Obituaries

William Blalock

WILLIAM BLALOCK, 63

Truck Driver

LAKELAND -- Mr. William "Bill" Garland Blalock of Lakeland died of lung cancer Saturday (Nov. 26, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 63.

Born in Lyons, Ga., on Oct. 21, 1942, he was a longtime resident of Florida, coming from Georgia. He was a truck driver and worked in building materials. He also was an insurance salesman and worked in retail sales. He was a member of the AARP.

Mr. Blalock was preceded in death by his companion, Annette Criss. He is survived by his daughters, Denise Thomas, Auburndale, Tina O'Donnell, Lisa Thompson, both of Lakeland; son, Richard Garland Blalock, Lakeland; brothers, Tony C. Blalock, Barney Carlton Blalock, both of Lakeland; sister, Kathy Blalock-Cottrill, Auburndale; eight grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening (November 29, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday (November 30, 3005) at the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Emmett Hyatt

EMMETT HYATT, 72

LAKELAND -- Mr. Emmett M. Hyatt was an avid gardener who enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren who live in Lakeland.

"He was raised on a farm, so gardening was his thing," said Louise Hyatt, his wife of 50 years. "He loved to grow corn and when the corn, would become all picked, he would let his grandchildren run through it and knock the stalks down and they would really enjoy it."

He died at Lakeland Medical Center on Sunday (Nov. 27, 2005) of complications following a stroke. He was 72.

Born in Bellwood, Ala., on July 24, 1933, he was one of eight children and was raised in Alabama. He served for two years in the Navy before enlisting in the Air Force. Mr. Hyatt served during the Korean War and was stationed in Orlando for a number of years. With two of his brothers residing in Polk County at the time, he retired to Lakeland from Fort Walton Beach in 1971.

He was a postal clerk in Lakeland, sorting mail for city and rural carriers until his retirement in the early 1990s.

He was a real joker, his wife said, noting that he had a wonderful sense of humor.

He was an active member of Gapway Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, Louise Hyatt, Mr. Hyatt is survived by his daughters, Gwen Hyatt, Karen Hornsby, both of Lakeland, Sharon Hyatt, Northport, Ala.; brothers, Jimmy Hyatt, Enterprise, Ala., Herbert Hyatt, Skipperville, Ala.; three grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening (November 29, 2005) at Gapway Baptist Church, 1705 N. Combee Road, Lakeland. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday (November 30, 2005) at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gapway Baptist Church library fund.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Funeral Home.

Dominic Troiano

DOMINIC TROIANA, 76

LAKELAND -- Mr. Dominic A. Troiano, a longtime Lakeland lawyer who was active in many community and professional organizations, died of heart failure Thursday (Nov. 24, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 76.

Born May 21, 1929, in Long Island, N.Y., Mr. Troiano moved to Lakeland in 1953.

Mr. Troiano's left arm was amputated at birth to stop an infection. The operation would force him to find another job instead of working alongside his father in a welding factory as might have been expected, said his daughter, Mary Ann Troiano-Wike of Lakeland.

The family pooled its money and sent Mr. Troiano to New York University. After a car accident that fatally injured his mother, he decided to attend law school.

"When he saw how the process affected his mother, he wanted to help," said his nephew, Victor Troiano, who is also a lawyer.

In 1948, Mr. Troiano graduated from Stetson University and in 1960 founded Troiano and Roberts, a law firm that specializes in real estate, probate and estate planning.

"He practiced the old-fashioned way," said Victor Troiano, who worked alongside Mr. Troiano for 30 years. "He was a good, knowledgable, aggressive attorney. He would often represent clients on reduced fee or pro bono, and took a very active part in their cases."

Mr. Troiano also helped found Imperial Bank of Florida in the mid-1960s. The bank was subsequently sold and is now part of Wachovia Bank.

"A lot of people started their businesses and bought their homes through loans from the bank," Victor Troiano said.

Among his other accomplishments, Mr. Troiano served as president of the Florida Jaycees. He was also a member of the Kiwanis International, the Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation and the Florida Bar Association for 50 years. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Mr. Troiano is survived by his wife, Fay Troiano; son, Stephen Troiano, Lakeland; daughters, Mary Ann TroianoWike, Lakeland, and Frances Troiano-Kennedy, Alpharetta, Ga.; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday (November  28, 2005) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lakeland. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (November 29, 2005) at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Joseph School Foundation, c/o St. Joseph's Parish, 118 W. Lemon, Lakeland, FL 33801 or the Pregnancy Help Center of Lakeland, 120 W. Hickory St., Lakeland, FL 33801.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison/DukesSteen Funeral Home.

Alberta Courson

ALBERTA COURSON, 91

Homemaker

LAKELAND -- Ms. Alberta L. Courson of Lakeland died of heart failure Thursday (Nov. 24, 2005) at Tandem Health Care. She was 91.

Born in Jacksonville on Jan. 22, 1914, she came to Lakeland from Lanier County, Ga., 65 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a member of West Lakeland Church of God.

