Polk County
Obits - 3 -
**********************
*****************************************
w/o = wife of - h/o = husband of - b/o = brother of
|
BARTOW
-- Mr. Dorsey Wiggins of Bartow died of heart failure Friday (Sept. 15,
2006). He was born Sept. 26,
1916, in Crawford, Ga., Mr.
Wiggins
moved to Bartow from Georgia. He served in the
Army during World War
II. He worked as a maintenance
mechanic for Mobil Chemical Co.,
Bartow, for 29 years. He attended Bartow Church of God. > Mr.
Wiggins is survived by his wife,
Norma Wiggins; sons, Jerry H.
Wiggins, Bartow, James H. Wiggins, Glasgow, Ky.; daughters, Elaine W.
Baskett, Blue Ridge, Ga., Diane W. Smith, Lithia; 12 grandchildren; and
21 great-grandchildren. Visitation
will be Monday at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Services will be
at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be
made to Church of God, 1460 E. Stuart St., Bartow, FL 33830. Wildwood Cemetery
– Ledger, Sept. 17, 2006
|
|
ALTURAS -- Mrs. Norma
Jean Grace
of Alturas died of pneumonia Friday (June 3, 2005) at Winter Haven
Hospital. She was born Aug.
19, 1936, in Daytona Beach, she
was
a former
resident of Bartow
before moving to Alturas 52 years ago.
She was a homemaker. She
was a member of Victory Life and Praise, Bartow.
Mrs. Grace is
survived by
her husband, Abe Grace Jr.;
son, Jonathon Grace, Roanoke, Va.;
daughters, Jeanie Y. Mitchell and Julie G. McDonald, both of Alturas;
brothers, Edward Wiggins, Bartow, George Wiggins, Fort Meade, Kenneth
Wiggins, Las Vegas; sisters, Ida Shriner, Ocala, Patsy Smith, Dundee;
three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Visitation will be,
Monday at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Services will be 10 a.m.
Tuesday at the funeral home.
Wildwood Cemetery –
Ledger, June 5, 2005
|
|
BARTOW
-- Mrs.
Mary Wiggins of Bartow died of respiratory failure Saturday (March 15,
2003) at Bartow Memorial Hospital. She was born
Sept. 15, 1915, in
Live Oak, she was a
lifelong resident of Bartow.
She was a homemaker. She attended
Bartow Church of God. >Mrs.
Wiggins was
preceded in death by her first
husband, Joseph Morgan, and
second husband, Clyde Wiggins. > She
is
survived by her son, James Morgan, Brooksville; daughter, Diane Harris,
Fort Meade; brother, C.H.
Mclntosh, Madison; six
grandchildren; and five
great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m.
Wednesday at the funeral home.
Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow, Fl.
|
|
BARTOW
- Abe Grace, Jr., passed away Friday, October 7, 2011 at his residence
due to heart failure. He was
born August 4, 1929 in Sampson, AL,>
Abe served his country in the
US Army. He was a Heavy
Equipment Mechanic for Florida Equipment & Service.
Mr. Grace
was a member of Victory Life & Praise Church.
He
was preceded in death by his
wife, Norma Jean Grace &
Son,
Joey Grace.> He is survived by Two Daughters, Jeannie &
husband
Roy Mitchell and Julie & husband Billy Mills both of Bartow;
son,
Jonathon E. Grace of Roanoke, VA; sister, Barbara Hopson of Lake
Placid; granddaughter, Kaley McDonald of Bartow; four grandsons, Jay
Mitchell, II and Matthew McDonald both of Bartow, John Mitchell of
Zolfo Springs and Kevin Mitchell of Wauchula; & Nine Great
Grandchildren. Family will receive friends Monday, October 10, 2011 at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 East Main Street in Bartow. Funeral
service will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home. Interment will be held at
Wildwood
Cemetery in Bartow. Condolences
to family at
www.WhiddenMcLeanfuneralhome.com . – Ledger, Oct. 10, 2011
|
|
>
WILLIAM UPTON GRACE, 88 - Albritton
Citrus - b/o Abe Grace
MULBERRY - Upton Grace died Mon 11/24/08 of pneumonia. Visit: Fri 11/28 6-8 pm Whidden-McLean F.H. Service: Sat 11/29 at 2 pm at funeral home. – Ledger, Nov. 26, 2008 ***********************
>WILLIAM
UPTON
GRACE -
88 -
Albritton Citrus
MULBERRY - William Upton
Grace,
died Monday, November 24, 2008, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center
from pneumonia. Born June 16,
1920 in Samson, AL, Mr. Grace
has
been a resident of Mulberry 32
years, moving from Alturas. Mr.
