Otye Bly, 100, FSC Librarian
ATLANTA -- Mrs. Otye B. Bly began working as a librarian at Florida Southern College in 1926, holding several other librarian titles before she returned to the college in 1958.
The retired librarian died of pneumonia Friday (June 8, 2001) in Atlanta. She was 100.
Born in Jasper, Tenn., on Jan. 17, 1901, she attended Tennessee College and did her graduate work at the University of Tennessee and the University of Illinois. A year after she joined the staff at Florida Southern College, she accepted a position in the public library in Jacksonville in 1927.
Two years later, she returned to Lakeland to marry Dr. Robert S. Bly. She served as head librarian at the Lakeland Public Library until the birth of her first child.
Following the death of her husband in 1958, she rejoined the library staff at Florida Southern College, retiring in 1974.
In her retirement, she continued to do work for the college as an archivist, also archiving for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
She founded the library at College Heights United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime member. She was also active in the Sunday school program and with the United Methodist Women.
She moved to Wesley Woods Towers retirement home in Atlanta in 1989, where she became active in its library.
She is survived by her sons, Robert Stewart Bly Jr., Columbia, S.C., and Allan Richard Bly, Stone Mountain, Ga.; brother, Elwyn Brown, Andalusia, Ala.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Burial Park.
Heath Funeral Chapel.
ROSS BEATTY, 45
Plasterer
LAKELAND -- Mr. Ross "Rusty" Beatty of Lakeland died of kidney failure Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 45.
Born in Burbank, Calif., on Dec. 29, 1955, he came to Lakeland from Fort Lauderdale in 1989. He was a plasterer for Randolph Wall Systems in Sarasota.
He is survived by his wife, Sherrin Sanders; sons, James Beatty, Lakeland, Ross Adams, Maryland; daughter, Stephanie Ailer, Lakeland; father, Earl Beatty, Lakeland; mother, Marryann Stevens, Fort Lauderdale; stepmother, Rachel Beatty, Lakeland; two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
David Russell Funeral Home, Lakeland.
MARY BENTLEY, 69
Homemaker
TRAM, Ky. -- Mrs. Mary Bentley of Tram, Ky., who has family in Haines City, died of heart failure Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2001). She was 69.
Born in Floyd County, Ky., on Sept. 20, 1932, she later moved to Tram. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her sons, William Bentley, Michael Bentley, both of Tram, Jerry Bentley, Arnold Bentley, both of Haines City; daughters, Hester Marie Frye, Ohio, Eddie Mae Roberts, Florida, Sarah Medley, Freda Gayheart, both of Tram; brother, Berlin Bradford, Buckeye, Ky.; sisters, Pearlie Prater, Bessie Hackworth, Goldie Bradford; 23 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home, Martin, Ky.
CLAIR HERRICK, 77
Draftsman
MULBERRY -- Mr. Clair Douglas Herrick of Mulberry died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Beverly Health Care. He was 77.
Born in Erie, Pa., on Nov. 14, 1923, he came to Mulberry 16 years ago. He was a draftsman for Skinner Engine Co., Union Ironworks of Erie, Pa., and Titusville Ironworks in Titusville, Pa. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Herrick; two grandsons; one great-granddaughter.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland.
PAUL ELLIS, 74
Navy
STROUD, Okla. -- Mr. Paul Kirby Ellis of Stroud, Okla., who has family in Lakeland, died of cancer Tuesday (Oct. 9, 2001) at home. He was 74.
Born in Darlington on March 7, 1927, he later moved to Stroud, Okla. He was a retired Navy veteran, having served in World War II. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Stroud.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Richard Kirby Ellis, Lakeland, Paul Kelly Ellis, Stroud; daughters, Kathryn Horn, Germany, Linda Ellis, Elizabeth Ellis, both of Stroud; brothers, James N. Ellis, Robert O. Ellis, both of Lakeland; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Louis Catholic Church in Stroud, Okla.
Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Stroud, Okla.
RUTH HAMLET, 77
Contract Manager
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Ruth Eleanor Hamlet of Winter Haven died of heart and lung disease Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) in Winter Haven. She was 77.
