James E. Willis
Jun 25, 2026
Bartow - James E. Willis, age 86, passed away June 25, 2026, at his residence in Bartow. He was born on August 6, 1939, in Omega, GA to Ishmael & Lorraine (Tucker) Willis. He worked as an Inspector for Crown Cork & Seal . He enjoyed coaching in his younger years, fishing, hunting and traveling. He was preceded in death...
Jacob Daniel Gonzalez
Jun 23, 2026
Jacob Daniel Gonzalez, age 22, passed away at his home Tuesday, June 23, 2026. He was born on January 20, 2004, in Haines City, Florida. Jacob was a landscaper and artist. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Gayle Turner Wright, and Dorothy Marie Gonzalez; and grandfather, Vincent Gonzalez, Jr.; Uncles Roger Jones, Rodney Turner, Vince Turner, and Thurston...
Juan Cruz Rodriguez, Sr.
Jun 20, 2026
Frostproof - Juan Cruz Rodriguez, Sr. age 75, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2026. He was born June 12, 1951 in El Pochote, Mexico. Juan worked in Agriculture. He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Frostproof. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Jasmin Navarro. Juan is survived by his wife Griselda Cruz of Frostproof, three...
Allen "Jerry" Conrad
Jun 13, 2026
Bartow - Allen "Jerry" Conrad, age 75, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026. He was born on August 18, 1950, in Parsons, TN to Jake & Lodie Conrad. Jerry played football and graduated from Mississippi State University. He was a teacher at Bartow High School for 42 years, as well as a football coach. He is survived by his wife...
Arya Witmer
Jun 12, 2026
In Loving Memory of Arya
With broken hearts and endless love, we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Arya, who left this world far too soon at the age of 8.
Arya was a vibrant, fearless, and beautifully spirited little girl who brought light to everyone around her. Full of confidence and playful sass, she embraced life with pure joy, whether...
Ryon J. Hartwig
Jun 12, 2026
Bartow – Ryon J. Hartwig, age 44, passed away on June 12, 2026. He was born on April 15, 1982, in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada to Daniel and Virginia Hartwig. He worked as a Truck Driver. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, playing pool, doing anything on the water and having a good time. He was preceded in death by...
Charles "Chuck" Butts
Jun 8, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Charles "Chuck" Butts, who departed this world on June 8, 2026, at the age of 70.
Chuck was born on October 28, 1955, in Hamilton, Ohio, to the late Robert F. Butts Sr. and Lou Ellen Thompson. He is now reunited with his beloved parents, his brother Robert F. Butts...
Rev. Eddie W. Owen
Jun 7, 2026
Eddie Wayne Owen
Bartow – Rev. Eddie W. Owen, 83, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 7, 2026. He was born on March 11, 1943, in Oneonta, Alabama, to the late Henry Levi Owen, Jr. and Jesse Mae Price Owen. In 1951, the family moved to Bartow, Florida.
Eddie was a star running back for the Bartow High...
Beverly Sue Mitchell
Jun 6, 2026
Beverly Sue Mitchell, age 78, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026. She was born on November 24, 1948, in Bartow, Florida. Attending Sunday school growing up was something Beverly always cherished-it was there that she first fell in love with the Lord, a love that stayed with her for the rest of her life. Her deep faith in God became...
Steve Edward Reas
Jun 4, 2026
Steve Edward Reas, lovingly known to many of his friends as "Booger Woods," passed away at the age of 87 on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Born on July 28, 1938, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Lawrence Reas and Alberta Jones, Steve spent his life as a dedicated Heavy Equipment Operator, retiring from Kovacs Brothers and Kline Inc.
Steve had a passion for racing...
Verda Lee Armstrong
Jun 4, 2026
Verda Lee Armstrong, age 91, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026. She was born May 8, 1935, in Mulberry, FL to Marvin & Laura Cravey. Verda was an Administrative Secretary for the Polk County Clerk of Courts. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland. She was preceded in death by her first husband William Taylor and second...
Carlton Wayne Harris
Jun 4, 2026
Carlton Wayne Harris, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, left us on June 4, 2026, at the age of 78. Wayne was born on December 24, 1947, in Nocatee, Florida, to his loving parents, Reverend C.D. Harris and Eula Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Jackie Harris Morris and Pat Harris Sleepe, and his...
Fred Donnett "Don" Harrison
Jun 4, 2026
Fort Meade - Fred Donnett Harrison, age 89, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was born June 25, 1936 in Milligan, FL to Claude Harrison & Mary Etta Boutwell. Don was a Veteran in the US Army. He worked 28 years for U.S. Agri-Chemicals, first as a welder, and later as a Manager, then Sumter Sand & Silica, followed...
Ligia Maria Haedo
Jun 3, 2026
Ligia Maria Haedo, lovingly known as "Chichi," age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. She was born on September 18, 1937, in Havana, Cuba, to Jesus and Angelina Perez.
Ligia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose love, creativity, faith, and adventurous spirit touched all who knew her. A woman of many talents, she enjoyed...
Paula Jean Joyner
Jun 3, 2026
Paula Jean Joyner (Kunberger) November 17, 1963 - June 3, 2026, Paula Jean Joyner, lovingly known as "Gigi" by those who cherished her most, passed away on June 3, 2026, at the age of 63. Born on November 17, 1963, Paula lived a life filled with laughter, love, friendship, and devotion to the people she loved the most. She was...
Kaison Carter Ford
Jun 1, 2026
In Loving Memory of Kaison Carter Ford
May 16, 2026 – June 1, 2026
Our precious angel, Kaison Carter Ford, was born on May 16, 2026, and gently returned to Heaven on June 1, 2026. He brought immense joy and love to all who awaited and cherished him, and though his time on Earth was brief, his impact on our hearts is...
YeVonne Leona Gassett
May 31, 2026
YeVonne Leona Gassett, age 64, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL. She was born July 31, 1961 in Fort Myers, FL to Russell & Leona Hornbuckle. YeVonne worked for McDonald Construction. She was preceded in death by her son Leland Ray Gassett, brother Artie Ray Hornbuckle and her parents. YeVonne is survived...
Layne Michael Smith
May 31, 2026
Layne Michael Smith, age 19, passed away on May 31, 2026. He was born on September 14, 2006 in Lakeland, FL. He worked as a Electrician for Electric Doctor LLC & Raybro CED. Layne is survived by his parents Glen & Leslie Derk Smith of Bartow, grandparents Richard & Barbara Derk of Lakeland & David & Becky Smith of Auburndale,...
Jae J. Adams
May 27, 2026
Fort Meade - Jae J. Adams , age 54, passed away on May 27, 2026, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. She was born on September 19, 1971, in Burbank, CA. She was a Homemaker. She enjoyed crafting, baking, coffee and being creative. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Patricia (Taylor) Minor. She is survived by...
Matthew Floyd King
May 23, 2026
Matthew Floyd King, age 68, passed away on May 23, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born on September 17, 1957, in Bartow, Florida.
Matt was a lifelong resident of Bartow and worked for many years in the phosphate industry, along with several other occupations throughout his life. He was also a devoted caregiver to his parents for many years....
