OBITUARIES

Mar 30, 2025

Sharon Gordy of Lakeland passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on March 30, 2025. She was born on September 6, 1940, in Clewiston, FL. 

Sharon was a Registered Nurse for 35 years. She worked at and retired from Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Previous to that she was the Director/Kindergarten teacher at Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 

Sharon...

Mar 29, 2025

Judy Harris Cline, age 84 passed away peacefully at her home in Lakeland, Florida surrounded by her loved ones on March 29, 2025. She was a loving, generous and fearless woman.

A third-generation Floridian, Judy was born to Eric and Rosalee Harris in Lakeland Florida, on August 5th, 1940.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Marlin Funk, her sister Mary...

Mar 26, 2025

Mary Edna Slaga (Smith) passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025. She was born on July 23, 1941, in Heber Springs AR.

Mary Edna was a devoted wife and mother. She graduated from The University of Arkansas where she was a Zeta Tau Alpha. Mary Edna loved her family, often talking about vacation trips and family gatherings which created everlasting memories.

Mary...

Mar 25, 2025

Herbert Benjamin Hamic, 96, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025. Born on March 19, 1929, in Rising Fawn, Georgia, to William R. and Marjorie Brooks Hamic, Herb's life was defined by dedication, integrity, and love for his family and friends.

In 1940, his family moved to Dunnellon, Florida, where he spent his formative years. After graduating high...

Mar 25, 2025

Beverly Maxine Thompson Sylvester, age 98, of Lakeland, Florida, passed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland. She was born at home on March 20, 1927, in Randolf, Maine to Erroll and Ruby Corbin Thompson. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great - great grandmother whose love, acceptance, and listening ear touched all...

Mar 16, 2025

Mary Smith Howell, age 99, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025, at her home in Lutz, Florida, surrounded by her loved ones.

A fourth-generation Floridian, she was born to Lawrence L. Smith, and Edna L Hays, on December 30, 1925, in Medulla, Florida. Her passion was in preserving Florida history and sharing stories from her days as a space pioneer,...

Mar 16, 2025

Steven was born in Hampton Virginia and grew up in Lakeland Florida with his three brothers and enjoyed fishing, hunting and photography. He graduated from Stetson University and in 1991 married Katy Buckner and they lived happily in Clearwater. He was in law enforcement as a Pinellas County Deputy and a Code Enforcement Officer in Indian Rocks Beach. In later...

Mar 12, 2025

Donna Mae Severson Bebber, 99, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, with loved ones by her side.

Donna was born on December 12, 1925, in Soldier, Iowa.

Donna graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and her Master’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Alabama. There, she met the love of...

Mar 10, 2025

Richard Leonard Huggins passed away at 86 in Lakeland, Florida, Monday, March 10, 2025. He was born to the late Gerald Richard Huggins and Josephine Leonard Huggins on August 29, 1938, in Wheeling, West Virginia and was raised in nearby Wellsburg, West Virginia on the Ohio River.

Dick met his first wife, then Joy Scott, in the 6th grade. They married...

Mar 8, 2025

Our dear mother Lucy Marie Bono sadly passed away on Saturday March 8, 2025, at the age of 90. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance.

Born in New Jersey and raised on a farm to Italian parents, she later moved with them to Flushing in Queens, New...

Mar 6, 2025

Marie Louise “Weezie” Vreeland was welcomed into the arms of her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 6, 2025. Weezie was born on Friday, September 13, 1946, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to her parents, Ruth E. and Richard A. Stroud, who, along with her sister, Judy Chesley, predeceased her. Her first name is actually two words, Marie Louise, but...

Mar 5, 2025

Timothy Michael Barbeck, a man whose heart belonged to the sun and the natural world, passed away peacefully on March 5,2025. He was 48 years old. Tim served his country with honor and distinction as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, a commitment he held dear and a testament to his unwavering patriotism. He loved the camaraderie of...

Mar 5, 2025

Jan (Wegman) Katenkamp, 80, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away on March 5, 2025. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 7, 1944, she grew up on a farm on Guerley Road, graduated from Seton High School and lived in Western Hills until moving to Cape Coral, Florida in 1979.

She loved sports, playing softball and volleyball in her youth and tennis...

Mar 4, 2025

Steve always said the best day of your life is the day you meet Jesus. Steve had his best day on March 4, 2025. 

Steve was a big presence in the lives of his family which includes Mary, Carly, Paul, Sierra, Micah and a new grandchild who will arrive this year. Loved by his extended family for his ability to make...

Mar 4, 2025

David H. Sumner, age 76, passed away March 4, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. He was born in Hillsborough County on March 29, 1948, to Emmett and Marcella Sumner.

He graduated from Brandon High School in 1966 and was a Navy Veteran.

He was a long-time resident of the Willow Oak community.

David is preceded in death by his parents and son, David Jr.

David...

Mar 4, 2025

William E. Jakes, husband of the late Marjorie Blakeman Jakes, father to Alison Jakes Argersinger (Tom), William B. Jakes, Rev. Jeffrey P. Jakes (Katie) was called to Heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2025. Born in Syracuse, NY on April 29, 1932, Bill lived in several Upstate New York cities before becoming a Florida resident...

Mar 4, 2025

Mar 4, 2025

Lori Lorene Dann (60) passed peacefully in her sleep at home on March 4th, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, after a two-year battle with Ovarian cancer.

Born on July 17th, 1964, to Bernard (Jr) and Evelyn Hazlewood, Lori was raised on a cattle ranch near Rangely, Colorado with her four siblings: Debra, Lisa, Leona and Fred, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins...

Mar 3, 2025

Michael (Mike) Eugene Gay of Cullman, Alabama, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health. He was born on January 1, 1952, to Robert Earl Gay and Mary Lou Duncan in Bartow, Florida.

Mike was a loving son, brother, nephew, and uncle. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family. He loved to share his...

Mar 3, 2025

Paula Jeannette Dees passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born in Lakeland to Leanard and Alamo Mowiser on December 24, 1926. She was a lifetime resident of Florida. She married Charles Ancil Dees, Jr., in 1947. Together they had three children: Paula Dees Hodges of Lakeland, Patricia Ann Dees Cranford of Fort Myers,...