Obituaries

Frieda Sabin

FRIEDA SABIN, 89

Dept. of Agriculture

LAKELAND -- Ms. Frieda Sabin of Lakeland died of heart failure Monday (June 26, 2006) at Highlands Lake Center. She was 89.

Born in New York on Dec. 20, 1916, she came to Lakeland from Hackettstown, N.J., in February. She was a secretary for the Department of Agriculture. She was a member of the VFW of Hackettstown, N.J.

Ms. Sabin is survived by her daughter, Linda Gillum, Lakeland; two grandchildren.

Arrangement by Gentry-Morrison Southside Funeral Home.

Jimmy "J. D." Cauley

JIMMY "J. D." CAULEY, 65

Cauley Saddle Shop

LAKELAND -- Mr. Jimmy "J.D." Denton Cauley of Lakeland died of lung cancer Wednesday (June 28, 2006) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 65.

Born in Soperton, Ga., on Dec. 11, 1940, he came to Lakeland from there 60 years ago. He was the owner of Cauley Saddle Shop and Cauley's Foam Recycling. He was formerly an officer for the Lakeland Police Department and dispatcher for the Florida Highway Patrol. He was past president of the Kathleen Lions Club and past governor of the Winter Haven Loyal Order of the Moose. He was a member of the Masonic Order and the York Rite. He was a 32nd-degree Mason. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Mr. Cauley is survived by his wife, Nelda F. Cauley; son, Justin Lee Cauley, Lakeland; daughter, Lisa Cauley Morris, Somerville, Tenn.; father, Emmit Cauley, Swainsboro, Ga.; brother, William "Bobby" Cauley, Swainsboro; one granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday (June 30, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel, 5245 U.S. 98 N. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday (July 1, 2006) at Bethel Baptist Church, 3125 W. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Nancy Bonnell

NANCY BONNELL, 79

Data Processor

MULBERRY -- Mrs. Nancy K. Bonnell of Mulberry died of lung failure Tuesday (June 27, 2006) at Palm Terrace Hospice House. She was 79.

Born in Steubenville, Ohio, on Jan. 11, 1927, she came to Mulberry from there in 1986. She was a data processor for a hardware company. She was Presbyterian.

Mrs. Bonnell is survived by her husband, Glenn L. Bonnell; daughter, Karen L. Lukhaub, Lakeland; brothers, George Vojvodich, Bradenton, Melvin Vojvodich, Coon Rapids, Minn.; sisters, Mildred Vojvodich, Wintersville, Ohio, Kathryn Pownall, Steubenville, Ohio.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (June 30, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday (July 1, 2006) at the funeral home chapel.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Ella Wilc-Cercy

ELLA-WILC-CERCY, 83

W. T. Grant

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Ella May Wilc-Cercy always made the time to help others.

"I used to tease my mom that I had to make an appointment to see her because she stayed so busy," said her daughter, Margaret Adams of Lithia. "She wanted to do things for others and that made her happy. She was one special lady."

The former saleswoman at the W.T. Grant store in Bartow died of a brain tumor Monday (June 26, 2006) at Tandem Health Care at Lake Parker. She was 83.

Born in Uswick, Pa., on Aug. 29, 1922, she came to Lakeland from Chesterfield, N.J., in 1960. Much of her career consisted of working in sales and included 17 years at W.T. Grant, where she worked until the company closed. She also was a dedicated homemaker.

Her daughter described her as a loving lady who was full of energy and loved her family.

"She had this group, she called them `little old ladies' and some of them were younger than she was. She would take them back and forth to the doctor or to the store. She was always helpful for anyone," Adams said.

She was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America and the Lakeland Moose Lodge. She was a member of Ardella Baptist Church in Lakeland where she belonged to the Golden Agers and was a longtime volunteer with the church nursery.

Mrs. Wilc-Cercy was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Ambrose T. "Curley" Wilc, in 1976.

In addition to her daughter, Margaret Adams, she is survived by her son, Paul Wilc, North Fort Myers; daughters, Sharon Reynolds, Deland, Karen Satterfield-Slay, Bartow; 10 grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday (June 29, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Dukes-Steen Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday (June 30, 2006) at the funeral home chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Dukes-Steen Chapel.

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Bernice Augustine

BERNICE AUGUSTINE, 85

Homemaker

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Bernice S. Augustine of Lakeland died of complications from cancer Thursday (June 22, 2006) at Palm Terrace Hospice. She was 85.

