The Stuart News from Stuart, Florida • 22

SCRIPPS TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2006 DEATHS ELSEWHERE Frank Spain, broadcasting pioneer, dies BY CHARLIE REED charlie.reed@scripps.com Broadcasting pioneer Frank Spain, who catapulted the Treasure Coast into the world of local television news, died Tuesday. He was 78. Spain, a part-time Hobe Sound resident, had briefly taken ill before passing away in Tupelo, Miss. In 1976, he bought the CBS affiliate WTVX-Channel 34 in Fort Pierce and spent $6 million upgrading the facility, most notably erecting a tower in Palm City. "Under his ownership, the station became a major player.

Channel 34 dominated the Treasure Coast," former news anchor Jim Holmes said. "It was the only station then and now in the history of the Treasure Coast to concentrate on the four-county area," said Holmes, now manager of public radio station WQCS in Fort Pierce. WTVX lost its CBS affiliation Jan. 1, 1989, and local newscasts went off the air eight months later, according to the station's last anchor, Curt Fonger, who now anchors the evening news at CBS affiliate WPEC in West Palm Beach. "We tried to make a go of it as an independent," Fonger said.

"Frank found it was just too expensive, and that's what he told us." Fonger remembers Spain's tearful good-bye after the last newscast at Channel 34 in August 1989. "It was a loss," Fonger said. Although all three local network affiliates cover the Treasure Coast, "it's not as good as a station based in the Treasure Coast." The station changed hands several times and is now owned by Paramount-Viacom and is an affiliate of the UPN network. Born in North Lewisburg, Ohio, on Nov. 29, 1927, Spain graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in electrical engineering at age 19.

From there he went on to work for NBC in New York and Washington, where he helped develop color television in the 1950s. In 1957, he founded what is now WTVA in Tupelo and later went on to own another station in Mississippi and one in Flagstaff, along with WTVX. Helen Jordan, 99, music teacher BY DANIEL J. WAKIN New York Times Helen Hobbs Jordan, an exacting and tart-tongued music teacher who instructed generations of performers in ear training and theory, including Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler and Tony Bennett, died on Wednesday at her suite in the Salisbury Hotel, 'near Carnegie Hall. She was 99.

Jordan left no immediate survivors, said Mary Jo Kaplan, a friend and former student, but her family was huge: a legion of devoted former pupils who tended to her needs. One volunteered as her doctor, another as her accountant, another as her money manager. Others brought groceries and took her to dinner. Early last year, as Jordan's money began running out, the group put on a benefit concert that raised more than $40,000, including large checks from Midler and Bennett. For more than 50 years, Jordan taught sight singing, score reading and other fundamentals.

But she also drummed in different sorts of lessons, like the importance of decorum, honesty and the pursuit of perfection. "I don't tolerate errors," an elegantly dressed Jordan said in an interview with The New York Times in January 2005. "If you have a brain, for God's sake, use it." Her students included the guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Gene Bertoncini; the singers Lesley Gore and Paul Simon; and the actor and director Carl Reiner. Future stars and those who were already stars came to her to polish the basics. Melissa Manchester said Flowers Focir, Call, stop by or visit us online.

www.flowersbysusan.com PORT ST. LUCIE Clarence Embry Abell Clarence Embry Abell, 71, died April 27, 2006, in Port St. Lucie. He was born in Evansville, and lived in St. Lucie County since 1960.

He was a dentist in Fort Pierce for 35 years. He was the first golf coach at Indian River Community College. He was the former president of Indian Hills Golf and Country Club: and past president of St. Lucie County Dental Asso- ciates. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Janie Abell of Port St.

Lucie; daughter, Kaki Mizialko of Chicago; son, David Abell of Pinehurst, N.C.; sister, Susan Buchanan of Tubac, and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a baby girl. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anastasia Grade School Building Fund, 407 S. 33rd Fort Pierce, FL 34947.

SERVICES: A service will be at 10 a.m. May 1 at St Anastasia Catholic Church, Fort Pierce. A guest book may be signed through www.haisleyfuneralhome.com. PORT ST LUCIE Robert Dickmann Robert Ronald Dickmann, 80, died April 27, 2006, at Treasure Coast Hospice. He was born in Rockford, and moved to Port St.

