Gwendolyn Beaufort Harrell
Oct 14, 2026
Gwendolyn Beaufort Harrell, lovingly known as Gwen, passed away on October 14, 2026, at her home in Lake Wales, Florida. She was born on May 26, 1933, in Pooler, Georgia, to Benjamin Beaufort and Evangeline Morgan Beaufort.
Gwen built a life marked by dedication, warmth, and deep affection for the people and pastimes she cherished most. She earned an associate degree...
Michael Gentile
Oct 13, 2026
Michael “Mike” Gentile, 77, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on October 13, 2026, at AdventHealth Orlando. He was born on June 8, 1949, in Bethpage, New York.
Mike was known as a hardworking and capable man who was often described as a Jack of all trades and an all around mountain man. He worked as a mechanic inspector...
Patricia Osborne Malnati
Oct 12, 2026
Patricia Osborne Malnati, 82, of Frostproof passed away on October 12, 2026.
Born May 30, 1944, in New Britain, Connecticut. Patricia lived a life marked by service, dedication and care for others. She served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam era, earned her Associates of Science degree, and dedicated 50 years of her life to caring for others...
Alejandro Ruiz
Oct 11, 2026
Alejandro Ruiz passed away on October 11, 2026, at the age of 70. He will be remembered with deep love for his warm spirit, his humor, and the joy he brought to those around him.
Alejandro was a man who loved making people smile. He was very funny, told a lot of jokes, and had a way of bringing laughter into...
William "Bill" George Miller, Jr.
Oct 8, 2026
William “Bill” George Miller, Jr., passed away on October 8, 2026, at AdventHealth Lake Wales under the care of Vitas Hospice. He was 94. He was born on September 12, 1932, in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Bill moved to Lake Wales from New Castle in 1976 and made his home there. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Through his...
John Conner Updike Junior
Oct 5, 2026
John Conner Updike Junior, born June 5, 1951, in Lake Wales, Florida, passed away October 5, 2026. Mr. Updike attended Lake Wales High School where he played in the band, was drum major, and graduated in 1969. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1973, with a degree in Commerce. He was in the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Mr. Updike...
Johnnie Melvin Shull, Sr.
Oct 4, 2026
Johnnie Melvin “Butch” Shull, Sr. passed away at his residence on October 4, 2026, at the age of 85. He was born on April 16, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio.
Johnnie worked as a truck driver. He was also a member of Impact Church. In his free time, he loved woodworking, fishing, hunting, and restoring old cars. He was known for his...
Tracy Lee Britt
Oct 1, 2026
Tracy Lee Britt, 59
Tracy Lee Britt, a lifelong resident of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away on October 1, 2026. He was born on December 29, 1966, in Lake Wales, Florida.
Tracy was a hardworking and generous man who believed in helping others whenever he could. He owned Britt’s Landscaping Supplies and Trucking and also worked at Alcoma for 20+ years, carrying...
John Edward Grotzinger
Oct 1, 2026
John Edward Grotzinger, 85, passed away on October 1, 2026, at Winter Haven Hospital. He was born on June 7, 1941, in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania.
John and Phyllis Wright married on August 4, 1962, and then he graduated from Penn State University, earning his degree in 1963. He went on to build a life centered on hard work and dedication. He...
Michael Lee Day
Sep 29, 2026
Michael Lee Day, of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away on September 29, 2026, in Lake Wales. He was born on January 30, 1956, in Grafton, West Virginia.
Michael lived a life shaped by learning, service, independence, and deep personal conviction. He earned a bachelor’s degree and went on to become self-employed as an apartment-building owner later in life, building his livelihood...
Leo Anthony Wise, III
Sep 27, 2026
Leo Anthony Wise, III, passed away on September 27, 2026, at his residence. He was 79. He was born on March 24, 1947, in Brownsville, Texas.
Leo graduated with the class of 1967 from Mount Carmel High School in Houston, Texas, and later attended the University of Houston. While attending the university, he joined the Texas National Guard. He went on...
James Floyd Bracken
Sep 27, 2026
James Floyd Bracken, of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Lake Wales. He was born on April 2, 1939, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and lived a long life marked by devotion to his family, steady work, and the simple joys that meant the most to him.
Mr. Bracken built a strong and lasting career in the citrus industry....
Russell A Finehout
Sep 24, 2026
Russell A. Finehout, 89, known to many as “Captain Russ,” died on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven, Florida.
Born June 29, 1937, to Clifford and Kathryn Finehout in Watertown, New York, Russ graduated from Clayton High School in 1954. After working as a carpenter, he turned his part-time job and love of the outdoors...
Billie Jean Wright
Sep 24, 2026
Billie Jean Wright, 31, passed away on September 24, 2026. She was born on June 16, 1995, in Lake Wales, Florida, and was a lifelong resident of the area.
Billie was known for the joy she found in everyday life. She loved to dance, enjoyed playing with kids, and especially treasured spending time with her son. Those who knew her will...
Richard Lee Rounds
Sep 23, 2026
Richard Lee Rounds passed away on September 23, 2026, at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was 89. He was born on June 12, 1937, in Gays Mills, Wisconsin.
Richard built a successful career and served as Vice President of Osco Drugs where he was the youngest manager for the company. He was regarded as a great boss to his staff, and he...
Jairam Charan
Sep 22, 2026
Jairam Charan, 68
Jairam Charan passed away on September 22, 2026. He was born on September 29, 1957, in East Berbice-Corentyne, Guyana. Jairam came to America in 1981, where he will be remembered for the life he built through steady work and quiet dedication. His journey from Guyana to the United States was part of a life marked by perseverance and...
Barbara Lee Hartranft Mesh
Sep 20, 2026
It is with deep love for Barbara Lee Hartranft Mesh that we announce her passing on Sept. 20 at the age of 77.
Barbara was boundlessly interested in other people, and people responded to her authentic curiosity. She got pretty much everyone to like her, and she won over some tough cases. When she heard somebody had a problem, she was...
Mary Jean Galloway
Sep 20, 2026
Mary Jean Galloway, born on February 8, 1937, in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, passed away on September 20, 2026, at Melech Hospice House.
Mary was a devoted homemaker and an excellent caregiver for her family. She was also the handywoman around the house, always ready to take care of the work that needed to be done. Her love for her family showed...
Ellis Hunt, Sr.
Sep 18, 2026
George Ellis Hunt, Sr., 96, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family. His long and fruitful life was deeply rooted in the Lake Wales community he called home, and he will be remembered with love and gratitude by his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched.
Ellis was born on June 14, 1930,...
Rhetta "Susie" Holland
Sep 15, 2026
Rhetta “Susie” Holland, 78, passed away on September 15, 2026, at Oaks of Avon. She was born on September 9, 1948, in Pineville, West Virginia.
Susie will be remembered for the kindness and encouragement she shared so freely with others. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Osceola School Board, serving with dedication through her career. A member of First...