Grace was a citrus caretaker for Albritton Citrus of Alturas for 26
years. He also worked for the County of Polk for 24 years. He was a
Deacon at the Southside Baptist Church of Mulberry.
He was
preceded in death
by his wife of 55 years, Mary
T. Grace. >He is survived by
three
sons: Bill Grace & wife Debbie of Ethridge, TN, Larry Grace
&
wife Toni of Bartow & Tommy Grace & wife Jeanette of
Bartow;
three daughters: Margaret Smith & husband John Allen of Bartow,
Charlotte Brown of Mulberry, Joyce Hall & husband Robert of
Canton,
NC; one brother: Abe
Grace of
Alturas; two sisters: Barbara
Hopkins of Lake Placid & Emma
Weeks of Mobile, AL; 18 grandchildren & 31 great grandchildren.
Family will receive friends Friday, November 28th, 2008 at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will be held
Saturday, November 29, 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be at
Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, Fla.
Condolences to family at
www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com. – Ledger, Nov. 27, 2008
|
|
BARTOW - Billy Joe
'B.J.' Odum,
passed away Friday, April 17, 2015, at his home in Bartow. Born
in
Lakeland on Jan. 3, 1931, he was the son of the late
Walter
Conrad and Lessie Golden Odum.
Mr. Odum was a U.S. Army
veteran of the Korean War. He
retired as a Production Supervisor
from I.M.C. Phosphate after 40 years of service and was a longtime
member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Garfield. > Billy Joe is preceded in
death by
his wife Hazel Odum in 2010.
> He is survived by two sons: Joe
Odum (Leila) of Grove City, OH, Conrad Odum (Vicki) of Bartow, his
sister Pat Coker of Lakeland, three grandchildren Brian Odum (Julie),
Alicia Hartman (Chris), Brittney Davis (Terry) and six great
grandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday, April 24, 2015,
at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. > Funeral services
will
follow at the funeral home chapel. Memorials may be made to the First
Baptist Church of Lake Garfield building fund, 1170 Eighty Foot Rd.,
Bartow, FL, 33830. Condolences at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com
– Ledger, Tues. April 21, 2015
|
|
BARTOW - Mrs. Hazel W.
Odum,
passed away from respiratory failure December 10, 2010. Born
March
7, 1931 in Lakeland, Mrs. Odum
was the daughter of the late
Andrew Lee and Lela (Mason)
Winborn. She was a homemaker
and a member of Lake Garfield Baptist Church. > She is survived by a
loving
family that includes her
husband of 59 years, Billy Joe Odum
of
Bartow, two sons; Joe Odum and wife Leila of Grove City, OH, Conrad
Odum and wife Vicki of Bartow, three grandchildren and six great
grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Whidden-McLean Funeral
Home, 650 East Main Street in Bartow where the family will receive
friends on Tuesday December 14, 2010. > Funeral services will
follow
at 11:00 am at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial
contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave.,
Auburndale, FL 33823. Condolences at www.whid- denmcleanfuneralhome.com
>>Note: In obit Haxel's is listed a Winborn- In the marriage records it is listed as Winburn |
|
BARTOW - Mrs. Byrd, of
Bartow, died Saturday,
October 17, 2009, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale of Congestive
Heart Failure. Her family and friends are invited to the old family
home place on Floral Avenue on Monday, October 19,
2009 for a time of remembrance and fellowship. Graveside services will
be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 20 at Oak Hill Cemetery in
Lakeland. Born
September 11, 1920, in Pulaski, GA, a daughter of the
late Oscar Wesley and Debbie Boyett Rogers, she grew up in Metter,
GA, and Highland City, FL. Katherine
graduated from Summerlin
Institute in Bartow where
she met Benjamin Franklin Byrd,
Jr., whom she later married
on March 6, 1943. Frank preceded
Katherine in death on November
19, 2006. Katherine, after gaining a business school's education, worked
at Lakeland Highlands Canning Co., Howell Motor Co. in Hartsville,
SC, Southern Tool and Die Co. in Winston-Salem, NC, and the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in Atlanta, GA., where she
rose to the office of Treasurer. During her years
of
working for SACS, she and
Frank created and grew the very successful Industrial Mixer Corp. As
they approached retirement, Katherine and Frank entered into their
long-term dream to return to Florida to pursue the citrus business.