Born in Hudson, Mich., on Feb. 9, 1924, she came to Winter Haven from Miami in 1992. She was a contract manager for Ryder Systems Co. of Miami.
She is survived by her daughter, Glee Carlucci, Winter Haven; son, Terry Crosier, Winter Haven; two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 10 this morning at Oak Ridge Funeral Home, 1001 Grace Ave., Haines City.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, 33823.
HOWARD NIEFT, 83
Machinist
LAKELAND -- Mr. Howard C. Nieft Sr. of Lakeland died of pneumonia Tuesday (Oct. 9, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 83.
Born in Terre Haute, Ind., on June 5, 1918, he came to Lakeland in 1989. He was a machinist.
He was an Army infantry veteran, having served in World War II. He participated in the invasion of Normandy. He received seven Battle Stars and the Purple Heart.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Nieft. He is survived by his son, Howard Nieft Jr., Lakeland; brothers, Richard Nieft, Harold Nieft, Kenney Nieft, all of Terre Haute; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Lanier Funeral Home, 717 W. Griffin Road, Lakeland. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel.
BETTY WALLACE, 76
FROSTPROOF -- Mrs. Betty Jane Wallace of Frostproof died Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2001) at Florida Hospital-Heartland in Sebring. She was 76.
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home.
MARTHA MAYS, 86
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Martha Belle Mays of Winter Haven died Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Palm Garden. She was 86.
Services will be held in Morehead, Ky.
Northcutt and Son Funeral Home, Morehead, Ky.
FLORRIE RUTSKI, 74
Homemaker
AUBURNDALE -- Mrs. Florrie I. Rutski of Auburndale died of heart disease Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 74.
Born in Spriddlestone, England, on Dec. 24, 1926, she came to Auburndale from Dunkirk, N.Y., six years ago. She was a homemaker. She was Catholic.
She is survived by her husband, Alton A. Rutski; sons, Anthony W. Rutski, Auburndale, William Rutski, Lawrence Rutski, both of Fredonia, N.Y.; daughter, Sandra Czarnecki, Auburndale; two sisters, England; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
Steele's Family Funeral Services, Winter Haven.
GORDON TOUZEAU, 80
Office Products Technician
POLK CITY -- Mr. Gordon Lawrence Touzeau of Polk City died of heart failure Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Tandem Health Care of Lakeland. He was 80.
Born in Ferndale, Mich., on Sept. 16, 1921, he came to Polk City from Utica, Mich., in 1951. He was an office products technician. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served as a crew chief on a bomber.
He is survived by his wife, Irene M. Touzeau; sons, Gordon Touzeau, Glenn Touzeau, both of Polk City; brother, Marvin Touzeau, Deltona; sisters, Marion Wright, Detroit, Mildred Parker, Sun City, Ariz., Beatrice Touzeau, Bakersfield, Calif.
Lanier Funeral Home, Lakeland.
JUANITA ROZIER, 77
Nursing Aide
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Juanita W. Rozier of Winter Haven died of pneumonia Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 77.
Born in Sarasota on Feb. 25, 1924, she came to Winter Haven from Lakeland in 1989. She was a nursing aide. She was a member of Gapway Baptist Church, Lakeland.
She is survived by her sons, Jimmie D. Rozier, Warne, N.C., William L. Rozier, Mulberry; daughter, Glenda Thomas, Winter Haven; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Crisp-Coon Funeral Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Rolling Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.
ETHEL TONEY, 88
Polk General Hospital
FORT MEADE -- Mrs. Ethel R. Toney of Fort Meade died of lung failure Thursday (Oct. 11, 2001) at Haines City Health Care. She was 88.
Born in Cairo, Ga., on Oct. 12, 1912, she came to Fort Meade from Atlanta 81 years ago. She was a nurse's assistant at Polk General Hospital. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 23. She was a Methodist.
She is survived by her sons, Frank Toney, Haines City, R.A. Toney Jr., Deland, Edgar A. Toney, Edisto Island, S.C., William E. Toney, Seabrook, Texas, Leon A. Toney, Eugene, Ore.; daughter, Alice Toney Homer, Orlando; half-sister,Martha Rogers, Thomson, Ga.; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at McLean Funeral Home, 306 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.
