Obituaries

Dominick R. Marrazzo

DOMINICK R. MARRAZZO, 58

Iron Worker

LAKELAND - Mr. Dominick R. Marrazzo passed away Thur. 8/23/07 due to respiratory failure.

He was born in Pottsville, PA and moved to Lakeland in 1953. Mr. Marrazzo was an iron worker with local #397.

He is survived by his wife, Susan of Lakeland, sons, Nick Marrazzo of Fayetteville, NC, Trevor Marrazzo of Grotin, CT, mother, Helen Marrazzo of Lakeland, and granddaughters, Katelyn & Gabriella.

Graveside services will be conducted Tue. 8/28, 10:00 am at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society,809 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801.

Arrangements by Gentry Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland, FL.

Anita M. Schwenneker

ANITA M. SCHWENNEKER, 87

Girl Scout Leader

LAKELAND - Anita M. Schwenneker, 87, of Lakeland, died Thursday, August 23, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center due to heart failure.

She was born March 28, 1920 in Livingston, Montana to Fred and Caroline Julie (Aegler) McGuire. She moved to Lakeland in 2003. Anita was united in marriage on April 14, 1944 in Alameda, CA to Arthur L. Schwenneker who preceded her in death on January 27, 1995.

She is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Cobb of Lakeland and Nancy Welker of Richmond, VA; a brother, Wilbur McGuire of Kernville, CA; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Anita was an active volunteer in her church and her community. She held many offices in the United Methodist Women's Organization on local, district and regional levels. She was a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, MD. She was also a past president and treasurer of the Sibley Guild which is associated with Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC. She was an active troop leader in the Girl Scouts.

Anita will be buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Montana State University or the American Cancer Society.

Gentry Morrison Funeral Homes, Duke-Steen Chapel, Lakeland is in charge of arrangements.

Alfred D. Hite

ALFRED D. HITE, 81

LAKELAND - Alfred D. Hite, 81, died of heart failure 8/23/07 at home.

He is survived by his wife, Zube Hite.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Hubert "Bud" Graham

HUBERT "BUD" GRAHAM, 72

Car Carrier Driver

LAKELAND - Mr. Hubert "Bud" Graham, 72, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 of heart failure.

He was born in Green-ville, Tennessee on April 19, 1935 and had been a resident of Lakeland since 1984 coming from Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Graham was a retired car carrier driver and an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion and the BPOE (Elks).

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife, Anita; sons, Daniel A. of Atlanta, Ga., Paul M. of Apollo Beach, Fla. and James C. of Zephyrhills, Fla.; daughters, Christine D. Pelto of Fostoria, Mi. and Patricia A. Schultze of Sharpsburg, Ga., along with 8 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, August 27, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. from the Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel with inurnment following in Florida National Cemetery.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

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Roger W. Mitchell

  ROGER W. MITCHELL, 60

Truck Driver

Roger W. Mitchell who was 60, passed away on July 22, 2007 in the Melech Hospice Center due to complications of Lung Cancer. Born March 18, 1947 in Somerset PA. He was a the son of Mary & the late Frank D Mitchell. He was a truck driver of 39 years. He was a member of the Moose & Eagles. He attended Countryside Baptist Church of Valrico .

He is survived by his wife Martha, son David, daughter Lori, Granddaughter Nicole & 2 Great Grandchildren Alexis, AJ.

Memorial Services will be on Aug 25, 2007 at 1 o'clock with Rev. Jim Smith at the Serenity Gardens (Cemetery behind the mall) in Lakeland.  In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Martha Mitchell at P.O. Box 786 Valrico, Florida 33594.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral at Serenity Gardens.

Ann T. Martowlos

ANN T. MARTOWLOS, 93

LAKELAND - Ann T. Martowlos, 93, died of natural causes 8/23/07.

Survived by daughter, Sharon Higginson; 1 granddaughter.

Arrangements by Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Dr. George Albert Garner

Dr. Albert Garner

Lakeland - Dr. Albert Garner died of cancer in Lakeland, Florida, 8/23/07 at the age of 87 years.

Born in a log cabin August 1, 1920, in Cross County, Arkansas, he went on to faithfully serve his Lord as a writer, editor, educator, missionary, pastor, and preacher of the gospel. After surrendering to preach April 7, 1940, he was graduated from the following: Harding University, B.A.; Baylor University, M.A.; and Missionary Baptist Seminary, Th.D.  Additionally, he was awarded several honorary doctorates. During 67 years of ministry, in addition to serving as a pastor and missionary, and President of the American Baptist Association (two years), he wrote Sunday School and Baptist Training Course quarterlies for the Baptist Sunday School Committee of the American Baptist Assoc­iation (45-58); he served as Head of the Speech Department at Jacksonville Baptist College (47-48), and as Dean of the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary (48-57). In 1957, he was called to serve as the first full-time President of Florida Baptist Institute, College, and Seminary, a position he held from May 1957 to August 1970, at which time he resigned to write, fund, and pub­lish the 23-volume Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary and other textbooks and Bible study helps used in over 150 colleges and seminaries on five continents. At the time of his death, he served as Parliamentarian Emeritus of the American Baptist Association.