They tended their groves with tender loving care for many years until
their health began to fail in their 80's. Katherine had a brilliant
mind for numbers and throughout her last years, even as she was blinded
with Macular Degeneration, could work figures in her head faster than
most could with a calculator. >Survivors include her son, Bill
Byrd and his wife, Mickey, of Stallings, NC; daughter, Bonnie Ley and
her husband, Charles, of Bartow; brother, Oscar W. "Johnny" Rogers and
his wife, Jane, of Highland City; four grandchildren; four
great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; very special
friend, Carolyn Gay; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her
parents and Frank, Katherine
was preceded in death by her sisters, Betty Rogers, Betsy Perryman and
Sybil Roberds; and brothers, Homer, Rudolph "Rudy", and J. B. "Red"
Rogers. Bill and Bonnie thank Carolyn, Dr. Batardo and Elena, as well
as the wonderful staffs of Bartow Regional Medical Center and Good
Shepherd Hospice, for their loving and attentive care of our mother. In
lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Tenoroc High School, 4905
Saddle Creek Road, Lakeland, FL 33801. Katherine's family is being
served by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. – Ledger,
Oct.
18, 2009
|
|
Bartow
- Mr. Benjamin F. "Frank" Byrd of Bartow, died Sunday, November 19,
2006, from heart failure, at his residence in Bartow, FL. Born October 14, 1921 in Bartow, the son of the late Ben and Bessie Dempsey Byrd, he graduated from Summerlin Institute in 1939 and was a cum laude graduate of the University of Florida, class of '43. Mr. Byrd served with the US Army during both WWII and Korea, advancing to the rank of captain. In Korea, he was a field artillery battery commander. Early on, Mr. Byrd taught agriculture and worked in the fertilizer industry. He left Polk County in 1955,
continuing his work in the agriculture industry. He specialized in
fertilizer manufacturing and the developing and equipping of fertilizer
blend plants throughout the Southeastern U.S. Mr. Byrd lived for many
years in Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA., and was a member of First United
Methodist Church of Atlanta and Lodge #235 AF & AM in Alpharetta. In 1995, Mr. Byrd returned to Bartow to tend his citrus groves. > In addition to his parents, his sisters, Dorothy Byrd and Patricia Blankenship and her husband, Carl, all preceded him in death. > He is survived by his wife, Katherine Rogers Byrd of Bartow, FL., son, William E. "Bill" Byrd (Mickey) of Stallings, N.C.; daughters,
Bonnie Gibson Ley (Charles) of Alpharetta, GA.; four grandchildren;
three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. The family
will receive friends Tuesday at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. Funeral services will be at Oak Hill Burial Park at
11 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2006. Memorial contributions can be
made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, 33823.
Ledger, Nov. 21, 2006
|
|
David
passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, while staying with family in
Lakeland. Born Nov. 27, 1943 in
Bartow, he was the youngest of
four children born to Harley Lee
Hiers and Thelma Carlton Hiers. He
graduated from Summerlin
Institute in Bartow in 1961. He
attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. He
completed his bachelor’s degree at Florida Atlantic University in
Boca Raton. He served in the Army
Reserves for six years. > He was a biology
teacher and head football coach at
Bartow High School in the early 1970s. He changed careers in 1974 to become a
real estate broker with Griffin Real Estate and continued his career
with Quality Real Estate before retiring in 1998. He
lived in Bartow most of his
life with his wife and two
children, and later retired to his cabin in the Ocala National Forest.
He was an avid outdoorsman for most of his life. > He
is survived by his son, David Judson Hiers; and daughter, Keely Hiers
Chestnut (Kevin); and his former
wife, Judith Britt Hiers, whom all
reside in Lakeland. He is also survived by his siblings, H.L. Hiers,
Jr. (Thalia), JoAnn Henderson and Janice Wolff. He also leaves behind a
large extended family of
cousins, nephews and nieces.