Lucie seven years ago, coming from Miami and Oak Hill. Before retirement, he was an electrician and a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 349. He served in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Lillian Lupinacci Dickmann of Port St. Lucie; sons, Mike Dickmann and Bobby Dickmann, both of Southwest Ranches; daughter, Charlene Mosesso of Sterling, brother, William Dickmann of Port St.

Lucie; sisters, Dorie Clendening and Phyllis Gridley, both of Rockford; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Dickmann. Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospices, 2500 Virginia Avenue, Suite 202, Fort Pierce, FL 34981. SERVICES: A memorial service will be 1 p.m. May 1 at Yates Funeral Home chapel in Port St.

Lucie. STUART Nellie Ferrell Nellie Ferrell, 85, died April 27, 2006, at Treasure Coast Hospices in Stuart. She was born in Goodwill, W.Va., and lived in Stuart for 20 years, coming from Bluefield, W.Va. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Grace Methodist Church, Bluefield Rescue Squad Auxiliary and the Women's Home Demonstration, all in Bluefield.

Survivors include daughter, Donna Frazier of Stuart; sister, Garnett Peregonov of Arlington, four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Archie Glenn Ferrell. Renate's FABRICS NEW Come See Us! Indrio Plaza Crossings (772) 464-7088 OBITUARY GUIDELINES The News welcomes local obituaries and will print them without charge. We reserve the right to edit them to conform with newspaper style. Obituaries should be submitted by funeral homes.

Please include a telephone number so we can confirm information with them. E-mail unpaid obituaries to The deadline for an unpaid obituary is 4:30 p.m. on the day before publication. If the family wishes, the News also accepts paid obituaries that will appear as they are written. Paid obituaries appear on the obituary page separately from the other obituaries.

Paid obituaries must be placed with the classified ad department, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For next-day publication, the deadline is 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon on Friday.

For publication Sunday or Monday, the deadline is 2:30 p.m. Friday. Holiday deadlines vary. E-mail all paid obituaries to and include the telephone number of the funeral home for confirmation. The News cannot accept paid obituaries on weekends or holidays.

For more information, call toll free (877) 247-2407. SERVICES: Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. April the Chapel of Martin Home Crematory, with a service at 11 a.m. the Rev. L.C.

Campbell ing. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens, West ginia. Out-of-state ments are by Seaver Home, Princeton, W.Va. FORT PIERCE Carroll E. Gruwell Carroll E.

Gruwell, 80, a died April 26, 2006, at his home in Fort Pierce. He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and lived in Fort Pierce since 1953, coming from Ottumwa. He was a veteran of World War I1, serving as a gunner with the Army Air Corps in the 8th Air Force. Before retirement, he was a beekeeper. Survivors include sons, Billie Bob Gruwell of Milledgeville, and Larry Gruwell of Fort Pierce; six grandchil- dren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane Gruwell, and a sister, Darlene Dukes. SERVICES: Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. April 30 at Yates Funeral Home in Fort Pierce. A service will be held at noon May 1 at the funeral home chapel with the Rev. W.

L. Cooley officiating. Burial will follow at White City Cemetery. OKEECHOBEE Phyllis A. Mead Phyllis A.

Mead, 76, died April 26, 2006, at her home. She was born in Norwalk, and moved to Okeechobee 19 years ago, coming from Davie. Before retirement, she was an assembler for Motorola for 18 years in Fort Lauderdale. She was of the Episcopal faith and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Okeechobee. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Henry S.

Mead of Okeechobee; sons, Wayne S. Mead of Bradford, and Jeffrey M. Mead of Mobile, daughter, Cindy L. Salcedo of Hollywood; five grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. SERVICES: Arrangements are by Aycock Funeral Home, Port St.

Lucie. Grave Spaces Premium Spaces In Local Cemeteries Mausoleum Mausoleum Niches In Ground Lots Priced Well Below Current Prices Of Proceeds Will Benefit Hospices Of The Treasure Coast For Information Call: 1 veterans Cremation Burial Society 772-219-7522 www.veteransfuneralcare.com 40 E. Osceola Stuart, FL Stay Where Your Memories Live OFF Grave Spaces SAVE OFF Mausoleum up to $580. Crypts SAVE OFF Niches Cremation up to 127.30. Interest FREE Financing Rolling Oaks Cemetery Mon.

Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 2200 SW Del Rio Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953 (772) 873-2441 Offer Expires Pre-need only will be 29 in Funeral Stuart, with officiatRoselawn Virarrange- Funeral HOBE SOUND John W.

Meyer John W. Meyer, 89, died April 28, 2006, at Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart. He was born in Garden City, N.Y., and lived in Hobe Sound for 26 years, coming from Bayport, N.Y. He worked at Mariner Sands Country Club for 20 years as a golf starter. He served in the Navy.

Survivors include daughter, Cynthia Gates of Williamsburg, sons, Charles Meyer and John Meyer, both of Hobe Sound; three grandchildren; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Adelade Meyer. Memorial contributions may be made to may be made to Treasure Coast Hospices Foundation, 1201 S.E. Indian Street Stuart, FL. 34996.

SERVICES: Arrangements are by All County Funeral Home Crematory, Stuart. Helen Territo Happy Birthday Mom Gigi We all love and miss you. Tina, Vic, Robert, Rene', Hank and Ellymay FRANK JOSEPH SABATELLI, JR. Frank Joseph Sabatelli, 70, of Lucie, FL passed Wednesday, April 26 at St. Lucie Medical Center, Port St.

Lucie, FL. He was born in Jackson Heights, NY to Frank and Marie Sabatelli. and had been a resident of Port St. Lucie for the coming from Westchester, NY. He was predeceased by a brother, Phillip Sabatelli.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the US Navy Sea Bees. Prior to retirement he was the Owner and Manager of Trucking in Queens, NY, a family owned business. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church of Port St. Lucie, FL, the Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy of Port St.

Lucie, the Moose and The Elks Club of St. Lucie West. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Sabatelli, of Port St. Lucie, FL, 2 daughters Theresa Simon of Whitetown, NY and Laura Dee of Boca Raton, FL, a son, Sabatelli of Boca Raton, FL, 2 stepsons, Lawrence Richardson of Deer Park, NY and David Richardson of White Plains, NY. a stepdaughter Sheri Richman of Exton, PA.

He was also the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren. Friends may call from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM Sunday, April 30 at Aycock Funeral Home, Port St. Lucie, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 AM Monday, May 1 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church of Port St.

Lucie, FL. Entombment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, FL Paid Obituary she studied sight singing with Jordan in the early 1970s. "I was just so impressed by her strength and character and her desire for excellence," Manchester said. "That's what she wanted for her students. I was sort of sloppy around the edges regarding my musicianship.

But she kept me humble and clear-sighted in terms of really not compromising." Jordan carved out a niche among jingle singers, teaching them how to walk into a studio and immediately master a singing line, without rehearsal, during expensive recording sessions. "She taught the top," said Kaplan, a producer at Showtime. For years Jordan conducted classes at Steinway Hall in Manhattan. She self-published more than a dozen books laying out her method. Helen Hobbs was born in Topeka, on April 6, 1907.

Her father, Charles Hobbs, was later elected Kansas insurance commissioner, and her mother, Emma Swisher, taught piano. Ad Created At The Request of The Advertiser LL0083 26L8-ObE 3DM IS 8598-887 NIXOW 01810313 Sunrise City (C.H.D.O.) Storm Shutter Division Storm Protection INSTALLED in Days, "Not Months" We have the We Have the Manpower! 772 772-260-0030 Assist 2 Sell PLAZA REALTY 772-335-0016 We'll List Sell Your Home for MM Buying Selling, or CALL 1 Closing "FULL SERVICE WITH A2SPlazaRealty.com Service Beyond Expectation ONE WORD ABOUT FUNERALS. SIMPLICITY. In today's fast-moving and complex world, reducing the complicated task of arranging a funeral or cremation service to three simple choices has been met with gratitude by families across North America. Each Dignity Memorial plan comes with a Service Guarantee, plus transferability of prearrangements to more than 1,400 affiliates in the U.S.

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