Born in Detroit on July 30, 1920, she came to Lakeland from Dearborn, Mich., in 1993. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Augustine was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester E. Augustine. She is survived by her son, Ronald J. Augustine, Lakeland; daughter, Sylvia B. Figurski, Lugoff, S.C.; sister, Victoria "Vicki" Hall, Dearborn Heights, Mich.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Good Shepherd Hospice.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Funeral Home.

Nancy Mills

NANCY MILLS, 65

Department of Transportation

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Nancy C. Mills of Lakeland died of cancer Friday (June 23, 2006) at home. She was 65.

Born in Gastonia, N.C., on April 11, 1941, she came to Lakeland from Fuquay-Varina, N.C., in 2001. She was an administrative assistant with the Department of Transportation in North Carolina. She attended St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Mrs. Mills is survived by her husband, Don Mills; daughter, Vivian Murphy, Midland, Mich.; son, Troy Mills, Fuquay-Varina; sister, Betty Watson, Summerville, S.C.; six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 this afternoon (June 25, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday (June 26, 2006) at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

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

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Anna Endres

ANNA ENDRES, 83

Homemaker

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Anna A. Endres of Lakeland died of cancer Tuesday (June 20, 2006) at Palm Terrace Hospice House. She was 83.

Born on Dec. 3, 1922, she came to Lakeland from Gloucester, N.J., in 1986. She was a homemaker. She was an Army veteran of World War II. She was a member of the Widow and Widowers Club.

Mrs. Endres was preceded in death by her husband, Harry W. Endres. She is survived by her son, Harry W. Endres Jr., Thoroughfare, N.J.; daughter, Carroll Gross, Marco Island; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday (June 23, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Burial Park.

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

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel.

Mary Mathews

MARY MATHEWS, 81

Radiology and Imaging Specialists

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Mary Gladys Mathews of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (June 17, 2006) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was 81.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on Nov. 2, 1924, she came to Lakeland from Ohio in 1962. She was a clerk for Radiology and Imaging Specialists in Lakeland for 27 years.

Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her husband, Buel G. Mathews. She is survived by her son, Daniel B. Mathews, Sarasota; daughters, Mary Jane Munson, West Palm Beach, Linda S. Bower, Houston, Carole Frazier, Lakeland; five grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 this afternoon (June 20, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Sonny Smith

SONNY SMITH, 62

City of Lakeland

LAKELAND -- Mr. James D. "Sonny" Smith of Lakeland, a longtime Shriner who helped coordinate charity events with the city, died of congestive heart failure Saturday (June 17, 2006). He was 62.

Born Oct. 11, 1943, in Atlanta, Mr. Smith moved to Lakeland from Tampa in 1991. He worked for the City of Lakeland for 15 years and retired as chief engineer inspector.

"He had a passion for helping children," said Bill Martino, president of the USA International Speedway.

He met Mr. Smith when the race track was built in 1995. They became close friends while coordinating charity events sponsored by the city and the race track.

For several years, Mr. Smith helped organize Forester's Race for the Kids, a charity event held every October that raises thousands of dollars for the Boy Scouts of America.

"He was sort of the catalyst that got it started," Martino said. "He helped coordinate county, city and state government involvement in the charity."

Mr. Smith's charity involvement stemmed from his membership with the Shriners, an organization that raises money for children. Since his mother survived a severe injury as a child with the help of Shriner-raised funds, Mr. Smith felt an obligation to join the group.

"That was kind of his way of paying back," Martino said. "Any type of charity event or opportunity for the city to shine, Sonny was always there."

Mr. Smith served in the Army Special Forces during Vietnam. He earned three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star. He attended United Methodist Temple. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Sheila Smith; daughter, Melonie Medley, Carrollton, Ga.; brother, Dennis Smith, Chicago; sisters, Sue Brantley, Ruby Askew, Nancy Kenney and Joy Nesbit, all of Atlanta; two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday (June 19, 2006) at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel. Services will be 4 p.m. Tuesday (June 20, 2006) at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Egypt Shrine Transportation Fund, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa, FL 33634.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.

Beulah Clutter

BEULAH CLUTTER, 89

Minister

LAKELAND -- Mrs. Beulah Ruetta Clutter of Lakeland died of heart failure Tuesday (June 13, 2006) at Tandem Health Care. She was 89.

Born in Carthage, Mo., on Aug. 21, 1916, she came to Lakeland from Trenton, N.J., 20 years ago. She was an ordained Assembly of God minister, having graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo. She was a nurse.

Mrs. Clutter was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Samuel G. Clutter. She is survived by her son, William Clutter, Trenton, N.J.; brothers, Virgil Vaile, Carthage, Mo., Charles Vaile, California; one grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible Baptist ChurchHomeless, 1934 Klockner Road, Trenton, NJ 08619.

Arrangements  by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.