DEBRA YATES, 46
LAKE WALES -- Ms. Debra Yates of Lake Wales died Monday (Oct. 8, 2001) at home. She was 46.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Lake Wales.
Eloise Hood, 82, Haven Civic Leader
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Eloise Hood was active in the Winter Haven community through her volunteer work and her lifetime membership in the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
The retired employee for the Florida Department of Agriculture died of respiratory failure Monday (June 11, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 82.
"She was very organized and a good leader," said her longtime friend and fellow member of Beta Sigma Phi, Wanda McMahon of Winter Haven. "She could figure out how to do things,"
Born in Winter Haven on Dec. 16, 1918, she was a lifelong resident. She worked for the Department of Agriculture for many years before she retired in the mid-1980s.
Mrs. Hood was active in the Girls Club, the Salvation Army, her sorority and political events, the latter because her late husband, Elmo Hood, was an aide to Congressman James Haley.
"She was so outstanding. She was president of the sorority so many times, and chairman of the social programs. She made it look so easy," McMahon said. "We had the best parties when she was a program chairman." An example, she said, was Chinese-themed party Mrs. Hood organized, with the decor and food planned perfectly.
"She had a lot of influence over me. I listened to her because I thought she was wise," McMahon said. "She was such a good friend."
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Winter Haven. She was a member of the Garden Club and the Winter Haven Women's Club. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Christine Schroder, Webster; brothers, James W. Weeks, Winter Haven, and Ralph B. Weeks, Lakeland; sister, Florence Haizlip, Tallahassee; two grandchildren.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 this evening at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 645 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel.
FRANKIE ALLEN, 47
National Linen Co.
LAKELAND -- Mr. Frankie Mae Allen of Lakeland died following a seizure Saturday (June 9, 2001). He was 47.
Born in Lakeland on Oct. 26, 1953, he was a lifelong resident. He was a laundry worker for National Linen Co. He was a member of New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his sons, Anthony L. Brown, Daniel Allen, both of Lakeland; daughter, Joslyn Allen, Tallahassee; mother, Velma McCloud, Lakeland; sisters, Barbara Sebron, Cassie Bell Zeigler, both of Lakeland; eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charles A. Lewis Funeral Home Chapel, 609 W. Memorial Blvd. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1321 N. Webster Ave.
LEONARD BENISEK, 80
Craftsman
LAKELAND -- Mr. Leonard John Benisek of Lakeland died of cancer Wednesday (June 13, 2001) at home. He was 80.
Born in Berwyn, Ill., on April 13, 1921, he became a winter resident of Lakeland in 1982, coming from LaGrange, Ill. He was a craftsman for Stocker Hinger in the tool and die industry. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a seabee in the European and Pacific Theaters.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothea Benisek; son, Lee Benisek, Westmont, Ill.; daughter, Kathy Jo Shufflebarger, Lakeland; six grandchildren.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Church of the Resurrection, Lakeland.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, 33823.
Lanier Funeral Home, Lakeland.
MELVIN GILLEN, 44
Sheraton Hotel
LAKELAND -- Mr. Melvin Gillen of Lakeland died of heart disease Sunday (June 10, 2001) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 44.
Born in Turrell, Ark., on Jan. 28, 1957, he came to Lakeland from Dade City 42 years ago. He worked in maintenance personnel for the Sheraton Hotel.
He is survived by his mother, Yvonne Myles, Lakeland; father, Walter L. Gillen, Grand Rapids, Mich.; stepfather, Walter Miles, Lakeland; sisters, Betty Burton, Vanessa Gillen, Patricia Idleburg, Wilma Myles, all of Lakeland; grandmother, Ruberta Gillen, Grand Rapids; companion, Elizabeth Bryant, Lakeland.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charles A. Lewis Funeral Home, 609 W. Memorial Blvd. Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at New Jerusalem M.B. Church, 1125 N. New York Ave.
BENJAMIN GONZALEZ, 26
Agricultural Laborer
PLANT CITY -- Mr. Benjamin Gonzalez of Plant City died in an auto accident Monday (June 11, 2001) in Plant City. He was 26.
Born in Mexico on Sept. 10, 1974, he came to Plant City from Vera Cruz, Mexico, eight years ago. He was an agricultural laborer. He was a Catholic.
He is survived by his wife, Renaee Wilkins; stepdaughter, Emily Wilkins, Plant City; father, Andres Martinez, Plant City; sisters, Marie DeCarman, Roseo Gonzalez, Qraceli Gonzalez, all of Mexico.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 this evening at Haught Funeral Home, Plant City. Services will follow at 7:30 at the funeral home chapel.
MERRITT HARRISON, 85
Sears
LAKELAND -- Mr. Merritt Welcome Harrison of Lakeland died of liver disease Saturday (June 9, 2001) at James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital. He was 85.
Born in Cattaraugus, N.Y., on Dec. 9, 1915, he came to Lakeland from Jamestown, N.Y., 32 years ago. He was a salesman for Sears. He was a member of the American Legion, Winter Haven. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and Free Masons of Lakeland. He was a life member of the Florida Sheriff's Association. He was a leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and was recently honored as the oldest veteran at the Chamber's Farm gathering in Ocala. He was a Catholic.
He is survived by his sons, Richard Harrison, Michael Harrison, both of California; daughters, Venecia Blackman, Pensacola, Patricia Christensen, Lake Wales; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
David-Russell Funeral Home, Lakeland.
ROBERT ARMSTRONG, 47
Laborer
MULBERRY -- Mr. Robert Lee Armstrong Jr. of Mulberry died Saturday at Caribou Memorial Hospital, Soda Springs, Idaho, following an industrial accident (June 9, 2001) He was 47.
Born in Tallahassee on May 14, 1954, he later came to Mulberry. He was a laborer. He was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Fuller Heights.
He is survived by his mother, Rosa Lee Armstrong, Lakeland; son, Corey Leon Armstrong, Lakeland; daughters, Laquasha S. Armstrong, Stephnie Roundtree, both of Lakeland; brothers, Billy Armstrong, Johnny Armstrong, Julian Armstrong, all of Mulberry, Melvin Armstrong, Detroit, Samuel Armstrong, Bartow; sisters, Juanita Armstrong, Miami, Linda J. Armstrong, Lakeland, Mae Childs, Mulberry; seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
THOMAS MAUTER, 81
Mauters Animal Feed
WINTER HAVEN -- A Mass of Christian burial for Mr. Thomas C. Mauter of Winter Haven, who died Sunday (June 10, 2001), will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at St. Joseph's Parish, Sylvania, Ohio. A reception will be at noon today at his home in Swiss Village, Winter Haven.
David-Russell Funeral Home, Lakeland.
GRACE JOHANNES, 81
Dental Assistant
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Grace Myrl Johannes of Winter Haven died of heart failure Wednesday (June 13, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. She was 81.
Born in Sale City, Ga., on Feb. 9, 1920, she came to Winter Haven from Georgia, 79 years ago. She was a dental assistant. She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Johannes. She is survived by her sister, Alma S. Powell, Winter Haven; brother, Ray H. Smith, Lake Wales.
Graveside services will be at 10 this morning at Oak Hill Cemetery, U.S. 98 S., Lakeland.
A.M. Seigler Funeral Home.
MARK DeTUCCI, 37
LAKELAND -- Mr. Mark C. DeTucci of Lakeland died Friday (June 8, 2001) in Orlando. He was 37.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Heath Funeral Chapel. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel.
JOSEPHINE O'STEEN, 89
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Josephine Louise O'Steen of Lakeland died of heart arrythmia Wednesday (June 13, 2001) at Tandem Health Care of Lakeland. She was 89.
Born in Griffin on March 28, 1912, she came to Lakeland from Willacoochee, Ga., in 1953. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Clayton O'Steen; daughter, Martha Byers, Lakeland; son, Clayton Elwin O'Steen, Tallahassee; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Polk County Unit-West, 1605 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805 or Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 3125 W. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, FL 33810.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lanier Funeral Home, 717 W. Griffin Road, Lakeland. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home chapel.
CARSEY PATRICK, 73
Orange Grove Caretaker
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. Carsey Patrick Jr. of Winter Haven died of cancer Monday (June 11, 2001) at Winter Haven Hospital. He was 73.
Born in Cordele, Ga., on Aug. 11, 1927, he came to Winter Haven more than 40 years ago. He was a retired orange grove caretaker.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 142, Sampson Lodge. He was a past Knight Temple Johnson Commander No. 40, and D.A. Proctor Chapter No. 85. He was a Bennie Campbell High Priest. He was a member of the Worthy Joshua of Alberta, Conn., No. 82 for more than 30 years. He was a member of the District 11 Heroins of Jericho. He was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Polk City, where he was a past Sunday school teacher, church clerk and a member of the Brotherhood.
He is survived by his daughters, Wanda Patrick-Dixon, Winter Haven, Collette Patrick-Shockley, Wilmington, Del.; son, Carsey Michael Patrick Sr., Tallahassee; sister, Mamie Moore, Winter Haven; brothers, Willie Patrick, Wilmington, John Patrick, Bronx, N.Y., Sammy J. Patrick, Clifford Young, both of Macon, Ga.; five grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Winter Haven.
Trinity Funeral and Cremation Center, Winter Haven.
GORDON TYRE, 71
Wilson Insurance Co.
FROSTPROOF -- Mr. Gordon Lee Tyre of Frostproof died of cancer Tuesday (June 12, 2001) at Lake Wales Medical Centers. He was 71.
Born in Barney, Ga., on Sept. 13, 1929, he came to Frostproof at a young age. He was the owner and operator of Wilson Insurance Co. He was an installment loan officer at Citizens Bank of Frostproof for 22 years. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a former member of the Lake Wales Country Club. He was a past member of the Frostproof Rotary Club and the Lions Club. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Frostproof.
He is survived by his wife, Marco Tyre; mother, Fannie Mae Tyre, Frostproof; son, Harvey Suber, Frostproof; two grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening at Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Frostproof. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home chapel.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund.
JUANITA ROY, 94
Lakeland General Hospital
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Juanita Roy of Lakeland died following a stroke Tuesday (June 12, 2001) at Lakeland Hills Center. She was 94.
Born in Clarence, Mo., on March 10, 1907, she came to Lakeland from Kansas City, Mo., 45 years ago. She was a registered nurse at Lakeland General Hospital and in private duty throughout Polk County. She was also a proprietor and manager of her own private nursing home.
She is survived by her grandsons, Frank Keller Henry, Lakeland, James Lee Henry, Plymouth, Mass.; granddaughters, Rebecca Naseer, Lakeland, Susan Crowe, Katy, Texas; five great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lakeland.
H.W. Oldham Funeral Home, Lakeland.
ANDREW RYAN, 69
District Attorney
LAKELAND -- Mr. Andrew W. Ryan Jr. of Lakeland died of cancer Tuesday (June 12, 2001). He was 69.
Born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., on June 13, 1931, he became a seasonal resident in 1994, coming to Lakeland permanently in 1996. He was a former judge, district attorney and state Assembly member.
He graduated from Georgetown University and Albany Law School. He was admitted to the Bar in 1960, operating his own law firm. He later was associated with John P. Judge and the firm of Fitzpatrick, Bennett & Trombley. He served the late Justices Ryan and Soden as Confidential Supreme Court Clerk.
He was elected in 1968 to represent the 108th District in the New York state Assembly; and in 1972 he was chosen to represent the redistricted 110th District. He served in the Assembly for 17 years on many committees and was the ranking minority member of the Juciciary Committee for years and later served as assistant minority leader.
In 1974, he was honored by the New York State Conservation Council as Conservationist of the Year.
He served as district attorney of Clinton County and was elected to the state Supreme Court from the 4th Judicial District. Following his retirement in 1996, he served two years as judicial hearing officer.
He was an Army veteran, serving as a second lieutenant.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen Moe Ryan; daughter, Maura Cruz, Las Vegas; son, Andrew Ryan III, Brooklyn, N.Y.; sisters, Susette Graham, Fairport, N.Y., Keven Bellows, Los Angeles; one grandson.
Memorial Mass will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Marcum Road, Lakeland.
Memorials may be made to Watson Clinic Foundation, 1430 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805; or Moffitt Cancer Research Center, Magnolia Drive, Tampa.
RICHARD SMITH, 89
U.S. Patent Office
LAKELAND -- Mr. Richard Francis Smith of Lakeland died of a stroke Monday (June 11, 2001) in Mentor, Ohio. He was 89.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 18, 1912, he came to Lakeland from Arlington, Va., 26 years ago. He worked for the U.S. Patent Office in the Trademark Section.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Legion of Mary. He was a member of the Secular Franciscans. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lakeland.
He is survived by his brother, Kenneth J. Smith, Hammond, Ind.; sister, Jeanette Smith Fisher, Mentor, Ohio.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with a Wake service at 7 p.m. at Heath Funeral Chapel. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
CHARLENE SWISHER, 79
Homemaker
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Charlene Margaret Swisher of Lakeland died of heart and lung failure Monday (June 11, 2001) at home. She was 79.
Born July 1, 1921, she came to Lakeland from Oakland, Ill., in 1989. She was a homemaker. She was Catholic.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Swisher; son, Ron Swisher, Lakeland; daughters, Linda Gibbs, Gallatin, Tenn., Rinda Meyer, Oakland, Ill.; brother, Robert Nolan, Charleston, Ill.; sister, Nema Craven, Benton, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 this morning at Lakeland Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 11 this morning at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.
IDA WILLIAMS, 83
LAKELAND -- Mrs. Ida Lou Williams of Lakeland died Saturday (June 9, 2001) at home. She was 83.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 2500 Lucerne Park Road, Winter Haven. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Boyd Funeral Home, Winter Haven.
CHESTER WORTH, 93
PLANT CITY -- Mr. Chester Worth of Plant City died Saturday (June 9, 2001) at home. He was 93.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 this evening at Marion and Honors Funeral Home Chapel, 1110 E. Laura St., Plant City. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Garden of Peace Cemetery, Plant City.
Stacy Smith, 73, Smith Builders
LAKELAND -- The Rev. Stacy C. Smith began talking to people about the Lord while he was working as a general contractor through his business, Smith Builders, in Lakeland.
The retired contractor, pastor and evangelist died of heart failure Wednesday (July 11, 2001) at home. He was 73.
"He had a great zest for life. He liked doing things, never staying still and having fun," said his daughter, Gloria Smith Perez of Valencia, Calif. "He had one of those minds that he could just retain everything."
A native of Lakeland, he was born April 14, 1928, and lived in Polk County his entire life.
He met his wife, Alta, when she was visiting his cousin. They were married 53 years.
"We both played guitars and sang on the radio station a little bit right after we were married," said Alta Smith. "We had a good life together."
He operated Smith Builders in the 1960s, building custom homes and other structures, including the Polk City Fire Station and the New Home Baptist Church parsonage.
"He could do plumbing, wiring, drawing up his own blueprints -- he could do everything. He was my angel," Alta Smith said.
She said he was called to work full time for the Lord while on his way home from meeting with a family he was doing work for.
He served as pastor of the Bartow Pentecostal Church of God for five years and the Miracle Hour House of Prayer for six years. "When he started pastoring churches, if they couldn't afford a pastor, he would do it for free," Alta Smith said.
The Smiths traveled in their motor home to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Alabama, California and other states, where Rev. Smith was an evangelist for several years until his health would no longer permit him to do this.
"He wanted to be healed and get out and preach. He still prayed with people on the phone," Alta Smith said.
Perez added that her father had just prayed with someone over the phone two days before his death.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his sons, Carl Christopher Smith, Belton, S.C., Jared Stacy Smith, Valencia; sister, Evelyn Rogers, Lakeland; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Lakeland Funeral Home. Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home chapel.
