggested memorial donations include the Indian River Colony Club Foundation, 1936 Freedom Drive, Melbourne, FL 32940, or the charity of your choice.

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Lucy was employed by the Brevard County Schools, working at both Gardendale Elementary and Lewis Carroll Elementary. She worked at Lewis Carroll until her retirement.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Lucy Catherine McCoy, 98, a 62-year resident of Merritt Island, FL, passed away October 2, 2025, in Rockledge, FL.

She was born February 26, 1927, in Welch, West Virginia, to the late William L Hearn and Ruth Phaup Hearn. Lucy was a graduate of Chattaroy High School, Chattaroy, West Virginia.

Lucy was employed by the Brevard County Schools, working at both Gardendale Elementary and Lewis Carroll Elementary. She worked at Lewis Carroll until her retirement.

Lucy was an avid fan of football and basketball, both professional and college, as well as local. She was a Merritt Island High School football booster for many years. She loved her plants, her many close and dear friends, and her family.

She was a longtime member of Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach, FL, where she enjoyed many friends.

Lucy is survived by her daughters, Cathy Rigby of Rockledge, FL, and Terri Whitlock of Vero Beach, FL. Grandchildren: Trevor Rigby, Rockledge, FL; Timothy Rigby, Palm Bay, FL; Courtney Hunter, Lithia, FL. Great-grandchildren, Cody Hunter, Jackson Hunter, Aubrey Hunter, Eden, and Quinn Rigby, and nephew Michael Kirtner.

Memorial Service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church, Cocoa Beach, FL, on November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

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John Curtis Branum, a devoted follower of Christ, has entered into the heavenly gates. He was born in Bruce Mississippi and served in the United States Air Force.

He enjoyed a long career in the Space Program working for NASA, McDonald Douglas, and Lockheed, and earlier at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama.

JC was known for his energy, friendliness, dependability, faithfulness, integrity, and leadership. He enjoyed birdwatching and growing beautiful plants, especially bromeliads.

He also enjoyed building things from wood to make his home welcoming. He was always ready to go on an adventure with his grandchildren. He was an expert in the kitchen and the grill, especially steak, black-eyed peas, and biscuits.

He was always up for a cruise, or a plane or road trip. Part of his legacy is his 40-yearlong guidance of his Family Life Group at his church, Park Avenue Baptist Church, of which he was a charter member.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years Carolyn Branum, his son, John M. Branum (Pam) of New Braunfels TX, daughter Gail Cascio (Mark) of Rockledge, his stepson Damon Nelson (Lanay) of Titusville, his stepdaughter Charlotte Snyder (Bill) of Little Rock Arkansas, eight grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Ann Cotton Branum.

The memorial service will be held at Park Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Canaveral Port Ministry.

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Joanne Corinne Newton Furman Youngblood, 91, was born December 7, 1933, in Batavia, NY, and died October 13, 2025, in Rockledge, Florida.

Her parents, Albert and Corinne Newton, predeceased her, as did her beloved son, Rick Youngblood, JR.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Hank, of 62 years, and children: Connie Hayes (Ralph), Theresa Clifton (Mike Bowden), Mike Youngblood (Linda), and Tom Furman (Jaqui), and numerous grand and great-grandchildren.

A Brevard resident since 1945, she graduated from Cocoa High School in 1952. She received her Realtor license (Pruitt and Trafford Realty) and served as board secretary of Space Coast Assn of Realtors.

She was a SNAP site coordinator for Community Services Council (now Aging Matters of Brevard) and received the 1999 Employee of the Year award.

She retired as Office Manager of Cocoa Main Street, then served as secretary/treasurer, and subsequently received the 2005 Volunteer of the Year award for her instrumental vision in the restoration of Darby Street Chapel in Cocoa.

She loved to travel the world and was a member of Canaveral Squares, Brevard Historical Society, Mosquito Beaters, Kiwanis, and Brevard Humane Society.

Her celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, in the Life Center at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge: visitation 2:30 p.m., service 3:30 p.m. Donations to the Brevard Humane Society, 1020 Cox Rd., Cocoa, FL 32926 are suggested in lieu of flowers.

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Constance ‘Conni’ Ann Diehl (Merritt), age 60, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born December 15, 1964, on a U.S. Army base in Giessen, Germany, Constance was the cherished youngest child of Sylvester A. Merritt Jr. and Cozette Merritt. An army brat who moved often as a child, she and her family settled in Iowa during her teenage years, where she later started her family before moving to Florida in 2005.

Constance earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Paralegal Certification and later became a business owner.

She delighted in life’s small pleasures: laughter, reading, caring for the many pets who shared her home, traveling and camping with her husband and being a devoted mother and Mimi to her grandchildren.

Constance was a devout Christian whose faith guided every part of her life. A faithful member of her church, she found comfort and purpose in prayer, Scripture, and service. Her quiet witness, hospitality, and commitment to caring for others reflected her deep trust in God and her desire to live out Christ’s love each day.

Constance lived up to the words of Proverbs 31:25–26: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

Constance poured herself into her family and community, raising four children and finding great joy in the company of her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her warmth, steady strength, generous spirit, and loving presence.

Constance loved mentoring others, serving her community, planning family gatherings, telling stories from her childhood to her kids and grandchildren with her miraculous memory, and creating new memories that will be treasured for generations.

She is survived by her husband, Doug Diehl; her mother, Cozette Merritt (Lafave); her children Mallory (Gary) Johnson, Megan (Frank) Ingo, Samantha (Desmond) Newbold, and Hunter McCoy; grandchildren Kendall and Kingston Johnson, Jamison and McKinley Ingo, Novalee and Malakai Newbold, and Shersha McCoy; sister Colette Dreke; brother Christopher Merritt; uncle Kenneth Lafave and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Sylvester A. Merritt Jr., her uncles and grandparents.

Flowers may be sent to Discover Life Church. Please send cards to 1025 Dorchester Road, NW, Palm Bay, FL 32907.

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HOT OFF THE PRESS! October 13, 2025 Space Coast Daily News – Brevard County’s Best Newspaper

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