He is survived by his sister, Lavella Crawford (Bob) of Wynne, Arkansas, his faithful and devoted companion of sixty-four years, Janice Hilger Garner; his son, George Glendon Garner (Carolyn) of Lakeland; four grandchildren—James Garner (Deanna) of Plant City, Melody Ivanov of Benton, Arkansas, Cynthia Condrey (Ken) of Carney, Oklahoma, Matthew Garner of Orlando, and five great grandchildren. As a loving husband, father, grandfather, and minister of the gospel, his life beautifully witnessed words of the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Second Timothy 4:7.

Viewing will be at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, 1727 Bartow Rd, 8/24/07, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the service Saturday, 8/25/07 at 10 a.m. at the Lone Oak Missionary Baptist Church, 3505 Lone Oak Rd, Plant City, officiating Dr. Hugh Harris, Rev. Charles Flowers, and Rev. Bob Gallups. Interment will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery, officiating Dr. Raymond McAlister and Rev. Kerry Beaty.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823 or to Emmaus Baptist College (Formerly Florida Baptist College), 706 Dew Bloom Rd., Brandon, FL 33511.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

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Ralph Prough

RALPH PROUGH, 90

Auto Mechanic

NASHVILLE, TN. - Mr. Ralph Prough passed away August 20, 2007 of heart failure at the age of 90.

Mr. Prough was born in Johnstown, PA on March 24, 1917, and later moved to Lakeland in 1956. He was an Army veteran and was employed as an auto mechanic. He was a member of Highland Park Church of the Nazarene.

Mr. Prough was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; and daughter, Joyce Temples. He is survived by his sons, Ed Prough of Lakeland, Howard Prough of Holiday; daughters, Ruth Drury of Franklin, TN, Pat Wilson of Lawrenceville, GA; sister, Merva Klepes of Johnstown, PA; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wed. from 6-8 pm at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd. Services will be conducted Thurs. at 10 a.m. at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

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Edna P. Martin

EDNA P. MARTIN, 86

Bartow - Ms. Edna Pearl Martin passed away August 20, 2007 at the age 86.

Ms. Martin was born in Chicago, IL on April 12, 1921. She moved to the
area in 2004 from Washington. She worked as a waitress.

Ms. Martin was preceded in death by her husband Ted Martin. She is
survived by her son, John Edward Bowman of South Boston, VA; 5
grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday at 10 am at First Baptist
Church of Bartow.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside
Chapel.

Susan Ann Swope

SUSAN ANN SWOPE, 54

Orlando Sentinel

LONGWOOD - Mrs. Susan Ann Swope, 54, passed away due to cancer on August 14, 2007 at home, surrounded by her family.

Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Susan was the youngest of four children. Her father, a career military officer, eventually settled his family in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Susan attended elementary and middle schools in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Neshaminy High School. Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of New Jersey. Creative and artistic, Susan wrote musical compositions and was an accomplished pianist. Susan collected antique furniture and artwork. She enjoyed entertaining friends and for a transplanted Yankee, She made a fantastic Key Lime Pie. Susan enjoyed animals especially her Saint Bernard's, Brutus and Chelsea. An avid gardener, Susan could transform weeds into bouquets. She enjoyed bowling, dancing, Motown, scouting, politics, shopping, writing poetry and spoiling her kids. Throughout her career, Susan was employed in the newspaper industry, most recently with the Orlando Sentinel.

Her father, Col. Bradley Gouge, her mother, Frances Irene Taylor Gouge and her brother, Thomas Gouge, preceded Susan in death. Her husband, James E. Swope of Longwood, daughter Jourdan Erica Swope and son Bradley James Swope, Longwood, brothers, Barry Gouge, Levittown, Pennsylvania and Richard Gouge, Fort Lauderdale and numerous nieces and nephews, survive Susan.

Byron was correct when he penned these words..."Whom the Gods love die young". Susan was a devoted daughter, loving wife and an adoring mother. Susan will be missed.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests tax-deductible memorial contributions to the George Bartol Scholarship Fund, 4614 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, Fl 32804.

Services will be private at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at Serenity Gardens.