OBITUARIES

Mar 4, 2025

Steve always said the best day of your life is the day you meet Jesus. Steve had his best day on March 4, 2025. 

Steve was a big presence in the lives of his family which includes Mary, Carly, Paul, Sierra, Micah and a new grandchild who will arrive this year. Loved by his extended family for his ability to make...

Mar 4, 2025

David H. Sumner, age 76, passed away March 4, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida. He was born in Hillsborough County on March 29, 1948, to Emmett and Marcella Sumner.

He graduated from Brandon High School in 1966 and was a Navy Veteran.

He was a long-time resident of the Willow Oak community.

David is preceded in death by his parents and son, David Jr.

David...

Mar 4, 2025

William E. Jakes, husband of the late Marjorie Blakeman Jakes, father to Alison Jakes Argersinger (Tom), William B. Jakes, Rev. Jeffrey P. Jakes (Katie) was called to Heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2025. Born in Syracuse, NY on April 29, 1932, Bill lived in several Upstate New York cities before becoming a Florida resident...

Mar 4, 2025

Mar 4, 2025

Lori Lorene Dann (60) passed peacefully in her sleep at home on March 4th, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, after a two-year battle with Ovarian cancer.

Born on July 17th, 1964, to Bernard (Jr) and Evelyn Hazlewood, Lori was raised on a cattle ranch near Rangely, Colorado with her four siblings: Debra, Lisa, Leona and Fred, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins...

Mar 3, 2025

Michael (Mike) Eugene Gay of Cullman, Alabama, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Health. He was born on January 1, 1952, to Robert Earl Gay and Mary Lou Duncan in Bartow, Florida.

Mike was a loving son, brother, nephew, and uncle. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family. He loved to share his...

Mar 3, 2025

Paula Jeannette Dees passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born in Lakeland to Leanard and Alamo Mowiser on December 24, 1926. She was a lifetime resident of Florida. She married Charles Ancil Dees, Jr., in 1947. Together they had three children: Paula Dees Hodges of Lakeland, Patricia Ann Dees Cranford of Fort Myers,...

Mar 2, 2025

Born Richmond, Virgina, on Dec 16th, 1939, "Patricia Jones" sang her first solo in church at age two. She continued to sing for another 80 years! She sang with many groups, and in a variety of styles, such as: folk group "Lydia and the Pinkhams" and Madrigal Groups - Musica Divina and Musica Antiqua. She also soloed with the Lakeland...

Feb 27, 2025

Iwan Gantina Kurniawan, of Mulberry Florida, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 75. He was born in Bogor, Indonesia on April 18, 1949, to Amoeng and Djenaboen Irtamihardja. He worked with Holland America Cruise Lines for several years, which brought him to the United States.

Iwan married his first wife, Kathleen...

Feb 27, 2025

Mr. Paul Emerson Weaver passed away on February 27, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida. He was born on April 21, 1936 in Powell, Ohio to the late Dalton and Edith (Leach) Weaver. Family and Trucking was his life. Paul served as a long-time Vice President of Watkins Motor Lines and Past Chairman and Board Director Emeritus of Southern Motor Carriers (SMC3).

He...

Feb 24, 2025

Paul Dickinson, a devoted minister, loving husband, cherished father and grandfather, passed away in Lakeland, Florida on February 24, 2025, at the age of 81.

After graduating from Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary, Paul served as a Methodist Minister in the Florida Conference for 40 years. Paul was a lifelong tennis player and enjoyed backpacking and playing basketball with his...

Feb 22, 2025

Barbara Lorene (Berend) Davis, 79, of Lakeland, Florida, passed peacefully on February 22, 2025. She was born on September 4, 1945, in LaGrange Park, Illinois, to Bob and Lorene Berend. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1967 with a degree in education. Barb spent many years volunteering at Philip O’Brian Elementary (Lime Street Elementary) before she began teaching...

Feb 20, 2025

Kathleen Forehand Betz (Kay) died peacefully on 2/20/25 at LRMC. She had suffered a severe stroke. 

Kay was a lifelong resident of Lakeland. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, most recently as a member of the Altar Guild. Kay was employed by The Mosaic Company. Kay loved animals. She loved horseback riding and took advantage of every...

Feb 19, 2025

The God of all glory and grace has called home and into his presence Gerald (Jerry) Towson. He was born in Dayton Ohio on June 26, 1937, to his parents, Theodore Orin Towson and Helen Elizabeth Towson, who preceded him in death, as did his sister, Wanda Anita Anderson, his first wife, Beverly Day Towson, and his daughter, Amy Day...

Feb 19, 2025

Robert Caruthers "Bobby" Anderson passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025. He was born August 2, 1940, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to the late Hugh and Juanita Peay Anderson. 

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Betty “Jeanie” Anderson, and his brother Terrell Anderson. He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Anderson Fowler (Bill); grandchildren, Peyton Fowler,...

Feb 16, 2025

Shirley L. (Blitch) Boyett, age 97, of Lakeland, FL, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 16, 2025, under the care of Westminster Lakeland (formerly Florida Presbyterian Homes) and Good Shepherd Hospice.

 She was born February 7, 1928, in Bradford County, Florida to Stewart Edwin Sr. and Sara Frances (Maddox) Blitch. 

 She spent most of her formative years...

Feb 15, 2025

Feb 13, 2025

Feb 10, 2025

 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Larry Mark Dietrich at the age of 74. He passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, in Lakeland, FL with his devoted wife by his side. 

He was born on September 5, 1950, in West Lafayette, Indiana, to parents Pauline Smith Dietrich and Verne E. Dietrich. Larry...

Feb 9, 2025

David Wendell Carter, passed into the arms of Jesus on February 9, 2025, at the age of 90. David was born in Baxley, GA on October 24, 1934, to Florbell Mincey Carter and Lory Carter. His father died when David was 3, and his mother moved with him and his sister, Joyce, to the Lakeland, FL area. His mother married...