Mar 30, 2025

Mindy Joyce Dougherty, 66

Mindy Dougherty of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale.

Mindy was born May 4, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Alvin Gross and Myra Ludwig. Mindy was a retired CNA, and a member of Winter Haven Worship Center. She loved and supported...

Mar 28, 2025

Gloria J. Wurth -10/28/1932 - 03/28/2025

Gloria Jean Wurth left this world peacefully on Friday, March 28th after a brief illness at Advent Health Lake Wales.

Gloria was born in Tampa, Florida to Evelina and Ralph Faza.

She later married Carl Wurth and they moved to Lake Wales in 1960. She...

Mar 25, 2025

Alfred Alonzo Lanier, Sr., 78

Alfred Alonzo Lanier, Sr. of Frostproof passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Wedgewood Healthcare in Lakeland.

He was born November 4, 1946 in Frostproof to the late George and Mary Lanier; he has been a lifelong resident of Frostproof. Alfred was a retired truck driver and was...

Mar 23, 2025

Jessie Ray Curtis, 83

Jessie Ray Curtis of Frostproof passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025 at his residence.

He was born August 29, 1941 in Shamrock, West Virginia to the late Rube and Ora Lovett Curtis. Jessie was a truck driver for Polk County. He lived a simple life and loved animals.

Jessie...

Mar 22, 2025

Steven Phillip Zackowski, 73

Steven Zackowski of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025, at James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Steven was born on January 16, 1952, in Syracuse, New York, to Edward Zackowski and Shirely Bardo. Steven worked as a laborer in the citrus industry. Steven was always...

Mar 21, 2025

James Larry Hobbs, 72, passed away at his home on March 21st.

James was born March 21st, 1953, in Lake Wales, to Quida (Hutto) Hobbs and the late James Dewey Hobbs. He was an electrician for Florida’s Natural before he retired and enjoyed working in his yard.

He is preceded in death by his wife,...

Mar 19, 2025

Laura Estelle Shirey, 59

Laura Shirey of Winter Haven passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Laura was born March 31, 1965, in Bronx, New York, to Luis Antonio Arenas and Maria Ines Santini. Laura was a greeter at Disney. She loved working for Disney and often visited the...

Mar 17, 2025

George “Wayne” Bennett, 65

George “Wayne” Bennett of Bartow passed away Monday, March 17, 2025 at Bartow Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 15, 1959 in Turkey, Istanbul to the late George and Winifred Bennett; he has been a lifelong resident of the area. Wayne was a retired distillation operator for Givaudan...

Mar 16, 2025

James “Jim” Horrie, 87

James “Jim” Horrie of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at his residence after a brave fight with cancer.

He was born September 11, 1937, in Joliet, Illinois, to the late James and Kathryn (Savage) Horrie. Jim was raised in Gardner, Illinois, where he graduated from GSW...

Mar 15, 2025

Noble Washburn Yarbrough, 92

Noble Washburn Yarbrough of Frostproof passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring.

She was born June 18, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Thomas and Mamie Washburn; she moved to Frostproof from Winter Haven in 1959. Noble was a manager for JA Stevens...

Mar 15, 2025

Julia Geraldine Stewart, 92

Julia Geraldine Stewart of Waverly passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Lakeland Hospice House.

She was born November 1, 1932 in Pavo, Georgia to the late George and Annie Mae Daniel; she was a resident of the area for most of her life. Julia was a retired planter...

Mar 14, 2025

Earl Dennis Goetz, 85

Earl Dennis Goetz, 85, Lakes Wales, FL, formally of Minot, ND, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at AdventHealth Lake Wales.

Earl was born on April 23, 1939, in Algona, Iowa to Philip and Lorrine (Garman) Goetz. He graduated from Wesley (IA) High School in 1957 before attending Austin...

Mar 11, 2025

Elaine Serrano-Walker, 59, of Frostproof, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, March 11th.

Elaine was born in the Bronx, NY on June 10, 1965 to the late Hector M. and Adelaide (Garraballo) Serrano. She was a home maker and a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She loved nature, horseback riding, her congregation...

Mar 8, 2025

Matthew Joel “Dittimus” Laffey, 79, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on March 8, 2025, at his home.

Born on November 28, 1945, in Orlando, Florida, to James and Jannette Laffey, Matt grew up with a love for travel, in both the physical and spiritual realms, that would define his life. He graduated from Ocala High School...

Mar 6, 2025

Cathie Jo Bruursema, 55

Cathie Jo Bruursema of Babson Park passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Somers Hospice House in Sebring.

She was born July 16, 1969 in Holland, MI. She was a retired administrative assistant from the Grace Church in Gladstone, MI and a member of the First Baptist Church of...

Mar 6, 2025

Mary Elizabeth Kelley, 81

Mary Elizabeth Kelley of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025 at her residence.

She was born April 13, 1943 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Frank and Frances Saunders; she moved to Lake Wales from Melbourne 11 years ago. Mary was a homemaker and earned her Associates...

Mar 2, 2025

Herman and Mary Lutz

Herman Lutz passed away on March 26,2018 in Albuquerque, NM and Mary followed on March 2, 2025 also in Albuquerque.

Herman was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Mary was born in Paris, Arkansas. They met each other and were married in 1950, and brought 15 children into the...

Mar 2, 2025

William “Bill” Ryan, 78

William “Bill” Ryan of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Lakeland Hospice House.

He was born September 27, 1946 in Salina, Kansas to the late John and Dorothy Ryan; he moved to Lake Wales from Winter Haven in 2005. Bill was a retired claims adjuster for...

Feb 28, 2025

Ana Josefina Santana, 93

Ana Josefina Santana of Lake Wales passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 at her daughters home in Davenport.

She was born August 24, 1931 in Caracas, Venezuela to the late Jose De Jesus and Herminia Santana; she moved to Lake Wales in 2007. Ana was a data entry clerk...

Feb 26, 2025

Wayne Shockley, 57

Wayne Shockley of Frostproof passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.

He was born December 24, 1967 in Winter Haven; he moved to Frostproof one year ago. Wayne was a truck driver and a Wreck Master certified wrecker operator. He liked racing cars and previously raced...