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GERTRUDE GRAY, 77
District Manager
POLK CITY -- Mrs. Gertrude Gray of Polk City died of lung cancer Sunday (Aug. 8, 2004) at home. She was 77.
Born in Jeppoh County, Miss., on May 4, 1927, she later came to Polk City. She was a district manager of a Shop and Go.
Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband, Robert C. "Bob" Gray; brother, Melvin Tuberville, Mississippi.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 this morning at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens, 2200 K-Ville Ave., Auburndale, 33823.
Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Auburndale.
ROBERT BARFIELD, 79
Peninsular Exterminating Co.
LAKELAND -- Mr. Robert G. "Bob" Barfield of Lakeland died of respiratory failure Friday (Aug. 13, 2004) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 79.
Born Feb. 4, 1925, in Montezuma, Ga., he came here from Albany, Ga., 53 years ago. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He worked in sales for Peninsular Exterminating Co. He was a member of Lakewood Park United Methodist Church.
Mr. Barfield was preceded in death by his wife, Inez H. Barfield. He is survived by his sons, Thomas G. Barfield, Atlanta, Robert Wayne Barfield and Randall L. Barfield, both of Lakeland; daughter, Nancy Marie Smith, Polk City; sister, Joyce Lima, Orlando; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland. Services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801.
Robert Dru, 94, Lakeland Lounge
LAKELAND -- Mr. Robert James Dru of Lakeland, the manager of the Lakeland Lounge for more than 30 years, died of renal failure Sunday (Aug. 15, 2004) at Good Shepherd Hospice. He was 94.
He was born March 29, 1910.
Mr. Dru was a veteran of the Air Force, serving in World War II. He was serving in the military police when he first came to Lakeland.
Stefanie Dru-Estepp, his granddaughter, enjoyed the stories he would tell about his time in the military.
"His passing was a great loss to family and friends, " she said. "He will truly be missed."
During the 1950s Mr. Dru served as assistant dean of students at Florida Southern College. Friend Charles Kells Jr. offered him a job as manager of Lakeland Lounge, his granddaughter said. He retired from the lounge 33 years later.
"My grandpa was very sweet, joyful and always full of happiness. He made me laugh with every word he said, " grandson Christopher Dru said.
In addition to grandchildren Stefanie and Christopher, Mr. Dru is survived by his wife of 61 years, Anne Dru, son, Steve P. Dru, Lakeland; sister, Francis Richter, Clinton, Mass.; granddaughter, Stacey D. Owen; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held this e vening at 6:30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Blue Team at Good Shepherd Hospice, Lakeland and Auburndale.
SPENCELEY BUTTERS, 73
Manufacturer's Rep
LAKELAND -- Mr. Spenceley Duane Butters of Lakeland died of cancer Saturday (Aug. 21, 2004) at his home. He was 73.
Born June 21, 1931, in Detroit, Mich., he came here from St. Charles, Ill. in 1983. He was a manufacturer's representative dealing in fireplaces and accessories. He was a member of the Ninth Hole Golf Club at Sandpiper in Lakeland and Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Charles.
Mr. Butters is survived by his wife, Jane Butters; sons, Edward Butters, Sycamore, Ill., Charles Butters, De Pere, Wis., Alan Butters, St. Charles; daughter, Mary Butters Barbes, Hudson, Wis.; seven grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland.
Memorials may be made to Alma College A Capella Choir, 614 W. Superior, Alma, MI 48801.
MARTHA WARD, 86
Licensed Practical Nurse
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Martha A. Ward of Winter Haven died of a stroke Sunday (Aug. 22, 2004). She was 86.
Born Nov. 25, 1917, in Stolpe, Mo., she came here from FedHaven 12 years ago. She was an Licensed Practical Nurse. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Disabled American Veterans Association, Shriners, Lions Club of Lake Alfred, National and State Ex-POW Association and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Ward is survived by her husband, Lester B. Ward; sisters, Hertha Petersmeyer, St. Louis, Mo., Hedwig Deuschle, Winter Haven.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Winter Haven.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lake Alfred Lions Club or St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
LORRAINE COPELAND, 83
Copeland Hardware
WINTER HAVEN -- Mrs. Lorraine P. Copeland of Winter Haven died of cancer Sunday (Aug. 22, 2004) at Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale. She was 83.
She was the owner of Copeland Hardware. She was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Copeland is survived by her children, Sandra Buttermore, Winter Haven, Joan Barr, Los Alamos, N.M., Donna DiManno, Winter Haven, Donald B. Copeland Jr., all of North Chelmsford, Mass., Alan Copeland, Winter Haven; brother, Gerald DeCosta, Ft. Myers; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hope Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.