He
made many friends through the years with whom he shared many fond
memories. He enjoyed a good conversation whether it was with a friend
or someone he just met. He made us all laugh at one time or another. He
lived a good life; loved his family and friends, the Florida Gators,
and fishing and hunting. He will be deeply missed. The family will
receive friends, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main St., Bartow. Funeral service
will follow, at the funeral home. Condolences to family may
be made at whiddenmclelanfuneralhome.com. Fort Meade Leader, Tues.,
Jan. 19, 2016.
|
|
BARTOW - Betty Lynn Douberly,
passed away Friday, February 6, 2015, at her home in Bartow. Born
March 4, 1931, in Gadsden, AL, Mrs. Douberly was a resident of
Bartow since 1945, moving from Alabama. She was a member of the
Highlands Church of Christ of Lakeland, an avid bowler, former member
of the Bartow Junior Women's Club and an avid Gator Fan. > Mrs. Douberly is survived her
husband of 64 years Kenneth E. Douberly of Bartow; two sons Kenneth
R. Douberly and Tracy Douberly (Cindy), both of Bartow; a daughter
Rosemary 'Lynn' Praay (Tim) of St. Augustine; a brother: Fred Russell
of Bartow; a sister: Rosemary Burnett of Ormond Beach, FL, 5
grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Family will receive friends
Monday, February 9, 2015, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015,at
Whidden-McLean Funeral Home. follow at >Interment at Glen Abbey
Memorial Gardens, Auburndale. Memorials may be made to Central
Florida Bible Camp, 23813 County Road 44 A, Eustis, FL, 32736 or Good
Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale 33823. Condolences to
family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com
– Ledger, Feb. 7, 2015
|
|
BARTOW - Sylvia W. Bohde passed
away Saturday, December 10, 2016 at her residence in Bartow. Born
July 8, 1944 in Bartow, Florida, Sylvia was a lifelong resident.
Upon graduation from Summerlin Institute in Bartow, Sylvia
enrolled at Brenau College in Gainesville,Ga, where she received a
bachelor's degree in elementary education. She was a life member of Chi
Omega Sorrority. She was an elementary school teacher. She
taught in the Fulton County, School System in Atlanta, Georgia
for one year with the balance of her teaching career in the Polk
County, Florida School System. She was a member of the Bartow First
Presbyterian Church. > She was survived by her
husband of 49 years: Frederick J. Bohde, Bartow; three
sons: William F. Bohde (Kelly) and Gregory J. Bohde (Kelli) all of
Bartow; John M. Bohde (Lori) Mulberry; sister: Carolyn Bullard (Bob)
Tallahassee, FL; brother: James F. Whidden, Jr. (Pat) Cumming, GA and
seven grandchildren. > Family will receive friends Wednesday,
December 14, 2016 at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Memorial
services will be held Thursday, December 15, 2016, at First
Presbyterian Church, 355 S. Florida Ave. Bartow. Memorials may be made
to Cornerstone Hospice, 2590 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33880.
– Ledger, Dec. 13, 2016
|
| JOHN WILLIAM PADGETT - 81 - Ledger, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 BARTOW - John William Padgett passed away on Friday, February 13, 2015, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center with complications from Diabetes. Born on March 13, 1933, in Lake Garfield, John attended Summerlin Institute and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November of 1951. He served for twenty three years of active duty during the Korean and Vietnam Wars retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He served on the USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47); USS Shenandoah (AD-26); USS O'Brien (DD-725); USS Clarke County (LST-601) and the USS Laffey (DD-724). During the Viet Nam War he served in combat with the Naval Mobile Riverine Forces in Vietnam's Delta Region. After retiring from the military John returned to Bartow and was employed by WR Grace in the phosphate industry for fourteen years and remained in the Naval Fleet Reserve thru May 1, 1981. He was of the Protestant faith. > He was preceded in death by his wife, Lacona Padgett; his parents, Rev. William 'Will' and Sara Padgett. He is survived by a sister, Shirley Johnson of Bartow and a brother, Tommy Padgett and his wife Annette of Lake Wales. Also numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow with funeral services at 11AM. For those who wish donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. at: www.diabetes.org/Donate in memory of John. Condolences may be sent to the Family at: www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com |
