OBITUARIES

Mar 17, 2023

Elizabeth Lou Felts “Betty Lou” passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on March 17, 2023. She was a loving mother and Nana, and she will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.

Betty Lou was born in Freeport, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1937, to the late Raymond and...

Mar 17, 2023

Philip Todd Sebring, “Zip”, passed peacefully in his home on March 17, 2023. He was born in Montour Falls, New York on November 17, 1944. He worked for Publix Supermarkets for over thirty years and retired as head produce buyer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Sebring. He is survived...

Mar 17, 2023

Carolyn L. Simon passed away Friday, March 17, 2023 in her room at the Manor at Carpenters. She was 96. Born in Chicago, Illinois November 10, 1926 to Alfred and Emma Trembly, she graduated from North Austin High School, and received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and Masters in Christian Education from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois....

Mar 17, 2023

Mrs. Teresa A. Morrell passed away, at the age of 99, on Friday, March 17,2023, surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her husband, Roberto Morrell and her son Eduardo (Ed) Morrell (wife Shannon). She is survived by her children, Robert A. Morrell (wife Tina), Teresa Morrell, Celia Nolin, Gonzalo Morrell, Maria Martinez, Ignacio Morrell (wife Kim), Jorge Morrell...

Mar 15, 2023

Sherman Edmund (“Sherm”) Harrington Jr. passed away after a brief illness with family at his side on March 15, 2023. He was 89 years old and had been a resident of Sandpiper in Lakeland for many years. He is predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Ann Adams Harrington. He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Deann Harrington of Lakeland, FL...

Mar 12, 2023

No farewell words were spoken, and there was not goodbye. God called upon an Angel and He knows His reasons why

Mar 5, 2023

Marilyn Sager

April 13th, 1947 – March 5th, 2023

Marilyn Sager, born and raised in Galeton, Pennsylvania and a longtime resident of Stuart, Florida, went to be with our Lord on March 5th, 2023. She most recently resided in Lakeland, Florida. Marilyn graduated from Lock Haven University...

Mar 4, 2023

Stephen Alton Schmidt passed away March 4, 2023, with his wife of 40 years and two children by his side. He was 66 years old. A newspaperman to his final days, much of what appears below was written by him.

Steve was born December 8, 1956, in St. Joseph, Missouri — home of the Pony...

Mar 2, 2023

Raymond W. Perica, 85, of Lakeland died on March 2, 2023.

Born August 27, 1937, in Alton, IL to a boisterous, fun-loving Serbo-Croatian family, which included his parents Pete Sr. and Mary Perica, siblings, Mildred, Pete Jr, Paul & Ken. This tight-knit upbringing instilled in Ray the importance of family, community, and service; principles which...

Feb 28, 2023

Ida Agnes Alexander passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. She was born in Graceville, Florida on November 20, 1937, to the late Ben and Ida Champion.

She enjoyed sewing and was an avid reader and loved doing crossword puzzles.

Ida was proud of a book she wrote about her personal...

Feb 28, 2023

Nellie was born in Denton, North Carolina. She moved to Florida in the 1940’s and started a family with her husband Roland C. Oakley. Together they had 4 children, and she became the beginning of a legacy of many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Nellie was full of life, laughter, and determination, anything she put her...

Feb 27, 2023

Alece Canady Pemberton, 89, passed away February 27, 2023, in Lakeland, Florida. Alece was born in Lakeland on February 21, 1934. She was a graduate of Lakeland High School.

Alece was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Pemberton, son, Gary Grimes, twin sister, Anece Barton, and brother, Michael Canady.

She...

Feb 25, 2023

Richard “John” Valerino, who came to Lakeland in the fall of 1970 to attend Florida Southern College and make Polk County his home for more than a half-century, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at the age of 70, of a heart attack. Born May 26, 1952 in Bay Village, Ohio to the late Michael F. and Betty Wright Valerino,...

Feb 24, 2023

David Vanzant was born September 3, 1954, the son of Roland D. Vanzant Sr. and Genivieve Vanzant. David graduated from Titusville High School in 1972. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree from Florida Southern College in 1976. David was an active member of the TKE fraternity where he has many loving brothers.

Feb 17, 2023

Gisela Turk, 92, of Lakeland, FL passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on February 17, 2023. She was born to Frank and Irma Gossy in Burgenland, Austria on January 17, 1931. Gisela immigrated to the U.S. as a young child and grew up in New Jersey with her family. She married the love of her life, Joseph...

Feb 13, 2023

Lana VanDeGenachte, age 74, died on February 13, 2023. Lana was born on Sept. 27, 1948, in Macomb, IL. She worked in the service industry, with her last employment being at Grasslands Golf & Country Club. She loved working there and met many friends as she was a “people person”. Lana loved sewing, embroidery, crossword puzzles and puzzle books....

Feb 11, 2023

Frederick Paul Bogel, Jr.

“Butch”

March 25, 1946 - February 11, 2023

Frederick Paul Bogel, Jr. of Lakeland, FL passed away on February 11, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Health Center. Fred, also known as Butch, was 76 years old. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Amelia Emeline Crowe and...

Feb 11, 2023

Feb 9, 2023

Lifelong Lakeland, Florida resident Paul Manuel Reynolds, Sr., 86, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center.

Mr. Reynolds was born on June 28, 1936, to Fred and Geraldine Reynolds. He graduated in 1954 from Kathleen Senior High School where he was a guard and tackle for the Red Devils football...

Feb 9, 2023