OBITUARIES

Jan 6, 2025

Byron Alfonso Guzmán, 66, of Florida, peacefully passed away on January 6th, 2025. He was the loving husband of Melida (Gutiérrez), his partner and best friend. Byron was born in Quito, Ecuador, on June 18, 1958, to the late Gonzalo Guzmán and Teresa (Toscano) Guzmán.

With a heart dedicated to serving others, Byron devoted his life to his work as a...

Jan 5, 2025

Sterling Myers Jr. passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2025, while watching a movie with his loving wife Elsie, at his home in Lakeland, Florida, where he lived with Elsie and son Kirbin. Sterling was raised primarily by his loving grandmother, the late Mabel Myers. He grew up in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, where he attended Luzerne public schools and West Side...

Jan 1, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce Pat Fore has passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. A fifth-generation Floridian, Pat was born on March 4th, 1934, in Winter Haven, Florida, but lived the majority of her 90 years in Lakeland, Florida. 

While attending Winter Haven Senior High School, she was a spirited member of...

Jan 1, 2025

Dorothy Owenby Schroeder (Dot) peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health. She was born on January 7, 1929, in Lakeland, Florida to Glenn and Zelma Owenby. 

She attended Lakeland schools, graduating from Lakeland High School in 1946. She then attended Queens College for one year and graduated from Florida Southern College. She was a member of...

Dec 31, 2024

Norris Atherly Hayford, Jr. went home to his heavenly father on December 31, 2024. He was born on October 21, 1933, in Mount Vernon, New York, to Norris and Grace Hayford. His family moved to Dobbs Ferry, New York, and he graduated from Dobbs Ferry High School and attended Westminster College. He met his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Lindsey)...

Dec 30, 2024

CW5 Joseph Vincent McDonough, Jr. (Ret.) of Lakeland, FL entered his heavenly home on December 30, 2024.

Joe was born in Richmond, VA on December 5, 1946. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Vincent McDonough Sr., Mother, Marian Talley McDonough, younger brother, Dennis Michael McDonough (Laura) and nephew David Michael Boyd, of Richmond. He is survived by his...

Dec 27, 2024

It is with deep sadness and profound gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Thomas W. Higgins, who entered the loving arms of his Savior on December 27, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on June 26, 1947, to Ted and Marge Higgins (both deceased), Tom’s life was marked by a steadfast faith in God,...

Dec 26, 2024

Dec 19, 2024

LAKELAND - Dennis (Denny) Michael Boudreau, 80, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024. Denny was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Dolores Boudreau.

He is survived by Bonnie (Schultz), his wife of 56 years; his siblings, Carol Meredith, Tim Boudreau, and Janet Johnson; his daughter, Chris Newcomb (Pete) of Lake Placid, NY, and his sons Ron (Shari) and...

Dec 16, 2024

Jay Oscar Springer, Jr., 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 16, 2024. Jay is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Foy Lynn Springer, parents Jay and Mary Springer and sister Anita Kanitz. Survivors include his wife, Mary Springer and children and their husbands, Jayne and Tom Couch, Sharon and Floyd Freeman, Sandy and Jon...

Dec 15, 2024

Jean H. Williams, age 94, went to her heavenly home to be with Jesus on December 15, 2024. She was born on September 13, 1930, in Savanah, Georgia to parents Bill and Sarah Hobbs.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father, brother Frank Hobbs, sister Barbara Roberts, son Brinson Jordan and husband Tom Hester.

She is survived by her...

Dec 15, 2024

Michael Gray Chase, age 79, passed away December 15, 2024. Born May 29, 1945, at Morrell Memorial Hospital, Lakeland, Florida. The son of William Ward Chase Jr. and Josephine King Chase. 

Mike graduated from Lakeland High School in 1963. He was a retired architectural design consultant of 34 years. 

 Mike is survived by his brother William “Billy” Chase III (Cheryl), Lakeland, Florida...

Dec 6, 2024

W Bernard “Bernie” Lester of Lakeland, FL passed away December 6 due to Parkinson’s disease. He was born in 1939 in Hinson, Florida and graduated from Havana High School in 1956. He received BSA (’61) and MSA (’62) degrees from the University of Florida and a PhD (’65) from Texas A & M University.

He spent the first two years of...

Dec 5, 2024

Alan Durfee, a beloved father, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024, at the age of 94. Born on February 28, 1930, Alan was the cherished son of the late Franklin J. and Dorothy (McElhiney) Durfee. In 1950, Alan married Sarabelle McKay, also of Lakeland, Florida, who passed away in 2010. Alan and Sara were blessed with two children, Deborah...

Dec 5, 2024

Marcia Lewis Pate Tomkow, Lakeland, Florida, was born in Jacksonville, FL on August 11th, 1931. She was Lucy and Bentham Pate's only child. She married Mike Tomkow. Together, they had three children: Michael, David, and Michelle. 

On December 5th, 1986, Marcia lost the love of her life. We see it as no coincidence that 38 years later, Grandmommy was reunited with...

Dec 5, 2024

Judith Lynn Bunch, nee Stuckey, of Lakeland, Florida, died peacefully on December 5, 2024, at Lakeland Regional Health. Born in Logan, West Virginia, she moved from Huntington, West Virginia to Lakeland, Florida in 1966 with her husband, John. She built a beautiful life for her family and forged lasting friendships that spanned decades. 

Judy was described by many as a true...

Dec 3, 2024

Dec 1, 2024

The Rev. Dr. Canon John Edward McKay Birtch was born June 12, 1929 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. He passed away December 1, 2024, after a rapid decline in his health. John was 95 years of age at the time of his death.

John was preceded in death by his loving wife P. Joanne Birtch (nee Milburn) whom he married August 19,...

Dec 1, 2024

Mary Ellen Napier was peacefully called home to be with the Lord on December 1st 2024 at the age of 86. Mary was born February 1st, 1938, in Lakeland, Florida to Marguerite Prescott and Dennis Hicks Parker. 

She resided in Lakeland nearly her entire life. Mary was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mom-mom, and gg. Being around her family gave...

Dec 1, 2024