| >JULIA G. LEWIS - 90 - Educator - Ledger, Sunday, May 19, 2019 BARTOW - Julia G. Lewis peacefully passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born in Lakeland on December 15, 1928. Julia was the daughter of the late W.O. Gibson and Mamie Johnson Gibson. Julia and her family moved from Lakeland to Bartow when she was 6, where she graduated from Summerlin Institute in 1946. She was a graduate of Florida Southern College where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. Julia was very involved in the Bartow community where she taught school for 27 years. She was also involved in Bartow's Lioness' Club, Garden Club, Order of Eastern Star, and Junior Service League. > Julia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Clifford Lewis and by her brother and sister, Walter Gibson and Mary O. Vent. >She is survived by her children: Vicki Lewis of Bartow and Clifford Lewis Jr. of Ft Myers. Julia attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow. Condolences to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com . |
| >CLIFFORD A. LEWIS - 81 - Husband of Julia Gibson Lewis - BARTOW - Clifford A. Lewis passed away Monday, August 8, 2011 from complications after a stroke. Born November 15, 1929 in Boston, MA, Mr. Lewis was the only child of Wilmont A. Lewis and Hazel Waugh Lewis. He moved to Canton, MA at an early age attending local schools and was President his Senior class in 1948. He enrolled in Boston University and later signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox organization, before joining the US Air Force. He came to Bartow in the 1950's and worked in the County Criminal Courts and the Sheriff's Department. He was also with Imperial Lumber Company 25 years. He was a member of the Bartow Lion's Club, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Past President of the Florida National Credit Association. He was active in the Bartow Little League serving as district director for 25 years and the Lake Region Football Official Association. > Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Julia Gibson Lewis; a son Clifford A Lewis, Jr. of Ft. Myers and a daughter: Victoria Lewis of Orlando. Family will receive friends Thursday, August 11, 2001, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 197, Bartow, 33831 or favorite charity. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com - Ledger, Aug. 10, 2011 |
|
BARTOW
- Mr. Walter O. "Hoot" Gibson of Bartow, Fla., died Monday, December
18, 2006, at Winter Haven Hospital from heart failure. Born July 31, 1926, Mr. Gibson grew up in Bartow. He attended the University of Florida and was a member of the SAE fraternity. Mr. Gibson served in the U.S. Navy in WWII.
(He was a former member of the Florida National Guard, serving as a
Captain, also commanding Battery A in the Bartow Unit.) Mr. Gibson
worked as an insurance agent and formed his own insurance company, Amalex until later becoming Gibson Insurance Group in Lakeland. Hoot was a member and past president of the Bartow Lions
Club for the last 56 years. He also headed the Cancer Crusade for two
years and worked with the Red Cross. Mr. Gibson served as the Chairman
of the 7th Congressional District Democratic Executive Committee before
later becoming a republican. He also served as Campaign Manager for former Gov. Farris Bryant in 1960. Mr. Gibson served on the Polk County School Board for
six years and was a past chairman of the school board. He was a Mason.
Mr. Gibson was formerly a member and Deacon of The First Baptist Church
of Bartow and is a member or the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
of Bartow. > Hoot is survived by his wife of 56 years Sarah Parker Gibson of Bartow. Along with Sarah he is survived
by his sons, Walter O. "Dub" Gibson III and his wife Jenny of
Middleburg, FL, Steven P. Gibson and his wife Alicia of Indialantic,
FL, also his daughter Elizabeth Manley and her husband Conner "Chip"
Manley, Jacksonville. Mr. Gibson is also survived by his sister Julia G. Lewis and her husband Cliff of Bartow,
and five grandchildren Rachel and Jordan Gibson of Middleburg, also
Steven, Michael, and David Gibson of Indialantic. Mr. Gibson also
survived by several nieces and nephews. Arrangements are being handled
by Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow where family will receive
friends Wednesday evening. Funeral services will be Thursday
December 21, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. at The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Bartow, 205 East Stanford Street. Memorial Contributions can
be made to any charity of choice. Ledger, Dec. 20, 2006
|
| >CHARLOTTE CRAWFORD - 81 - BARTOW - Charlotte Crawford passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 in Orlando. Born at Bartow Memorial Hospital on October 17, 1937 in Bartow. She was the daughter the late Bruce and Lucy Crawford and granddaughter of the late R.B., Sr. and Ethel Crawford and Jesse and Dora Jones. Charlotte and her family moved from Fort Meade to Bartow in 1945, where she graduated from Summerlin Institute in 1955. She was a graduate of Florida Atlantic University. She authored the play, 'By Choice or Otherwise' and also two books: 'If You Are A Cracker' and 'Sterling'. > Ms. Crawford is survived by her siblings: Bob Crawford (Nancy) of Crawfordville, Candy Crawford of Orlando, and two nephews and two nieces. Above all, Charlotte cherished growing up in Bartow in the 40's and 50's and having roots in Fort Meade. Condolences to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com - Ledger, Sunday, May 19, 2019 |
