Obituaries

Janice Bilbrey Barrow

JANICE BILBREY BARROW, 71

LAKELAND - Janice Barrow went home to be with the Lord Thursday July 14, 2011 due to cancer.

She was born in Winter Haven, FL and has been a lifetime resident of the county. As an expert horticulturalist, Janice was manager for the Havendale Garden Center for 20 years. She was a member of Victory Church, a devout Christian and sang in choirs for most of her life. Grandchildren, cooking and flowers were her favorite pastimes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John. Survivors include son Todd Barrow and family Michele, Jonathan, and Alexandra of Lakeland. Daughter, Pamela D. Barrow of Annapolis, MD. Sister Lucille Newbold and husband Charles of Winter Haven, a niece and her family, Cherie, Greg and Trevor Gamble of Hudson, FL.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30am at Victory Church. Funeral services will begin at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Auburndale Memorial Park.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Southside Chapel.

Thor "T.J." Olsen, Jr.

THOR "T.J." OLSEN, Jr., 23

LAKELAND - Thor Olsen, Jr. died 7/13/11 due to injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Memorial Service Tues. 6 PM at Gentry-Morrison Northside, Lakeland.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Joan L. Young

 

JOAN L. YOUNG, 80

LAKELAND - Joan L. Young, 80, died July 12, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center from complications of Lupus.

Joan was born in Baltimore, MD on April 25, 1931. She later married Frank L. Young in 1950 in Annapolis, MD. They moved to Lakeland in 1977 where Joan became very active in local community groups. She was involved with Welcome Wagon, and was instrumental in the start up of Meet and Greet of Greater Lakeland, of which she was the Past President. Joan was on the Board of Keep Florida Beautiful. She helped secure and plan the new clubhouse in Williamsburg Square, and was the last President of the United Women's Club of Lakeland before it merged with the Sorosis Club, to form the United Women's Club. She also was an advisor to the Junior Women's Club.

Joan is survived by her husband, Frank L. Young; sister, Edythe Reisinger; her children, David (Jo) Young, Carol (Charles - deceased) Brown, Kenneth (Pamela) Young and Richard Young; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd., Lakeland, FL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation, Southeast Florida Chapter, Inc. 75 N. E. 6th Avenue Suite 110, Delray Beach, Florida 33483.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

John D. "JT" Thacker

 

JOHN D. "JT" THACKER, 60
Lakeland Post Office

LAKELAND - John D. "JT" Thacker, 60, passed away July 10, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

JT was born in Indiana, but moved here as a child. He graduated from Kathleen High School in 1968, served in the US Army during the Vietnam era, and went to work for the Post Office in 1974 where he was currently employed as a mail processor. He was a member of the former Lake Wire Baptist Church and was recently served the Lord at Boyette Springs Church of God.

JT was preceded in death by his parents Charles, Sr. and Sarah Thacker and sister, Arlana Lynn Oliver. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Pam; two daughters, Alisha (Billy) Taylor and Jennifer (Sherman) Gregory; six sisters, Phyllis (Claude) Grimes, Lucille (Chris) Armstrong, Margie (Darryl) Warren, Sally Williams, Rhonda McMullen and Shala (Jerry) Varnado; four brothers, Charles Jr. (Jane), James, Michael and Monte Thacker; five grandchildren, Clayton, Kristen, Cadie, Garrett and Gracie; and mother and father-in-law, Ginger and Bud Chestnut.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Bethel Baptist Church. Services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Socrum Cemetery.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Northside Chapel.

Margaret P. Taylor

MARGARET P. TAYLOR, 91
Librarian

LAKELAND - Margaret P. Taylor died 7/8/2011 from heart failure.

She is survived by a loving family.

Services will be Tue. 11am at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside.

Theresa E. Noe

THERESA E. NOE, 85

LAKELAND - Mrs. Theresa E. Noe, 85, passed away July 8, 2011 as the result of a stroke.

