OBITUARIES

Jun 3, 2022

Dr. Jerel Francis Eaton known as “Jerry" passed peacefully on June 3, 2022. Born in Illinois to Ortis A. and Mildred V. Eaton, he is preceded by his parents and brother David Hart. He resided in Lakeland, Florida with his wife Linda C. Eaton, married for 55 years. A member of the Chiropractic Association, he received his Doctor of...

Jun 2, 2022

Jerry P. Brookins, 61, Lakeland, passed away on June 2, 2022. He was born on April 9, 1961, in Lakeland, FL; son of the late Burl M. and Margaret (Blair) Brookins. He is survived by his brother, Larry Brookins of Lakeland. He was a United States Veteran. Inurnment will take place at Florida National Cemetery at a later date....

Jun 1, 2022

Francis Lincoln Merritt Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 1, 2022. He was born on February 6, 1927, in West Springfield, Massachusetts to Francis Lincoln Merritt Sr. and Myrtle Robertson Merritt, both proud New Englanders with relatives who fought in the Revolutionary War. Frank became a member of the Mayflower Society through William Bradford....

May 29, 2022

Lexi Logan Bell, 34, of Lakeland, passed away at home with family from congestive heart failure May 29, 2022, after an extended hospital stay. Although the youngest sibling, she was enthusiastically competitive with her brothers, Josh Thompson, and Dane Bell, whether it was a game of Scrabble after Christmas Dinner or who could get the most air in a...

May 28, 2022

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Doris Virginia Booth Bryant of Lakeland, FL. She died at age 92 on May 28, 2022 at Good Shepherd Hospice House. A native Floridian, Doris was born on May 20, 1930 to Henry James Booth and Hazel Iona Severance and had four siblings: Dorothy Stella Booth, Jewell Lorraine...

May 18, 2022

Joanne Wilkiinson, 71, passed away on May 18th, 2022, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Her loving heart and kindness cast a beacon of light for all who knew her. She was born to Virginia Waller and Devere Savage on April 7, 1951, in Mason City, Iowa. She moved to Miami, Florida at the age of 11...

May 16, 2022

Dorothy Schoener Holmes of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 80 years of age. She was born on September 17, 1941, in Magee Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, daughter of the late Charles and Martha Schoener. She attended Brookline Grade School and graduated with honors from South Hills High School in 1959. She graduated from Washington...

May 15, 2022

Betty Taylor Burrows, 88, resident of Lakeland since 1962, passed away on May 15, 2022. Betty was Born on June 27, 1933, in Lebanon, TN. She was a daughter of the late Sutton and Madge Rhea. She is survived by her son, Sutton (Amy) Taylor and daughter, June Tyre. Graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, May 21, 2022...

May 15, 2022

Jacquelyn Sales Williams, 89, of Lakeland, went to be with the Lord on May 15, 2022. Born on November12, 1932. She moved from New York to Lakeland after marrying Sumner Williams. Preceded in death by her husband, daughter-in-law, Leigh Ann Williams, and granddaughter, Katrina Moller. She is survived by her 5 children, Mark Williams, Lee Ann (Steve) Garvie, Debbie...

May 14, 2022

Dr. Woods Abernathy Howard, a longtime physician at the Watson Clinic in Lakeland, father of two sons and loving husband to Jean, died May 14 while in hospice care in Boynton Beach. He was 99. Woods devoted his life to helping others while practicing medicine in Uvalde, Texas, and later in Lakeland, where he spent most of his career...

May 13, 2022

Robert (Rob) Jonathan Burdick, Jr., beloved husband, father, friend, died suddenly on May 13, 2022, in Atlanta Georgia. At age 52 Rob was felled by an aneurysm likely cause by a traumatic brain injury suffered a decade ago. He was at work at the time of his death. Born in Trenton, NJ, on July 16, 1969, Rob was the...

May 12, 2022

Lakeland: Earle L. Everton, 89, of Lakeland, died on May 12, 2022. He was born on October 14, 1932, in Norfolk, Virginia. Earle was an electrical engineer and worked for the city of Lakeland in the Department of Electric and Water Utilities for many years. He was a member of Resurrection Catholic church in Lakeland. Earle was preceded in...

May 10, 2022

Alma Mesknes, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Alma was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. She obtained both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of South Florida. She was a devoted educator to her students throughout Polk County, teaching at Haines City High School, Lakeland Senior...

May 8, 2022

May 7, 2022

Lakeland – William Wallace Best was a loving husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, and friend. He left this world to be reunited with his wife in Heaven on May 7, 2022, at the age of 79. Wallace was born to Emma Jane Messer and James Roy Best on September 15, 1942, in Pansey, Alabama, the baby of their seven...

May 4, 2022

Lynn D. Harrison, 89 of Lakeland, died peacefully at home on May 4, 2022. He was a native of Lakeland and was born in Lakeland on February 12, 1933, to Green and Lillian Harrison. Lynn graduated from Summerlin Institute in 1950 and then served in the United States Navy. He then went to the University of Florida and became...

May 3, 2022

George Everett Brewster Sr. was born to Rachel Brewster in Englewood, N.J. September 12, 1927. Graduated Dwight Morrow High School Class of 1945. George joined the U.S. Marine Corps and continued to serve as Sergeant, during the Korean War. George was an Experimental Machinist before retiring to create crafts with his wife Marge. George was a member of the...

May 3, 2022

Apr 29, 2022

Jim Hunter went to be with his heavenly father on April 29th, 2022. He passed due to postoperative complications after a colon procedure. James Robert Hunter was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 6th,1950. He moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1955 and remained there through his high school years. He graduated from Nova High in 1969 and attended college...

Apr 28, 2022