| >MARTIN 'MARTY' LEE ALTMAN - 53 - ATLANTA - Martin 'Marty' Lee Altman passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Our Lady Of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, in Lafayette, Louisiana, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Royce Altman and Margaret Altman of Bartow, Florida. He was an Interactive Design and Game Development Professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born December 28, 1962. He grew up and attended school in Bartow, Florida, and in 1981, graduated from Summerlin Institute which is now Bartow High School. In 1982, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. He did a tour as a paratrooper that included a rotation in the Sinai desert. After discharge, he attended Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Florida and received his A.S. degree in Computer Science. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida in 1990, with a B.S. degree in Computer Science. In 2004, he completed his M. S. degree in Computer Science, also from the University of Central Florida. > He was preceded in death by his father, Royce Altman, Bartow, Florida and older brother, James 'Jim' Altman of Weaverville, North Carolina. > He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sara (Heath) Altman of Atlanta, Georgia; two children, son, Kent Michael Altman, Los Angeles, California; daughter, Jaime Lee Altman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and her two children (grandson Gabriel and granddaughter, Lexi). > He is survived by his mother, Margaret Altman Bartow, Florida and younger brother, Thomas Altman, Winter Haven, Florida. Services were held on Saturday. July 2, 2016, in Lafayette, Louisiana. - Ledger, Aug. 7, 2016 |
| >HAROLD BENTON - BARTOW - Harold Benton of 2055 South Floral Avenue, Bartow, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2018 of heart failure, after conquering cancer five times. A native of Lake Garfield, he had resided in Bartow all of his life with the exception of time spent in service to our country in the US Navy 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He served aboard the USS Sicily and the later sixteen months at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu Hawaii. He was the son of the late Lena and Garney Benton. He was a 1948 graduate of Summerlin Institute where he loved and excelled in sports. He later retired as Head of Accountants from Walden Lake, Plant City. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bartow and activities at Floral Lakes. > Mr. Benton is survived by his wife of 67 years, Laurene 'Laurie' Benton; son Daniel Benton; daughter Valerie Kirkland (Gerald); five grandchildren Amanda Craven (Bob-by), Lindsey Kirkland (Danielle), Allison Benton, Joshua Benton and Saralyn Benton; great grandchildren Kayla and Savannah Jackson, Hunter and Sophie Kirkland and many nieces and nephews. > He was preceded in death by sisters Ruth Mathis and Grace Thompson, as well as brothers Glen, Selma, Milton and Harry Benton. He dearly loved his family, including his Shih Tzu, Buttons. A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Bartow on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church at 355 South Florida Ave. Bartow, FL 33830. Condolences to the family at www.whiddenfuneralhome.com - Ledger, May 8, 2018 |
| >WILLIAM "BUDDY" BARNES - 82 - CSX - Ledger, Sept. 28, 2012 BARTOW - William "Buddy" Barnes of Bartow passed away on Wednesday September 26, 2012 at the Good Shepherd Hospice Forsythe House in Auburndale from complications of Alzheimer's. Born in Moultrie, GA on April 23, 1930 he was raised in Bartow and graduated from Summerlin Institute in 1948. After graduation Buddy served two years in the Army during the Korean War, then worked in trucking before settling in Jacksonville. He retired from CSX Railroad in Jacksonville as the Manager of Intermodal Operations, Maintenance & Repairs after 21 years of service, returning to Bartow in 1991. He was a golfer & a Hamm Radio operator and especially enjoyed driving and sharing a variety of cars, old and new, throughout his life. He was a loving father, grandfather and brother and was a very generous man, always willing to give freely to family and friends in need.> Buddy was preceded in death by two children Tony and Linda Shaw. > He is survived by two children Christopher "Scott" Barnes (Kim) of Mulberry and Cynthia "Cindy" Jackson and special friend Kenny Holder of Bartow, two sisters Christine Case (Bill) of Holly Hill and Sara McGinnis (Donn) of Pinehurst, NC, one brother Larry Barnes (Vicky) of Bartow and three grandchildren Kyle, Sierra and Nikki Jackson all of Bartow. A visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30, at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow with Funeral Services to follow on Monday at 10am at the funeral home. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name William E Barnes to Good Shepherd Forsythe Hospice House, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com. - |
Return to Bartow Index