OBITUARIES

May 27, 2025

**In Loving Memory of Tracy Jones**

**Queen of the Castle, Devoted Animal Whisperer, and Photographer of Magic**

It is with deep sorrow and love that we announce the unexpected passing of Tracy Jones on May 27, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, at the age of 55.

Tracy leaves behind a world that’s a little dimmer without her light, and a family she loved. She...

May 9, 2025

Born on December 28th, 1941, Albert William Frazier, Jr., “Bill”, left this Earth and was welcomed into his heavenly home on Friday, May 9, 2025. His transition was peaceful, and he was surrounded by family. He was 83.

Bill was born into a lively, musical family and one of faith. From an early age he learned to play the piano and...

May 10, 2025

Hollis Hamilton Hooks died Saturday, May 10, 2025. He was born on June 3, 1950, in Lakeland, FL, to Mr. Homer Hooks and Mrs. Mary Hooks. He attended Southwest Elementary School, Southwest Junior High School, and graduated from Lakeland Senior High School. He went on to attend Mercer University in Macon, GA, where he was a member of Alpha Tau...

May 31, 2025

May 31, 2025

May 27, 2025

Hugh C. Smith, born March 8, 1940, passed away on May 27, 2025. A loving husband and devoted father of three, Hugh lived a life marked by unwavering positivity and a commitment to encouraging those around him. His kindness, infectious optimism, and steadfast support touched all who had the privilege of knowing him. A storyteller by nature, he shared his...

May 26, 2025

May 25, 2025

Edward Jonas Hammerberg, Jr, age 78, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025. He was born on March 4, 1947, in Flint, MI, to Edward and Priscilla Hammerberg.

Ed was the third eldest and first son of eight children. From an early age he loved sports and excelled at basketball. From shooting hoops off the side of the house as a boy,...

May 24, 2025

May 24, 2025

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Ana Margarita Hasert passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, with her devoted husband by her side. She was 60 years old.

Ana was born on October 3, 1964, in Jovellanos, Cuba, to Jose Luis Salvador Argaluza Montenegro and Adela Guillermina Pelay Garcia. In 1969, Ana and her family immigrated to the United States, settling...

May 20, 2025

May 19, 2025

J. Michael (“Mike”) Ertel, 77, of St. Pete, FL, passed away on May 19, 2025. He leaves behind his loving wife of over 40 years, Patricia (“Pat,” nee Fledderman) Ertel; daughters Heather Drockelman of Asheville, NC, Robyn (Bryan) Werner of Greenwood, IN and Kathryn (Scott) Barajas of Carmel, IN; and five adoring grandchildren, Jackson Werner, Benjamin Werner, Elyse Barajas, Colin...

May 19, 2025

Frances I Jones Byrne passed away on May 19, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

She was born on January 15, 1935, to Vassie C Jones and Rev Dallas L Jones in Madison FL.

Frances and family moved to Lakeland FL after her graduation from Umatilla High School in 1953. Her father retired from the FL Conf of the United Methodist...

May 19, 2025

Elizabeth “Beth” Greer Pfleger, 58, of Lakeland passed away Monday, May 19, at her home. She was born to Carl and Carol Higginbotham in Chicago, Illinois on March 22nd, 1967, and adopted by Louis and Veronica Ward 10 days later. The family moved to Lakeland, Fl in August of 1978.

Beth graduated from Lakeland High School in 1986 and went on...

May 15, 2025

May 11, 2025

May 9, 2025

Marjorie Cameron Armstrong passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025, at the age of 99. She had suffered a stroke earlier that week. She was born Marjorie Virginia Cameron in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1926, to Harold Layton Cameron and Thelma Kathryn True, who both predeceased her. She was one of four children of the couple....

May 4, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Jared Pierce Cline announces his peaceful passing in his sleep on May 4, 2025. Jared was born December 18, 1986. He was 38 years old. Jared was a lifelong resident of Lakeland, Florida.

 His parents are Raymond E. and Monica Pierce Cline. He graduated from the Polk State Collegiate High School with...