OBITUARIES

Jul 21, 2022

Doris of Lake Wales passed away on July 21, 2022. She was born on January 7, 1936, in Calhoune County, Florida. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Doris worked for Juice Bowl and retired in 2006. She enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and gardening. She also loved spending time with her family and friends. She...

Jul 18, 2022

Thomas R. Shaw, Lakeland’s first Ambassador, died peacefully at home on July 18, 2022, at the age of 97. Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Robert Ross Shaw and Mary Agatha Sites, Tom was the fourth of 5 sons. He graduated from Rosary High School and the Ohio State University, interrupted by 2 years in the Army Air Corps training...

Jul 17, 2022

Carl Edward Easton. Jr., 89 of Lakeland passed away July 17, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Fisher Easton. Survivors also include 2 sons, Alan Moyer (Mary Jane), Steven Easton (Arlene); and many grandchildren, loving family members and friends. Mr. Easton retired as United States Air Force Veteran after 20 years of serving in Korea. The family...

Jul 17, 2022

Robert Lewis Trohn died peacefully at his home on July 17, 2022, at the age of 91. He was born on Dec. 28, 1930, in Stamford, Connecticut to Philip and Beatrice Osman Trohn. His family moved to Lakeland when he was in his early teens and was one of the early Jewish families in Lakeland, helping to establish the...

Jul 12, 2022

Caroline “Carolyn” Duncan Phillips, 88, past co-owner of Crowder Bros. ACE Hardware, died peacefully July 12, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, Carroll (Bud) Phillips, and her brother, Walter W. Duncan of Boulder, CO. Born on June 2, 1934, she was the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Duncan and grew up in Winchester, Virginia. Surrounded by so much...

Jul 11, 2022

Teresa Martinez, age 89, died peacefully in her Lakeland home on the early morning of July 11, 2022, of natural causes and surrounded by family. Teresa was born on September 29, 1932, in Holguin, Cuba, to Iluminado Hidalgo and Juana Ruiz, who taught her to love our Lord Jesus Christ and to be a loving and devoted Christian. In...

Jul 10, 2022

Gerald “Jerry” Nicholas Brown, of Lakeland, had his heavenly homecoming on July 10, 2022. Mr. Brown was born on June 16, 1932, in Volo, Illinois and graduated from Grant High School. After high school he served in the Navy aboard the Howard W. Gilmore. He moved to Lakeland in 1957, graduated from Florida Southern College and enjoyed a 34-year...

Jul 10, 2022

Jul 7, 2022

Carole M. Savage, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend; slipped into eternity with her Lord and Savior on July 7, 2022, at Lakeland Regional Hospital in Lakeland, Florida, due to Covid-19 and pneumonia. Carole fought with all her might to recover, but the Lord had a better plan for her, and called her home to Heaven with...

Jul 6, 2022

George “Doc” Kellams passed away in his home on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at the age of 83. Doc was born in Centerville, Indiana on August 29, 1938. His parents Isabelle and Vernie had 12 children. He is survived by sisters Gertrude Mourfield, Pauline Huffman, Mary Ellen Lang, and brothers Charlie and Robert. He married his long-time love Joyce...

Jul 5, 2022

Carlton Benton, Jr. (also affectionately known as “Big ‘Un” and CB) passed away on July 5, 2022. As a Navy brat, Carlton was born on June 14, 1947, in Jacksonville, FL. He had many fond memories of growing up in Fallon, NV, and Puerto Rico. In 1961, after his father’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, his family settled in...

Jul 5, 2022

Patricia Ann White 76, of Lakeland passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Gary A. White of 25 years, 4 children: Sherry Brown, Roy Brown, Kathleen Scheuermann, and John Brown; grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Friday, July 8, 2022, from 4-6 pm in the Tribute Center at Heath...

Jul 3, 2022

Dorothy Lind, 89 years old, from Lakeland passed away July 3, 2022, at Good Shepherd Hospice. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and relocated to Florida in 1976. She worked for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years before retiring in1995. Dorothy is predeceased by her father and mother George and Katherine Lind, her sister Dolores Mezo, and...

Jul 1, 2022

Lakeland - William (Bill) Henley Stemm, 67, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022. Bill was born on November 15, 1954, the son of John (Jack) and Kathryn (Jody) Stemm in Clearwater, Florida. They moved to Lakeland where Bill graduated from Lakeland High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College and master’s degree...

Jul 1, 2022

Jun 27, 2022

Jun 27, 2022

Margaret Ann Digan, a lifelong resident of Lakeland, passed away on June 27, 2022. She was preceded in death by parents, Tom and Judy Digan, and twin sister, Mary Digan. She is survived by brother, Tommy Digan, sister, Cindy Fry (and brother-in-law, Terry Fry), niece, Shelby Digan, stepchildren, Ashley Lang, and Justin Gray. Also, extended family and many friends,...

Jun 21, 2022

Gene “Al” Allison Finch, Jr., 55, of Lakeland, passed away June 21, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Melissa Finch. Born August 2, 1966, in Lakeland, he was the son of the late Gene A. Finch, Sr. and Elizabeth “Betsye” Kay Finch. Al was a devoted husband and father. He loved his family and Jesus...

Jun 19, 2022

Claudia J. Shaffer, 84, of Lakeland, passed away June 19, 2022. She is survived by her husband, of 63 years, Charles Shaffer. Born July 23, 1937, in Logansport, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Jess and Agnes Hoover. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Joni Beth Shaffer; sisters, Barbara Shafer and Mary Hoover; and...

Jun 18, 2022

Burton Clare Spalding, 84, Lakeland, went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2022. He was born on January 6, 1938, in Ionia, MI; a son of the late Leon and Viola (Nichols) Spalding. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Wallace; his grandson, David Spalding; and stepfather, Lloyd Strandburg. He is survived by his...