Rocki Sanders
ROCKI SANDERS, 73
LAKELAND - Rocki Sanders, 73, died 3/28/08 of COPD.
She is survived by sons, Tom, Greg, and Jim; and a sister Jackie Fielden.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
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David Keating
DAVID KEATING, SR.
Pan Am Airlines
Lakeland-Mr. David S. Keating Sr. of Lakeland passed away of cancer, Thursday, 03/27/2008, at his daughter’s residence. He was 88.
Born in Jacksonville, FL on 09/02/1919, Mr. Keating moved to Lakeland in 1999 from Sebring, FL.
Mr. Keating was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Hazel Keating. He is survived by his son, David S. (Yolanda) Keating Jr. of Young Harris, GA; 3 daughters, Judy (Glenn) Smith of Lakeland, FL, Dorothy (P.J.) Sykes of Macclenny, FL and Sandra (Steve) Watson of Lake Placid, FL, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Monday, 03/31/2008, from 6-8pm at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes Southside Chapel at 1727 Bartow Rd. in Lakeland and a service will be held Tuesday, 04/01/2008, at 10am at Fellowship Baptist Church at 4625 Cleveland Heights Blvd. in Lakeland. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park. Services and arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes Southside Chapel.
He was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army where he served in France and Germanyduring World War II. He retired from Pan-Am Airlines. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Lakeland. View Video TributeJohn C. Kersey
JOHN CECIL KERSEY, 78
Polk Co. School Board
LAKELAND - John Cecil Kersey, 78 of Lakeland, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center due to heart failure.
He was born October 7, 1929 in Cordele, GA to Sidney P. and Flossie Mae (Johnson) Kersey and moved to Lakeland in 1947 from Arcadia. John is a Korean War Air Force veteran and a member of the 1st United Methodist Church, Lakeland and served as its Building Committee Chairman and Youth Division Superintendent. He graduated from Florida Southern College and the University of Mississippi and was an educator for most of his working career having touched thousands of lives with his positions within the Polk County School System. His teaching career began at Southwest Elementary School in 1956 and continued at Southwest Junior High School as a science teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principle and finally as its principal from 1967 to 1984. John ended his career as Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance & Facilities from 1984 to 1993. He came out of retirement to serve briefly as Interim Superintendent of the Polk County Public Schools in 1995. He was a member of numerous professional educator associations and was also involved civically as a board member with the YMCA, Girls Club of Lakeland, Jaycees, Program to Aid Drug Abusers. He was also a member and past president of Citrus Center Kiwanis Club and the Polk County Scholarship and Loan Fund. John also was active as Community Liaison for the Florida Baptist Children's Home and was a board member and building committee member for both the Citrus Regional Blood Center/Blood Net and the SPCA.
John is survived by his wife, Claudia; sons, Charles Marion Kersey of Lakeland and Bill and his wife, Nicole Kersey of Lakeside, CA; sisters, Georgia Sowells and Marie Cagnina both of Tampa and a grandson, Thomas James McAllister of Lakeside, CA.
Friends will be received from 1-2pm on Monday at the 1st United Methodist Church where funeral services will be held that day at 2pm. Interment will take place in Oak Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Florida Baptist Children's Home or to SPCA.
Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Dukes-Steen Chapel, Lakeland is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur Donato
ARTHUR DONATO, 94
Production Manager
LAKELAND -
Arthur Donato, 94, died of heart failure March 25, 2008 at LRMC.
Survived by wife Gloria.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel, Lakeland.
Elizabeth G. Lapinski
ELIZABETH G. LAPINSKI, 92
LAKELAND - Elizabeth G. Lapinski, 92, passed away of heart failure on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at the George C. Forsythe Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, FL.
Beth was born in Oglesby, IL on November 19, 1915 to John and Mary (Daley) Gedraitis. She graduated from beauty school in Illinois in 1923 and opened her own shop. She married Peter William Lapinski and together they operated taverns, grocery stores, a meat locker and a farm in the northern and central Illinois area. In 1995 they moved to Miami and became involved in the real estate business. Beth was a master baker in the Dade County Public School System and she also loved being an Avon "lady". She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, Lakeland.
Beth is survived by her daughter, Janet L. Ness and a granddaughter, P.J. Stata both of Lakeland; sisters, Violet Kapacinskas of Kewanee, IL and Mary Ann Matthews of St. Paul, MN; a brother, John Gedraitis, Jr. of LaSalle, IL and many dear nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Beth is preceded in death by her husband on March 27, 1991 and one son, John Paul Lapinski on December 31, 1961.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 1:00pm with Fr. Matthew Mello celebrating. At her request, her remains will be cremated and inurnment will be held in Rockford, IL. Beth will be missed deeply by her granddaughter, P.J. Stata.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823 of to the SPCA of Polk County, 5850 Brannen Rd., S., Lakeland, FL 33813.
Arrangements are being handled by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel.
John Crosby
JOHN CROSBY, 60
Tile Setter
GEORGETOWN, OH. - Mr. John Edward Crosby passed away March 21, 2008 of pneumonia.
