Obituaries

Ruth Behun

RUTH BEHUN, 90

LAKELAND - Ruth Behun, 90, died 12/28/07 of respiratory failure.

She is survived by her daughter, 3 grandchildren, & 5 great grandchildren.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Mildred Lorine Tillman

MILDRED LORINE TILLMAN, 69

Homemaker

LAKELAND - Ms. Mildred Lorine Tillman, 69, was called to the Lord on Dec. 25, 2007 as a result of heart failure.

Ms. Tillman was born in Waycross, GA on Nov. 25, 1938 to Lewis and Lucille Steedley. She was a homemaker and of the Methodist faith.

Ms. Tillman was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Verlon Tillman; son, Richard Tillman; siblings, Robert Steedley and Louise Walker. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Tillman Stanton, Diana Alderman and Deanna Skinner; sister, Betty Cox; 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thurs. from 6-8 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at Serenity Gardens. Funeral services will be Fri at 1 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at Serenity Gardens.

Marie R. VanCola Mercer

MARIE R. VANCOLA MERCER, 86

Glass Artist

LAKELAND - Ms. Marie R. VanCola Mercer, 86, passed away Dec. 24, 2007 of pneumonia.

Ms. Mercer was born Oct. 11, 1921 in Lower Chichester, PA to Morris and Amelia (Savoy) Mercer. She later moved to Lakeland in 1990 from Rochester, NY. She worked as a self employed stained glass artist, and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Ms. Mercer is survived by her son, Gary P. and wife, Carol VanCola; brother, John Mercer; sisters, Dolores Mercer and Sister Elizabeth Mercer; great aunt, Dolores Savoy; sister in law, Madeline Church; grandchildren, W.M., Danielle, Garrison and Morgan VanCola.

Visitation will be Thurs. from 7-9 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel. A funeral mass will be conducted at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Lillie Locascio

LILLIE LOCASCIO, 98

LAKELAND - Lillie Locascio, 98, died 12/22/2007 of heart failure.

She is survived by her loving family. Service will be held in Birmingham, AL.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Eleanor Miller

ELEANOR MILLER, 77

LAKELAND - Eleanor Miller, 77, died 12/21/2007 of a brain aneurysm.

Survived by husband Eugene Miller and 2 children.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Bessie Maybelle Davis

BESSIE MAYBELLE DAVIS, 81

Homemaker

LAKELAND - On December 21, 2007, Heaven received our angel "Granny" Bessie M. Davis, due to heart failure.

Bessie was born on May 12, 1926 in Indianapolis, IN to Charles and Elizabeth (Moon) Hughes and moved to Florida in 1946. Bessie was a wonderful mother and grandmother who loved to crochet and fish.

She is preceded in death by her husband, George C. Davis and two sons and a daughter. Bessie is survived by her sons, George Davis & Family of Umatilla, FL, Willis Davis & Family of Lakeland, Bobby Davis & Family of Lakeland and Dale Davis & Family of Fletcher, NC; sisters, Dorothy Parkerson of Georgia and Virginia Summerall of Florida; brothers, William, Daniel and Partrick Moon all of Florida; 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Friends will be received from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Northside Chapel where funeral services will be held that day at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Socrum Cemetery.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

James R. Andre, Sr.

JAMES R. ANDRE, SR., 65

Landscaper

LAKELAND - James R. Andre, Sr., died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 at home due to complications from surgery. He was 65.

Mr. Andre was born in Chicago, Ill., and moved to Lakeland 10 years ago.  He attended St. Anthony Catholic Church, loved fishing and had a great sense of humor. He was a residential Landscaper and was a licensed fishing boat Captain on Lake Michigan.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Catherine Gutierrez and is survived by his wife of almost 34 years Debbie Andre, Lakeland, son William (Nickie) Andre, Lakeland, mother Esther Andre, Carol Stream, Ill., and grandson Tyler James Andre, Lakeland.

A visitation will be held Wed. from 6-8 PM at Gentry-Morrison, Northside. The Funeral Mass will be held Thurs. at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Alber Richard Dort

ALBERT RICHARD DORT, 71

Maintenance Operator

LAKELAND - Mr. Albert Richard Dort of Mulberry died of a stroke Friday, December 21, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 71.

Born in Dorchester, MA on June 24, 1935, Mr. Dort moved to Polk County in 1970 from Lake Hopacong, NJ. He was employed for many years as a maintenance operator with Cargill / W.R. Grace. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served in Korea. He was catholic.

Mr. Dort was preceded in death by his father, Albert Dort; his mother, Bridget Brown Dort; his daughter, Patricia Rolston; and his brother, Joseph Dort.  He is survived by 2 sons; Albert J. Dort of Tampa, FL and James J. Dort of Lakeland, FL; 2 daughters, Diana D. Simmons of Lakeland, FL and Mary B. Heard of Mulberry, FL; 1 sister, Francis Smith of Brockton, MA; and 7 grandchildren.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Wilma Jean Cross

WILMA JEAN CROSS, 80

LAKELAND - Wilma J. Cross, 80, died 12/21/2007 of heart failure.

She is survived by her loving family. Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, December 12/23/07. With funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Maxine Clemons

MAXINE CLEMONS, 89

LAKELAND - Ms. Maxine Clemons, 89, passed away Dec. 20, 2007 of heart failure.

Ms. Clemons was born in Greensburg, IN on Aug. 17, 1918 to Frank and Laura Hodson. She later moved to Lakeland from Greensburg. Ms. Clemons was a past President of the Greensburg Garden Club, as well as a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lakeland. She also enjoyed her time at the Lakeland Library.

Ms. Clemons is survived by her son, Bill (Jan) Clemons; daughters, Susanne Parritt and Deidre Henry; 3 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

A memorial service will be conducted Sat. Dec. 29th at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3:30 p.m.

Arrangements are being made by Gentry-Morrison Dukes Steen Chapel.