OBITUARIES

Dec 11, 2023

Dec 9, 2023

Dec 8, 2023

Stephen (Steve) Roy Solovitz, 76, of Lakeland, FL, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, December 8th, 2023. Steve was born on November 19, 1947, in St. Louis, MO, to parents Emil and Evangeline Solovitz. Following his college studies at Washington University he moved to Minneapolis, MN with his wife Carol, where they raised a family.

Dec 6, 2023

Wayne H. Wheeler, 93, passed away on December 6th, 2023. Wayne was born September 5th, 1930, in Larned, Kansas to the late Frank Crozier Wheeler and Eleanor Hougland Wheeler, and grew up in the vicinity of Osawatomie, Kansas.

He enlisted in the US Navy as soon as he graduated from Osawatomie HS, Osawatomie Kansas, in...

Dec 5, 2023

Charles “Bud” Edward Tapscott passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at his home in Lakeland. He was born in Florence, Alabama, and raised in Lakeland by his parents, Haywood, and Charlene.

He attended Lakeland schools graduating from Lakeland Senior High School in 1961. He graduated with a BA in Industrial Engineering from the University of...

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 4, 2023

John “Johnny” Wesley Reid, Sr., 94, Lakeland, FL, passed away the morning of Monday, December 4th, 2023, at his home.

He was born in Frostproof, FL on May 22, 1929, son of the late Jessie Blanton and Lolly Pearl Reid.

He served in the U.S. Air Force.

...

Nov 30, 2023

Annette Crawford passed away on Thursday, November 30th, 2023, in her home surrounded by family. Special thanks to the Hospice organization that made it possible for her to return to our Lord and Savior in her home. Annette was a force of nature with strength of spirit unrivaled. She will be greatly missed and all those who were fortunate...

Nov 29, 2023

Nov 29, 2023

Nov 28, 2023

Nov 28, 2023

Patricia Ann Byrd was born December 7, 1930, to Morris and Margaret Kendall McManus, in New Albany, Indiana.

She lived a happy childhood in New Albany through graduation from high school, before starting her work career with American Creosote.

Pat was married to Howard Byrd, a General Manager at Union Camp,...

Nov 28, 2023

Nancy L. Lodato 91, of Polk City, passed away of COPD on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

She is survived by her 2 daughters, Rae Gayer, Tammy Lodato and 3 sons, Larry Lodato, Art Lodato and Jeff Lodato.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 10 am with services...

Nov 28, 2023

Nov 28, 2023

Ludwig Spiessl died on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Good Shepherd Hospice, Lakeland after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helga Spiessl (Lorenz) of Lakeland, FL; his daughters, Jutta Zaccardi (Richard) of Lakeland, FL; Barbara Lauderer (Norbert) of Feldafing, Germany; Andrea Dockery (Carl) of Lakeland, FL; and son, Mark Spiessl (Kalle)...

Nov 27, 2023

Nov 26, 2023

Samuel Vernon Houghtaling died peacefully on November 26, 2023. He was born in Reese, Michigan, on September 6th, 1928, to W. Vernon and Pearl (Hurst) Houghtaling.

Sam graduated from Bay City Central High School and went on to graduate from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics. Sam married Patsy...

Nov 24, 2023

Patsy Hudson Wells, 99, died on November 24, 2023, at home. She was born on January 23, 1924, in Louisville, KY to Irvin and Elizabeth Hudson. Pat was their first-born child, followed by a sister and a brother.

When Pat was around 7 years old, the family purchased a home and grocery store in the...

Nov 23, 2023

Sharon Boswell was born on October 5, 1943, in Lakeland, FL, the daughter of George Ross Boswell and Cleo Anna Tiller Boswell. She was the youngest of two girls. Her sister, Margaret Lee Boswell Bauknecht was 10 years older. Little Sharon considered herself a tomboy who loved to be outside, climb trees, ride her bike around the neighbor and...

Nov 23, 2023

Ronald Gene Mooney, 79, of Lakeland met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face on Thursday, November 23, 2023, after a long battle with liver cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marva (Parr) Mooney, and two sons, Timothy (Angela) of Oklahoma City and Dane (Tammy) of Lakeland, as well...