Mr. Crosby was born in Atlanta, GA on March 5, 1948. He later came to Lakeland in 1966. He served two tours in the Army during Vietnam, and later worked as a tile setter. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Crosby was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Crosby. He is survived by his father, Arthur Crosby; step mother, Lucille Crosby; son, Ronnie Crosby; brothers, Marvin and Bill Crosby; sisters, Frances Bogle and Shirley Buckley; step brothers, Woody Olen Screws, Van and David Fletcher; step sisters, Caroline Crosby, Charlene Bentley and Carlene Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services with military honors will be Wed. 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Burial Park.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
Jessica Upton
JESSICA UPTON, 18
LAKELAND - Jessica Marie Upton's life was cut short on March 21, 2008 at the age of 18.
Jessica was born in Orlando on Feb. 5, 1990. She will be remembered in the hearts of the people who loved and cared for her. Jessica was an assistant soccer coach for her younger sister's team.
She is survived by her brothers, Daniel and Eric Upton; sisters, Jennifer Upton, Sabrina and Samantha Allen; beloved foster parents, Ed and Toni Albright; former foster parents, Russ and Joyce Snively; grandparents, Joan and Joe DiCicco; special friends, Glenda and Jim Pittman; roommate and friend, Samantha Bailey. She is also survived by her biological mother Nancy DeCicco. Also grandparents Nancy & Joel Marshall & biological father Fred Upton, many aunts, uncles & cousins.
A memorial service will be conducted Thurs. at 2 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
Arlene M. Knowlton
ARLENE M. KNOWLTON, 80
Homemaker
LAKELAND - Arlene M. Knowlton, age 80, a winter resident of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2008, due to congestive heart failure. Mrs. Knowlton went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family at her home in Lakeland.
Mrs. Knowlton was born on July 30, 1927 in Phoenix, New York to Wesleyan and Freda Morgan. She was a graduate of Phoenix High School and a lifelong resident of Phoenix. Mrs. Knowlton was a devoted servant of the Lord and was active in her church teaching Sunday School, directing Vacation Bible School, and serving as a Deaconess. In her later years, she was a member of Heritage Baptist Church of Lakeland, Florida and attended Fulton Alliance Church of Fulton, New York in the summer months. She was also a member of The Gideons International Auxiliary.
Mrs. Knowlton is survived by her husband of 51 years, Erwin L. Knowlton; her three children, Kevin C. Knowlton (Lois) of Lakeland, Florida, Marjorie Knowlton Palm (Eugene) of Lakeland, Florida, and Kenneth W. Knowlton (Judi) of Phoenix, New York; her nine grandchildren, Andrew C. Knowlton, Keith D. Knowlton, Lauren E. Knowlton, Jennifer N. Palm, Ryan M. Palm, Jessica L. Palm, Meagan E. Palm, Kristopher A. Knowlton, and Daniel M. Knowlton; and her great-grandson, Lucas B. Knowlton. She is also survived by her two brothers, Ralph Morgan and Roy Morgan, both of Phoenix, New York, and her sister Nellie Mae Chamberlain of Davenport, Florida.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gentry - Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, Florida. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at Heritage Baptist Church, 4202 Pipkin Creek Road, Lakeland, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Arlene Knowlton may be directed to the Lakeland Christian School Building Fund, 1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland, Florida 33803.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
Mary F. Hill
MARY F. HILL, 75
Real Estate Agent
LAKELAND - Mrs. Mary F. Hill, 75, passed away March 24, 2008 of heart failure.
Mrs. Hill was born in Valdosta, GA on Sept. 7, 1932 to Aulie and Minnie Redish. She retired as a real estate agent, and was a member of Highlands Baptist Church. Mary loved the beach, and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard Hill, Sr.; brothers, Joseph and Edward Redish. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Hill O'Sullivan, Ann Hill Twiss, Wanda Hill Armstrong; sons, Tommy and Earl Hill; brother, Bill Redish; sister, Alice Powell; 5 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and many other family and friends.
Visitation will be Wed. from 6-8 p.m. at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland. Services will be Thurs. 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
Anna Ellen Williams
ANNA ELLEN WILLIAMS, 92
Medical Lab Technician
LAKELAND - Anna Ellen Williams, 92 of Lakeland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at the Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland due to heart failure.
Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Williams; her brothers, John G. Williams and Dr. Roger I. Williams. She is survived by her sister, Olwen Roberts of Maine; sons, Richard D. Williams of Idaho and Roger G. Williams of Lakeland; four grandchildren, Tim, Andrea, Robyn and Cyndee; four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was born August 5, 1915 in Utica, New York to Welsh immigrants, John T. Williams and Owen E. Griffith. She graduated from Elmira College and worked as a medical lab technician before marrying in 1940. As a young woman, she was active in sports, participating in field hockey, tennis, swimming and archery. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church all of her life, participating as a Sunday school teacher, a Deacon and served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland. She was also a member of the PEO organization of Lakeland. She was devoted to her children and very interested in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always interested in the world, keeping up with politics, religion, astronomy and current events.
A memorial service will be held in the First Presbyterian Church Chapel on Lake Hollingsworth on Monday, April 21 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Good Shepherd Hospice, Development Department, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823. Condolences may be sent to the family at the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, FL 33801.
Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.
