OBITUARIES

Dec 15, 2024

Jean H. Williams, age 94, went to her heavenly home to be with Jesus on December 15, 2024. She was born on September 13, 1930, in Savanah, Georgia to parents Bill and Sarah Hobbs.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father, brother Frank Hobbs, sister Barbara Roberts, son Brinson Jordan and husband Tom Hester.

She is survived by her...

Dec 15, 2024

Michael Gray Chase, age 79, passed away December 15, 2024. Born May 29, 1945, at Morrell Memorial Hospital, Lakeland, Florida. The son of William Ward Chase Jr. and Josephine King Chase. 

Mike graduated from Lakeland High School in 1963. He was a retired architectural design consultant of 34 years. 

 Mike is survived by his brother William “Billy” Chase III (Cheryl), Lakeland, Florida...

Dec 6, 2024

W Bernard “Bernie” Lester of Lakeland, FL passed away December 6 due to Parkinson’s disease. He was born in 1939 in Hinson, Florida and graduated from Havana High School in 1956. He received BSA (’61) and MSA (’62) degrees from the University of Florida and a PhD (’65) from Texas A & M University.

He spent the first two years of...

Dec 5, 2024

Alan Durfee, a beloved father, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024, at the age of 94. Born on February 28, 1930, Alan was the cherished son of the late Franklin J. and Dorothy (McElhiney) Durfee. In 1950, Alan married Sarabelle McKay, also of Lakeland, Florida, who passed away in 2010. Alan and Sara were blessed with two children, Deborah...

Dec 5, 2024

Marcia Lewis Pate Tomkow, Lakeland, Florida, was born in Jacksonville, FL on August 11th, 1931. She was Lucy and Bentham Pate's only child. She married Mike Tomkow. Together, they had three children: Michael, David, and Michelle. 

On December 5th, 1986, Marcia lost the love of her life. We see it as no coincidence that 38 years later, Grandmommy was reunited with...

Dec 5, 2024

Judith Lynn Bunch, nee Stuckey, of Lakeland, Florida, died peacefully on December 5, 2024, at Lakeland Regional Health. Born in Logan, West Virginia, she moved from Huntington, West Virginia to Lakeland, Florida in 1966 with her husband, John. She built a beautiful life for her family and forged lasting friendships that spanned decades. 

Judy was described by many as a true...

Dec 3, 2024

Dec 1, 2024

The Rev. Dr. Canon John Edward McKay Birtch was born June 12, 1929 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. He passed away December 1, 2024, after a rapid decline in his health. John was 95 years of age at the time of his death.

John was preceded in death by his loving wife P. Joanne Birtch (nee Milburn) whom he married August 19,...

Dec 1, 2024

Mary Ellen Napier was peacefully called home to be with the Lord on December 1st 2024 at the age of 86. Mary was born February 1st, 1938, in Lakeland, Florida to Marguerite Prescott and Dennis Hicks Parker. 

She resided in Lakeland nearly her entire life. Mary was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mom-mom, and gg. Being around her family gave...

Dec 1, 2024

Nov 30, 2024

Lawrence (Larry) Slack of Lakeland, Florida, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born August 28, 1941, to Alfred and Jessie (Jackson) Slack in rural Jasper County, Illinois. He was married to Pat (Kaufman) for 62 years, and she survives.

Larry was a glazier and an owner/operator of Slack Glass Company until his retirement in 2002....

Nov 25, 2024

Vernon David Kressin peacefully passed to his next adventure, in Lakeland, Florida on November 25, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Vernon was born October 2, 1936, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Valborg (Trandum) and Delmar Kressin. He was the middle sibling, predeceased by his older brother Roger and survived by his younger sister Marilyn. Vernon married Geraldine Laatch in 1958 and...

Nov 25, 2024

Luis Enrique Carrillo passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a short illness.

 Born on October 7, 1932, in Barrancas, Colombia, Luis was the son of Carlos and Filomena Carrillo. Overcoming the circumstances he was born in, he went out on his own at the age of 14. After earning a college degree from the...

Nov 24, 2024

Nov 20, 2024

Morgan "Hunter" Brown, 30, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at home on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. 

Born on May 7, 1994, in Lakeland, Florida. She graduated from Lakeland High School and Polk State College, and she attended the University of South Florida in Tampa. She worked as direct support professional assisting special needs adults until incurring a debilitating injury. 

Hunter cared...

Nov 17, 2024

Jennifer Lynn Potts, 48, passed away Sunday, November 17, 2024.

 Born July 24, 1976, in Perry, Georgia, but moved to Lakeland and has remained a resident since 1980. She was a graduate of Kathleen Highschool, class of 1994; and Florida Southern College, class of 1998, as a member of the FSC Softball team, where she earned NCAA Division II All-American Honors...

Nov 16, 2024

Mrs. Peggy Welch Jarrell Beck passed away peacefully in her home in Lakeland, Florida on Saturday, November 16, 2024. She was 85 years old. 

She was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina and was the daughter of the late Henry Benton and Janice Marie Welch.

Peggy graduated from Wadesboro High School and attended Wingate College. She was part of the Junior Women’s Club,...

Nov 16, 2024

Nov 14, 2024

Lillie Jean Lopez, 39, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on November 14, 2024, leaving a lasting legacy of kindness, creativity, and tenacity. Born on June 15, 1985, "Jeannie" - the name she has gone by since childhood - was the cherished daughter of Julia and Joey Stanford, a devoted wife to Ryan Lopez, and the proud and loving mother...

Nov 11, 2024

Nannie Kate Eckhardt, 100, of Port St Lucie, Florida, passed away on November 11, 2024.

She was born on December 7, 1923, in Wood, Virginia to Earl and Dixie Nickels.

Nannie Kate was predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and...