Obituaries
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home & Crematory Obituaries
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Paul Macneill
Sep 21, 2023
Auburndale - Paul MacNeill, age 37, passed away on September 21, 2023. He was born on February 23, 1986, in Orlando, FL. He was a Correctional Officer and a Showmen. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas MacNeill, aunt Susan Worrell, uncle Paul MacNeill and grandmothers Katherine MacNeill & Alice...
Carl E. Locke, Sr.
Sep 21, 2023
Longtime community leader, Christian, and friend to many, Carl E. Locke, Sr. age 92, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023. Carl passed in the home he built with his wife of 67 years, Frances, by his side. He was born August 24,1931, in Bartow FL to Roy & Thelma Locke, and spent all his life in the Bartow community where...
Magellan Howard
Sep 21, 2023
Lakeland - Magellan Howard, age 79, passed away September 21, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center. He was born May 27, 1944, in Salyersville, KY. He was a Truck Driver for Trans Phos Inc. He enjoyed watching auto racing, drag racing and auto auctions. He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter Brenda. He is survived by a...
Michael Russell Jonathan Caraway
Sep 20, 2023
Lakeland - Michael Caraway, age 28, passed away on September 20, 2023. He was born on January 20, 1995, in Bartow, FL. He was a Welder. He enjoyed motorcycles, fishing and playing PlayStation. He was preceded in death by his mother Ramona Ramirez and brother Nathan Caraway. He is survived by a loving family that includes his father Jonathan Caraway...
Dick Murphy
Sep 18, 2023
Alturas - Dick Murphy , age 78, passed away September 18, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center. He was born on August 10, 1945, in Tampa, FL. He was an Equipment Technician for GTE. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, American Legion and Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting and guns. He is survived by...
Phillip Larry Wolfe
Sep 18, 2023
Phillip Larry Wolfe, of Jasper, Georgia, born on July 17, 1977 in Lakeland, Florida, was called home by our loving Father on September 18, 2023. Though his 46 years felt too brief, Phillip’s impact upon us is immeasurable. As our Maker who crafted all things, Phillip enjoyed woodworking that reflected his dedication and skill. Phillip found solace in the Scripture...
Daniel S. Purzycki
Sep 14, 2023
Daniel S. Purzycki, 79 of Lakeland, FL, passed away September 14, 2023 at Good Sheperd Hospice of Lakeland. Born on March 17, 1944, in Dunkirk, NY, Dan always loved celebrating his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family. Daniel worked for Eastman Kodak, retiring February 2002, and Sears Roebuck, retiring in the early 1990’s. He was incredibly involved...
Donald C. Crosby
Sep 14, 2023
Donald C. Crosby, Jr., age 71, passed away Thursday, September 14, 2023. He was born December 25, 1951 in Wauchula, FL. Don served in the US Army. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator and a avid fisherman. He was preceded in death by his son David Crosby. He is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Crosby, son Matthew Crosby, four sisters...
Kathy Jean Cotterill
Sep 13, 2023
Kathy Jean Cotterill, age 69, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023. She was born July 1, 1954 in Paducah, KY to Thomas & Glenda Northington. Kathy was a Clerk for the State Attorney. She is survived by her two sons Bobby Cotterill and Tim Cotterill & wife Lisa, grandchildren Avery Cotterill, Haidynn Cotterill, Tyler Cotterill, Holden Cotterill, Nicholas Cotterill and...
Robert L. Reynolds
Sep 11, 2023
Robert L. Reynolds, age 84, passed away Monday, September 11, 2023. He was born December 22, 1938 in Lakeland, FL to Robert & Edna Reynolds a lifelong Polk County Native. Robert served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He then worked as a Crane Operator for 40 years in the Phosphate industry. Robert loved gardening, blue grass and...
Samuel Penn
Sep 11, 2023
Sebring - Samuel Penn, age 86, passed away September 11, 2023, at Winter Haven Hospital. He was born on September 20, 1936, in Northfield, NJ. He was a US Navy Veteran. He was a Mason and incredibly involved in Shriners. He was an Event Manager for Kennedy Space Center. He enjoyed fishing and being involved at the First United Methodist...
Brenda Cornelius
Sep 10, 2023
Bartow -Brenda Cornelius , age 73, passed away September 10, 2023, at her residence in Bartow. She was born on October 6, 1949, in Tahlequah, OK. She was an Auditor for American Airlines. She was a Oklahoma State Champion in swing dancing. She enjoyed going on trips, going to thrift shops, remodeling/redecorating homes and working in the yard. She was...
Carolyn L. Pearce
Sep 8, 2023
Bartow - Carolyn Pearce, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 8th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Pearce, daughter Linda Pearce, sister Phylis Yoder and brother Darryl Cheek. She is survived by her children Bruce Pearce, wife Marilyn and Elaine Pearce-Zuehsldorf, husband Paul and her grandsons William Pearce and Barrett Sathianathan. Carolyn...
Robert L. "Bob" Hatcher
Sep 7, 2023
Robert L. “Bob” Hatcher, age 85, passed away Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Lakeland. Bob was born June 17, 1938, in Paducah, KY, to Robert W. and Elsie V. (Helm) Hatcher. He moved to the Chicago, IL, area in 1941 and lived there until he retired to Lakeland in 1989. Bob was a graduate of Indiana University with both and...
Pauline Whitaker
Sep 7, 2023
Pauline Whitaker, age 80, passed away September 7, 2023, in Lakeland. Born September 12, 1942, in Huntington, WV, she was the daughter of the late Hughy Hagley and Ilene (Hall) Hinds. Mrs. Whitaker worked as a Cashier at Publix in Bartow for many years. She was a Christian. Along with her parents, she is also preceded in death by her...
Roy F. Porter, Jr.
Sep 7, 2023
Roy F. Porter, Jr. age 50, passed away Thursday, September 7, 2023. He was born March 19, 1973 in Bartow, FL. Roy was a Superintendent for Hubbard Construction formerly Lane Construction. He loved the outdoors on his Airboat , Hog Hunting, Fishing and most importantly spending time with his Family. He was preceded in death by his mother Jacqueline Shaw....
Bill Shuler
Sep 5, 2023
Bill Shuler is known for his faith, generosity, love, charm, and indomitable spirit. To know Bill is to love him. His sparkling blue eyes that always hold a twinkle and his penchant for quirky idioms will certainly be missed. William Herron Shuler was born in Nashville on June 7, 1953 to Cecil Moran and Sarah Dorcas Shuler as the middle...
Marie Rowell
Sep 3, 2023
Marie Rowell, 83, of Fort Meade, Florida passed away on September 3, 2023, at her residence. She was born July 7, 1940, in Laurel Hill, Florida and was a lifelong resident of Fort Meade, graduating from Fort Meade High School in 1959. Marie worked for Brewington’s and SunTrust Bank for over 26 years. She was a member of the Fort...
Wally "Jerry" Simpson
Sep 1, 2023
Wally "Jerry" Simpson, age 80, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023. He was born June 30, 1943 in Pierce, FL to James & Myrtice Simpson. Jerry was a Owner of Simpson's Pest Control. He served in the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, step son Stanley Matthews, two sisters Ladonna Sayers & Sandy Norris and two...
Larry Grace
Aug 29, 2023
Bartow -Larry Grace, age 77, passed away August 29, 2023, at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He was born Saturday, August 10, 1946, in Bartow, FL. He was a Carpenter for Polk County School Board. He attended Southside Baptist Church. He enjoyed working in the yard, hunting, and fishing. He was preceded in death by his brothers Bill Grace & Tommy...

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