Obituaries

Whidden-McLean Funeral Home & Crematory Obituaries

In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones

John Christopher Mathis

John Christopher Mathis

Sep 23, 2019

John Christopher Mathis, age 47, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2019 at his home in Bartow. Mr. Mathis was born on April 24, 1972 in Lake City, FL. Chris worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Mr. Mathis is preceded in death by his grandparents: Marvin and Annie L. Mathis and Richard B. and Armilda D. Gittings. He...

Fonda M. Bennett

Fonda M. Bennett

Sep 22, 2019

Fort Meade - Fonda M. Bennett, 89, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019. She was born May 16, 1930 in Unionville, MI to William & Luella Lewis. Fonda worked for many years at the Caro Regional Center in Michigan. After moving to Florida, she was instrumental in helping establish the campgrounds at the American Legion Post 23 in Fort Meade...

Lee Bruning Campbell

Lee Bruning Campbell

Sep 21, 2019

Bartow- Lee Bruning Campbell, 88, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2019. Born July 30, 1931 in Dallas, Texas, Lee was the daughter of A.H. “Hank” and Edna Lee Bruning. She was a graduate of the University of Florida with a Master’s Degree in English and a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Lee was a longtime resident of Bartow, and...

Ronald C. Williams

Ronald C. Williams

Sep 21, 2019

Ronald C. Williams, age 71, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Bartow. Born November 28, 1947 in Florence, AL, he was the son of the late J.W. and Irene Williams. Mr Williams was a veteran of the U.S. Army and attended the Vineyard Church of God of Bartow. Ron retired from I.M.C Phosphate after 30 years of service, working...

John Vas

John Vas

Sep 18, 2019

Dr. John Vas, age 98, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. Born July 14, 1921 in Vashosszufalu, Hungary, he was the son of the late John and Anna (Zavar) Vas. Mr. Vas was a Banking Officer for Wells Fargo Bank for many years. John earned a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy and Letters from the University of Santo Domingo in...

Ralph Meeks, Jr.

Ralph Meeks, Jr.

Sep 15, 2019

Bartow - Ralph Meeks, Jr. age 90, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019. He was born July 19, 1929 in Rockledge, GA, Ralph moved to Bartow in 1943, from Rockledge, GA. He was a Veteran in the US Air Force and a life member of the VFW. He was a Engineer for the State of Florida Department of Transportation. Ralph...

John Silas Osteen

John Silas Osteen

Sep 13, 2019

Bartow - John Silas Osteen, 76, passed away September 13, 2019 at Winter Haven Hospital. Born January 11, 1943 in Bradenton, FL, Mr. Osteen was a longtime resident of Bartow. He was a truck driver in the construction industry. He is preceded in death by his wife: Kathleen Osteen, sisters: Eva Ziegler & Jane Thorpe, a great great grandchild: Braylyn...

Carol S. Warren

Carol S. Warren

Sep 8, 2019

Carol S. Warren, age 65, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2019 in Lakeland. Born August 28, 1954 in Pinellas Park, she was the daughter of the late Floyd Howard and Ruth Irma (Parsons) Sowell. Carol retired from the Polk County School Board after working many years as an Administrative Assistant. Mrs. Warren is survived by her husband, of 36...

George Nelson Hamer

George Nelson Hamer

Sep 7, 2019

Bartow - George Nelson "Coach" Hamer, age 94, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2019. He was born March 8, 1925 in Columbus, GA, He was a Veteran in the US Navy, where he served on the USS New York at Iwo Jima during WWII. He was a resident of Bartow since 1952, moving from Opp, AL, He taught and coached...

Barbara Ward Leedy

Barbara Ward Leedy

Sep 4, 2019

Lakeland - Barbara Ward Leedy, age 94, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2019. Born April 18, 1925 in Summersville, WV, After high school she attended the University of Kentucky at Lexington. In 1942 she left college packed her suitcase and took a train to Washington DC to do something to help the US fighting in World War II. She had...

Kenneth Paul Harrell, Sr.

Kenneth Paul Harrell, Sr.

