OBITUARIES

Mar 11, 2026

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Patricia Kelly Stokes, who died peacefully, surrounded by her family, and went to be with her Savior on March 11, 2026, at the age of 85. Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on June 21, 1940, to Myrtle J. Kelly and Daniel B. Kelly, Patsy spent several years in North Carolina before...

Mar 6, 2026

Marcia Nicodemus Alley never let a phone call go to voicemail. She never left the house without earrings and lipstick—even during the pandemic, when she wore lipstick under her mask, because standards are standards. She started every phone call with, "Are you sitting down?" and ended every visit with, "I love you, I love you, I love you!"

She died on...

Mar 5, 2026

Mar 2, 2026

Caroline Lewis Curran, born in Wilmington, Delaware on December 20, 1928, passed away on March 2, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by her family.

Caroline is survived by her daughter, Catherine Curran Livingston (Steven) of Silver Spring, Maryland; two grandsons, Christopher S. Livingston (Michelle) of New Market, Maryland, and N. Lee Curran (Paige)...

Mar 1, 2026

Sandra “Sandy” Jean James, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, friend, artist and teacher to many, passed away in her home in Lakeland on March 1, 2026.

Sandy was born in Belvidere, Illinois on October 27, 1937, to Dorothy and Clifford Rhodes and was the eldest of seven siblings.

Sandy dedicated her whole self to those that she loved and cared for and...

Feb 16, 2026

Joel F. “Jody” Platzer, 79, of Lakeport, Michigan, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Hospital in Lakeland, Florida.

Jody was born September 12, 1946, in Port Huron, Michigan, the youngest of three boys born to the late Joseph L. and Mary Vargo Platzer.

Blessed with outstanding, natural athletic talents, Jody excelled in basketball, baseball, softball, football, hockey, and...

Feb 15, 2026

Feb 10, 2026

Gordon “Gordie” L. Heck Jr., 75, passed away peacefully at his home on February 20, 2026. He was born on June 3, 1950, to Gordon L. Heck Sr. and Phyllis (Anderegg) Heck, who welcomed him into a large and loving family.

Gordon proudly served his country in the United States military and the National Guard, earning a Purple Heart along with...

Feb 10, 2026

Feb 9, 2026

With deep love and profound sadness, we announce the passing of Peter Sinclair More, who departed this life on February 9, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on November 12, 1937, in Akron, Ohio, Pete lived a life marked by devotion, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the people he loved.

Pete built a distinguished career as a Corporate Executive,...

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,...