OBITUARIES

Oct 24, 2021

Lakeland - James Carroll VanHorn passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 24, 2021. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, to Carroll Henry VanHorn and Margaret Elsie Clark, but spent most of his life in Lakeland, Florida. Jim and Beverly Ann were married for 59 years until she passed in 2016. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather,...

Oct 24, 2021

Thomas Earle Dukes, Jr. passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at home in Tampa, FL. Earle Dukes was born in Orlando, FL, November 6, 1931, to Earle Dukes, Sr. and Marjorie Leigh Holleman. He was raised in Orlando and attended Orlando High School where he was a standout multi-sport athlete and student. There he met the love of...

Oct 20, 2021

Victoria “Tori” Lynn Penney was born in Lakeland, Florida on September 8, 1979. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 20, 2021. Tori is a graduate of Faith Christian Academy and attended college for a while as well as completing various trade courses. Tori had a great fondness for children and loved working with...

Oct 19, 2021

Oct 18, 2021

Albert C. Lang, 100, left his earthly home on October 18, 2021. He joins his wife, Ammie; his parents, McKinley and Bernice Lang; brothers, Everett, Donald and Clifford; sister, Virginia Galloway; and grandson, Justin Smith. He was born December 30, 1920, in Lakeland, Florida. Albert was a WWII Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Altair. He...

Oct 14, 2021

Mulberry – Jerry Brandt Gebhardt passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Lakeland Regional Health. He was born on November 21, 1940, in Pekin, Illinois to the late Maurice & Elna Gebhardt. He graduated from Florida Southern College in 1962 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked in retail management throughout his career. Jerry was a member...

Oct 13, 2021

Oct 12, 2021

Lakeland, Fl- Ameret Elizabeth Strickland, 89, of Lakeland, died October 12, 2021, at her residence. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her father Zeno Ward and her mother Bertha Strickland; Grandmother, Callie Strickland; survived by her children, David Strickland (Rebecca), Judy Flores (Pete), Jacob Brown (Debbie), Ronald Brown (Paula), Cindy Dimery (Ricky), and Anessa Jones (Micky). She is survived...

Oct 9, 2021

James David Melton, Jr., M.D. (Jim), of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2021. Jim was 87 years old. He was a Florida native, born in Jacksonville, to Bessie Young and James David Melton. He attended Fletcher High School in Jacksonville, where he played basketball. He attended Emory University and Emory Medical School in Georgia. At Emory,...

Oct 7, 2021

Oct 7, 2021

Mary Alice Moran of Lakeland, Florida, passed on 10/07/2021 at the age of 93 after suffering a long illness. At the time of her passing, Mary Alice was a resident at Brookdale Assisted Living facility, Lakeland, Florida and with her family. She was born May 13, 1928, in New Brighton, Pa., the daughter of Earl E. and Helen M....

Oct 7, 2021

Jessie “Virginia” Strickland (nee Sanders), 88, of Lakeland, FL –Devout Christian/Adoring Wife/Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. Mrs. Strickland passed away last Thursday, October 7, 2021, from pneumonia. Virginia was born January 4, 1933, in Lakeland, Florida. The only child to survive childhood, she was the daughter of Jesse DeWitt Sanders and Clara Ola Sanders (nee Bodiford). She was predeceased...

Oct 7, 2021

Nadine Alderman Wofford, 94, of Greenville, SC passed away in Greenville on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Born in Bartow, Florida on February 22, 1927, to William J. Alderman and Mabel Young Alderman. She worked for 20 years in the office of A.G. Edwards and Sons. She moved to Greenville, SC in 2009. She was a member of Bible Presbyterian...

Oct 7, 2021

Nancy Joanne (Oswald) Richards, 67, longtime Lakeland FL resident, was suddenly called home by her loving Heavenly Father on Thursday October 7, 2021. Welcoming her are parents R. C. (Jim) and Ruth (Trefry) Oswald; grandparents Sterling Worth Trefry (Corabelle) & Eva Oswald; Ed Oswald (uncle), numerous relatives and special longtime friends. Survived by former spouse Richard V Miller and...

Oct 5, 2021

Oct 3, 2021

Wendy Sue Venables, 61, of Lakeland, Florida passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Wendy was dearly loved by her family and friends. She was born on September 26, 1959, to Sheila L. Wheatley and Theodore Plain in Endicott, New York. Wendy graduated from Medina Senior High in Medina, Ohio. Wendy was a true nature lover, enjoying days at...

Oct 1, 2021

Oct 1, 2021

Alexander David Merriam, “Alex”, was born on March 21, 1972, in Lakeland, Florida. He was raised and lived in Lakeland his entire life. He earned a BS in Communications and Broadcasting from Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fl. Alex was filled with curiosity and a keen sense of adventure. As a teenager, he loved to surf and spent many Summer days...

Sep 29, 2021

Sep 29, 2021

Cleston Perry Spresser, 82, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Cleston graduated from Lakeland High School in 1957 and served in the United States Navy (National Security Agency). He also worked for the city of Lakeland. He retired from Allen and Company in 2004. in his retirement, Cleston enjoyed growing orchids, taking cross country...