Mrs. Courson was preceded in death by her husband, Omer Marvin Courson. She is survived by her sons, Marvin O. Courson, Fort Myers, Robert W. Courson, Pine Island, Don E. Courson, Lakeland; daughter, Lisa James, Lakeland; brother, John Wesley Calhoun, Salt Springs; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 this afternoon (November 26, 3005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel. Services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Richard Cathey

RICHARD CATHEY, 69

Truck Driver

LAKELAND -- Mr. Richard Edward Cathey of Lakeland died of cancer Friday (Nov. 25, 2005) at home. He was 69.

Born in Jacksonville on Oct. 13, 1936, he came to Lakeland from Indianapolis in 1999. He was a truck driver. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Scott Lake Baptist Church.

Mr. Cathey is survived by his wife, Diana Cathey; sons, Richard Moss, Fountain Inn, S.C., Bryan Cathey, Indianapolis, Richard Cathey Jr., Lakeland, T.J. Cathey, Anderson, S.C.; daughters, Christina Cathey and Linda Bristow, both of Indianapolis, Erica Cathey, Anderson; brothers, Robert Cathey Jacksonville, Robin Cathey, St. Augustine; seven grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday (November 27, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison DukesSteen Chapel, 1833 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday (November 28, 2005) at the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, 33823.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison / Dukes Steen Chapel.

Charles Scribner

CHARLES SCRIBNER, 77

Aerospace Medical Technician

LAKELAND -- Mr. Charles "Chuck" Scribner of Lakeland died of complications of Alzheimer's disease Tuesday (Nov. 22, 2005) at Palm Terrace Hospice. He was 77.

Born in Rochester, Mich., on Nov. 16, 1928, he came to Lakeland from Arlington, Texas, in 1999. He was an aerospace medical technician for Lockheed Martin. He was a retired Navy veteran of 20 years, having served in the Korean War. He received four Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Mr. Scribner is survived by his wife, Jeanne Scribner; sons, Steven Scribner, Lakeland, Jon Scribner, Texas, James Scribner, Georgia; daughters, Sandra Moore, Lakeland, Janet Ewing, Oklahoma, Susan Bilger, Texas, Karen Dodson, Florida; brother, Wesley Scribner, Florida; sisters, Ellen Gross, Marcia Watson, Gretchen Achberger, Sandy Oakley, all of Michigan; 10 grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (November 25, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Northside Funeral Home. Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday (November 26, 3005) at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Audrey Redfern

AUDREY REDFERN, 80

Heavy Equipment Operator

LAKELAND -- Mr. Audrey Morris Redfern of Lakeland died of heart failure Oct. 29, 2005, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 80.

Born in Adrian, Ga., on March 27, 1925, he was a longtime resident of Lakeland. He was a self-employed heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Moose Lodge.

Mr. Redfern was preceded in death by his wife, Sula Elizabeth Redfern. He is survived by his son, Morris Redfern Jr., Palmetto; daughters, Rose Williamson, Lakeland, and Elizabeth Redfern-Janus, Cape Coral; brother, Leon Redfern, Lakeland; sister, Vonell Larson, Lakeland; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday (November 26, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Dukes Steen Funeral Home, 1833 S, Florida Ave.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Dukes Steen Chapel.

Donald Mead

DONALD MEAD, 84

John's Brake and Wheel

LAKELAND -- Mr. Donald E. "Smiley" Mead of Lakeland died of lung failure Friday (Nov. 18, 2005) at James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa. He was 84.

Born in Cleveland on Feb. 28, 1921, he was a longtime resident of Lakeland after coming from Ohio. He was a mechanic at John's Brake and Wheel in Lakeland. He also worked in security at Walt Disney World in Orlando. He was a Navy veteran. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland.

Mr. Mead is survived by his wife, Gloria Mead; daughter, Annette Mead, Kissimmee; one sister; and one granddaughter, Brandy Brooks.

Memorial services, celebrating his life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland.  He will be buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.  In Lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Donald E. Mead memorial fund at any Sun Trust Bank.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Dukes Steen, 1833 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland.

David Moore

DAVID MOORE, 29

Forklift Operator

LAKELAND -- Mr. David McKinley Moore of Lakeland died Friday (Nov. 18, 2005) from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. He was 29.

Born Aug. 5, 1976, Mr. Moore lived in this area his entire life. He worked as a forklift operator.

Mr. Moore is survived by his father, Thomas Moore, Lakeland, and mother, Linda Aycock, Lakeland.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Lakeland.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

William Anderson

WILLIAM ANDERSON, 76

Coast Guard

LAKELAND -- Mr. William Jennings Anderson Jr. of Lakeland died of heart failure Friday (Nov. 18, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 76.

Born May 10, 1929, in Washington, Pa., Mr. Anderson moved to Lakeland from Maryland in 1950. He served in the Coast Guard for 25 years, serving in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He worked for Publix as a mechanic for 14 years. He was a Baptist.

Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Smith Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Harriet Jean Anderson; sons, Steve M. Anderson and Russell A. Reynolds, both of Lakeland; daughters, Virginia May Derber, Newberry, Mary Ellen Martin, Lebanon, Tenn., Bessie J. Newmen, Walnut Hill, Ill.; brother, Jim Anderson, Lakeland; sister, Sherry Kennedy, Lakeland; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grand-children.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening (November 21, 2005) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday (November 22, 2005) at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.