Mrs. Noe was born in Pittsburgh, PA on Mar. 9, 1926. She owned Sun State Janitorial Products with her husband for 33 years. She was a devout Catholic, and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Mrs. Noe was preceded in death by her husband, Bertram L. Noe, and her grandson, Brian Wunker. She is survived by her children, Patricia (Paul) Kennedy, Alice K. Noe, Marjorie (Leonard) Weid-ner, Mary Ann (Robert) Wunker, Elizabeth Glenn, Martin Noe, Bertram (Nancy) Noe, Jr. and Paul Noe; grandchildren, Leonard, Jodie, Kelly, Jill, Amanda, Michael, William, Kristin and Mary; and 12 great grandchildren.

The Noe family would like to express their gratitude to Andrea for the care of their mother.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted Mon. at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, P.O. Box 196, Libertyville, IL 60048-0196 or Holy Apostles College & Seminary, 33 Prospect Hill Rd., Cromwell, CT 06416-2005.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Robert J. Johnson

ROBERT J. JOHNSON, 74
Eaton Corp.

LAKELAND - Robert J. Johnson, 74, of Lakeland, died Sat. July 9, 2011 of heart failure.

He had lived in Kalamazoo, MI until 1994 when he moved to Lakeland. He retired in 1992 after 37 years working for Eaton Corp., an auto parts manufacturer. He was a huge sports fan, especially the Tigers and Rays, and also enjoyed playing golf.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Vivian; 2 sons Robert and wife Doris of Kalamazoo, Michael and wife Angela of Hickory Corners, MI, 5 daughters Connie Johnson of Portage, MI, Melinda Colp and husband Jim of Lakeland, Kathleen Pennock and husband Don of Lakeland, Amy Johnson and Ismael Cervantes of Mulberry, FL, 2 brothers Donald and wife Ann of Richland, MI, David and wife Lyn of Kalamazoo, 1 sister Ann Boussom and husband Larry of Kalamazoo; 15 grandchildren Carmen, Alan and wife Savannah, David and wife Rachel, Abigail, Bradley, Kenneth, Kaylee, Malaina, Todd, Emily, JJ, Jessica, Sarah, Amanda, and Andy; and 4 great grandchildren Gavin, Connor, Sophie and Emma; several nieces and nephews; and 3 special lifelong friends, Larry and Betty Blalock, and Ralph Taylor. He was preceded in death by 1 brother Paul, and a grandson William Pennock.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church, North Lakeland, FL. The family has requested that contributions be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church 6920 N Socrum Loop, Lakeland, FL 33809.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison, Northside.

Marion Newton Hampton, Jr.

MARION NEWTON HAMPTON, Jr., 63

MADISON - Mr. Marion N. Hampton, Jr. passed away Friday July 8, 2011 in Madison, FL due to cancer. He was born in Bartow, FL and moved to Madison in 1993. Marion was self employed in real estate for many years. He was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War and received the purple heart and bronze star medals. Marion was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Lakeland and then in Madison, FL.

He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda of Madison, son, Marion "Scooter" Hampton, III & (Jenny Orcasitas) of Bartow, FL, daughter, Lori Hart & (Shawn) of Valdosta, GA, seven grandchildren, Ryan & Regan Hampton, Emily & Hunter Orcasitas, Haley & Ally Vasvary and Gage Hart, two great grandchildren, Jayden & Caleb Hampton.

Visitation will be Tues. 6-8pm at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Rd. Funeral services will be conducted on Wed. 10am at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park with military honors.

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Tim Bonscher

TIM BONSCHER, 62
City of Lakeland

LAKELAND - Tim Bonscher, 62, passed away of cancer Wednesday, 7/6/2011.

Survived by a loving family.

Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel.

Betty Kuzmanic

BETTY KUZMANIC, 87

LAKELAND - Betty Kuzmanic, 87, died 7/1/11 of heart failure.

Survived by loving family. Services in Chicago.

Gentry Morrison Southside, Lakeland.