Sep 4, 2019

Bartow - Kenneth "Lightning" Paul Harrell, Sr. age 86, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2019. Mr Harrell was born May 8, 1933 in Climax, GA, He was a Veteran in the US Navy and moved to Bartow in 1956 from Climax, GA, He was a member of Lake Garfield First Baptist Church. He retired from Crown Cork and Seal after...

Kristi Anne Tew

Kristi Anne Tew

Aug 30, 2019

Bartow - Kristi Anne Tew, 47, passed away Friday, August 30, 2019 at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa after an extended illness. Born March 17, 1972 in Minot, ND, the daughter of Dean and Diane Will Koulogianes. A graduate of Mentor High School in Ohio, Kristi served as a safety officer for the Lakeland Police Department for several years. After...

Jo Ann Taylor Watson

Jo Ann Taylor Watson

Aug 30, 2019

Lehigh Acres - Jo Ann Taylor Watson, age 80, passed away Friday, August 30, 2019 at Hope Hospice in Lehigh Acres. She was born April 24, 1939 in Avon Park, FL. She was a Insurance Sales Representative. She was Baptist. She is survived by her husband; Roger Watson of Lehigh Acres, two sons; Roger Watson, Jr. (Jackie) and Rodney Watson...

Adolph Belcher

Adolph Belcher

Aug 29, 2019

Adolph Belcher, age 82, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2019 at his home in Fort Meade. Born December 6, 1936 in Enterprise, AL, he was the son of the late Lehmon and Addie Elizabeth (Ellis) Belcher. Mr. Belcher was a Fabicator working in the Citrus Processing industry for many years. Adolph attended the First Church of God of Fort Meade....

Helen Brooks Acorn

Helen Brooks Acorn

Aug 26, 2019

Bartow- Helen Brooks Acorn, age 73, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019 at her home in Bartow. Born August 10, 1946 in Monroeville, AL, she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Alice (Womack) Brooks. Helen was a longtime member of Turning Point Worship Center in Bartow. Helen was a manager at the McDonald's Restaurant in Bartow, working...

Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Nicholson

Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Nicholson

Aug 25, 2019

Bartow - Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Nicholson, Jr., 59, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He was born March 11, 1960 in Orlando, FL. He was a Truck Driver for R & L Carriers for 20 years and was a member of the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his son; Kevin Nicholson...

William "Bill" Paige Hall

William "Bill" Paige Hall

Aug 25, 2019

BARTOW - William Paige Hall “Bill” 81, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side Sunday, August 25th, 2019. Born February 14, 1938 in Bartow, FL to Charles and Addie Hall. Bill is one of eleven children and has been a lifelong resident of Bartow. Bill was an Armored Tank Sergeant in United States Army’s prestigious 101st Airborne...

Vivian C. Peacock

Vivian C. Peacock

Aug 23, 2019

Vivian C. Peacock, age 55, of Bartow, passed away Friday, August 23, 2019, after a courageous fight against complications from a stroke, with her family by her side. She was born to Roy and Myrtle Chapman, May 24, 1964, in Bartow, Florida. Vivian graduated from Bartow Senior High School in 1982, and began her career in banking at Community National...

Linda Courson O'Neal

Linda Courson O'Neal

Aug 21, 2019

Plant City - Linda Courson O'Neal, age 71, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Health. Born September 30, 1947 in Bartow, FL, she was the daughter of Quinton Courson and Betty Lou Lawrence Courson. A longtime resident of Bartow, Linda was a graduate of Summerlin Institute, class of 1966. She was a member of the Bartow First...

Donny Houser

Donny Houser

Aug 16, 2019

Gary Donald "Donny" HouserOur Lord dispatched Donny to his final call that he responded to on August 16, 2019. He was born in Longview, TX on November 15, 1968. Donny is survived by his wife, Kristen, and three sons, Tyler, Logan, and Dalton. Also surviving are his parents, Darryl (Susan), Patsy, his brother, Danny, his sister, Cene', and niece Shelby....

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Whidden-McLean Funeral Home & Crematory

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