Ernest "E.L." Hodges

Mr. Ernest "E.L." Hodges, age 88, passed away from respiratory failure Thursday, October 6, 2011 at home in Bartow. Born June 22, 1923 in Cedar Springs, GA, he was a longtime Bartow resident. Mr. Hodges was the owner and operator of Hodges Tree Service. He was a veteran of WWII, serving on the U.S.S. Beale in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Hodges was preceded in death by his son John Lee Hodges, and two grandchildren; Shawn Hodges, and Michelle Hodges. He is survived by a loving family that includes his wife of 69 years, Christine Hodges of Bartow, his daughter Tesia Mills (Everett) of Bartow, two sisters; Callie Rimer of Winthrop, MA, Jessie Wiess of Olympia, CA, and four grandchildren; Benjamin Mills, Shelley Snavely, Aaron Mills, and Nathan Mills. He also leaves behind eleven great grandchildren, niece Sharon Turner Douberley and nephew Mark Turner. Services for Mr. Hodges will be Wednesday, October 12th at 2:00pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow.