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Max Harry Stenger, Sun 'n Fun
BARTOW -- When the airplanes Max Harry Stenger of Bartow repaired after graduating from high school became vintage, he helped pioneer the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In.
Mr. Stenger died of respiratory failure Friday (Aug. 19, 2005) at Palm Terrace Nursing Home in Lakeland. He was 90.
Born Dec. 24, 1914, in Lake Garfield, Mr. Stenger lived in Bartow for most of his life.
During high school, Mr. Stenger's older brother repaired airplanes and gave flight lessons. Immediately after graduating, Mr. Stenger went to work "mending" the planes he called "rag wings" because of their fabric facades.
"He was the one who did all the fabric and stitching, " said his son, Robert N. Stenger of Bartow.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Stenger served as a master sergeant and mechanic in the Army Air Corps. After the war, he returned to work with his brother restoring airplanes.
"Back then, you really couldn't make any money at it. You just broke even, " his son said.
Mr. Stenger grew up on a farm in the middle of his father's grove in Lake Garfield. Because his father worked him so hard, Mr. Stenger never wanted to grow citrus for a living, according to his son. He kept a field of his own while exploring other industries, his son said.
He worked for Standard Oil of Kentucky as a fleet manager for 25 years.
But he found his passion in aviation.
He and his brothers always owned an airplane among them and won awards for their restorations.
In the mid 1970s, Mr. Stenger and other members of the Experimental Aircraft Association began the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland to showcase local vintage airplanes.
"Back then it was just a couple of tents for a weekend, " his son said.
As director for 27 years, Mr. Stenger made sure things ran smoothly and safely for the air shows. Eventually, the event ran an entire week, allowing him to visit with friends who flew in for the fly-in.
Mr. Stenger was a member of Florida Citrus Mutual. He attended St. Thomas Catholic Church, Bartow.
Mr. Stenger is survived by his wife, Alverna M. Stenger; sons, Max "Harry" Stenger Jr. and Robert N. Stenger, both of Bartow; daughter, Alice Middleton, Apopka; brothers, Raymond Stenger and John Stenger, both of Lake Garfield; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, P.O. Box 7129, Winter Haven, FL 33880.
HECTOR MARIN, 63
S & R Transport
BARTOW -- Mr. Hector V. Marin of Bartow died of complications following a stroke Wednesday (Aug. 24, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 63.
Born in San Antonio on Dec. 31, 1941, Mr. Marin came to Polk County from Wauchula 20 years ago. He was a truck driver for S & R Transport in Lake Wales. He was a Catholic.
Mr. Marin is survived by his wife, Rosario F. Marin; daughters, Sandra Marin, Lakeland, Debra Ann Villarreal, Petaluma, Calif., Mary Alice Marin, Bartow; sons, Rolando Marin and Delfino D. Marin, both of Bartow, Hector Marin II, Santa Rosa, Calif., Henry V. Marin, Lakeland; brother, Henry Marin, Jacksonville; sister, Rebecca Leyva, Wauchula; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main St., Bartow. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2180 Kissingen Ave., Bartow.
ORA WALKER, 83
Publix
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Ora Lee Walker of Winter Haven died of heart failure Saturday (Aug. 20, 2005) at Life Path Hospice, Temple Terrace. She was 83.
Mrs. Walker lived in Winter Haven for 74 years. She attended Eloise First Baptist Church. She worked for Northgate Publix for 26 years.
Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Walker. She is survived by her son, Larry Walker, Hiram, Ga.; daughter, Donna Garner, Tampa; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Kersey Funeral Home, Auburndale. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
JOHN FIKES, 84
Steel Draftsman
LAKELAND -- Mr. John L. Fikes of Lakeland died of respiratory failure Friday (Aug. 19, 2005) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 84.
Born July 28, 1921, in Birmingham, Ala., Mr. Fikes moved to Lakeland from Birmingham 35 years ago. He worked for Steel Construction Co. as a structural steel draftsman. He was a member of the American Legion for 64 years.
Mr. Fikes was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Fikes. He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Kapke and Alice Pollard, both of Lakeland, two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.
Donations may be made to the American Lung Association.
JACKIE ENWRIGHT, 88
Homemaker
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Jackie Taylor Enwright of Winter Haven died of complications from a stroke Friday (Sept. 2, 2005) at Wake Medical Center. She was 88.
Born Sept. 22, 1916, in Clinton, N.C., Mrs. Enwright moved to Winter Haven from Lake Wales 40 years ago. She worked for Lake Wales Citrus Growers Association for 37 years and was also a homemaker. She was a Presbyterian.
Mrs. Enwright was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas L. Enwright. She is survived by her sisters, Hilda Weaver, El Paso, Texas, and Bertha T. Williams, Wade, N.C.
Services will be at 1 this afternoon at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow.
JOSEPH KISS, 94
Egg Distributor
LAKELAND -- Mr. Joseph G. Kiss of Lakeland died of heart failure Saturday (Aug. 20, 2005) at Palm Terrace Hospice House. He was 94.
Born Oct. 18, 1910, in New York City, he came here from Flemington, N.J., and was a winter resident of the area. He was owner of an egg distribution company. He was president of the board of education and a volunteer fireman in New Jersey. He was Catholic.
Mr. Kiss is survived by his wife, Helen Kiss; daughters, Dorothy Wallace, Stockton, N.J., and Frances Serridge, Lakeland; nine grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Resurrection Catholic Church, 3855 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33813.
Services will be held Saturday in Whitehouse, N.J.
Heath Funeral Chapel.
