OBITUARIES

Feb 6, 2026

Ronnie Groover, 73, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born on April 11, 1952, in Pensacola, Florida, to Maude Frances Ryals and Robert Osbourne Groover.

Ronnie was married to Marie “Karla” Groover, and they resided in Lakeland. He worked at Joiner Lumber and VISTE. Ronnie enjoyed cooking, fishing, bonfires, and loved...

Feb 10, 2026

Feb 10, 2026

Feb 9, 2026

Feb 8, 2026

Feb 3, 2026

Brian Keith “BK” Humphrey, age 66, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on February 3, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 23, 1959, in Alton, Illinois, to Don and Margaret Humphrey, who both preceded him in death.

Brian grew up on his family’s farm in Belleview, Missouri. He was well loved and had a natural gift for...

Feb 2, 2026

Feb 2, 2026

Jan 31, 2026

Jan 29, 2026

Joseph Alan Moon, born January 2, 1949, in Peru, Indiana, was the beloved son of Milford S. and Virginia Marie Moon. He grew up alongside his sisters, Nancy Clark (deceased) and Cathy D’Amato, and spent his early childhood in Indiana before the family moved to Florida when he was ten, following his father’s work with the Railroad. The Moons lived...

Jan 23, 2026

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Douglas Rowan Collins, of Lakeland, Florida, formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan, on January 23, 2026, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother.

Doug was born May 27, 1941, in Marshall, Michigan, to Milo Sr. and L. Jeanette (Pat) Collins. Doug was married to the love of his life, Betty (DeVoll)...

Jan 19, 2026

Andrew Boleslaw Zakrzewski passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Born in Warsaw, Poland, he immigrated to the USA as a teenager. He graduated from Brookyln College before serving as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He went on to the FBI before landing a long career with Flight Safety International as a flight instructor and Director of...

Jan 19, 2026

November 12, 1944 – January 19, 2026

Barbara Marie Zarbatany, age 81, of Lakeland, passed away on January 19, 2026, following medical complications after battling breast cancer.

She was born on November 12, 1944, in New York, New York. In 1986, Barbara moved from Miami to Lakeland, where she began her long and dedicated career at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She worked...

Jan 18, 2026

John Howard Surber, age 94 of Lakeland, passed away on January 18, 2026.

He was born November 7, 1931, in New York, NY. He moved to Lakeland from Chicago in 1976 while employed with International Minerals & Chemical Corporation. He was married to his high school sweetheart Ernestine Hackney, in Nashville, TN on September 18, 1954. They lived in Nashville TN,...

Jan 17, 2026

Tom Howard, affectionately known as “Pappy and Grandpa Tommy,” passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January17, 2026. Tom was born on March 1,1935 in Ellenton, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurie Sarah Keever and Guy Cummings Howard, and half-sister Gypsie Adams.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Denise; daughters Terry Medeiros (late...

Jan 13, 2026

Jan 13, 2026

Jan 11, 2026

Edgar Hoyt Maddox (72), born December 21, 1953, passed away on January 11, 2026. Born in Dade City Florida to Albert and Leola Maddox. Edgar is proceeded in death by his parents Albert and Leola, his brothers Harold Maddox and Albert Ferril Maddox.

Edgar is survived by his daughter Stacey Register and her fiancé Jerry Whitehouse, his granddaughter Bridget, his grandson...

Jan 10, 2026

James John (Aloysius) Curtis went home on January 10th, 2026, at 82 years young, in his home of Lakeland, FL. Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois to Arthur and Caroline (Abbedietto) Curtis. Jim completed the tenth grade, then entered into the military where he dutifully served his country. After serving in the military, Jim entered into the workforce where he...

Jan 9, 2026

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.

Kathryn Jackson Kaiser, 89, of Lakeland, FL, left us to be with her beloved Tom on January 9, 2026, from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on February 3, 1936, in Scott County, TN and is preceded in death by her...